Chapter 16 (1/2)

Chapter 16 Wind Crane: A Sticky Situation

Naturally, his risqué att.i.tude did not sit well with the judges nor the audience, and he was quickly booed off at the end of his performance, with not even a single flower to his name. The next performers quickly followed. All of their requests were addressed to Linglong, none to Moonglade itself, but the owner of Moonglade merely watched on, with a smile on his face, from his corner seat in the hall. Of all the performers that followed, the highest number of flowers that were given out was 6, a far cry from the 14 of Linglong. The requests were varied as well: some were from men with ulterior motives, while several were from the women present who only requested something because the situation demanded it.

Qi Jianqiu looked at the hourgla.s.s beside Linglong, and turned to Feng Luodi worriedly, “Are you not planning to go yet? The judges are going to be exhausted by the time you go up if you wait too long.”

”Don't worry, I need more time to observe the others first.”

“Alright. But be careful of the time!” Qi Jianqiu reminded her again gently. If not for Feng Luodi's confidence, Qi Jianqiu would've been really worried. If she really were to win against Linglong, Qi Jianqiu thought to herself, I would be thrust into the spotlight as well!

The mere thought made her excited. She was about to turn and ask Feng Luodi about her request but, seeing her friend deep in thought, decided that she would find out later.

Feng Luodi stared at the cup of wine in her hand. There was another reason that she did not tell Qi Jianqiu: she wanted to be the last to play, to understand the styles popular with the crowd, and if they would be receptive to the modern tune of her songs.

As time pa.s.sed, although not a single performer had yet to beat Linglong, everyone was enjoying themselves. After all, this was a gathering, not a showdown. Finally, at the end of a performance, Feng Luodi stood up, ignoring her sore knees, smiled gracefully at Linglong, “My name is Feng Luodi, may i play for the audience next?”

“Of course, Miss Feng. May I know your request?”

Feng Luodi’s palms were sweating; this was the moment that would decide if she could get Wind Crane. “My request is Wind Crane, your Guqin.”

The audience drew a sharp breath. Immediately, all the eyes in the audience turned to face Feng Luodi, their stares turning to daggers. Even Linglong, who presented herself immaculately, seemed to stiffen up at her request. Feng Luodi was surprised at the reaction of the crowd: why did they suddenly seem so hostile towards her? She looked around the room, and saw the purple robed man glaring at her, his fists clenched tightly.