Pampered Consort of the Fragrant Orchard c1-234

by N/A

  Because the time was still early right now, there were practically no one coming and going outside the city.

  "Ah, never thought that summer mornings were actually this cool and refreshing." Meng Jiang Zhuo pulled open the curtains, letting the morning cool breeze brush across her own face. Seeing the already gradually rising sun, she felt exceptionally happy.

  "Xiao Li, where are we going this time?" Fu Ya Lan asked.

  "To an estate, and stay there for a few days. That place is a very good place to practice!" Du Xiao Li said.

  "Is it that estate with grapes?" Ji Liu Xia's two eyes lit up as she asked.

  "Yes." Du Xiao Li nodded.

  "Ha, we're actually going to stay at the estate where grapes are produced, feel excited just thinking about it!" Ji Liu Xia said.

  Du Xiao Li laughed and didn't say anything, watching them getting excited over this trip.

  When the horse carriage reached within the estate's vicinity, Ji Liu Xia screamed out, loudly calling for the carriage to stop. Before Xia Yuan could stop the carriage completely, she'd already jumped down from the horse carriage.

  "Goodness, princess, Ya Lan, Jiang Zhuo, you all quickly come down!" Ji Liu Xia saw the grapes on the two sides of the road and excitedly called out the other three's name.

  "Wow, there's actually this many grapes!" Everyone all came down from the horse carriage and gasped at the strings of grapes.

  "No wonder Xiao Li have that many grapes to eat everyday!" Ji Liu Xia said.

  "These grapes are only available this month. After a while, they'll be gone. However, there's a persimmon orchard in the back. Once autumn and winter comes, we'll be able to eat it." Du Xiao Li said, "Additionally, there's also some other fruits. If you all are interested, while the sun still isn't very hot right now, we can go for a stroll."

  "Aright, let's go for a stroll!" While talking just now, Ji Liu Xia had already went in and picked a string of grapes, holding it in her hands.

  "Eh, you can go back and wash it before eating." Du Xiao Li looked to her impatient appearance and felt a sweat drop coming down.

  "This looks pretty clean to me! At worst, I'll just peel the skin and eat it." Ji Liu Xia said as she studied the grape.

  Du Xiao Li was speechless. However, the grapes now were indeed much cleaner than modern grapes. If it were modern grapes, then it definitely needed to be washed before it can be eaten.

  "Xia Yuan, you all drive the horse carriages over first, and then tell them that we've come." Du Xiao Li instructed.

  "Alright miss." Xia Yuan nodded and drove the horse carriage ahead.

  Silver and Gold had already jumped down from the horse carriage as soon as they'd arrived. Ying Ge and Qiao Zhu went back in the horse carriage behind them.

  "Let's go, I'll take you all for a stroll." Du Xiao Li said.

  "Okay."

  Starting from this moment, they'll be spending the next several days together here.....

  Ch. 070.1 – Entering the Palace (1)

  Entering the Palace (1)

  "Awooo--" While Du Xiao Li showed everyone around the estate, Silver and them had already ran through orchard and into the mountain, howling at the top of the mountains.

  "I've seen many estates before, but Xiao Li's estate looks the best, and also the most unique." Han Ming Xiang said.

  "Right, other estates all plant grains, and most were all just for avoiding the heat during the summer and what not, appearing to only have decorative value. Yours has looks and was also farmland!" Meng Jiang Zhuo said with a sigh.

  "Hehe, others, I don't know. I just know that in the next few days, we can eat our fill of grapes!" Ji Liu Xia wasn't that interested in these. The only thing she paid attention to was food!

  "Hehe, let's go back then. Right now, the sun is getting hotter, careful not to get burnt into black charcoal!" Du Xiao Li said, leading everyone from the foot of the mountain back to the courtyard.

  "Miss." Aunt Xie stood at the entrance, welcoming Du Xiao Li and them, while carrying her grandson.

  "Aunt Xie, why are you waiting here again?" Du Xiao Li asked.

  "Thanks to Miss, I can look after the children in the estate, so it's nothing for me to wait here for miss." Aunt Xie said with a smile. "My husband has already instructed them to have the rooms all sorted out. Please come in."

  "Thank you." Du Xiao Li said, "Let's go in."

  Aunt Xie brought Du Xiao Li and them to the rear courtyard. Because Xia Yuan and them had already explained, their rooms were all arranged together in one little courtyard.

  "This is large courtyard encasing little courtyard, and your little courtyard also has a courtyard!" Fu Ya Lan said with a smile.

  "Xiao Li, you really know how to live!" Meng Jiang Zhuo exclaimed in admiration. Together with her, she would always be pleasantly surprised.

  "Hehe, you all go choose your rooms first. Later on, when we don't go out, we'll just rehearse in this courtyard. The largest room over there, I'll have them clean out later. When the sun is too big, we can practice inside." Du Xiao Li said.

  "Alright."

  Everyone went and picked out their own rooms. Afterwards, they went to Du Xiao Li's room. Du Xiao Li then explained her thoughts to everyone.

  She wanted to perform a complete story, reflecting a mystical woman's legend. Sigh, after pondering, she felt Hua Mulan's story fit best.

  She had Hua Mulan's story explained and then said, "The front portion will be danced by big sister Jiang Zhuo. This part, you can just show off the feeling of a noble daughter. Afterwards, the second portion, Hua Mulan goes to war, this part, will be danced by big sister Liu Xia. The third portion, removing the armor and returning to the farm, will also be danced by big sister Jiang Zhuo."

  "Then I'll only be dancing that middle part? That little?" Ji Liu Xia said.

  "If you can dance the kind of dance big sister Jiang Zhuo can, you can also have more parts." Du Xiao Li amusingly looked to Ji Liu Xia. Previously, she was still scared to death, but now she was instead surging with passion.

  "Then I'll just dance my part." Ji Liu Xia pouted, "What about princess and Ya Lan?"

  "Sister Ya Lan and princess, you two will be the accompaniment. Using music to embellish the atmosphere, conveying the story's emotions." Du Xiao Li said, "In the beginning, the tempo is rather light and cheerful. Big sister Ya Lan can just perform solo with the zither. Afterwards, in the second portion, need a relatively intense tune. At this time, just use the pipa to perform. Then, in the third portion, a duet with the zither and xiao flute. Just, this way, princess's parts will be relatively little."

  Han Ming Xiang smiled and said, "It's fine. I originally don't need to perform anyways. Just, yesterday, hearing you all talk about it, I thus decided to join in, also helping you all while I'm at it. It doesn't matter how many parts I have."

  Du Xiao Li pondered for a moment and said, "Since princess knows how to play the xiao, then should also know how to play the bamboo flute too, right?"

  (T/N: Xiao is played vertically, while a bamboo flute is played horizontally.)

  "Yes, but normally don't play it very much." Han Ming Xiang said.

  "Ha, then in the first portion, you can start with the flute and perform the first portion together with big sister Ya Lan. Then, use the xiao in the third portion." Du Xiao Li explained.

  "Why can't the princess use the xiao in the first portion?" Ji Liu Xia asked in confusion.

  "Because the mood in the beginning is rather light and cheerful, and the xiao's sound carries a kind of melancholy, so it doesn't suit the front part. Right, Xiao Li?" Fu Ya Lan said.

  (T/N: If you're curious what a xiao sounds like---check here; the bamboo flute is generally a higher pitch than the xiao. Also here's a xiao + zither duet example.)

  Du Xiao Li nodded. It was precisely this reasoning.

  "But I didn't bring a bamboo flute this time." Han Ming Xiang said.

  "No worries, I have one here. In the next few days, you'll just have to ma
ke do. When you return, you can then use your own." Du Xiao Li said.

  "Alright." Han Ming Xiang nodded.

  "But, Xiao Li, a relatively intense tune, I can't come up with one that's fitting of the battlefield." Fu Ya Lan said, feeling troubled.

  "No matter, I'll write a music sheet for you in a moment. You can see if it's fitting or not." Du Xiao Li recalled the well known piece from her past life, 'Ambush on Ten Sides'. Using that piece should be fine.

  (T/N: This is a solo pipa piece----old recording but this is like the best version of this piece.)

  "Wow, Xiao Li, you also know how to compose music? Heavens, what do you not know!?" Ji Liu Xia looked to Du Xiao Li like she was looking at a strange creature.

  "Cough, cough, it's not composed by me, I just heard it before, that's all." Du Xiao Li said.

  Soon after, she had someone bring brush, ink, and paper, and wrote out the music score for 'Ambush on Ten Sides'. Afterwards, she handed it to Fu Ya Lan and asked, "What do you think about this piece?"

  (T/N: If you wanna be more amazed at MC's memory, below is a page of the music sheet for the pipa of this piece; there's a total of 8 pages of this.)

  Fu Ya Lan took the music score. The more she looked the more excited she got, "This piece, this piece......"

  "Is it not fitting?" Ji Liu Xia asked.

  "No, it's very fitting. If we use this piece, we'll definitely shock everyone." Fu Ya Lan said, "Just use this piece then."

  "Alright, then in the time after, princess and big sister Ya Lan will first practice the tune. Big sister Jiang Zhuo's dance, we don't need to worry about either. Then that just leaves big sister Liu Xia's dance."

  "Haha, with you here, my dancing won't be a problem either." Ji Liu Xia very confidently grabbed Du Xiao Li's shoulder and said with a laugh.

  "Don't be happy too early. From how I see it, Xiao Li's not going to let you have it easy. You'd best make mental preparations first." Han Ming Xiang snickered.

  Ch. 070.2 – Entering the Palace (2)

  Entering the Palace (2)

  T/N: Emlee and shashaazu sponsored chapter! Someone you all probably miss will appear in this chapter ehheehehehhe

  "How can...." that be. Ji Liu Xia wanted to retort, but seeing Du Xiao Li's smiling eyes, she suddenly felt chills down her back.

  "In the first five days, you all just practice on your own. Afterwards, we'll combine together and practice. That's why, big sister Liu Xia, you only have five days time to learn, and moreover have to practice till you're very familiar with it."

  "Ah? Five days? Xiao Li, I can't do it in five days."Ji Liu Xia frantically shook her head.

  "You haven't even tried yet, how do you know you can't?" Du Xiao Li sternly looked to Ji Liu Xia, "Giving up before even trying, then in the future, what else can you expect yourself to accomplish?"

  "I....." Ji Liu Xia felt as if she was smacked on the head. She felt Du Xiao Li's words were very reasonable, but she was still uncertain inside. However, she still nodded and said, "I'll try my best."

  "Since I said five days, then I've already taken your problem into consideration." Du Xiao Li said, "Moreover, this is a combined performance. The coordination is very important. If the coordination isn't good, then your performance will be dragged down. We're an unit. Each performance all corresponds to another, so that's why I planned for more time in the back."

  "En, I understand. I'll definitely learn earnestly." Ji Liu Xia promised.

  "The three of you can practice together first. Afterwards, once I've taught big sister Liu Xia the dance, everyone can combine together." Du Xiao Li said.

  "Then when I practice, there won't be any music accompaniment."

  "You can just practice the movements. Afterwards, when big sister Ya Lan isn't using the pipa, I'll borrow it and let you practice to the music."

  "Xiao Li you know how to play the pipa?"

  "A little bit." Du Xiao Li said. In her past life, she'd studied many musical instruments, and pipa was one among them. Although she'd never gotten an award before, she still played relatively well.

  "Then, right now, play this piece for us to hear."

  Du Xiao Li looked to everyone's expectant gazes and reluctantly nodded. Picking up Fu Ya Lan's pipa, she sat down atop the stool and lightly plucked the strings, searching for that feeling from her past life. Once she got familiar with it, she began playing the piece. That stirred up tune shook the hearts of everyone present.

  "As expected, it was this kind of feeling!" Fu Ya Lan understood the pipa the best. As soon as she saw the score, she just knew, this tune definitely was this kind of feeling!

  "Alright, big sister Liu Xia and I will go learn the sword dance first." Du Xiao Li finished playing and got up, handing the pipa back to Fu Ya Lan. Afterwards, she took Ji Liu Xia to a separate room and began to teach her the sword dance.

  "Actually, the most impressive among us is Xiao Li. To be able to marry her really is my fifth brother's good fortune." Han Ming Xiang said with a sigh.

  Meng Jiang Zhuo and Fu Ya Lan also nodded in agreement. Although when Du Xiao Li entered the capital, she was rumored to not be good at anything, she still came out and refuted the rumors. That was just because she was low-key. Her medical skills were superb. She was also very familiar with music, and from the looks of it, she probably knows more than just the pipa. She also knows how to dance and how to make good food. And to be able to possess the wolf park and this estate meant that she knew how to earn money. Most importantly, she was only thirteen!

  "Hehe, let's began too. We can't fall behind them!" Meng Jiang Zhuo said.

  Thus, the three of them began discussing their first portion's tune and dance.

  In the first few days, Du Xiao Li spent the entire time teaching Ji Liu Xia the sword dance. Have to say, as long as Ji Liu Xia was holding the sword, her entire person just came to life. An entire tune length of sword dance, she learned very quickly, and it was much better than anticipated.

  Du Xiao Li sometimes would also go over to check on Meng Jiang Zhuo and the other's situation. Watching her dance, she can't help but praise.

  And when everyone was taking a break, Du Xiao Li would also take everyone outside for a stroll. Once the first five days past, Du Xiao Li let Xia Yuan and them go into town to fetch the props Blacksmith Wang forged. Afterwards, everyone thus began practicing together. In the beginning, everyone was still somewhat unaccustomed and often made mistakes in coordination. After a day's grinding, they were already able to perform the entire thing.

  "How is it? This result's not bad right?"

  Du Xiao Li and them watched Ji Liu Xia and Fu Ya Lan perform, getting infected by the grandeur that was being expressed.

  "Never thought that Liu Xia could dance the sword dance this well!" Meng Jiang Zhuo happily said as she looked to brilliantly performing Ji Liu Xia, who was holding the prop sword.

  "Right. As expected, she was born for the sword!"

  After Ji Liu Xia finished dancing, the pipa sound gradually faded away. To the side, Han Ming Xiang began playing the xiao flute, letting the entire atmosphere completely change into another tone. Following which, the zither sounded, seemingly carrying some sweetness amidst the melancholy. Matched with Meng Jiang Zhuo's dance, it made Ji Liu Xia, who'd retreated to the side, stare in awe.

  "Haha, I can already imagine the others' expressions when they see this performance of ours!"

  After completely dancing through this performance once more, everyone all had an excited look on their face.

  'Clap, clap, clap.'

  A burst of applause sounded from the trees. Everyone lifted their heads to look, discovering someone on top of the persimmon tree.

  "Big brother Luo Qi, when did you come?" Du Xiao Li

  This morning, Du Xiao Li saw that the sun wasn't too big, and thus brought Ji Liu Xia and them to the persimmon orchard to practice. Unexpectedly, she got too into it and didn't even notice that someone appeared in the tree.

  "Halfway through
the first dance. Not just me, someone else came too." Luo Qi jumped down from the tree and landed by Du Xiao Li's side.

  "Who else?" Du Xiao Li asked.

  Without needing Luo Qi to reply, a few others already walked in from outside the orchard. It was precisely a fully dressed in black Han Ming Yi, and Leng Yi and Leng Er.

  "See, him." Luo Qi looked to Han Ming Yi and said.

  "Greetings your Highness Ding Wang." Meng Jiang Zhuo and them all bowed towards Han Ming Yi.

  "You're excused." Han Ming Yi faintly said, his line of sight on Du Xiao Li the entire time.

  "Fifth brother, why are you here?" Han Min Xiang never thought that Han Ming Yi would come here.

  Ch. 070.3 – Entering the Palace (3)

  Entering the Palace (3)

  T/N: Chapter sponsored by Noir! Thank you for sponsoring!

  "Heard you all were practicing for the mid-autumn festival performance here, and thus came to see. Just now, was that the performance you all prepared?" Han Ming Yi asked.

  "Yes, how is it? Isn't it very stunning?"

  "En, very creative, not bad." Han Ming Yi nodded his head.

  "Ha, even Ding Wang said it's not bad, then when we perform, it'll definitely shock others! Haha, let's see how my father will criticize me this time!" Ji Liu Xia said with a hearty laugh.

  "Xiao Li's idea is indeed very good." Fu Ya Lan said.

  Seeing Han Ming Yi staring at herself, Du Xiao Li felt somewhat embarrassed and turned her head towards Luo Qi, "Big brother Luo Qi, how come you're in the capital?"

  "Tomorrow is mid-autumn; the Emperor is grandly holding a banquet and also invited us to participate." Luo Qi replied.

  "Invited you all? Doesn't the government normally not involve itself with the people of the pugilistic world? How come this time you got invited? Aside from you, are there others?" Du Xiao Li asked in shock.

  "In the past, there indeed weren't any dealings, but this time, don't know why, the Emperor has sent invitation to people of the three powerhouses, thus my father has let me come."