Undoubtedly, the enchanting woman being referred to is none other than the leading courtesan of Miaoyu Lane, Qin Xian'er.
As Lin Wanrong gazed upon the silhouette of Qin Xian'er, a faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Every courtesan, by nature, avoids revealing her countenance easily, playing with an air of mystery and ambiguity. This strategy is essential to captivate more attention. Engaging in business with Lin Wanrong, the techniques of hype and allure were not foreign to him.
Qin Xian'er remained silent, delicately plucking at the strings. Soon, a sound reminiscent of celestial melodies emanated, gradually approaching from a distance. Initially soft, like a mountain spring trickling down, it then condensed, resembling the fine rain of early spring. Upon attentive listening, the ethereal music seemed to carry a peculiar enchantment, swirling above like a dance and whispering in the ears, enveloping one in intoxication.
"At the edge of the Long River, as the sun sets by the river, the sight of misty waves spans the horizon for a long while.
Gazing at the desolate pass, a thousand miles of clear autumn, the eyes linger.
In the distant divine capital, a beautiful fairy remains elusive, the embroidered letters never coinciding.
With geese flying away, gently descending on the sandy isle, thoughts linger.
Reflecting on the past, how many secluded joyous gatherings;
Little did we know, parting would be hard to predict, turning into regrets and sorrows.
Hindered from pursuing joy.
Every ascent of the mountain or approach to the water stirs up lifelong memories, a dissipation of gloom, days of speechlessness, descending from the tower."
A delightful female voice emerged, clear and gentle, as if narrating the inner thoughts of a young girl, tender and graceful, expressing the melancholy in the verses vividly.
This is a poem composed by the renowned Song Dynasty poet Liu Sanbian, titled "Song of the Jade Flute." Liu Sanbian, a prominent figure in the poetry and music of the previous dynasty, referred to himself as "Commissioned to write lyrics, Liu Sanbian," dedicating his lifetime to lyric composition and self-styling as a "White-robed Minister." His poems are lingering, enchanting, and represent the epitome of the lyrical genre.
As Qin Xian'er sang this poem, accompanied by the melodious tunes, the sentiment became even more profound, as if carrying an indescribable sorrow, merging seamlessly with the realm of the poem.
Within Miaoyu Lane, the once bustling crowd fell into extreme silence. After Qin Xian'er concluded her song, everyone remained immersed in the beautiful atmosphere, reluctant to snap back to reality.
Cheng Ruinan and Luo Yuan, the two young noblemen, stared blankly at the charming figure behind the bead curtain. Their faces were filled with admiration. Turning to look at the young master Guo, who was still dazed, they couldn't help but feel disdain, resembling a pig-headed brother lost in daydreams.
Even the introspective servant girl, possessed by the enchanting performance, couldn't extricate herself. After a long while, the extraordinary youth finally sighed, "Hearing this song today, the strings have not been contemplated for years. If this Qin Xian'er is not the person I seek, becoming sisters with her would still be a marvelous affair."
Among this group, the most astute was undoubtedly Lin Wanrong, the lowly servant.
For Lin Wanrong, accustomed to electronic synthesized music, the vocal and instrumental performance of Qin Xian'er, while artistically refined, seemed a bit monotonous.
Observing the young master's infatuation and the unsatisfactory performance of the young master Guo, Lin Wanrong recalled receiving forty taels of silver for the task of drawing Qin Xian'er's attention.
As Qin Xian'er finished her song and gracefully rose, an attendant lifted the bead curtain, revealing a countenance of unparalleled beauty.
With her dark hair elegantly coiled, jade-like face, rosy cheeks, almond-shaped eyes, and cherry-like lips, clad in simple attire yet radiating an ethereal glow, she walked with the grace of a slender willow in the wind. Her captivating gaze seemed to hold a mysterious charm, compelling people to look again and again. In the hall, both men and women were captivated, their attention completely drawn by her.
Qin Xian'er covered her lips, chuckling softly, and spoke in a tender voice, "I am Qin Xian'er. I am honored to meet you."
The gentleman called Luo Yuan was the first to react. Lightly patting his folding fan, he proclaimed, "I am Luo Yuan, and I have the pleasure of meeting Miss Xian'er."
"I am Cheng Ruinan, and I extend my greetings to Miss Xian'er," added Cheng Ruinan, eager to speak after Luo Yuan.
"I am Liu Gengsheng, and I greet Miss Xian'er."
As dozens of young nobles vied to pay their respects to Qin Xian'er, Lin Wanrong urgently patted Guo Wuchang's back, urging him to speak. However, Guo Wuchang, in his daze, couldn't produce a coherent sentence. Frustrated, Lin Wanrong muttered to himself, "This young master has no spirit at all."
With a resounding crash, Lin Wanrong, feeling discontented, grabbed a teapot from the table and hurled it to the ground.
A loud bang echoed like thunder, immediately diverting the attention of Qin Xian'er and the young nobles towards them.
Seeing the collective gaze focused on them, Lin Wanrong gave Guo Wuchang a heavy pat on the back, stood up confidently, and greeted, "Lin San, a lowly servant from the Xiao family, on behalf of our young master Guo Wuchang, extends greetings to Miss Qin."
As Guo Wuchang felt the pain and regained consciousness, he wiped his mouth and stammered, "Miss Qin, I, I—"
The audience burst into laughter at his stuttering. Qin Xian'er smiled at Guo Wuchang and said, "This must be Young Master Guo. I am pleased to meet you."
Qin Xian'er was perceptive enough to discern the dynamics between master and servant. After exchanging pleasantries, she turned to converse with the other gentlemen.
Cheng Ruinan, seizing the opportunity, exclaimed, "Miss Xian'er, your previous song was like being on a cloud, like sipping sweet nectar. Your celestial grace and divine skills are truly admirable. Rui Nian is deeply enamored."
Qin Xian'er modestly replied, "Sir Cheng, you are too kind. Xian'er's proficiency with the zither is but a trivial skill. It is far from the grandeur of Cheng Sir and Luo Sir's discerning eyes. This art of playing the zither is merely a small trick, unworthy of the refined taste."
Qin Xian'er's demeanor exuded a subtle pride, and her words, coupled with her enchanting expressions, left a lasting impression.
Cheng Ruinan praised enthusiastically, "Miss Xian'er is too modest. Not only does she possess the appearance of a celestial being, but the perfection of the song 'Song of the Jade Flute
' is unparalleled. I have never heard such a wonderful piece. Miss Xian'er can truly be called a master of the present age."
"Young master exaggerates." Qin Xian'er replied humbly, but a hint of pride lingered on her face. In terms of zither skills alone, she could indeed be considered peerless.