64 Entranced

"Meimei's guqin was very amazing. Jiejie is very proud of you."

When XuanFei heard XuanRong's voice, she inwardly cursed her. She had just finished performing and was able to capture the guests' adoration, but XuanRong had returned and was once again trying to steal everything that belonged to her! XuanFei secretly stared at Xua Ji An and saw that he was looking at XuanRong.

XuanFei did not show anything on her face. She only lowered her head replied shyly, "Jiejie is teasing Meimei. How could Fei'er's performance be as amazing as Jiejie? Fei'er still remembered that when Jiejie was still here, Jiejie was taught by Master Wu Deng. Meimei also wanted to learn from him but unfortunately, when Jiejie left the capital, Master Wu Deng also left the Qian Zou and went to Qin country. Fei'er's talent was mediocre and a bit lacking compared to Jiejie's brilliance. It had been a while since Fei'er last heard Jiejie's guqin performance. Fei'er wondered if Jiejie could perform a small piece?"

XuanFei greatly emphasized that XuanRong was taught by a very talented guqin master. Although what she said where true, it was only half truths. XuanRong was indeed taught by a very renowned musician but it only lasted for five days before Master Wu Deng left in anger. XuanRong was raised arrogantly and was not accustomed to being ordered around. She did not like plucking guqin since it would make her hands bleed. On the fifth day, the previous XuanRong berated master Wu Deng for being incompetent. She had been practicing for five days and her hands were already red from continuously plucking the guqin but she was not able to create a good melody. The only thing she heard was the disgusting 'twang, twang' coming from the strings.

Angered by her arrogant words, Master Wu Deng vowed not to teach any children from the Left Prime Minister's residence and left the country. Due to belittling Master Wu Deng, XuanRong also implicated XuanFei who was very eager to learn guqin with him and because of that, she was banished in the capital and was thrown in Lu Shan.

XuanFei's words were full of adoration but it was also made of holes and hidden meaning, planning to bait XuanRong while forcing her to jump on her own. Since the people learned that XuanRong was once taught by a renowned musician, they would certainly have a high expectation for XuanRong's performance. Once XuanRong failed to reach their expectations, the people would definitely view her as a wastrel who could not perform well. She would be viewed as maiden who lacked talent. Master Wu Deng had personally taught her but she was not able to learn. If she was not a waste, then what is she? A trash?

XuanFei knew that XuanRong did not know how to play the guqin since it was impossible to find someone who knew how to play the instrument and could teach her in the suburbs. That was the reason why XuanFei wanted XuanRong to perform and humiliate herself in front of other people.

If XuanRong chose to decline to avoid humiliating herself, other people would view her as an arrogant young lady. They would dislike her for being haughty and would event think that XuanRong was looking down at her. Whichever XuanRong choose, she was doomed to be a failure in the society. Thinking of XuanRong's humiliation, XuanFei could not help but inwardly mock her eldest sister for trying to steal everything that was hers!

'Humpf! Serves you right! Let's see if you can escape from here!'

XuanFei's eyes gleamed with evilness.

When XuanRong heard XuanFei's words, she could not help but raise her eyebrows. She knew what XuanFei was thinking. XuanFei wanted her to self-destruct in front of the guests.

'Heh.. what a childish move.'

XuanRong smiled towards XuanFei and nodded.

"Hao! Since Meimei wants to hear Jiejie's performance, Jiejie would gladly indulge Meimei's request."

XuanRong moved closer and stood in front of Xu Ji An.

"This Lady greets the Crown Prince."

Although she paid respect towards him, XuanRong did not bend her knees and curtsied. She only bobbed her head and greeted him formally.

"This Lady went back here to the banquet because someone informed This Lady that Your Highness has requested to meet This Lady in order to exchange pointers personally. It seems like we could only postpone our exchanging of pointers since This Lady wants to spoil her younger sister more."

When Xu Ji An saw that XuanRong did not curtsied properly he could not help but be irritated and now, she even decided to cater with her younger sister's capriciousness instead of talking to him!

What a great insult!

Xu Ji An could not help but glare a XuanFei who requested XuanRong to perform.

"Humpf!"

Xu Ji An flicked his sleeves and once again sat on the chair, indicating that although he was not reconciled being disregarded, he was wiling to hear her performance and would wait for it to finish.

When XuanFei saw Xu Ji An glared at her, she could not stop but gnash her teeth in frustration. Although she wanted to tear XuanRong to pieces, she could only hide her desire.

"Jiejie, please go at the front and play for us."

"Then, please pardon This Lady for being incompetent."

After speaking, XuanRong sat in front of the stage and slowly ran through her fingers on the strings, checking its quality. When she did not notice anything suspicious in the guqin, XuanRong raised her right hand and plucked a string.

*twang!*

XuanRong started playing the 'Spring-river, flower, moon, night'[1]. Her hand was soft as if she was only holding a light feather. XuanRong was wearing a white dress and coupled with the calm aura surrounding her, the guests who were listening while watching her perform could not help but gape in awe. Even Xu Ji An who was exuding a deadly aura had been bewitched by her performance.

The guests were even surprised when XuanRong opened her mouth and sang the poem of Zhang Rouxu[2].

"In spring the river rises as high as the sea,

And with the river's rise the moon uprises bright.

She follows the rolling waves for ten thousand li,

And where the river flows, there overflows her light.

The river winds around the fragrant islet where

The blooming flowers in her light all look like snow.

You cannot tell her beams from hoar frost in the air,

Nor from white sand upon Farewell Beach below.

No dust has stained the water blending with the skies;

A lonely wheel like moon shines brilliant far and wide[3]."

After the performance ended, everyone was still in shock. Only when XuanRong stood up did the guests reacted. Even XuanLi and Xiao Lou who was watching from afar could not help but be entranced with XuanRong's performance.

"Amazing! Truly amazing! As expected of being personally taught by Master Wu Deng!"

"Indeed, the performance was very wonderful! How envious! Prime Minister Xuan's daughters were both talented! Ai! Prime Minister Xuan is indeed lucky!"

When XuanRong left the stage, she walked towards XuanFei who was standing in the center.

"How was it, Meimei? Did you enjoy Jiejie's performance?"

XuanRong's eyes twinkled when she saw XuanFei's face lost its color. She was enjoying watching her pitiful face when she saw Xu Ji An stood up and walked towards her. Her eyes gleamed with hatred but she immediately concealed it.

When Xu Ji An had almost reach XuanRong, something bad happened.

"Ah.."

XuanRong suddenly swayed and almost fell backwards. Xu Ji An extended his hand, planning to catch her and pull her into his embrace but YuShen immediately supported XuanRong, leaving Xu Ji An's hand hanging above.

"XiaoJie, are you okay?"

XuanRong shook her head.

"I am just dizzy because I have not properly rested ever since we left Lu Shan."

XuanRong stared at Xu Ji An and spoke, "As much as This Lady wants to talk with His Highness, This Lady's body is a bit weak. Would His Highness allow This Lady to return to my courtyard and rest?"

Xu Ji An could only nod and agree.

"O-of course."

XuanRong smiled and bit goodbye to them. When she turned her head and walked away with the help of YuShen, XuanRong's mouth curved into a sly smile.

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[1]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujzMHLac404

[2]. A Chinese poet of the early Tang dynasty. He is best known for creating the "Spring River in the Flower Moon Night" poem.

[3]. to read the whole poem, use Google and search for the title.

[Unedited Chapter]