Qiann Yan: "Then compose something you excel at."

Cheng Ping breathed a sigh of relief, deciding to invoke the grand poet Lee Bai’s "Invitation to Wine." Surely, the Empress will appreciate him, and perhaps... he could even win the beauty’s favor, with the realm offered as dowry.

Cheng Ping paced back and forth, his demeanor growing arrogant, as he began: "Can’t you see? The Yellow River’s waters coming from the heavens..."

Standing to the side, Gao Changyu and Zhang Qingyu frowned deeply, though they knew that there were many transmigrators in this world, they despised those like Cheng Ping who were shameless.

This was why Gao Changyu, despite having found the texts, claimed they were found in an ancient book, never intending to claim them as his own.

Does Cheng Ping not know that there are many transmigrators in this world?

"Enough." Qiann Yan interrupted Cheng Ping’s recitation, waving him off, "Feigning reputation, stealing others’ poetry, fifty lashes and thrown out of the Imperial Palace, never to enter the Imperial City again, permanently unappointed. Announce his actions as a warning to the people of Great Rong that they must not steal others’ poems."

Yuee Huai, seeing others confused, explained: "In Great Rong, there is a book called ’Miscellaneous Poems Selection,’ and the ’Invitation to Wine’ Cheng Ping recited is one of its pieces, authored by the grand poet Lee Bai."

Why did this happen? Of course, it was because certain transmigrators also couldn’t stand those who plagiarized ancient works, so they simply compiled ’Miscellaneous Poems Selection.’

Cheng Ping, dragged over to be lashed, was stunned. Did Lee Bai exist in this world?

There was actually a ’Miscellaneous Poems Selection’?

He was deeply regretful, realizing too late that he should have investigated more, now it was too late.

Yu Yuee’er, seeing Cheng Ping’s predicament, felt a bit frightened, further convinced that Qiann Yan was a tyrant, steadfastly resolved.

She must quickly gain the trust of the Empress, change Great Rong’s fate, and save these suffering people.

"What skills do you have?"

Yu Yuee’er hadn’t expected to be asked directly and promptly responded: "Commoner Yu Yuee’er, I know some music and can entertain Your Majesty."

"Which instruments?"

"Zither, pipa, flute, shakuhachi." Yu Yuee’er thought she had many Skill Cards, unafraid of being tested.

Qiann Yan: "So you are quite talented in music then?"

Yu Yuee’er shyly smiled and affirmed.

"Meaning you can learn quickly?"

Yu Yuee’er nodded.

Qiann Yan instructed a Palace Attendant, who quickly left and returned with several books.

"These are pieces I’m interested in, take them and learn." Qiann Yan said.

These are ancient tunes, even those proficient in music theory within the palace couldn’t necessarily perform them flawlessly.

If this Yu Yuee’er has that Skill Card and learns them, she would teach the palace’s music theorists. The person’s skills must remain despite her mediocre qualities.

Upon flipping open a page, Yu Yuee’er’s head spun, completely unable to comprehend what was written.

Dazed, she was taken aside to register, unable ever to approach Qiann Yan. Later, she asked a Palace Attendant and was told if she learned any one piece, she could meet the Empress.

Yu Yuee’er was speechless: "They’re all fragmented, how can one learn? Finally, realizing what it feels like for a concubine longing to see the Emperor but being unable."

Furthermore, she can’t leave, exiting only to learn a piece, or using the system to escape. But once she escapes, she loses the chance to ever approach the Empress.

Yu Yuee’er doesn’t know she has no chance to escape.

Back at home, Yuee Huai began flipping through ancient tunes, then picked up the zither and started practicing.

Jin: [Boss, since when did you become interested in these ancient tunes?]

"Just now." Yuee Huai replied, ignoring Jin further.

Jin felt his boss was acting oddly, now suddenly learning to play the zither.

Yet Yuee Huai was immersed within, mind filled with the Empress saying she wanted to hear these, while Great Rong’s music theorists simply couldn’t perform the pieces perfectly.

The primary challenge was in the missing parts that needed completion to achieve perfection, anything less was unsatisfactory.