*Two months ago*
Qi Fan is starting to get anxious as she have noticed more changes with how her husband treats her. During the first month of their marriage her husband almost stayed in her courtyard every night and he would always go with her strolling in the garden unless he had to go to work. She don't know when it started but there's a feeling in her heart that she is losing him and to whom she isn't sure.
She went to her mother in law's courtyard. First Madam Long was stunned seeing the sorrow in Qi Fan's face. "Fan'er are you alright my dear?"
"Mother, Ting gege haven't visited me for a week this didn't happened before...I am starting to be afraid that..." Qi Fan didn't continue as her emotions taking over her. She lowered her head and tears can be seen dropping on the back hands that are clenching her handkerchief. This sight strung First Madam Long's heart "Fan'er don't worry too much my son loves you so much you have to believe in him. He is just bu
Upon reaching the palace gate, a servant of Princess Xiang have come to guide Xiuying, Qi Lan and Kang Hou to the palace of the princess to prepare for their performance. Qi Lan and Kang Hou have arrived earlier than Xiuying and are leisurely drinking tea and eating desserts when the latter arrived. "Yingying you're finally here!" Princess Xiang walk towards Xiuying when she saw her at the entrance and engulf the lady in a big tight hug before walking towards the two misses who are eating desserts. "Yingjie I'm so nervous can we really do this?" Qi Lan was afraid that she'll make a mistake during their performance. "We've been practicing almost non-stop, we'll be alright." Kang Hou reassured Qi Lan who is the youngest in their group. "Hou Jie is correct and you practiced so hard that your brother have been nagging me to let you rest." Xiuying reminded Qi Lan. Princess Xiang nodded,
The heated discussion of the group spread out discreetly, some are excited to see the known sister of Qi Ming to make mistakes during performance. Some madams who are envious of Xi Hui for having a good husband have added that maybe the gods balanced out Xi Hui's luck in life by having a daughter who isn't good in four arts. There are few who don't easily believe the rumors just keep silent as they don't want to invite trouble. "The Emperor, Empress Chu, Imperial Concubine Fan and Imperial Concubine Gao have arrived!" The eunuch's loud voice announcing the arrival of the imperial family silenced the chattering of the crowd. "Long live Emperor Zhao and Empress Chu! May you live a thousand years and blessed Great Yan! Greetings Imperial Concubine Fan and Imperial Concubine Gao!" "Everyone relax and enjoy this evening! We are glad for this banquet is finally happening with you attending the engagement of my eldest daughter Princess Xiang to Young Master Ji." The
Hearing that some of the guests tried to hide their smirks but their reactions where all seen by the imperial family. Empress Chu is proud of her daughter's wits but not wanting to ruin the event she lightly cough and calmly asked Princess Xiang to start. Upon hearing the permission to start the three ladies on the stage who were silent from the time they arrived on stage starts fiddling the strings on their instruments The melody produced by the strings is heard in all corners of the garden along with the sweet voice of Princess Xiang. Wise men say Only fools rush in But I can't help falling in love with you Shall I stay? Would it be a sin? If I can't help falling in love with you Like a river flows
Princess Xiang looks at Xiuying, the latter was grateful for the princess checking with her if it is alright to announce her name. She lightly nod her head earning a smile from the princess. Princess Xiang turn back facing the imperial family and spoke two words... "Qi Xiuying..." Upon hearing the name the ladies especially the ones gossiping about the known hidden daughter of Qi Chen, are all flabbergasted and cannot help but spill out their thoughts. "Did Princess Xiang say that woman's name is Qi Xiuying?!" "Oh my! Maybe it is someone that have the same name right?" "Is Princess Xiang joking? If she is then that is the best joke I have heard! Who doesn't know the thrown former fiance of Young Master Long?" "But the voice of the princess is loud and clear..." "Hey! Did you notice the instrument she used
The news about Qi Xiuying being Ying Yue's musician spreads out in the capital right after the banquet that even those in the streets can almost re-tell what happened during their performance. Even though she is now known as one of the ladies that excels in arts, Xiuying still play songs in Ying Yue though it was reduced to once a week and can be seen talking with the children and elders passing by their residence and establishments earning more admirers. However there was no line of proposals in their residence as along with the news of her being an expert musician, the news of her being pursue by Jun Wang spreads out thus scaring the families who wants Xiuying to be married to their sons. No one wants to provoke the war lord of Great Yan. "Ying'er why don't you rest for a bit you have been helping out in our family businesses aside from managing Ying Yue..." Xi Hui nags the subject of the news seeing her daughter yawning while reading the account books of Ying Yue.
"No no no no, impossible!" "Why her of all people?!" "Guanting won't leave me right? Yes he won't he loves me that he even hired someone to kill that bitch!" Qi Fan keeps on murmuring after waking up while walking back and forth, seeing this the servants around her didn't dare disturb their young madam. She remembered her conversation with her husband after the banquet. "Husband... you won't leave me right?" Qi Fan hug Guanting who was about to leave from behind. They just returned from the banquet and her husband accompanied her till the receiving room of her courtyard. "Did you... did you know about this from the start?" Hearing Guanting's question she was startled. She hugs him tightly before faintly answering with a no. It was almost a whisper that Guanting won't hear it if not for their current position. Guanting removed her arms around his waist and faced Qi Fan. He gently c.a.r.e.s.s her hair before tucking the strands on her ch
"I don't mind staying like this forever you know?" Xianyao said after few minutes of not getting a reply from Xiuying. Xiuying can only grit her teeth not looking at the rogue. They have been in this position for almost half an hour and it looks like the man doesn't have any plans of stepping away from her in fact he is enjoying her current predicament. Light knocks were heard from the other side of her office's door. "Young Miss are you there? Madam is already waiting in the private room with Young Master for your lunch." She heard Xiao Hua's voice, she almost forgot about the lunch date she promised her mother to taste the new dishes in Ying Yue's menu. "Hmm they are already waiting Ying'er." Xianyao whispered in her ear sends shivers and she can't help but blush more. "Yes they are, so release me now... please!" She almost shouted but lowered her voice for Xiao Hua's still outside waitin
Xiuying is currently walking near the slum with her maidservants and guards with baskets full of food from Ying Yue. It has been a habit of hers to visit the slum to provide food on weekly basis though she only go personally once a month. While Xue'er and Xiao Hua are handing out the food to the people, Xiuying had Ping, one of father's shadow guards go with her and rest in the same residence of the old couple. "Thank you for helping me out these past months." Xiuying elegantly bowed to pay respect and thanks the old couple. "You don't need to thank us at all Young Miss as what we did give us benefits to help the children here finally go to school and physician to check their health." The old man stated, few months ago Xiuying went to them to hire them to sabotage the stores of Qi Chang and Long Guanting. Though they just needed to reveal the dirt in Qi Chang's stores they took time to do it so it wouldn't arouse any suspicion. Despite being an asshole it is not surprising t