Xi Lin Yan let out a light hum, cold and disdainful. Seeing this made my heart burn with anger, and without thinking, I pinched his handsome face again, unhappily saying: “Rotten peach blossom, what are you humming about!”
…
“Cough cough… cough cough cough…” I started coughing again. Goodness, I was certain it wasn’t my ears having a problem, but his brain was definitely malfunctioning!
“Have some water!” Bei Ting Zi Han held out the teacup and handed it to me, his eyes filled with gentleness.
“Thank you!” I took the tea bowl from his hand and drank it all in one gulp. I felt much more comfortable. Then I lowered my head and said to Dong Fang Yan: “Xin Ran has been rude!”
Dong Fang Yan smiled unconcernedly: “No worries! Miss Fei, please eat more. Everyone is waiting to see your contest with the empress!”
My face suddenly flushed hot, and I awkwardly responded: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Xin Ran has finished eating. The contest can begin at any time!”
“Finished eating?”
Dong Fang Yan raised his eyebrow slightly, clearly skeptical.
In fact, I hadn’t eaten anything at all, let alone be full! But since he had spoken, I couldn’t possibly continue eating. I had to brace myself and reply: “Yes, Xin Ran has finished eating. Your Majesty can propose the challenge!”
“Good! The first challenge is for the lady and the empress to compose a poem on the scenery in this imperial garden!” Dong Fang Yan said with an elegant smile, his phoenix eyes slightly closed.
I knew it!
Secretly rolling my eyes, I asked, “May I ask, Your Majesty, can it be anything in this garden?”
Dong Fang Yan replied: “Yes, as long as you like, you can even use me as the subject.”
I hurriedly bowed, saying in panic: “Xin Ran wouldn’t dare!”
Dong Fang Yan glanced appreciatively at me, then turned to the empress: “Miss Fei’s ‘Gentle Orchid’ was played beautifully, with exquisite technique and an extraordinary melody that lingers for three days and never fades! It seems, Your Majesty, you’ve finally met your match!
“The empress smiled softly: “As Your Majesty said, Miss Fei’s musical skills are superior to mine. After hearing this piece, I dare not perform in front of everyone!”
I quickly said: “Your Majesty, your words are too humble! I have long heard of Your Majesty’s supreme musical skills, unmatched throughout Huanye. For me to play the zither before you is like wielding a knife before Guan Yu – utterly presumptuous!”
Finally, Dong Fanyan stepped in to mediate: “Both of you, stop being modest. Empress, please play a piece and let these two ministers be the judges!”
“Yes, this concubine obeys!” Nan Gong Qin Xue bowed slightly and elegantly sat before the zither, her fingers touching the strings while casting a glance at Bei Ting Zi Han.
Immediately, she concentrated, a song ‘Autumn Wind Ode’ flowed from her, drifting through the imperial garden, the music ethereal and melancholic, as if listeners were immersed in the misty rain of Jade River.
As the music stopped, everyone awakened. Dong Fanyan’s face showed a comforted expression, and he asked loudly: “What are the two ministers’ evaluations of the Empress and Miss Fei’s performances?”
Xi Lin Yan spoke first: “In terms of skill, both are equally matched, but in artistic conception, I believe the Empress’s is more profound!”
Damn! Is he serious? I seem to have been drawn into this inexplicable competition because of him, and now he’s switching sides!”
Could he be planning to marry the princess?
Dong Fanyan turned to Bei Ting Zi Han: “What do you think?”
Bei Ting Zi Han cupped his hands: “Like Xi Lin, I believe their skills are equal, but I prefer Miss Fei’s melody.”
“Snap!” – the sound of a zither string breaking. I looked over to see Nan Gong Qin Xue’s lips pale, her face disbelieving!
“I’m sorry, this concubine suddenly feels unwell and wishes to rest!” She stood up during the momentary distraction, her steps unsteady as she hurried to leave.
Got it!” he said faintly, walking past me.
I hurried to catch up, shamelessly saying, “Hey, can you help me get another signature?”
“What do you want so many signatures for?” He finally stopped, turning to look at me.
“To make money!” I said matter-of-factly.
Who knows what the future holds? As a time traveler, I can’t just do nothing! I want to open my own shop and make money!
He raised an eyebrow, suddenly leaning close, “What, has Xiliu Bao mistreated you?”
I subtly leaned back, creating distance between us, forcing a calm smile, “Being my own boss is better than working for someone else, isn’t it?”
He drew back, his gaze soft, “Then win tomorrow’s competition and become the mistress of Xiliu Bao.”
By then, most of the industry will be yours!”
“You can’t be serious?” I could no longer remain calm, glaring at him, my voice betraying disbelief.
I’ll translate the text into English, maintaining the original style and structure:
I was walking with my head down when I suddenly bumped into someone. Before I could say anything, I heard a hoarse voice yell: “Damn it, who’s not looking where they’re going? Daring to bump into me, you want to die?”
This voice? I suddenly looked up and unexpectedly saw two familiar faces, immediately rolling my eyes and saying: “The one who wants to die is me!”
The person was stunned, then lowered his head to look at me, crying out in surprise: “Boss?”
I glared at him unhappily: “Boss? Wasn’t it you who just said I wasn’t looking where I was going?”
Xiaoshan chuckled awkwardly, fawning: “Hehe, it was Xiaoshan who wasn’t looking. Boss, are you okay?”
I couldn’t help but frown and ask: “I’m fine! Why aren’t you running your shop in Jiangcheng? Why did you come to Cangyu?”
“We came to find you, Boss!” Xiaoshan grinned foolishly, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
I dismissively curled my lips, “Find me? For what?”
Xiaoshan pulled out a small cloth bag and handed it to me: “We’ve come to bring you silver!
“Silver?” I opened the bag, revealing a thick stack of silver notes. “Where did you get so many silver notes? Did you go back to your old ways? Didn’t I tell you to settle down and run the barbecue shop properly?”
“Boss, don’t get angry, we didn’t steal this silver!” Xiaoshan explained.
“Then how did you get so much silver?” This was at least several hundred taels.
“We earned every bit of this silver through hard work!” Xiaoshan announced proudly.
Nan Gong Qin Xue bitterly smiled: “He almost destroyed the entire harem for me, can you believe it…” I was shocked – could there really be such a deeply affectionate emperor in this world?
“As long as he treats you well, I’ll be at ease!” Bei Ting Zi Han smiled slightly.
A line of clear tears slowly slid down Nan Gong Qin Xue’s cheek. “Brother Han, we can never go back now, can we?”
Bei Ting Zi Han gently stretched out his hand, wiping away her tears. “Silly girl, you’re the empress now, you can’t cry like a child anymore!” His gaze was tender, just like when Mu Zi Xiu used to comfort me. My head went blank, and two similar faces unknowingly overlapped before my eyes.
Nan Gong Qin Xue’s expression was somewhat dazed, a tragic smile spreading across her lips, “Yes!”
I am now the current empress, the woman of Huan Ye Heavenly Emperor Dong Fang Yan, no longer your silly girl!”
“No, you…” Bei Ting Zi Han wanted to explain but was silenced by Nan Gong Qin Xue covering his lips, “I’m here today to tell you that the past should be left in the past. We shouldn’t be obsessed with that hopeless love anymore. I’ve let go, and you should too!”
“Snow’er, you?” Bei Ting Zi Han gripped her shoulders, his face full of disbelief.
