The smile on Diyaâs face instantly disappeared. She looked at the man not far away and her heart slowly sank.
Did the emperor not like her dance?
She had painstakingly practiced for so long. Although her body was flexible, in order to practice this high-difficulty classical dance, her waist was almost broken!
However, he still had this cold and quiet expression, as if everything in this world was not worthy of his eyes.
Diyaâs heart suddenly felt as though it was soaked in thin ice. It was so cold and desolate.
The emperor raised his eyes slightly, as though he had noticed Diyaâs gaze. He finally slowly raised his hand and followed the crowd to clap three times.
He clapped for her!
Seeing this scene, Diyaâs dejected eyes instantly lit up. Her eyes were blazing as she looked at the emperor. Her eyes were filled with smiles as she reverted back to the peerless and city-toppling princess in the middle of the stage.
The surrounding applause continued for a long time. Diya also heard the cheers and whistles of many people.
However, that was not important. As long as that person also approved of her!
Diya was in a great mood. She slightly curved the corners of her lips and waved to the audience who were applauding below the stage. After that, she slightly bowed and made a graceful dance posture.
The curtain call was over.
The spotlight on the stage gradually dimmed and moved away from Diya. The stage was covered in a layer of hazy dust.
The young emperor turned around. For the sake of his sisterâs plan, Fiennes had been standing by his side. Naturally, he had noticed the emperorâs every move.
He had seen everything just now. The emperor had been watching the stage.
Was he shocked by Diyaâs dance just now?
Fiennesâ thin lips were smiling. He had some confidence in his sisterâs marriage.
Fiennes tried to figure out the emperorâs intentions. His blue eyes were shining brightly.
âYour Highness, you were so engrossed in the dance just now. Can you comment on the dance just now?â
However, to Fiennesâ surprise, the emperor replied without thinking.
âThe melody is not bad.â
What?
Fiennes widened his eyes in shock. It took him a second to digest the meaning of the emperorâs words.
Could it be that the emperor had only been focused on listening to the melody?
Or could it be that the emperor avoided the important points and deliberately avoided the topic?
As if seeing Fiennesâ confusion, the man in front of Fiennes pursed his lips and added another sentence.
âThe music from before doesnât seem to be electronic. Did Miss Diya specially find a Guqin player?â
The manâs voice was indifferent, and one could not tell whether he was happy or angry.
A Guqin was such an antique musical instrument, yet there was actually someone who knew how to use it. It was truly rare...
However, the person playing the Guqin was still lacking in skill. Although their emotions had arrived, the fingering was clearly not particularly skilled, and some parts of the melody were slightly sluggish.
At that time, he stood below the stage and was engrossed in listening. He was able to distinguish these tiny flaws.
The music was clearly not perfect, but for some reason, his mood could not help but become better.
Could it be that when he looked around the crowd, other than himself, they were all mesmerized by the dance. Only he could tell that the Guqin playerâs skills were slightly lacking?
Such a subtle sense of pleasure surprised the emperor, but he did not delve into it.
When Fiennes heard the emperorâs words, his forehead could not help but twitch.
How could it be that the emperor did not pay attention to his sisterâs graceful dance at all, and was completely focused on the accompanying Guqin music?
Fiennes sighed for his sister in his heart, and then nodded to the man in front of him.
âYour Highness guessed correctly. She did find a Guqin player. Originally, Diya was going to use an electronic synthesizer. It was also because I was lucky a few days ago that I happened to meet a person who could play the Guqin.â
For some reason, when Fiennes spoke, he deliberately avoided mentioning whether the Guqin player was a man or a woman.
Although he knew that the emperor in front of him had no dust in his eyes and it was unlikely that he would have any thoughts about women, Fiennes still did not want to talk about Su Wan to him.
After all, he was very interested in that woman.
Fiennes did not want to risk Su Wan.
Although His Highness might not be interested in Su Wan, there were too many high-ranking officials and nobles who frequented the Godâs Palace every day. It was hard to say which hothead would take a fancy to her.
Fiennes only had a superficial understanding of Su Wan. However, he knew that Su Wan had no power or influence behind her. If she really caught the eye of some noble, those people wouldnât care about the thoughts of a commoner woman.
The Godâs Palace hadnât been strict in ruling over the past few years. As a result, the atmosphere among the nobles had become more and more lax.
There might not be many superpowered people who had Dragonâs Blood, but there were countless hedonistic young masters who were ignorant and incompetent!
After the war ended, the Godâs Palace had abolished the existence of underground auction houses in the early years. However, werenât those underground auction houses still in full swing?
And the forces that supported those pickled places behind the scenes were the people from the four great families!
Even the Siswell family was involved. The Godâs Palace had turned a blind eye to this!
What a joke. As long as there was money to be made, who cared about the lives of the people at the bottom?
All these years, there had only been a few more taxes handed over to the Godâs Palace...
Fiennes had always hated this sort of situation in his heart. He wanted to properly clean up the atmosphere.
However, he didnât have any real power in his family right now. There were still many elders suppressing him. In order to win the support of all parties, it would be even more inappropriate for him to openly oppose this. He wanted to avoid falling out with them.
...
Fiennesâ casual words swept into his ears. The young emperor nodded, his expression distant.
âYou were really lucky. Fiennes, if itâs convenient, how about lending that Guqin player to me for a few days?â
âYour Highness likes to listen to the Guqin?â
Fiennes was startled when he heard that. He smiled bitterly in his heart. He really did not want to be biased.
âI donât really like it. I just feel that there are very few people who know how to play the Guqin right now. I just want to meet them.â
The emperorâs long and narrow eyes swept past him. His indifferent gaze suddenly became fierce.
âWhy? You donât want to?â
A sentence that was as calm as the lake water carried an invisible pressure, causing Fiennesâ throat to dry up.
Fiennes tried his best to suppress his emotions. The corners of his lips parted into a smile as he started to lie selfishly.
âYour Highness wants to listen to the Guqin. Of course Iâm willing. Itâs just that Diya has arranged for that Guqin player to continue practicing over the past few days. Why donât Your Highness come and watch?â
Fiennes didnât even blink when he lied. He used his own sister as a shield.
Wherever Diya was, this emperor of the Godâs Palace would avoid her. It was impossible for him to make an exception for a mere Guqin player.
As expected, the emperor frowned slightly, his voice cold and clear.
âSince Miss Diya wants to use them, I wonât take them away. If thereâs a chance in the future, invite that Guqin player over.â
Just as Fiennes was chatting with the emperor, a delicate female voice suddenly rang out, just like an oriole from the valley.
âYour Highness, brother, what are you talking about?â
Fiennes looked up and saw that his sister had changed out of the complicated water-sleeved dance outfit and was wearing the red-colored swallow tail dress from before.
Fiennes narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on the three glasses of wine in Diyaâs hands.
Finally, was the show about to begin?