in2ebook Chapter 144 Oiran Contest (2)
Chapter 144 Oiran Contest (2)
Yu Qingli sighed inwardly. Now, she could only take another gamble. She specially asked Liu Jinghong to hold an Oiran competition and invite people from major music halls in Kyoto to come and exchange skills. This would definitely cause a sensation in the imperial city and maybe change something.
The Prince's Eastern Palace is majestic and magnificent, and the black marble floor extends all the way to the garden outside. Although it is autumn, the garden is still full of flowers and is thriving.
Murong Cheng had a serious expression on his face and seemed to be in a bad mood.
"His Royal Highness!"
After a hearty laugh, a dark purple figure appeared in front of Murong Cheng, with a pair of peach blossom eyes that seemed to be smiling, and a faint smile hanging on the evil thin lips.
"Little uncle?"
Although he frowned, Murong Cheng still politely saluted Murong Yan.
Murong Yanhui was wearing a purple brocade robe with a giant python embroidered with gold thread on the robe, which was circling all the way up. Around his waist was a spider-patterned belt of the same color, adorned with a huge night-shining pearl. The pearl was located right in the giant python's mouth, which was quite interesting.
He was playing with a piece of flowery paper in his hand, and the fragrance was very pleasant.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince doesn't seem too happy to see me! Is he still worried about the music and dance?"
Murong Yanhui sat down on the chair by herself, and the eunuch behind her hurried forward to serve her tea.
Murong Cheng glanced at Murong Yan coldly and said, "How did you find time to come to my place today, little uncle? Don't you have to go and keep those girls company?"
"Your words are obviously caring, but they always make people feel uncomfortable!" Murong Yanhui took a sip of tea. Only when facing Murong Cheng would he feel a little more comfortable.
"If you don't like it, then don't come. The door to my East Palace is open. Little uncle, you can leave at any time."
He was still as cold as ever, which made Murong Yanhui burst out laughing. This coldness was somewhat similar to Yu Qingli's. To be honest, he missed his Lili very much after not seeing her for many days.
"I won't talk nonsense any more. I heard that you were scolded by your brother today because of the music and dance incident, so I came to see you."
Murong Cheng remained silent. Although it only happened in the morning, it must have been known to everyone in the palace by now. It was no wonder. There were no secrets in the palace, right?
As His Majesty's birthday banquet is approaching, other matters have been arranged, except for the music and dance, which does not seem to meet His Majesty's wishes.
The current emperor is a person who attaches great importance to enjoyment and beauty. He has long been tired of watching ordinary dance and music. When he learned that the birthday banquet this year would still have the same dancers, he couldn't help but fly into a rage and scolded Murong Cheng for not being able to handle even small matters.
God knows that the new Crown Prince is a man who is extremely strict with himself. If it were not for the preparations for His Majesty's birthday banquet, he would have been forced to watch the performances of those dancers every day. Apart from that, he has never set foot in such a place of entertainment.
However, the prince did not understand. There were people who were proficient in this, such as His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan, who was famous in Kyoto. There was probably no one more knowledgeable about folk music and entertainment than him. So in order to make the dance and music at the birthday banquet unconventional, His Majesty specially ordered the Prince of Yan to accompany the prince to select a new dance and music troupe.
To put it bluntly, it means letting Murong Yan return to being the military advisor and find some good dancers so that His Majesty the Emperor can feast his eyes on them during the birthday banquet.
Seeing Murong Yanhui's calm demeanor, Murong Cheng couldn't help but frown even more. "Little Uncle, are you here to laugh at me? If so, now that you've finished laughing, shouldn't you leave?"
Murong Yanhui sighed inwardly, "Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince dislikes me so much, I'm happy to be free. I was thinking of fulfilling my duties and accompanying His Royal Highness to finalize the dance and music arrangements. But it seems His Royal Highness doesn't need my participation. So forget it, I'm going to relax. Your Highness, you can make your own decision on this matter."
As he spoke, he stood up from his chair and exclaimed, "This tea is good." Then he walked out of the hall.
"Little Emperor Uncle!"
Murong Cheng shouted with gritted teeth. From childhood to adulthood, it seemed that Murong Yanhui loved to bully him the most. However, it seemed that in the entire palace, he was the only one who could play with him. He really didn't know what kind of fate this was.
Murong Yanhui stopped in his tracks. Just when Murong Cheng thought he was turning around to sit down and talk to him about dance and music, he saw a piece of flowery note flying towards him.
Murong Cheng raised his hand to catch the oncoming flower paper. He was surprised. He only heard Murong Yanhui's voice in his ear, "This place is said to be good. Your Highness, you may want to go and take a look."
When she looked up again, there was no trace of Murong Yanhui. Only the faint fragrance of the flowery paper in her hand was lingering in the air, touching her heart.
Looking closely, it was an invitation letter from Jinghong Music House. Three days later, an Oiran Contest would be held in the music house. Anyone interested could go and take a look.
Jinghong Music Studio?!
Murong Cheng's heart moved. Could it be that the King of Yan came here just now for this?
His eyebrows were lowered, hiding the slight emotional fluctuations in his eyes, and he muttered to himself: "Little uncle is still so idle. Now that I have the invitation, I might as well go and take a look."
The three-day deadline was over in the blink of an eye.
It is rumored in the capital that the newly opened Jinghong Music House is holding an Oiran Competition today. Masters from the three most famous music houses in the capital have been specially invited to serve as judges, and there will also be an exciting skills competition.
The idle nobles made preparations early in the morning just to catch a glimpse of the many courtesans.
Jinghong Music House was able to gain a foothold in the capital in just half a month and had unique rules that other music houses did not have. When it openly displayed its charm in front of everyone, naturally some people would want to go and watch. Those colleagues also became alert and sent people to investigate.
On the other hand, this is also an unprecedented opportunity. Which music troupe would not want to take advantage of this opportunity to become famous?
As a result, what was originally just a small oiran competition suddenly became a grand competition between Kyoto's music houses.
Whoever has better skills will be the winner and become the undisputed top courtesan.
Although they only had half a month to practice, Yu Qingli was full of confidence. She was the most talented woman in Jiangnan, Yu Qingli, so how could she lose to these unknown people?!
Due to the temporary change of the event, the original venue was not sufficient, so Liu Jinghong changed the venue to the most prosperous street square in Kyoto.
The preparations went very smoothly, including the stage, instruments, and personnel arrangements. Everyone was very excited. They had not expected that the competition among dancers in a small music house would become a grand event in the entire Kyoto.
As time went by, representatives from all the large and small music troupes in the capital arrived one by one, and the masters in charge of judging also gathered one by one. This event began like a real competition. Because of the large number of people, the government even sent yamen runners to maintain order.
A tall and majestic figure in a black brocade robe followed the crowd and entered the venue quietly. He sat down in the center of the front row according to the order written on the flower note. His serious and handsome face was fixed on the stage. Since the music troupe was recommended by the young uncle, he must have his reasons.
Liu Jinghong was wearing a pink gauze dress today, looking charming and enchanting, with a pair of seductive eyes that made everyone present feel excited.
Just one appearance, and many men fell at her feet. Even Murong Cheng, who was sitting among them, couldn't help blushing and felt some inexplicable throbbing in his heart.
"Everyone, I am Liu Jinghong. Thank you for your kindness in coming today to participate in the Oiran Competition of Jinghong Music House. I hope that my upcoming performance will make you feel that this trip is worthwhile."
Just a few simple and clear sentences served as the opening speech, and then the performance officially began.
This competition consists of two parts. The first part is that the dancers in Jinghong Music House compete for the title of the most beautiful courtesan. The second part is that the various music houses in the capital compete with each other for the title of the most beautiful courtesan.
This undoubtedly became a feast for the Kyoto Music Hall!
Liu Jinghong stood in front of the stage, looking at the bustling crowd sitting below, and even the common people who came voluntarily from afar to watch. She was very excited. Maybe after today, her Jinghong Music Hall would really become famous!
The competition officially began. Liu Jinghong's voice, like a yellow oriole escaping a valley, read out the roster that had been prepared long ago. When her name was called, she began her performance. "First place, Miss Liusu from Jinghong Music Club..."
A woman with a beautiful face, holding a pipa in her hand, seemed a little nervous. Although she performed on stage on weekdays, she was really at a loss in facing so many people at once. After looking at Liu Jinghong, she finally calmed down a little.
The sound of the pipa was like the march of thousands of troops, or like the sudden appearance of the magnificent scenery of the northern desert, which made the scene suddenly quiet.
An expert can tell whether something is good or not with just one look. This simple pipa music made everyone feel like they were enjoying a feast. It seems that this girl Liusu is really good.
The next few performers, although also very exciting, were not as amazing as I had imagined.
"Eighth place, the dancing girl from Jinghong Music Band..."
As soon as Liu Jinghong finished speaking, a woman flew out, her white clothes fluttering and colorful ribbons dancing. She landed on the stage like a fairy, making people feel like they were in a fairyland.
There was an exclamation from the crowd, and everyone's attention was attracted.
On the stage, Liu Manwu danced like a real fairy. Her toes had just landed and then leaped high into the air. She was agile and graceful, with extraordinary beauty. The colorful ribbon wrapped around her body like a spirit snake, dancing gracefully but not trapping her. Such superb skills and performance surprised everyone present.
At the end of the song, Liu Manwu stopped in the middle of the stage, saluted everyone calmly and impartially. Only the sweat on her forehead that had already stained her makeup showed how hard she had danced before.
Her eyes swept coldly over Yu Qingli, who was dressed in red, backstage. Liu Manwu looked extremely proud, as if she was certain that the title of the most beautiful woman today belonged to her!