Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 474 - 310 Harmonious Zither and Se

"That’s easy to arrange. I heard that Miss Xi Yan will be taking the stage to play the qin today, so why not have her play your tune for everyone to enjoy?" Liang Shaoen spoke up, seeing that the poetry competition had finally come to an end.

He had been eagerly waiting to see Xi Yan’s true appearance; he came today solely for Xi Yan. Otherwise, he wouldn’t bother with such evening banquets, as he didn’t care for those pretentious poems.

"We still need Miss Xi Yan’s consent for that," Gu Chengyu smiled at Liang Shaoen.

After all, Liang Shaoen was a relative of his teacher, and their families were within five generations. Moreover, Yin Kun’s wife was precisely the second daughter of the Anhe Marquis Mansion, Liang Shaoen’s aunt. By rights, their relationship should have been closer.

However, Liang Shaoen wasn’t particularly warm towards Gu Chengyu, and Gu Chengyu naturally wouldn’t be tactless. He wouldn’t fawn over others like Jiang Cheng and the others did.

Gu Chengyu returned to his table, preparing to write down the lyric.

Green Jade Case 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The night wind spreads flowers among a thousand trees. It blows down stars, like rain. Luxurious carriages fill the fragrant roads.

The sound of the phoenix flute stirs, the jade lanterns spin, a night of dragon and fish dances.

Moth brows and snow willow in golden threads. Laughter fills the air, the subtle fragrance departs. Searching for him thousands of times among the crowd.

Suddenly turning back, that person is there, where the lights are dimmed.

Gu Chengyu had just finished writing, and Lu Chen couldn’t help but praise, "That line ’Suddenly turning back, that person is there, where the lights are dimmed,’ is excellently crafted."

He felt this piece had more depth than the previous two, almost a classic masterpiece, perhaps because it resonated more deeply with him!

Many were moved by this lyric; everyone had once been young, who hasn’t admired Mu Shao’ai? Isn’t it just like searching and seeking, only to find that person where the lights are dimmed?

After composing the lyric, he asked Madam Hua to take it to Xi Yan for review, after all, she would be the one playing the qin. Gu Chengyu planned a harmonious performance, using the flute to lead the qin’s sound into a duet. He couldn’t compose music in the Dayan Dynasty style, so he could only lead with the flute sound.

Xi Yan, in the inner chamber, had already heard about Gu Chengyu creating something called lyric poetry. She was intrinsically interested in poetry, so she had been eagerly listening for any movement outside.

Upon hearing that Gu Chengyu once again took first place, she felt both happy and sorrowful. Happy, naturally, because of the recognition of Gu Chengyu’s literary talent and lyric by the other scholars; sorrowful, of course, because Gu Chengyu effortlessly secured Hua Lian.

From Gu Chengyu’s behavior during his visits to Tianxiang Pavilion, coupled with the rumors outside of his moral integrity, she had already perceived that Gu Chengyu had not yet been involved with women.

But if tonight he were to be with Hua Lian, he might develop feelings for her, and eventually, it wouldn’t be surprising if he chose to redeem her.

Xi Yan hugged the qin tightly, feeling a bit absent-minded.

Madam Hua entered the inner chamber, urging Xi Yan to prepare quickly and handed her the lyric, "Get familiar with this lyric, you’ll be playing it on the stage soon. Mr. Gu will play the flute to accompany you. Don’t take it lightly; I’ve seen it, and this lyric will surely be circulating far and wide tomorrow, becoming a signature tune for our Tianxiang Pavilion."

Madam Hua had a keen eye, although she only recognized some words and was entirely clueless about poetry and lyrics, her mind was sharp!

From what the students implied, this lyric was likely Gu Chengyu’s original work, it hadn’t surfaced yet. The debut performance of this lyric at Tianxiang Pavilion tonight was simply a way to hype up Tianxiang Pavilion!

"Ah! By the way, I lent your flute to Mr. Gu."

Madam Hua repeatedly emphasized to Xi Yan the importance of remembering these words and not forgetting them. Xi Yan was naturally familiar with singing, though she knew all the tunes sung at Tianxiang Pavilion, she generally despised singing.

What kind of high-class tunes can a brothel offer? They’re just vulgar love songs, Xi Yan disdained them. But as an Oiran, singing was a necessary skill.

Xi Yan sighed, looking at the lyric in her hand. Upon seeing it, she was somewhat surprised; this lyric wasn’t vulgar, on the contrary, the artistic conception was extremely beautiful. It mirrored her current mood — searching and seeking, suddenly turning back, isn’t the one in her heart right before her?

As she read, Xi Yan became entranced, the characters were written in Gu Chengyu’s Yan Style. The script was elegant and beautiful, yet vigorous and powerful. It’s said that handwriting reflects the person; Gu Chengyu’s writing was always robust and round, graceful without losing character.

It was only when she heard the noise outside that Xi Yan regained her composure. She heard voices calling her to come outside and perform the qin music. She hurriedly cast aside her myriad thoughts, focusing solely on memorizing the lyric.

Gu Chengyu and the others were already waiting at their seats, even Lu Chen was sitting solemnly; everyone was eagerly anticipating Xi Yan’s appearance.

A woman, dressed in a crimson wide-sleeved Liuxian Skirt, gracefully walked towards the stage.

The woman’s figure was elegant, shoulders like chiseled jade, waist slender as silk. Her neck extended and her skin showed fair and clear. Observing her appearance, her face resembled a lotus flower, her almond eyes alluring and divine, lips vermilion, teeth bright, walking as if a light cloud obscuring the moon, drifting as if a breeze returning the snow.

This woman was indeed the Oiran Xi Yan of Tianxiang Pavilion. Xi Yan stood poised before the qin bench. The crowd fell silent, even Gu Chengyu couldn’t help but admire, this woman truly was breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder Madam Hua kept her hidden for more than a year, withholding her appearance and keeping everyone curious.

"Xi Yan greets all present gentlemen!" Xi Yan gracefully bowed, her gaze wandering until she spotted Gu Chengyu seated in a private booth upstairs.

Gu Chengyu nodded at her, offering a slight smile, as a form of greeting.

Xi Yan returned the smile before placing down the ancient qin and seating herself behind it.

She knew Gu Chengyu would not be bewitched by her beauty. Admiration and appreciation he might feel, but there was no trace of lust in those eyes, making him distinctly different from others.

Xi Yan’s courteous greeting brought everyone back from their reverie.

Lu Chen was particularly unrestrained in his praise, standing up and making a bow to Xi Yan.

"Miss Xi Yan indeed has the appearance that makes the moon hide and flowers blush, captivating the hearts of all."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan quickly stood to return the gesture, "Master’s praise is too kind; Xi Yan’s appearance is humble and unworthy of such compliments."

"Miss Xi Yan is truly humble. Whether worthy or not, let those present decide," Liang Shaoen, unwilling to be outdone, wanted to show himself in front of Xi Yan, considering he came today solely for her.

"Well! I heard we’d get to see Xi Yan’s true beauty today, but I didn’t expect her to be so stunning!" Zhu Pang had known about this event for some time, which is why he had unabashedly dragged Gu Chengyu along.

Gu Chengyu gave him a questioning glance; Zhu Pang hadn’t mentioned this before.

Zhu Pang chuckled, "What’s the difference between saying and not saying? It’s not like you would come here just to see a beauty; you came for Hua Lian, didn’t you?"

Since Xi Yan had already taken the stage, Gu Chengyu prepared to begin their performance. It was already 7:30 PM, and it wasn’t early; finishing promptly would allow them to rest sooner.