From cute to empress

Chapter 267 Anxiety at the Art Festival

Inside the pavilion, a master painter and a renowned opera actor had been waiting for a long time. Seeing me arrive, they both quickly stood up and saluted. I forced a smile and invited them to sit down. I tried to suppress my anxiety and gathered my energy to discuss the details of the art event.

"Your Majesty, this is my tentatively drafted program. Please review it." A renowned opera actor respectfully handed over a gilded scroll, densely inscribed with titles of various operas, songs, and dances. I glanced at it briefly, groaning inwardly. This grand art event was meant to showcase the flourishing culture and art of our country. Invited to attend included envoys from neighboring countries as well as many distinguished guests from the distant Western Regions. While the repertoire consisted of current hits, it lacked a certain cultural depth, and I feared it would be difficult to convince the audience.

"Thank you for your hard work, my dear minister, but..." I pondered for a moment and said carefully, "These pieces are indeed wonderful, but I think we can add some more representative traditional pieces, such as..." I listed several classic pieces in one breath, all of which I had heard among the people before and were deeply loved by the people.

After hearing this, the famous opera actor looked embarrassed: "Your Majesty, although these traditional pieces are classics, they are time-consuming and laborious to rehearse, and..." She paused, as if she was a little embarrassed to speak, "Nowadays, many young actors are unwilling to learn these outdated pieces. I'm afraid..."

I understand her concerns, but the legacy of art cannot be interrupted. I said solemnly, "I will personally oversee this matter. I must ensure these classic pieces are brought back to the stage!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" Seeing my firm attitude, the famous opera actor no longer refused.

At this time, Master Danqing, who had been silent the entire time, spoke up. "Your Majesty, I, an old minister, have also encountered some difficulties." He spread out a stack of scrolls on the stone table. "These are calligraphy and paintings submitted from all over the country, but..." He shook his head and sighed heavily. "The quality is really worrying!"

I picked up a few scrolls and examined them carefully. I found that the works were either poorly executed or empty in content, devoid of artistic value. Frowning, I asked, "Aren't there a few excellent works?"

"Well, it's not that there is nothing, it's just..." Master Danqing hesitated to speak.

"Just what?" I demanded.

"It's just that true masters disdain to participate in this kind of thing..." An accompanying art critic couldn't help but interject, "They believe that this kind of performance designed to please the powerful is a blasphemy against art!"

I was speechless, a mixture of emotions. It was then that I realized that in preparing for this art event, in addition to addressing the issue of program quality, we also had to deal with the misunderstanding and resistance from the artists.

To make matters worse, due to years of war, the treasury was empty, and funding for this art event became a huge problem. I rubbed my aching forehead, feeling lost.

Just then, a voice came from outside the pavilion: "Your Majesty, I have something to report..." "It's Madam Li, please come in." I hurriedly stood up and greeted the wealthy merchant's wife who was approaching gracefully. She was wearing a crimson brocade robe today, her hair adorned with jewels, and she looked extremely wealthy.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." Madam Li bowed down, and I gave her a light support, motioning her to sit down.

"I wonder what important matter has Madam Li come to the palace for today?" I asked knowingly, but I also wanted to know what she was up to.

Madam Li smiled faintly and said, "Your Majesty has prepared this grand event to bring glory to the country. I deeply admire you and would like to do my humble part by donating ten thousand taels of silver to help Your Majesty achieve this grand event."

Everyone was stunned by these words. Even Master Danqing, who had been frowning, showed a hint of joy. I was secretly delighted, but I kept my composure. "Madam Li, I am deeply grateful for your generosity. However..."

"Just what?" Mrs. Li asked when she saw that I looked troubled.

I sighed and said, "It's just that I hope this grand event can be pure and not mixed with other things."

Madam Li was incredibly astute; she immediately understood my hidden meaning. She covered her mouth with her hand and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty, you're worrying too much. I have no other intentions, but..." She paused, gazing at me intently, "I've long heard that Your Majesty is a man of great talent, especially in music. I wonder if I'll have the honor of appreciating your performance at this grand event?"

I was shocked. This was her real purpose! It turned out the sponsorship wasn't unconditional; she wanted me to be prominent at the event! I was speechless, unsure how to respond.

Seeing my hesitation, Madam Li added fuel to the fire. "Your Majesty, I don't mean to embarrass you. It's just that there are many rumors about Your Majesty among the people these days. They all say that Your Majesty relies on those magical circles to govern the country, and that you don't have any real talent or knowledge. If Your Majesty could show off a little of your skills at this grand event, it would surely silence the gossips and further demonstrate the strength of our dynasty and its wealth of talent!"

Every word she said resonated deeply with me. Indeed, ever since I ascended the throne, rumors have circulated about me relying on magic circles to govern the country. Although I've never taken them to heart, I still feel a sense of dissatisfaction.

After much deliberation, I finally made up my mind: "Okay, I promise you!"

Madam Li was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly stood up and saluted: "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of the people of the world!"

After seeing Madam Li off, my heart felt even heavier. Granting her request would certainly solve my financial problems, but I'd never performed in public before, let alone in front of envoys from various countries and discerning art critics.

Time was running out, so I had no choice but to practice harder. I ordered all the musical instruments in the palace to be moved to my bedroom, and I practiced day and night, hoping to make a breakthrough in a short period of time.

However, my talent was limited, and coupled with the immense pressure, the results of my practice were not ideal. Every night, when everyone was asleep, I would sit alone by the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, my heart filled with confusion and anxiety.

"Mengmeng, where are you? Are you also worried and struggling for the future like me?" I murmured to myself, and Zhen Youcai's resolute face appeared in my mind.

Suddenly, there was a rapid knock on the door. "Your Majesty, urgent news from the border!"

My heart tightened, and an ominous premonition came over me...

"Urgent news from the border?!" My heart trembled, and I stood up suddenly, letting the letter in my hand fall to the ground. The situation at the border was tense, could something have happened to Zhen Youcai?

The eunuch hurriedly unfolded the battle report, but I, disregarding the etiquette between monarch and subject, snatched it away and quickly scanned it. Fortunately, while the battle situation was not optimistic, no generals were killed or wounded. I breathed a sigh of relief, but I noticed an extra line of small words at the end of the report, just below the signature: "I am pleased with you, and I hope you are safe."

This familiar handwriting is Zhen Youcai! My heart warmed. He must have added it because he was afraid that I would worry. But he didn't know that at this moment, what I needed was not just his report of safety, but I needed him to be by my side.

It was late at night, but I couldn't sleep, pacing alone in my study. Mrs. Li's sponsorship helped me out of an immediate crisis, but it also put me in the spotlight. I never thought of becoming an artist. Everything I do is for this country, so that the people can live a stable life.

"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." The personal maid brought a cup of hot tea and advised softly.

"I'm fine, you can leave first." I rubbed my temples, feeling a wave of fatigue wash over me. But thinking of the upcoming event, I forced myself to cheer up and continued to flip through the pile of memorials and paintings.

These paintings were submitted from all over the country, hoping to be exhibited at the event. However, few truly stood out. I sighed. Was I really going to do it myself, as Madam Li had suggested?

"No, I can definitely find something better, I definitely can!" I clenched my fists, a fierce determination to not give up ignited within me. I believe this country must have many people like Zhen Youcai, with unique skills and dedicated dedication. I must find them and make them known to the world!

Just then, a cool breeze blew, and the branches outside the window swayed gently, making a rustling sound. I walked to the window, looking at the dark night sky, my heart full of longing.

"Zhen Youcai, are you also looking at the same starry sky? When will you come back?" I murmured softly, as if talking to myself, and as if expecting something.

Suddenly, a familiar figure leaped down from the wall and landed steadily in front of me. Before I could even utter a word, I was embraced tightly by a pair of warm arms...