Chapter 54: Simple and Direct (1/2)
Chapter 54: Simple and Direct
Translator: Sparrow TranslationsEditor: Sparrow Translations
The youth’s voice wasn’t loud, but, the scholars that were pushing and shoving were instantly taken aback. They felt as if they had suddenly choked on a mouthful of chilli water. Their throats and hearts burned like fire.
”Inner quality?!”
”Court her favour?”
Their intentions were pointed out in front of everybody, furthermore, it was in the face of a beautiful woman that could collapse an entire nation. All of the scholars felt as if their tails had been stepped on!
Then, the youth’s behaviour diverted the awkwardness in their hearts, because, if they really had to choose who truly lacked inner quality, this youth would definitely get all the votes.
Furthermore…
Most importantly, that ”balls… balls!”, what was the meaning of that?
Could he at least quote some classics? Or stop the crowd with his strength and powers? As a scholar, how could he actually say such vulgar words, furthermore, it was right in front of such a beautiful woman. This brought absolute disgrace to education.
Ashamed to be associated with him!
The awkwardness within the hearts of the scholars turned into anger flowing out of their bodies. But, today was the Hundred Flower Gathering, emphasising on art, not combat. Moreover, if they really fought, it would only serve to confirm the youth’s words.
”Hmph!”
A few of the scholars who had already reached the stage placed the flowers in their hands into the basket and quickly returned to their original seats. Except, when they walked past the youth, they couldn’t help but to huff coldly.
”Thank you young masters for your affection. Yun Qingwu will now perform The Reeds and Rushes.” Yun Qingwu bowed once again towards the scholars, her expression seemed to not have changed a lot.
Hearing Yun Qingwu’s words, the crowd of scholars instantly began to quieten.
The youth’s eyes closed slightly, a hint of a smile appearing once again at the edges of his mouth. Looking at Yun Qingwu’s gaze that was calm as the autumn’s water, he seemed to be pondering over something.
On the other hand, Yan Xiu’s expression was still ice-cold as before, except the Golden Bone Silver Thread Fan on his hands began to fan a little more anxiously.
A guqin was carried out by the two ladies behind her dressed in golden long skirts. They lifted it to the back of the high stage, and Yun Qingwu slowly sat down behind the guqin.
Her slim, pale fingers plucked the guqin lightly.
Music that was as beautiful as flowing water begin to sound out. The entire Hundred Flower Gathering had become completely silent. Everybody stared intently at Yun Qingwu’s movements.
”Thick grow the rush leaves;
Their white dew turns to frost.
He whom I love
Must be somewhere along this stream. ”
”I went up the river to look for him,
But the way was difficult and long.
I went down the stream to look for him,
And there in mid-water
Sure enough, it’s he…”
”...”
The sound of the guqin was like water, both music and song were beautiful. To be able to be described as a woman of wonder in this era, not only did she have to possess an amiable personality, but more important, required great musical talents.
Every single word was absolutely crisp, every tone was sweet-sounding to the ears.
As the sound of Yun Qingwu’s guqin began to play, the ladies in green dresses also began to dance, occasionally coming together to form a blooming flower, and occasionally coming together to form the ripples of flowing water…
Every scholar was mesmerised by the scene in front of them, completely intoxicated by this incomparable music and dance. All of their eyes were filled with enchantment, indulging themselves in the most beautiful sounds of the world.
The youth also quieted down, carefully listening to Yun Qingwu’s voices, and didn’t make a further sound.
On the other hand, Yan Xiu remained seated on his chair as usual, his expression calm, lightly fanning himself. It seemed as if he was listening, and at the same time also seemed like he wasn’t.
The song ended. The guqin stopped.
Yet, the lingering sound continued to echo throughout the air.
Nobody knew how much time had passed before the scholars finally snapped out of their mesmer.
”What a beautiful piece!”
”The piece was beautiful, the person even more so!”
”To have listened to Yun Qingwu’s piece, I am willing to live ten years less…”
The crowd of scholars began to use the best praises they could think of to express their deep emotions. There were even scholars who began to stir, preparing to hand over the poems that they had already written to win a smile from the beautiful lady.
”Huai An Meng Residence, Meng Yushu. Having heard such divine music, I am extremely grateful. I wish to leverage on this opportunity to play a piece together with lady Qingwu, what do you think?”
At this moment, wearing a yellow embroidered robe, Meng Yushu finally walked out from the crowd. Accompanied by a few bodyguards, he arrived below the stage.
When the scholars heard Meng Yushu’s words, they instantly began to swear silently.
Meng Yushu didn’t offer pearls, nor offer jades, nor offer poems, yet he wanted to play a duet with Yun Qingwu. It was obviously to win her heart, what a brilliant move.