Chapter 168: The Vicious Eldest Daughter (33)

Since they came, it proves they've seen a lot and many are worldly-wise, but they've never seen a stage like this before. There are glass spheres around the stage, a huge glass lamp on top, and various colored glass spheres all around.

Suddenly, a clear note came from the guzheng, startling everyone. Then came a melody they had never heard before. Among them, a skilled guzheng player suddenly stood up, staring intently at the source of the sound. The figure was veiled by white gauze, and only the silhouette could be seen, but it was impossible to tell whether it was male or female.

The initial urgent and tense melody gripped everyone's hearts, as if they could see two armies clashing before their eyes. As the melody grew more and more anxious, it seemed that every pluck of the strings heralded the urgency of the battle.

The plains are vast, and the setting sun shines over the long river.

As the music gradually slowed down, everyone's minds relaxed slightly, as if they had just experienced a life-or-death threat, but they dared not completely relax. In an instant, the melody suddenly took a sharp turn, becoming powerful and resonant, with continuous leaps and intensifying sounds, as if two armies were facing off. At this moment, the war drums sounded, and from a white veil on the other side, bursts of drumbeats came, getting faster and faster, making everyone feel as if they were on the verge of life and death in the midst of a battle between two armies.

The music abruptly broke at its peak, and the drumming stopped abruptly as well. Everyone's hearts were in their throats, their hearing went blank for a moment as if they had gone deaf, and they were covered in a light sweat. Those skilled in playing the zither breathed rapidly, looking almost frantic, while fiercely suppressing the turmoil in their hearts.

Suddenly, the sound of the zither slowly rose, with the low, deep sound of the xun (a type of ancient Chinese wind instrument) laying the foundation for the zither's melody. The desolate scene touched the heart, like the calm before the storm during a major battle. Soon, the zither's melody became more urgent again, while the xun continued to assist it, until it reached its peak and then stopped abruptly. The sound of war drums thundered, and everyone could hear the sounds of torrential rain and lightning. The decisive battle was about to begin, and lightning and thunder swept across the heavens and earth.

The sounds of war drums and zithers echoed each other until they abruptly broke at their peak. Then, as if the battle had ended, the clear sound of the flute slowly rose, making everyone feel the vibrant spring of flowers, trees, and insects.

The war is over; it's time for a new beginning.

When the piece ended, the audience was deeply moved. After a brief moment of calm, thunderous applause erupted. Some even stood up, clapping and screaming. Even the young ladies from wealthy families on the sidelines were deeply moved. They had been learning music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood, and music was naturally an essential skill for them. However, they had only learned melodious and gentle tunes that expressed small emotions and sentiments. They had never heard such a grand and awe-inspiring piece before.

Once everyone came to their senses, they began throwing silver coins and money onto the stage, instantly creating an extremely lively atmosphere.

Lin's mother stepped onto the stage and asked, "Is everyone satisfied with the performance?"

"Extremely satisfied! I wonder who composed this piece? And who played it?"

Lin's mother clapped her hands, and the white cloths on both sides were lifted. Everyone originally thought that the person who could play such a tune must be a man, and even guessed that it was the most famous musician in Mingzhou. However, the long-haired woman who was pounding her waist, although her face was half covered, was undoubtedly a woman.

On the other side, the drummer was also a woman, dressed simply with her sleeves rolled up, her hair combed up, and her face still covered by a mask.

Then another man appeared, and the first thing he said was the chorus of all kinds of insects and birds.

People were amazed when they learned that there were people in the community who were skilled in oral performance.

“Mother Lin, isn’t this Miss Qiuyue? I used to think that Miss Qiuyue’s zither playing was beautiful, but now I realize that Miss Qiuyue is very talented.”

Those who had spent time with Qiuyue before recognized the girl playing the zither.

“I’ll offer three thousand taels of silver to bring Miss Qiuyue home with me,” a lecherous rogue suddenly said, his eyes filled with lust. Madam Lin refused, “The rules of Heaven and Earth are that we sell our art, not our bodies.”

"It's not like you haven't slept with them before, why pretend to be innocent? Three thousand taels is enough."

Wen Wan upstairs frowned and gestured to Wang Yaozu. Soon, Wang Yaozu took action, and the person who had uttered the inappropriate words was surrounded by two burly men. Lin's mother said, "Our boss said that anyone who speaks insulting words, has filthy thoughts, and lacks the purity of art is not worthy of listening to the music at Heaven on Earth. Violating the rules of Heaven on Earth means being kicked out."

Then the person was gagged and dragged out.

"Does anyone have any objections?"

"No, such trash is not worthy of listening to Miss Qiuyue's music. It's an insult!" The qin lover was furious. Moreover, everyone was surprised because they knew who the speaker was. Wasn't it Shen Qian, the young master of the Marquis of Zhongxiao's mansion? Shen Qian did not pursue an official career. He loved the qin the most and kept a bunch of qin players in his mansion. He himself was also extremely skilled at playing the qin and had even performed in front of the emperor. Moreover, he had extremely high requirements for qin skills. They never expected that he would be here.

If anyone else wants to do anything, they'll probably have to consider the feelings of this young master Shen.

Lin's mother glanced upstairs and then said, "Besides Qiuyue's zither, the drummer is Yaoyue. Does everyone like Yaoyue's drum?"

Those who had previously interacted with Yao Yue were shocked: "Yao Yue? She actually has such great strength and can play the drums?"

This girl, Yaoyue, wasn't good at playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Her appearance was also rather heroic. She had always been lukewarm and gentle, but who would have thought she would be such an iron lady with muscles on her arms?

"Yes, Miss Yaoyue can not only play the drum, but also dance with a sword and arrange troops. Her ancestors were generals who went to the battlefield. She is not comparable to an ordinary young lady."

"good--"

The first performance was a resounding success.

Wen Wan asked Wang Yaozu to start the second part.

After watching this performance and getting so emotional, if we don't sell some food and drinks now, when will we ever make money?

Soon, several girls carried glass plates and placed them in front of the customers.

Lin's mother explained, "The boss said that today is the grand opening of Heaven on Earth, so naturally we have to give everyone a treat. Here's a pastry and a glass of the finest wine. Ladies, the wine has been replaced with freshly squeezed grape juice, which is good for your skin and won't make you drunk or fat."

Some wine connoisseurs, upon smelling the rich aroma of grapes, took a sip, and instantly the fragrance filled their entire mouth, with no bitterness and an extremely mellow and fragrant taste.

This cup is too small; it'll be gone after I finish it. "Is there any more?"

"Of course we have them. If you like, it's five taels of silver for a pot, and we'll also give you a serving of hibiscus cake, a serving of peach blossom pastry, and a serving of glazed tulip cake."

"Give me a pot."

Soon a maid brought over a pot of wine, along with several plates of exquisitely crafted pastries.

Lin's mother continued to promote the added value of the products as requested by the boss, "These pastries were made by the chef of Qixuanzhai, the most famous pastry shop in Mingzhou. The secret recipe was obtained by our boss at great expense. There is only one of its kind in the entire Kyushu, and no other shop can replicate it. This wine is made from the freshest crystal grapes and is produced by the best winemaker in Mingzhou. It is also an authentic product of Yuanshi Restaurant. It is also a secret recipe. You will never be able to drink this wine again in the entire Kyushu. This is because the Heaven and Earth Palace is newly opened and we are giving back to everyone. That's why the price is so affordable. You won't be able to eat or drink this again if you come here again."