Chapter 106: Laughing Proudly in the Martial World
However, the guests present were all astute individuals and naturally did not reveal any disdainful glances. Yet, their words carried a deeper meaning:
“Miss Chenge, please don’t be so modest. Play a song for us directly. We are all common folk and don’t understand much about music, so you don’t need to be so particular.”
“Indeed, we are all waiting for Miss Chenge to bring us heavenly music.”
“Miss Chenge is truly a genius. My daughter is too dull; after studying for so many years, she has only learned the piano. I must ask Miss Chenge to impart some experience when you have time.”
“Yes, yes, my daughter has studied for ten years, and only her cello is somewhat listenable. Her piano playing is not worthy of a formal occasion. I wonder if we have the honor of inviting Miss Chenge to our home as a guest to teach my daughter.”
…
Laughter could be heard from the hall, and some even whispered, “If you can’t do it, don’t pretend. Don’t we all know her situation? Does she even have the means to learn these things? Don’t be ridiculous. She even makes herself seem so high and mighty. It seems Xia Chenge is nothing special.”
“Can’t she just show off a little in front of her future in-laws? Whether we believe it or not isn’t important; what matters is that the Ling family believes it.”
“Hmph, she’s just lucky to have a good grandfather; otherwise, would it be her turn? Which young lady in Haicheng couldn’t easily surpass her?”
…
Every word of these remarks fell into Xia Chenge’s ears without omission.
Old Madam Ling frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with Xia Chenge’s ostentatious display.
“Since there are no musical instruments, let’s drop it. It was just a spontaneous idea, and forcing it would be meaningless.” Old Madam Ling asserted her dignity, intending to move past the matter.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked as if they had expected it, further looking down on Xia Chenge.
“No, no, no, Old Madam,” Xia Chenge quickly stopped her. “If I do nothing, it will seem as if I’m guilty.”
Old Madam Ling was taken aback by her words and became even more displeased. The matter had already been resolved, yet Xia Chenge refused to accept it, insisting on turning it into a joke.
“Grandmother, everyone is so looking forward to Xia Chenge’s talent, please don’t dampen the mood. In the room I used to live in, wasn’t there a guqin? She just happened to ask about the guqin!” At this moment, a gentle yet commanding female voice rang out from the entrance of the hall.
Everyone turned their heads at the sound and saw a radiant woman in a qipao, walking gracefully. She wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but she possessed an unforgettable aura.
“Wanwan, why are you back?” Old Madam Ling exclaimed in surprise.
“It’s my brother’s birthday; how could I, as his sister, not come back?” She smiled sweetly, “Happy birthday, my dear brother.”
At this, the crowd recognized the woman’s identity.
Shu Wan, Haicheng’s foremost talented woman, whose musical achievements in particular had astonished many musicians in the country.
With her here, it would be even harder for Xia Chenge to salvage the situation.
In the presence of a woman renowned in the field of music, did Xia Chenge’s little tricks still have any room to maneuver?
Hahaha, Xia Chenge is finished!
“Xia Chenge, you claim to know the guqin, so I must ask for a demonstration. Uncle Chen, please bring the guqin from my room and let Miss Chenge showcase her talent, so no one can say our Ling family is being protective.” Shu Wan said with an ambiguous tone.
Old Madam Ling frowned again upon hearing this. She knew Xia Chenge’s past circumstances and intended to help her out of this predicament, but her granddaughter was adding fuel to the fire. If the guqin were brought out, it wouldn’t just be Xia Chenge who would lose face, but the Ling family as well!
The crowd seemed to sense Old Madam Ling’s displeasure and followed suit, not wanting to offend her:
“Since Old Madam has already spoken, let’s forget about it. This is a day for celebration and merriment.”
“Come, come, let’s wish Young Master Ling a happy birthday.”
“Happy birthday, Young Master Ling, may you grow more handsome!”
…
“This is a gift from Xiao Ge to me. Do you all not want this Young Master to accept it?” Amidst the blessings, Ling Hanmu’s voice was exceptionally clear.
The crowd immediately fell silent.
“Go, bring the guqin down, and also bring the qin and xiao,” Shu Wan said to the hesitant servant, as if she hadn’t noticed Old Madam Ling’s anger.
The servant dared not delay and quickly brought down the guqin.
A hint of schadenfreude flickered in everyone’s eyes.
Originally, Young Madam Ling had intervened to prevent Xia Chenge from being embarrassed, but Shu Wan had returned. Moreover, it seemed Shu Wan disliked Xia Chenge and intended to make things difficult for her.
After the guqin was placed, Shu Wan handed the qin and xiao to Ling Hanmu. “Since you are already engaged, you should perform a duet. That would be fair.”
“Sister, you’re going too far. This is clearly setting me up to be embarrassed. I’m an uneducated person; what do you expect me to play?” Ling Hanmu glared.
Shu Wan curved her lips. “Aren’t there some things you can brag about for ten years?”
Xia Chenge’s heart stirred, and she looked at Shu Wan.
Shu Wan wore an impeccable smile, but Xia Chenge winked at her.
Shu Wan raised an eyebrow slightly. This girl was nothing like the rumors; she was incredibly smart!
Xia Chenge said no more in refusal and sat down before the guqin. She plucked a string lightly, then stopped.
Many people scoffed at Xia Chenge’s action, but those who had learned the guqin knew that Xia Chenge was tuning the strings!
How could someone who hadn’t learned it be so proficient?
A flicker of surprise also flashed in Shu Wan’s eyes. This guqin hadn’t been played in a long time, and she had even loosened the strings. Xia Chenge had managed to tune them so well in such a short time… It seemed Xia Chenge was truly different from what she had imagined.
Although Shu Wan didn’t believe the negative news about Xia Chenge, she was well aware of what Xia Chenge had been like in the past. Seeing her so boldly name several ancient musical instruments, Shu Wan thought Xia Chenge was trying some trick and deliberately brought out the guqin to see how she would handle it.
However, a true expert’s touch reveals their skill. Shu Wan no longer held the same contempt for Xia Chenge as before and was even somewhat looking forward to her performance.
After tuning the strings, Xia Chenge looked at Ling Hanmu. “What piece do you know?”
“Sister, what do I know?” Ling Hanmu, however, looked at Shu Wan.
Everyone was greatly surprised, not understanding what Shu Wan was up to.
Old Madam Ling also wore a look of reproach, seemingly blaming Shu Wan for being reckless. “Wanwan, Xiao Mu knows nothing; please don’t joke with him.”
“Grandmother, you’re mistaken. Who says my brother knows nothing? If you don’t believe me, let’s play a familiar tune, the 《The Smiling, Proud Wanderer》!” Shu Wan said unhurriedly.
As soon as she finished speaking, the resonant notes of the guqin suddenly sounded, echoing through the hall.
Everyone looked at Xia Chenge in disbelief. Xia Chenge, with her head bowed, lightly plucked the strings with her slender fingers. The melodious tune flowed out with her gentle plucking and strumming. Immediately after, the ethereal and melodious sound of the xiao joined in, as if opening a world of heroic spirit and romantic chivalry before everyone’s eyes.
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