Feng Guang smiled with ease, showing no hint of embarrassment at being caught secretly watching someone. She even gave a slight nod, as if politely greeting him.
The man returned the gesture with a faint nod of his own, then looked away and paid her no further attention.
As the host and guests all enjoyed the gathering, a refined and elegant man suddenly spoke up, “I heard that among the attendants Princess Wuyou brought with her, there’s a musician from the State of Liubi.”
The speaker didn’t look at Feng Miyin, who was seated across from him, but instead turned his gaze to Feng Guang. Her cheeks flushed instantly—she knew he must have seen through her interest in that man.
That man was her elder brother, the Crown Prince of Gengliu Kingdom, Xia Fengxue. He had always doted on his younger sister since they were children.
Behind her veil, Feng Miyin glanced at the man in white seated not far from her, then responded with dignified composure, “Sijia is the finest musician in our country. He accompanied me to Gengliu not only as a retainer, but also to perform a piece for everyone at the wedding banquet.”
At the mention of the word “wedding,” Meng Xi, seated on the other side, frowned slightly. As expected, he had no fondness at all for the bride he was supposed to marry tomorrow.
Sijia responded calmly, neither humble nor arrogant, “I dare not claim to be the finest. I simply have a modest talent for the guqin.”
“Oh?” Xia Fengxue looked intrigued. “Then perhaps, Mister Sijia, you wouldn’t mind performing a piece for us now?”
“I’m afraid I didn’t bring my instrument with me into the palace.”
“That’s no problem. I recall Feng Guang’s palace houses quite a collection of trinkets. Didn’t Father gift her the Jiao Wei Qin—the zither he searched for far and wide?” Xia Fengxue raised a brow at his sister.
Feng Guang glanced at her father behind their elegant and dignified empress. Emperor Xia casually swirled his wine cup and chuckled, “If Feng Guang’s in the mood, letting Mister Sijia play the Jiao Wei Qin wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
“Alright!” Feng Guang nodded enthusiastically and immediately ordered a palace maid to bring her instrument.
Not long after, the maid returned to the hall. Feng Guang stood up, received the guqin, and descended the steps. She walked lightly, her red silk ribbons fluttering with her movement. She was already beautiful to begin with, but now, illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns, she looked even more like a celestial maiden untouched by the mortal world.
Xia Fengxue caught sight of several young lords from noble families staring at her in awe. He curled his lips in disdain. Some people just didn’t understand their place—those young lords, and Meng Xi as well.
Feng Guang stopped before the group from Liubi. Holding the guqin with both hands, she approached Sijia and said sweetly, “This is for you.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Sijia took the guqin from her hands, but noticed she didn’t leave. Instead, she sat down right across from him.
She waved her hand, and the palace maid quickly removed the wine and dishes from his table, clearing the space. Feng Guang then leaned on the table with one hand, resting her chin on it as she looked at him. “Go ahead and play. I’m listening.”
Sijia gave a sidelong glance. Aside from the Liubi envoys, who looked uncomfortable but didn’t dare say a word, the people of Gengliu seemed completely unfazed—none of them thought the princess was behaving inappropriately.
Then again, this was the girl who stood on the imperial dragon throne at the age of three.
Sijia lowered his gaze, gathered his thoughts, and plucked the strings.
Melodious and elegant notes began to flow from the guqin. Under his fingertips, the strings became something magical—no longer just sound, but a transcendence beyond the mundane. Each time the music seemed to near its end, a new wave would rise, like a gentle breeze rippling through the air, or a waterfall cascading from the heavens. The emotion in the melody stirred the soul and lingered in the heart.
Loveguy On CFRFGC Chapter 3