31 Chapter 30

While the guests are chatting with each other, Xiuying walks up to the stage and started to play the guzheng. All stopped talking and silently enjoyed the melody they are hearing all have the same thought that Xiuying is a hidden jewel.

The first song sounded adventurous as they listen they can see Xiuying's eyes sparkles, every stroke to the strings evokes everyone's imagination and emotion of warriors at heart. Qi Ming, Young General Lou, Xianyao and Old General Xi were smiling ear to ear remember the happy moments when they were in the barracks together with their brothers.

After the first song, the servants set the guzheng aside place an unusual instrument in the eyes of the guests. They haven't seen anything like and are curious how Xiuying will play using it. Xiuying glance and nodded at Qi Lian who stand up from their table when she is already beside Xiuying, the latter handed her the sticks with a circular shape at the end of it. Xiuying started beating the instrument (pulse) with the four sticks she is holding and Qi Lian followed. Both girls are smiling widely as they play. Qi Lian who is known to be blunt and interpreted as a rude lady, wearing such innocent smile is unaware that this side of her attracted the young general.

After the second song, both ladies have sweat on their forehead but ignored it. They went back to their table and both their maidservants handed them towel to wipe their faces. "You have to teach us how to play that! It looks fun, right Hou'er?" Princess Xiang clap happily as she said this.

"Definitely if you deny our request both of us will stay in your courtyard till you agree!" Young miss Hou seconded.

"Hahaha of course I am willing! We will definitely have fun learning new songs."

"Alright let's discuss it at a later time for now let's enjoy the food and music played by your employees."  Princess Xiang suggested as Xianyao looked at tired Xiuying.

Xiuying nodded and signals two employees she trained to alternately entertain the guests by playing songs of their requests.

After five hours of chatting and eating while listening to different kinds of songs the guests decided to go home as it is already late. Left Prime Minister Long approached Xiuying who gracefully greeted the old man. She was a bit suprised that the old man she shared her snacks with at the city gates few months ago was him. "Ying'er thank you, although you cannot come to my birthday banquet, I am happy for being invited as one of your guests today..." Patriach Long wanted to apologize for his grandson's action but he know it will only ruin the merry atmosphere.

"You are most welcome Patriach Long! I have long heard of how you help us citizens of Great Yan and I respect people like you. It is an honor for me to be able to lessen the tiredness of the people helping us in our daily lives." Xiuying answered truthfully.

Patriach Long and the other guests facing Xiuying was shocked when Xianyao suddenly covers Xiuying with his coat and noticed the cold glint in his eyes. Turning around they noticed Guanting jump off the carriage at the other side of the street. Xianyao was thankful that Qi Chen, Xi Hui and Qi Ming are inside Ying Yue instructing the servants in cleaning the place to be ready for tomorrow.

Qi Bai's family and Old General Xi have long left along with the other guests leaving Princess Xiang, Young Miss Hou, Xianyao, Patriach Long and Ji clan's young master and patriach outside Ying Yue.

"Why are you here?" Patriach Long sternly asked his grandson who is approaching them elegantly. Guanting noticed a young lady covered with black cloth beside Xianyao, he wants to remove it to see face of the young lady as he noticed the same red ring that the musician have in her right hand. However seeing the possessive gesture of Jun Wang, it seems the musician he wants to know and be with have a close relationship with the prince, makes his heart feel bitter. It should be beside her not this war maniac!

"Grandpa I was worried that you aren't at home yet so I waited here hearing that today's the small banquet that you were invited." Guanting answered but his eyes never left the lady who is currently covered in black coat.

"As you see I am safe, let's go!" Patriach Long started to walk towards the carriage.

"But grandfather I need to at least thank the host for taking care of you..." Guanting didn't move, he wants to know her name. To know the name of the beautiful lady he is yearning for.

"There's no need... you are dismissed gentleman Long." Xianyao gently guide Xiuying inside Ying Yue leaving another failure for Guanting. The other guests seeing the servants of Ying Yue closing its doors started to get on their carriages to go home.

"Why are you still standing there! Let's go!" Patriach Long shout wake up Guanting from his thoughts. He glanced again at the close doors of Ying Yue before he went inside their carriage.