EBE Chapter 150: Performing in the Palace (2)
Chapter 150: Performing in the Palace (2)
Liusu, standing by, was puzzled and asked, "Why, Miss Manwu, why are you doing this? Didn't you just ask me to play music and dance with you?"
Liu Manwu covered her burning face. This was the second time her sister hit her, and this time, it was for Yu Liuli.
Her eyes were inevitably filled with resentment, and even her tone became harsh. "Of course you don't know why, because you have never cared about me in your heart. These days, all of you are only happy about entering the palace. Have any of you ever thought about how sad I am for losing the Oiran competition?"
Everyone fell silent. Could it be that just because of something like this, Liu Manwu did such a thing?
"I know that in all of you there is only one Yu Liuli in your hearts now. No one, whether it's my sister or you, looks up to me anymore. I refuse to accept this. How could an outsider who has been at the music studio for less than a month actually steal the trust and respect of all of you?"
Yu Qingli stared coldly at the hysterical woman in front of her. "Don't you understand yet? Liu Manwu, there's no such thing as eternal first place in this world. I believe everyone here understands this very well. As long as you slack off even a little, you'll be overtaken by others. This should be something that promotes positive progress in the music hall, but you hold a grudge against it. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"Why do you scold me? What qualifications do you have to scold me?"
"If Liuli isn't qualified, then I am, right?" Liu Jinghong said angrily. "I've raised you for so many years, provided you with food and clothing, and wanted to give you the best of everything. And yet, you've broken my heart like this. It's truly a waste of all my years of nurturing you!"
Rather than being angry, Liu Jinghong felt more heartbroken. She didn't understand why her sister had become like this. But then she thought again and felt that maybe it was all her fault. If she hadn't been overprotective, Liu Manwu's personality wouldn't have become so extreme.
"Okay, since you all dislike me, I'm just leaving here!"
Liu Manwu turned and left, completely ignoring Liu Jinghong's call behind her.
The commotion of the people in Jinghong Music House soon reached the ears of the eunuch in charge, Cui Gonggong. Soon, the eunuch in charge brought people to the residence of the people in Jinghong Music House.
Liu Jinghong knew something was wrong and hurried over to greet him, "Eunuch Cui, what brings you here? Are you bored and looking for a little music?"
Eunuch Cui had a cold face and a high-pitched voice, full of dissatisfaction, saying, "I heard that someone in your music hall had their zither smashed, and there was a big fight over it. Is that true?"
Liu Jinghong's smile froze. "Nothing serious! It was just someone in the music studio accidentally bumped into me while practicing dancing. It was all a misunderstanding. It's all fine now."
Liu Jinghong brushed it off casually, hoping it wouldn't affect their performance. Eunuch Cui glanced at Liu Jinghong with a cold gaze and snorted, "That's for the best. You're new to the palace, so don't cause trouble! Also, as the owner of the music hall, you'd better control your men. This is the palace, not the market. If anything goes wrong, watch out for your heads!"
It was half a threat, half a warning, but it carried an unquestionable majesty.
A small eunuch is so powerful. I wonder what the masters in the palace think?
Liu Jinghong pulled out a silver note from her side and stuffed it into Eunuch Cui's hand, saying calmly, "Eunuch, you have worked hard. This is my daughter's filial piety to you. I don't know who spoke too quickly. Such a small matter actually disturbed you. I hope you can forgive me."
Eunuch Cui retracted his long sleeves and put the banknote into his sleeve without even looking at it. His expression brightened a little. He glanced at Liu Jinghong and said, "You seem smart. Come on, I'm busy. You just take care of your men. Tomorrow is His Majesty's birthday banquet, and there can be no mistakes."
"My Lord, I will definitely remember what you have taught me."
After finally sending Eunuch Cui away, Liu Jinghong stumbled a little. Yu Qingli behind her quickly supported her, "Sister Jinghong."
He forced a wry smile and said, "It's okay. Just prepare your program. I'll go out and look for Manwu. Don't barge out of this royal compound."
Everyone nodded slightly. It was true that if one offended someone carelessly, it would probably cause unnecessary trouble.
Liu Jinghong was about to leave when Yu Qingli, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly said, "How about I go with you? The two of us can at least look after each other."
Liu Jinghong was a little surprised. She didn't expect Yu Liuli to be so magnanimous. How could she know that Yu Qingli was worried that An Liu Manwu would really cause some trouble and affect her plan.
After simply packing their clothes, Yu Qingli and Liu Jinghong left the room together. The palace was still as luxurious as they remembered. Even a side hall was filled with the smell of luxury. The corridors with carved railings and jade bricks, the colorful flowers, and even the dazzling eaves, every one of them was surprising and a little daunting.
Walking in such a palace, Yu Qingli and Liu Jinghong each had their own thoughts and mixed feelings.
The two walked side by side, one charming and mature, the other agile and elegant, what a beautiful picture.
"Liuli, I'm really sorry about what happened before..." Liu Jinghong suddenly apologized, which surprised Yu Qingli.
"This matter has nothing to do with you."
Although Yu Qingli would avenge her enemies, she did not like to hurt innocent people, and even less did she like to harm innocent people.
"No, Miss Liuli, what happened today was indeed my fault. Please don't take it to heart. As for Manwu, I will teach her well in the future, and the same thing will definitely not happen again."
"I told you, this matter has nothing to do with you. Besides, right now, the most important thing is to find Liu Manwu."
As Yu Qingli spoke, she looked up at the horizon. The sky, which was originally clear, had become faintly dark.
A dark cloud appeared in the sky at some point, and it looked like it was going to rain. Liu Jinghong was very anxious. He had already walked around the entire side hall, but he didn't even see the shadow of Liu Manwu. Where did Liu Manwu go?
He met Yu Qingli's gaze and saw that her eyes were clear. After a moment's thought, he heard Yu Qingli say, "This matter shouldn't be publicized. We must quietly find Liu Manwu. Since she's not in the side hall, I'm afraid she's already escaped. As for where she went, we don't know."
"Why is this girl so disobedient!" Liu Jinghong looked disappointed in her.
Yu Qingli thought for a moment and said, "Do you think Liu Manwu will go to the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace?"
Liu Jinghong was horrified. "What is she doing there?"
As the words came to his lips, he thought, perhaps, Manwu really might have gone there. Remembering what Liu Manwu had said to him at the music hall before, Liu Jinghong became more and more anxious, "What should I do now?"
"Don't worry, this is just our guess. I hope everything isn't too bad."
As for Liu Manwu, she ran out of the side hall and walked around in circles without even knowing where she was. She was a little panicked for a moment and didn't know who to ask. She walked back, but didn't know where to go.
The face of Crown Prince Murong Cheng suddenly appeared in her mind, which moved Liu Manwu a little. Perhaps, she could go find His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now and maybe give him a great surprise.
Liu Manwu was thinking this in her heart when she happened to meet a woman who looked like a palace maid. After asking her, she went straight to the Prince's Eastern Palace.
In the Prince's Palace, Murong Cheng had a worried look on his face, while Murong Yanhui had a half-smile on his face. He picked up the cup of tea and took a sip comfortably.
"What's wrong with your highness? Could it be that you've fallen in love with me?"
The teasing tone and the mocking expression made Murong Cheng's face even uglier, but he just looked at him coldly without saying a word.
"Why? After arriving at the palace, you're afraid to take a step forward?"
"Why are you laughing at me, little uncle?!"
There was a hint of bitterness in his tone. He also wanted to see her, but there were so many people in the palace and they were all gossipy. If he was not careful, his father would hear about it. Just like what the young uncle said, he would not only not love that woman, but would put her in danger.
Murong Yanhui put down the tea bowl in his hand and said, "Do you want me to help you?!"
Murong Cheng was startled, a glimmer of hope rising in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. "You are being so attentive for no reason. What is your purpose, young uncle?"
Murong Yanhui burst into laughter, then thought for a moment and said, "How about you owe me a favor?"
A cold glance swept over, "This Lord, I never owe anyone a favor!"
Murong Yanhui thought to herself, after all these years, this prince is still so principled. But, is this exactly why she still likes him so much after all these years?
"Then let this king do one good deed a day."
Murong Cheng's eyes twitched. Do one good deed a day? He really said that. Everyone in Kyoto knows that it is harder than climbing to the sky to expect His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan to do one good deed a day.
Murong Yanhui had already stood up from his chair and winked at Murong Cheng, "I heard that there are many beauties in Jinghong Music House. Prince, are you willing to go with me to take a look?
Murong Cheng was still hesitating, but his shoulders sank. Murong Yan pulled him back like a good brother and they headed towards the side hall together.
Before leaving the palace, I heard someone crying and faintly begging for mercy.
The two exchanged glances. Who was so brazen in the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace? This surprised Murong Yanhui, but it was more important to go to the side hall. These kinds of scenes were extremely common in the palace, so there was nothing strange about them.
As the two walked forward, the crying sound became closer and closer. Following the sound, they saw a strange woman kneeling on the bluestone road. The palace's housekeeper was scolding her with a serious face.
Murong Yanhui narrowed her eyes slightly. "Is this a new maid from some palace? It's really unlucky for her to fall into the hands of Nanny Li."
Murong Cheng also turned his head to look. The woman was dressed in white and not in palace clothes. She lowered her head and her face could not be seen clearly. She was crying at this time.