Everyone agreed with the Fourth Princess's proposal to show off her talents. After several young ladies from aristocratic families performed calligraphy, painting, dancing, etc., the atmosphere of the banquet became even more lively.
Young ladies would boldly or shyly test the reactions of their lovers through these performances, while the gentlemen would praise them in various poems.
While Ning Xihua was admiring the various beauties, she was gossiping with Song Yi with great relish about which couple might be interested in forming an alliance.
After a while, the little white flower came on stage.
Lin Mengli sat down in front of the piano with an elegant posture, and with her hands, a song "Peach Blossom Order" slowly flowed out.
She was still dressed in white, and the peach blossoms behind her made her look even more beautiful. The sound of the piano perfectly set off the beauty and tenderness of the peach blossoms.
The girl's face and the peach blossoms complement each other red. What is red is the girl's face, but also the girl's feelings, which are subtly revealed through the praises of the peach blossoms.
The pink peach blossoms, the flowing white clothes, the pretty girl, playing a lingering tune, how could this scene not arouse people's reverie?
Even Ning Xihua felt that although this little white flower had a bad personality, she played the piano really well, with skillful techniques, appropriate emotions, and a strong sense of atmosphere. No wonder Lin Mengli was listed as a talented woman in Beijing and had many followers.
When the song ended, without even considering other people's praise, Lin Mengli looked at Ning Xihua first.
It was a look with a bit of pride, a bit of pride, and a bit of contempt. This is a familiar scene for Lin Mengli. She is receiving praise in the center of everyone, while Ning Xihua is silent in the corner. This is something she is proud of.
Ning Xihua frowned when she saw Lin Mengli's slightly provocative look, feeling that the little white flower might be up to something.
As expected, Lin Mengli humbly said, "Praise is just a lie. My piano skills are just average. I think Princess Ning was a master of piano skills. Her music was so famous that it spread all over the capital."
After hearing this, everyone turned their attention to Ning Xihua. Gu Yue was able to secure the position of Ning Wangfei without relying on her family background. In addition to the love of the Ning Wangfu, her intelligence and talent were also closely related.
Gu Yue was good at playing the zither. She once performed at the princess' banquet. The amazing piece completely established the image of Princess Ning as a dignified and elegant person with superb zither skills. And that amazing piece is still talked about by talented men and beautiful women who love the zither.
However, Gu Yue's only daughter, Princess Yue Xi, has never been heard to have any outstanding performance in the art of playing the zither.
What was widely circulated in the capital, besides her willful and hot-tempered personality, was her feat of pursuing the Third Prince three years ago.
The fourth princess' eyes lit up when she heard Lin Mengli's words. She was just worried about not being able to embarrass Ning Xihua in public, so here came the chance.
"Yes, thinking back to the amazing song sung by Princess Ning, it is still unforgettable. As Princess Ning's beloved daughter, the princess must have inherited the princess's true teachings in the field of zither, right? Can we have the honor of listening to the princess sing a song?"
This is a bit far-fetched. Princess Ning was bedridden after giving birth to Ning Xihua. She died when Ning Xihua was three years old. How could she have the time and energy to teach her to play the piano?
But the Fourth Princess didn't care about all this. She just smiled with a mocking arc on the corner of her mouth. She thought that Ning Xihua was a fool who knew nothing about music, chess, calligraphy or painting. He only followed her Third Brother around all day long. She must be very embarrassed now.
Ning Xihua ignored the fourth princess, but turned around and looked at Lin Mengli deeply. Lin Mengli suddenly felt as if this line of sight penetrated her and stripped her clean from inside out.
She did mention Princess Ning on purpose, and as expected, the Fourth Princess continued speaking along with her words.
It was just a mention, but why did she instinctively feel guilty and at a loss when she saw Ning Xihua's eyes that seemed to see through everything?
She gritted her teeth and forced herself to straighten her back.
The Fourth Princess was silent for a long time after she finished speaking. She did not receive any response from Ning Xihua and was somewhat annoyed at being ignored.
Everyone was a little embarrassed by the silence, but no one dared to speak at this moment. However, everyone's eyes were silently cast towards the sitting Princess Yue Xi.
Ning Xihua leisurely picked up the wine glass and took a sip, as if the fourth princess was not the one who mentioned it.
The Fourth Princess was about to lose her temper, but Ning Xihua lowered her eyelashes and said calmly, "It is disrespectful for the Princess to invite me. But my piano skills are poor, far inferior to Miss Lin's, and I am afraid that it will pollute everyone's ears. Can Miss Lin sing the chord for me to cover up the flaws?"
Everyone was very surprised to hear this. Everyone, including the Fourth Princess, thought that Ning Xihua would find an excuse like feeling unwell to decline. Unexpectedly, she not only agreed, but also asked Lin Mengli to sing chorus.
If Ning Xihua just played it casually, although people might not agree with it in their hearts, they would still agree and praise it.
But was she afraid that the contrast wouldn't be severe enough when playing the piano with Lin Mengli, who was obviously an outstanding pianist? Was Princess Yue Xi too self-righteous and didn't know her own worth at all?
Lin Mengli was also very surprised, but she quickly agreed: "Your Highness is too modest. It is my honor to be able to harmonize with you."
She laughed in her heart, thinking that Ning Xihua was somewhat ignorant of the immensity of the world. She was very confident in her piano skills that she had practiced for many years.
Ning Xihua, you asked for this on your own initiative, so don't blame me for embarrassing you later.
Ning Xihua turned around and signaled to Song Yi behind him, and soon Song Yi brought over a guitar.
Fortunately, she watched a lot of TV dramas and novels, and she always felt that this Hongmen Banquet might be full of talent shows, so before leaving, she specifically asked Song Yi to prepare a good piano in case of emergency. And now, it really came in handy.
Ning Xihua put the piano in place and got ready, then nodded to Lin Mengli.
Some people in the audience had already recognized that her zither was the world-famous Mingze, and they were whispering to each other. Princess Yuexi's zither skills were average, but she was quite impressive.
Lin Mengli heard the whispers from the audience and carefully looked at Ning Xihua's piano. It was indeed Mingze's.
The famous musical instruments that exist today are all handed down from previous dynasties. There are only a few of them, and each one is worth a fortune.
Ning Xihua, who knows nothing, easily owns the world-famous piano that every piano student dreams of, just because she is a princess of noble status. It's as if she doesn't have to do anything, but can always easily get everything she wants.
On what basis! Lin Mengli was extremely unwilling. Ning Xihua was not worthy of playing such a good piano!
Originally, the chorus was to wait until the main instrument started before coordinating according to the situation, but Lin Mengli was now burning with anger, and when she saw Ning Xihua's signal, she started playing the prelude of "Ya" without hesitation, taking the lead.
The audience was surprised. They didn't realize that Miss Lin was so competitive.
"Ya" is the most technically difficult piece of qin music, and its melody is magnificent. It is the sound of elegant music that is only played on more formal occasions. Few pieces can surpass this upright sound, not to mention that Lin Mengli's playing skills are extraordinary.
Everyone sighed secretly, it seemed that Princess Yuexi could only be a foil.