Forced to die for his loyalty, he was reborn in the arms of the cold and cruel regent!

As the sun slowly set in the sky and night gradually approached, the crowd became more and more jubilant.

Some were wrestling, some were playing polo, it was a lively scene.

At this moment, someone in the crowd started to speak: "I heard that Princess Shen's music is worth a fortune. Can we open our eyes to it?"

Everyone's eyes gradually gathered on him. Shen Mengyao smiled modestly and said in a deep voice: "You are all too kind. I have only learned the piano for a few years and can barely listen to it. Today, everyone should have played the piano to entertain friends, but I came out in a hurry and didn't bring a piano..."

Before he finished speaking, someone immediately said, "I happened to have it with me, but it's not as good as the princess's lingliang. I wonder if the princess would be so kind as to play a piece on my zither?"

Shen Mengyao was eating a piece of food. Someone seemed to be afraid that he would not agree, so he deliberately said, "I think that with the princess's level, changing the piano should not have any impact. Isn't that the case for all true masters?"

Shen Mengyao no longer refused: "In that case, I will show my ugliness!"

Shen Mengyao stood up, straightened her dress, took the piano handed to her by the man, and slowly walked towards an open space next to the campfire.

The moonlight was like water, sprinkling on her, adding a bit of coolness and otherworldliness to her. She gently adjusted the strings of the zither and tried to play a few notes. The sound was crisp and pleasant, attracting the people around her to put down their work and look at her expectantly.

"Then I will play a piece of 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' for everyone. I hope the sound of the piano can cleanse the soul like running water and bring everyone a moment of tranquility." Shen Mengyao said softly, and then her fingers lightly touched the strings, and a melodious melody suddenly sounded, like the gurgling of a clear spring in the mountains, or like a gentle breeze blowing through the woods.

Everyone was attracted by the sound of the piano and quieted down. Even the originally noisy bonfire party seemed to become much softer.

Shen Mengyao's piano skills are indeed well-deserved. Every note is precise and emotional, making people feel as if they are on the top of a mountain, overlooking the winding water, feeling relaxed and happy.

However, amidst the beautiful music, Shen Mengyao felt a little uneasy. She secretly glanced around and saw the eldest prince standing not far away, staring at her with deep eyes, which showed both appreciation and calculation.

She could only bite the bullet and continue playing. As the music progressed, her emotions gradually blended into the sound of the piano, as if she had become one with the piano, forgetting the hustle and bustle around her.

When the song ended, the lingering sound lingered for a long time. Everyone applauded and cheered, and the sound of praise was endless.

"Only the shattering of jade at Kunshan and the weeping of lotus flowers can be compared to it!"

"I've long heard that the princess's piano skills are extraordinary, but I didn't have the opportunity to participate in the Queen Mother's birthday celebration and never heard it in person. I felt deeply regretful at the time, but now my dream has come true."

Shen Mengyao smiled slightly, bowed to thank everyone, then walked back and sat down next to Lin Youwei.

"Mengyao, you play really well!" Lin Youwei said excitedly, pulling her hand. "It sounds like the sound of nature!"

Shen Mengyao shook her head slightly and whispered, "It was just luck."

"Don't say that. Your piano skills are obvious to everyone." Lin Youwei said excitedly, "Besides, this song tonight will probably make many people admire you again."

Shen Mengyao smiled bitterly when she heard this. Admiration? In this palace where power and interests are intertwined, how much is admiration worth?

At this time, the eldest prince slowly came over, holding a wine pot and a wine glass in his hands, and said with a smile: "My princess, you are an excellent zither player. This prince would like to offer you a toast."

Shen Mengyao's heart tightened and she was about to refuse, but she saw the eldest prince had already handed the wine glass to her.

She had no choice but to take the wine glass, took a sip, and quickly put it down.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Mengyao tried her best to keep her tone calm, "It's just that I can't drink much, so I'm afraid I can't enjoy myself with Your Highness."

The eldest prince smiled slightly, seemingly not caring about her refusal: "It's okay, Princess, just enjoy yourself. But... I hope that the Princess can understand that what happened today is just my appreciation of your talent, and I have no other intentions."

Shen Mengyao sneered in her heart, but on the surface she could only nod and agree: "I understand."

At this moment, a carriage suddenly drove over from a distance, and the sound was heard without seeing the people.

"What a lively scene! Is there a talent show going on? This princess must join in the fun."

When everyone looked back, they saw *** in a gorgeous red dress, with a look of arrogance in his eyes.

The appearance of *** instantly attracted everyone's attention.

She was followed by a group of attendants, who walked towards the campfire aggressively, like a gust of wind that blew away the original harmony and tranquility.

"Isn't this Princess Shen? I heard that you are an excellent pianist and have won praise from everyone." ***'s voice was sharp and harsh, with obvious disdain and provocation. She walked up to Shen Mengyao and looked her up and down as if she was examining a singing girl, with great disrespect.

Shen Mengyao's heart tightened, knowing that the princess was upset with her, but she remained calm, bowed slightly and said, "Hello, Your Highness. I only know a little about the piano, and I dare not embarrass myself in front of the princess."

"Hmph, stop pretending in front of me." The princess snorted coldly and turned to the crowd and said, "Since Princess Shen is so modest, I will reluctantly compete with you. However, just playing the piano is boring. How about we have some prizes?"

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment when they heard this, not daring to respond easily. In this palace, who doesn't know the empress's rudeness and tyranny? Who dares to be her enemy easily?

"Your Highness is right, but I don't know what you want to win?" Qi Suian stood up at the right time, his tone calm but with a majesty that could not be ignored.

He knew ***'s temperament very well. If he didn't stop her, things would get out of control sooner or later.

*** glanced at Qi Suian, a hint of dissatisfaction flashed in her eyes, but due to his status, she had to restrain herself a little: "Since the prince has spoken, then this princess will give you a favor. How about this, if Princess Shen can beat me, this princess will give her a rare treasure; if she loses, she has to perform a dance for me in front of everyone, how about it?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. You know, there are many rare treasures in ***'s collection, but if she loses, she will have to perform a dance in public, which is undoubtedly a great humiliation for a lady from a noble family like Shen Mengyao.

Shen Mengyao thought to herself that now that she was put in this position, she was probably in a difficult situation and had no choice but to nod and agree.

"In this case, I will follow ***'s orders."

"With so many people here, you will be the judges." *** glanced at everyone.