100 Softness and Empathy


    Li Hua started to y the guzheng. She plucked the strings with her right hand and pushed the strings with her left hand to change and regte the pitch.


    All the royaldies were astonished to hear the melodious tones that Li Hua yed on the guzheng. The song she yed was, “The Last Winter Night”, by the great musician Bao Binglun.


    ‘Howe this servant knows about this song?’ Jingfei wondered and looked at her mother, who always had liked Li Hua. She would not deny that her tea skills were exceptional, but her musical skills were extraordinary.


    Lóng Wei, who was standing behind the pir, smiled upon hearing the music that Li Hua yed. He recalled how Li Hua used to y music, mostly in the Xu Residence. That was the only way to keep her happy, even inside those four walls.


    Li Hua recalled how her mother taught her music when she turned four. The first musical piece that she yed for her was “The Last Winter Night.” Li Hua’s eyes filled with tears, and she closed them. The tears appeared on the edges of her eyes. Her heart ached to recall those moments with her mother, which could be visible in that music.


    The smile on Lóng Wei’s lips disappeared. He realized that Li Hua recalled something which she should not have. The music that she chose depicted not only the happiness of a man but also his sadness. However, it was upon the person if he could y the notes well and bring out the true essence of the song.


    Li Hua finished ying the guzheng and rested her palms over the strings. She opened her eyes gradually and lifted her eyelids to look at the Queen.


    Zhu Liling realized that the music had ended while she had forgotten to drink the tea. Li Hua yed the guzheng so beautifully that everyone was immersed in it. Zhu Liling could not stop herself but praised Li Hua, who had lowered her eyes again.


    “Li Hua, that was beautiful. I am surprised to find that you know about the song by the famous musician, Bao Binglun,” Zhu Liling said and put the teacup on the table. Noble Consort Xiuying, Virtuous Consort Ruoxi, and the three concubines, also agreed with the Queen’s words.


    .....


    “Royal Mother, I have a doubt that how can a servant know such a musical piece? Also, Sister-inw yed the guzheng so well as if she is trained in this,” Jingfei stated and nced at Li Hua with suspicion.


    “I learned from a musician in my vige. He used to teach the young kids for free despite their status,” Li Hua lied to them.


    Zhu Liling nodded and asked Jingfei if her doubt was clear.


    “Yes, Royal Mother. Sister-inw is exceptionally talented,” Jingfei said, beaming at Li Hua.


    Xiaolian looked at Jingfei and said, “Is the First Sister jealous of our Sister-inw? The First Sister has been learning the guzheng for a long time, yet she is unable to gain mastery over it.”


    The Queen’s daughter was humiliated in front of everyone, which Zhu Liling could not handle. She nced at the First Concubine, who scolded Xiaolian for speaking that way about the First Princess.


    “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt the First Princess,” Xiaolian said.


    “Li Hua, the Sixth Prince is lucky to find you as your bride. Else, everyone knows that he’s not suitable for any woman. I am still shocked that you are alive on the third day of the marriage. Prince Lóng Wei is the definition of danger that one must absolutely avoid. However, it is understandable that for a servant it was a wonderful opportunity to be a daughter-inw of the Qiu Family.” Noble Consort Xiuying didn’t stop herself from humiliating Lóng Wei.


    “Respected Noble Consort, I believe that the Sixth Prince is an ardent lover. Most of the people around His Highness failed to see his good side. Recently, thirty servants got murdered, and my husband, was framed for it. It clearly shows that someone more dangerous than the Sixth Prince is also present among us,” Li Hua proimed in her humble tone, shutting Xiuying’s mouth.


    “I think Li Hua has seen the wrong side of Prince Lóng Wei,” Noble Consort Xiuying didn’t stop herself from arguing. She didn’t want to lose the argument against a mere servant.


    “The one who cannot respect his mother, the one who cannot feel the love of a mother, the one who killed his own mother, can never be an ardent lover. Just because Prince Lóng Wei said that he loves Li Hua doesn’t mean that he will keep loving her. A leopard never changes its spot. Li Hua must remain careful of Prince Lóng Wei,” Xiuying stated and nced at Zhu Liling, “am I right, Your Majesty?”


    Zhu Liling nodded. “Li Hua must remain cautious of the Sixth Prince. If she finds any trouble with him, she shall inform me,” she told Li Hua.


    “If Her Majesty allows, then I would like to say something,” Li Hua asked for permission.


    “You are allowed,” Zhu Liling permitted her.


    “Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince indeed has created troubles for many people around him. I do not know what happened in His Highness’s past. However, when he protected me from getting the punishment from the First Princess, I felt that he does possess softness and empathy in his heart. Maybe His Highness’ past was too stressful that it made him be what he is today. Still, I will keep Her Majesty’s advice in my mind,” Li Hua opined.


    She remembered what Lóng Wei had told her. He hated his mother for some reason and that reason was bigger than the step he took.


    Jingfei snickered and raised the teacup. “Sister-inw is no longer a servant. She is enjoying this royal life thanks to Brother Lóng Wei. That’s why she is making the bridges in his praise,” she asserted and took the scent of the tea before sipping it.