Chapter 188: An Emissary from Nan Jiang (1/2)

Translator: Madesmoiselle V.

The barest hint of a smile appeared on his face. ‘Such a silly little girl can attract hundreds of birds with her music. She seems to have become a little bit more intelligent.’

Gazing at Murong Xue with a complicated expression on his face, he never knew that she could play such melodious rhythms with leaves. Is it really the little contact he made with her that resulted in his lack of acquaintance with her talent and abilities?

Mu Liufeng leaned against the back of his chair, swept his teasing glance over Ouyang Shaochen and Ye Yichen, and finally set eyes on Murong Xue. He thought to himself, ‘It is truly disturbing to think that someone else is secretly falling for your talented, unrequited lover.’

However, he was a little taken aback that Murong Xue could do such an incredible thing as attracting hundreds of birds with the music she played. The only reason he was not chasing after her was that Ouyang Shaochen had been carrying the torch for her.

Bathing in soft, golden sunshine, Murong Xue gently held the leaf in her hand. With her tune gradually fading away, the birds scattered regardless of the surprised look on people’s faces, flapped their wings and flew away, leaving unrestrained figures.

The crowd fixed their gaze on the empty air, shocked, and unable to settle back to their concentration for a long time.

‘Brilliant!’ A burst of scream burst out in the square. Civil and military ministers as well as members of the imperial house repeatedly praised with newly-awakened surprise. ‘ Birds heard her music, and came hovering with its rhythm on a pilgrimage. What a breathtaking spectacle!’

‘Absolutely! An old fellow like me have lived most of my life, and it is the first time that I have seen birds attracted by the melody. How incredible!’

‘Now that I have experienced this wonderful view, death shall find me ready.’

‘Birds only respond to melodious tunes. The music Miss Murong played is angelic.’

‘Eh-hem, Miss Su is also playing, so could it be her who attracted all those birds?’

‘Come on! Haven’t you noticed that the birds came after Miss Murong modified the tune?’

‘Haven’t you seen that they have been hovering over Miss Murong’s head all the time?’

‘Haven’t you noticed that they have been changing the formation in correspondence with the tune Miss Murong played?’

‘I haven’t heard Miss Su play since the birds came.’

‘Exactly! Her music was completely drowned by the flapping of birds’ wings.’

‘Could you hear what Miss Su played clearly after the birds came?’

‘I’m afraid I didn’t.’

‘Then why did you say that it was her who attracted all those birds?’

There was enough discussion to be heard by all at the table. Su Nanxiang turned paler than white momentarily, her eyes gleaming with hatred.

She planned this ensemble of the Chinese zither and bamboo flute painstakingly, with the purpose of showing much better she was than Murong, humiliating her in the full blaze of publicity, and proving to the heir of Lord Ouyang that she has outdistanced Murong in all senses. But now, she seems to be the one humiliated.

Attracting a flock of idiot birds with a filthy leaf? What’s the big deal, anyway?

Look at all those ministers, praising Murong and holding her in high esteem. What a bunch of vulgar morons!

‘Play such angelic music with only a leaf! How impressive! Xue, my darling, who taught you how to play? ‘ The Empress raised a question out of the blue as she looked at Murong Xue, her eyes shining with doubt and admiration.