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Madam Hu nearly lost her grip on the wine cup upon hearing the words. Their previous understanding of Su Yuntang was rather shallow. Although Su Yuntang claimed to come from a prominent family, who knew what talents she truly possessed?
The lady sitting opposite, the Salt Transport Commissioner’s wife, immediately set down her chopsticks, dabbed her mouth with a handkerchief, and smiled in agreement, "Lady Long is absolutely right! The daughters of the Hu Family are always well-educated and sensible. I've heard that Miss Hu is exceptionally talented."
Madam Provincial Governor joined in the chorus, waving her fan as she said, "Indeed, indeed! We have long heard of Miss Hu's virtuous reputation. Since we have this opportunity today, how can we let it slip by?"
The other ladies in attendance chimed in, filling the flower hall with lively chatter.
Old Hu and Madam Hu sat at the table, forcing a smile while feeling as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
Lady Long wore a smug expression and continued, "In the flower hall, there is an ancient guqin from the Song Dynasty, a precious item that is usually covered with a silk cloth and seldom used. Why not invite Qing Xi to play a tune today to celebrate this wonderful occasion?"
Su Yuntang understood that Lady Long intended to embarrass her publicly. However, how did Lady Long know that Hu Qingxi was not skilled in playing the guqin?
She slowly set down her tea cup and raised her head to meet Lady Long's malicious gaze, offering a gentle smile. "I am but a novice and may cause my mother-in-law and esteemed elders to laugh."
"Oh dear, this child is so humble!" Lady Long turned to the others with a feigned look of kindness.
The surrounding guests responded in agreement.
Long Xi frowned slightly from the side. He set down his wine cup and was about to speak up to diffuse the situation when he noticed that Su Yuntang had already risen gracefully.
She first adjusted her sleeves and then bowed slightly to everyone present. "Since my mother-in-law and esteemed elders have such refined tastes, Qing Xi will do her best."
She stepped lightly around several tables toward the eastern corner of the flower hall. There indeed stood an ancient guqin on a zitan wood stand, intricately carved with cloud patterns at each corner and covered with an exquisite silk cloth.
The guqin was long and dark red in color, its surface marked with numerous cracks that glimmered subtly under the candlelight.
Su Yuntang lifted the silk cover and took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve to clean her hands carefully. Then she sat before the guqin, gently brushing her fingers over the strings to test the sound.
"Zheng—"
The clear sound of the guqin resonated through the quiet flower hall, causing everyone to hold their breath in anticipation. Old Hu and Madam Hu widened their eyes in astonishment.
Su Yuntang closed her eyes for a moment, memories of her father, mother, and sister flashing through her mind. When she opened her eyes again, her fingers danced over the strings as she began to play "Ping Sha Luo Yan."
In the first section, the music flowed deep and distant like an autumn sky filled with swirling white clouds.
With her left hand pressing down on the strings and her right hand plucking gently, her movements were as fluid as flowing water. Under the candlelight, she appeared focused, with only the guqin strings in her sight.
In the second section, the music became clearer and more vibrant like a flock of wild geese taking flight with their cries echoing.
Her fingers shifted deftly between techniques, vividly portraying the scene of geese circling and lingering. The notes rose and fell in pitch and tempo as if one could truly see flocks soaring through the air.
In the third section, the music turned passionate and soaring like returning geese calling out to their companions.
Su Yuntang's fingers danced gracefully over the seven strings, the notes leaping like pearls.
In the final passage, the music returned to a serene and distant calm, like an endless stretch of sand, as the shadows of geese gradually faded away. Her movements became lighter, and the last note gently emerged, slowly dissipating into the air.
As the piece came to an end, Su Yuntang's hand caressed the strings, allowing the final vibrations to gradually settle. The entire hall fell into silence, even the chirping of summer insects seemed to have ceased.
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