"What about the other side!" Ji Tiankui said. "Are you suggesting we stand here, where a grown man should be, with a guy like me?"
Upon hearing this, Nan Jinxue immediately burst into laughter, "Not bad, not bad! Haha!"
"How come you have time to come out? People in your Marquis's mansion are really idle!" Ji Tiankui frowned and looked at Nan Jinxue. "You should also study hard to pass the imperial examinations and make the Marquis look at you with new eyes."
A hint of displeasure flashed across Nan Jinxue's face, but she quickly smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. I'll definitely take the top spot in the imperial examination tomorrow!"
"How confident!" Ji Tiankui smiled and nodded. "Then congratulations!" He hadn't expected Nan Jinxue to skip the autumn boudoir and go straight to the spring boudoir; it must be a play by her father, the Marquis of Jinnan. This shows that Nan Jinxue is quite highly regarded…
"Thank you!" Nan Jinxue's gaze drifted to the opposite side, trying to spot that beautiful figure, but she only saw a few shadowy figures.
"Where is Prince Nan? I told you two brothers, neither of you is strange at all!" Ji Tiankui wasn't very bright, and he just said whatever came to mind.
Nan Jinxue turned her face away. "Him? I don't know either. Hehe, Tian Kui, why are you saying such things? Let's go over there and take a look. Maybe you'll be performing on that flower boat later!"
"What? Me, a mere martial artist, I'd better not." Ji Tiankui showed a hint of embarrassment, but looking at Nan Jinxue, he said, "It's you who should go up and give a performance." He patted Nan Jinxue's arm as he spoke, "Let's go sit over there."
Sure enough, the singing and dancing ended in no time. Nan Jinxue really wanted to perform, not for the scenery of the lanterns, but because there was a beautiful woman on the other side of the river. He wanted to win her heart. Even if she was made of stone, he believed that as long as he tried, he would be able to win her heart.
Seeing that he seemed eager to try, Ji Tiankui said, "You should go quickly! I don't see many people wanting to perform."
Nan Jinxue cupped her hands in greeting, then leaped onto the boat. The pleasure boat had been moored for quite some time, and the women on the opposite bank were already sighing and making jokes.
Nan Jinxue stepped forward, cupped her hands in greeting, and said, "Please allow me to perform a song to entertain everyone!"
The men stared at the approaching young nobleman, scrutinizing him. Some recognized him as Nan Jinxue and immediately approached, exclaiming, "It's Second Young Master Nan! Second Young Master Nan! Quickly, invite him to the pleasure boat, or we'll lose! We can't lose to those women on the shore, or how will we ever find wives?"
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Then may I ask if there are any musical instruments that have not been played? May I use them?" Nan Jinxue asked with a smile, humble and polite.
"This is a long flute, and the woman opposite hasn't played it yet!" A noble young man dressed in white stepped forward and handed over a jade long flute. Nan Jinxue took it, nodded, and couldn't help but praise, "Not bad, not bad, this is really a fine flute!" It felt so comfortable to hold.
Everyone was delighted and helped Nan Jinxue onto the flower boat. Nan Jinxue nodded, thanked everyone for their kindness, and respectfully thanked them before jumping onto the deck of the flower boat. Immediately, the boatman at the stern started rowing and headed towards the center of the river.
Nan Jinxue took the long flute and put it to his lips, immediately beginning to play. Standing on the deck, his long hair billowed in the wind. He wore a magnificent white robe, which fluttered in the night breeze. Accompanied by the sound of the flute, he seemed like a celestial being descended to earth. For a moment, he captivated everyone who saw him.
The women on the opposite bank were all astonished. They stared at him shyly and adoringly. When they realized that it was Nan Jinxue, the most handsome man in the world, their eyes lit up even more. They looked at Nan Jinxue's face and forgot everything around them.
Ji Yinxue nudged Ji Wushang slightly, "Big sister, it's actually the Second Young Master Nan!"
"Hmm." Ji Wushang nodded. Whether it was him or not had nothing to do with him. However, the piece he was playing was "Phoenix Seeking its Mate." He had already performed "Phoenix Seeking its Mate" at the Autumn Chrysanthemum Banquet earlier that day, and this time, it was the same piece again.
"It's 'The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate'! I love it so much!" At this moment, a rather outgoing woman couldn't help but scream, "Young Master Nan's performance is so beautiful! I love it!"
“Look at you, aren’t you ashamed!” a woman chimed in.
"I really like it!"
Ji Wushang felt like vomiting just listening to this, but after thinking about it, he gave up, sighed, and pulled Ji Yinxue to stand aside, ignoring those crazy and infatuated women.
Nan Jinxue's gaze was fixed on Ji Wushang. This song, "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate," was indeed played for her, but why, why couldn't she find her? Where was she?
Nan Jinxue was getting impatient, but the boat was already in the middle of the river and couldn't get any closer. Nan Jinxue felt a little disappointed, but she still gazed longingly at the opposite bank.
"Let's go! This is so boring." Ji Wushang looked down, then glanced up and saw Nan Jinxue constantly searching for something. Didn't he understand? He would never forgive the sins Nan Jinxue had committed. Although Nan Jinxue hadn't confronted him directly, he didn't want to give him that chance, lest it create an awkward situation for both of them.
Ji Yinxue frowned, "Big sister, why are you acting so strangely today? Everyone's just enjoying the lanterns!"
Ji Wushang looked at her and realized that he had only been thinking about his own feelings, which had spoiled Ji Yinxue's mood. So he smiled and said, "Okay, I'll stay with you, I'll stay with you."
“That’s more like it!” Ji Yinxue laughed. “You know, since the Second Young Master Nan acted in ‘Phoenix Seeking Phoenix,’ who from our side is going to go? And what are they going to act in?”
"I don't know," Ji Wushang said with a smile. What did this have to do with him? He wouldn't go no matter who went.
Nan Jinxue's gaze burned with intensity, finally locking onto that figure. Looking at Ji Wushang, Nan Jinxue blew even more enthusiastically. People around him followed his gaze and couldn't help but look in Ji Wushang's direction. Seeing this, Ji Wushang immediately pulled Ji Yinxue, "Let's go! Let's not look anymore."
"Big sister." Ji Yinxue turned her head several times before realizing something was different. "Could it be that Second Young Master Nan played 'Phoenix Seeking its Mate' for you, Big sister?" Ji Yinxue asked in a low voice.
Ji Wushang's face turned slightly pale. "It shouldn't be. He wouldn't be that bored! You know what happened to me before! Although those things happened a long time ago, they still traumatized me. I, Ji Wushang, would not like a man like that."
Ji Yinxue listened to her without saying a word and nodded.
Just then, another flower boat glided toward the center of the river. A man dressed in purple stood on the deck and began to play a jade flute. The music blended with Nan Jinxue's flute playing, making it even more melodious.
Ji Yinxue was taken aback and covered her mouth. He was actually Bei Gong Jueshi! She never expected that he could play these instruments!
Ji Wushang looked at her and laughed, "It seems that I, as the eldest sister, am going to be laughed at. My younger sisters are all getting married, but I, the eldest sister, am stuck in the manor."
"Big sister!" Ji Yinxue said shyly in a low voice.
Seeing this, everyone vaguely knew that these young noblemen were putting on a challenge! They thought of sending a young lady to meet them in a performance! But these daughters of officials didn't dare to go. Each of them was a renowned man in the capital. How could they be so shameless as to go and perform for them?
Before they could even react with surprise, someone had already taken flight from the opposite bank and floated directly onto Bei Gong Jue Shi's flower boat. That person was none other than Bei Gong Min Hao, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, dressed in blue. He looked at Nan Jin Xue with slight displeasure, but then picked up his konghou and began to play a different tune. Upon hearing this, Bei Gong Jue Shi immediately changed her tune and followed Bei Gong Min Hao's lead.
Nan Jinxue's face darkened as she watched the two brothers come up together, but she changed her pace and followed them.
The crowd couldn't help but clap and cheer.
These young noblemen's playing was truly exceptional. Their voices seemed to be chasing each other, one after the other, neither willing to let the other go. However, the slower, lower-pitched voices seemed to be echoing each other, making the music more beautiful rather than noisy.
The women on this side didn't dare to go forward, but the men on the other side were already making a fuss.
"Punishment drink! Punishment drink! Punishment drink!" The shouts seemed to drown out the sound of the string and bamboo instruments.
The women around them were getting anxious, but they were all trying to shift the blame onto each other.
"Go ahead! Didn't you really like the Second Young Master Nan's flute playing just now? Hurry up and go try it out!"
"No, I... I can't..."
"Which official's daughter is allowed to go up? Otherwise, we'll all be punished with drinks!"
Ji Wushang sensed something was amiss. The scene was quite grand; on the opposite side, there were the sounds of being forced to drink as punishment, while on this side, people were calling for a woman to come up and perform.
“Let’s go back!” Ji Wushang looked at the sky and said, “It’s almost time.”
"Big sister..." Ji Yinxue clearly didn't want to go back.
Looking at her shy expression and glancing around, Ji Wushang realized that everyone was gathered around and they probably couldn't leave. After thinking it over, he teased Ji Yinxue, "Why don't you go? You're quite good at singing and dancing."
Upon hearing this, Ji Yinxue's face flushed even more. However, someone had already overheard their conversation and immediately shouted, "Miss, hurry up and go!" Saying this, they tried to push Ji Yinxue out.
Ji Yinxue was taken aback, and Ji Wushang was also panicked, "Don't push her!"
However, the crowd was already surging towards them. "It's her!" The scene was utter chaos. Ji Wushang's eyes were red with worry, but she still separated from Ji Yinxue, who had already been pushed onto the pleasure boat. Ji Wushang watched from afar, anxious and regretting her earlier words. She could only raise her chin and shout, "Fourth Sister, be careful!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as he shouted, people on the shore rushed towards Ji Wushang. Ji Wushang was surprised. What was going on?
It turned out that Ji Yinxue, feeling timid, had whispered to the shopkeeper who organized the event that she wanted to invite Ji Wushang to come along.
The shopkeeper was naturally delighted and had everyone rush to surround Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang was practically pushed forward, and in the end, he was pushed onto the pleasure boat.
The three people in the middle of the river were anxious as they watched the mess on the opposite bank, but they didn't expect to see a flower boat sailing by.
The men on the opposite bank were all clapping and cheering, creating a lively atmosphere.
Ji Wushang frowned and looked at Ji Yinxue, "Are you alright?"
“I was scared, so I had you brought along on this pleasure boat.” Ji Yinxue lowered her head.
"It's alright, don't be afraid." Ji Wushang nodded and forced a smile. "Pick an instrument you like, and we'll play a duet."
"I want the zither." Ji Yinxue said, seeing that Ji Wushang was not angry. Ji Wushang nodded, "In that case, let's play a zither and zither in harmony." Perhaps because everyone knew that most people could play the zither, no one chose this instrument.
☆、064 A ten-mile-long red bridal procession, I wish for a life without sorrow!
The two then sat in the cabin, and it was unclear whether anyone recognized them. As their voices rang out, everyone was immediately drawn to the harmonious music playing there.
Beigong Minhao and the other two were taken aback. They hadn't expected that there would actually be a woman willing to fight! However, they were all captivated and enchanted by the music.
When the zither music soared, the zither harmonized with a low note; and as the zither music gradually subsided, the zither music rose again. This was a unique piece, still playing "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," but this was the true "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," with the phoenix seeking and the phoenix responding, as if phoenixes were flying together in the sky. At the originally high-pitched part, Ji Wushang deliberately reversed course, lowering her voice, and Ji Yinxue subtly followed along. Ji Wushang softly and slowly joined in, and suddenly, it was as if a phoenix's cry had startled everyone, soaring into the sky.
As Nan Jinxue listened, she unconsciously put down her long flute. She probably couldn't even perform this piece herself. It was clearly based on her original performance of "Phoenix Seeking its Mate". When everyone compared the pieces, they all knew which was more important and whose skill was superior!
Bei Gong Jue Shi sighed inwardly, put down the jade flute in his hand, turned his head and glanced at Bei Gong Min Hao. Bei Gong Min Hao frowned deeply, put down the konghou, and said, "Whose daughter is this? Alas, I never thought there would be heavens beyond heavens and people beyond people!"
“I don’t know. Looking behind the window screen, there should be two women, one tall and one short, but I don’t know who they are.” Bei Gong Jue Shi sighed, “If it is her, then…” As he spoke, he shook his head and sighed deeply.
Bei Gongminhao listened with a sigh, but also wondered if one of the women was Ji Wushang.
Ji Tiankui shook his head as he watched the three of them lose. He didn't understand the music, but he was afraid that the three of them would lose face to the woman on the pleasure boat.
The pleasure boat hadn't even docked in the middle of the river yet, and Ji Wushang specifically told the boatman not to get close before he dared to play the zither.
Not far away, a man had just picked up his wine glass, intending to take a sip. He had been amused by the sight of three men chasing and playing music, but suddenly he heard a harmonious melody, and it was even a modified version of "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate"! Then, the chasing sounds of the three men disappeared, leaving only the harmonious music. Nan Xuzong couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity.
There was no one else in the tent, only him. Nan Xuzong called out to the outside, "Who is playing?"
"Sir, we don't know who it is. The young lady is in the cabin! We don't know who it is!" Gong Shu stepped forward to answer. "Sir, should I go and find out?"
"No need." Nan Xuzong waved his hand. "Keep an eye on the situation along the river. If anything happens, report it to me immediately."
"yes!"
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, then looked at the wine glass in front of him, picked it up, and drank it all in one gulp.
Hearing that no one was playing anymore, Ji Yinxue was overjoyed. She winked and smiled at Ji Wushang, who smiled and nodded in return.
Ji Yinxue looked at her, then put down the zither, leaving only Ji Wushang's melodious music. Ji Wushang smiled, delighted, and forgot who those three people were. He began to sing.
Who owes you three lifetimes of peach blossoms?
My body grows thin, and I think of the wild geese flying in autumn.
To whom will you give your empire?
Who lowers their gaze?
Who will send me a ten-mile-long bridal procession?
——
Past lives and present lives
You once said you'd wait a thousand years for this.
Turn around,
not see,