Yuan Xiaoshi asked curiously, "Was she provoked by what the Third Miss said just now? She actually came to show off her skills too."

Liu Qi chuckled: "Isn't it because the men's and women's seats are together today? We're actually benefiting from the men's seats."

On the stage where everyone could showcase their talents, Xue Yingxue had set up her guqin and sat down with an elegant posture.

Xin Jiuwei and her sister exchanged a glance, then calmly took a sip of tea.

She could guess what Xue Yingxue was thinking.

This girl usually seems arrogant and looks down on everyone, but she's always scheming for herself. Qi Huaiyu misleads everyone into thinking he's a cousin of the Xin family, and Xue Yingxue, while disliking that he's not a real member of the Xin family, also enjoys Qi Huaiyu's attentiveness.

However, firstly, Qi Huaiyu has suffered several setbacks, and Xin Yunzhou has become a student of the great Confucian scholar; secondly, Qi Huaiyu suddenly changed his attitude towards Xin Jiuwei today, and it is likely that he will also neglect Xue Yingxue.

She repeatedly emphasized to outsiders that Qi Huaiyu had nothing to do with the Xin family. Xue Yingxue was not stupid and must have already suspected something. Naturally, she quickly began to look for another way out for herself.

She must have come prepared for this spring banquet.

As the sound of the zither filled the air, the once noisy courtyard gradually quieted down.

The men in the pavilion, who had been engaged in lively conversation, also began to listen attentively.

Xue Yingxue was indeed quite skilled at playing the zither, and everyone was completely captivated by her performance.

However--

Xin Jiuwei keenly sensed something was amiss in the music. She turned to look at Xin Xiyao and saw that her sister's expression was rather unpleasant, her beautiful brows furrowed together.

"good!"

When the music ended, Mr. Chen, a man in the men's section, stood up, looking very excited.

"This is the first time I've ever heard such a beautiful piece of music! Miss Xue's musical skills are among the best in Yingzhou!"

Everyone immediately applauded, and the others were generous with their praise for Xue Yingxue.

"Miss Xue's zither playing is superb, and her graceful demeanor is truly like that of a fairy from the moon."

"The musicians at Panyue Tower are quite skilled, but compared to Miss Xue just now, they are far inferior."

"I think their skills are about the same, but Miss Xue's piece sounds fresh and the music is so graceful and pleasant."

"Exactly! I've never heard this piece before; how can the word 'amazing' even begin to describe it?"

"Sister," Xin Jiuwei lowered her voice, moving closer to Xin Xiyao, "Isn't this the song you played? Did you let anyone spread it around?"

Xin Xiyao held the handkerchief in her hand, "No, only the maids in my courtyard heard it."

Xin Jiuwei frowned.

"Wei'er." Xin Xiyao's voice was somewhat deep, and she sounded quite displeased. "I originally prepared this piece for today as well."

Xin Jiuwei was taken aback and asked, "Would you like to change the song, sister?"

Although no one knew where Xue Yingxue got the sheet music from, she had already gotten there first. When everyone first heard the piece, they were amazed. Even if Xin Xiyao's piano skills surpassed Xue Yingxue's, the effect would be greatly diminished.

"Never mind." Xin Xiyao shook her head somewhat dejectedly. "No other piece can compare to this one."

She has always been proud, and since she has competed with Xue Yingxue in a talent competition today, if she is not confident of winning first place, she might as well give up.

Xin Jiuwei, however, felt unwilling to accept it.

By this time, she had remembered everything.

This same thing happened at the Spring Banquet in my previous life. Xue Yingxue stole the musical score from Xin Jiuwei's courtyard. Just like now, she played the piece first and, knowing that Xin Xiyao wouldn't compromise, used Xin Xiyao's version of the piece to make a big splash.

From that day on, the title of Yingzhou's number one talented woman was firmly established on Xue Yingxue's head, and from then on, when others mentioned her, they all said that Xin Xiyao was not as good as her.

Having recalled this, Xin Jiuwei naturally wouldn't let her succeed again.

“Sister, you are exceptionally talented, but such a stunning piece of music cannot be composed with just a thought or a flick of the fingers. It is the culmination of your hard work. Are you willing to let someone else claim your talent?”

Seeing that Xin Xiyao remained silent, but there was a hint of hesitation in her eyes, Xin Jiuwei quickly seized the opportunity to press her advantage.

"Besides, even if you don't care about fame or talent, are you really willing to let Xue Yingxue do nothing and steal all your hard work?"

She had already remembered where Xue Yingxue had gotten the sheet music from—

In his past life, not only this time, Qi Huaiyu often bribed the servants in his household to secretly steal his sister's various masterpieces. He would either take them to gatherings where only men were present and turn them into his own works, or give them to Xue Yingxue to help her stand out!

While spreading rumors that Xin Xiyao had a bad temper, he also used the marriage proposal to undermine Xin Xiyao's character. Naturally, Xin Xiyao became less and less inclined to go out, which ironically benefited the two thieves, who became the talented men and women of Yingzhou!

Thinking of this, Xin Jiuwei became even more furious.

Today, she will help her sister get back what she lost.

What belongs to the Xin family must be returned to them without exception!

In the courtyard, Xue Yingxue had become the center of attention, and amidst the chorus of praise, he was likely to become the greatest musician in the world.

"Is it really that good?" Yuan Xiaoshi muttered to herself. "My sister can also play the piano, but she's not as good as my sister."

Liu Qi said, "Her music was indeed stunning. I haven't heard anything like it in Yingzhou for at least ten years. If it were to spread today, and more people learned and performed it, it might even be passed down to future generations. However—"

She paused for a moment, then said, "If your sister were here, she would probably be able to play better than her."

“Right?” Yuan Xiaoshi nodded, then suddenly remembered Xin Xiyao. “Sister Xin, don’t you also play the zither? Why don’t you show off your skills? You’ll definitely play better than her.”

Liu Qi patted her, "Sister Xin has only heard that piece once, how can she play it right away? Don't be silly."

They were just talking casually, but Xin Jiuwei noticed that Xin Xiyao's expression was slowly changing.

“That’s an idea.” Xin Xiyao slowly stood up. “It would be a shame if I didn’t play such a beautiful piece.”

Both girls were taken aback, but Xin Jiuwei laughed.

"Wang Qing, go and fetch your sister's zither."

Wang Qing responded crisply and quickly brought out a high-quality, dark-colored ancient zither.

Xin Xiyao slowly walked onto the stage without saying a word. Wang Qing and her people quickly set up the zither and then withdrew.

Only then did everyone see that Xin Xiyao was sitting calmly behind the guqin.

Xue Yingxue's smug expression stiffened for a moment, and she asked knowingly, "Miss Xin, are you also going to play the zither?"

Xin Xiyao didn't even look at her, but simply raised her hand and gently stroked the strings of the zither, her posture graceful and her gaze focused.

Xue Yingxue stood awkwardly to the side and had no choice but to go off the stage with the people who had come to Fengcheng to see her.

"Since Miss Xin also wishes to showcase her talents, then Yingxue will not disturb her any longer."

Only Xin Xiyao remained seated on the stage, but although her fingers had touched the strings, she made no further move.