He Jinxiu gave a haughty chuckle.

He stepped forward and stood under the "Qin" sign, striking the sign with his embroidery hammer.

The hidden box was opened, revealing several brocade pouches inside.

She took one out, but instead of looking at it right away, she turned to look at Jiang Qingwan.

"Jiang family, didn't you want us all to shut up? Do you dare to have a match with me?"

Qi Huang said nothing, walked over, picked up the embroidery hammer, and tapped the "Qin" character plaque.

However, he did not choose the brocade pouch, but instead looked at the brocade pouch in He Jinxiu's hand.

"Open it!"

He Jinxiu was stunned.

The influential people around them were all talking about it.

"What does she mean by this? Does she want to choose the same topic as Miss He?"

"Miss He's piano skills are extraordinary and renowned throughout the capital. Who can compare to her? She has truly brought shame upon herself."

"The same topic could mean the same piece of music, and the difference between good and bad would be immediately apparent. She's planning to outshine Miss He in this way."

He Jinxiu curled her lips in disdain.

"Someone, bring the zither."

While the maid went to the carriage to retrieve the zither, she opened the brocade pouch in her hand.

It had three words written on it: “General’s March!”

This piece is quite difficult, but for He Jinxiu, it's a piece she can play with ease.

She confidently held the paper high so everyone could see it, and then said, "Jiang family, where is your zither? If you want me to shut up and submit, then don't resort to mystical and cunning methods. Have a fair and square match with me."

Qi Huang raised her eyes to look at the head nanny.

"You've set up such a grand display, yet you haven't even prepared a zither? If the Princess's residence is this shabby, I'll send someone to buy one right now."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, wanting to laugh at her for having to buy a new instrument to play, but also afraid of upsetting the old woman and offending the princess.

Everyone held their breath, creating an eerily silent atmosphere.

The old woman raised her hand with a cold face.

"Take the zither."

Soon a servant came over carrying a zither and set it up.

Qi Huang stepped forward, lowered his hand, and gently plucked the strings twice. The tone was clear but the sound was dull at the end; it was an ordinary zither.

At this moment, someone exclaimed,

"Miss He's zither is the Jinghong, which ranks third among the ten famous zithers. I heard that its tone is mellow and heavenly."

"Indeed, it was a stunning sight. Legend has it that when the stunning sight appeared, someone played the Phoenix Seeking Its Mate in a valley, which attracted hundreds of birds to circle around for a long time. When the music ended and the birds sang, they soared into the sky, just like a stunning sight in an instant, which was very beautiful."

Qinghui was anxious.

He leaned closer and whispered, "Your Highness, there is a fine zither at Huailou. I will go and fetch it now."

Qi Huang waved his hand.

"No need, this zither is quite good."

The noble ladies all scoffed and shook their heads.

"I think she can't play the piano at all; she can't even tell the difference between good and bad tone."

"Just wait and see. Comparing such an ordinary zither to Jinghong, it's already half lost before the piece has even been played."

Du Luanfei explained with a faint smile,

“Your Highness, when the Princess sent out the invitation, she already mentioned that there would be a talent competition. Since you came prepared, why didn’t you prepare anything? The current situation is definitely not something that the Princess’s residence deliberately orchestrated.”

Qi Huang ignored her and sat down leisurely.

"I told you, this instrument is excellent. Do we still want to compete?"

He Jinxiu also took her seat, her water sleeves gently folded, exuding elegance and nobility. Her fingers lightly brushed across Jinghong, producing a clear and resonant sound.

"Gentlemen, please excuse my poor performance."

After he finished speaking, the music suddenly began, its momentum as powerful as a rainbow.

Bring the general's march to its fullest.

Everyone looked amazed.

I couldn't help but applaud and cheer.

At the same time, Qi Huang also began to pluck the strings of the zither.

The same General's Journey was completely overshadowed by the stunning music of Jinghong because the final notes of the zither were muddy and not clear enough.

Everyone covered their faces with their handkerchiefs and chuckled.

Many onlookers, though kept out by the princess's guards, still curiously peeked inside.

Those with refined tastes noticed the difference and offered their critiques of Qi Huang's musical skills.

"Rough, unpolished, and utterly lacking in aesthetic appeal, it's worlds apart from what it should be."

The more He Jinxiu played, the more excited she became.

He grasped every note with extreme precision.

As the piece reached its climax, she was expecting a round of applause when suddenly, Qi Huang's playing intensified.

Completely adapted to the deep, resonant notes of the strings, they strangely merged with the general's passionate and chilling shouts.

Generals on horseback, riding like phoenixes, conquering thousands of miles, their bones buried in the yellow sand.

The original melody blends reality and illusion, concealing a poignant and melancholic sentiment about the fleeting nature of life.

Yet the music played by Qi Huang, though the same piece, evoked a sense of transcending life and death, fearlessness of heaven and earth, and a solitary courage to fight for one's passion amidst the vicissitudes of life.

In a daze, the crowd seemed to see a general riding by on horseback.

Holding a long spear, his battle uniform fluttering in the wind, the military flag on his back unfurled through the air.

With a roar, "Kill!"

The universe was in chaos, as if everything had been broken apart.

Everyone stared in disbelief, their blood boiling uncontrollably, their hands clenching tightly involuntarily.

It seemed everyone was hoping that the lone general could pierce the sky with a single spear thrust.

The Ministry of War Council Hall is located two streets away.

Most of those who did it were military officers.

Touched by the music, everyone listened with rapt attention.

Mo Yunhan looked up in surprise.

I couldn't help but feel excited.

That direction seems to lead to the Princess's residence.

Today's banquet is unlikely to go smoothly.

Someone with such musical skill must be some reclusive talent that my elder sister invited.

He had never heard of Jiang Qingwan playing the piano.

This is an attempt to suppress Jiang Qingwan with her musical skills.

Eldest sister, why did you do this?

...

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