Everyone went blank for a while, and then someone sighed, "Though I didn't see the lady's face from this distance, I can tell that she is tall and thin. She is sure to be an enchanting beauty. But I just heard there were no ladies in Prince Jing's Mansion. Who is she?"
Hearing these words, people let their eyes settle on Yun Shang who still had a bland smile. They couldn't help comparing Yun Shang with the lady. Gradually, they were amazed by Yun Shang's face. Yun Shang was not the kind of lady that would amaze people with her beauty at first sight. At first glance, people would feel she was like a lady in a painting, soft and sweet. She had white skin, red lips, black eyebrows, and bright eyes. She wore a fresh green dress with a sense of elegance, like a verdant lotus leaf freshly washed by the rain or like an isolated mountain hidden in the thin fog, attracting people's eyes in this warm spring.
Since when had this ordinary-looking Princess become so beautiful?
Yun Shang knew what people were thinking when she saw their expression. She said in a soft voice, "As I have told you, the chamberlain of Prince Jing's Mansion doesn't know how to hold a birthday party. I think Prince Jing saw Qian Qian performing in Lady Shun Qing's birthday party at Prince Shun Qing's Mansion, and so he invited Qian Qian here. Although Qian Qian has a humble identity, she is proficient in playing the Pipa, and her dancing skill is second to none in the world."
All ladies present were the wives or daughters of officials, and they had heard of Qian Qian before as her fame had spread throughout the country. They didn't know what to say for a while. If they praised her, they would think they humbled themselves. If they belittled her, they would set themselves against Prince Jing. People stood gazing at one another without uttering a single word.
"Humble family does not determine a humble future. Since Princess Yun Shang has such high praise for Qian Qian, she must have many good qualities. I will enjoy her performa
composure from the excitement. Someone recognized the lady and yelled, "Is she Qian Qian, the top showgirl in the Imperial City?"
For a while, people whispered to each other. However, when Qian Qian turned around and began playing the Pipa behind her back, people suddenly quietened.
Qian Qian wore a full-length light pink skirt with a white waistband around her slender waist. She had a hibiscus flower hairpin, but her face was even more beautiful than a hibiscus flower. Her attractive eyes enchanted all guests.
While playing the Pipa, the lady constantly changed her position. All the guests watched the performance with the utmost concentration. Hardly had the last musical note faded, people saw the lady flying away without hesitation.
Everyone kept silent for a long time as if they had buried themselves in the Pipa's sound, the dance or the beauty.
Emperor Ning gave a small smile. However, there was a complicated expression on his face. After a while, he rubbed his forehead and stood, "The performance is indeed an eye-opener. I have had too much wine and felt quite drunk. Brother, find me a place so that I can rest."
Prince Jing immediately stood, "Your Majesty, let me show you the way."
Emperor Ning shook his hand, "You are today's host and should entertain the guests here. Just find a servant to show me the way."