Chapter 429: Piano Art
The palace maid carried the guqin used exclusively by Princess Zhaoning. This was another advantage, as people who play the guqin are usually accustomed to their own instruments. If a new guqin is used, it will take some time to adapt to the instrument.
Jian Qingluan naturally didn't bring her zither.
Zhao Ning came prepared, having already chosen a song that was easy to show off her skills but not prone to making mistakes, so when the song ended, there was a flurry of genuine and fake cheers.
Princess Zhaoning stood up proudly. Her maid took the zither away and replaced it with another one, which she placed on the zither stand in the hall.
[There must be something wrong with this harp. It looks like the bride-welcoming envoy will be in trouble today. 】Su Qianqian looked at Zhao Ning’s expression and knew that this was her desperate struggle.
Jian Qingluan sat down calmly, placed her hands on the strings of the zither without plucking them, just pressing them lightly, then smiled slightly and lightly plucked the strings with her fingertips.
There was nothing special at first, as calm as flowing clouds and breeze. Even so, Zhao Ning's expression had changed.
[It's cruel. None of the strings are tuned correctly. It's not easy to play a song. 】Su Qianqian went to eat melons herself and knew what Zhao Ning had done.
But as the sound of the piano became gradually more intense, like the sound of iron horses and golden swords, everyone seemed to have a picture in their eyes, of a general leading his troops into the enemy camp and fighting a bloody battle with the enemy.
Just when everyone was immersed in the fierce and tense battlefield, suddenly there was a sharp cracking sound, which made everyone focus on the piano. They saw Jian Qingluan pulling a broken string and plucking it, which actually produced the sound of a horse neighing, and then she pressed the string and returned to the music.
The sound of weapons gradually subsided, the tattered flags on the battlefield fluttered, and the sad music sounded far away, like a soothing sound or the call of parents, fading away...
Jian Qingluan stopped, stood up and saluted Emperor Gan De: "Thank you, Princess, for the zither. It's just that I am not good at playing the zither and broke the strings. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Only then did Emperor Gan De look seriously at Jian Qingluan and realized that this wedding envoy was no ordinary woman.
"You are welcome, envoy. Your piano skills have reached the level where you can play whatever you want. May I know the name of this piece of music?" asked Emperor Gan De.
"This song has no name, but since Your Majesty asked, I dare not be perfunctory, so I will call it "Military Song". The soul of a soldier who served his country returns home." Jian Qingluan said calmly.
There was a sudden discussion in the hall: "So this is what she just played casually?"
"That's a genius, what's the point of talking about piano skills? He just composed a new piece of music on a broken piano. Our Great Qi has lost so shamelessly!"
"Why bother? It's just a waste of time to stick your face out for someone to hit you!"
…
Those sitting here were not peddlers or hawkers, but important officials above the third rank, which made Princess Zhaoning's face turn pale and blue.
"The envoy who welcomes the bride is indeed a genius and capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility. Come, give my Fengyuanqin to the envoy who welcomes the bride." Emperor Gan De instructed the eunuch as if he had heard nothing.
When they heard that the Fengyuanqin was awarded to Jian Qingluan, some court officials who loved qin felt it was a pity because it was a rare and famous qin, not only a qin but also a priceless treasure.
[In order to maintain the reputation of Da Qi, His Majesty had to reluctantly give up. It turned out that the emperor's mind was beyond the imagination of ordinary people. 】Su Qianqian praised.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Jian Qingluan thanked him and was about to go back, but Princess Zhaoning gritted her teeth and stood up again: "Wait a minute, envoy."
"Princess, do you have any other instructions?" Jian Qingluan asked respectfully.
“Since it is said that the bride-welcoming envoy must be a man of both civil and military talents, why not have him compete in martial arts with Marquis Wuning? If he wins, I will believe that what he said is true.” Princess Zhaoning said with a chuckle.
The hall suddenly fell silent.
Qin Hanzhang led his troops to defeat Daliang and became a hero of Da Qi. If he loses the battle with Jian Qingluan, it will be a loss of face for Qin Hanzhang and his reputation as the god of war and killing will be greatly reduced. But if he wins, then Jian Qingluan's role as the wedding envoy will be questioned again.
In fact, Zhao Ning was clearly taking advantage of a loophole. The bride-welcoming envoy required a talent for both civil and military affairs just to get a good start, just like the best man and bridesmaid at a wedding. How could he expect to defeat a god of war like Qin Hanzhang?
But Emperor Gan De said nothing and turned to look at Qin Hanzhang.
Jian Qingluan said calmly, "What I have learned is mediocre, but I don't mind asking Marquis Wuning for advice. However, it may be unlucky to use force on the day of signing the marriage certificate. If the princess insists on doing so, it will be as you wish."
[Oh, this move is so cruel. She wants to make a fortune no matter what. Princess Zhaoning really has no thoughts before she dies. It's not that she is hated, but that people have to hate her. She has cut off her retreat! 】
Su Qianqian cursed Zhao Ning in her heart, her eyes rolling around, watching how Qin Hanzhang would respond.
"I have never believed in those strange and supernatural things. Marquis Wuning, since the envoys who are welcoming the bride have no objection, you will not help others and destroy your own prestige, right?"
Zhao Ning was still using the method of provoking the opponent. She was convinced that this was a foolproof method. Jian Qingluan was a woman and it was possible that she knew some fancy moves, but it was impossible for her to be better than Qin Hanzhang in martial arts. Her goal would be achieved.
In fact, as long as Qin Hanzhang took action, even if she won, it would be an unfair victory. She would achieve her goal, but Qin Hanzhang would not get any benefits and would even be laughed at.
"Your Majesty, this is a banquet venue. It may be inconvenient to compete in martial arts..."
"It's not a big deal. Please go to the square in front of the main hall. It's spacious and can move around. What's the problem with you guys moving to the front of the hall?"
Qin Hanzhang was interrupted by Princess Zhaoning just as he opened his mouth, fearing that the competition would fail.
"That's exactly what I was thinking. Please welcome the bride-welcoming envoy." Qin Hanzhang stood up and gestured.
[You’re really fighting! Haven’t you fallen into Princess Zhaoning’s trap? 】Su Qianqian’s eyes widened.
Qin Hanzhang seemed to understand Su Qianqian's expression. He turned around and nodded soothingly, then took the lead and walked towards the palace gate with Jian Qingluan.
Below the steps outside the main hall is a square of about 900 square meters. The emperor once held a banquet for all officials here. It is spacious enough.
The emperor and empress took seats on the steps, and everyone else had to stand and watch. Even the eldest princess and the crown prince stood behind Emperor Gan De.
Qin Hanzhang, wearing a purple python robe, stood opposite Jian Qingluan, who was wearing a moon-white robe.
"I've long heard that Marquis Wuning is not only proficient in military tactics, but also has great martial arts skills. Qingluan is fortunate to have learned from him today." Jian Qingluan greeted politely, looking at the face opposite her that looked 80% similar to her own.
"The bride-welcoming envoy, please be humble. I learned the art of killing. A life-and-death battle on the battlefield is not a contest of skills. Please forgive me if I have offended you."
Qin Hanzhang also looked at Jian Qingluan. He naturally heard the system and Su Qianqian gossiping and was curious about the identity of the wedding envoy. That was why he was willing to compete with Jian Qingluan.
"Qingluan respects all the heroes in the Qin family, so I'll take action first. My lord, please." Jian Qingluan said as she kicked up one corner of her robe, caught it with her hand and tucked it into her waist, and did a simple starting posture.
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