Chapter 21: Another Imperial Edict

"Your Highness," Cheng Xi said anxiously, "this slave deserves to die for not taking good care of Miss Niao. I don't dare to work for you, so I will let you,"

Although he knew that it would be difficult to be like Zhou Shengchen, who always carried Miss Nao back to his residence, at this time, because Cheng Xi did not dare to make Zhou Shengchen work hard, he could only grit his teeth and continue: "Let me carry Miss Nao back!"

"If you can't carry me, just go ahead and lead the way." Zhou Shengchen said indifferently.

Seeing that he was not angry, Cheng Xi couldn't help but secretly breathed a sigh of relief, and hurriedly trotted to arrange Miao Shiyi's bed.

Being held by him like this, Nao Shiyi must have felt extremely warm even in his sleep; holding her like this, Zhou Shengchen was willing to go anywhere in the world. Of course, preferably on a bed in a room.

After gently placing Shi Shiyi on her couch, Zhou Shengchen helped her tuck in the quilt and sat beside her silently, watching her.

"Your Highness, please go back and rest quickly. Just keep watch over Miss Niao." Cheng Xi quickly persuaded in a low voice.

"Didn't you see her frowning tightly? She must be having uneasy dreams because she is homesick." Zhou Shengchen waved his hand impatiently, "You go and wait, I will be here watching her. , lest she become frightened due to worry.”

Cheng Xi bowed and retreated to the door of the house, sitting quietly and guarding.

Zhou Shengchen sat next to Min Shiyi, looking at this cute girl with a face full of collagen, sleeping soundly.

The corners of her mouth moved, maybe she was hungry?

Pouting again, maybe she was attracted by Chengxi during the day?

Turning over again, was she thinking about her master?

…

Zhou Shengchen raised her right hand again, as if she wanted to grab something.

Thinking that this little girl was young after all, he gently held her pink little hand.

She calmed down, stopped making random expressions, and slept peacefully and soundly.

The morning light shines into this large bedroom through the large windows.

Jian Shiyi muttered a few times and opened his eyes hazily.

Feeling that her right hand was very warm, she turned around in surprise and saw "my king" beside her. No, to be precise, it was Zhou Shengchen lying beside her couch, asleep.

And her hand was being held gently by his big hand.

Seeing this, Yao Shiyi, who didn't know why this was happening, suddenly felt shy.

She tried, trying to withdraw her right hand. But Zhou Shengchen's mouth moved, and he held her hand slightly harder.

Frowning his brows, Jian Shiyi looked helpless. Not daring to disturb her master's sleep, she sat up extremely cautiously and thought about getting off the bed.

Zhou Shengchen was awakened and said subconsciously: "Eleven, don't move."

Nao Shiyi immediately tilted his body and did not dare to move again.

After waking up, Zhou Shengchen saw her surprised expression and leaning body, and quickly reached out to help her.

"Eleven, what's wrong with you?" he said anxiously.

Seeing that he was awake, Nao Shiyi calmed down and quickly gestured: "I see the master is asleep, so I don't dare to disturb him."

As she was explaining this, Cheng Xi over there also woke up from his sleep, and hurriedly came forward and said: "His Highness saw you falling asleep in the study, so he took you back. Goodbye, you slept uneasily. His Highness protected you. a whole night."

Jian Shiyi's eyes widened when he heard this, and he was obviously embarrassed by this.

She left the bed and quickly prostrated herself in front of Zhou Shengchen. Then she straightened up and gestured: Master, I'm sorry for my negligence.

"I hope you're fine." Zhou Shengchen said and wanted to stand up, but it was difficult because his limbs were stiff from sleep.

Nao Shiyi quickly stepped forward to help him, but he pushed his hand away.

Standing up and walking out, Zhou Shengchen said to himself, "After finishing washing on November 1, Cheng Xi will accompany her to my study."

Cheng Xi quickly said yes and bowed to the ground.

Not long after, Nao Shiyi had finished dressing up and came to the study accompanied by Cheng Xi.

Zhou Shengchen sat in front of the table and said to her: "Eleven, I'm waiting for you to have breakfast together."

Nao Shiyi first bowed down in greeting, then waved his hands and said, "Master, just have your meal, and you can just wait on the side on the eleventh day."

"Eat together." Zhou Shengchen looked at her and said.

Jian Shiyi looked at him and then at Cheng Xi next to him.

In his heart, he was complaining about Nao Shiyi's actions at this time. Cheng Xi was worried about angering King Xiao Nanchen again, so he quickly said: "Master has given orders. Miss Nao can only obey and cannot disobey."

Ji Shiyi nodded with confidence, then picked up the bowl with shyness.

After eating, Zhou Shengchen asked: "Since Eleven comes from everyone, what talents does she have?"

Cheng Xi bowed and replied: "Because Miss Nao was ill, the sect leader and the Third Lady neither asked her to do acupuncture nor taught her any talents. So I asked Your Highness to teach her."

Yu Shiyi bowed his head with his hands folded aside, looking very embarrassed.

Zhou Shengchen thought for a while and then said: "Eleven is only thirteen years old, so it is not too late to learn talents. Naturally, I don't know how to do needlework, so she doesn't need to learn."

Ao Shiyi nodded, Cheng Xi saluted and answered yes.

"It is said that 'Qin, chess, calligraphy and painting' are the four arts of a gentleman. So I will start with Qin and take the time to teach her one by one." Zhou Shengchen said slowly.

Jian Shiyi was suddenly surprised again, gesturing and saying: "Master can actually play the piano?"

After smiling, Zhou Shengchen raised his hand to look at it and said, "What? Do you think my hands can only hold swords and guns?"

Jian Shiyi came back to his senses and quickly waved his hands, indicating that he was just imagining things.

Looking at her hand again, Zhou Shengchen nodded and said, "Slender and strong, with well-fitted nails, suitable for playing the piano."

After that, he stood up and walked to the room next to him.

Cheng Xi quickly helped Miao Shiyi stand up and followed him.

An elegant room appeared in Miao Shiyi's eyes.

The indoor windows are bright, and various rocks, pine and bamboo bonsais are placed on several tables of different heights.

There are several piano tables with pianos of different paint colors placed on them.

After Yang Shiyi looked around curiously, he praised Zhou Shengchen with admiration: Master is really amazing.

"Look, which piano do you like?" Zhou Shengchen asked.

After inspecting it carefully, Jian Shiyi asked playfully: Which one is the master's piano?

Smiling, Zhou Shengchen waved her to sit down: "Just use my 'Changfeng'."

Jian Shiyi immediately smiled brightly and quickly sat across from him.

There are two pianos placed on the front and back of this large piano table. Zhou Shengchen sat here and she sat opposite.

First, he explained the origin of the qin as an ancient musical instrument, which is said to have originated from Fuxi, and then explained the structure of the qin and the names of its parts.

Nao Shiyi listened carefully, then gestured and asked: Master, these strings are said to have other names?

After Zhou Shengchen praised her, he continued to explain.

As well as the different names and musical scales represented by the emblem position and the seven silk strings - gold, wood, water, fire, earth, civil, martial arts, as well as the sounds of Zheng, Yu, Gong, Shang, Jiao, Zheng, Yu and so on.

After hearing this clearly, Nao Shiyi looked at Qin with a smile, and then at Zhou Shengchen.

"What's wrong?" Zhou Shengchen asked in surprise.

Jian Shiyi thought for a while, then simply took his hand and wrote on his palm: I want to play.

The palms of her hands were itchy but felt even warmer. Zhou Shengchen smiled and nodded in agreement. He started to teach basic piano fingering techniques such as hooking, stroking, and pressing strings.

Zhou Shengchen teaches seriously and patiently, and Shi Yi learns diligently and smartly. One of the two masters and apprentices was demonstrating, and the other one on the other side imitated it carefully, looking very orderly.

After resting for a while, Zhou Shengchen ordered his attendant to bring a pot of tea, and Cheng Xi quickly brought two more teacups.

Sitting at the table aside, Zhou Shengchen drank tea and said with a smile: "Eleven learns very quickly. The master will teach you a simple piece of music later."

The most important thing to avoid in learning is rigid and boring. The same is true for learning piano - if you only practice fingering every day, beginners will find it extremely boring.

By combining fingering with piano music, learners will be very interested, learn faster, and become more passionate about the piano because they have a sense of accomplishment.

Without resting for a while, Yang Shiyi smiled and made an invitation gesture to Zhou Shengchen.

"Okay." Zhou Shengchen smiled and sat down opposite her again.

A simple melody, but it contains rich emotions. A song "Feng Qiu Huang" played from under Zhou Shengchen's bed, and Rui Shiyi was fascinated by it and admired it endlessly.

"Don't worry, you are already learning very quickly." Zhou Shengchen said encouragingly.

Ji Shiyi pursed his lips, nodded, and began to play the piano with his fingers.

The silk strings sharpened her delicate fingers, but she just gritted her teeth and persisted, without complaining or showing any fear.

She just felt that the playing was not pleasant and moving. She shrugged awkwardly, smiled and gestured: Master, my disciple, my playing is very ugly, right?

"You are the most studious and smartest student I have ever seen." Zhou Shengchen said sincerely.

Jian Shiyi tilted his head and smiled sweetly.

She wanted to play the piano again, but Zhou Shengchen stopped her.

She quickly gestured and asked: Master, why don't you let me continue playing?

"Look at your hands." Zhou Shengchen said, stretched out his hand to hold hers, and continued, "They are red and swollen from the strings. If you continue to play, you will delay tomorrow's study because of the swelling and pain." "

Nodding, Ji Shiyi looked at his fingers. Seeing that this was indeed the case, she took back her hand with a smile and thanked the master: "Thank you for your concern, master. My disciple understands." Water droplets can certainly penetrate stone, but there is no need to rush.

"Just say Eleven is smart." Zhou Shengchen praised him and then warned, "You can practice the position and technique of dropping your fingers with more gestures. This is also practice."

Jian Shiyi nodded, indicating that he would obey orders.

Just as Zhou Shengchen was about to say something else, the attendant reported at the door: "Your Highness, the military advisor has something to do with you."

After responding, Zhou Shengchen stood up and said: "Eleven, practice here by yourself first. Cheng Xi, go and do your work, don't disturb her."

Nao Shiyi and Cheng Xi each took their orders, and Zhou Shengchen went to the study.

"Your Highness, an envoy from Zhongzhou has arrived, saying he has an imperial edict." Military advisor Xie Chong looked nervous.

"Don't worry." Zhou Shengchen said, and ordered the envoy to be invited in.

The messenger arrived at the house, unfolded the imperial edict in his hand, and read loudly: "...Last time, I wanted to care about Miao's fortune, but I didn't expect that it would affect the emperor's teachings to her. Besides, Miao is a lady, so it is really inconvenient for her to care about her. Appearances and descriptions by outsiders. I have not considered it properly, and the opinions of the emperor's uncle are all based on the opinions of the emperor when he was in Xizhou..."

After the messenger finished reading, Zhou Shengchen responded: "I accept the decree."

Military advisor Xie Chong originally thought that this should be an imperial decree to reproach King Xiao Nanchen for his arrogance, but he did not expect that it was filled with words of comfort, and he couldn't help but be extremely surprised.

"Military advisor, please arrange the people and entertain the envoys." Zhou Shengchen ordered.

Just as Xie Chong was about to agree, the envoy held up his hand and said: "We have finished announcing the decree and will return to Zhongzhou immediately to resume our duties. We dare not delay, especially we dare not delay King Xiao Nanchen's official and military affairs."

Zhou Shengchen nodded his thanks and ordered the messenger to be sent out of the palace.

Xie Chong secretly gave a thumbs up and said in praise: "King Xiao Nanchen is indeed highly valued by His Majesty!"

Zhou Shengchen clasped his hands behind his back and looked outside the room: "The incident on November 1 seems simple, but in fact it has something to do with Wang Jun. If it is too rigid, let alone being wronged, even the soldiers will also suffer. If we win together in a bloody battle, Without recognition, who will be satisfied?”

Xie Chong quickly raised his hands and said, "Your Highness is right. We were indeed a little timid in doing things before."

Nodding, Zhou Shengchen looked at him and continued: "As the command and logistics of the king's army, the military advisor is also called Xiao He by me. What do you think of this incident on November 1?"

Xie Chong thought for a while and replied frankly: "I originally thought that His Majesty would lose face if His Majesty refused like that. Now it seems that His Majesty still values ​​His Majesty very much and is even more dependent on Him."

"Yes." Zhou Shengchen agreed, "The military advisor is right."

Xie Chong did not dare to say any more and looked into the distance with him.

At this time, a bloody and fierce struggle for power was going on in Zhongzhou, the capital of the country.

First, Queen Mother Qi Zhenzhen was driven away from the little emperor by General Liu Yuan and Chamberlain Zhao Teng, and was placed under house arrest.

Immediately afterwards, the forces of Liu Yuan and Zhao Teng immediately pursued the victory and expelled and executed the Queen Mother's party.

When the quarrel got heated, the two men openly took action to kill important ministers who disagreed with them, even in the court hall.

The young emperor Liu Hui was secretly happy that these two people had driven away the Queen Mother, thinking that he could take charge of the throne personally and no longer need to be restrained by the Queen Mother.

But I didn't expect that it would calm down and rise again. Liu Yuan and Zhao Teng's outrageous behavior is simply outrageous.

Liu Hui had no choice but to talk to the "Prince" Liu Zixing, who had a good relationship with him, and often talk to each other.

Liu Zixing, who was established as the prince, also knew that if Emperor Liu Hui had a son, he would be expelled immediately, or even executed.

Therefore, this frail but scheming prince tried to get as close as possible to the emperor Liu Hui.

Liu Hui had a gentle temperament and respected Liu Zixing. The two have a very good relationship. Liu Hui thought about asking a painter to paint a portrait of Shi Yi last time to comfort and show his goodwill to Liu Zixing.

Zhou Shengchen rejected the matter, which made Liu Zixing a little angry. But before he could make any appropriate reaction, Liu Yuan and Zhao Teng had already found the opportunity to cause a scene.

Therefore, Liu Hui now only thinks about using Zhou Shengchen to suppress Liu Yuan and Zhao Teng. He didn't dare to argue because he was unhappy with the last portrait.

By sending an envoy, Liu Hui showed his favor to Zhou Shengchen.

At this time, Zhou Shengchen knew that Liu Hui and Liu Zixing would come to him again to get help from outside the capital in order to escape their respective misfortunes.

Military advisor Xie Chong only knew that the current situation was chaotic, but how could he have thought that Zhou Shengchen was already planning for the future?

The two of them were speechless for a while, and while they were looking at each other in a distance, they saw Shiyi entering and leaving the piano room several times.

"Eleven," Zhou Shengchen remembered something and walked over quickly.