Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 475 - 311: Encountering a Kindred Spirit

"Today, I fear I must impose on Miss Xi Yan to perform a duet with me. I thank you in advance, my lady!" Gu Chengyu stood and bowed, raising the Purple Bamboo Flute in his hand.

"I have long heard that Mr. Gu is well-versed in music. To perform a duet with him today is indeed my good fortune. Let’s begin!" Xi Yan had already memorized the lyrics and only needed to play the qin following the rhythm of the flute.

Gu Chengyu smiled slightly, saying no more. He placed the Purple Bamboo Flute to his lips, and instantly, a hollow and distant flute sound emerged. Following this, Xi Yan’s delicate fingers lightly plucked the silver strings, with the qin sound following closely behind.

The flute’s sound was mournful and longing, like crying and complaining, lingering and uninterrupted, like a hidden dragon dancing in a secluded valley.

Then came the qin sound, at times loud like a sudden rain, at times soft like a whisper, like large and small pearls falling onto a jade plate. The qin and flute duet was like the meeting of High Mountain and Flowing Water, perfectly matched, harmoniously joined.

Then the woman parted her red lips and spoke slowly, her voice like a stream of orioles or swallows, "The east wind blooms a thousand trees at night, further blowing down stars like rain..."

This was exactly that lyric. Xi Yan’s singing was like the sound of jade striking stone, clear and pleasing, melodious and resonant, lulling everyone into a trance.

Gu Chengyu and Xi Yan performed seamlessly; the so-called qin and flute resonance ascends into a phoenix’s dance, the Moon Palace’s Chang’e lonely and cold. This lyric was beautifully crafted, its melody poignant and flowing, blending helplessness and melancholy in the qin sound, with the expansive flute sound complementing it, leaving the audience enthralled.

When the piece finished, even Gu Chengyu was overwhelmed with emotion, feeling an unexpected kinship with a kindred spirit.

Suddenly, he recalled a poem that resonated with Xi Yan’s qin and singing. He lowered the Purple Bamboo Flute and, picking up the brush and ink on the table, he composed another poem.

The willow brushes against the brothel and flowers fill the clothes, able to sing with elegance, a rarity in this world.

In the air, how many places hear the clear sounds, attempting to enwrap the wandering clouds, unsparing in flight.

Gu Chengyu wrote with brushstrokes like flowing clouds and running water, his script bold and vigorous, imposing on the paper. Zhu Pang was somewhat surprised by Gu Chengyu’s actions, knowing well that Gu Chengyu seldom composed poems. Had inspiration struck him suddenly?

After completing the poem, Gu Chengyu laid down the brush and sighed with relief; he intended this as a gift for a kindred spirit.

The crowd finally snapped out of their trance from the qin and flute harmony, and everyone began to praise them.

"Who would have thought that this lyric could be sung into such a beautiful tune? Miss Xi Yan not only has profound skills in the qin but also a voice so beautiful and enchanting, truly captivating!"

"Indeed, Brother Gu’s flute sound was also soul-stirring. Listening to this tune, it shall linger for three days without end!"

Lu Chen never expected this lyric as a musical score, its rhythm so exquisite that it’s destined to be sung by many. It’s a pity he only heard it once and no score was made. If there were a score, it could serve as a delight for literati at poetry gatherings and cultural events in the Capital.

After all, this lyric is elegant and completely different from the usual songs sung in brothels, which matches the refined spirit of scholar-bureaucrats!

"Many thanks to Miss Xi Yan for her beautiful duet with me today. Here is a poem I composed for Miss Xi Yan, as a token of my gratitude." Gu Chengyu bowed toward Xi Yan, who was still immersed in the performance, then handed the poem to the prostitute beside him to give to Xi Yan.

This act made the women present envious. Gu Chengyu’s poetic talent was well recognized, and to receive such a masterpiece from a gifted man was a blessing indeed! How fortunate Xi Yan was, once admired by many, now even receiving a poem from the most famous Mr. Gu in the Capital, specifically composed for her, how could they not hate that?

Unfortunately, they did not have such looks nor outstanding talent.

Xi Yan was overjoyed to hear Gu Chengyu’s words. Her cheeks flushed, she gazed into Gu Chengyu’s eyes full of indelible affection, which led everyone present to envy her. A single lyric captured Miss Xi Yan’s heart, filling many men present with resentment.

This moment seemed to portray a mutual affection between the scholar and the beauty, a tale complete with love and harmony. Wasn’t this the very essence of the music’s theme?

However, Gu Chengyu did not feel the same way. If he still couldn’t see Xi Yan’s affection for him, he would be blind. The pity was he didn’t feel romantic emotions toward Xi Yan, merely a kinship with a fellow musician.

As Gu Chengyu sent out his verse, he couldn’t help but feel some regret. However, immediately he comforted himself with the thought that his poem merely praised her singing, unrelated to romantic feelings, and shouldn’t be misunderstood by the others.

Regarding matters of romance, he had always been evasive and did not harbor affection for anyone. As for the future, one could only take things one step at a time.

Seeing that Gu Chengyu didn’t respond, Xi Yan felt somewhat disheartened. Was it merely her wishful thinking? What about Hua Lian? What did Mr. Gu think of Hua Lian?

She then smiled self-deprecatingly; having purchased Hua Lian’s first night, what other thoughts could there be?

Upon receiving the poem from the prostitute, she read it several times from beginning to end, but alas, there was no hint of romantic intrigue between the lines.

Though the poem could indeed elevate her reputation, it was not what she desired.

Yu Ting was so angry his nose was almost crooked. Today he finally saw it clearly: Xi Yan was indisputably a beautiful woman.

Yet, this beautiful woman always held him in disdain, while she regarded Gu Chengyu differently and even developed affection for him. How could he not be furious?

Some envied Gu Chengyu for capturing Xi Yan’s heart, while others were eager to make a fuss.

"Miss Xi Yan, what poem did Brother Gu write? Recite it for us to appreciate." someone jested.

Others chimed in, expressing their curiosity.

The one who spoke meant no harm, merely assuming that Gu Chengyu and Xi Yan shared mutual affection, so he mischievously called out.

Xi Yan felt a bit displeased, fearing that reading it would disappoint everyone since the poem held no romantic sentiments.

However, since they requested to see it, Xi Yan had no choice but to read it aloud. After all, the poem was straightforward and open, nothing concealed. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Xi Yan read the poem, and upon hearing it praise her singing voice, everyone stopped teasing and instead started admiring the last two lines. They all commented that Gu Cheng’s poem was indeed a fitting expression of his feelings.

"I was truly captivated, never imagining this lyric could be played into such a marvelous tune. Brother Gu claims to lack musical talent, yet how did this piece come to be? I have an immodest request and shamelessly seek the musical score, so my friends may also hear this wonderful tune."

Lu Chen couldn’t help but desire the score after hearing it. The person who said the sound would linger for three days was not exaggerating. He agreed wholeheartedly.

Gu Chengyu quickly shook his head upon hearing this, and people thought he was unwilling. Understandably so, such a beautiful tune, who would freely give it away? Moreover, this was Gu Chengyu’s masterpiece created from start to finish, from lyrics to music, all Gu Chengyu’s effort!