Various sarcastic remarks were exchanged during the gala even though everyone was still chatting merrily and joyously at the start, despite the competition. However, everyone’s attention was now focused on the gala. They were all thinking about how they should perform well later and stand out from the rest so as to win the admiration of the owner of Boya Pavilion.
After the snacks and tea were served, the host briefed everyone about the purpose of the gala, as well as the rules that they had to follow. Although the gala had been held a few times before and they were well aware of the rules, it was still their first time attending it, after all.
After the introduction, the owner said smilingly, “You guys shall decide whether the talent showcase happens next, or the showdown.”
As soon as the owner finished speaking, one of the heiresses stood up and said, “I’m not that talented, but I’ve specially prepared myself to perform ‘Pingsha Luoyan’ for all of you. Please guide me along.”
She was going to perform and showcase her talent.
Wen Xinya laughed and thought to herself, They all say that the hunter will shoot the bird that sticks out. This lady is really bold and dauntless, but since she’s ambitious enough to initiate the first performance, she definitely has other tricks up her sleeve.
‘Pingsha Luoyan’ was one of the ten greatest Chinese classics that was usually performed on a zither. The lady who performed it had a precise fingerstyle which allowed her to play the song melodiously. What was rare, was that she added a touch of emotion to it as well. It was no wonder that she was that confident of going first.
Everyone applauded after the song ended.
Before the judges could even make their comments, the lady raised her head and stared at Wen Xinya with a condescending attitude. “I’ve long heard about you, Miss Wen. Since you’ve been taught by your grandfather, Old Mr. Mo himself, I reckon you must be proficient in the four arts. I’m not talented enough. Please guide me along.”
She sounded polite and courteous, but she could not hide her smug arrogance at all. In fact, she sounded like she was humble bragging and trying to provoke Wen Xinya.
As soon as she said those words, the host picked up her teacup and sipped on the tea slowly while the other judges dropped the idea of judging her performance. The heiresses did not expect to be greeted with such a stiff competition right at the start of the gala. Excitement was written all over their faces and they could not wait to see the good show. They would even get to find out more about Wen Xinya.
Lin Yingxin’s lips curled slowly into a smile and she glanced at Xia Ruya subtly. It seems everything was going according to plan.
Xia Ruya then looked at Wen Xinya, who had been challenged as soon as the gala began. It was not exactly a good thing and hence, she wanted to see Wen Xinya’s current expression.
However, she was disappointed. Wen Xinya could still remain calm and composed despite being challenged, and it was as if the person who challenged her was way inferior to her.
Wen Xinya’s nonchalance angered the lady who had challenged her. The lady raised her brows and questioned in a high-pitched voice, “Miss Wen, what do you mean? Don’t tell me, you’re too afraid to take on my request. Could it be that those rumors of you being proficient in the four arts are all just rumors that you started? Are you just a sham!?!”
At this moment, the previously-demure lady had completely shown her true colors and her greed for power and reputation.
The intertwined vines on her beeswax hairband were accompanied with the beeswax leaves near her ear and a row of beeswax beads. Wen Xinya gently fiddled with the beads near her ear and said with a faint smile, “Miss, the song that you performed just now flowed really well and the rhythm is calm, gentle, classic and elegant. It does sound melodious, but the song is about the ambitions of a wild goose. Hence, your playing style seems to have thwarted the significance of the song.”
Pinghshan Luoyan was a song that she frequently played and Si Yiyan would also judge her playing styles and give her some reminders. Hence, the lady had made the wrong choice by challenging her to a showdown.
Wen Xinya’s remark made the lady feel rather indignant and infuriated. “In that case, please perform this piece for us and give me some guidance, Miss Wen.”
Even Grandpa complimented me when I played this song for him and he said that I would definitely outshine everyone else during the gala. Yet, Wen Xinya criticized my playing style for lacking ambition and sounding too mellow. What rubbish is she spouting? Men are supposed to be ambitious. Since I’m a woman, shouldn’t I have a gentle and delicate playing style?
Lin Yingxin cocked her head towards the side to look at Wen Xinya. She said smilingly, “Showdowns during the gala are all voluntary. However, no one has ever turned down an invitation to a showdown. Since Miss Fang is interested in exchanging notes with you, why do you have to be so standoffish, Miss Wen?”
She obviously wouldn’t allow Wen Xinya to turn down a showdown. She was actually waiting to see how capable Wen Xinya really was.
Xia Ruya smiled and said, “Senior Lin, you’re right. Miss Wen may have been taught by Old Mr. Mo, but I heard that Miss Fang is also the student of a zither prodigy. If you two were to engage in a showdown, it’d be a good opening for the gala.”
Although Xia Ruya sounded reasonable, those who knew her would definitely be able to tell the malice in her words. She was just trying to say that Wen Xinya was looking down on Miss Fang and did not wish to compete with her, just because she had been taught by Old Mr. Mo.
In that case, Wen Xinya would have offended all of the other heiresses. After all, none of their teachers were as competent or esteemed as Old Mr. Mo. Since Wen Xinya looked down on Miss Fang, she would definitely look down on them too.
Hence, Lin Yingxin’s and Xia Ruya’s words managed to spark an outrage. “Since you’re here to attend the gala, competition is inevitable. Miss Wen, you don’t have to be such a spoilsport.”
Miss Fang stared at Wen Xinya with a sullen expression and questioned, “Miss Wen, are you unwilling to compete with me because you look down on me?”
Wen Xinya guffawed and said, “Since you’re so insistent on getting tips from me, I shall not stand on ceremony, Miss Fang. Your fingering for the sixth stanza of the song is stagnant and mundane. The turning point is not smooth enough and you played a wrong note at the end of the seventh stanza. The finishing of the ending note is too quick and abrupt.”
Wen Xinya spoke in a warm and mellow tone without a tinge of animosity.
The panel of judges then began applauding loudly.
The owner laughed and said, “Indeed, you’re very sharp and wise, Miss Wen.”
That meant that Wen Xinya’s comment was accurate.
Miss Fang stared at Wen Xinya in shock and astonishment, for she did not even notice the mistakes that Wen Xinya had pointed out.
She turned red with embarrassment. The fact that Wen Xinya could point out the mistakes in her fingering, simply meant that she was worlds apart from Wen Xinya. Hence, she did not have the cheek to compete with Wen Xinya.
She had already lost this round completely and now looked like she had been asking to be insulted and brought the shame upon herself by asking Wen Xinya to compete with her.
