When everyone heard this, they were all unconcerned. Those who didn't attend the Talent Conference all knew that Liushang has always been someone who thinks highly of himself. Moreover, he cherishes his Fengyao Guqin* very much, why would he play an accompaniment for a mere General's daughter.
(*T/N: Similar to a zither but only seven strings.)
Furthermore, this General's daughter was even an idiot.
Liushang thought back to this young girl's performance during the Talent Conference and recalled how she was able to recognize this Fengyao Guqin at a glance that day. Just when they all thought that Hongjia Emperor was going to help Liushang refuse, Liushang stood up first. He looked to Hongjia Emperor and bowed at the waist, "If I can play an accompaniment for this kind of girl, then it's this humble subject's honor."
Qingyan looked to Liushang's appearance and delightfully curved her lips. She just knew that Liushang would definitely not reject her, because Liushang also had his own hidden agenda. And that's for the sake of proving whether or not she was the former Qilian Qingyan. However, this bit wasn't important.
Qilian Yuran knows Liushang's temperament, and she too thought that Liushang would refuse. However she didn't expect that Liushang would actually agree to Su Qingyan's request.
"Alright, since Liushang has agreed, then if you, Su Qingyan, performs poorly when the time comes, this consort will be punishing you."
In places where there's Qilian Yuran, Hongjia Emperor only needs to be in charge of watching the show. But he was also very curious as to how this young girl before him, who once embarrassed herself three years ago, would perform now.
Qingyan still maintained a smile on her face and bowed, "This subject-daughter accepts the decree. Please allow this subject-daughter to change attire."
Hongjia Emperor solemnly nodded at Qingyan. Qingyan had carried with her a custom made dance clothes, a moon white long dress that draped to the floor. And only with this kind of long dress can the charm of the 'Qing Cheng Dance' be delicately brought out.
(*T/N: Qing Cheng literally translates to overturning a state. It's used as a way to describe a beautiful woman thus can be also translated to 'devastating'.)
When Liushang saw this long dress, he couldn't help widening his eyes. But before waiting for him to respond, voice sounded by his ears, "I wonder if gentleman Liushang knows how to play the song [Qing Guo Qing Cheng*]."
(*T/N: Literal translation would be 'capable of causing downfall to a country or state; figuratively it's used as an idiom to describe a woman as 'devastatingly beautiful'.)
Listening to Qingyan's words, Liushang couldn't help clenching his fist. His gaze towards her still carried a hint of inquiry, but he saw that Qingyan's eyes were so tranquil, without a trace of disturbance.
Liushang looked to Qingyan and eventually nodded at her.
Liushang was once fortunate enough to have seen Qilian Qingyan's 'Qing Cheng Dance' before. And that dance's accompaniment was this [Qing Guo Qing Cheng] piece.
There's a beautiful woman in the north, exceptional and independent.
One look collapses city walls, look again falls the country.
Would rather not know the downfall of the city and state?
Such beauty is difficult to obtain again!
The qin slowly sounded and the dance steps begun. Dragging the trailing long dress, she suddenly leapt backwards. The cloud like long sleeves beautifully drew a perfect arc in midair. This is precisely the so called 'light sway of the sleeves draws the butterfly to dance, slender waist slowly twist at the silk waistband.'
Following along the music's rhythm, the beautiful figure fluttered like a butterfly dancing lightly and gracefully. She carried on her face a seamless smile, like red plum flower solely blooming in the cold on a cold winter night.
She twirled around and around, forgetting herself. The red spider lilies on hem of the dress appeared as if they were blooming in the wind. The gentle breeze brushed up her long delicate black hair, landing on her face, yet it didn't affect her beauty in the slightest.
Spinning and spinning, the cloud like sleeves accompanied by the breeze rustled in the dark night, unexpectedly sounding similar to musical movements of the piece being played.
The music abruptly stopped, and she halted her steps. Using the long cloud like sleeves, she drew a curve in midair.
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