The two cousins ​​confronted each other, and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

In their opinion, Zhao Yuanrou had performed this piece of music extremely well. Just as she herself said, the withering and flourishing of the four seasons, and the revival of all things can all be clearly felt from the artistic conception of the music, making people immersed in it.

But Sheng Xiyan said that this was not the case.

Does she think she knows how to interpret this song better than the original author? !

In this case, it is indeed up to Sheng Xiyan to prove herself whether what she said is right or wrong.

Thinking of this, all eyes were focused on Sheng Xiyan, wondering whether she dared to agree.

It's not enough to prove herself by just playing a song. She also has to be better than Zhao Yuanrou and interpret it more perfectly, otherwise it would just be embarrassing.

If she doesn't dare or can't do so, it can only mean that Sheng Xiyan is deliberately making trouble and slandering her cousin.

Everyone had heard about the discord between the two cousins, especially those who were in the left building that day.

"At that time, the two of them were almost about to fight." Qingyue whispered to Zheng Xintong, "It was almost the same as today."

Qingyue sneered, "She must be feeling uncomfortable seeing her cousin win four championships."

Zheng Xintong did not comment: "I'm just curious whether Miss Sheng will agree." Her eyes were bright, as if she was watching the excitement.

Zhao Yuanrou could feel that the atmosphere around her was gradually leaning towards her side. She became more and more confident and calm, and her back straightened even more, just like the plum blossoms outside, which bloomed in the wind without fear of the severe cold.

Wei Yan cleared her throat and said, "Miss Shengda, look..."

This was the question raised by Sheng Xiyan first, so Wei Yan naturally had to ask her.

Cheng Chuyu pulled her sleeve to show her support with her actions. She thought to herself: Sister Yan is wrong, that is definitely not right!

Sheng Xiyan smiled at her, brushed his sleeves lightly, and bowed to Wei Yan, saying, "Mr. Wei, may I borrow your piano?"

What she meant was that she could respond to Zhao Yuanrou's provocation.

There was a faint smile on Sheng Xiyan's lips, and her almond-shaped eyes were bright and clear, without a trace of haze.

Wei Yan thought she had some vision in judging people, and this Shengda girl was not like those who would deliberately cause trouble out of jealousy.

She readily responded, "Miss Shengda, please go ahead."

Zhao Yuanrou smiled coldly, stepped aside and gave up the zither.

She wanted to see what tricks Sheng Xiyan could come up with!

Sheng Xiyan walked out of the flower pavilion, walked along the small bridge to the warm pavilion, and then went straight to the piano table.

She plucked the instrument lightly with her fingers, and melodious piano sounds rippled from her fingertips.

She took a deep breath, her eyes gradually calmed down, and then she sat down.

She placed her ten fingers on the piano, and her index finger plucking the strings first.

The sound of the piano started from a faint sound, which became noticeable and then clear.

The melody was the same as the one played by Zhao Yuanrou, but it was exactly the same piano sound, but under Sheng Xiyan's fingers there were some subtle differences.

"Children's songs..."

Wei Yan muttered to herself.

She closed her eyes and listened carefully. The piano music seemed to transform into a picture in her mind, in which a mother was humming a nursery rhyme, coaxing her child to sleep. A faint warmth lingered in her heart.

The child grew up gradually to the sound of his mother's humming. The piano music became faster and the melody became more cheerful. Wei Yan curled up the corners of her mouth unconsciously.

She thought for a moment, and a hint of contemplation appeared between her brows.

This part should be what Zhao Yuanrou said about "summer", which is hot and scorching, passionate and cheerful. However, when she listened to Zhao Yuanrou's performance just now, she always felt that such passion was a bit too exaggerated, and she thought that she was not good at playing the piano and it was difficult to grasp it. Now, this same melody, under Sheng Xiyan's fingers, came naturally, just like a child growing up, and the growth is full of joy, and those overly exaggerated melodies are like children's laughter.

Then, a rainstorm hit, and the fierce piano music was like a violent storm, tearing apart the children's joy.

Wei Yan tapped her fingers lightly on her knees.

This is the autumn part, as if after a heavy rain, late autumn has arrived and everything is gradually withering.

But in this same melody, Wei Yan heard a sense of sadness. The child who was laughing just now was now crying loudly.

The sound of the piano gradually faded, and an unspeakable sadness lingered in Wei Yan's heart for a long time. She wanted to cry but couldn't. She could only keep it in her heart silently and endure it forcefully until this endurance became a habit.

At the end of the song, a tear quietly fell from Sheng Xiyan's cheek and dripped onto the strings.

Wei Yan also opened her eyes and let out a long sigh that lasted for a long time.

"This song..."

She muttered to herself.

It was obviously the same guqin that was used.

It was clearly the same song being played.

However, what is presented is a completely different artistic conception.

Zhao Yuanrou is spring, summer, autumn and winter, and she is prosperous...

"The name of this song is "Mother." Sheng Xiyan said lightly.

All her emotions had completely gone, and her expression was as calm as before.

"Mother?" Wei Yan whispered these two words.

Indeed, from the song just now, Wei Yan heard a child growing up gradually with the company of his mother from birth, from happiness to despair.

"Ms. Shengda, your mother..."

"My mother has passed away."

Wei Yan nodded silently, thinking: No wonder the piano music ends in an indescribable sadness.

Everyone has come back to their senses by now, and some people still have moisture in their eyes, as if they were just immersed in it and felt something in their hearts.

Is it "The Four Seasons" or "Mother"?

The same melody, due to different interpretations, creates such a different artistic conception.

If others are just listening to the sound of the piano, then what Wei Yan hears is not just the sound of the piano, but the heart of the performer.

indeed.

When Zhao Yuanrou plays, there is a sense of the changing of the four seasons.

However, after listening to the song just now, the so-called "Four Seasons" seems a bit forced and thin. The music in this song is about the growth of a child. Every turning point is so smooth and natural, with a kind of reality that comes naturally. All the changes in the melody are logical and natural.

When the song ends and I think back carefully, this feeling becomes even more obvious.

It’s not “Four Seasons”…

"Sister Yan didn't use the music score." Cheng Chuyu spoke at the right time, interrupting everyone's thoughts.

Everyone was stunned for a moment, and then they realized, yes, Sheng Xiyan just didn’t use the music score!

"Ms. Zhao just said that this piece of music was composed by her, right?" one of the girls couldn't help but ask.

Since Zhao Yuanrou said that she composed the music, then of course she can play it without the music score.

But what about Sheng Xiyan? She doesn't have a score either!

Sheng Xiyan only listened to Zhao Yuanrou playing it once and remembered it all, and even changed the mood of the song?

This is really against common sense!

At once, many people thought of this, with mixed feelings.

This is especially true for Zhao Yuanrou.

Zhao Yuanrou stared at Sheng Xiyan closely, her eyes flickering, her long eyelashes half covering her eyelids, hiding the emotions in her eyes.

"Sister Yan has a really good memory." Cheng Chuyu had roughly guessed what was going on, and said, "She remembered it after listening to it once, but I can't remember it."

She deliberately let out a loud voice, so that it could not only be heard throughout the flower pavilion, but even in the warm pavilion where Zhao Yuanrou and the others were, it could be heard clearly.

Yes, except for a genius, who can remember the whole song after listening to it only once? I'm afraid even Wei Yan can't do it.

So, this song...

Cheng Chuyu clapped her hands and praised: "Sister Yan not only has a good memory, but also has great talent. She actually made the revision much better than the 'original'. I really admire her."

There is something insinuating in what he said.

Zhao Yuanrou endured it again and again, but now she couldn't bear it anymore, and asked with a cold snort: "Miss Cheng, what do you mean?"

"Whatever you think is what I mean." Cheng Chuyu retorted without any fear.

Sheng Xiyan's clear black and white almond eyes fell on Zhao Yuanrou. She looked at her and said calmly and clearly: "The name of this song is "Mother." She paused for a few breaths and added, "I composed it when I was twelve years old. It's not called "Four Seasons"!"

The Xu family has been practicing medicine for generations, but Mrs. Xu has no talent for medicine. Old Mrs. Xu pities her, dotes on her and indulges her. Even if she doesn't want to learn, she will never be forced to learn.

Xu was only interested in the zither.

Old Lady Xu hired a teacher to teach her in Liangzhou. Before Xu got married, her zither skills were quite famous in Liangzhou.

When Sheng Xiyan was three years old, Xu began to teach her to play the piano.

Old Lady Xu once said that her five senses were sharper than those of ordinary people, so her musical sense was also excellent. However, Sheng Xiyan didn't like the zither, and relying on the fact that Lady Xu doted on her, she only learned to play for three days and then dried the nets for two days, and she always cheated.

Later, Xu passed away, and there was no one to teach Sheng Xiyan even if she wanted to learn.

It took her four full years to compose this piece of music, which expresses all her longings.

Sheng Xiyan had never played in front of outsiders before, and she didn't know why Zhao Yuanrou had the music score!

Zhao Yuanrou's face changed slightly, and she snorted coldly and asked back, "Cousin, do you mean that I stole your song?"

"Yes." Sheng Xiyan said it with decisiveness.

"What a joke." Zhao Yuanrou seemed to have heard a big joke, "This is "Four Seasons", not "Mother", you got it wrong."

When others heard this, they couldn't help but whisper to each other and talk about it.

In terms of artistic conception, it is indeed Sheng Xiyan's performance that can touch their hearts more and is more natural, but Zhao Yuanrou is not bad either.

But it seems inappropriate to conclude that the song is sung by Sheng Xiyan based on this alone.

Wei Yan also thought so. It was not fair to judge authenticity based solely on artistic conception and piano skills.

Zhao Yuanrou clenched her fists tightly and pressed her lips into a straight line, as if she had suffered a great injustice and was unable to speak.

Sheng Xiyan was not disappointed.

She knew from the beginning that just a few words from her could not play a decisive role.

And the music score is gone.

After she finished writing, she melted into ashes during her mother's birthday memorial service.

From then on, she never touched Qin again.

"Cousin Rou, since you insist that this is "Four Seasons", then so be it..." Sheng Xiyan seemed to have backed down.

Zheng Xintong curled his lips in boredom and said to Qingyue, "I thought this Miss Shengda was very dignified, but she's just like this..."

Before she finished her words, Sheng Xiyan changed the subject and said, "But, cousin Rou, did you also write the poem "Plum Blossom" yourself?"

She looked at Zhao Yuanrou with a half-smile, and her eyes seemed to be saying: You even copied the music score, including "Plum Blossom". You, the four champions, are just in vain.

Zhao Yuanrou stared at her with cold eyes and said in a cold voice: "Cousin Yan, don't go too far!"

Sheng Xiyan looked calm: "Is it true or not?"

She took a small step forward, just a small step, but it brought with it a kind of oppressive pressure, intimidating without even being angry.

Zhao Yuanrou inexplicably avoided her gaze, and then said, "Of course!"

Sheng Xiyan chuckled and asked slowly, "Cousin, I've always been curious about why your writing style is so varied."

Whether in the previous life or now, all the poems written by Zhao Yuanrou are popular and amazing.

The styles of her poems are so diverse, some are majestic, some are bold, some are sad, and some are diluted...

Even if Sheng Xiyan is not good at writing poems, she knows that most poems are inspired by feelings, and the poet's temperament and mood will have an impact on the poems he writes. However, Zhao Yuanrou was able to write poems of so many styles at the same time.

Especially in the last "Swordsman", Zhao Yuanrou said that he was inspired by "House of Flying Daggers".

In her previous life, she clearly wrote this poem when she was sending Zhou Jingxun off to war, and she was also "feeling something in her heart".

Being ambushed from all sides is the tragic end of a hero.

Sending your husband off to battle should be a way of welcoming his triumphant return and giving him blessings, right?

Sheng Xiyan couldn't understand why these two things could give her the same feeling and even the poems she composed were exactly the same.

However, the poems she wrote have never appeared before. Since she said she wrote them, we can only believe that she wrote them.

But this piece of music today was clearly composed by herself, and Zhao Yuanrou justifiably claimed it as her own! Until now, she has not felt guilty or remorseful at all.

To be so shameless, he might be a habitual offender!

She can occupy her own music score, and maybe she can also occupy other people's poems!

Sheng Xiyan calmed down and said, "My cousin's "Plum Blossom" today really left me wanting more. Would you like to write another one to broaden my horizons?"

Zhao Yuanrou looked at her deeply, with heavy eyes.

She had no choice but to retreat now. If she took even a step back, Sheng Xiyan's accusation would be confirmed.

Sheng Xiyan chose to embarrass her at this time only because she felt dissatisfied when she saw that she won four first places.

Yes, Sheng Xiyan has a good fortune and a good family background, and she always acts superior. How can she prove that she is better than her?

Zhao Yuanrou said provocatively, "It's fine to write a poem. How about my cousin and I each write one?"

Sheng Xiyan pretended to be silent, then nodded: "My cousin is famous for her talent, I am far inferior to her, why don't you give me a few points and let me set the questions."

Zhao Yuanrou said readily, "Okay."

When it comes to poetry, she never gives up; this is her confidence.

Zhao Yuanrou smiled and said, "Please ask the questions, cousin."

Sheng Xiyan said slowly: "The topic is war."

war.

This is not a common question and is very difficult.

They were all ladies from noble families who had never experienced war, let alone been on a battlefield. Even though Cheng Chuyu had been to the northern border, which was protected by the Zhenbei Palace, war was too far away for her.

If you don't have any feelings, how can you write any tragic and majestic sentences?

Many people felt that Sheng Xiyan was deliberately trying to make things difficult for Zhao Yuanrou.

Zhao Yuanrou's face was firm and confident, and she agreed without thinking.

Her unyielding attitude, without a trace of guilt, made people wonder: Maybe the music score was a misunderstanding. These two people are cousins, and they must visit each other often. It is normal for them to compose a song or play the piano together. Now that things have gone wrong, it is possible that Sheng Xiyan deliberately made things difficult for them.

Sheng Xiyan bowed to Wei Yan and said, "Please lend me your writing brush and ink."

Wei Yan: “…”

She thought for a moment and asked the maids to prepare writing materials.

The maids first removed the guqin and guqin table from the warm pavilion, then placed two desks there, laid out paper, ink, and inkstone, and then quietly retreated to the side.

The two men each had a desk, standing back to back.

No one hesitated or thought about it, and it was all done in one go. The speed at which the poem was composed left everyone dumbfounded.

Zhao Yuanrou has always been very good at composing poetry, but I didn’t expect Sheng Xiyan to be just as good.

Soon, the two of them composed a poem each. After they finished playing the poem, the maid was about to hand it to Wei Yan when someone came over and whispered a few words to Wei Yan.

Wei Yan frowned slightly, and went to the Queen Mother's flower pavilion holding the two poems in her own hands.

"Show me." The Queen Mother waved to her.

The Queen Mother had been watching the excitement for quite some time, and the development of the situation had aroused her considerable interest.

"Wei Yan, have you read it?" the Queen Mother asked, "How is it written?"

Wei Yan said, "To answer the Queen Mother, I haven't seen it yet."

Before Wei Yan had the chance to unfold it, she took it.

The Queen Mother nodded and said, "Then you read it to me and let me hear it."

As soon as these words were spoken, several ladies present felt that something was wrong. Was the Queen Mother treating Wei Yan like a maid?

Wei Yan was neither arrogant nor impatient. She took the top one and began to read: "A red horse is newly saddled with a white jade saddle, and the moonlight is cold after the battle on the battlefield..."[1]

There were four sentences in total. After she finished reading them, she savored them carefully and secretly admired them in her heart. It was really impressive that such heroic, vigorous and magnificent sentences could come from a woman who had never been on a battlefield.

Not only Wei Yan, but even the Queen Mother showed admiration and nodded repeatedly, saying, "I will bring it to the Emperor later."

The Queen Mother asked, "Which one?"

At this moment, everyone has already determined in their hearts that the other song is definitely not as good as it.

Wei Yan unfolded another piece of rice paper and read: "The chestnut horse is newly equipped with a white jade saddle..."

Her voice suddenly stopped, and after a few breaths, she said, "It's the same later."

This means that the two poems are exactly the same.

This is impossible!

Everyone couldn't help but say this, and Wei Yan asked the maid to help her spread the two poems out on the desk.

The Queen Mother walked to the desk and examined it carefully. Every word and sentence on it were exactly the same. If it weren't for the different handwritings and the fact that she saw the two of them writing with her own eyes, she would have thought that they were working together to play a trick on her.

"This……"

Just now, these two people played the same song.

And now, they have done the same poem again.

Although people don't say it, they all have a complex and subtle feeling in their hearts.

The Queen Mother said expressionlessly, "Go and call them over."

Wei Yan winked at the maid, and soon, Sheng Xiyan and Zhao Yuanrou came over led by the maid.

The Queen Mother had always disliked the two of them, and now she felt that she had been tricked. She raised her hand and slammed the tea table, splashing the tea. She asked, "What do you mean by this?"

Before Zhao Yuanrou understood what was going on, Sheng Xiyan said, "Queen Mother, I read this poem in an ancient book."

Her eyes swept across the two pieces of rice paper on the desk and her mind calmed down.

She looked at Zhao Yuanrou with a smile and asked, "Cousin, did you also read it from that 'ancient book'?" She put emphasis on the word "ancient book".

Zhao Yuanrou had a bad feeling in her heart, but she didn't show it on her face. She asked directly, "What ancient book? I wrote this poem. First it was a music score, then an ancient book. Why did cousin Yan rush to force me?"

What she meant was that Sheng Xiyan was deliberately tormenting her and making things difficult for her.

However, as soon as she finished speaking, Zhao Yuanrou noticed that everyone else was looking at her with strange expressions.

She realized she might have said something wrong.

Wei Yan sighed and confirmed again: "Ms. Zhao, this poem was really written by you."

"I..." Zhao Yuanrou gritted her teeth and said, "Yes."

Wei Yan asked: "Then why are the two of you writing exactly the same?"

Zhao Yuanrou's pupils shrank sharply, he couldn't believe it.

How is this possible!

She rushed to the desk and saw the one written by Sheng Xiyan at a glance.

Exactly the same.

Except that Sheng Xiyan used hairpin-flowered small regular script, every word and sentence above was so familiar, and there was no difference from what she wrote.

impossible!

How could Sheng Xiyan know this poem? This is absolutely impossible!

Sheng Xiyan looked at her firmly, without any unnecessary change in her expression.

There are no ancient books that prove that this poem was indeed written by Zhao Yuanrou, but it was written by Zhao Yuanrou in his previous life. At that time, Zhou Jingxun returned from the expedition with a great victory. On the day of welcoming his triumphant return, Zhao Yuanrou composed a poem in front of the city gate.

This poem has won praise from many people, and many scholars and scholars have even called it a masterpiece that will be remembered forever!

Sheng Xiyan chose war as the theme of the poem just to try and see if Zhao Yuanrou could write an identical poem now that his mood, feelings and age are completely different.

And in fact, she actually did it.

Exactly the same!

"Cousin Rou." Sheng Xiyan raised the corners of her mouth and said affirmatively, "All those poems of yours were plagiarized!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhao Yuanrou's face immediately turned pale and her fingers clenched into fists unconsciously.

Sheng Xiyan had been staring into her eyes, and Zhao Yuanrou's reaction told her that she was not wrong.

These poems were definitely not written by Zhao Yuanrou!

Just like the music score, it belongs to other people!

"You're talking nonsense!"

Zhao Yuanrou held her breath and spoke through gritted teeth.

"Cousin Rou," Sheng Xiyan said with a smile, "We may have 'picked up' the same ancient book. There are many poems on it. Can I read a few more to you?"

Sheng Xiyan ignored Zhao Yuanrou's ugly pale face and continued to say with a forced expression, "Live as a hero and die as a ghost hero."

"When the golden wind and the jade dew meet, they surpass all the things in the world."

“Don’t wait until your hair turns grey and you become filled with regret.”[2]

…

Sheng Xiyan recited slowly, word by word.

Zhao Yuanrou stood there, her thin figure seemed like a fallen leaf in the cold wind that would be blown away by the wind.