Part 1: A Dream Within A Dream / Rebirth of Ill Fated Concubine

Chapter 057 Replay

There is no talent requirement, and the men on the Qingsong Boat have no interest in the rabbit lanterns, so this competition is only held among women. The ladies on the Linglong Boat perform what they are good at, and in the end, whoever gets the most praise from the people on the Qingsong Boat wins.

Xu Ruoxi's face flushed red, and she felt a little uncomfortable, but she tried her best to maintain her cold expression: "Since it's a festival, just write a word."

Xu Ruoxi is the daughter of the president of the Hanlin Academy. She is from a legitimate family of scholars and has been immersed in books since she was a child. Her handwriting is quite good. She is still young now. When the maid brought the rice paper and wolf hair, she almost started writing without hesitation.

It is taboo to pause when writing. She wrote smoothly and her expression was extremely focused. Xu Ruoxi herself was born a beautiful girl, but usually she was too arrogant, which made people ignore her facial features. At this moment, she was immersed in the world of writing. She was less cold and hard, and her facial features were only soft, and there was a special softness.

Many people on the Qingsong Boat had already noticed her, and some young men said: "She is really talented and beautiful, and she comes from a scholarly family!"

When Xu Ruoxi put down her pen, the maid showed her written words in front of everyone. It was just a simple "Fu" character, written in a grand and round manner, and indescribably simple and square. It is said that seeing the handwriting is like seeing the person. 

In the last life, she suffered from the Eighth Prince. Jiang Ruan did not believe this now, but after seeing this pair of words, she could not help but praise it in her heart.

Although the handwriting was a bit old-fashioned, it was square and majestic, and it was righteous at a glance. Xu Ruoxi was like this word, a person who dared to love and hate.

Everyone present had read books, so they naturally understood whether Xu Ruoxi's writing was good or not, and they all applauded. Zhao Jin said: "Ruoxi's handwriting has improved again. Looking around, I think only the eighth prince's handwriting can compare with hers in the capital."

"What are you talking about?" Dong Ying'er said with a smile: "Our Ruoxi is a woman, and the eighth prince is a man. When a man is compared with a woman, doesn't the eighth prince have the advantage?"

Everyone laughed again. Amidst the praise, Xu Ruoxi secretly glanced at Qingsong boat again, then frowned and her eyes dimmed.

Jiang Ruan saw it in her eyes. As expected, just like in the previous life, King Jinying was the dream man of the women of the entire Jin Dynasty. Unfortunately, this man was an iceberg who didn't understand romance, and many hearts were misplaced.

Xu Ruoxi returned to her seat. Her behaviour had already attracted the attention of many young men on Qingsong boat, but she was depressed since she returned to her seat. She turned a blind eye to those admiring eyes and failed many good intentions.

After Xu Ruoxi, another noble lady asked with a smile who should be the next one, but with the example of Princess Rongya and Xu Ruoxi, no one wanted to be the one who made a fool of herself.

In the silence, a cautious voice sounded: "Second sister, you play the piano very well, why don't you play it too? Dan Niang really wants to hear you play the lyre."

Jiang Ruan narrowed her eyes slightly and looked at the person who was speaking. Jiang Dan looked at the corner of her clothes anxiously, as if she was a little scared. But she said what she said just now.

Jiang Susu, who was sitting next to her, looked at Jiang Dan with some surprise, and then her face blushed: "Dan Niang, how can I play the lyre?" Her eyes were full of anxiety, and she was as moving as a frightened deer.

"What are you talking about, Miss Jiang?" Princess Rong Ya still smiled: "Everyone knows that you are an unparalleled zither player. Why don't you play a song for us today? Madam Jiang's seven-stringed zither was famous in the capital, but unfortunately we have no chance to see it. Can you play a song today to open our eyes?" 

Xia Yan was also the most talented woman in the capital. She played the seven-stringed zither to perfection. Now she has handed over the skills of the seven-stringed zither to Jiang Susu, who is already famous for her talent. It is undoubtedly icing on the cake. 

Princess Rong Ya is jealous, but she has always been smooth and knows that men don't like to see the hideous look of jealous women. It's better to be more generous. Besides, Jiang Susu's talent is indeed unparalleled. This year's rabbit lantern will fall into her hands steadily. The noble ladies around all echoed, some wanted to watch the fun, some pretended to flatter, and some really wanted to hear what the seven-stringed zither sounded like. 

Wen Feifei frowned and said, "She really can play the seven-stringed harp. Sister Ruan, have you ever heard your second sister play it?"

"I've never heard it," Jiang Ruan said with a smile, "But it should be heavenly music that makes people feel like they are floating in the air."

Lin Zixiang snorted disdainfully, "It's just pretending!"

Dong Ying'er smiled helplessly at Jiang Ruan, and Jiang Ruan did not comment.

It should have been the Lantern Festival a few years later. Jiang Susu's seven-stringed harp was of lofty artistic conception, unparalleled beauty, and really charming. In addition, with her embarrassed foil, the two daughters of the Jiang family, one was as pure as the white snow of the sky, and the other was as dirty as the mud on the ground. Such rumours spread quietly among the nobles in Capital City.

At this moment, Jiang Susu was dressed in white and lightly made up, which made her beautiful face particularly beautiful. In front of the beautiful girls, she had a different kind of purity. She smiled and said, "Since everyone said so, I will show my ugliness, but I just hope I won't pollute your ears."

Her humble attitude immediately aroused everyone's admiration. Then the maid brought a beautiful and valuable seven-stringed zither. Jiang Susu sat down in front of the seven-stringed zither, closed her eyes and began to burn incense.

Everyone on the Qingsong Boat focused their attention on this stunning beauty. Mo Cong pushed Xiao Shao and said, "Third brother, that is the daughter of Jiang Quan's mansion. Now there is no one in the whole capital who can match her talent and beauty. What do you think?"

Xiao Shao glanced at the Linglong Boat, his expression still indifferent. Mo Cong was bored and turned his head to continue watching Jiang Susu's performance.

With a "clang" sound, the sound of the zither broke through the air, like a sharp sword out of its sheath. Jiang Susu opened her eyes, her delicate jade fingers fluttered on the strings, like a white butterfly as white as snow, and the pleasant sound of the zither flowed into everyone's ears. She played a piece called "Youlan".

The sound of the zither was melodious and graceful, flowing without a pause. The more quiet and distant the music was, the more she wore a white dress today. 

In a trance, everyone felt that they saw a pure and elegant orchid in the valley, expressing her faint sorrow and resentment. It made people feel pity.

This song was chosen wisely. On the one hand, it set off Jiang Susu's noble and pure temperament, and on the other hand, it made everyone look up to her. Who doesn't like such a woman who doesn't cause dust?

Xu Ruoxi frowned slightly. Everyone was immersed in the sound of the zither playing Youlan. Only Jiang Ruan was leaning against the window and looking at the flowing water by the river in front of the window.

Jiang Susu was indeed as famous as in the previous life in the capital, but she didn't know whether she could bear such a great praise.

Sure enough, after the song was over, a young man on the Qingsong Boat took the lead in applauding: "This song should only exist in heaven, and it is rare to hear it in the world!

(End of this chapter)

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