Work Text:
Mu Qing did not mean to eavesdrop—he really didn't. But he couldn't help but stop when he heard the voices through the window.
It sounded like a one-sided conversation where Xie Lian's gently persuasive tone did not allow a rather disgruntled Guoshi to end it.
"No, Your Highness. That is a ridiculous suggestion, and I think you know that. Besides, we can't not have you, the crown prince, doing this."
"I'm sure my parents will understand, Guoshi. What is new year if not an opportunity to welcome new change!" Xie Lian sounded like he was smiling, the way he does when he wants to get away with something.
"And it's not like I don't want to do it! It's not my fault if puberty hit me sooner than expected and ruined my singing voice."
Mu Qing's eyebrows must have hit his hairline. What an egregious lie to tell right to Guoshi's face!
Everyone knew the prince could more than carry a tune. As good as Mu Qing was, Xie Lian was the better singer, as evident from their practice sessions together. Did he get bored of it? It didn't seem like that...
He heard Guoshi sigh loudly as if to make a point. "Fine. But you will explain this last-minute change to the king and the queen."
That was Mu Qing's cue to leave.
Mu Qing gently set the guzheng down and bowed to the applauding audience. He would not have dared to even dream of singing at the palace's lunar new year celebrations; And yet, that is what had just happened. He felt like he was having an out-of-body experience.
He was pulled back to reality when he felt the crown prince putting an arm around his shoulder.
"That was great, Mu Qing!" Xie Lian beamed. "I did say you have the best soprano voice, but you didn't believe me. No wonder Guoshi picked you for the occasion!"