The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 48

Cui Hanxue listened to what Qingyan said, still with a look of disdain, "Su Qingyan, don't talk nonsense. If when the time comes and you lose, don't come crying to me."

"That is natural." Qingyan still carried a smile on her face, but that smile was brimming with confidence.

At that moment, Liu Shang also thought through some things. He very much wanted to know just what kind of surprises this young girl before him could bring, especially that shred of ruthlessness under that confident look.

"Since Miss Su was able to recognized this Guqin, then I will let you borrow it." Liu Shang said this as he took the guqin from his back and placed it in Su Qingyan's hands. Based on this guqin's weight, it wasn't something that a young girl like her could carry, yet Su Qingyan was able to firmly hold it.

She lightly bowed to Liu Shang, "Thank you very much mister Liu Shang, I definitely won't let you regret letting me borrow this."

Qingyan carried the Fengyao Guqin and slowly walked to the center of the stage. However, she didn't removed the Charred Tail Guqin that was already there, but instead placed the Fengyao Guqin vertically in front of it.

Everyone burst into laughter at how Su Qingyan placed the instrument. But only Liu Shang knew that only the previous pavilion master, Qilian Qingyan, would play like this. And she would play out the most heart moving melodies in the world.

"Su Qingyan, how can you compete with me when you can't even place the qin right." Cui Hanxue look to Su Qingyan, still sneering at her.

But Su Qingyan ignored her and strum the strings, releasing an unworldly and pleasant sound.

As soon as the sound escaped, everyone present momentarily fell into silence. This was precisely what's impressive about the Fengyao Guqin; it can endlessly magnify the sound of the qin, evoking a surreal image.

Qingyan lastly placed the qin horizontally on her lap and slowly stroked the strings.

The first part of the tune was ethereal and lingering, as if it could let one sink into nature and feel the cries of a hundred birds.

The second part was deep and melodious, as if one could sense the parting sorrow and grief of the player, making them can't help but to tear at the cruelty of fate.

The last part of the tune was soothing and light, as if one could feel that light hearted and relaxing mood of the player. It was as if this person didn't have anything that made them sad.

It was precisely the so called saying, 'the willow trees make the shade, the flowers give the light*'.

(*TN: Idiom meaning at one's darkest hour, a glimmer of hope, or there's light at the end of the tunnel.)

Just when everyone still wanted more, the tune had already ended.

The judges present were once fortunate enough to hear someone play this peerless masterpiece of a tune, and this piece was precisely the [Thousand Beasts and Phoenix] that had been lost in Jianghu for more than 5 years.

Liu Shang never had thought that he could hear this familiar tune again in this kind of setting. Aside from the fact that Qingyan's appearance playing the qin was all too similar to Qilian Qingyan, as her once most loyal guardian protector, towards Qingyan's every move and smile, he was all too familiar with. To think that this girl could let him feel as if she was Qilian Qingyan.

But Qilian Qingyan had already passed away, this was a reality that no one could change.

"What kind of lousy tune was that, why haven't I heard of it before? Su Qingyan don't use some unknown piece that no one knows about to mess with us." Cui Hanxue look to Su Qingyan still with a look of disdain.

Su Qingyan didn't acknowledge her words and instead nonchalantly walked up before Liu Shang carrying the qin. "Thank you mister Liu Shang for lending me the qin. This Fengyao Guqin is truly worthy to be called the number one guqin in the world."