37 Chapter 36

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Hearing that some of the guests tried to hide their smirks but their reactions where all seen by the imperial family. Empress Chu is proud of her daughter's wits but not wanting to ruin the event she lightly cough and calmly asked Princess Xiang to start.

Upon hearing the permission to start the three ladies on the stage who were silent from the time they arrived on stage starts fiddling the strings on their instruments

The melody produced by the strings is heard in all corners of the garden along with the sweet voice of Princess Xiang.

Wise men say

Only fools rush in

But I can't help falling in love with you

Shall I stay?

Would it be a sin?

If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows

Surely to the sea

Darling, so it goes

Some things are meant to be

So take my hand

Take my whole life, too

For I can't help falling in love with you

For I can't help falling in love with you

Hearing the lyrics everyone are amazed by the arrangement of the song. Everyone is either looking at Young Master Ji and the four ladies on stage. The young master who is usually have stoic face can now be seen lovingly staring at his fiance, Princess Xiang crushing the hopes of those who wish to be at least his concubine. They now all know that the relationship of the two aren't merely because of their parents nor the emperor's edict.

The emperor and empress are impressed with Princess Xiang as it is known that she hates singing, both can't help but adore their first daughter more.

Young General Lou is looking intently to the lady playing on the left side of the princess, he knows that the lady is Qi Lian although she is wearing a veil. While Jun Wang is enjoying his wine but his eyes stays looking at Xiuying.

Guanting who was drowning in his thoughts were awakened by the sound of the harp. He immediately stand up to discreetly walk near the stage. His action though normal as the guests who were far from the stage starts walking to the front to hear the song more clearly, is still caught by Qi Fan. Guanting's eyes never left the figure playing the harp as he walks, he didn't notice that Qi Fan is following him and observing who is the woman who dared steal his husband's affection from her.

He stops walking and stayed ten steps away from the stage he is now looking at the back of the lady and can't help but feel elated that the musician herself is near him only if she looks back, he feels that she will remember him.

Qi Fan seeing this can't help but wrung the handkerchief she is holding. Looking at her husband looking mesmerized at the lady in front of them, she wants to go on stage, confront the lady and disfigure her face. She can't help but feel that the lady is familiar, she erases all her thoughts knowing that now is not the time to take action. She wants to know to what extent their relationship is and know the identify of the woman.

The song ended along with the melody but only silence followed. Qi Lian nervously look at Xiuying who is at her right side, feeling her cousin's nervous gaze Xiuying smiles at her discreetly giving a thumbs up and then look at Kang Hou who nods gleefully.

Princess Xiang who is now getting uncomfortable with silence suddenly walk one step forward and bowed. Emperor Zhao stands up and start clapping his hands loudly waking up everyone, a few minutes of thunderous claps can be heard even outside the garden.

"Excellent! You surprise us greatly my princess!" The emperor can't help but shout his praises while the empress looks at her daughter with teary eyes as she claps.

"Thank you for the praise Father Emperor but your praise isn't mine alone."

"That is true! I know one of those ladies is Young Miss Kang Hou." The empress agreed upon hearing her name Kang Hou take one step forward and bowed gracefully.

"Young Miss Kang Hou, this empress is thankful for being patient with Princess Xiang and for being friends with her."

"It is my honor to have Princess Xiang as my friend your highness..." Kang Hou answered honestly with a smile earning the appreciation of the imperial couple.

"Princess Xiang may you introduce the other two ladies?" The emperor said curious who else aside from the quiet Young Miss Hou can endure the frank attitude of his eldest daughter.

"The lady on my left side is fifth young miss of Qi Fu, Qi Lian." Princess Xiang gestured for Qi Lian to step forward. Qi Lian breathes deeply before taking a step forward and bowed.

Remembering something the empress suddenly asked "Are you the daughter of Ji Huan who is the owner of the known embroidery shop recently?"

"Yes your highness."

"Your shop's clothes are well made and unique, please send my thanks to your mother, the clothes I ordered from her shop are even praised by the emperor."

"I certainly will your highness... your praises will greatly inspire my mother." Qi Lian humbly answered.

"And third lady is...?" the emperor asked, he have long heard from his brother Xianyao about Ying Yue's musician and he is impressed by her ideas and suggestions that greatly help him in improving his court. Hearing Emperor Zhao question Guanting's ears perk up he wants to know the musician's name while Xianyao feel conflicted he wants to strangle his brother as much as possible he wants to hide Xiuying but he knows it is impossible as his woman have her plans.