The youth's voice wasn't loud, but, the scholars that were pushing and shoving were instantly taken aback. They felt as if they had suddenly choked on a mouthful of chilli water. Their throats and hearts burned like fire.
"Inner quality?!"
"Court her favour?"
Their intentions were pointed out in front of everybody, furthermore, it was in the face of a beautiful woman that could collapse an entire nation. All of the scholars felt as if their tails had been stepped on!
Then, the youth's behaviour diverted the awkwardness in their hearts, because, if they really had to choose who truly lacked inner quality, this youth would definitely get all the votes.
Furthermore…
Most importantly, that "balls… balls!", what was the meaning of that?
Could he at least quote some classics? Or stop the crowd with his strength and powers? As a scholar, how could he actually say such vulgar words, furthermore, it was right in front of such a beautiful woman. This brought absolute disgrace to education.
Ashamed to be associated with him!
The awkwardness within the hearts of the scholars turned into anger flowing out of their bodies. But, today was the Hundred Flower Gathering, emphasising on art, not combat. Moreover, if they really fought, it would only serve to confirm the youth's words.
"Hmph!"
A few of the scholars who had already reached the stage placed the flowers in their hands into the basket and quickly returned to their original seats. Except, when they walked past the youth, they couldn't help but to huff coldly.
"Thank you young masters for your affection. Yun Qingwu will now perform The Reeds and Rushes." Yun Qingwu bowed once again towards the scholars, her expression seemed to not have changed a lot.
Hearing Yun Qingwu's words, the crowd of scholars instantly began to quieten.
The youth's eyes closed slightly, a hint of a smile appearing once again at the edges of his mouth. Looking at Yun Qingwu's gaze that was calm as the autumn's water, he seemed to be pondering over something.
On the other hand, Yan Xiu's expression was still ice-cold as before, except the Golden Bone Silver Thread Fan on his hands began to fan a little more anxiously.
A guqin was carried out by the two ladies behind her dressed in golden long skirts. They lifted it to the back of the high stage, and Yun Qingwu slowly sat down behind the guqin.
Her slim, pale fingers plucked the guqin lightly.
Music that was as beautiful as flowing water begin to sound out. The entire Hundred Flower Gathering had become completely silent. Everybody stared intently at Yun Qingwu's movements.
"Thick grow the rush leaves;
Their white dew turns to frost.
He whom I love
Must be somewhere along this stream. "
"I went up the river to look for him,
But the way was difficult and long.
I went down the stream to look for him,
And there in mid-water
Sure enough, it's he…"
"..."
The sound of the guqin was like water, both music and song were beautiful. To be able to be described as a woman of wonder in this era, not only did she have to possess an amiable personality, but more important, required great musical talents.
Every single word was absolutely crisp, every tone was sweet-sounding to the ears.
As the sound of Yun Qingwu's guqin began to play, the ladies in green dresses also began to dance, occasionally coming together to form a blooming flower, and occasionally coming together to form the ripples of flowing water…
Every scholar was mesmerised by the scene in front of them, completely intoxicated by this incomparable music and dance. All of their eyes were filled with enchantment, indulging themselves in the most beautiful sounds of the world.
The youth also quieted down, carefully listening to Yun Qingwu's voices, and didn't make a further sound.
On the other hand, Yan Xiu remained seated on his chair as usual, his expression calm, lightly fanning himself. It seemed as if he was listening, and at the same time also seemed like he wasn't.
The song ended. The guqin stopped.
Yet, the lingering sound continued to echo throughout the air.
Nobody knew how much time had passed before the scholars finally snapped out of their mesmer.
"What a beautiful piece!"
"The piece was beautiful, the person even more so!"
"To have listened to Yun Qingwu's piece, I am willing to live ten years less…"
The crowd of scholars began to use the best praises they could think of to express their deep emotions. There were even scholars who began to stir, preparing to hand over the poems that they had already written to win a smile from the beautiful lady.
"Huai An Meng Residence, Meng Yushu. Having heard such divine music, I am extremely grateful. I wish to leverage on this opportunity to play a piece together with lady Qingwu, what do you think?"
At this moment, wearing a yellow embroidered robe, Meng Yushu finally walked out from the crowd. Accompanied by a few bodyguards, he arrived below the stage.
When the scholars heard Meng Yushu's words, they instantly began to swear silently.
Meng Yushu didn't offer pearls, nor offer jades, nor offer poems, yet he wanted to play a duet with Yun Qingwu. It was obviously to win her heart, what a brilliant move.
But, this move was still rather despicable.
Considering Yun Qingwu's temperament, it was naturally hard to decline in front of everybody.
This way, he would have a huge advantage. To be able to play a piece with Yun Qingwu, this honour and glory would definitely give him something to talk about next time.
As the scholars thought about this, Yun Qingwu stood up slowly, her expression calm as water.
"Since Young Master Meng is so defined, Yun Qingwu won't refuse. But, I had already played the piece The Reeds and Rushes, if I played the same genre of songs, I am afraid the rest of the scholars might lose their interest. But, I have an ancient piece Surrounded on All Sides here, if young master can play it together with these two maids by my side, Qingwu would naturally play a piece together with young master."
Yun Qingwu's voice was crisp and clear, neither harsh nor vulgar, neither advancing nor retreating, yet, when her voice landed, Meng Yushu's face instantly changed.
He only wished to leverage on this advantage today to ensure that Yun Qingwu wouldn't be able to object. If he really had to play a piece on the stage, it would only be playing for fun, even though it wasn't as if he completely didn't know how to play, but if it was an ancient piece...
He would definitely be a huge disgrace.
Meng Yushu instantly felt an urge to jump into the River of Trust.
He couldn't advance, but he also couldn't retreat.
Agree?
The other party would only let her two maids play the guqin with him, if he really could play the piece, Yun Qingwu would perform a duet with him. But what if he couldn't play it?
Then he would be a big joke in the Hundred Flower Gathering.
Meng Yushu didn't speak, but the scholars who had cursed silently at him had guessed what he was thinking as well, and began to snicker.
"Young Master Meng, play a piece!"
"Yeah, Young Master Meng!"
"Let me see how good Young Master Meng's guqin skills are!"
In front of beautiful women, there would definitely be a mysterious force that made some scholars who originally wouldn't dare to open their mouths muster their courage, even if it was only to be noticed by the beautiful woman, or, even just glanced at.
Meng Yushu's expression changed from red to white, then back to red. His legs moved. He wanted to walk forwards, but ultimately resisted the temptation. Finally gritting his teeth, he waved at Yun Qingwu.
"Even if they are only Lady Qingwu's maids, I believe they had the fortune to be infected with Lady Qingwu's divine voice. If I managed to match their standards today, I believe it wouldn't be good! Let's leave it at that then!" Meng Yushu didn't wait for Yun Qingwu to speak and instantly returned back to his seat like he was escaping.
Just like a gust of wind.
"Thank you, Young Master Meng, for your modest decline! Yun Qingwu represents my two maids to express my gratitude!" Yun Qingwu seemed to have felt everything was expected, and instead, holding on to the two maids beside her, bowed slightly towards Meng Yushu.
When the scholars witnessed this scene, they once again swore silently at Meng Yushu for being able to escape so fast. He ran once he realised things weren't going well, yet he still sounded so dignified and pompous. He was indeed a scoundrel!
But, after Meng Yushu's experience, those scholars who stubbornly wished to try to win this beautiful woman's heart and unveil her veil began to worry.
Even Meng Yushu was defeated. Who else in this place would be able to unveil Yun Qingwu's veil?
All of them were hesitant, looking around at each other.
Right at this time, a rather indolent voice suddenly sounded out.
"Beauty Yun Qingwu?"
The scholars were taken aback, thinking who else had decided to bring shame to himself. Then, they realised where the sound came from. It was the youth sitting beside Yan Xiu.
"Country bumpkin!"
"He really wishes to unveil Yun Qingwu's veil?"
"With his capabilities?"
The scholars felt that he was simply despicable. Yun Qingwu had traversed the Great Xia Dynasty and experienced God knew how many storms. The Northern Desert, the Southern Nation, the Western Liang and the Eastern Metropolis, yet, not a single scholar had ever caused her heart to waver.
A country bumpkin, what abilities could he have?
At this moment, Yan Xiu's gaze shifted to the youth beside him, the look in his eyes having a hint of change for the first time. But it was only change, very quickly, it disappeared and returned back to normal.
The youth on the other hand seemed to have simply not heard the discussion going on around him. Standing up from his seat, he casually walked towards the stage.
The blue coarse robe flapped slightly in the gentle wind.
"Turns out that it's young master, Yun Qingwu greets young master once again!" Watching the slowly approaching youth, Yun Qingwu's expression seemed to have not changed much. Lowering her head slightly, she gave a gentle bow.
"Today, I made a bet with the person just now whose name was Meng Yushu!" The youth walked in front of Yun Qingwu, his jet-black eyes silently staring at the beautiful woman in front of him.
"This bet that young master made, is related to Yun Qingwu?" Yun Qingwu didn't seem surprised at all.
"Exactly!" The youth nodded.
"Yun Qingwu brazenly takes a guess, this bet young master made with Young Master Meng, is about who can unveil this veil from Yun Qingwu's face?" Yun Qingwu's expression was calm as water.
"Smart!" The youth nodded again.
"Since this is the case, young master must definitely be an outstanding person. Even though Yun Qingwu is untalented, I still wish to invite young master to teach me!" Yun Qingwu bowed once again.
"Alright!" The youth experienced the faint yet delicate fragrance emanated by Yun Qingwu's body, and similar took a bow towards Yun Qingwu.
Then…
Extending his hand, a piece of black cloth ended up on his right hand.
"Actually, I prefer things to be a little simpler, a little more direct!" The youth looked at the cloth on his hands that was still slightly warm, and then gave a radiant smile towards Yun Qingwu whose expression was completely stunned.