Xiao Jingling had taken the initiative to approach Princess Consort about taking the stage, which amazed Princess Consort, who knew her daughter’s temperament well. However, Princess Consort was very pleased with this outcome. As long as Xiao Jingling was willing to perform, the event wouldn’t be too awkward.

Ren Yaoqi smiled: “I only learned of it after accidentally seeing the Princess dance once before.”

Xiao Jingling said expressionlessly, “Let’s start quickly.” Xiao Jingling didn’t feel nervous – she just felt somewhat awkward. After years of martial training, she had never imagined it could be used for entertainment to please relatives.

Princess Consort looked at Xiao Jingling, then at Ren Yaoqi, asking with concern: “Do you need anything else prepared?”

Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment and asked: “Does the manor have a qin? I didn’t bring one.”

Princess Consort smiled: “That’s a small matter.”

Princess Consort turned and instructed Nanny Xin: “Go fetch my qin.” Nanny Xin immediately went to carry out the order.

Ren Yaoqi hastily expressed her gratitude.

Princess Consort carefully asked them a few more questions. Only when Qiluo came to say that the Dowager Princess Consort and others had returned from changing clothes, and it was about time, did Princess Consort pat their hands and turn to go to the head seat.

Nanny Xin led two maids to place a qin on the qin table in the center of the venue. Among the young ladies, quite a few were well-informed, and someone immediately recognized it as an ancient qin.

“Oh? It’s the ‘Taigu Yiyin’ (Ancient Relic’s Voice),” Qiu Hong exclaimed.

When Ren Yaoqi walked over and saw the qin that Nanny Xin had brought, she was also somewhat surprised. She remembered borrowing Xiao Jingxi’s “Dasheng Yiyin” (Great Sage’s Relic Voice) when she was at the Yanbei Prince’s mansion. The one before her now was “Taigu Yiyin,” which was equally famous as “Dasheng Yiyin.”

Nanny Xin smiled: “This was found by the Second Young Master for Princess Consort. Princess Consort treasures it dearly and usually keeps it carefully stored.”

Ren Yaoqi quickly said, “Thank you, Princess Consort.”

Nanny Xin smiled and went down with the maids.

Ren Yaoqi ignored the many scrutinizing and inquiring gazes directed at her. She lowered her head to tune the strings, then turned to glance at Xiao Jingling, who nodded at her.

Ren Yaoqi turned back, slowly lowering her eyes. In just the blink of an eye, the aura around Ren Yaoqi changed. This aura was not sharp or aggressive, and even gave people a feeling like a spring breeze, yet it involuntarily attracted attention. Even breathing became much quieter, for fear of disturbing something.

Ren Yaoqi seemed completely unaware of the changes around her. She plucked and strummed the strings, and qin music flowed from her fingertips – sometimes low and slow, sometimes clear and distant, all drawing people into immersion.

All around was complete silence. Gradually, there seemed to be the sound of wind by their ears, approaching from far away, plaintive and mournful.

Suddenly, the sad cry of a wild goose pierced the emptiness, echoing for a long time. As far as the eye could see was a scene of desolation.

Wild grass in mournful wind, broken walls, and ruins.

The qin music suddenly turned low, urgent yet resonant, with horses neighing and men shouting, faint yet audible sounds of iron horses and weapons in battle.

Just then, a corner of an extremely gorgeous, beautiful skirt rose in the wind. A young maiden’s exquisite face appeared and disappeared in the swirling sand and dancing phoenixes, like an evening glory flower blooming to its ultimate beauty. With graceful posture and light steps, she walked across piles of bones and rivers of blood, treading through flashing swords and shadows.

The Qin music gradually became gentle and slow. Clouds rose and snow flew, pearls fell onto jade plates. The snow-white short sword in the maiden’s hand was like a precious silk ribbon, light beyond light, soft beyond soft, without killing intent, only giving people a feeling of elegance, even a sacrificial solemnity and reverence.

Everyone’s gaze was attracted by the dancing, ethereal figure in the center. It seemed as if only she remained between heaven and earth.

But just then, the qin music changed again – the silver screen suddenly broke, the sound like tearing silk, and the sharp sword energy made everyone present feel their hearts tighten.

The sword momentum of the dancing maiden also changed accordingly: blazing like Archer Yi shooting down nine suns, graceful like emperors riding dragons in flight. Coming like thunder gathering wrath, ceasing like rivers and seas condensing clear light.

A series of sharp qin notes pierced the air, and the snow-white sword light flashed.

The Qin music stopped abruptly at this moment, and the sword-dancing maiden also stopped her movements.

The venue was completely silent. Everyone looked at Xiao Jingling, who had sheathed her sword, and Ren Yaoqi, who was rising from beside the qin table, unable to recover for a long moment. Everyone was still immersed in the atmosphere just experienced.

Ren Yaoqi and Xiao Jingling exchanged smiles. This was their first collaboration, without even time to practice, yet the result was unexpectedly excellent.

Although Xiao Jingling didn’t understand Qin music well, she could hear and understand every single note, every subtle expression from Ren Yaoqi. When sword dancing, her heart followed her will, and the two cooperated seamlessly.

This was probably the telepathic connection between kindred spirits. At this moment, both thought the same thing.

Princess Consort was the first to recover, exclaiming in surprise: “This is the long-lost ‘Sad Wind Song’?”

Legend had it that “Sad Wind Song” was composed by an anonymous person several hundred years ago. The piece recorded a beautiful maiden dancing on tiptoes across sword edges on the battlefield when enemy armies besieged the city.

Her exquisite beauty and graceful dance mesmerized the enemy army. Finally, the enemy general, intoxicated by the maiden’s dance, was unexpectedly assassinated by this young woman. Though the maiden also died under the enemy’s rain of arrows, the besieged soldiers in the city were able to wait for reinforcements.

The source of this story was no longer verifiable – perhaps it was fabricated by people – but this “Sad Wind Song” was quite famous. Unfortunately, this piece required extremely high technical skills from the qin player, and ordinary people simply couldn’t master it. Even if they could barely finish playing the piece, they couldn’t express its charm.

Eventually, this piece was even lost to history.

With Princess Consort’s exclamation, the venue became lively, and the young ladies began discussing in low voices.

“Wasn’t ‘Sad Wind Song’ lost? How does she know how to play it?”

“I thought I was standing on a battlefield just now and got quite a fright.”

“I didn’t expect the Princess’s sword dance to be so good. I wonder which instructor taught her?”

Madam Xu joyfully stood up, walked over, and asked Ren Yaoqi: “I remember the ‘Sad Wind Song’ in the qin score I gave you was incomplete fragments. Did you compose the latter part yourself?”

Ren Yaoqi smiled modestly: “I didn’t compose it well – please don’t laugh at me.” The piece she played today was indeed from the Qin score Madam Xu had previously given her. Because it was incomplete, she had completed the latter half herself.

Madam Xu laughed and sighed: “I knew I didn’t give my book to the wrong person. No, you completed it very well, truly very well. Could you copy the score you wrote for me? Several ladies and I are organizing some ancient incomplete scores, planning to include well-composed pieces by later generations.”

Ren Yaoqi nodded: “I’ll write it for you shortly.”

Madam Xu looked at Xiao Jingling with a teasing smile: “Seeing the Princess’s sword dance, I almost thought I was seeing the heroine from ‘Sad Wind Song’ whose single dance could topple a city. I imagine after today, there will be many more women in Yunyang City wanting to learn sword dancing.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jingling wasn’t embarrassed at all, just smiled.

Princess Consort laughed: “I was wondering how they knew the lost ‘Sad Wind Song’ – it turns out, Master, you gave Yaoqi the score.”

A lady sitting with Madam Xu smiled: “Madam Xu, when did you take on another disciple? I remember Princess Consort also studied under you when she was unmarried, and though the Princess never formally apprenticed, she also calls you Master. All of Yanbei’s most accomplished young ladies have become your students.”

The other ladies also laughed in agreement.

Everyone assumed that since Madam Xu had given her collected qin scores to Ren Yaoqi, it must be because Ren Yaoqi had become her student.

Princess Consort knew some of the circumstances but didn’t clarify.

Madam Xu didn’t deny it either, instead laughing: “You all saw today – how can Yanbei’s accomplished young ladies be limited to just one or two? You envy me quite unreasonably.”

The young ladies looked at Ren Yaoqi with somewhat complex gazes.

Some admired, some envied, some were jealous, and some naturally showed disdain.

Wu Yiyu, sitting above and watching Xiao Jingling steal the spotlight, was so angry her face turned pale, staring at Xiao Jingling and Ren Yaoqi with eyes red enough to drip blood.

Xiao Wei exchanged a glance with the Dowager Princess Consort, who spoke up: “It’s getting late. Let’s finish the competition early. Which family’s young lady is next?”

Princess Consort and the ladies also stopped their conversation.

Ren Yaoqi curtsied and withdrew.

Xiao Jingling smiled and winked at her, also returning to her seat.

When Ren Yaoqi returned to the Ren family sisters, she saw various expressions.

Xiangqin was the first to approach, pushing aside Pingguo and very earnestly supporting Ren Yaoqi’s arm, helping her sit while fawningly asking: “Fifth Miss, are you thirsty? Would you like some water? Are you hungry? Would you like some pastries?”

Ren Yaohua glared at Xiangqin, intimidating her into retreating.

Ren Yaoyin smiled and nodded at Ren Yaoqi: “Very well played. Fifth Sister’s qin skills have improved again.”

Ren Yaoyu pursed her lips: “I’ve never heard of this ‘Sad Wind Song’ before – I suppose I’ve broadened my knowledge.”

Ren Yaoying’s face was pale to the point of transparency, making her eyes appear even more pitch black. She looked at Ren Yaohua and pulled the corner of her mouth into a somewhat weak smile: “When did Fifth Sister gain a famous teacher? How come we’ve never heard of it?”

She paused, then smiled again: “It’s not strange that we don’t know, but Third Sister must know, right? Apprenticeship is also a significant matter. Third Sister has always been loving and protective of her sisters – surely Fifth Sister wouldn’t hide it from Third Sister.”

Hearing these words, Ren Yaoqi knew that Ren Yaoying resented Ren Yaohua for taking away her maid to defend her, and was trying to sow discord between her and Ren Yaohua.

Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but glance at Ren Yaohua. Just as she was about to say something, Ren Yaohua sneered: “Whether I know or not, what business is it of yours? As soon as you rest, you think about stirring up trouble. No wonder you’re inferior in everything – you can only rely on underhanded tactics to stand out, and in the end, you have no luck. If I were you, I’d have gone home to hide long ago. What a shameful display!”