Chapter 566 Acting As A Musician
Wang Jian knew a direct approach wouldn't work. He had to subtly weave himself into Queen Xiulan's life, presenting himself as a solace in her turmoil. So, under the cloak of night, he materialized within the Moonlit Gardens, a secluded haven the Queen frequented for quiet contemplation.
He brought his guqin, a seven-stringed zither, to life. The melody that flowed from his fingertips was a poignant lament, filled with a melancholic beauty that resonated with the Queen's wounded heart. The sound drifted through the air, reaching Queen Xiulan's chambers, stirring a flicker of curiosity within her.
Intrigued, she ventured out into the moonlit gardens, her footsteps light on the dew-kissed grass. The sight that greeted her was unexpected. A lone figure, shrouded in a dark cloak, sat amidst the blooming night lilies, his fingers dancing across the guqin's strings.
As she approached, the music swelled, reaching a crescendo before settling into a gentle, introspective tune. The melody seemed to echo the turmoil within her, a raw expression of her hurt and anger.
The figure stopped playing, his head still bowed. Queen Xiulan cleared her throat, her voice regal despite its underlying tremor. "Who are you?" she demanded. "And how did you enter the Royal Palace?"
The figure slowly raised his head, revealing a handsome face with sharp features and eyes that glinted with a veiled intensity. "Forgive the intrusion, Your Majesty," he began, his voice low and strangely soothing. "I am Wang Jian, a humble musician."
Queen Xiulan raised an eyebrow. "A musician? I don't recall hiring one."
Wang Jian offered a barely perceptible smile. "Perhaps not, Your Majesty. But it seems one of your loyal maidservants, concerned for your well-being, decided to have me serenade you under the moonlight."
A flicker of surprise crossed the Queen's face. "Which one?" she demanded, momentarily forgetting her initial anger.
"They wished for anonymity, Your Majesty," Wang Jian replied smoothly. "They simply wanted to bring a touch of comfort to your evenings."
Queen Xiulan couldn't help but be touched. This act of unexpected kindness, a reflection of her maidservants' unwavering devotion, warmed a corner of her heart that had grown cold with suspicion.
"How did you… know what I needed?" she asked hesitantly.
Wang Jian shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Perhaps, Your Majesty," he said softly, "it's not a secret that weighs heavy on the hearts of many within the palace walls."
His words were cryptic, yet they hung heavy in the air. Queen Xiulan's curiosity piqued. Was he aware of the rumors swirling about the King? Did he sense the turmoil within her?
Despite her lingering suspicions, the music's soothing power was undeniable. It seemed to calm the storm raging within her, offering a brief respite from her emotional turmoil.
"Very well, Wang Jian," she conceded, her voice softened. "You may continue. But know this," her gaze hardened, "I am Queen Xiulan. My moods shift as swiftly as the wind, and my tolerance for deception is nonexistent."
Wang Jian bowed his head in mock submission. "As you command, Your Majesty. Consider this a humble offering, a melody born from the moonlight and the whispers on the wind."
He resumed playing, his music weaving a captivating tapestry of emotions. The Queen, unable to resist, found herself drawn closer, her initial wariness replaced by a strange sense of fascination with this enigmatic musician who seemed to understand her unspoken pain.
As the night deepened, the music morphed from melancholic strains into a piece brimming with a strange yearning, a bittersweet longing that mirrored the turmoil within her. With each note, Wang Jian subtly manipulated the melody, tugging at the strings of her emotions, playing on her vulnerability.
By the time the last note faded, Queen Xiulan found herself gazing at him, a question flickering in her eyes. "That was… beautiful," she admitted, her voice barely a whisper.
Wang Jian smiled, a fleeting glimpse of triumph hidden in its depths. "Thank you, Your Majesty. It is a privilege to play for such a discerning audience."
He bowed once more and started to fade into the shadows, his figure melting into the moonlight. But before he completely vanished, he paused, his voice a low murmur that sent a shiver down the Queen's spine.
"Remember, Your Majesty," he said, "sometimes solace can be found in the most unexpected places. Especially when the moon is full, and shadows dance..."
With that, he was gone, leaving Queen Xiulan alone with the echoes of his music and the weight of his cryptic words. A new seed had been sown in her heart – a seed of intrigue, of a hidden world beyond the confines of the palace.
The following morning, Queen Xiulan summoned her maidservants. Her face, though regal as ever, held a hint of steely determination. "Who," she demanded, her voice cold, "hired the musician who played in the Moonlit Gardens last night?"
The maidservants exchanged nervous glances. Finally, one, a young woman with trembling lips, stepped forward. "It was me, Your Majesty," she confessed, bracing herself for punishment.
Queen Xiulan raised an eyebrow. Surprise flickered across her face, momentarily erasing the icy anger. "You?"
The maidservant, her voice barely a whisper, explained, "I… I simply wished to offer Your Majesty a bit of solace after… after everything that's happened."
A tense silence descended upon the room. Queen Xiulan studied the young woman, her gaze unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, completely unexpected and disarming. "Solace," she echoed softly, the word taking on a new meaning in her mind.
Reaching into her robes, she retrieved a small vial filled with shimmering Lunar Essence, a rare treasure coveted for its rejuvenating properties. "For your loyalty and kindness," she declared, handing the vial to the trembling maid, "you are rewarded."
She then produced a shimmering amulet, imbued with powerful protective wards. "Wear this," she instructed the young woman, a hint of warmth in her voice. "May it shield you from harm."
The maidservants, stunned speechless by this unexpected turn of events, bowed deeply in gratitude as Queen Xiulan dismissed them. Alone once again, she couldn't help but recall the haunting melody that had filled the night. A feeling, a mix of curiosity and a burgeoning need for comfort, stirred within her.
As the moon replaced the sun, casting an ethereal glow over the palace grounds, Queen Xiulan found herself drawn to the Moonlit Gardens. There, shrouded in shadows, sat Wang Jian, his guqin seemingly an extension of himself.
He began to play, his music this time imbued with a gentle playfulness, a flirtatious energy that danced between the notes.
Queen Xiulan, drawn by the melody, emerged from the palace walls. As she walked towards him, the moonlight cast an ethereal glow on her figure, highlighting the graceful curves of her body.
Tonight, the music was different. It pulsed with a vibrant energy, laced with an underlying sensuality that sent a subtle warmth through her. It spoke of blooming flowers, intoxicating scents, and the alluring beauty of the moonlit night – a stark contrast to the melancholic tunes of the previous evening.
As the music flowed, Wang Jian seamlessly wove captivating poems into the melody. His voice, smooth and rich, resonated with the music, painting vivid pictures with his words.
"Your Majesty," he began, his voice low and melodic, weaving itself seamlessly into the music, "your beauty rivals the moon in its brilliance. Your presence, a calming oasis in the storm."
Queen Xiulan, her heart pounding in her chest, couldn't help but be affected by his words. Although phrased as a song, it was undeniably flirtatious, a direct praise of her beauty. Yet, there was something intoxicating about it, a forbidden thrill that sent a shiver down her spine.
He continued, his words weaving a tapestry of desire and forbidden passion.
"They say the Devil Queen of the Blue Moon Eclipse Tribe possesses a heart as fierce as her flames, but also a captivating beauty that leaves one breathless."
Queen Xiulan, her lips curving into a faint smile, felt a warmth spread through her. No one had spoken to her like this in years. The King, consumed by his duties, had neglected their emotional connection.
He continued, his voice weaving a seductive spell. "Under the moonlight, shrouded in secrecy, perhaps even a Queen can experience a taste of… forbidden pleasure."
Queen Xiulan's smile widened, a hint of defiance flickering in her eyes. The situation was outrageous, scandalous even. Yet, amidst the turmoil she felt, there was a thrill, an unexpected allure in this clandestine exchange.
As the night deepened, Wang Jian's music became more audacious, his words flirtatious yet veiled. He sang of stolen moments, hidden desires, and the sweet intoxication of breaking the rules.
Queen Xiulan, captivated by the music and his seductive words, found herself indulging in this unexpected fantasy. The Queen, burdened by responsibility and betrayal, allowed herself to be swept away by the melody and the forbidden emotions it evoked.
By the time the last note faded, Queen Xiulan was a different woman. A spark of defiance, a yearning for something more, burned in her eyes.
Wang Jian, his mission progressing far better than he anticipated, watched with a satisfied grin as the Queen turned to leave. He knew he had her attention, had planted a seed of desire within her.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺