It's over.
These two words filled Xiao Jinghui's mind. She didn't even notice when the zither string grazed her cheek and a tiny wound oozed blood.
The yellow - clad girl on Xiao Bao'er's left asked in confusion, "What's wrong with your third younger sister? How could she break the zither string out of the blue? She was playing just fine a moment ago."
This girl was Ruan Zhiqing, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Yongding Marquis Mansion. She was also the first one to notice that the Princess of Lin'an was deliberately targeting Xiao Bao'er. The pink - clad girl on Xiao Bao'er's right was Su Zhaoyue, the second legitimate daughter of the Yuanping Earl Mansion, the one who had told Ruan Zhiqing to keep her voice down earlier.
Both of them came from military - aristocratic families. Their skills in the four arts of the Chinese scholar were not much better than Xiao Bao'er's. So when Xiao Jinghui was playing the zither, the three of them only thought she was playing well but didn't notice anything special. Seeing that they were all equally clueless, the three girls got together and chatted.
Xiao Bao'er also looked at Xiao Jinghui, who was standing there in a daze in front of the zither, puzzled. What was wrong with this Xiao Jinghui? In her previous life, didn't she play very well? That one piece had even made her famous as a talented woman throughout the capital city of Shangjing, attracting the admiration of countless young masters.
Now, not only did she play a wrong note, but she also broke the zither string. Xiao Bao'er had originally thought that breaking the zither string was something only she could do. It turned out that even someone who had learned to play the zither could break it. Thinking like this, most of Xiao Bao'er's nervousness dissipated.
Anyway, with Xiao Jinghui setting an example before her, it didn't seem so embarrassing if she made a mistake while playing the zither later. At worst, people outside would just laugh at the girls of the Xiao Mansion for not being good at the zither.
The maids helped the pale - faced Xiao Jinghui up. The Princess of Lin'an had already turned her head away, not wanting to look at Xiao Jinghui anymore.
When Xiao Jinghui passed by Xiao Bao'er, she glared at her fiercely. Although Xiao Bao'er was a bit confused about Xiao Jinghui's hostility towards her, after all, they were both daughters of the Xiao Mansion, so she had to put on an act in front of outsiders.
So, in Xiao Jinghui's shocked gaze, Xiao Bao'er gave her a thumbs - up and said with admiration on her face, "Third younger sister, you're so strong."
The people around immediately burst into laughter. Xiao Jinghui, who was so embarrassed that she felt like her toes were curling, wished she could rush up and twist Xiao Bao'er's head off. But Xiao Bao'er looked so sincere, as if she was really praising her.
Xiao Bao'er's thought was quite simple. Since someone had broken the zither string, it was obviously inappropriate to praise her zither - playing skills. If she comforted her, it would seem like adding salt to the wound. So it was better to praise her for her strength. That should be right, right?
Xiao Jinghui glared at Xiao Bao'er with gritted teeth. "I'm not feeling well, elder sister. Please don't laugh at me. It's your turn next, elder sister. Please show your true strength and don't let outsiders laugh at our Xiao Mansion." After saying that, she angrily sat down on one side.
After seeing Xiao Jinghui's performance, Xiao Bao'er wasn't so scared anymore. She confidently strode forward and sat down in front of the newly replaced zither.
She followed the steps before playing the zither and started to burn incense and wash her hands. The clothes Xiao Bao'er was wearing today made her look elegant and otherworldly. Although people didn't see what she looked like under the veil, with the power of imagination, they thought she should be good - looking.
With people's imagination, Xiao Bao'er's regular actions seemed to be beautified in their eyes.
Xiao Bao'er took a deep breath and placed her hands on the zither strings. In her previous life, for the sake of face, she had played a very difficult piece in front of everyone. But because she was not familiar with the score, she could only play it intermittently, which had led to people's ridicule.
Under the heavy pressure, Xiao Bao'er had directly broken the zither string. In this life, she no longer chose to play that obscure piece. As for what to play, Xiao Bao'er had made a decision the moment she drew the lot for the zither.
She gently closed her eyes, and a smooth melody flowed from her fingertips. This piece had simple fingering, and the tune sounded sometimes cheerful and sometimes leisurely. It was actually a nursery rhyme for lulling children to sleep.
At this time, a gentle breeze blew continuously, lifting the white veil, as well as Xiao Bao'er's inky hair and sleeves.
People subconsciously thought of a line of poetry, "I seem to be riding on the wind in the vast expanse, not knowing where I will end. I seem to be floating freely, detached from the mortal world, like a celestial being ascending to immortality."
Although the nursery rhyme that Xiao Bao'er played was simple, visually, people gave her a lot of credit in their hearts. And the veil that Xiao Bao'er used to cover her shortcomings had now become a beautiful imagination in people's hearts.
There was also a sharp - eyed young man diagonally opposite. When he first heard the simple nursery rhyme from afar, he was about to make a joke. But when he saw the fresh figure through the white veil, he stopped speaking, and his heart stirred slightly.
Xie Yumo was sitting in his seat, his fingers tapping on the table in time with the tune of the nursery rhyme. Even without looking at the pavilion, the image of a curious figure on tiptoe like a little kitten appeared in his mind, and the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curl up.
When the piece was over, Xiao Bao'er took a deep breath. After praising herself in her heart, she opened her eyes and saw that the people around were all looking stunned. Xiao Bao'er's mind went blank for a moment. Did these people actually like a nursery rhyme for lulling children?
Xiao Jinghui couldn't bear to see Xiao Bao'er stealing the show with just a nursery rhyme, so she sneered, "Elder sister, do you look down on everyone here? We've all prepared carefully to please the princess, but you play a nursery rhyme that even a three - year - old can play. It's really too perfunctory!"
The people present: No, we don't think so.
Seeing her newly - made friend being harassed, Ruan Zhiqing immediately came to her defense. "Miss Xiao San, we all think Bao'er's piece is nice. Even if it's a simple nursery rhyme, as long as the listeners are satisfied, isn't that enough? Does only a complicated and obscure tune meet Miss Xiao San's standards, and a simple piece is worthless in your eyes?"
Xiao Jinghui was taken aback and explained angrily, "Of course I don't mean that. It's just that on this occasion, one should play a piece that suits one's status and age. Playing such a simple nursery rhyme is like being perfunctory to the princess. I'm also thinking about elder sister. I don't want the princess to misunderstand elder sister."
Xiao Bao'er really wanted to say that this piece already represented her highest level.
Seeing that Xiao Jinghui had given her an opening, the Princess of Lin'an calmly picked up her teacup. "Miss Xiao Da, I've heard of your talent even in my boudoir. Your level should be more than just playing such a vulgar nursery rhyme. Why don't you play another piece? If you can, I'll forgive your perfunctory behavior."
Seeing that the Princess of Lin'an was determined to make her look bad, Xiao Bao'er was just about to speak when she heard an angry and soft childish voice from behind.
"Who said this piece is vulgar?!"
A chubby little girl trotted in on her short legs, followed by two well - dressed maids.
The Princess of Lin'an casually raised her eyes, recognized the little girl, and quickly put down her teacup and got up to salute. "Princess Sixteen, why are you here?"
Princess Sixteen frowned and looked at the Princess of Lin'an with a bad expression. "Cousin Lin'an, was it you who said this piece is vulgar?"
The Princess of Lin'an gritted her teeth and said, "Y - yes. It's really not suitable for this occasion..."
Before the Princess of Lin'an could finish, Princess Sixteen shouted in her soft, childish voice, "How dare you!"
The Princess of Lin'an didn't know what she had done to offend this little ancestor and quickly knelt down to plead for mercy. "Princess Sixteen, please calm down!"
Everyone else knelt down in a daze. Just as Xiao Bao'er's knees were about to touch the ground, she was hugged by a small, soft body. "Sister Xiao, you don't need to kneel."