fifth form

Chapter 3035 Escaping Weakness
"His Majesty has been sitting on the roof of the main hall for two days!"

"It's out of the way!"

"I think Your Majesty..."

Zhang Xuezhou was one of the few ministers who were able to enter the harem's private quarters.

Having the privilege to enter is one thing, being able to stay here is another.

Although Zhang Xuezhou visited infrequently, he had suggested that the new emperor use elixirs to treat Wei Zifu, and Wei Zifu had a very good impression of him.

Having informed Wei Zifu of the situation regarding the information lagging behind the main hall's roof, Zhang Xuezhou also suggested that she use her vocal techniques to intervene.

Compared to Dou Ying's distrust and Cheng Bushi's excuses, Wei Zifu was genuinely capable of taking action when needed.

The other party cooperated within a second or two of thought, and could even sense Zhang Xuezhou's intentions as he played the zither, thus echoing his singing.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't particularly skilled at playing the piano, but as long as he memorized the notes, it wasn't difficult for him to play some exciting and uplifting pieces.

This melody is quite different from the melodious and mournful tunes of the Han Dynasty. It belongs to the category of war songs and is an inspiring piece that moves people from being somber to releasing their emotions, which is also quite in line with the new emperor's state of mind.

As for whether the new emperor could make use of this art form, Zhang Xuezhou wasn't sure, but he wouldn't refuse to help if he could.

Two days have passed since the riot in the palace.

The shattered roof was repaired, but the broken relationships and everything in the New Emperor's cultivation realm were not over.

Zhang Xuezhou didn't think that breaking through a realm required sitting quietly for two days to think. This was more of a change after the new emperor demonstrated his strength, and the new emperor was also waiting for the empress dowager's response.

Just as Zhang Xuezhou's behavior pattern changed, and he began to gather people to form small groups, the new emperor's behavior pattern also shifted from being covert to being overt.

This inevitably leads to many inconsistencies, and the new emperor who has not attained supernatural powers and the new emperor who has attained the realm of selflessness are two different things.

It's uncertain whether the former can shoulder heavy responsibilities, while the latter already possesses sufficient imperial confidence and even demonstrates foreseeable future strength.

All of this happened too fast. Not only did the new emperor need to adjust, but the empress dowager also needed to adjust, and many court officials were even more unsettled. Their previous actions of taking sides seemed ridiculous, and it would be difficult to adjust them properly.

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at Chen Zhang, who seemed somewhat worried, and thought that Chen Zhang should worry more about himself and see if he had the potential to reach the Realm of Sovereignty in the future. After all, Chen Zhang and Wei Shao'er had the ability to communicate through blood and spirit, so if Wei Shao'er were in any danger, Chen Zhang would most likely be able to come back to save the day.

Saving someone from a crisis isn't about sending them to their death; it clearly requires considerable strength.

Zhang Xuezhou felt that Chen Zhang should pay more attention to him, lest the opponents they faced in the future become more formidable, and Chen Zhang's current strength was insufficient to serve as the Chamberlain in the Imperial Household Department.

"Lord Dongfang, does the piece you are playing have a name?"

Perhaps because she knew the new emperor well, Wei Zifu did not show any concern for him, but instead focused on improving herself.

She took the score out of the room and asked Zhang Xuezhou for advice.

"It doesn't have a name; I just played it on a whim!"

Zhang Xuezhou thought about playing "Darkness Before Dawn" slightly off-key, then shook his head.

The melody is one thing, but Wei Zifu's ability to keep up and adapt when using vocal techniques is what truly matters.

Piercing through the darkness, she ushered in the light of dawn. Shedding her shackles, she ascended to greater heights. Wei Zifu filled in Sima Xiangru's poems with repeated chants, each layer of power more intense than the last, forming a resonance that aided her cultivation.

This is indeed a good tune, and it certainly has a positive impact on people.

As long as it's useful, Zhang Xuezhou doesn't mind what the song is called.

“In the time of Yu there was the ‘Da Xia’, in the Shang Dynasty there was the ‘Da Hu’, and in the Zhou Dynasty there was the ‘Da Wu’. If our Han Dynasty has music, this piece can be used as Han music,” said Wei Zifu.

"Oh?" Zhang Xuezhou asked in surprise, "You think this piece is so highly regarded?"

"Lord Dongfang probably rarely visits brothels, so he may not know the world's lack of musical appreciation," Wei Zifu said quietly. "I've been planning to visit those brothels more often these days," Zhang Xuezhou said earnestly.

"Lord Dongfang is quite the joker," Wei Zifu said. "If this piece can have an impact on His Majesty, even if an ordinary person lacks vocal skills, a normal performance should still have an extraordinary effect!"

"So that's what Madam Wei meant," Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

“If Lord Dongfang doesn’t mind, I would like to name it ‘Chang’an Battle Song’ so that children can play it in the future, and that people won’t have to listen to those decadent tunes all the time,” Wei Zifu said.

"The Battle Song?"

Zhang Xuezhou pondered for a few seconds and felt that Wei Shao'er's thoughts were indeed very close to the original song.

Whether it's piercing through the darkness or breaking through the formation, the point is to charge forward to greet the light, which is very close to the original meaning of the song.

He nodded and praised Wei Zifu for her exceptional singing and music skills.

"You flatter me, Lord Dongfang," Wei Zifu shook her head and said, "My vocal skills are only mediocre, far from those of a master!"

"That's already excellent!"

Zhang Xuezhou is generous with his praise; when he praises someone without any ulterior motive, it is truly heartfelt.

Wei Zifu's vocal skills were not top-notch, after all, her cultivation level was what it was.

However, Wei Zifu had an exceptional ability to adapt, rewrite, and create her own works.

Zhang Xuezhou's gaze inadvertently swept over the thick stacks of bamboo slips in the boudoir.

Wei Zifu of the Marquis of Pingyang's mansion only knew how to sing. She used her natural vocal talent to sing, a gift from God.

However, after entering the inner palace, Wei Zifu was no longer just a singer; she had mastered the theory and practice of music and had read many musical classics of the Han Dynasty palace, thus achieving a comprehensive understanding of music.

Zhang Xuezhou would not make hasty judgments, but rather Wei Zifu was moving towards the style of a master.

As for how far Wei Zifu can go, it depends on herself, as well as on what conditions the new emperor is willing to provide for her cultivation, and whether they can meet her needs as she continues to improve.

In this process, Wei Zifu had to demonstrate her own value, rather than merely pleasing the new emperor with her body or leaving only the value of procreation, in order to have a chance to rise in rank.

"The little princess looks exactly like Madam Wei; she's so adorable!"

Further discussion would have touched upon the difficulties Wei Zifu faced in becoming a renowned figure. Zhang Xuezhou was unable to resolve this dilemma, so he wisely stopped talking and instead praised the little princess who was singing along.

Compared to her own little one who only knows how to cry and pee, the nearly two-year-old princess can already babble and sing, and her rosy cheeks are extremely cute.

"If you want to please him, bring him home. Your eldest son is very strong and handsome. How about we arrange a marriage between our children?"

Zhang Xuezhou patted the little princess's head, and then heard a voice coming from the top of the palace.

When he looked back, he saw the new emperor take eight steps in mid-air before landing steadily.

When the voice came from Zhang Xuezhou, he couldn't help but shake his head and refuse repeatedly.

"That kid doesn't deserve it!"

Zhang Xuezhou could tell at a glance that the new emperor was making empty promises to him, even blatantly lying to praise Dongfang Jia.

If his son were fifteen or sixteen, the marriageable age for Princess Yunying, Zhang Xuezhou would immediately bow and thank him.

But no one can predict what will happen more than a decade from now. If Zhang Xuezhou really agrees, he will have to work like a slave for more than a decade to get the real answer.

This made Zhang Xuezhou immediately belittle his own son, and then wait for the new emperor to give him some real benefits.