CHAPTER 461: CHAPTER 460: THE FIRST FEMALE GENERAL OF DAWEI, TRULY LIVES UP TO HER REPUTATION

The drums and music were deafening and stirred the hearts of all who listened, but the faces of Dawei’s civil and military officials were far from pleased.

The official in charge of the banquet was sweating profusely, not daring to meet the Crown Prince’s mildly mocking gaze on the high platform.

All because the opening drums and music were a program from the Chu Kingdom!

Watching the robust men exit the stage, Chu Qi stood up and applauded, "Good, very good! The sons of my Chu Kingdom truly have an imposing presence, seeing them makes me want to go down there and bang the drum myself."

"Actions speak louder than words, King of Chu." Nobody expected the Crown Prince to chime in at this moment.

There was an almost deadly silence in the arena for a moment.

He had just brought it up in passing, and now the man was actually taking it seriously.

Chu Qi swept a sidelong glance at Xiao Pingfeng, who wore an innocent face.

Chu Qi couldn’t help but curse in his heart.

How petty.

Was it just because he had won a hundred of the finest Sweat-Blooded Treasure Horses from him yesterday, that he continued to bear a grudge with that sullen face today?

The Crown Prince was not embarrassed at all; instead, he took pride, "Would you like me to have someone bring up a flower drum for you?"

"The Crown Prince is thoughtful, but the banquet must go on, and I cannot delay everyone’s time. I hear that the sword dance of Dawei is renowned for its elegance, and I wonder if I could have the honor of witnessing it today?"

When it came to sword dance, Chu Qi’s gaze always drifted to Yan Wanqing, who sat silently nearby, pretending to be a beautiful vase.

Years ago, on that night by the bonfire, amidst everyone’s coaxing, she took up a tree branch and danced under the firelight, a performance so stunning that to this day, he could vividly recall the scene when he wandered alone at midnight.

If he could see her perform a sword dance again in his lifetime, he would die content.

"If the King of Chu wishes to see it, naturally, I must fulfill the request," Xiao Pingfeng said, raising his hands and clapping.

From the southwestern corner of the empty stage, a woman in red emerged, holding a long sword that gleamed dazzlingly. Chu Qi recognized it at a glance as Yan Wanqing’s former sidearm.

The woman’s features bore some resemblance to the Crown Princess Consort, but her brows and eyes had less of the reserved coldness and more of a man’s sharp spirit.

"Who is this?" Chu Qi asked, somewhat surprised.

Yan Wanqing finally spoke up at this point: "General Rujin, the fifth daughter of my family, Yan Hongzhao."

When she spoke, Chu Qi noticed a trace of barely perceptible pride in her tone.

It seems this sister really satisfies her.

Even among the great clans and relatives of the Imperial Family, sibling rivalry is common, and it is rare for someone to show the level of pride that Yan Wanqing expressed.

Perhaps... this is what sets the Yan Family apart.

"Who doesn’t know that the Crown Princess Consort’s sword dance is unrivaled in the world? Now that the Crown Princess Consort is pregnant, it is understandable that General Rujin takes her place. However, I am curious about her skill level..." someone in the stands questioned.

But as soon as the remark was made, the performance below had already begun.

Yan Hongzhao had been injured not long ago, yet today she wielded her long sword as effortlessly as clouds and water, showing no sign of her injury. Especially in her bright red attire, the skirt fluttering in the breeze with her movements gave off a carefree charm typical of a wandering hero from the jianghu.

Watching the sword dance was already supremely enjoyable, but unexpectedly, the sounds of a guzheng suddenly erupted from the stands!

Its melody conveyed a sense of grandeur, evoking images of a lone wisp of smoke over the vast desert and a full moon descending over the long river, elevating the emotions from merely those of wandering heroes to the level of the nation’s landscapes and rivers.

The girl playing the guzheng turned out to be another unblemished young lady, bearing resemblance to General Rujin dancing below – yet another sister from the Yan Family.

Yan Lingzhen, often seen in the palace and known for accompanying Yan Wanqing everywhere, was recognized by many. Although her medical skills were well-known, no one had seen her play a musical instrument before.

And to think she played so well!

Even Yan Wanqing was surprised for a moment.

However, what surprised her wasn’t that Yan Lingzhen could play the guzheng, but at such an event, given Xiaoliu’s usual disinterest in the powerful, she shouldn’t have joined in the excitement. Yet today, she chose to perform in front of such a large audience, which truly baffled her as the elder sister.

When the piece ended, the sound lingered for a full three feet.

Down in the arena, Yan Hongzhao also sheathed her long sword and carried it on her back, bowed slightly to the stands above, and slowly left.

The audience, immersed in the surging sentiments of mountains and rivers, found it hard to pull themselves together for a long time.

Some of the literati even wept openly.

Both performances were filled with fervor, on one side were dozens of muscular men from Chu Kingdom, and on the other, a red-clad swordswoman and a young girl playing the guzheng. Yet, the latter gave them a sensation that was unprecedentedly intense.

Many wished they could go to the battlefield themselves to defend their homes and country, to calm the tumultuous passion within their hearts.

"Was this act prepared in advance by you?" Xiao Pingfeng asked in a low voice to his bedfellow, pulling himself from his emotions.

Yan Wanqing curled her red lips, and her eyes, clear-cut in black and white, were full of interest.

"To respond to Your Highness, this is also the first time I have seen it," meaning she had no idea that the two sisters had prepared this trick up their sleeves.

It seemed like an impromptu decision.

The woman originally scheduled to perform the sword dance was called Gongsun Erniang, a renowned sword dancer on the rivers and lakes.

To secure her appearance, it was said that Xiao Pingfeng went to great lengths, but unexpectedly, the one who appeared today wasn’t Erniang but the fifth sister, Hongzhao.

Something must have happened in the interim, but it was not appropriate to discuss it from their vantage in the stands.

Xiao Pingfeng was obviously aware of this, which is why he asked Yan Wanqing.

The eunuch who had gone to gather information returned and whispered a few words to Xiao Pingfeng, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"What happened?" asked Yan Wanqing.

Xiao Pingfeng kept a composed expression, "Erniang has been injured and cannot perform, Hongzhao is standing in for her."

Therefore, Xiaoliu, having seen Hongzhao perform the sword dance alone, must have decided on the spur of the moment to take up the guzheng and accompany her.

This all made perfect sense.

"How could someone be injured just like that?" A surge of anger rose in Yan Wanqing’s heart.

Between the two countries, even the slightest irregularity could become fodder for the other side.

Today, it was fortunate that Hongzhao was there to step in. If the injured Gongsun Erniang had been standing there, who knows how the Chu Kingdom might have belittled Dawei.

The one who injured Erniang truly deserved condemnation!

"Let’s pretend we don’t know about this matter for now," Xiao Pingfeng replied, and the couple maintained light smiles on their faces, joining the audience in applause.

Everyone recovered from their emotions without realizing that it had been a performance hastily put together by substitutes, and they were all genuinely admiring the outstanding act.

"Dawei truly is brimming with talent!" A spark of brilliance flashed in King Chu Qi’s eyes, followed by his praise, "General Rujin’s sword dance is truly divine. No wonder the Crown Prince is willing to name her the first female general of Dawei, her reputation is indeed well-deserved!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Wanqing’s eyes chilled by several degrees.

How dare Chu Qi.

To mock her sister in such a way.

Does he really think that she, Yan Wanqing, sitting here, is just for show?!