Although Luo Qing Luan had recovered her appearance, and was no longer utterly ugly at present, not a single person believed that the rumored stupid, ignorant second Miss Luo, who only knew how to be a love-struck fool could be capable of any level of mastery towards the zither.

'Having benefited' from Luo Qing Shuang and Wang Xue Ru's spreading of rumors in the past among numerous young women from prestigious families, in the upper-class women folk's eyes, the second Miss Luo from General Luo's family was precisely a young woman undeserving of her noble position. As a matter of fact, she daydreamed about Fifth Prince, Nangong Chen, all day long and was a completely infatuated idiot.

Nowadays, even though she had changed her appearance, their impression of many years had penetrated deep into their bone marrow. Wanting to reverse their perception within this short period of time based only on a few words from Luo Qing Luan just now was impossible.

On the surface, this Madam Wen was saying that Luo Qing Luan should have inherited her mother's talent and was also a talented daughter from a noble house. However, everyone could tell that this was to lead her into disgracing herself in front of the empress, that's all.

Luo Qing Luan's previous words made everyone feel ashamed. Presently, everyone rejoiced in her coming misfortune, looking forward to seeing her also shaming herself.

Even though she quite loathed Luo Qing Luan, only Wang Xue Ru minded. If Luo Qing Luan really disgraced herself, as Luo Qing Luan's Father's Concubine, her face would also be affected. In her panic, she immediately stood up and said flustered, "Your Highness the Empress, our Qing Luan don't know how to play the zither. Her mother passed away early, yet I have no ability, so I have no way of teaching her these things. Your Highness, please don't let her embarrass herself, is that alright?"

Madam Wen became annoyed and responded coldly. "What, Her Highness wished to hear Madam Luo's zither, but is unable to do so. Presently, is it not acceptable for Miss Luo to represent her mother in playing a tune, so that Her Highness can take pleasure in it? The arrogance of you people from the General's Mansion is truly great!"

After she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at her daughter, Wen Wan, who was still standing at the center of the performing area as before. The latter understood thoroughly and immediately suggested gently. "If Your Highness would still like to listen, this servant is willing to perform a tune for Your Highness."

If she could reveal her skills sufficiently and leave a good impression with the empress, wouldn't her chance to be chosen as crown prince consort be greater?

Once she thought of this, Wen Wan immediately displayed a natural and gracious appearance, spreading a gentle and agreeable smiling expression across her entire face, brimming with expectation as she waited for Empress Wang to speak.

"I was merely speaking without giving it much thought, never mind."

Empress Wang smiled gently, and finally opened her mouth to continue. "However, since Miss Wen is willing, then while......"

Unexpectedly, a clear and attractive voice sounded. Luo Qing Luan grinned as she looked towards Empress Wang. "Your Highness, you've invited me to eat your desserts. It's fitting that I should play a tune for you. I wonder what song Your Highness would like to hear?"

Wen Wan originally felt overjoyed and prepared to sit down, she'd now been interrupted by Luo Qing Luan. The gentle smile originally on her face immediately could no longer be maintained as her mouth twitched continually. A trace of resentment flashed through her eyes.

"Oh, does Miss Luo really know how to play?" Empress Wang was apparently somewhat curious.

"As long as Your Highness don't mind, I'll just casually play a tune." Luo Qing Luan didn't mind at all as she walked towards the performing area.

"Qing Luan, don't cause trouble. When did you know how to play music?" Wang Xue Ru started turning pale from fright and promptly blocked her.

Empress Wang smiled gently as she said. "It's no matter. It's fine to just play as you wish." How could she not perceive the tug of war between the two young ladies previously? However, she was indeed just a bit curious, that's all.

Back then, when she was merely the previous empress' cousin, she occasionally heard her cousin mention Madam Luo's zither skills. Presently, she met Luo Qing Luan, who not only had grown up beautifully and elegantly, her temperament was moreover frank and straightforward. As a matter of fact, compared to those young girls who she ordinarily met, whose minds makes several turns, displaying pretenses when facing her, this young lady was much better.

Having heard the empress speak, Wang Xue Ru no longer dared to say more and only glared fiercely at Luo Qing Luan before sitting back down.

Standing at the center of the performance area, Luo Qing Luan said, "Is this Miss Wen? May I trouble you to lend me the use of your zither?"

In front of so many people, how could Wen Wan refuse? She also didn't say anything, expression turning cold as she walked to sit down beside her mother. She rigidly pulled on Madam Wen's handkerchief, such that her hand clenched.

Luo Qing Luan sat down, then her fingertips lightly plucked the zither strings as she tuned a few of them, already starting to plan in her mind.

She didn't know which songs were popular during this era, nor did she have the spare time to look into it. She naturally could only play the songs she already knew.

Among the classical famous zither music that she knew, she was most familiar with a piece of music called 'Water Lotus'. At the moment, her fingertips lightly twirled and melodious, sweet-sounding zither music already floated upwards.

Immediately, lively, bright and clear sounds suddenly echoed. Those people waiting for Luo Qing Luan to disgrace herself were startled, yet was immediately drawn by the zither music. They subconsciously followed that beautiful tune and listened attentively.

It's unknown how many times she practiced the zither in her previous incarnation, since she had invested no small amount of time. Luo Qing Luan focused her mind and suddenly threw her heart into the world of zither music.

Her skilled finger techniques was simply devoid of any sense of an amateur. The second Miss Luo who was utterly vulgar in everyone's eyes was actually a performer at the moment for everyone's enjoyment. In the wake of the rising cheerful music, everyone seemed as if they're seeing a field of lotuses in the distance, pink lotus blossoms swaying lightly as they're caressed by the breeze, tranquil, pure and clean, slender and elegant, sweetly fragrant.

Moreover, this tune was one which none of them had ever heard before, yet was a tune with a polished style, an integral whole in and of itself, totally not something which could've been casually created. Some people were endlessly amazed. No matter how, they could not figure out which master had written this music, so they couldn't help but look to the smiling Luo Qing Luan and make a guess.

This second Miss Luo was so young, yet not only could she play the zither, she could even compose? Surprisingly so incredible?

The music gradually lightly slowed down, the lingering sounds rising in spirals before gradually fading away. Luo Qing Luan finished playing the piece, stood up to face Empress Wang, and bowed. The latter was stunned for quite a while before becoming clear-headed again. "Good, good, Qing Luan, what is this song of your called? Why have I never heard it before?"