Chapter 478 Stunning
At first glance, Concubine Shu's words seemed to be advising Lu Xiang not to overestimate his abilities, but upon closer listening, it turned out to be a provocation.
If she refused, others would think she was incompetent.
But if she agreed, she would be ridiculed if she didn't play well.
From the beginning to the end, Concubine Shu was certain that she could not play the piece "Gao Shan Liu Shui".
Not only Concubine Shu, everyone thought so, otherwise Chu Pan'er would not have set this trap for her on purpose.
Lu Xiang's heart sank slightly. This way of performance was suggested by Liu Anhui, and it was obvious that Liu Anyao had set a trap for her. Empress Yao was the emperor's favorite queen, and since her death, anything related to her was a taboo that could not be mentioned by anyone.
Her song "High Mountains and Flowing Water" became famous all over the world, but no one dared to play it over the years. Not only because they could not play out the essence of Empress Yao and did not dare to imitate her, but they were also afraid that if they played it badly, they would humiliate Empress Yao and anger the Emperor.
Lu Xiang didn't want to be in the spotlight, and subconsciously wanted to refuse.
However, before she could speak, Concubine Xian rebuked Chu Pan'er in an unhappy tone: "Pan'er, don't make trouble. It is so difficult to play the music of high mountains and flowing water. Not everyone has the talent like Queen Yao."
Chu Pan'er was not annoyed. She twisted her head and gave Concubine Xian a glare, pouting her lips and saying, "Mother, I am not kidding. I heard Lu Xiang say with my own ears that she could play Gao Shan Liu Shui when I attended the banquet earlier. Moreover, the handwriting on this note was clearly from her hand. I am just doing a favor."
The voice of the coquettish woman is soft and delicate.
No one heard the vicious voice in her heart.
Empress Yao is extremely important in his father's heart and no one can blaspheme her. If Lu Xiang fails to play the song "High Mountains and Flowing Water", he will be dead today.
"Your Majesty..." Queen Song's eyes tightened, and she opened her mouth to speak for Lu Xiang, but she was interrupted by the Queen Mother as soon as she opened her mouth.
"Oh... Miss Lu San is so confident?" The Queen Mother looked at Lu Xiang and chuckled, "I hope she is not blindly arrogant."
Emperor Chengde looked at Lu Xiang expressionlessly, making it impossible to tell what he was feeling at the moment.
"I haven't listened to it for a long time. In that case, please play a song."
Queen Song's heart suddenly sank.
Chu Jinyan looked at Lu Xiang with dark eyes, trying to comfort her and tell her not to panic, but unexpectedly Lu Xiang gave him a reassuring look instead. Her beautiful eyes were full of confidence, which made Chu Jinyan stunned for a moment.
Is Lu Xiang going to play High Mountains and Flowing Water?
Chu Jinyan was confused, but saw determination in Lu Xiang's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he did not speak.
She never fights a battle without confidence, maybe she can really surprise him.
After thinking about it, Chu Jinyan relaxed.
Moreover, Chu Pan'er was deliberately making things difficult for me. Wouldn't it mean that I was afraid of her if I lost without fighting?
At worst, if something goes wrong, he will clean up the mess.
Lu Xiang walked into the hall under the gaze of everyone. Some were expectant, some were nervous, and some were gloating as if they were watching a good show.
Although her father is now the Minister of Works, he is from a small place after all. What knowledge can he have? I am afraid that she thought she could play the music just because she heard a piece of High Mountains and Flowing Water. There are countless daughters of noble families in this palace who grew up in the capital. No one dares to pat their chests and say that their piano skills are comparable to those of Queen Yao back then, and that they can play High Mountains and Flowing Water.
Someone had already set up the zither in the hall. Lu Xiang sat down, plucked the strings lightly with his fingertips to test the sound, then took a deep breath and began to play calmly and gracefully.
The sound of the piano was lingering, long and soothing. In an instant, the entire hall suddenly became quiet. Everyone stared at Lu Xiang in disbelief with eyes wide open, full of astonishment.
"This... is truly the sound of flowing water in the mountains. Her piano skills are not inferior to those of Queen Yao back then." Someone began to discuss in a low voice with the people around him.
"Of course I am. When I first heard it, I thought I was back to the moment when I heard Queen Yao playing the piano."
"This little girl from the Lu family is really not simple!"
"No, it sounds a little different to you, doesn't it?"
“…”
"Eh, it's really different. Did she change the music?"
"You can't say it's changed, it just has a different flavor. Not only is it not abrupt, but it's even more amazing."
"This is incredible, this is incredible..."
Chu Pan'er's originally sneering expression suddenly changed, and Liu Anyao, who came up with this idea, stared at Lu Xiang in disbelief, his hands clenched into fists under the table, his long nails almost digging into the flesh.
How is that possible?
How come Lu Xiang can play High Mountains and Flowing Water?
As the legitimate daughter of a minister, she had been taught music, chess, calligraphy and painting by famous masters since childhood. Even she couldn't play the "High Mountains and Flowing Water" instrument, so how could a country bumpkin like Lu Xiang be able to play it?
Although she had never heard Queen Yao play "High Mountains and Flowing Water", but from the emperor's slightly nostalgic look she knew that Lu Xiang played well.
Damn it.
He wanted her to anger the emperor, but unexpectedly, he gave her the opportunity to show off.
However, who would have thought that the Lu Xiang in front of her was reborn. With the memories of her past life, she would naturally not be stumped by Liu Anyao's move.
In her previous life, in order for Xiao Muheng to be valued by Chu Jinyan, who had become the crown prince, she had tried very hard to get to know Queen Yao. She had even painstakingly studied the incomplete piece of music, High Mountains and Flowing Water. She was afraid that completely replicating Queen Yao's piano skills would be boring and would cause resentment between the Emperor and Chu Jinyan. So after many attempts, she came up with the current slightly modified piece of music, High Mountains and Flowing Water.
After being reborn, the only one who has changed is her; the emperor is still the same emperor. If she could satisfy the emperor then, she could certainly satisfy him today.
Chu Jinyan had never heard the "High Mountains and Flowing Water" played by his biological mother, but he was immersed in the sound of Lu Xiang's piano. There was surprise in his cold eyes. He gazed at the beautiful figure in the center of the hall, his heart full of tenderness.
Lu Xiang is like a treasure. Every time I think this is her most amazing side, I can find other surprises when I dig deeper.
Chu Chengli stroked the wine glass in his hand, his dark eyes staring at Lu Xiang without blinking, a strong desire for possessiveness rising up uncontrollably in his heart.
Shen Jingshu beside him turned her head as if she sensed something, and the weeds of jealousy continued to grow.
When the song ended, there was a long silence in the hall. No one was yet immersed in the beautiful sound of the piano until Lu Xiang stood up and his clear and pleasant voice sounded. Only then did everyone come back to their senses.
"Your humble servant has failed me, and I forgot the Queen Mother, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty, please forgive me."
Emperor Chengde came back to his senses after a while. He looked at Lu Xiang with satisfaction and clapped his hands: "Good, I haven't heard such a pleasant song for a long time."
It is a memory, but it also relieves his longing for love.
Yin'er's music of high mountains and flowing water has always remained in his memory. Now, hearing it again, even if it is not played by the same person, it makes him feel fulfilled.
As soon as Emperor Chengde clapped his hands, the whole hall suddenly burst into applause.
"Your Majesty is too kind. I have always admired Empress Yao's musical skills. Her piece "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was famous all over the world, and I have always longed to learn it. However, I am stupid and have only learned the basics. I am grateful to Your Majesty for not giving up on me." Lu Xiang bowed and said.
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