Chapter 5 Betting
Lu Yu, who was labeled as a fool, just happened to walk over.
"Second Miss Xu, talking about others behind their backs, is that what you're taught at the Prime Minister's Mansion?"
Lu Yu walked between the two of them and stood in front of Jiang Ran, obviously intending to protect him.
Xu Qingwan stared at him blankly, her face flushed red. She was caught speaking ill of others and felt very embarrassed.
"Get out of the way. What does this have to do with you?" Jiang Ran took a step aside, fearing that he would be misunderstood.
Lu Yu felt an inexplicable stab in his heart. When had she ever been so distant from him?
It seems that he is really angry this time.
"It was my mother who made the marriage proposal with the Xu family. I really had no idea about it."
"This is not what I meant. Jiang Ran, can you please trust me for once?" Lu Yu stretched out his hand to hold her hand, but Jiang Ran dodged it.
It turns out that they have already discussed marriage.
No wonder I suffered this unexpected disaster today. It makes me feel sick for no reason.
Jiang Ran thought about it and found it strange. In the past, he never complained during arguments, and she never felt tired of finding excuses in various ways.
Now that he has a mouth, it sounds rather noisy.
She glanced at Lu Yu with cold eyes, "You don't have to explain to me, I don't care about Mr. Lu's private affairs."
"Please don't interrupt me and Miss Xu."
Lu Yu was stunned, a look of dejection on his face, and he raised his hands as if to grasp something. He felt like he was about to lose something very important.
No matter how close they are, there is always a barrier between them, as if no matter how hard they try, they can't go back to the way they were.
He wanted to persist, but the inquiring eyes of the people around him made him feel uncomfortable.
Before they knew it, the onlookers had formed a circle.
Xu Qingwan was already furious at this time.
Her mother had just told her the day before yesterday that the Lu family was interested in a marriage, and she praised Lu Yu to the skies, even hinting that he had already set his sights on her.
Xu Qingwan had no doubt at all. She was confident that anyone would choose her over Jiang Ran.
Although Lu Yu cannot be compared with Lu Weiqing, he is considered to be the best among his peers. Apart from having more romantic debts, his family background, cultivation and knowledge are among the best.
If he becomes the top scholar next year, clears up his debt of love, and gives her mistress dignity, she might consider this marriage.
But now Lu Yu embarrassed her in public, and he stood up for that idiot Jiang Ran. She couldn't tolerate this no matter what.
"Jiang Ran, you ignorant idiot, what can I say to you?"
Xu Qingwan was so angry that her voice was trembling.
Jiang Ran looked at her distorted expression and said calmly, "Idiot? How about we have a fight? Whoever loses apologizes to the other. Then yell 'I am an idiot' three more times."
“Hahahahahahaha…”
Xu Qingwan laughed so hard that she fell backwards, raising her voice exaggeratedly: "You? You want to compete with me."
Her little followers also started to make a fuss, with voices of contempt and ridicule.
"Don't dare?" Jiang Ran was not affected at all and just stared at Xu Qingwan.
Xu Qingwan said sternly, "What am I afraid of? Let's compete. You decide what to compete for. I want you to lose sincerely."
Jiang Ran smiled slyly, "Then I won't be polite."
"Whoever can name one thing they can do that others can't, wins. That's what we're competing for."
"Okay, let's compare this."
"How do we judge it?" someone nearby asked.
“If the people present can’t do it, or don’t do it as well as they should, then it’s considered valid.”
Xu Qingwan pondered for a moment, and seeing Jiang Ran's confident look, she didn't dare to be arrogant.
"I play the piano. If no one here can do better, I win, right?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of discussion came from the crowd.
Everyone knew that the second daughter of the Xu family had studied under a renowned qin master. Two years earlier, she had distinguished herself at a palace banquet with her rendition of "Three Variations on the Plum Blossom," earning her a reputation as the finest qin player in Chang'an. Her initiative to challenge her to a duel was somewhat unfair, and unremarkable.
Xu Qingwan was also a little uncomfortable, her face flushed, but she couldn't lose, nor could she afford to lose, not to mention that it was not shameful to want to win.
She asked someone to bring the zither, and as expected, it played the piece "Three Variations on Plum Blossoms." This piece uses objects to express feelings, comparing the pure white, fragrant plum blossom that defies frost and snow to praise people with noble qualities.
When the song ended, many people looked amazed.
Xu Qingwan has her own unique way of handling the overtones in the piece. This qin piece is adapted from a flute piece, but it retains some of the original meaning, which is refreshing.
Seeing everyone's performance, Xu Qingwan was already 90% confident. She stood up and bowed, asking, "I'm just throwing out some ideas. I'd like to ask if anyone would like to challenge me."
All those present were rich ladies, and most of them had learned to play the zither, but only a few were confident of surpassing Xu Qingwan. Even if they had a chance of winning, they did not want to offend her and bring disgrace upon the Prime Minister's Mansion.
For a moment, no one responded to the challenge.
"Then I win?" Xu Qingwan looked at Jiang Ran with a smug look on her face.
She wanted to see what Jiang Ran was capable of.
Jiang Ran didn't have time to give her a look at this moment, as he was bargaining with Xu Roujia in a low voice.
"Once, twice, twice is okay."
"When I get home, my mother will definitely punish me by making me kneel in the ancestral hall. I might not even get to eat. Will you come to see me?"
"Of course I'll see. I'll ask Jiang Chuan to bring you food."
"Three times, three times, okay? Please, good Rourou, Rourou, you are the best."
Xu Roujia was so disappointed with Jiang Ran that she pinched the soft flesh on his cheek and walked forward slowly to fight him.
"Miss Xu?" Xu Qingwan was a little surprised. "You want to challenge me? You didn't bring your zither with you. Do you need to send someone back to get it?"
Xu Roujia smiled and sat down on her piano stool. "No need. Can I borrow Miss Xu's piano for a moment?"
Xu Qingwan gritted her teeth, almost losing control of her expression. She thought she could beat her with her piano? Xu Roujia really didn't take her seriously.
"Please." She paused for a long time before answering.
After getting permission, Xu Roujia concentrated for a moment and began to play the piano.
She played the song "Yangguan Sandie", which goes like this: "I urge you to drink another cup of wine, for there will be no friends west of Yangguan."
She adapted the music based on the guqin score, repeating one tune three times, adding chants with a hint of frontier culture, and using interludes to simulate the sounds of clashing weapons.
It not only expresses the sincere care and remembrance for friends at the time of parting, but also incorporates the heroic spirit of "iron horses and golden swords, and the courage to swallow up thousands of miles like a tiger".
Before the song was over, Xu Qingwan's face turned pale.
She failed, whether in terms of intention, structure or technique, she failed.
Xu Roujia finished steadily and stood up to salute.
The audience was stunned for a long time until Jiang Ran took the lead in shouting, and then there was a burst of praise.
After this battle, the title of Chang'an's best zither will probably change hands.
Xu Qingwan's eyes were red, her blood was boiling, and she almost vomited blood.
"I'm not as skilled as you, I give up." She said through gritted teeth.
"Jiang Ran, it's your turn. What do you want to compete in?"
She added, "If there's anyone here who's better than you, we'll be tied."
Xu Qingwan was anxious, and all modesty and reserve were thrown out of her mind, with a look of dissatisfaction written all over her face.
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