Self-cultivation of a geisha

Chapter 4

Xu Yan exposed his nature in front of Rong Su, just to let Rong Su feel that he is a person who can be controlled by him. He followed Rong Su to Beijing. If he said that he did not have the heart of chasing fame and fortune, Rong Su would not believe it. However, a commoner cannot be accomplished overnight, so Rong Su had no choice but to let him be good at what he is good at. The position of director of the teaching and music department is vacant, and it is not an important position, and he is free on weekdays.The Silk Music Hall set up by the Jiaoyue Division is located on the outskirts of the palace wall. There are many people coming and going in front of the gate, and it is much easier to search for information. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone.

Xu Yan wore the red and white jiaolesi palace uniform and walked through many corridors.

Before noon, when the court was over, Wu Minzhong, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, discussed with Master Liu, the attendant, about the Huachao Festival. When they mentioned Si Zheng, the music department, they called the attendant to give a list of songs and dances to Xu Yan, who was playing the piano and teaching.

Xu Yan thanked him: "Thanks to the great love of the emperor, I will do my best."

After class, Xu Yan went back to the teaching and music department to select a few voiceless and well-qualified dancers and singers for them to rehearse. After a little guidance, a waiter in green robes came over with a delicate food box.

The servant lowered his head and went around to Xu Yan, opened the food box and said: "This morning, the prince went to pay his respects to the imperial concubine and empress. I heard that the husband stayed in the six princes' mansion. The imperial concubine admired Mr. Sanya's literary grace and dancing posture very much. Please teach me the rhythm of five music, no, I personally made some cakes and ordered my servant to send them to you for a taste, and I hope you can give me some pointers."

Xu Yan saluted slowly: "I don't dare to ask for advice or advice. Your empress, don't dislike me for not being good at learning."

The waiter put down the food box and bowed, "Sir, you are serious."

"Please trouble your father-in-law to lead the way." Xu Yan thought to himself, Concubine Su Gui wanted to find out his truth.

Everyone knows that Mr. Zhao died unexpectedly, and there is no Yayun House in the world. Everyone lamented that Mr. Sanya was also afraid of the power and dignitaries, lest he would bring disaster to Chi Yu again, and entered Beijing as an official in order to protect himself. Temperament stays with you for life, but you can't escape the word fate after all.

Xu Yan followed the waiter and walked through the winding pavilions. The pavilions were lined with high walls and red tiles. Inside the walls were lush trees, flowers and leaves, and fragrances came from time to time. Only this palace can enjoy the beautiful scenery, which is really a feast for the eyes."

After hearing this, the waiter couldn't help slowing down his pace and said with a smile: "What you said is true, the beauty of the palace is not limited to this one. If you want to see it, there will be more opportunities in the future!"

Xu Yan's pink lips curled slightly, noncommittal.

Rong Xi exchanged greetings from her mother and concubine, and when she passed by here, she couldn't help but be dazzled by the scene.

The man's steps seem to be leisurely but elegant, and the red and white palace clothes set off his whole person is becoming more and more pale, there seems to be an indelible elegance and tenderness between the eyebrows, the bright red satin on the left ear moves with the wind, Upon closer inspection, it is three points brighter than the peony.

Xu Yan seemed to feel his gaze, looked at him, nodded slightly with a slight smile.

At this moment, the little servant also saw the fourth prince coming from a distance, stepped forward quickly, made a bow, and shouted in a sharp voice: "See the fourth prince!"

Xu Yan also saluted after hearing the words, and put back the smile just now, full of respect for him.

"Excuse me." Seeing that he was still bowing his head and eyes, Rong Xi asked, "This must be Mr. Si Zheng from the music department. He is really graceful and graceful, and he can bear the word "elegant."

I could only hear a clear and gentle male voice saying: "Fourth prince is absurd." Xu Yan thought about the court weather and palace secrets that Xu You had collected these days, and he already had consideration in his mind.

"Where is this going sir?"

"Back to the Fourth Prince, Concubine Su Gui wants to listen to the song, so I ordered her to play the piano and sing." He looked up at Rong Xi with a broken smile, his eyes bright and his teeth shining brightly.

Rong Xi's cheeks were hot from his stare, and he turned his eyes and said: "Then sir, hurry up, so as not to delay the time."

"Yes, I will take my leave."

In Shengping Hall, Rong Su had not yet left, and was talking happily with the noble concubine, and there was a stunning beauty sitting beside him.

Xu Yan remembered that there was a Concubine Xiao Gui who gave birth to a prince and a princess. Later, due to factional disputes, the prince died and lost power. He died of depression just two years after giving birth to the princess. The princess gave her the name Rong Qing. Concubine Su Gui took care of her on her behalf. Since she was a child, the princess has been learning and playing with Rong Su. The two are like brothers and sisters.

This is undoubtedly the Princess Rongqing.

Xu Yan saluted: "Xu Yan greets the imperial concubine, the princess, and the sixth prince."

Concubine Su is dragging her ochre-red smoked veil skirt, holding white peony tulle in her hands, and a jade hairpin inlaid with pearls is inserted obliquely in her bun, her face is slightly powdered, making her look even more graceful and luxurious. There was a gust of fragrant wind, "Excuse me."

"Thank you madam."

Princess Rong Qing was curious, and looked at him with watery eyes: "Queen, this is the court musician mentioned by the emperor? It's so elegant."

Xu Yan met his gaze and said with a smile: "Princess Miao Zan, if the prince hadn't saved Xu Yan from the fire and water, Xu Yan must be living on the street right now, becoming a geisha who no one cares about. Can you still appreciate the delicate posture of the princess?"

The princess giggled, pulled Concubine Su's sleeve and said coquettishly: "Queen Mother, Brother Emperor, sir, not only is he good-looking and sweet-mouthed, but he just doesn't know how to play the piano?"

Hearing this, Rong Su pursed his lips and looked at Xu Yan, his dark eyes seemed to be filled with his shadow, every frown and smile could be seen, Concubine Su Gui glanced sideways at Rong Su, without pointing it out, she just smiled and said: There is a pine wood guqin here in the palace, may I ask you to play a piece?"

Xu Yan didn't look at Rong Su from the beginning to the end. Hearing Concubine Su Gui speak, he said: "Xu Yan is not talented, he is making a fool of himself."

The sound of the string is elegant and the lingering sound is curling.

After a while, Xu Yan glanced up, and the hand playing the piano paused for a moment before picking up the last note, and the song ended.

No matter how well he concealed the desire in Rong Su's eyes, he was aware of it. He was already gloomy, and now he became more gloomy. Many people became selfish because of his appearance. Fortunately, he was exposed in front of Rong Su, and Rong Su still had The sincerity made him feel flustered and disturbed.

"It's wonderful! Empress, do you think so?" The princess's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly while grabbing Concubine Su Gui's wrist, "Empress, can I learn the rhythm from my husband? Empress..."

Seeing the pleading in his eyes, Su Guifei had no choice but to agree: "Qing'er wants to learn, then let the teacher teach you, but you can't miss your usual studies." Then she said to Rong Su: "That's it, the princess's mansion is from Su'er. The palace is very close, so every day after the princess is out of class, can I ask you to teach me in the palace?"

Xu Yan had a good impression of this upright, lively and lovely princess, and smiled sincerely: "Thank you, concubine, princess, for your love."

After finishing speaking, Rong Su said, who hadn't spoken until now: "It's almost time, the queen mother, the son and minister will take their leave first, Qing'er, you can spend more time with the queen mother."

"Ah, Queen Mother, Qing'er is leaving too. I haven't finished the homework assigned by the teacher!" Rong Qing yelled strangely, "Brother, I'm leaving first!"

After finishing speaking, without waiting for Rong Su and the concubine to react, he stood up suddenly and ran away, followed by the maids who had to trot to keep up, and kept chanting "Princess, please slow down".

"This Qing'er..." Seeing this, Su Guifei said dotingly and helplessly.

"My son retire."

Rong Su went straight past Xu Yan and left.