After the forty-five girls who were shortlisted stepped off the stage, the five remaining girls naturally stood in a row.
Li Mu raised an eyebrow when he saw Zhou Qi on the stage.
Hello, judges. I am number 46 and my instrument is the violin.
Okay, you can begin now. Everyone else, go and get ready.
The other four performed a courtly ceremony and withdrew.
The first person finished their song, and several judges shook their heads.
The first few were just there to make up the numbers; the only one that was presentable was not presentable in front of the judges.
Next.
A guzheng was placed on the stage, and Zhou Qi was next. It was obvious that Zhou Qi had chosen the guzheng as her instrument.
Zhou Qi walked up with elegant, confident, and noble steps, bowed slightly to the judges' panel, and sat down.
He placed his hands on the guzheng, squinted his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened his eyes to play. He chose one of the most difficult pieces, "High Mountains and Flowing Water."
Four of the ten judges frowned as they listened, including Li Mu, Princess Li Xiaorui, etiquette expert Ji Yuru, and ancient music expert Deng Lao.
The first group finished and all five members stood on the stage. Except for Zhou Qi, whose score was 89, the other four all scored 63.
Zhou Qi was furious when he heard Li Mu announce that his score was only 89. He felt that Li Mu was deliberately targeting him and not giving him a high score.
Zhou Qi was getting angry, and just as Li Mu was about to call the next group of people up, Zhou Qi finally couldn't help but speak up.
Wait a minute, I have something to say. I disagree.
Number 50, you're not going to do anything about it?
I'm not convinced that my score is only 89.
Seeing Li Mufeng's nonchalant and indifferent demeanor, Zhou Qi's temper flared up, and she questioned Li Mufeng sharply.
You're asking me?
I'm asking you this: you must be jealous of me and deliberately targeting me.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's face turned cold.
Number 50, you need to know what you're saying?
The instrument you chose is the guzheng, a classical instrument, and the piece you chose is "High Mountains and Flowing Water," which requires a very high level of skill.
The melody of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" needs a foundation in sound to create a vast and profound natural atmosphere.
Pay attention to the low E tone at the beginning of the piece and the strength of the right ring finger. Secondly, you can use your arm strength to pass through the middle of the register, and then slowly play out the imagery of rolling mountains.
The second section then unfolds at approximately 56 beats per minute, and the musical atmosphere begins to gradually change.
At this point, the focus of the performance is no longer on the mountains themselves, but rather on how to convey the lingering echoes of the mountain scenery...
The timbre is bright and clear, then it develops an echo effect in the mid-range to depict some natural scenes in the mountains, which are very ethereal and dreamlike...
Have you done any of what I've said? You've only played smoothly, but there's no artistic conception whatsoever.
Really? Then please play something that evokes the mood and spirit of the music so I can learn from it.
Seeing that Li Mu didn't move, Zhou Qi sneered, "You don't dare to?"
Is all this empty talk actually a ploy to target me?
It's quite obvious that Li Mu's refusal to play a piece is a deliberate attempt to target Zhou Qi.
I can go up and play a piece called "High Mountains and Flowing Water," but you need to know that every word you say now is a provocation to the judges. If I go up and play a piece that captures the essence of the music, what will you do then?
If Miss Li can bring out the essence of this scene, I'll kneel before you and kowtow to apologize.
Very good, I'll remember your words.
Li Mu rose and gracefully walked onto the stage, lifting her skirt and gently sitting down in front of the ancient town. With her long, slender hands, she lightly stroked the instrument and began to play.
The music is full and bright, and the artist can move freely to reach a wonderful state. The heavenly sound is lingering, poignant, and resonant, captivating the audience and making them feel as if they are there, unwilling to wake up for a long time.
The melody of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" has come to an end.
how?
When Li Mu's voice reached Zhou Qi's ears, Zhou Qi snapped back to reality and looked at Li Mu, whose eyes still held a hint of lingering interest. She subconsciously spoke up.
I truly felt the atmosphere.
After saying that, Zhou Qi was completely sober. Did he really say that? How could he say such a thing?
Since that's the case, then kowtow and apologize.
Li Mu gracefully stepped off the stage and returned to the judges' panel.
Zhou Qi stood dumbfounded on the stage, feeling countless eyes on him, leaving him in a dilemma.
Hurry up, don't waste everyone's time, there are still nine groups waiting behind us.
Li Mu urged impatiently.
Zhou Qi gritted her teeth, knelt down with a thud, and was about to admit her mistake when Li Mu spoke.
Stand up and kneel with reverence? Where have you learned your manners? Kneeling shakily and awkwardly, what kind of decorum is that?
Zhou Qi glanced at Li Mu and then at Li Xiaorui beside Li Mu. He saw Li Xiaorui frowning at him and quickly explained.
She quickly composed herself and knelt down gracefully.
Picking up Miss Li's guzheng made me a little dazed. I was being rude and made a fool of myself in front of the princess and the judges.
Alright, everyone take this as a warning. Next group, please come up on stage.
Zhou Qi looked at Li Mu, who sat there dignified, elegant, noble and aloof, and his eyes revealed an unprecedented hatred.
Zhou Qi secretly vowed to become the king's woman, and the first thing she would do after becoming the king's woman was to crush Li Mu under her feet.
Finally, all fifty candidates had finished their presentations. "Next up is the chess skills," Li Mu said, trying to save time.
The chess demonstration is for Go. Those who know Go should stand on the left, and those who don't should stand on the right.
Your Highness, Miss Li, and judges, is Go the only option?
I know how to play Gomoku, Checkers, Chinese Chess, Ludo, and Chinese Chess. Can't I compete in these games?
The question was asked by number thirty-two, who looked both innocent and somewhat eager.
Everyone present looked at him speechlessly, and several candidates on the stage couldn't help but chuckle.
Li Xiaorui, Li Mu, and the other eight judges in the audience all looked exasperated.
Seeing that the judges ignored her, contestant number 32, her sadness was clearly visible on her face.
Alright, get down here and stop causing trouble. The staff member, looking speechless and disgusted, ushered number thirty-two away.
The Go demonstration was very simple: two players competed against each other, and the winners continued to compete against each other. Although it was very convenient, it still took up a lot of time. Finally, the final winner was determined before noon.
The number one Go player is number 77. Li Mu knows this person. Number 77's grandfather was once a member of the Go Association, so it's not surprising that number 77 can win first place.
Zhou Qi's second-place ranking is also a very good result.
The first morning of the Crown Prince's selection of a consort ended, and Li Mu and Li Xiaorui left the venue side by side, whether by coincidence or not is unknown.
Li Mu happened to bump into Zhou Qi, who also came out.
Your Highness.
Zhou Qi called out to Li Xiaorui.
When Li Mu saw Zhou Qi call out to Li Xiaorui, he spoke to her.
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