Ye Qichi finally understood what it means to be silent until one astonishes the world with a single sound.
The jealousy and repression in Zhou Ruotang's heart could hardly be masked anymore.
A woman who once had a close relationship with Zhou Ruotang understood intuitively.
Over the years, Zhou Ruotang has been clever, having won over a group of servants and several influential madams who could help her.
At this moment, the legitimate wife of the Minister of Ministry of Industry, Wu Shuyue, lightly nudged her daughter Qi Wenqing.
Qi Wenqing, sixteen, has a very good relationship with Ye Zhilan.
"Today is Uncle Ye's birthday, and Wenqing would like to offer an ink painting to Uncle Ye as a birthday gift." Her voice carried a hint of shyness, seemingly bashful.
Ye Qichi knew that such gatherings among women often involved comparisons.
"Wenqing is so thoughtful, I will immediately have the servants prepare ink and brushes," Zhou Ruotang quickly said.
Qin Mengxi glanced at Zhou Ruotang.
Zhou Ruotang wasn't giving Qin Mengxi face; she had already been overshadowed by Qin Mengxi enough today, and she was already unable to swallow this fact.
The servants hurriedly brought over the ink and brushes.
Qi Wenqing gracefully picked up the brush and wrote on the paper, "Heralding in the fine wine for guests, pointing to the green hills to offer longevity. May your life be even at a hundred, as all share the winter cold with plum blossoms."
Praise was continuous.
The calligraphy is good, and so are the words.
"Qian'er wants to offer a dance, to wish Uncle Ye a happy birthday."
The other young ladies also started showcasing their special skills.
Ye Qichi felt that there was no difference between ancient and modern times; it's just about raising your children well and then showing them off everywhere.
She calmly watched them, considering it a show since it was boring anyway.
"Madam, Lan'er also wants to wish Daddy a happy birthday." After a group of legitimate daughters performed, Ye Zhilan, a daughter born out of wedlock, still wanted to take the final spot.
Qin Mengxi turned to look at her daughter.
She dislikes such banquets and especially hates this type of segment.
But it was unavoidable.
Ye Qichi knew Qin Mengxi's worries; was it not just fear of being ridiculed?
She smiled openly, "If our sister is so thoughtful, why not?"
Ye Zhilan could hardly hide her joy.
Today, her radiance had been overshadowed by Ye Qichi's beauty, and she wanted to let everyone know that in other areas she was a hundred times more capable than Ye Qichi. She wanted everyone to know that Ye Qichi was just a pretty face with no substance.
She stood up and walked to a Jade Zither that had been prepared earlier, kneeling to play.
The melodious and beautiful sounds of the zither flowed smoothly from Ye Zhilan's delicate fingertips.
No wonder Ye Zhilan was so confident.
She indeed played the zither excellently.
Pride was unmistakable on Zhou Ruotang's face.
Ye Zhilan has been intelligent and quick-witted since childhood, excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, far surpassing many legitimate daughters, not to mention Ye Qichi, who was no better than an ordinary servant.
As the piece concluded, the whole room was filled with approval, a truly grand occasion.
The performances of Ye Zhilan and others were still far from lunchtime.
However, all the young attendees, including Ye Zhilan, had already performed, and only An Ning had not performed yet.
As the Princess Consort Chen, Ye Qichi could be excused for not performing any talents.
Her status did not require her to perform for those present.
However, this period of silence was inevitably awkward.
Zhou Ruotang deliberately said, "Princess, didn't you also prepare a birthday gift for your father?"
Obviously, she was forcing Ye Qichi into an uncomfortable position.
Qin Mengxi glanced at the sinister expression on Zhou Ruotang's face, and she was about to speak,
when Ye Qichi spoke, "Indeed, this consort has prepared a gift."
Zhou Ruotang sneered to herself.
Nothing more than some vulgar treasures.
"Lu You," called Ye Qichi.
"Servant is here." Lu You stepped forward.
Her heart was also sweating bullets for the Princess.
Everyone knew that the Princess was utterly clueless about music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and had been humiliated countless times as a child.
Now, in front of so many distinguished ladies, how could she face the music.
"Help me to the zither." Ye Qichi commanded.
Lu You trembled with fright.
The Princess is going to play the zither?!
She still remembered how the Princess cried her heart out during her initial lessons, and the zither sound was like slaughtering a pig, unbearable to the ears.
Lu You, steeling her nerves, helped An Ning to the place where Ye Zhilan had just played the zither.
Lu You whispered beside her, "Princess, shall I pretend to accidentally break the zither..."
It was her way of trying to save her.
Ye Qichi smiled, sitting on the round soft couch, she said to Lu You, "Step back."
Lu You wore a worried look.
Thinking of the previous scenes of the Princess playing the zither...
How many people would mock the Princess again.
At this moment, everyone's attention naturally turned to An Ning.
Qin Mengxi also looked worried, understanding her daughter's shortcomings in this area.
She, who had excelled in poetry and the arts since childhood, couldn't understand why her daughter was so inept. She dimmed her own brilliance not to embarrass her daughter further, inadvertently fostering Zhou Ruotang's arrogance.
Zhou Ruotang and Ye Zhilan were naturally feeling differently at this moment.
Both were eagerly waiting to see Ye Qichi's blunder!
Ye Qichi reached out, lightly touching the zither strings.
An unpleasant zither sound emerged from her fingers, starkly contrasting Ye Zhilan's beautiful play just before.
Lu You wanted to throw herself into a pond beside her.
She couldn't bear to witness the Princess being ridiculed and the embarrassing ordeal she would endure.
The expression on everyone's face was full of disdain.
The rumors were true; the legitimate daughter of the Minister of Rites Manor was indeed good for nothing.
They had thought that today's magnificent Princess An Ning would be somewhat different.
No one held any more expectations for Ye Qichi.
Ye Qichi raised her head and said to Qin Mengxi, "Mother, I want to perform a duet with you to celebrate father's birthday."
Everyone was a bit shocked.
Everyone knew that playing a duet was certainly very challenging.
But on second thought, could it be that Ye Qichi was looking for a way to step down gracefully?
The so-called duet meant that Ye Qichi could also choose not to play.
Understanding this, everyone's disdain toward Ye Qichi deepened.
Qin Mengxi naturally agreed.
She also wanted to give her daughter a way out, which was undoubtedly the best course of action, much better than having her daughter produce horrific music, saving much face.
"Nanny Zhang, send someone to bring a Jade Zither for the lady."
A servant brought the Jade Zither and set it up.
Assisted by Nanny Zhang, Qin Mengxi sat on the soft cushion.
"'Phoenix Seeking the Phoenix' is the piece that father and you chose as a token of love, I want to play this piece with mother," Ye Qichi spoke.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Ruotang became displeased.
In the past, Ye Zhengde and Qin Mengxi were considered learned and elegant, both considerably talented, naturally, she as a woman couldn't compare.
She felt uneasy, but thinking about the possibility of seeing Ye Qichi embarrass herself balanced her mood somewhat.
Qin Mengxi nodded at Ye Qichi, she would certainly play, and her skills were excellent.
Her concern was that by comparison, she might make her daughter feel even more embarrassed.