She lowered her eyes, seemingly deep in thought.
The audience couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"What's wrong with Miss Xin?"
"With Miss Xue's outstanding talent preceding her, she is probably worried."
"If that's the case, then we shouldn't go on stage. Now we're in a dilemma."
"Perhaps she's resentful. She used to always say that her zither skills were the best in Yingzhou, how much she looked down on people. Now let her see what it means to be outshone."
Meanwhile, some busybodies patted Xie Sanshao on the shoulder.
"Brother Changjing, isn't this Miss Xin, the one you're talking to about marriage?"
Xie Changjing scoffed, and upon hearing everyone's speculation that Xin Xiyao had no real ability, he suddenly felt somewhat embarrassed.
"What marriage proposal? I'm not good enough for that."
As everyone was discussing, the strings of the zither were suddenly plucked slowly, and the zither music began to play.
Liu Qi recognized the tune first and paused, then exclaimed, "Isn't this the song Xue Yingxue just played?"
As the music grew louder, the others also recognized it.
"Miss Xin actually played the same piece as Miss Xue!"
"Wasn't that piece written by Miss Xue? How come she can play it too?"
"What a coincidence! I never expected to have such a good show to watch while I was at the Spring Banquet."
Xue Yingxue's expression was somewhat stiff, but she felt relieved when she remembered what Qi Huaiyu had said to her earlier.
The piece was indeed given to her by Qi Huaiyu, but he had inquired and found that no one else besides the servants in the courtyard had heard it when Xin Xiyao played it, and no copy of the sheet music had been kept.
Even if Xin Xiyao claims she did it, she can't provide any evidence, especially since I've already taken the initiative.
The music faded to a very gentle phase, and Xin Xiyao played with a melodious and calm tone.
Xue Yingxue listened calmly, her confidence growing stronger.
She has always been confident in herself. When her family was still alive, she was well-read and learned a lot. Moreover, musical skills are related to a person's comprehension. How could her vision be compared to that of Xin Xiyao, a young lady locked in her boudoir?
Sure enough, people around them began to compare them.
"She sounds no different from Miss Xue."
"I really don't understand why Miss Xin has to play the same piece again. It's so boring."
Xue Yingxue curled her lips into a smile, but suddenly felt a gaze on her. She then realized that she was bound to attract attention, so she raised her hand to applaud Xin Xiyao in order to hide the smile in her eyes.
Just as I raised my hand, I suddenly heard someone behind me say "Huh?"
"The flow here seems different from what Miss Xue played just now."
As soon as she finished speaking, Xin Xiyao's fingers slowly stopped, and the music gradually faded.
The next moment, she raised her hand again, suddenly plucked the strings, her fingers flying, and the sound of the zither pierced the sky with a sharp force.
"The tune has changed!"
Unlike the melancholic and gentle melody that had just captivated the listener, Xin Xiyao's next piece was powerful and majestic, each note like a sharp sword, yet sometimes like pearls falling onto a jade plate, making the listener tremble involuntarily and evoking a sense of awe.
Immediately, no one in the audience made a sound.
When the music ended, no one spoke for a long time.
Unlike the stunned silence of the crowd, Xin Xiyao showed no emotion after playing a particularly intense piece. Her eyes held her usual arrogance as she stood up, gave a slight bow, and then had her instrument taken away and left the stage.
It wasn't until her graceful figure returned to the table that everyone remembered to applaud, and thunderous applause erupted.
"good!"
One of the young masters stood up excitedly, exclaiming, "I have never heard such a magnificent piece of music before! It is comparable to the Battle Formation Music of the previous dynasty!"
"I never expected that Miss Xin, with her elegant demeanor, would also possess such an imposing presence!"
"Wasn't she playing the same piece with Miss Xue? Why is there such a big difference in the later parts?"
"Now that I listen to it, it doesn't seem like Miss Xue played a complete piece."
"Yes, yes, yes. Although the first part was amazing, it felt like something was missing. With Miss Xin's addition, it's complete!"
"I think Miss Xue is not suitable for this piece. Even if we only consider the first part, Miss Xin's skill is better."
Xue Yingxue's expression gradually froze.
Suddenly, someone asked curiously, "Wasn't this piece supposed to be composed by Miss Xue? Why does Miss Xin know how to play it?"
"Perhaps it was given to her by Miss Xue?"
"But why did Miss Xue give Miss Xin the complete sheet music, while she only played the first half herself?"
Yuan Xiaoshi had already discerned the clues in the two pieces of music, and she deliberately asked Xue Yingxue loudly:
"Miss Xue, did you really compose this piece?"
Xue Yingxue's face stiffened, and she subconsciously searched for Qi Huaiyu in the crowd.
But the other person sat silently in the men's section, not even glancing at him, clearly intending to stay out of it.
Instead, Young Master Chen stood up and loudly proclaimed, "Miss Xue is exceptionally talented; it must have been her who did it!"
"Then why did Sister Xin play it more completely?" Yuan Xiaoshi asked. "Why don't we let Miss Xue tell us herself who composed the piece?"
Xue Yingxue unconsciously clenched her fists, her back straight and stiff.
She could have insisted that she composed the music, but who would have thought that Xin Xiyao had another part to it!
If she continues to be stubborn, they will definitely make her play the second half again, but how could she possibly play it?
Left with no other choice, she had to make a decision.
Xue Yingxue slowly adjusted her expression, stood up and said, "I obtained this piece by chance. At the time, I did not know who the composer was. I had always longed to learn from him and wanted to discuss it with him, but I never expected it to be by Miss Xue."
She smiled slightly at Xin Xiyao, "Miss is a woman of great talent."
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