Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 424 - 260: Prize

"This humble Xi Yan has met the young masters!" Xi Yan bowed again to the distinguished gentlemen outside, then took her seat and placed the zither on the stand. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Miss Xi Yan, no need for formalities. I have long heard of your extraordinary skills in playing the zither, as well as your attainments in painting and calligraphy. May I have the honor of requesting a piece from you today?"

Yu Ting greatly admired Miss Xi Yan, having watched her intently from the moment she arrived until she was seated behind the silk screen.

Huang Junheng, naturally eager to hear the beautiful music, straightened up and chimed in, "I recently invited Miss to a banquet, but unfortunately, you were unavailable. Today, you must play at least two pieces for us."

Min Feng had seen her once at a poetry meeting from afar, where officials’ sons were abundant, making it impossible for him to get closer even if he wished.

Among them, Zhu Pang was the most eager. He stood up, smoothed his robe, and solemnly said, "Miss Xi Yan, I have admired you for a long time. I humbly ask you..."

Zhu Pang’s face reddened, "To play a few more pieces."

Gu Chengyu covered his forehead in exasperation; was this fellow still not sober from his drink?

Those present initially thought Zhu Pang was about to confess his feelings. Realizing his retreat, they burst into laughter.

Zhu Pang nearly shed tears; having just heard news about his fiancée the night before, he endured until dawn. At first light, he went to Gu Chengyu’s residence seeking solace. Who would have thought Gu Chengyu had already left the house?

He had no choice but to disturb Zheng Lun at the Marquis Mansion, knowing Zheng Lun had come out of the examination venue later and was physically weaker than Gu Chengyu, yet he couldn’t hold back any longer!

Xi Yan smiled slightly; she had also met Mr. Zhu before and found him to have an honest nature.

Seeing the young gentlemen seated filled with enthusiasm, Xi Yan inwardly felt proud. The women present envied her deeply, as they usually relied on their looks, unlike Xi Yan, who could make these young masters flock around her.

"Thanks to your appreciation, I, Xi Yan, will humbly perform." As her eyes passed over those present, she noticed Gu Chengyu sitting with a calm and gentle smile.

Hua Lian poured a cup of wine and leaned in to offer it to Gu Chengyu’s lips. Gu Chengyu quickly dodged aside, being a martial artist with sensitive instincts, always alert to others’ sudden approaches.

Seeing it was the young girl from earlier, he quickly accepted the cup with his right hand, "Miss, simply enjoy the zither’s music; such rough tasks should be left to me."

Hua Lian bit her lip at his words; she was still a novice, temporarily brought in by Madam Hua to make up the numbers. During this period of training, she foresaw the coming days of entertaining guests.

She had merely a hint of beauty, vastly different from Miss Xi Yan. Nonetheless, she exuded a delicate, pitiful visage that invoked compassion.

Hence, she often practiced the ’Xizi holding her heart’ pose before the mirror, hoping to evoke pity from these young masters.

Who would have thought that Mr. Gu would remain entirely indifferent? Upon entering the flower hall, she had noticed this young master of similar age to her, standing out strikingly with his refined grace, clearly a well-bred noble gentleman.

She squeezed past a few girls and walked swiftly to Mr. Gu’s side.

Believing wholeheartedly that serving this elegant nobleman could redeem her, even if only to become a concubine or kept woman.

Hua Lian felt a wave of despair, realizing her hopes were in vain.

Xi Yan looked on coldly, thinking inwardly that Hua Lian’s ambitions surpassed reality; these young masters, who genuinely had heartfelt sincerity?

Yet unbeknownst to herself, was she not the same?

Sitting down at the zither stand, Xi Yan placed her hands upon the strings.

The vibrant zither notes were mellifluous, the lingering sounds endless. Even Gu Chengyu was captivated by the music; the zither seemed to be a masterpiece, the strings reverberating like gold and stone, the sound pristine.

A rendition of "High Mountain and Flowing Water," a famed piece passed down through the ages. It was a staple for zither learners, yet only a rare few mastered it.

The piece consists of nine sections, and Xi Yan was playing the first section at present; the melody continually leaped and shifted in pitch, evoking the peak of a high mountain, fluctuating and shrouded in mist, to which Gu Chengyu nodded approvingly.

He had also studied the zither and flute at the Imperial College, naturally knowing how to play "High Mountain and Flowing Water," though compared to Xi Yan, he was slightly inferior.

It was no surprise; after all, this was Xi Yan’s forte, and he felt no qualms about his shortcomings, seeing it merely as a leisurely enjoyment!

The zither strings twanged, marking the end of the piece! Everyone remained entranced, deeply immersed and unable to extricate themselves!

It was Huang Junheng, as the host, who first came to his senses, not forgetting today’s purpose—it was a poetry gathering, where the zither served merely to enliven the mood.

"Miss Xi Yan’s zither music is indeed exquisite, leaving us all deeply enraptured. However, today is a poetry meeting; let us compose a few poems first, to suit the occasion. Miss Xi Yan may rest for a moment and grace us with comments on our poetry."

"Mr. Huang overpraises me. I am but lightly acquainted with poetry; seated here are renowned scholars. How could I, a young girl, dare flaunt my meager skills before experts? I only wish to study your esteemed works and would consider myself greatly honored to acquire a few precious compositions."

Xi Yan had not forgotten the purpose of her visit today, especially with Gu Jieyuan present. She wished to see whether he was truly reputed or merely fleeting. If bestowed with the talent and grace of Zhou Gong, it would be worth her visit today.

"Indeed! Having appreciated the zither music, let’s begin the poetry meeting! I think the peonies in the courtyard are blooming beautifully; how about we take peonies as the theme and let everyone showcase their talents?"

Yu Ting, seeing they returned to the main topic, felt even more enthused.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the peonies outside the courtyard, blooming indeed vigorously. Perhaps the temperature here is a bit higher than elsewhere, making the peonies large and beautiful, their colors interspersed, each showcasing its own charm.

"Brother Yu is quite right; since I am the host today, why don’t I go first to set the stage?"

Huang Junheng quickly agreed, as he had composed a few peony poems before. Frequently visiting the Tianxiang Pavilion meant peony poems were naturally plentiful, allowing him to pick one from many.

"Brother Huang, no need to be modest; who doesn’t know you are one of the Three Great Scholars of Jiangnan? Your knowledge surpasses others, with numerous poetry collections published."

Yan Huan, also a relatively famed scholar from the Northern, skilled in writing prose, had recently been associating closely with Huang Junheng and chimed in accordingly.

Huang Junheng instructed the girl beside him to fetch the writing utensils from the study desk and prepare paper and ink for him.

"Hold on! Simply reciting poems is somewhat dull; how about we introduce some wagers to make it more interesting?" Yu Ting shook his fan, fancying himself a romantic young man.

"Oh? That sounds intriguing. What suggestion does Brother Yu have? Please, share it with us." Upon Yu Ting’s suggestion, Yang Haomiao, his follower, immediately nodded in agreement.

The remaining scholars also found the idea amusing and expressed their approval.

Yu Ting initially smiled without speaking and only after being urged a few times by the others did he reveal his idea.

"Since there are beauties accompanying us today, including Miss Xi Yan, we can’t let them sit idly by, can we? How about inviting Miss Xi Yan to join us? Would you be willing, Miss?"

Yu Ting bowed toward the silk screen with a smile and a hint of desire gleaming in his eyes.