"Is this... the legendary ’Phoenix Cry’ ancient qin?" Upon seeing the ancient qin placed before Yang Mengchen, the oldest judge suddenly stood up, his voice trembling as he asked.
Yang Mengchen smiled and nodded.
She and Wende had celebrated their grand marriage, and her master had gifted her this ancient qin. It was said that the renowned music master Xiao Yaozi happened upon a deep mountain by chance during a late autumn when a sudden wildfire broke out. Xiao Yaozi originally wanted to avoid it but suddenly heard a strange sound. Driven by curiosity, he followed the sound and found that it came from an unburnt piece of ancient fir wood, which he then rescued.
Xiao Yaozi crafted a seven-stringed qin from the wood based on its length and shape, producing a sound akin to the singing of a phoenix, hence the name ’Phoenix Cry’.
This ancient qin was famous throughout the world for its pleasant tone and unique making. After Xiao Yaozi’s death, the qin also disappeared from the public eye.
Not until over three hundred years ago, did the predecessor of her master’s wife come to possess this ancient qin through a twist of fate, and since then it was treasured and passed down through generations on Purple Cloud Mountain, unbeknownst to the world at large.
Now that her master had passed it to her, she cherished it in her treasury, and she wouldn’t have taken it out if she hadn’t failed to find another qin that suited the song in her heart.
"It really is the ’Phoenix Cry’ ancient qin!"
Many in attendance had heard of this ancient qin and had thought it merely a legend. To see it with their own eyes naturally filled them with rapturous joy, especially several well-known judges from the music field, each with stars sparkling in their eyes, visibly excited.
Long Xuanmo coldly swept his gaze over everyone, particularly a few judges, "Start the competition."
A piercing look passed over, and everyone couldn’t help but shiver, silencing the entire competition venue instantly.
In his hand, Long Xuanmo held a xiao, while Chu Dieyi stood gracefully before a large drum. As Yang Mengchen’s qin music began, the two coordinated with her implicitly.
Yang Mengchen’s lips moved, emitting a clear and bright voice like a lark singing, which reached every corner of the competition grounds (Yang Mengchen secretly used her Inner Strength), "Beacon fires light up, looking north across the mountains; dragons rise, horses neigh longingly, the sword’s essence cold as frost... Mighty Dong Chu shall invite the four directions to celebrate!"
Their first collaboration was seamless. Yang Mengchen’s singing was resonant, Long Xuanmo’s xiao carried a lingering melody, and Chu Dieyi’s drumming was commanding. Especially that song’s lyrics, which made everyone’s blood boil with excitement.
Particularly the soldiers within and without, by the third time Yang Mengchen sang, couldn’t help but hum along. Eventually, everyone had tears in their eyes as they sang out loud. At that moment, they deeply understood the soldiers’ loyalty, bravery, sacrifice, and tragic valor... At that moment, most of them genuinely admired Prince Chen and Princess Chen and were willing to follow them. The atmosphere at the scene was intense and spirited.
In the rare unity of all, the Emperor was moved and also felt incredibly proud, spontaneously clapping along with the beat.
Everyone followed suit with applause.
Even though Prince Duan and Prince Jing were furious, they too had to keep the beat. They could clearly sense that, after this event, even more people would support Prince Chen, especially those soldiers.
As the song ended, Long Xuanmo, Yang Mengchen, and Chu Dieyi were about to bow and take their leave when the soldiers maintaining order suddenly shouted in unison.
"Long live the Emperor, may he live forever!"
"A thousand years to Prince Chen, a thousand thousand years!"
"A thousand years to Princess Chen, a thousand thousand years!"
Soon ministers, scholars, and even some ladies joined in chanting the slogans. Even Prince Duan and Prince Jing had to shout along perfunctorily, as the resounding voices surged like waves, pushing the atmosphere to a new climax.
The envoys from the three nations looked on with somber expressions, and from Long Xuanmo and Yang Mengchen, they recognized Dong Chu’s strength and dominance, which set them thinking deeply.
Qi Zonghao and Qi Qiuxin, siblings, fixated their gazes on Yang Mengchen, one with burning admiration, the other with envy and bitterness in their eyes.
"Princess Chen, please grace us with one more song!" someone shouted loudly.
Immediately after, the crowd echoed the sentiment in unison.
"It’s getting late, there are more contests to come, and everyone should go eat after watching the competition to avoid getting too hungry, which wouldn’t be good for your health," Yang Mengchen said with a smile, "If there is time, I’ll write down some songs I know, then everyone can share and sing them with each other. What do you say, is that good?"
Princess Chen not only humbly sought their opinion but also cared for their well-being by offering to share songs with them. The crowd was deeply moved and readily agreed, while also advising Princess Chen to take good care of herself.
The song contest concluded unsurprisingly with Yang Mengchen’s victory, Princess Feilan in second, Hai Ruofeng in third, Princess Yashuang in fourth, Qi Qiuxin in seventh, and Su Manru third from last.
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