Rebirth after waste

Chapter 62

After the song was over, there was no sound in the hall for a long time.

Gu Yunxian was still immersed in his emotions, his chest kept rising and falling, and it seemed difficult to calm down for a while.

Cui Shuo fixed his gaze on his fingertips, trying not to look up at her.There are really ups and downs in my heart at this moment, if I don't try my best to restrain myself, people will definitely see the clues.It will only hurt her by then.

The emperor looked at Gu Yunxian with a dazed expression.

In front of her was a bead curtain, made of sapphire, agate and colored glaze, which looked radiant and beautiful.And she was sitting behind the bead curtain, with slender eyebrows and eyes, showing resentment and unwillingness.

As the saying goes, the sound of a song is the voice of the heart. When she played that song just now, what was she thinking in her heart?
Applause suddenly came from the hall, and the emperor was startled.Taking a closer look, it was Xu Qinghua, the prime minister on the left.

"Good! It's really great! I didn't know that this "Huairen" can be played like this! The sound of the piano is like a cuckoo weeping blood, the sorrow of the world and the impermanence of fate are all in that song just now! Cui Lang really The reputation is well-deserved!" Xu Qinghua said loudly, "What's even more rare is that Empress Yuan Guiji is also superb in technique and sublime in meaning, not inferior to Cui Lang at all! To hear this wonderful sound today, this life is not in vain!"

Xu Qinghua's tone was a little excited, which was quite different from his usual stable and mature image.After everyone was surprised, they suddenly remembered that when he was young, he had studied under Mrs. Jiang, a master of piano art, and he presumably liked rhythm.

After admiring, Xu Qinghua filled himself a glass of wine, raised his jade cup and said to Cui Shuo, "I respect you with this glass!"

Cui Shuo raised his wine glass with a smile, "Xu Xiang is too famous, it's time for me to respect you." He took the lead to drink it down.

After Xu Qinghua drank the wine, he realized belatedly that the emperor was usually the first to comment on this kind of music presented to the imperial court.And because I was too excited, I seemed to steal the limelight from His Majesty...

He hesitated to look up the ninth step, but saw the emperor looking at them indifferently.

"The humble minister lost his form for a while, and lost his dignity in front of the imperial court. Please forgive me." Xu Qinghua knelt down in a panic.

The emperor suddenly raised his eyebrows and smiled, his tone was gentle: "Ai Qing, don't panic, everything you said is reasonable, and it's all from my heart. What's the crime?"

When he turned his head to look at Cui Shuo, there was a little more scrutiny in his eyes.

This man, who has the same goals and has been friends with him for many years, is the best candidate he can see to help him carry out the New Deal.

Tonight's public performance of music was planned by him long ago, in order to find a reason to promote his official position that would not arouse the suspicion of the officials.

But the development of the situation exceeded his expectations.

Just now, the song between him and Yunniang was so tacit, as if they had a heart-to-heart connection.

But they didn't even say a word before they played.

Is it a coincidence, or...

"Miss Yuan Guiji is truly a master at playing the qin. With such a master by your side, it's no wonder that you have such high requirements for piano music." Cui Shuo smiled, "I dare to ask, who did you study under?"

He has a calm expression, and his brows are upright and open.He just asked directly in front of His Majesty, although it was a bit abrupt, it showed that he had no distracting thoughts.

After a long time, Gu Yunxian's calm voice came from behind the bead curtain: "When I was young, I learned finger techniques from the elders in my family, but I have been thinking about it myself since then."

"Self-taught?" Cui Shuo raised his eyebrows in surprise, "My lady's interpretation of the song "Huai Ren" just now reminded me of Mrs. Jiang, and I thought you and Xu Xiang were from the same family!"

Xu Qinghua also reacted when he said this, and couldn't help laughing: "That's right! My teacher played the piano with his own style, the gentle music was played impassionedly, and the decisive war song was played like the dawn wind and the moon, However, there is always something extraordinary and admirable. I have been under her for several years, but I still can't appreciate one or two things. Now it seems that Empress Guiji and her mentor are bosom friends."

"My lords have won the prize. How can I compare with Mrs. Jiang? I'm really ashamed." Gu Yunxian's voice was so earnest that people felt that she was really ashamed.

Behind the bead curtain, Gu Yunxian tried his best to remain calm, and seemed to glance at the emperor's expression unintentionally when speaking.

She has come to her senses at this moment, and she understands that when she accidentally uttered her inner voice in a trance just now, His Majesty may have become suspicious.

I was thinking about how to explain it without showing any trace, but I heard Cui Shuo's question.I don't know whether he did it on purpose or not, but he actually gave her an excellent excuse, and hurriedly continued, "However, what Master Cui said is somewhat correct, I have indeed heard Mrs. Jiang's different interpretations of the song, It was only then that I had the courage to try it. The two of you laughed at the tricks. Fortunately, with the help of Master Cui, this piece of music was not ruined."

Cui Shuo was well-known outside the court, even though he had become an official in the court, the women in the palace still called him Cui Lang.However, Gu Yunxian called the more unfamiliar Master Cui, just to clear up the relationship.

Listening to the whole conversation, it is completely three people of the same way discussing the art of piano, and the side is full of light and wind.Especially after the highly respected Xu Qinghua joined, it made people feel that the atmosphere was serious and serious, and they didn't think much about it at all.

The emperor looked at Gu Yunxian's smiling face, and then thought about Cui Shuo's open expression, and the doubts in his heart slowly dissipated.

He really thought too much.

The two of them had met each other in Luocheng Pavilion before, and they didn't say much except calling for worship.Tonight's ensemble was also facilitated by others. What entanglements will there be?
What's more, Cui Shuo obviously had a deep affection for his deceased wife, so how could he come to covet the beloved concubine of the deep palace?
How could he have such a strange idea just now?

"The three of you continue to chat, and everyone will not know how to deal with themselves. After all, there are still a few people who are as accomplished in rhythm as the two of you." He smiled and said, "Since Zuo Xiang and Ru Jing are so close, After the banquet is over, we can communicate more. As for me, I will ask Gui Ji for advice when I go back tonight, and I will try to hear the two Lunqu next time, so I won’t be speechless.”

"Your Majesty made fun of it." Xu Qinghua said, "I lost my mind for a moment and delayed my colleagues from enjoying the song and dance. I should be responsible. I should pay this cup as an apology."

"Where is it, Xu Xiangyan is serious."

"Being able to listen to Sanwei Lunqu is a very elegant thing, and we can only wish for it."

The emperor smiled at the harmony below, and added casually: "Ru Jing has played such a good piece of music, so of course he will be rewarded. Tell me, what do you want?"

Cui Shuo bowed and said, "It is the duty of a subject to share worries for His Majesty, and there is no need for rewards."

"This is not acceptable. I have always been very clear about rewards and punishments. How about this, I see that you don't like gold, silver and treasures, so I will exchange a reward so that you can better share my worries and labors." The emperor laughed, "Decree , and promoted Cui Shuo to be a fifth-rank Zhongshusheren."

The so-called Zhongshu Sheren refers to the drafting of edicts in Zhongshu Province, and most of them are people with literary reputation.Cui Shuo was the number one scholar in the new department. He was highly educated and talented. After serving in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for half a year, he was promoted here. Although the speed was still too fast, it was still within the acceptable range of everyone.So after a brief surprise, everyone expressed their congratulations.

Some people also noticed that His Majesty praised Cui Shuo, but did not say a word to Yuan Guiji who also played wonderfully.

This distinction seems a little strange.After all, Empress Guiji has behaved so well, even if you don't give me any rewards, at least you should praise her!

It was almost Haishi when Xi San, and Yudu had already entered the curfew state.All the officials who were supposed to enter the palace for banquets went out of the palace at night, wearing badges to prove their identity, so as not to encounter the patrolling Jinwu guards on the way home and be regarded as thieves who committed the night.

When Cui Shuo opened the door, Tong Yi and Tong Yunxuan were still awake.Melons, fruits and moon cakes were placed on the stone table in the courtyard, Tong Yi held a wine glass and poured himself a drink.Tong Yunxuan was ordered by Tong Yi not to drink alcohol, so she had to eat moon cakes listlessly, and stared at her brother from time to time.

"Liulang, are you back?" Hearing the sound of the door opening, Tong Yunxuan jumped up and ran to his side, covering her nose as soon as she approached, "Why are you drinking too?"

Cui Shuo smiled faintly, "How can you not drink alcohol at the banquet in the palace?"

"You can all drink, but I can't. It's really annoying." Tong Yunxuan was indignant.

Cui Shuo ignored her, sat down at the stone table, picked up a wine glass, filled it up and drank it down.

Tong Yi was taken aback for a moment, and after realizing it, he couldn't help shouting: "This is the best bamboo leaf green, I'm willing to buy one or two times a year. You can't drink any good wine in the palace, why bother to come back with me?" grab?"

Cui Shuo looked calm, "Drinking in the palace can't be compared to drinking at home? There's no time to concentrate on drinking there, and I'm too busy fighting people's minds. I'm so tired."

Hearing his bad tone, Tong Yunxuan said worriedly: "What's wrong with Liu Lang? Have you been tricked by someone, or have you made His Majesty angry?"

"Someone plotted against me, but it didn't work." Cui Shuo said flatly, "I didn't make His Majesty angry. On the contrary, His Majesty even promoted me."

"Really?" Tong Yunxuan said excitedly, "What kind of official?"

"Zhongshu Sheren, the fifth grade."

"Five-rank?" Tong Yunxuan looked excited, "That's already a high-ranking official!"

Tong Yi also echoed: "Yes, I remember that Yu Duling who is in charge of Yudu City is only from the fifth rank, and you are now half a rank higher than Yu Duling!"

Cui Shuo smiled lightly.

Tong Yunxuan noticed his expression and said hesitantly, "But Liulang, why don't you look happy at all? Don't you like it?"

"No. I don't dislike it." Cui Shuo said calmly, "It's just that I had expected this day and prepared for it, so I wasn't so happy."

"Oh." Tong Yunxuan nodded, half understanding.

Seeing this, Tong Yi guessed what might have happened at the palace banquet, and hurriedly said, "It's getting late, Yunxuan, go to bed first."

Tong Yunxuan opened her eyes wide, "Why? I've waited so long just to hear Liu Lang talk about the palace banquet! Liu Lang is going to the Qing'an Palace tonight! I've only seen the outside of it in the portraits. I don't even know what it looks like inside!"

"It's the same if you ask again tomorrow. Liulang is tired tonight, so don't pester him."

Tong Yunxuan stared at her elder brother for a long time before snorting, "I know you want to get rid of me again! I'll just go to sleep! But you know it well, I'm doing Liu Lang face, not afraid of you!" Turning her head to look Xiang Cui Shuo, "Liulang, you have to go on duty early in the morning, don't chat with brother for too long, go to bed earlier."

Cui Shuo nodded, "Understood."

After Tong Yunxuan returned to the room, Tong Yi slowly handed him a glass of wine and said, "Tell me, what happened?"

Cui Shuo took the wine glass and drank it down again, and said calmly, "It's nothing, I ask His Majesty to allow me not to continue."

"What!" Tong Yi couldn't help raising his voice, "You you you..."

"Keep down, if you don't want Yunxuan to hide by the door and eavesdrop."

Tong Yi reacted and lowered his voice, "Did you think about the consequences when you did this?"

"Of course I've thought about it." Cui Shuo said, "I have my own way to explain it to the family, so you don't have to worry about me."

Tong Yi stared at him dumbfounded for a long while before heaving a long sigh, "I've known you for so many years, and I've finally convinced you tonight. You really do what you say, a tough man!"

Cui Shuo heard the joke in his words, and smiled indifferently.

"No, since the problem of you not wanting to continue is solved, you shouldn't be so depressed." Tong Yidao, "I saw what you looked like when you entered the door, and you clearly remembered something. Didn't this happen at the palace banquet?"

Cui Shuo was speechless, his gaze fell on the wine glass in his hand.The wine in the glass is clear, and the full moon cast in it looks distant and ethereal.

Just like she is to him.

(End of this chapter)