Chapter 640: 265 Beauties of the Capital (Part 2)_2
A girl beside them echoed Lu Yanfan’s statement, saying, "I heard that Miss Mu plays the zither exceptionally well. One playing the zither and the other using leaves to create music, this kind of contest is quite innovative."
Yueyao naturally would not yield now, as yielding at this point would truly be preposterous. Yueyao let Mu Qinglian go first this time, "Earlier it was my turn to ask, now it’s your turn, Miss Mu."
Yueyao’s words made Mu Qinglian feel like vomiting blood. In choosing topics for painting, Yueyao had taken all the advantages, but debating the Six Arts in sequence put them at a disadvantage. Yet Yueyao’s statement was said with such dignity that she couldn’t refuse.
Mu Qinglian played a tune called "Green Valley Flowing Spring."
After listening, Pin Lan exclaimed, "Cousin, you played wonderfully."
Yueyao also spoke in admiration, "Miss Mu’s zither skills are indeed extraordinary," her technique was skilled, and the craftsmanship was superb. Although Yueyao was not close to Mu Qinglian, she knew that reaching such a level at this age required not only talent but also hard work.
A girl dressed in a Glit Brocade robe beside Princess Wanhe, however, dissatisfiedly said, "Green Valley Flowing Spring" expresses the leisurely and carefree enjoyment of wandering through mountains and forests. Yet Miss Mu’s playing, though technically adept, lacks this leisurely emotion." This young girl was essentially saying that Mu Qinglian had not captured the essence of the song.
Princess Wanhe chided bluntly, "Nan Shuang, you have studied for only a few days and dare to speak nonsense here." This young girl was Princess Wanhe’s cousin.
The girl said plaintively, "I’m speaking the truth. When my teacher taught me the zither, he played it for me, and it was entirely different."
Princess Wanhe said with a smile, "Miss Mu, don’t mind how my cousin put it, she’s blunt, but she means no harm, do not take it to heart."
Mu Qinglian gave a forced smile, "Not at all." In fact, Mu Qinglian was seething, but she couldn’t openly disagree with Princess Wanhe.
An Ning directed her attack towards Yueyao, saying, "Now, please, Miss Lian, let us see what a song played with a leaf sounds like?" Guan Qiong was derisive toward Yueyao; a lone orphan girl trying to steal the show here was laughable, particularly hoping to best Sister Qinglian. However, she restrained herself because of Princess Wanhe and Mingzhu.
Yueyao responded with a smile, "I play music with a leaf merely as a pastime, it’s incomparable to Miss Mu’s performance."
Yueyao’s modesty did not mean she backed down. In front of everyone, she played "Shepherding Song." The tune was light-hearted and cheerful, brightening everyone’s mood.
Nan Shuang, who was standing beside Wanhe, couldn’t resist clapping and said, "Miss Lian, that was very pleasant to listen to. Miss Lian, could you teach me?"
Princess Wanhe also commented with a smile, "Although I’m not well versed in music and can’t offer much critique, this melody truly brings joy from the inside out."
Lu Yanfan said speechlessly, "Young Sister Lian, you are too modest. If you claim not to understand the Six Arts, then none of us dare claim to have studied them." Being able to play a song so beautifully with just a leaf, she undoubtedly had a profound understanding of the musical arts. Therefore, Loo Yanping simply did not believe that Yueyao had never learned music; she was convinced that Yueyao was hiding her skill. It is hard to find someone talented who does not show it off.
Mu Qinglian stifled her frustration. She did not deny that Yueyao was talented, but the path Yueyao was taking was unorthodox, filled with odd methods. Imagine, who paints only Buddhist images or plays tunes with leaves? And yet everyone was charmed by her act.
Princess Wanhe said with a smile, "We have competed in two arts, and calligraphy remains." Only the writing was left to be compared.
Calligraphy was the easiest to judge among the three contests because both were using plum blossom calligraphy style. With the same style, it was immediately obvious whose writing was superior.
An Ning sarcastically said, "If you can’t write, have everyone disperse, and we’ll come back to see after you’ve written it!"
Yueyao smiled, placed the paper on the table and swept over it with a ruler to smooth it out. Then she wrote a passage of scriptural texts, choosing the "Heart Sutra."
Mu Qinglian wrote the poem "Moonlit River in Spring."
Watching Yueyao write the scriptures, Wanhe couldn’t help but ask, "Miss Lian is well-versed in Buddhist studies?" The combination of painting Buddhist images and writing scriptures was indeed striking.
Yueyao responded, "Yes, I enjoy Buddhist studies."
Mingzhu interjected, "Yueyao often visited the Scripture Pavilion in Zhaohua Temple to borrow and copy scriptures. Moreover, Master Xuan Tian praised her, saying she had a connection with Buddhism."
Lu Yanfan asked, "Miss Lian, have you really met Master Xuan Tian? It’s difficult to get an audience with him, so many people seek just a glimpse."
Yueyao smiled and replied, "Yes, I have asked Master Xuan Tian many questions. Master Xuan Tian is very kind and amiable."
Princess Wanhe caught on to a subtle point, "You mean, you’ve met Master Xuan Tian more than once?" Many questions on Buddhist principles sounded like frequent visits.
Yueyao did not think using Master Xuan Tian to boost her position was wrong, as it harmed no one, and she believed Master Xuan Tian would not blame her. Yueyao nodded, "Yes, last year, I frequently consulted Master Xuan Tian on issues of Buddhist Law on the mountain."
At Yueyao’s words, someone immediately expressed skepticism. Guan Qiong snorted coldly, "You’re not afraid of spraining your tongue, speaking such lies."
Mingzhu defended Yueyao, "What Yueyao said is true. I even went with her, but I fell asleep listening and stopped going."
Xiang Wei saw people still seemed sceptical and said with a smile, "This isn’t any secret, many people in the temple know about it. Our girl has no need to lie about this."
The room quieted down. Everyone found it difficult to get an audience with Master Xuan Tian, yet there she was, residing in the temple discussing Buddhist Law with him daily—a stark contrast indeed.