Heaven is the shore of mortal dust - Chapter 26
[Volume 1, Deer City Chapter: Chapter 23 Birthday (Part 4)]
As their eyes met, in a flash, a servant ran over.
"General, it's time for the banquet. Shall we begin?"
"Yes," Chen Chang replied. "Everyone, the banquet has begun, let's go back." Chen Chang called to everyone.
As they sat down, Chen Chang and Prefect Zhang each grabbed one of Wei Zijun's arms and pulled her towards their seats, nearly splitting her in two.
Wei Zijun smiled wryly, thinking that she shouldn't embarrass Prefect Zhang too much, so she said to Chen Chang, "Third Brother, let go. You have to give me a chance to curry favor with the Prefect."
Seeing her so oblivious, Chen Chang snorted and shook off her arm. The prefect's face was already beaming like a chrysanthemum.
Wei Zijun understood Chen Chang's intention, but if she sat down next to him, she would inevitably be neglecting Prefect Zhang, who was, after all, a guest, and she couldn't afford to lose face. Besides, he was quite old, and she couldn't bear to do that. As for anything else, with everyone watching, what could he possibly do?
Once everyone was seated, the women also took their seats around them, with Xinhe sitting next to Wei Zijun.
After Chen Chang made some polite toasts, everyone started drinking and toasting, creating a lively atmosphere.
Seeing that Xinhe was unusually reserved and only ate a few bites of food, Wei Zijun felt sorry for her and kept putting food into Xinhe's bowl, urging her to eat more.
Seeing this, Chen Chang smiled and said to Xin He, "Xin He, my fourth brother just wrote a poem for you." He then recited the poem to Xin He.
After hearing this, Na Xinhe glanced at Wei Zijun and saw that Wei Zijun was looking at her with a smile in her eyes. She blushed and lowered her head slightly.
"Hahaha." Chen Chang laughed. "The man is in love, and the woman is willing. Fourth brother, since you don't have any women around you anyway, why not take Xinhe back?"
Wei Zijun sighed inwardly. Were her brothers being too enthusiastic? Little did they know that they were actually causing her trouble. "Third brother, please stop joking. With Miss Xinhe's beauty and charm, she will surely marry into a wealthy family. Besides, I am already engaged and have no such good fortune. Please don't tease me anymore, third brother."
Upon hearing this, Xinhe, her shy expression vanished, replaced by a cool and aloof demeanor, as she stood up. "My lords," she said, "today is Lord Chen's joyous occasion. I will play a piece to entertain you." With that, she walked to the center, took her instrument, and knelt on the ground.
Huh? What kind of musical instrument is this? The instrument is about three feet tall, shaped like half a wooden comb, with a black lacquered stand decorated with intricate patterns and gold accents, and about twenty strings. Xinhe held the instrument to her chest, crossed her arms, and gently glided out a note.
Kneeling and crossing arms? Wei Zijun searched through her old music theory knowledge. Could this be the long-lost konghou?
After the first clear note, Xinhe's hands suddenly flew up and down, and instantly a magnificent melody surged forth like the Yellow River, yet its destination was unknown. The sound gradually softened, becoming as clear and crisp as the tinkling of a spring, or like a hundred flowers blooming. With each nimble finger, the sound was sometimes high-pitched and sometimes deep, moving heaven and earth, and echoing through the mountains and rivers.
The instrument had a wide range, a soft and clear tone, and could even play chords. The exquisite music and extraordinary melody moved everyone present.
After the piece was played, everyone cheered. Xinhe rose, bowed, and returned to her seat.
"Miss Xinhe's skills are superb; the music is melodious and captivating. May I ask if that instrument you played was a konghou?" Wei Zijun praised.
"Young Master Wei, you flatter me. That instrument is indeed a konghou," Xinhe replied, bowing her head, without looking at Wei Zijun. Could it be that her earlier rejection had left her with resentment?
"Fourth brother, you're the only one here who hasn't brought a gift. You should at least show your appreciation." Li Tianqi didn't want to miss any opportunity. Did he think he could play the konghou? Actually, he didn't know why he wanted to embarrass him in front of everyone. Was it just to see how quick-witted he would respond? Or did he want to see what else he could surprise him with?
"Second Brother, ignorance is no excuse, but those who know do not inform their younger brother. What are their intentions?" Wei Zijun replied calmly, though he was a little angry inside, he appeared nonchalant on the surface.
Li Tianqi ignored Wei Zijun's words and said directly, "Fourth brother, since everyone is having such a good time today, why don't you play a tune to add to the fun? If you really don't know how to play, then you can practice your sword dance. Your sword dance is quite like dancing, not much worse than the ladies in the neighborhood."
Everyone was surprised to hear this, as they couldn't believe that this thin young master could actually wield a sword. But when they heard that the sword dance looked like a dance, they all covered their mouths and sneered.
Wei Zijun was utterly astonished. What was wrong with Li Tianqi? Usually, when Li Hongyi was around, it was that man who made things difficult for her, but today, without him around, he was even more infuriating than him. He actually compared her to those women in the brothel—wasn't he just trying to make her humiliated? She wouldn't stand for it!
"Second Brother is right. I really don't know anything about swords. Today is a joyous occasion, so it's not auspicious for swords to be used. Therefore, I can only... eat more... hehe... eat more vegetables." Wei Zijun gave a deliberately silly smile. No matter what Li Tianqi does, I won't budge.
"Hehehe..." Unexpectedly, Xinhe, who had been keeping a straight face, laughed after hearing her words. She glanced at her with a hint of spring in her eyes.
Everyone laughed, and Li Tianqi was both angry and amused. Prefect Zhang affectionately grabbed Wei Zijun's hand and stroked it repeatedly. Wei Zijun quickly pulled her hand away, pretending to pour him some wine. Just as that hand reached for her again, Chen Chang glared at him fiercely, and Prefect Zhang could only awkwardly smile and withdraw his hand.
"Fourth brother, I am very happy today. If you really know how to play the konghou, why don't you let me enjoy it?" Chen Chang sincerely invited.
"Third Brother, I really can't play the konghou. If you would like to hear me play, and if you are willing to wear a gauze skirt to add to the fun, I would like to play a tune on the zither."
The crowd cheered loudly, urging Li Tianqi to put on a gauze dress and dance. Li Tianqi looked at Wei Zijun with a mixture of anger and amusement. This kid, he's finally getting his revenge!
In the end, Li Tianqi didn't wear the gauze dress, but he was teased by everyone. Wei Zijun, seeing that her goal had been achieved, sat down on the couch in front of the zither with a smile.
After a moment's thought, I decided to play "High Mountains and Flowing Water." However, I felt that the Zhejiang zither music was too delicate and not suitable for today's atmosphere, so I decided to play a Shandong zither piece instead.
With a light flick of her fingertips, a deep, resonant zither melody burst forth. Wei Zijun's heart trembled, and every pore on her body seemed to open up. The zither music was far more awe-inspiring than she had imagined.
The zither music thrilled her, and she quickened her pace, playing solemn and complex chords. Instantly, the powerful notes pierced the sky, seemingly soaring to the summit of a towering mountain, lingering there. Then, her hands added flourishes, like a babbling brook, a chorus of birdsong, and wildflowers in full bloom. Next, a series of flourishes—splitting, lifting, stroking, picking, pressing, sliding, and vibrato—gradually increased in speed, the zither music ethereal, like a gentle breeze rustling through cypress trees, swaying and swaying, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility. Then, the music swirled, creating waves, a rushing torrent transforming into a cascading waterfall, plunging into a deep valley with a thunderous roar and overwhelming power. The music seemed to pierce eardrums, penetrate the heart, tear at the soul, make one's hair stand on end, and leave one's mind reeling.
Wei Zijun played with complete absorption, her entire being immersed in the zither music, rising and falling with its melody. The originally crisp and clear "High Mountains and Flowing Water" was played with a powerful and majestic grandeur by her. By extending the high and low notes by two scales, the music became even more dramatic and stirring, sometimes soaring to mountain peaks, sometimes plunging into ravines, sometimes drifting like the wind among the clouds. Everyone was captivated by the music, falling into a trance, letting Wei Zijun's fingers carry them across mountains and seas, chasing clouds and winds. The zither music resonated in their young hearts, causing them to tremble with excitement.
[Volume 1, Deer City Chapter: Chapter 24 Birthday (Part 5)]
The zither music abruptly stopped, its lingering notes echoing in the air. The crowd remained oblivious, still deeply immersed in the music.
Everyone only came to their senses after Wei Zijun had risen and returned to her seat. Overwhelmed with emotion, they were at a loss for words, never expecting that such a slender figure could produce such a moving melody.
Chen Chang spoke first: "Fourth brother, this is the best piece I have ever heard in my life. I have also heard the pieces played by the palace musicians, but they are empty and dull, and they are nothing compared to yours. Your performance is truly sincere and genuine, and you and the zither are one. Fourth brother, I toast you with a cup for your performance today." After saying this, Chen Chang drank the wine in his cup.
"Third Brother, you flatter me. I really don't deserve such praise. Today is Third Brother's birthday. Let me wish you good fortune, happiness, and prosperity." After saying this, he also drank the wine in his cup.
Everyone applauded and cheered.
“Brother Wei, even the finest music cannot compare. I am so fortunate to hear such a sound. Brother Wei, I toast you.” Prefect Zhang raised his cup to Wei Zijun.