PDLP Chapter 389 Pipa
Chapter 389 Pipa
Inside the Yangxin Palace, it was so quiet that the only sounds could be heard: the rustling of memorials being flipped through and the scraping of red pens across paper.
Yongzheng, dressed in bright yellow formal attire, sat at his desk, his posture erect, yet a trace of fatigue etched across his features. His gaze fixed on the mountain of memorials before him, his red brush moving restlessly across the pages, marking and circling them, writing down directives that affected the lives of the people.
Su Peisheng walked in quietly and placed a cup of tea carefully next to Yongzheng's hand, not daring to make any unnecessary noise. Then he bent his waist and quietly retreated to the side, standing with his hands hanging down, waiting quietly.
After an unknown amount of time, Yongzheng finally put down his red brush, rubbed his sore brow, then picked up the cup of tea, took a sip, frowned, and asked, "What kind of tea is this?"
Su Peisheng quickly stepped forward and replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, this is jasmine tea."
"Jasmine tea?"
"Yesterday, Concubine Duan came over and said that jasmine tea has the effect of soothing the liver and regulating qi, relieving depression and calming the mind, so she personally brewed some and asked me to brew it for you!"
Yongzheng nodded slightly, his expression softening considerably. He picked up the teacup again, took a sip, and said, "This tea has a fresh, long-lasting aroma and a rich, refreshing taste. Not bad."
Then he added, "Concubine Duan is thoughtful."
After drinking the tea, Yongzheng stood up and stretched his stiff body, with a hint of fatigue between his brows.
The busy government affairs in recent days have left him with little time to breathe.
Seeing this, Su Peisheng hurried forward with a concerned smile on his face: "Your Majesty, are you feeling tired? It's spring now, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom. Why don't you go take a walk in the Imperial Garden and rest for a while?"
Yongzheng looked up, gazed out the window into the distance, and after a moment's hesitation, he said, "Okay, let's go for a walk and relax."
Upon hearing this, Su Peisheng's smile grew wider, and he quickly bowed and replied, "Yes, I'll arrange it right away." After he finished speaking, he turned around and walked out of the hall quickly, instructing the eunuchs and palace maids accompanying him to prepare the ceremonial procession for the emperor's trip.
In the Imperial Garden, hundreds of flowers vie for brilliance, a dazzling array of colors. Peonies are elegant and graceful, crabapples are gorgeous and charming, and magnolias are pure white like snow.
Yongzheng walked with his hands behind his back, leisurely admiring the flowers and bathing in the warm spring sunshine.
Suddenly, a burst of cool music, like a clear gurgling stream, quietly flowed into the imperial garden in spring, instantly breaking the tranquility of the surroundings.
Yongzheng paused, subconsciously listening intently. The music seemed to carry an invisible force, piercing deep into his heart. After a moment, his expression firm, he whispered, "It's the pipa."
But the sound of the pipa was truly unique. Its timbre carried an indescribable yet extremely familiar flavor that captivated his mind.
Without thinking too much, he followed the sound and went over.
After turning a corner of a rugged rockery, the view suddenly opens up, and an exquisite pavilion stands quietly among the flowers.
Inside the pavilion, Qi Yuebin sat quietly on a stone bench, cradling her pipa. She wore a moon-white Manchu dress, simple yet elegant. The delicate pale blue flowers embroidered on her sleeves swayed gently with her movements, echoing the beautiful melody.
She lowered her eyes with a focused expression, her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow on her eyelids, and she was completely immersed in the world of music.
Her fingers danced lightly across the pipa strings, each pluck bringing out a string of crisp, melodious notes, like pearls falling on a jade plate. Soft music flowed from her hands, lingering throughout the pavilion and drifting to every corner of the Imperial Garden, blending with the fragrance of flowers and the chirping of birds.
Yongzheng stood outside the pavilion, his eyes slightly closed, immersed in the moving music, and was a little dazed for a moment.
Su Peisheng followed behind and when he saw this scene, he quickly raised his hand to signal the eunuchs and palace maids around him to retreat. He also quietly retreated to a distance, stood with his hands hanging down, silently guarding the tranquility.
I don’t know how long it took, but when the song ended, the lingering sound still lingered in the air.
Yongzheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with admiration and aftertaste. He clapped his hands softly and said, "What a wonderful pipa piece, Concubine Duan! Your skills are becoming even more refined."
Qi Yuebin was slightly startled when she heard the voice. She looked up and saw it was Yongzheng. She quickly stood up and saluted, saying softly, "Greetings to the Emperor. I didn't know you were here. I beg your forgiveness for disturbing you."
Yongzheng raised his hand, motioning her to excuse herself. With a gentle smile on his face, he walked into the pavilion. "Why disturb me? I was strolling in the Imperial Garden today, feeling rather bored. Fortunately, the sound of your pipa has brightened my mood considerably." His gaze fell on the pipa, his fingers gently stroking its body. "It's been a long time since I've heard you play. Hearing you play today, all the past memories come back to me as if they were right before my eyes."
When she was in the palace, she often played the pipa for herself.
Qi Yuebin nodded slightly, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes, and she said softly, "I am content that Your Majesty still remembers me. It's spring, and I have nothing to do. I thought I'd play a piece in this imperial garden to make the most of this wonderful time. I didn't expect to meet Your Majesty."
At that moment, a gentle breeze blew by, dropping a few petals that drifted slowly into the pavilion. Yongzheng reached out to catch one, looking at the delicate petals with a sigh, "Time flies, like these falling petals, fleeting in a flash. But you, as always, always bring me a moment of peace."
Qi Yuebin looked at Yongzheng, his eyes full of concern: "Your Majesty is very busy with state affairs. I hope you take good care of yourself."
"The jasmine tea you sent is very good. You are the only one in this palace who knows that every spring, I always feel restless and have a poor appetite."
"As long as the Emperor likes it!"
The two exchanged a few words, and Yongzheng looked at the pipa in her hand again. "I remember that your pipa belongs to Professor Chunyuan?"
His voice was low and gentle, with a hint of reminiscence.
Qi Yuebin nodded and said, "Yes, Queen Chunyuan is both a teacher and a friend to me. She is an exceptional pipa player and kindhearted. She took the trouble to teach me, but I am stupid and have only learned 20% to 30%."
After saying that, she lowered her eyes slightly, a trace of loneliness flashed in her eyes, as if she remembered every little detail of her time with Chun Yuan. Those warm memories were now filled with a hint of sadness.
"It's already very good." Yongzheng sighed softly, looking into the distance, his eyes filled with nostalgia and regret. "No one in the world can compare to her! Her talent and character are both unique."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, and the gentle smile and lively eyes of Queen Chunyuan seemed to be still before his eyes. After a long moment, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Qi Yuebin, his expression regaining its composure. "You are able to pass on what she taught you, which is also a rare friendship."
Qi Yuebin said, "Since Your Majesty likes it, I will play another song for you!"
Yongzheng naturally agreed.