Zhou Ningbin, given his status, was naturally seated next to Jiang Qian by the program team.
"Indeed, the suona has a unique advantage in celebratory occasions, but I'm quite looking forward to the skill this child exhibits on the suona." At his age, he was no longer interested in the outcome of the competition; his attention was more focused on the application of traditional instruments.
Seeing the wedding-themed piece presented by Ting Yu, although it lacked some surprise, it suited the instrument's style. Furthermore, Ting Yu performing the suona himself gave him a good impression of the child.
Regardless of his skill level, at least he knew how to play and dared to perform.
"I have a different opinion from Elder Zhou. Given Ting Yu's personality, he wouldn't present such a simple song. And if he dares to perform the suona on stage, his technique will likely surprise everyone," Jiang Qian couldn't help but smile.
"Oh? It's rare to hear you praise a junior so highly," Zhou Ningbin raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"He's worthy of it." Jiang Qian's lips curved upwards.
Like Zhou Ningbin, their greatest aspiration at their level was to see outstanding juniors emerge, invigorating the entire industry.
Ting Yu was not just outstanding; he was a standout talent.
Jiang Qian was naturally very fond of this child.
Some people online called her a seasoned "Yu fan." Not only did she not refute it, but she embraced the title.
Children with talent should be praised, and loudly at that.
...
As the prelude to the song began, everyone suddenly stopped their discussions.
The expected fanfare of gongs and drums did not materialize.
Instead, a combination of piano and erhu played, and upon closer listening, a faint sense of melancholy could be detected.
At this moment, on stage, the performers portraying the bride and groom entered.
The bride's parents were also present.
The father watched silently, while the mother wiped away tears with a handkerchief.
Although it was a joyous occasion, crying was not suitable.
However, tears at a wedding were understandable.
After all, it was normal to be moved to tears when one's daughter, raised for so many years, got married.
"The eighteenth day of the first lunar month,
An auspicious day,
The sorghum is carried..."
When the first line was sung,
The audience didn't react, but Jiang Qian and the elder artist Zhou Ningbin frowned.
"The first lunar month is not suitable for weddings!"
Jiang Qian murmured.
The older generation said that the first lunar month was a time when Tai Sui (the Grand Duke Jupiter) was in charge, and there was the saying of "rising red." The underworld in the first lunar month was like the human world, a time for rest, and all spirits could come to the human realm. Therefore, if you saw a wedding procession in the wilderness, do not stop to watch. There has always been the saying, "No weddings in the first month, no definite arrangements in the twelfth."
Of course, with the progress of the times, many people no longer believed in these customs, so young people were not interested in understanding them, and few people paid attention.
"Carried with red attire,
One foot of regret,
Hastily tailored..."
Su Yu had choreographed a narrative dance.
At the beginning of the dance, the bride playfully tapped the groom three times from behind him.
Then, the groom, startled, looked around. Upon seeing the bride, his face filled with surprise.
He reached out to cup the bride's face, but the bride smiled and stepped back, making him miss.
He moved forward again, and the bride, feigning shyness, met his gaze.
The two danced as if in pursuit, their faces constantly bearing smiles throughout the performance.
"Tailored for a beloved, but he does not return, feigning a smile.
Sound of castanets, red sandalwood, said with ease, truly hard to guess,
..."
By this point, many in the audience had noticed something was amiss.
Not only were the stage lighting and setting incorrect,
But the two dancing newlyweds were also not right.
And the melody of the song was entirely unsuited for a joyous occasion.
Those who had previously spoken of playing it at their weddings now looked embarrassed.
If this were played at a wedding, the father-in-law and mother-in-law would likely be furious.
But why was the song titled "囍" (Xi - double happiness), yet sung with such a tone?
What trick was Ting Yu playing now?
This thought flashed through everyone's minds.
"Listen, at the Mao hour, three miles away, it stirs.
Rising and falling, the sound of horse hooves gradually rises, cutting off sorrow with a word.
Quickly said, the door opens, and the mist naturally parts.
Even the wild cats followed for several streets, perching on trees with necks askew..."
Suddenly, the rhythm of the entire song quickened.
On stage, the bride and groom began to dance to the beat.
Their dance was like playful frolicking.
The groom reached out, stroking the bride's face, but without truly touching her.
The bride tried to move closer, but suddenly retreated.
Although the choreography seemed lively, some movements conveyed an unsettling eeriness.
"Looking around, she waits.
This village is strange too,
All the doors are closed,
And it's Wang Ergou's shoes again,
Left outside the door.
...
Dismounting, just now, that gentleman smiled."
Upon reaching this line,
The audience was suddenly startled.
Why were the doors closed during a wedding?
And why was "Wang Ergou's shoes" preceded by "again"?
The lyrics seemed to paint a picture, and the audience's minds conjured images of the gentleman arriving on horseback to pick up the bride, the entire village with its doors shut, and the eerie silence of the road devoid of any people.
At this moment, the dancers' movements grew more forceful, and with the escalating emotion of the melody, some audience members shivered as they listened.
Hearing this, combined with the eerie setting and the dance on stage, some people began to guess what was happening.
Instantly, their faces changed drastically!
"That gentleman smiled and pondered for a long time,
Only managing a hum of 'Parting Sorrow'."
A narration filled with regret further solidified the audience's suspicions.
Following this, the emotion of the entire song intensified.
Su Yu took a deep breath and brought the suona to his lips.
It was about to begin!
Seeing this, someone spoke with a dry throat.
All eyes turned to Su Yu, their ears perked, awaiting his next performance.
"This time, she couldn't respond to his words again,
She was crying with a smile.
Guess how she was crying with a smile?
Crying,
Look how she was smiling with tears."
As this emotionally charged segment progressed, everyone's hearts tightened.
"First bow to heaven and earth!!
(Nà! Ā! Ā Ā! Ā!!)"
After Zhao Zhicheng's "First bow to heaven and earth," the soaring notes of the suona erupted!
The moment the suona sounded,
The entire song's emotion burst forth as if clouds had parted to reveal the sun!
On stage, the newlyweds, following the suona's sound, grinned and knelt down, bowing deeply to the audience.
Both were smiling, but their smiles held an indescribable eeriness, like stiffened expressions devoid of any emotion.
This bow instantly electrified the entire venue!
Everyone felt a chilling sensation shoot straight to the crown of their heads!!
Their bodies suddenly felt numb, their hair stood on end, and goosebumps rose in layers on their skin.
Not only that, but the tingling sensation on their scalps made them feel as if the suona's sound had blown off the crowns of their heads!
Listening to the suona, the audience unconsciously contorted their faces, appearing pained yet incredibly exhilarated, their expressions remarkably synchronized.
...
ps: 《囍》 Original Artist: Ge Dongqi, Lyrics: Ge Dongqi, Music: Ge Dongqi