Chapter 298: The Selection Meeting, Two Beauties Compete
Chu Yuni fell to the ground with another scream of pain, and Song Yunchu, who was sitting beside the stone table, laughed out loud.
The difference in strength between Xiao Chu and Nan Yan was not that great, but whether it was a competition of cleverness or character, the latter had the upper hand.
"In the arena, you can't be too soft on people you know. Xiao Chu, go back and rest for a few days. I'll personally practice with her."
After getting Song Yunchu's approval for leave, Chu Yuni felt as if she had been pardoned and slipped away without saying a word.
Seeing him running so fast, Zhong Nanyan moved her lips, but she didn't call him in the end. Instead, she turned around and asked Song Yunchu: "Did I hit him too hard?"
"Not really." Song Yunchu said, "He just didn't perform well enough. If you continue practicing like this, I'm afraid it will affect your progress. I'll practice with you for a few days to try."
As Song Yunchu was talking, he saw beads of sweat on her forehead, so he took out a handkerchief he carried with him and wiped her sweat. "Take a break first. I'll have someone prepare your favorite plum tea."
The two walked to the stone table and sat down. Zhong Nanyue held her chin with one hand and stared at Song Yunchu for a long moment.
Song Yunchu looked puzzled, "Is there something on my face?"
"It would be nice if you were a real man." There was no one around at the moment, Zhong Nanyue sighed, "You're good-looking, good at martial arts, and you know how to care for others. You're much better than those stupid men. It's a pity... I don't like women."
"A stupid man?" Song Yunchu raised his eyebrows slightly, "For example?"
“…Let’s not talk about it.”
Zhong Nanyan picked up the pear on the fruit plate and took a bite. "By the way, besides the people in Prince Ning's Mansion, do you know any other handsome men? Bring them over to me someday."
"Nan Yan, do you know where there are the most handsome men?"
"Um?"
"Inside the palace." Song Yunchu showed a hint of interest. "There are at least fifty in the Mingjing Division. There is also a martial arts training ground. Soldiers are training every day. There are a lot of young and handsome men."
"Not only are they handsome, but they are also well-trained. If you can win the first place in a martial arts test, I will arrange for you to teach them and put together a team with the most handsome ones for you to lead."
A gleam of light flashed across Zhong Nanyan's eyes, "Are there really so many handsome men?"
"You'll know when the time comes."
"I don't seem to be very tired. I can still practice sword for another hour. Didn't you say you would teach me personally? Come on."
“…”
In the courtyard, the sound of breaking through the air was heard again.
"Keep your feet steady, don't rush."
"You're turning slowly. Be quick."
"Take three steps back and follow up with a sweeping kick."
"This move is wrong, try again."
…
Half a month is not a long time and it passed in the blink of an eye.
After the court session that day, Song Yunchu received the list of finalists.
There are a total of sixty places for the final selection, and only the top ten will be selected in each competition. Among the potential stocks she has chosen, more than twenty people have entered the final selection.
Jiang Rumin's results in the re-examination were second place in the piano test and third place in the painting test.
And Liu Qianyin's re-selection results are -
I got first place in the piano exam, second place in calligraphy exam, and second place in painting exam.
Even though Song Yunchu had expected that she would perform well, he was still very emotional when he actually saw the results of the re-selection.
This granddaughter of Prime Minister Liu, who had been carefully cultivated since childhood, was indeed extraordinary.
Of course, the re-selection results do not represent the final results. It is unknown who will be the winner until the last moment.
Jiang Rumin and Liu Qianyin grew up in very different environments. After Jiang Rumin's biological mother passed away, the Jiang family no longer devoted themselves to nurturing her, and almost all resources went to Jiang Yuxi.
Jiang Yuxi also participated in the selection meeting and ranked ninth in the piano test.
Song Yunchu didn't have much expectation from her, so he turned directly to the next page of martial arts test results.
Zhong Nanyue, third place in close combat and second place in weapon combat.
Hu Erniang came sixth in the weapons competition.
It is worth mentioning that the first place in both martial arts tests was the same person, named Qin Shen.
I really don't have any impression of this person. I'll have to ask Bai Zhu to check it out later.
Song Yunchu thought that among so many contestants, there must be someone who was holding back his strength and would not show it until the very last moment.
The upcoming finals are really making people look forward to it more and more.
…
The venue for the Talent Selection Conference was a parade ground in the south of the city. It was originally used for training by officers and soldiers and covered a vast area. Now it was vacant and a wide platform was built. There were five seats half a meter away from the platform for the five examiners to select.
There are several high platforms around for the royal family to watch the game, and they can have a panoramic view of the situation on the stage.
It was already past noon, and the training ground was already bustling with people.
Countless people have gathered outside the parade ground fence. Even though they are watching the upcoming grand event from afar through the iron net, they still feel excited.
His Majesty specifically ordered that the people should not be driven away, and that the officers and soldiers only needed to maintain order and prevent the crowd from making noise.
Song Yunchu, wearing a blue official uniform, sat in the center of the examiner's seat.
The other four examiners also arrived one after another.
Song Yunchu glanced at the situation outside the training ground fence.
It's really lively...
The more lively it is, the faster the news spreads. It is easy to imagine that after today, there will be a few more celebrities in our dynasty.
The order of the finalists was decided by drawing lots, and the first person to take the piano test was Jiang Yuxi.
When he saw this long-lost face again, Song Yunchu felt that she was not as flamboyant as before.
Come to think of it, Jiang Yuxi should have been the future Princess Yi. As she hadn't married yet, Jun Tianyi's misdeeds would not implicate her. But even if the Jiang family didn't fall into disgrace because of this incident, Jiang Yuxi would still be subject to a lot of discussion.
Jiang Yuxi didn't dare to look up at the examiner's seat at this moment.
She used to be as dignified and dazzling as the sun, and the noble ladies she met all flattered her. But ever since Prince Yi became an imperial prisoner, those people looked at her as if she were a joke. She didn't want to be ridiculed by them, so she rarely went out.
Later, it was her mother who told her that His Majesty was going to hold a conference to select talents, so she cheered up and earned some face for herself.
Her mother didn't dare to expect her to win the first prize, but only hoped that she would perform well and perhaps be chosen by some powerful family. As long as she could choose a husband with a good family background, the voices that ridiculed the Jiang family would disappear.
Song Yunchu is close to Jiang Rumin, so he will definitely not say anything good about her during the selection process. But fortunately, the other four examiners have no grudges against the Jiang family, so they will definitely give a fair evaluation.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxi calmed down a little and raised her hand to touch the strings.
The leisurely and slow melody escapes from the fingertips, quiet and gentle.
Song Yunchu looked at her playing the piano, with a hint of thought in his eyes.
Jiang Rumin and Jiang Yuxi were probably taught by the same zither master, and their zither sounds are similar.
Jiang Yuxi was able to enter the final round, so her piano skills were naturally good. However, when she was playing the notes in succession, her tone and strength were not as relaxed and natural as Jiang Rumin's, which led to the gap between the second and ninth place.
After the song ended, Jiang Yuxi withdrew her hands and waited for the examiners to speak.
"Miss Jiang's song is melodious and peaceful. It is very comfortable to listen to." It was Master Chen who spoke first.
Ye Fengmian echoed, "Mr. Chen is right."
"The second daughter of the Duke of Jin is indeed quite good." Prime Minister Liu gave a calm compliment.
Si Lianhuan didn't think much of this piece of music and originally planned to say something polite, but then she changed her mind and realized that since she was in this position, she had to tell the truth. She felt that the sound of the piano was very ordinary and she couldn't find anything to praise about it, so she simply kept silent.
Not praising or finding fault is also a tactful attitude.
Jiang Yuxi was a little nervous, wondering what unpleasant words Song Yunchu would say.
Song Yunchu didn't bother to pay attention to her and just said three words lightly: "Next."
They're going to be eliminated anyway, so there's no need to waste time on such trivial matters.
Jiang Yuxi: "..."
The man surnamed Song did not mock her, but these three casual words seemed to reveal a sense of contempt.
She felt a little upset, but she still had to maintain her dignity. She bowed to the examiner's seat and turned to leave.
After Jiang Yuxi left the stage, a young man came on stage. The music he played seemed to be full of sorrow. As soon as Song Yunchu heard it, he felt that he was a man trapped in love.
The next one has an elegant piano sound, which is slightly similar to Jiang Yuxi's style, but with better technique.
The fourth place is the first place in the semi-finals, Liu Qianyin.
Song Yunchu was quite looking forward to her.
Under the gaze of everyone, Liu Qianyin sat down gracefully and raised her hands lightly.
“Zheng——”
The opening was a brisk melody, which was different from the slow variations of the previous performers. As soon as she started, her fingering and wrist strength visibly surpassed those of the previous performers.
She looked relaxed, her fingers moved smoothly, and the melody swirled in the air, making people feel as if they saw a spirited young knight happily wielding his weapon in the jungle.
Si Lianhua's eyes lit up.
This piano music was the best one she had heard today.
She was a little surprised that the woman in front of her who looked as gentle as water could play the piano in such a free and heroic manner. Her fingers moved as fast as the wind, yet so steady.
Her hibiscus-like face coupled with the sound of the piano makes her temperament even more extraordinary.
Not only Si Lianhuan, but Song Yunchu also had admiration in his eyes.
Liu Qianyin is indeed a strong opponent of Jiang Rumin.
When she passed by Ruihe Hall two days ago, she wanted to go in and ask, but then she remembered how mysterious Shangguan Qi was half a month ago and how Jiang Rumin emphasized the need to keep it secret, so she gave up her curiosity.
Anyway, we will see it soon.
When Liu Qianyin finished her song, Si Lianhuan was the first to praise her, "Miss Liu is very skilled in the piano. The melody of this song is very smooth. It is a rare and good song. I haven't heard such a good piano sound for a long time."
"It is not difficult to master piano skills, but it is really not easy to make people indulge in it and linger on. Miss Liu has done it." Ye Fengmian also gave high praise.
Scholar Chen stroked his beard and nodded, "I have seen Miss Liu's paintings before. I only knew that Miss Liu was good at painting, but I didn't expect that she was also so good at playing the zither."
Prime Minister Liu looked at his granddaughter. Although he did not speak, there was a smile in his eyes.
As a grandfather, he feels proud that Yin'er is so outstanding.
"You three have praised me for what I deserve. I am at a loss for words. There are still several more to come. Let's continue."
Anyway, Liu Qianyin doesn't need her praise, so she won't express her position for the time being. If everyone else chooses Liu Qianyin in the end, she will have to save one vote for Jiang Rumin to save face.
Because of Liu Qianyin's excellent performance, the next two performances could not arouse people's emotions.
The seventh person to come on stage was Jiang Rumin.
Jiang Rumin bowed to the examiners and slowly sat down.
Song Yunchu gave her an encouraging smile.
The corners of Jiang Rumin's lips raised up an almost invisible arc, then he lowered his eyes and plucked the strings.
A bright and clear melody flowed from her fingertips. Her opening was almost as fast as Liu Qianyin's, but the tune was more uplifting than the former. As the sound of the piano grew louder, the passionate tune seemed to soar through the sky, causing Song Yunchu and Ye Fengmian's pupils to tremble in unison.
This familiar melody -
Marshal Shen’s battle entry song!
Ye Fengmian would certainly not forget that this piece of music was adapted by Song Yunchu who had found a number of musicians and invited him to play it with the pipa at His Majesty's Thousand Years Banquet.
He knew very well how difficult this piece of music was.
He is good at playing the pipa, and the musicians also said that this piece of music is best played on the pipa. He has never tried playing the guqin. When he heard this piece of music played on the guqin, he felt familiar with it and also felt that it had a different artistic conception.
The sound of the piano became faster and faster, and his emotions were drawn into it.
Similar to what he played that day, the melody in the second half, which was like being in the middle of a thousand horses galloping, was the most attractive, but what surprised him was that Jiang Rumin did not stop where he should have, but continued with a new melody.
The sound of the piano suddenly became lower and slower, changing from passionate to desolate, full of melancholy.
Ye Fengmian was stunned.
If the sound of his pipa that day expressed the joy of victory in the war, the ending of Jiang Rumin's song was lamenting the sadness after the war.
The smoke of war and the desolate scene are all around. Even if we win, it will ultimately come at the cost of the blood of countless people.
How can one not be moved by such compassionate tenderness?
A powerful country is naturally not afraid of war, but if we are ordinary people, how can we not be tired of war?
Ye Fengmian was somewhat in awe.
Jiang Rumin's song celebrates the victory while also mourning the lives lost.
He liked the second half of the adaptation.
Jiang Rumin finished the song and slowly put down her hands.
The examiner's seat was silent.
Song Yunchu came back to his senses and felt extremely surprised.
This adapted version of Marshal Shen's Battle March seems to have even greater staying power.
She turned her head and glanced at Ye Fengmian, and knew that he was trapped.
She suddenly remembered what Shangguan Qi said that day - there were too many people with good piano skills at the selection meeting, and the examiners would have their own preferences.
Shangguan Qi should have determined that this song could impress Ye Fengmian, but having only her and Ye Fengmian's tickets was not enough, one of the other three had to be impressed as well.
Si Lianhuan is heroic and fearless in killing enemies, but as a woman, she must also have the tenderness of a daughter.
Song Yunchu looked at Si Lianhuan and saw that she had her head down, not knowing what she was thinking about.
"Ms. Jiang's song is so touching that I don't know how to express it for a moment."
Ye Fengmian said, "You go down and rest first. We will watch the remaining three performances and then make the selection."
Jiang Rumin bowed and left.
Although Ye Fengmian asked the people behind to come up, everyone knew that this piano test was a competition between Liu Qianyin and Jiang Rumin.
After the last three rounds were over, Song Yunchu was the first to express his opinion, "I think Miss Jiang is worthy of being the champion of the piano test."
Ye Fengmian echoed, "Prince Ning is right. I will also vote for Miss Jiang."
The other three have not yet commented.
Song Yunchu looked at Si Lianhua, "I wonder what your Highness the Princess thinks?"
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