nashuaworldcup Chapter 11 Phoenix Seeks Its Mate
Chapter 11 Phoenix Seeks Its Mate
That night, in Aunt Jiang's room.
Moonlight streamed through the carved window lattice, illuminating Aunt Jiang and Qiao Qingling, reflecting the ever-changing expressions on their faces.
"It's really strange," Aunt Jiang said in a low voice. "Ever since that day when Qiao Qingyin woke up from the water, she's been acting all weird."
Qiao Qingling nodded, her brows furrowing slightly: "Yes, Mother. She wasn't like this before. Today she actually dared to talk back to you and say those inexplicable things."
Aunt Jiang sneered, "Who does she think she is? She's just a lucky little bitch who was born into a good family."
As she spoke, she turned around and took Qiao Qingling's hand, gently comforting her, "Ling'er, don't worry. With Qiao Qingyin's stupid and dull brain, she was easily fooled by us in the manor before. Even if she went to the palace, she would only be sent to her death. She is no match for you at all."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Qingling lowered her head, a hint of inferiority in her eyes: "But Mother, although I am smarter than her, how can I compare to her in terms of looks? If she were by my side, how could His Majesty possibly take a liking to me?"
"How can you say something that boosts the morale of others while diminishing your own?"
Aunt Jiang said, "Silly child, you must remember that His Majesty doesn't just look at appearances when choosing concubines. Character and talent are more important. As long as you prepare well, I believe you will definitely win His Majesty's favor during the selection."
Qiao Qingling was still unsure.
Although she was pretty and delicate, and could be considered a little beauty, compared to Chu Qingyin's bright and elegant face, she was like a white camellia placed next to a peony, no match for the queen of flowers.
Aunt Jiang looked down on her daughter's timidity. Her dark eyes darted around, and suddenly a glint of light flashed in them. She lowered her voice and said, "Actually, there's one more thing that can help us."
Qiao Qingling raised her eyes curiously: "What is it?"
Aunt Jiang looked around to make sure no one was around before whispering in her daughter's ear, "The imperial family values reputation above all else. How can a woman with a tarnished reputation be selected?"
Qiao Qingling's eyes widened: "Mother, you mean...?"
A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Aunt Jiang's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by affection: "Silly child, don't worry. Mother has made arrangements. You just need to prepare well."
Qiao Qingling hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded: "Daughter understands."
After exchanging a few more words, the two returned to their respective rooms.
Watching her daughter's departing figure, a smug glint flashed in Aunt Jiang's eyes: "Qiao Qingyin, Qiao Qingyin, do you think you're safe and sound? Just wait and see, I'll ruin your reputation and make sure you never recover!"
-
The official day for the imperial concubine selection was set for the eighth day of the second month. With some time still to go before entering the palace, Chu Qingyin, apart from inquiring about information about other mansions sending concubines for the selection, stayed at home, taking care of her skin, resting and recuperating, and preparing for the selection with all her might.
That afternoon, she lay in the courtyard, carefully applying a thin layer of honey and pearl powder mask to her face, then closed her eyes and quietly waited for the essence to be absorbed by her skin.
Xianglan watched from the side, very curious: "Miss, does this really work?"
At first, the young woman asked her to prepare honey, pearl powder, and hibiscus juice. She thought she was going to make a dessert. Unexpectedly, the young woman put these things in a bowl, stirred them for a while, and then applied them to her face.
"This is a beauty recipe I found in an ancient medical book. It has a miraculous effect on whitening the skin," Chu Qingyin said lazily while lying down.
Actually, this method was a beauty secret recipe from the Imperial Hospital in her previous life, exclusively for the imperial harem. She remained the most beautiful woman in the harem even after many years in the palace, having put a lot of effort into her beauty maintenance.
However, in her past life, she took care of herself, for women dress up for those who appreciate them.
She has maintained her appearance throughout her life. As the saying goes, "A skilled craftsman must first sharpen his tools." If you want to make a name for yourself in a talent show, you can't do it without a good-looking face.
A moment later, Chu Qingyin opened her eyes and carefully examined her skin in the bronze mirror.
Seeing that the mask had been completely absorbed and her skin had a healthy glow, she smiled with satisfaction.
"Wow, young lady, this prescription is really good. Your complexion looks much fairer," Xianglan exclaimed from the side.
Chu Qingyin thought to herself, "Of course, after all, it's a secret recipe from the imperial court."
After finishing the follow-up maintenance, she looked out the window and said, "The weather is nice today. Let's move my guqin to the garden. I haven't played it in a long time, and I'm a bit rusty. I should practice some more."
Xianglan was slightly taken aback, never expecting that the young lady who used to try every means to avoid practicing the piano would actually take the initiative to practice.
Perhaps it's because he's about to enter the palace that his temperament has become more composed.
With that in mind, Xianglan quickly went to the storeroom, found the dusty guqin, and moved it to the pavilion in the garden.
The February breeze was not yet chilly, but the trees in the garden had already sprouted tender green buds, and clusters of pale yellow forsythia swayed in the wind, which was very lovely.
Chu Qingyin sat upright in front of the zither, adjusted the strings slightly to make sure the tone was accurate, then took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and placed her fingers on the strings.
The moment the slender fingertips touched the strings, they seemed to have their own thoughts and began to play with inertia.
The music was melodious and graceful, sometimes high-pitched and passionate, sometimes low and gentle, and it rippled through the garden. The passing maids were all amazed that such beautiful music was played by the young lady.
The family had always known that the eldest daughter, born of the principal wife, was lazy, good-for-nothing, and uneducated, while the second daughter, born of a concubine, was well-educated, virtuous, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Now it seemed that the eldest daughter was actually hiding her true talents.
Chu Qingyin, who was quietly playing the zither in the pavilion, was unaware of the gazes of others. She was completely immersed in the piece "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate".
She still remembered that when she and Pei Yuanling pledged their love under the crabapple blossoms, it was Pei Yuanling who played this piece for her.
"A beauty I see, I cannot forget; a day without seeing her, I am driven mad with longing; the phoenix flies high, seeking its mate across the four seas; alas, the beauty is not on the eastern wall..."
Chu Qingyin's fingers moved nimbly across the strings, but as the music flowed, her thoughts gradually became chaotic.
Memories flooded her mind like a tide, and she recalled the scene from her past life when Pei Yuanling played this piece for her...
She sat quietly by the tree in a red dress, listening as he played the piano, his handsome face adorned with a gentle smile, gazing at her with deep affection.
At that time, she thought it would last a lifetime, a harmonious and loving relationship, but what happened in the end...?
The fingers unconsciously tightened, and the piano music became more rapid.
Suddenly, a string snapped, making a sharp clang, and the sharp edge of the string cut her finger.
"Ouch." Chu Qingyin cried out in pain and looked down at her fingers.
A thin trail of blood had appeared, and bright red blood beads were slowly seeping out.
She frowned, about to put her finger in her mouth, when a clear, pleasant male voice came from behind her: "Miss Qiao, use this."