a childlike heart
The hall was packed with people, each standing in their assigned place. At this moment, there were sixty-four people gathered in the hall.
A Qiu, Shangguan Yuqi, Pei Yu, Fan Liancheng, Sun Neiren, Xue Hongbi, Cui Luzhu, and Zhang Exu were all at the head of each row, each leading a team of seven people behind them, all intently waiting for the sound of the flute to begin.
Xiao Chang'an raised the purple bamboo flute to his lips and smiled, "Everyone, get ready."
His fingers gently touched the body of the flute, pressed the holes, and blew the first note.
When the sound of the flute begins, it is as if gorgeous, soft feathers are floating up, or as clear spring water is flowing gently through the hall.
The first thing that came to A Qiu's mind was a phoenix roosting on a paulownia branch, awakened by the first rays of morning sunlight, gently preening the feathers on its wings with its beak, and then spreading its wings and swooping down to seek out the bamboo seeds and dew in the forest.
The phoenix soaring into the morning glow is dazzling, its five colors reflecting each other, transforming the entire mountain forest and the banks of the springs into a peaceful and serene paradise.
Everyone's heart was touched by this gentle and beautiful sound. Even soldiers who had fought on the battlefield for many years lost their competitive spirit and were filled with longing for a paradise on earth free from war and strife.
That is the spiritual haven that everyone longs for, a place free from violence, hatred, and greed. Only the heavenly sounds of bamboo and the cries of phoenixes.
Because the movements of the "Shao" dance are not complicated, A Qiu can immerse herself in the world of music and move her hands with the feathers as she feels. She feels herself melt into the spring breeze-like flow of sound, completely forgetting herself, feeling relaxed and peaceful, and her body and mind are relaxed and comfortable.
The ancient dance postures she had seen in the murals and the figure of the God of Liyang appeared vividly before her eyes with ease.
This is a dance that carries on the past and opens up the future, inheriting the bloodline of the Chinese nation, connecting with the spiritual source and homeland of the rule of virtue and culture.
The sound of the flute was melodious and gentle, and when the last note faded away, even Xiao Chang'an's face showed a look of disorientation.
His hand holding the flute remained suspended in mid-air, not retracting for a long time.
Everyone seemed to awaken from an ancient and distant dream, and all felt a sense of sudden realization.
For a long time, the hall remained quiet, as the peaceful and serene atmosphere from before had not yet dissipated.
An Daoling stroked his beard and smiled, "This is your first public performance of the 'Shao' music in Chang'an. What are your thoughts?"
A Qiu gradually came to her senses from the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of the music. Seeing Xiao Chang'an's stunned expression, she realized for the first time in her life the power of music to soothe the mind, change temperament, and transform customs.
Humans are always altered by the stimulation of their five senses. A fondness for fine clothes, delicious food, and the thrill of hunting stems from the stimulation of sight, taste, and movement. The love of power, however, lies in a more subtle, underlying pleasure. Conquest, slaughter, oppression, and control can all bring pleasure, even if that pleasure is not wholesome.
But refined music can penetrate the depths of the heart like a gentle spring breeze, soothing the soul. It makes one realize that superficial stimulation is merely physical pleasure, while the feeling of the soul being gently awakened and nourished resides in a more ancient and mysterious realm.
Xiao Chang'an's expression changed several times, and he was speechless, as if he couldn't say anything.
This was truly an unheard-of extraordinary event. Xiao Chang'an's eloquence and persuasive skills were no less than Gongyi Xiu's. He was also a highly perceptive and articulate person; no matter how difficult the question, it shouldn't stump him, let alone the fact that An Daoling was merely casually inquiring about his feelings.
He couldn't answer, but An Daoling understood his feelings. He smiled and said, "Are you surprised that when you practiced 'Shao' with me at the Music Bureau before, you didn't feel such a great shock and surprise when you heard the tune you played?"
Xiao Chang'an then suddenly realized what was happening and immediately bowed, saying, "That's right! Back then, I also felt that its melody was simple and beautiful, with a sense of remoteness and solemnity, but it didn't evoke the same strong feeling from my heart as it does now. Please tell me, Master, why is that?"
An Daoling pointed to the dance troupe and said, "Look at these dancers again; they are even more awe-inspiring than you are."
Xiao Chang'an looked at the Divine Hound Camp warriors behind the group of eight as instructed, and found that they all had extremely admiring expressions on their faces. Moreover, their gazes were not entirely directed at him, but rather at the four people from the Music Bureau: Lady Sun, Xue Hongbi, Cui Luzhu, and Zhang Exu.
Xue Hongbi, however, was puzzled and asked, "Why are you all looking at us like that?" She then added defiantly, "We dancers have been watched since we were little, so we have nothing to be afraid of being watched."
A Qiu coughed lightly and said, "Uncle Xue, these soldiers admire you dancers from the Music Bureau for being able to so accurately feel the spirit of the elegant music contained in the 'Shao'."
She was so engrossed in her dance that she didn't have time to look at others, but she guessed that among everyone present, only these four from the Music Bureau truly understood the ancient spirit of the Shao music.
Because they have been involved with music since childhood, they have a unique and profound understanding of how to make the spirit of music flow from their hearts.
Although their cultural level was not high, the era in which the "Shao" was formed was precisely the era of primitive people who were ignorant and simple. In other words, those who could best understand the "Shao" were those with a pure and innocent heart.
As for the rest, such as the soldiers of the Divine Hound Battalion, although their movements were well-practiced, just like when they trained as soldiers, their hearts had been filled with sensual pleasures and competition among themselves in their early years, so they could not naturally express a pure and joyful feeling.
A Qiu, Shangguan Yuqi, Pei Yu, and Fan Liancheng are all ambitious and magnanimous individuals. Although they are far more worldly and experienced than the courtesans, they lack the pure hearts of the courtesans.
What art needs most is a heart that is pure to the extreme.
Whether it was Xue Hongbi, Sun Neiren, Cui Luzhu, or Zhang Exu, they all showed expressions of bewilderment. For them, understanding music and dancing along was the most natural thing. They had been doing this all their lives and did not feel that there was anything particularly admirable about it.
An Daoling smiled and said, "That is the reason. The music of Shao is the music of the pure and natural heart. If people's hearts resonate with it, its infectious power will become stronger. And the more people involved, the stronger this transformative power will be. This is the origin of the elegant music that purifies people's hearts and teaches through music, and it is also the reason why it is used as sacrificial music."
Xiao Chang'an murmured, "It's really strange. I have learned a lot of music, including many of them that are elegant and profound. Pieces like 'Youlan Cao' and 'Guangling San' are among the best. But there has never been a piece like 'Shao' that made me feel like the whole world was different."
An Daoling said with delight, "This is the charm of the national music, and not all music can reach such a height. As the music of a nation, 'Shao' embodies the hopes of the entire country and nation for peace. It is where the hearts of the people are and what everyone hopes for. Therefore, its appeal and the power to unite people's hearts are the strongest."
In truth, A Qiu never understood why An Daoling, such a virtuous and wise elder, would insist on having Xiao Chang'an under his tutelage and imparting all his knowledge to him. Wasn't he worried about nurturing a potential threat to the Southern Dynasty?
But at this moment, she also understood somewhat. An Daoling's state of mind was probably similar to Gu Yi's; he cherished talent and hoped that through his accumulated knowledge and influence on Xiao Chang'an's character, he could gradually change Xiao Chang'an's temperament.
Pei Yu was moved and said, "This is the true use of music and dance, and a great use at that. It is used to change customs and cultivate people's hearts, which is more important than the use of the army on the battlefield."
As she spoke, she walked to A Qiu's side, and couldn't help but pat her shoulder and say with a smile, "The Grand Master of Music has a long way to go, so please be sure to win this battle."
General Fan Liancheng also said: "An army can kill people and conquer cities and territories, but it cannot win people's hearts and minds. If all you know is how to kill, the end result will be endless revenge and bloodshed between nations."
After Generals Pei Yu and Fan Liancheng finished expressing their thoughts, the officers of the Divine Hound Battalion in the hall looked at Sun, Xue, and the other three, as well as A Qiu, with a completely different gaze. What was initially just a momentary admiration for their fluid movements had now transformed into heartfelt reverence.
It is likely that no matter what path one pursues, if one is devoted to one thing throughout one's life, it is difficult not to be respected.
A round of applause came from outside, and then Crown Prince Xie Tiao entered with a smile, followed by a eunuch carrying a zither case, who had come to accompany the music of "Shao".
Behind him followed another person, none other than Gongye Fusu, whom he had not seen for many days.
Xie Tiao saw that A Qiu was already there, gave her a wink, and then smiled and said, "It seems I am late. Please continue, everyone. If you need me, just say the word." He then pointed to Gongye Fusu behind him and said, "This performance of 'Shao' and 'Wu' will also require the preparation of special incense. Therefore, I invited the head of the Gongye family to come and watch our performance so that he can have inspiration for developing the incense formula."
But from the look Xie Tiao had just given her, A Qiu immediately knew that he was asking her how the arrangements for Shangguan Yuqi's meeting with Huli Guang were going.
She immediately returned the gesture, indicating that she had not yet asked, and at the same time whispered to Shangguan Yuqi beside her, "I have something to discuss with you, Miss. Please come this way."
A Qiu led Shangguan Yuqi out of the practice hall and onto the side corridor. They heard the zither and flute playing again in the hall and fell silent for a moment.
After a moment, it was Ah Qiu who broke the silence and spoke first: "There is something I would like to ask Miss for help with."
Shangguan Yuqi remained calm and composed, saying indifferently, "I knew it a long time ago, it was just a matter of when you would say it."
A-Qiu exclaimed, "When did you find out?"
Shangguan Yuqi glanced at her and chuckled, "I knew it the moment you entered this Tai Le Shu courtyard. You looked so preoccupied, completely lacking the smug satisfaction one would expect from someone in power. And then you told me you'd protect me." She paused, then finally said, "Things must be complicated. How could they possibly stump our young master's successor like this? Why don't I try to guess?"
A Qiu was taken aback by Shangguan Yuqi's understanding and was speechless. She stammered, "Then please guess, Miss."
Shangguan Yuqi said as if reciting a familiar story: "You just finished dealing with the Divine Hound Camp, so you shouldn't have any worries. But you immediately went with the Crown Prince to the post station where Huli Guang of the Northern Qiang was staying. So, your worries must have been caused by this Huli Guang. He must have made some difficult demands of us, right?"
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