On the male side, apart from Ding Wang, there were only two princes: Zhou Wang Fu Xiu'an and Jing Wang Fu Xiuyan. The Crown Prince was not feeling well and would not attend such gatherings. Zhou Wang and Jing Wang were both born to Empress Xu Xian, and they were both exceptionally talented. Zhou Wang had an outgoing personality and was arrogant, while Jing Wang was introverted but cunning. These two princes also had their eyes on the throne, knowing that the Crown Prince's health was fragile, and one day the Emperor would replace him as Crown Prince. Empress Xu Xian was deeply favored by the Emperor, making her more prominent than Consort Dong Shu, Ding Wang's mother. If not for Ding Wang being somewhat capable, he might not even be able to secure a position among the four consorts.

  In the previous life, King Zhou and Jing Wang were embroiled in a struggle for the throne, but they relaxed their vigilance against Ding Wang. Firstly, Fu Xiuyi was on good terms with the Crown Prince and often accompanied him, personally searching for precious medicinal materials for him. The Empress Dowager was quite satisfied with Fu Xiuyi. As a result, others thought that Ding Wang was just a follower of the Crown Prince. Secondly, Fu Xiuyi was normally aloof and disdained to participate in court affairs. Moreover, Dong Shufei was a cautious and timid person who spent her days reciting scriptures and practicing Buddhism, and she did not have strong backing from her family. It was thought that Ding Wang would not be able to stir up any waves.

  But in fact, the one who finally sat on the dragon chair was Fu Xiuyi, whom they thought would not make any waves.

  Shen Miao picked up the leaf card on one side and played with it, just like this leaf card, Fu Xiuyi's face had been rotten since birth, so everyone thought he was out from the start, but unexpectedly, he never thought of using his own hand. His cards were all in other people's hands, and what he had to do was to seize them.

  "How can you be so unresponsive?" Seeing her silence and no affectionate gaze towards Fu Xiuyi, Feng Anning found it strange: "Don't you like him?"

  Shen Miao raised her head and looked at her.

  Feng Anning was startled, and the sharpness in that one glance made her feel a chill in her heart, with an almost irresistible urge to kneel down. She didn't know where her feelings came from, she just instinctively knew that what she had just said had displeased Shen Miao. She paused for a moment, then said: "Actually, I don't like him much either. How can there be such a perfect person in the world? It's unrealistic."

  Shen Miao looked at Feng An Ning with a serious expression, which was rare for her. She didn't expect that this arrogant and spoiled young lady could see through her facade. How many people were infatuated with Fu Xiuyi's good looks? Probably every girl in the room would fall for him if he wanted them to. Yet, there was one who stood out from the crowd?

  "It seems you have someone in mind."

  "What are you talking about?" Feng Anning's small face suddenly turned bright red: "Don't slander good people."

  Shen Miao stopped talking to her, and the little girl didn't have the heart to ask about her family's affairs either.

  She naturally has her own things.

  The invitations for the chrysanthemum banquet have almost all been collected and the guests should be arriving soon.

  Under the chrysanthemum stage of Yanbeidang, a huge high platform was set up. This kind of ordinary decoration did not make people feel vulgar, because the former emperor had also worshipped heaven here. It was a high platform that had been stained with the true dragon's aura. On both sides were inserted chess pieces, and soldiers in formal attire with red headbands loudly beat drums.

  The drumbeat thundered to the sky, and the musician plucked the long zither. It was a song called "Xian Shi Qu", which meant that the royal family was eager to find talents. Today's test is to select the virtuous and talented people for the prosperity of Min Qi Jiang Shan, and to choose the real pillars of the country.

  The melody and drumbeat resonated deeply, carrying a unique sense of grandeur that involuntarily stirred up waves of excitement. Most of the people present were young men in their prime, with hot blood coursing through their veins. They were almost swept away by the music, wishing they could showcase all their talents to the crowd, and make a name for themselves as they embarked on a brilliant career, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of the Mingqi imperial court.

  Even if it's a daughter's family, she can't help but show an excited expression. Although they cannot enter the court and worship officials like boys, their fathers and brothers are pillars of the country. Their own families are also top-notch, with honor and glory, and they bask in the imperial family's sacred favor, filled with gratitude.

  Under the overwhelming excitement and reverence of the imperial grace, only one person's eyes were cold and unresponsive, without a hint of emotion.

  Shen Miao's gaze fell on the person playing the piano in the center, and it was precisely this that the Ming Qi royal family loved. They stirred up the patriotic hearts of young men, using them to do things for the corrupt imperial court. However, in the end, once the country was at peace, these men who had shed blood and sweat for the country rarely got a good ending.

  The wily hare dies, the running dog is cooked. Every time a new emperor takes office, he will eliminate the old people. Especially those who have experienced the dark struggle for the throne, witnessed the dirty transactions and bloodshed of the royal family, how can the royal family let them rise step by step?

  These stirring melodies will eventually become dirges that hasten death. And these young men who are now immersed in the spirit of serving their country will eventually die under the intrigue and strife of the imperial court, becoming innocent victims.

  She can't save everyone in the world, but she can save her own people.

  Shen Miao lightly raised her hand, and the right corner of her sleeve instantly swept across the edge of the table. The bowl of clear tea soup was knocked to the ground with a "slap" sound, which should have been inaudible, but compared to those rich rhythmic music, it was like pulling out one thread from the neatly arranged silk threads, making all the other threads messy and disordered.

  A "bang" sound suddenly disrupted the rhythm of the music.

  As if waking up from a big dream, Feng Anning suddenly came back to her senses and saw Shen Miao picking up the teacup on the ground with a smile: "Sorry, my hand slipped."

  The musician on stage was playing with intense rhythm and plucking the strings, but his brain suddenly went blank and he almost fainted.

  This melody was learned by Ming Qi from a Westerner who came on a boat, with some hypnotic meaning. It can slightly stir up the emotions in people's hearts, and this song is also a battle song, almost greatly amplifying the sense of combat and loyalty in people's hearts. If one song is played to the end, some loyal hearts may become foolishly loyal.

  The terror of this music was only understood after Shen Miao became the empress. The Ming Qi imperial family used such music to bewitch young people, making them sacrifice their lives for the imperial family. When the Xiongnu invaded, the imperial family had a large number of Imperial Guards defending the capital and recruiting new soldiers to go to the border. They would have these musicians play drums on stage, and many young men would join the army without hesitation, some even before they came of age.

  After being interrupted by Shen Miao, the momentum of those musicians was also becoming more and more insufficient. The final sound of the piano no longer had the grandeur and passion of just now, but only ordinary playing. And in the audience, those enthusiastic and passionate feelings like madness gradually dissipated, and everything returned to calmness.

  But Shen Miao's actions just now still caught the attention of some people. In the men's seats, Fu Xiuyi and Pei Lian looked over together.

  By the way

  The first push is over, next please don't get too comfortable little angels, chasing the article will make it go up faster~