Chapter 105 - Smooth and Melodic

Soon enough, the imperial servants brought out two Guqins.

Liu Rushuang calmly walked over to the instruments, then gracefully sat behind one.

In her mind, Chu Qingchuan snorted, as she took a seat behind one of the Guqins.

"Fifth Princess of Donghua, since the Guqins have been prepared. Let's start this competition! I'll allow you to choose a song first!" cried Liu Rushuang as she sounded out every word with a terrifyingly cold voice.

Chu Qingchuan couldn't help but feel flustered at the look of near victory on Liu Rushuang's face. Then, she steadied her wavering heart and smiled with confidence. "Alright, I'm ready now. Please allow me to start first."

"Yes, as you please," Liu Rushuang replied nonchalantly.

Han Moze watched as Liu Rushuang's little mouth and throat moved. After everything, he was unable to keep it together in front of this woman! How truly strange!

Nangong Ba gazed at Liu Rushuang with confidence and composure. There was undoubtedly adoration in his eyes for her performance. If he knew that she was going to be taken away, then he would have imprisoned her for life by his side. Although he knew he was going to definitely win, he wasn't willing to risk losing her.

Chu Qingchuan held her most elegant seated posture, then started to play a sweet melody on the Guqin with her slender and beautiful fingers.

The bright and beautiful sound of the Guqin rang, then gradually surged like running water and filled every corner of the hall.

Each and every person felt like they saw dazzing flowers bloom for the first time before their eyes and unleash an aromatic scent which made people feel drunk.

All of a sudden, the Guqin sounds grew more suave and smooth like winding mountain springs from the valley. It slowly ran into people's heart and taught them how to be carefree and relaxed.

Thereafter, Chu Qingchuan raised her hands up high and played again. All of a sudden, everyone saw the unusually beautiful sight of countless petals fall.

*Chirp chirp...* All of a sudden, a little bird flew into the hall, encircled Chu Qingchuan and emphasised the extraordinary powers of the Guqin.

Liu Rushuang's eyes couldn't help but slightly widen. It looked like Chu Qingchuan's Guqin skills were indeed well-deserved of her reputation.

"Amazing! Truly spectacular!"

"She's really able to summon small birds! How incredible!"

"This is the first time I've ever heard the Guqin being played so beautifully!"

...

Chu Qingchuan was really satisfied with the reaction from everyone in the hall, so she played even harder.

But she seemed to have been over enthusiastic, as the high-ranking officials heard the rustling of the cold wind blow against the trees.

The little bird who flew into the hall with much difficulty flapped his small wings and flew off in a flash!

Chu Qingchuan was so shocked that she hurriedly changed it up.

The song ended.

*Clap! Clap...* "Amazing! Amazing!" Everyone figured that Chu Qingchuan's Guqin skills were the best in the world, and clapped enthusiastically.

But just then, they were instantly sent into such shock that their jaws dropped.

Liu Rushuang had started to play, and she sounded even more pure and sweet than Chu Qingchuan.

Everyone in the hall shared the same thought.

Seated elegantly in position, Liu Rushuang lowered her hands and played softly with her slender fingers.

She used her inner breath with every pluck and spread the sound of the Guqin far and wide.

All of a sudden, the soft and beautiful melody felt like little drops of rain that moistened the fields in everyone's hearts.

What surprised people even more was the non-stop birds and butterflies that flew into the hall.

Everyone's eyes shot wide open. It was simply divine!

She played for just a short while when a big flock of birds flew in. It was really amazing!

Liu Rushuang ignored everyone's astonishment and smiled softly. Her hands played the Guqin slowly and gently.

The Guqin sounded clear and radiant like a stream of cold spring water which sparkled and flowed over crushed rocks.

Suddenly, it felt like the sound drifted in mid-air like springs.

*Chirp chirp...* All of a sudden hundreds of birds abruptly flew into the hall and encircled Liu Rushuang.

This was too much!

Chapter 106 - So What If You've Got The Skills?!

The song played on the Guqin sounded like mysterious cheers that pleasantly summoned many birds and butterflies inside.

But in that very moment, Liu Rushuang flashed a wicked smile.

You dare look down on her?

You'll have to pay the price!

Just then, the melody quickly changed up and sounded like a woman's sobs.

Han Moze suddenly felt his entire body shudder. The Guqin sounded weak and entirely different, but he could also hear the hidden murderous intent behind the song.

Nangong Ba's eyes also shot wide open, as he looked over at the several hundred birds encircling Liu Rushuang. What did she want to do?

Liu Rushuang continued to play the low range and seemed to be immersed in the silence deep in the night.

In the hall, the multicoloured birds instantly became a little flustered and flew everywhere in chaos.

"Ah... why did this bird peck?"

"Run! Run! These birds are crazy!"

...

Everyone in the hall suddenly hugged their heads in fear of the flustered birds bumping into their heads.

Han Moze curved the corners of his mouth into a cold smirk. What a truly petty woman!

Watching the chaos unfold in the fall, Han Moze didn't bother to do a thing.

Liu Rushuang's delicate fingers danced endlessly upon the Guqin and affected the mood of the birds in the hall.

Shortly after, a high-ranking official got injured from the pecking bird.

"Ah... your majesty, we beg for you to stop!"

"Stop, your majesty!"

...

Liu Rushuang wore a chilling smile. Let's see who dares to ever question her abilities?

Then, out of the kindness of her own heart, she played a happy tune on the Guqin.

The birds returned to normal like when they encircled the hall earlier, and started to chirp happily like they saw the clear skies after the rain.

All of a sudden, Liu Rushuang's hand attacked the Guqing like a tornado and the urgent sound of Guqin played.

*Chirp chirp...*

All the birds in the hall instantly darted outside.

*Clap clap...*

The hall immediately erupted in thunderous applause.

Chu Qingchuan glared at Liu Rushuang with immense envy and violence.

To her surprise, she lost!

Liu Rushuang got up and walked over to the seat of honour in the same cold, high and mighty way she did earlier.

Apart from Han Moze and Nagong Ba, has she never been defeated by anyone?

Han Moze and Nangong Ba looked over at Liu Rushuang with a possessive glow in their eyes!

Nangong Ba coldly shot a glance at Lin Yimei.

Lin Yimei twitched the corner of her mouth in dissatisfaction and looked over at Han Moze in the seat of honor. In her heart, she did have some admiration for him. Since her cousin didn't accept her love for so long, it may not be so bad to clutch onto the Emperor of Beiming.

And so, she stood up and spoke directly to Han Moze. "I, Lin Yimei, have admired your majesty for a long time now, so my cousin allowed me to accompany him here. Today, having seen your majesty's extraordinary good-looks, I would like to perform a 'Rainbow and feathered dance'. Please, may I have your majesty's permission to do so?"

Han Moze glanced at Lin Yimei, who looked quite pretty but rather fragile. "I permit it!" He cried in a cold and dull voice.

"Thank you, your majesty, for your permission!" Exclaimed Lin Yimei in delight, then called upon people to play music.

Beautiful and carefree music started to play. Lin Yimei had a rather pretty face and wore a pink dress with embroidered plum blossoms. Her entire appearence captured everyone's eye.

Lin Yimei danced calmly and started to look rather comfortable in form. She leaned over and looked up, then continued to dance on. She seemingly soared and walked with her garments drifting in the wind. Her long sleeves entertwined left and right, and continued to flutter then separate, as her hands and feet came together with the body of the song.

Turn, sweep, open, close, twist, circle, and bend. She danced like flowing water, like the clouds, like a flying dragon, and like a phoenix.

Although the dancing poses were beautiful, her gaze wasn't beautiful at all. Every so often, she would shoot violent glances at Liu Rushuang, as she never could accept the slap she received yesterday.