บท 54: The Banquet
Xiong Zhi stared at Xiong Wuyue for a long time.
' Someone asking for a beating...'
Then she smiled.
It was a good thing. She was actually waiting for it. Knowing how she offend Wuyue earlier, for sure that girl would not leave her unscathed.
Xiong Zhi glanced to Linfeng at her side.
"Is everything ready?"
"En. They are all here." Linfeng replied.
"Then let us give them a good show."
' She's asking a show? I'll give her one! '
Xiong Zhi stand up gracefully from her chair.
She smiled (smirked) lightly at Xiong Wuyue first, then faced the elders and the Old Xiong in the front row. She gave a bow and her cool and polite voice echoed.
"Greetings, to the elders and to the guests. I am Xiong Zhi, the young miss of the Xiong Family. I thank big cousin sister-" Xiong Zhi turned to Xiong Wuyue, smiled her practice smile who turned out to be a smirk at Xiong Wuyue.
"---for introducing me and giving me a chance to perform to all of you as the young miss of Xiong. " Then she looked at the guests.
Xiong Wuyue from the side smirked inwardly. She would like to see how this dumb girl would escape in this situation. Since she had someone keeping an eye to this girl she knew that Xiong Zhi don't have a music teacher. Old Xiong was very strict. He just let Xiong Zhi study the etiquettes, literature and academic. If Xiong Zhi wants to study music, she could freely study it if she requested to the Old Xiong. But Xiong Zhi had a timid and silent attitude. She would not strike a conversation first. So,in the end, she haven't studied any instrument.
Thinking this, Xiong Wuyue was confident that Xiong Zhi would be embarrassed today.
' That's what'll you get for embarrassing me! For flirting with Linfeng! '
" So for everyone here, for the 325th anniversary of Xiong Empire, I am honored to perform in front of all of you."
This made Xiong Wuyue look at her in disbelief.
' She would play?! Impossible! '
Old Xiong was also surprised. While the staff was carrying the guzhen in the platform, Old Xiong asked Mr. Zhou who were sitting at his side.
"Does Zhi'er has a music teacher?"
Mr Zhou was a little bit startled. He was the right hand of Old Xiong. So he must know everything inside the Xiong Mansion. But unfortunately, in his memory, Xiong Zhi doesn't have one. So he answer truthfully.
"....from what I know she doesn't have one. But young miss is a genius, she must have learned it herself."
"Then where did she get the instrument?" Old Xiong was not a fun of any kind of entertainment other than go. So the Xiong mansion had no new musical instrument. They had a music room, and the instrument there were in the glass case, because each instrument was hundred years old, the purpose only was to amuse the people not to play with it.
"That...this aide doesn't know..."
"En. It is truly a wonder." Old Xiong looked back at the stage where her granddaughter positioned herself in front of guzhen. Looking at his intelligent granddaughter made the old Xiong felt that this child was mysterious.
In the stage, Xiong Zhi checked the Guzhen first, plucking each string. While doing this, Xiong Wuyue was studying Xiong Zhi's action.
' Does she really know how to play? Or she's just acting? '
After securing that it was in tone, Xiong Zhi's jade like fingers start strumming all the strings. She did it twelve times.
Seeing this made Xiong Wuyue laughed inside.
' So she doesn't know! '
However before she speak it up, Xiong Zhi's right hand fingers start plucking the string of Guzheng. One by one, very fast. Then she used her left hand to pluck the other strings too, slowly, creating a rhythm that made the guest refreshed. Like a spring.
(A/n: the song Xiong Zhi played: Guzhen 'Swordsman' theme song, really good.)
The music was very pleasing to hear. With the breeze of the cool night, with the lights from the red and golden lanterns, and with the simple blue white robe of Xiong Zhi, they were all creating a tranquil and serene atmosphere.
Some of the guests who were not fan of Chinese traditional music were awed and taken a liking to this music piece.
To the elders in front, some were even closing their eyes to become one with the music.
Xiong Zhi skillfully played this piece. Her expression was calm like what she was playing. Some young guests, man or woman could not help but fall for the beautiful scenery in front of them. A beautiful calm girl playing wonderfully with Guzhen. If some butterfly and crystal powder was spread, they would doubtlessly believe she came from the fairy land.
Xiong Wuyue was awed at first by the music, it could actually take one's mind. But she quickly recovered and looked around her. She looked at the expression of the Old Xiong. The Old man was listening with his eyes closed. Seemingly indulging himself in the wonderful music. Xiong Wuyue could not believe what she was seeing. She looked around again and studied the elders expression. Those in front were like Old Xiong, closing their eyes, some had a small smile in their face, they looked like they were enjoying the tranquil melody of the guzhen. Behind them, the guests were amazed and enjoying the music. Some haven't closed their mouth, some were tilting their head, and some were watching and listening intently. All the attention was in the beautiful girl in front.
This made Xiong Wuyue gritted her teeth. That's not what she expect!
She looked at the direction where Linfeng was. But she did not find him.
In the platform, Xiong Zhi's play was becoming slower. Until she plucked each string and in the just one pluck, the song was finished.
All the audience was silent. They were still in daze. Still in the world where the music brought them. The elders who opened their eyes was still smiling. They felt like their age was reduced by ten years. They felt young, refreshed, and their mind was calm. It was a wonderful feeling.
The audience hasn't woken up yet, when one old man who were sitting two chairs away from the Old Xiong spoke to no one.
"What a wonderful piece. This old man was rarely had a piece of mind. It's been ages since I felt young. Haha!" Then he gave a pleasant laugh. His voice was not so loud, but since it was silent all the guest heard it, this made them wake up.
They all clapped and murmured to themselves how beautifully Xiong Zhi played.
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