Qin Liangyuan rolled her eyes, "Could it be self-composed by your third sister? That would be extraordinary, but don’t you know about her composing a tune?"
If it was truly self-composed, wouldn’t she play it in the mansion? Yao nglian and the others claiming ignorance, who are they fooling?
Qin Liangyuan snorted coldly. Yao nglian often followed behind her third sister, pretending to be aloof and proud, but in reality, she was just soone who liked to curry favor.
Gu Chengyu didn’t expect Yao ngxian to play this piece. He listened carefully for a mont, comparing it with himself, and concluded that he had the superior skill.
Yao ngxian’s performance of the piece was still not as proficient as his; perhaps she had not practiced much.
Kong Shuhuan, having watched Zhu Pang and Gu Chengyu whispering across, found her thoughts drifting from the music.
In all fairness, Zhu Pang wasn’t bad-looking. Though his face was youthful, his features were quite delicate.
It’s just that the Mr. Gu beside him was simply too handso, capturing everyone’s attention at a glance, making Zhu Pang easily overlooked.
Her marriage with Zhu Pang was already set in stone; her future husband could only be him.
Perhaps she shouldn’t be prejudiced against Zhu Pang, as it wouldn’t bode well for their future relationship.
Once Yao ngxian finished playing, Qin Liangyuan couldn’t wait to ask.
"Miss Yao, what was the na of the piece you just played? I haven’t heard it before."
Princess Rong Jia was also very curious. She too enjoyed playing the zither, and her younger sister’s question echoed her own.
Being questioned, Yao ngxian felt a bit embarrassed, as it wasn’t her piece.
"It’s a piece I overheard my grandfather playing. My grandfather learned it from Mr. Gu as well."
Yao ngxian told a small lie. She couldn’t directly state she heard it from Gu Chengyu, so she brought up her grandfather instead.
Gu Chengyu wanted to facepalm. How did it circle back to him?
"Oh? Mr. Gu, what is the na of this piece? Even I, in my ignorance, have never heard it," the Eldest Princess showed so interest.
Being asked, Gu Chengyu had no choice but to stand and answer, "Your Highness, the piece is called ’Ancient Lant.’
Gu Chengyu didn’t want to explain where he learned it from, as he couldn’t produce a book for it anyway.
"Ancient Lant?" the Eldest Princess murmured.
"The na indeed suits the lody of the piece. Is it a new creation by Mr. Gu, like his lyrics? Has Mr. Gu composed words for it?"
The Eldest Princess had heard Gu Chengyu’s previous lyrics and found the artistic conception beautiful and the lody enchanting.
Gu Chengyu replied, "This is not a lyrical piece and hasn’t been set to words."
Since Yao ngxian returned to her seat, Yao ngdie pulled her aside to discuss the zither piece.
"Third Sister hasn’t played this piece before. The lody is so beautiful. Were you afraid Second Sister and I would learn it from you?"
Seeing Yao ngxian steal such a spotlight, Yao ngdie felt a bit disgruntled, hurriedly pretending to joke, teasing Yao ngxian.
But the coldness in her eyes was deeply felt by Yao ngxian; this little girl must be plotting sothing again.
Yao ngxian sneered to herself; she had displayed her talent today, leaving no mont for Yao ngdie. Wasn’t that jealousy and dissatisfaction?
"Fourth Sister, weren’t you aware that my zither broke? Just the other day, you snapped my zither string, so I haven’t played for several days. I couldn’t borrow it from you because you were learning too!"
Without directly answering Yao ngdie, she had previously refrained from expressing discontent in the Duke Mansion’s interest, did they assu she was easy to bully?
Sure enough, as soon as Yao ngxian finished speaking, the faces of several nearby young ladies changed subtly.
Snapped her elder sister’s zither string, then refused to lend her the zither. Considering today’s visit to the Princess’s Mansion, it might have been deliberate, aiming to embarrass her sister.
Qin Liangyuan also cast a surprised glance at Yao ngxian, believing she was preparing to endure silently!
anwhile, Princess Rong Jia was not focused on the zither piece, casting a glance at the painting that had been put away and suddenly had an idea.
"Mother! I noticed the blank space beside the painting. Why not add a poem? It might enhance the painting further."
The Eldest Princess also found the idea reasonable; throughout history, it’s common to write poems on paintings. Adding a poem in the blank space would indeed perfect the painting.
"You have a point. Whom do you suggest to compose the poem?"
"Let all the young ladies present compose a poem each, and we can inscribe the best one on the painting," Princess Rong Jia suggested after so thought.
The Eldest Princess felt relieved at heart; she had been worrying if her daughter had taken a fancy to Mr. Gu.
Painting was her daughter’s idea, and now composing poems; if she suggested Gu Chengyu, wouldn’t it reveal her intentions?
Luckily, her daughter still knew how to restrain herself. A mother knows her daughter best, and the Eldest Princess understood her daughter’s disposition well.
Gu Chengyu’s handso looks easily captivated a young girl’s heart, yet it was only superficial attraction!
She thought of having a good talk with her daughter later, cautioning her not to lose her head. How could a farm boy match her precious daughter?
"Then let the young ladies give it a try!"
The young ladies, with the Eldest Princess’s consent, felt overjoyed; this was an excellent opportunity.
Judging from the Eldest Princess’s plan, the painting was intended for the Empress. If their poem was selected, wouldn’t it be their honor?
If the Empress praised them in passing, even just a little, that would be an imnse benefit for them.
Furthermore, gaining the Empress’s favor might lead to a summons into the palace and so rewards, positively influencing future marriage proposals.
Princess Rong Jia, noticing the eager young ladies, let out a cold smile.
Could any of them compose a poem better than Gu Chengyu’s? None realized they were making a fool of themselves. Once she felt none were satisfactory, she’d invite Gu Chengyu to compose a poem, making it appear natural.
Yao ngxian glanced at Princess Rong Jia, feeling puzzled. Could the proud Princess Rong Jia genuinely appreciate works by young ladies like them?
Heir Qin and Second Young Master Qin were both exceptionally talented, leaving no room for them to make a spectacle.
Unclear of the Commandery Princess’s intentions, Yao ngxian decided to watch the situation unfold without participating in the poetry.
"Third Sister, have you thought of any suitable lines of poetry?"
Yao nglian’s voice brimd with excitent. When composing poems in the mansion, the teacher always praised her lines as being vibrant and spirited; she was filled with confidence.
Yao ngxian shook her head, "I won’t participate, but Second Sister’s poetry has been lauded by Mr. Jia; Second Sister should try."
Upon confirming Yao ngxian’s non-participation, Yao nglian appeared genuinely sincere for a mont.
She knew that it wasn’t just she whom Mr. Jia praised, as he had ntioned Yao ngxian’s poetry was also spirited. However, Yao ngxian wasn’t focused on this.
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