Chapter 29: Ancient Palace BL (II)

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Chapter 29: Ancient Palace BL (II)

The moment the door was pushed open, the room fell silent. The dancers, who had been busy applying their makeup or chatting in small groups about the nobles attending the banquet, all turned to look at Miao Lichen. At the sight of Miao Lichen dressed in brilliant red, their eyes showed a flicker of surprise, but far more understanding.

Because Mr. Nangong had taken the position of the Prince’s principal consort, Mr. Miao had deliberately worn red to provoke the Prince? Red was reserved exclusively for the Prince’s principal consort. Nearly everyone believed that even if Miao Lichen could never become the Prince’s principal consort, he would still willingly settle for the position of concubine. Even as a concubine, his status would far surpass that of a court musician.

In this imperial palace filled with high-ranking officials and nobles, any master could decide a performer’s fate with a single word. Their fame meant nothing.

“Mr. Miao is here. I’m sure you’ll master today’s piece with ease. This is a new composition prepared for the Azure Dragon Empire’s envoys. It has a very exotic feel when played. His Highness will surely be stunned by you again.” A man with a distinctly gentle voice walked over, a sheet of music pinched between his thumb and middle finger that he tossed into Miao Lichen’s arms.

He was clearly a eunuch, but he looked down on Miao Lichen. It was because they could never live as complete men, while Miao Lichen possessed a whole body yet willingly chose to submit to another man.

“Mhm.” Seemingly oblivious to his attitude, Miao Lichen set the guqin aside and picked up the sheet music. Qin Yue carefully inspected each string on the guqin. Miao Lichen’s guqin was a gift from the reigning Emperor, Xuanyuan Ziying and was naturally extremely precious. Qin Yue’s position was equivalent to a guqin attendant, which was why she always followed Miao Lichen.

“All right everyone, time is almost up. Mr. Miao has never participated in rehearsals for this event, I wonder if you would like to rehearse backstage?” The eunuch Xiao Linzi walked over and lightly tapped the sheet music with his delicate fingers. “Although Mr. Miao hasn’t participated in our rehearsals in a long time, we trust your abilities. This is a new piece of music.”

“No need.” Miao Lichen set the score aside. Although it was unfamiliar, both the original and the current Miao Lichen had a level of attainment in music. Compared with modern musical notation, this score was remarkably straightforward. The emotions it conveyed were clear, making it easy to master after a single reading.

What he lacked was probably coordination with the dancers, but whether they rehearsed or not, he could not see any desire among the dancers to coordinate with him. Perhaps they even hoped someone would make a mistake so they could stand out in contrast. When welcoming the envoys, they were not only aiming for the high ranking officials of Xuanyuan Empire, but also Azure Dragon Empire envoys.

Xuanyuan Empire and Azure Dragon Empire have always maintained friendly relations, and marriage alliances were commonplace. If a woman catches the eye of an envoy, she might even be granted a title and sent off to be married. Beautiful young women naturally harbored ambitions that were difficult for outsiders to fathom.

“Everyone, take a good rest. Perform well when you get on stage later. Maybe one of our lords will take a liking to you. The envoys from Azure Dragon Empire this time are said to have a good relationship with the royal family. They are true high nobles. You girls better behave yourselves.” Xiao Linzi shifted his gaze from Miao Lichen and paced around the room. With his encouragement, the girls’ faces involuntarily flushed.

Miao Lichen rested his hands on the guqin strings that Qin Yue brought close. Every time they stepped onto the stage, they were filled with hope; every time they left it, they were disappointed. They had already been disappointed so many times, yet they could still remain hopeful. The optimism in these girls was rather enviable.

“Mr. Miao, it’s time.” Qin Yue handed over the guqin and nervously played with her lapel once she handed it off. “His Highness will surely come to appreciate you.”

“I understand, thank you.” Miao Lichen gave a small smile, and walked ahead of the group. The musician always entered before the dancers, and he had no desire to challenge the order. Pushing open the door, he walked past the hanging screen. Beyond the screen lay an entirely different world. Regardless of the era or culture, the seat of imperial power was always magnificent beyond compare.

Upon entering the main hall, he ignored the murmurs that arose around him, bowed to the Emperor with a faint smile, and then took his seat. His seat was relatively close to the Emperor’s, likely so he could hear the performance better. He placed his hands on the guqin and gently plucked the strings, letting the melody flow. Beautiful dancers entered the hall one by one, dancing gracefully to the music.

Miao Lichen looked up and met Xuanyuan Zihao’s gaze, with a fleeting moment of surprise showing in the Prince’s eyes. He glanced to the side to look at the most beautiful man in the country, Nangong Qingyue. The man had such beautiful androgynous features, and wore a slightly oversized light blue robe that made him look more delicate.

Nangong Qingyue was also staring curiously at his white hair, as it was very eye-catching. When their eyes accidentally met, Nangong Qingyue quickly looked away like a startled rabbit. His expressive eyes and demeanor made him very endearing. So lovely, just the type Miao Lichen disliked the most.

As the final note flowed from his fingers, he withdrew from the guqin then rose and bowed toward the Emperor.

Rising to his feet, Luo Qinglan regarded Miao Lichen with undisguised interest. “As expected of the finest musician of the Xuanyuan Empire, the music he played was utterly captivating.” His gaze swept over his white hair, and down the red clothes that would normally be gaudy, but he wore with elegance. It would be a pity if someone like him were forbidden from wearing red. His gaze met Xuanyuan Zihao’s in midair, catching the flash of annoyance in the prince’s eyes. Pretending not to notice, he cupped his hands toward the Emperor. “May I be so bold as to request another piece from this gentleman, Your Majesty?”

“It is rare that our envoys are so pleased. Since our honored guest enjoys it so much, Beloved Subject Miao, play another piece.” Xuanyuan Ziying spoke with the natural majesty unique to an emperor, entirely unlike Xuanyuan Zihao’s relaxed demeanor.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Miao Lichen bowed, and sat back down to play a piece the original already knew. After finishing the performance, he withdrew. It was impossible for him to handle all the music of this banquet. Even a renowned musician could only play three to four pieces each time.

“Mr. Miao, would you like to rest for a while? Can your body take it?” Qin Yue took the guqin from Miao Lichen and worriedly looked over his face, trying to find any hint of fatigue from it.

“It is merely two pieces, not something I cannot handle. I’m not some fragile flower.” Miao Lichen smiled and walked towards his residence, showing no intention of lingering.

“Are you not looking for a chance to meet His Highness? Ever since His Highness married, it has been rare to see His Highness in the palace.” Qin Yue faltered for a while and finally asked. Although she did not support them being together, Mr. Miao really liked His Highness. If he couldn’t see His Highness again, would he go back into hysteria? That state was completely unlike the Miao Lichen of her memories.

“There is no need anymore. How can a Xuanyuan Prince be someone we wish for?” The smile on Miao Lichen’s lips seemed bitter, but also carried chilling indifference. His peaceful aura remained unchanged, so Qin Yue did not notice it.

“It is wonderful that you’ve finally thought it through, Mr. Miao.” Qin Yue followed behind him with the guqin, a hint of joy taking over the worry on her features. Her beautiful eyes glistened as she watched his back. Her steps became noticeably lighter.

As dusk gradually settled, Miao Lichen sat in his room, plucking the strings of his guqin. As he expected, the sound of footsteps stopped behind him. Those unhurried footsteps carried a steady rhythm, like a leopard at rest—graceful yet capable of killing in a single strike.

“You’re here. It has been a long time, Your Highness.” Miao Lichen rose and gave a proper bow to Xuanyuan Zihao. His prior casualness was gone, as if everything went back to their first meeting.

“A’chen, is there a need for this?” A hint of something flitted through Xuanyuan Zihao’s eyes, but it was quickly masked over with his usual gentle demeanor. He tried to place a hand on Miao Lichen’s shoulder, but Miao Lichen quietly stepped aside.

“A need? Your Highness, I only did what you wanted me to do. I am but a musician, unworthy of your noble status.” The smile on Miao Lichen’s lips never faltered, though it now carried unmistakable mockery. The scrape of his fingers across the strings was especially harsh. “I’ve merely come to understand where I stand… and what I should no longer hope for. Your Highness doesn’t need to worry. If my presence should cause Your Highness even the slightest distress, I couldn’t possibly bear such a responsibility.”

“A’chen, are you drawing a line between us now? I was indeed impulsive that day, but I regret it. Have you recovered, shall I summon an imperial physician?” Xuanyuan Zihao’s impatience was well concealed as he looked over Miao Lichen’s smile, wondering if it was his imagination. Before, his pride had seemed like nothing more than a fragile shell concealing deep insecurity. Now, however, the nobility he carried appeared to come from the very depths of his soul.

“You want everyone to know you came to my place today?” Miao Lichen rested his chin on one hand, looking at Xuanyuan Zihao with a faint, ambiguous smile. “Well, Your Highness. I am very serious this time. I will no longer bother you from this day on. You can be with your Consort in peace while I continue to be a musician and compose music.”

Xuanyuan Zihao met Miao Lichen’s eyes. The former deep love within them had disappeared, and replacing it was the gaze of a stranger. “You’re serious?!”

“Of course. Did Your Highness truly think anyone could still love you without reservation after what you’ve done?” Miao Lichen pressed down hard on the strings. The sharp silk cut into his fingertips until beads of blood welled up. His bloodstained fingers brushed across Xuanyuan Zihao’s lips as the mockery in his eyes became almost tangible. “Perhaps Your Highness enjoys a love stained with blood. But that isn’t the kind of love a mere court musician would ever wish for.”

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