"Weren’t you going to compose music? It’s just right to call the actors from your mansion to write down the piece while we perform." Prince Jing didn’t answer Lu Chen’s words; he was indeed better at playing the zither than the flute.
"Splendid!" Seeing that Prince Jing wasn’t reluctant, Lu Chen refrained from saying more. In the presence of others, he, as a minister, shouldn’t repeatedly contradict the Prince.
Then Xiao Chengzi sent a eunuch to bring the actors from the mansion. Gu Chengyu observed them; five ca in total, each carrying instrunts.
"The weather is nice today, the wind is pleasant, and the sun is shining. Why not play in the garden outside? It’s also good for you to get so sunshine," the Eldest Prince suggested, glancing at the music room attached to the study, feeling it was a bit cramped with so many people.
Prince Jing readily agreed, and naturally, Gu Chengyu and the others had no objections. To them, it was the sa anywhere, only Lu Chen seed less enthusiastic.
After another round of bustling preparations, everything was finally arranged in the garden.
Gu Chengyu touched the zither on the table. Indeed, it lived up to the mansion’s reputation—this was the renowned instrunt, Lu Qi.
"Mr. Gu recognized this zither too?" Prince Jing noticed Gu Chengyu gazing at the zither and approached. It had taken him quite so effort to acquire this zither, and he cherished it greatly.
"You even brought out this zither?" Lu Chen was astonished to see it. He knew how much Prince Jing treasured this zither, rarely allowing anyone near it. He hadn’t expected it would be shared today.
"This zither has a better sound. Since we need to compose a piece, bringing out Lu Qi is nothing extraordinary. Regardless of the zither, they are all ant for playing, aren’t they?" At this mont, Prince Jing seed less attached to the instrunt, causing Lu Chen to glance at Gu Chengyu multiple tis.
Gu Chengyu didn’t notice the conversation between the two beside him. Seeing this zither, his initial reluctance faded. Being able to play such a renowned instrunt made the trip to the Prince Mansion worthwhile, uplifting his mood slightly.
Gu Chengyu sat in front of the zither table, lightly plucking the strings, producing a serene and ancient sound that startled him. The sound of the guqin was sowhat deep; this was the essence of ti. It takes a highly skilled musician to bring out its beautiful tone.
Opposite him, Prince Jing also sat down with the Jade Flute. Gu Chengyu’s gaze fell on the flute in his hand. He couldn’t help but sigh again at the wealth of the Prince Mansion; the flute was made of the finest white jade. After all, even if the Fourth Prince were mistreated in other aspects, as a Dragon Son, his living standards couldn’t be compromised.
Once everyone settled, the Eldest Prince surveyed the garden before looking at Gu Chengyu. Adorned in a sky-blue robe, he sat amidst the vividly colorful flowers, creating an unexpectedly beautiful scene.
He rembered the first ti he saw Gu Chengyu was in the plum grove on the estate, also in green attire. Against the backdrop of the dark red plum blossoms, he appeared ethereal. He had painted a picture of that scene, which was still hidden in a secret compartnt of his study.
It seed that Gu Chengyu favored green clothing. Compared to his vibrant red attire, which highlighted his rosy lips and white teeth, making him as splendid as peach blossoms, green made him appear more transcendent and otherworldly.
Once everything was ready, Gu Chengyu initiated the performance, leading the flute to join. Initially, it was sowhat disharmonious, but gradually beca harmonious, comparable to playing with Xi Yan.
Among the five actors, three focused on writing on paper, while two attentively listened to the zither and flute played by Gu Chengyu. As actors, they not only had to transcribe music but also try to morize the lody after hearing it once.
The music played by Gu Chengyu was inevitably different from Xi Yan’s. As a woman, Xi Yan naturally infused her playing with feminine sorrow and helplessness, filled with the unique tenderness and lancholy of a woman.
However, Gu Chengyu’s state of mind differed from Xi Yan’s, with a broader perspective, producing a grander and more majestic sound.
The zither led the flute, sotis soaring like a cloud, other tis drifting like wisps in the wind. The strings leaped high and broke, yet the sound continued with magical fingers.
The flute refused to be outdone, closely following the zither’s ups and downs, fostering a tacit understanding as they played together.
The Eldest Prince couldn’t help but marvel at Gu Chengyu’s talent. It was no wonder the piece had beco so widespread. Pity that no one could sing along; it would have sounded even more enchanting.
The young man opposite, with delicate hands plucking the strings, seed absorbed and enraptured. His sky-blue robe fluttered gently in the breeze, sweeping over the vibrant blossoms, appearing even more magnificent than the flowers themselves.
As the performance concluded, Gu Chengyu still felt unsatisfied. Indeed, Lu Qi was a famous zither, and he found himself reluctant to part with it.
"Mr. Gu claid to know only a little about the zither, yet you played no less masterfully than the great zither masters. No wonder this piece has beco widespread, truly making it hard to stop listening."
Prince Jing took a silk cloth to wipe the white jade flute, showing his regard for it. He also expressed his admiration to Gu Chengyu, and having perford together, he felt a sense of kinship with him.
"It’s not that my zither playing is exceptional, but rather that the Prince’s zither has a good tone." Gu Chengyu stroked the zither once more before finally setting it down and taking a seat next to Lu Chen.
The Eldest Prince raised an eyebrow, "If you played well, you played well. A zither is an inanimate object; without soone to play it, how could it produce such beautiful music?"
Prince Jing glanced in surprise at his elder brother. His brother rarely praised others, so when he did, it was genuine, not re pleasantries.
"Haven’t you always said you didn’t like these things? Why appreciate them today?" Prince Jing chuckled and teased.
"This piece is indeed delightful. Even though I don’t usually like these things, I find myself enchanted by the music."
Prince Jing found today’s brother quite uncharacteristic, as he rarely displayed his preferences openly. Thus, he still couldn’t discern what exactly the Eldest Prince cared about, aside from power.
Seeing that it was getting late, Gu Chengyu planned to take his leave. If he didn’t, the host would insist on him staying for a al, but he knew he couldn’t eat with these people. What they spoke of and what they truly thought rarely aligned, as they were deep-minded individuals, even Lu Chen’s intentions were hard to decipher.
"I’ve been out for quite a while today and haven’t studied yet. I must take my leave now."
Gu Chengyu stood up to bid farewell to the two Princes. Prince Jing hadn’t anticipated Gu Chengyu wanting to leave so soon, especially when it was alti. Surely, he couldn’t drive the guests away at alti? Besides, it was just a al, could he be that stingy?
"Staying for a al doesn’t take much ti, and it won’t delay your studies. It wouldn’t be too late to return after eating," the Eldest Prince suggested. Knowing Gu Chengyu’s talents, he certainly didn’t believe he was going to cram for the Imperial Examination, as Gu Chengyu was undoubtedly well-prepared.
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