Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 122 - : Embarrassment, Getting Slapped in the Face
Chapter 122: Chapter 122: Embarrassment, Getting Slapped in the Face
Even if those noble girls didn’t want to watch Murong Jiu, they couldn’t help but fix their gaze upon her.
After her birthmark was gone, not only was her appearance pleasing, her skin also became delicate and fair, unmatched by anyone present.
The dress she wore was even more luxurious, clearly bestowed by the Emperor, a rare and precious material that even the Fifth Princess had never worn.
It was said that in recent years, Prince Ling had received many awards, mostly gold, silver, and precious calligraphy, but the rewards he requested from the Emperor were all women’s clothing, fabrics, and jewelry.
Looking at the clothes and accessories on Murong Jiu, it was clear that Prince Ling had used all these on her.
To say they weren’t envious would be impossible, and it was precisely because of this that they hoped Murong Jiu would embarrass herself later.
By comparison, they would feel less upset.
“Which piece does Princess Consort Ling wish to play? Would you like Sister to accompany you?”
At this, Murong Man asked very considerately.
It was as if she feared Murong Jiu would not play well and wanted to subtly help her to avoid too much embarrassment.
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Everyone thought in that manner and felt that Murong Man was too kind.
But Murong Man knew very well that Murong Jiu could not possibly have learned to play the zither. If she had, could the servants in the countryside not have heard the sound of the zither?
Murong Jiu must be jealous of her own playing, merely wishing to emulate her unsuccessfully.
If she were to accompany her, it would be perfect to highlight her own zither skills against Murong Jiu’s clumsy playing, gaining her a moment of glory.
She surmised that Murong Jiu would not refuse.
She guessed right, Murong Jiu did not refuse, nodding and saying, “Since sister wishes to play together, how about we play ‘Guangling San’?”
“‘Guangling San’?”
Murong Man’s voice became a bit sharp due to surprise.
Has she gone mad? She dares to play ‘Guangling San’ with its notorious difficulty?
If ‘Flat Sand and Wild Goose’ is of intermediate difficulty, then ‘Guangling San’ can be considered of extreme hellish difficulty, ranked among the most challenging classical zither pieces.
Even the renowned zither masters in the Capital City find ‘Guangling San’ highly challenging, sweating profusely after a performance, not to mention numerous mistakes.
And who is she, Murong Jiu, to compare with Capital City’s masters?
Murong Man herself only knew a little, having practiced for months without being able to play it completely.
Not just Murong Man was shocked, who present wouldn’t know about ‘Guangling San’?
As soon as Murong Jiu spoke, everyone thought she must be joking.
But Murong Jiu sat down in front of the Lv Qi, gently caressed it and even tested the sound.
If it were not known that she couldn’t really play the zither, Murong Man might have been deceived by her.
But if Murong Jiu wanted to bring hardship upon herself, Murong Man certainly wouldn’t stop her.
She said softly, “Ninth Sister, I can play a bit of ‘Guangling San.’ If you wish, Sister will definitely help you, though…”
“Sister Man, if the Imperial Sister-in-Law wants to play, let her play. We really wish to see how skilled she is with such confidence!”
The Fifth Princess spoke loudly, waiting to see Murong Jiu embarrass herself.
Murong Man could only nod softly, “Very well then.”
After speaking, she also sat next to Murong Jiu.
Even though her beauty was eclipsed by Murong Jiu, and her complexion was haggard, Murong Jiu would only shine for a brief moment. Soon everyone would know that Murong Jiu was just an empty, pretty vase.
Murong Man was only familiar with the beginning of ‘Guangling San.’ She said, “Ninth Sister, let me help you start.”
As she spoke, she didn’t wait for Murong Jiu to respond, and immediately began to play.
Guangling San, being a renowned piece, was not just challenging, but also pleasing to the ear and highly ornamental.
Murong Man had played very well initially, earning nods of approval from everyone.
When it came to a smoother part, Murong Man signaled to Murong Jiu, “Ninth Sister, it’s your turn.”
Murong Jiu began to play.
It sounded quite ordinary, but Murong Man was quite surprised; she had expected Murong Jiu to be terrible.
Even so, compared to her own playing, it was vastly inferior.
With the difficulty of Guangling San, Murong Jiu couldn’t keep up after a while.
Thinking this, Murong Man played even more vigorously, outperforming her usual level and completely overshadowing Murong Jiu’s music.
The audience could only hear her music, and given how thrilling and moving her performance was, in contrast, Murong Jiu seemed even more mediocre. They thought that Murong Jiu might as well not play at all; otherwise, she would surely be distracted and hit the wrong notes, affecting Murong Man’s level.
However, just when people thought Murong Jiu was holding them back, Murong Man started to falter. Despite the cool weather, sweat formed on her forehead, soaking the hair by her temples.
In contrast, Murong Jiu’s expression remained calm and serious, showing no sign of strain.
Crucially, her hand movements were not chaotic, and when Murong Man’s music clearly weakened, her stable music quickly took over.
The music wafted delicately, like mountains and flowing water, at times passionately vigorous, at times plaintively sobbing.
With a jarring sound, Murong Man suddenly played the wrong note, sounding extremely harsh.
It was as if a beautiful tune had been abruptly interrupted, causing the audience’s gazes to shift involuntarily with dissatisfaction toward Murong Man, who was drenched in sweat, her face paint melting, looking utterly disheveled.
Yet she did not admit defeat. After the wrong note, she continued playing, not wanting to be outdone by Murong Jiu. However, the more she played, the more mistakes she made, the more frantic she became.
Meanwhile, Murong Jiu’s performance seemed not at all affected, resolving Murong Man’s wrong notes and once again captivating everyone.
Her fingers moved faster and faster, her music becoming more urgent, like pearls large and small falling onto a jade plate. The difficulty here was immense; even if Murong Man wanted to continue, she couldn’t keep up physically.
Not to mention the high skill and deep emotions involved, she simply could not find a way in, and could only watch helplessly as Murong Jiu played better and better, everyone seemingly enthralled by the emotion in the music, not paying her any attention anymore.
Throughout her life, Murong Man had rarely been so thoroughly ignored.
But she dared not make a sound or draw attention to herself, wishing she could just disappear into a crack in the floor.
She could never have imagined that Murong Jiu had this skill up her sleeve.
A simple country girl, grown up in the countryside, who by chance was taken as a disciple by an old doctor. Her mastery of medicine was one thing, but Murong Man was baffled as to where Murong Jiu could have learned such musical talent!
She did not know that Murong Jiu’s master, Old Man Zhai, was not just any Barefoot Doctor; his ancestors were a family of physicians, not to mention that he had traveled extensively in his youth healing and saving many literati and scholars.
He often took Murong Jiu out wandering, naturally including visits to those literati friends.
Murong Jiu’s chess skills were learned from a master.
Her musical talent was developed under a once very famous master who had lived incognito for many years.
Murong Jiu also had an exceptional learning ability; in her past life, had she not been deceived by the Second Prince and trapped in domestic affairs, she certainly would have been an extraordinary person.
After playing the piece with relish and ease, Murong Jiu did not feel tired, only immensely refreshed. She braced herself as she played the last note, then unconsciously looked towards Jun Yuyan.
Thunderous applause and cheers filled the surroundings, but in Murong Jiu’s eyes, there was only Jun Yuyan, with whom she exchanged glances.
That look seemed to last a millennium.
“Crack!”
The Second Prince crushed his wine glass.
