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Jun Hui gazed at the flower ball hanging above and then at Jun Mo. "Seventh Brother, your skills have improved."
Jun Mo smiled. "I hadn't noticed before, but it seems Sixth Brother is quite skilled as well."
Both of them were smiling, but if one ignored the way they were kicking at each other, they might have seemed like two affectionate brothers.
Ji San took advantage of the moment, dashing up the wooden frame. However, just as he was about to celebrate, his legs were grabbed.
"Ah! Sixth Highness, Seventh Highness, spare me! Spare me!"
With a coordinated effort, Jun Mo and Jun Hui pulled him down.
Ji San's feet touched the ground—he was out. He turned to glance at Wei Yuanyao, who stood at the edge of the flower platform, then glared resentfully at the two above.
Damn it, these two were shameless! They had ganged up on him!
If only they weren’t of higher status than him, he…
Unfortunately, even in a one-on-one fight, he wasn't their match.
Feeling dejected, Ji San walked to the edge of the flower platform. Wei Yuanyao approached him and let out a soft chuckle.
Ji San looked up, stunned. "What are you laughing at?"
Wei Yuanyao smiled. "You lost, so what? You lost to the great and invincible King Jing—there's no shame in that."
Thanks, that didn’t make him feel any better.
Meanwhile, the two on the wooden frame were still engaged in a heated battle, their movements causing the structure to sway more violently.
"Your Highness, be careful! The frame is collapsing!"
"Everyone, get off the flower platform!"
The people below scattered away from the swaying frame. Several maids quickly shielded Su Li and Wei Yuanyao, guiding them to a safe distance.
Yet Jun Mo and Jun Hui paid no attention to the warnings. Their eyes were locked onto the flower ball at the top of the frame.
Jun Mo leaped toward it, and Jun Hui followed closely behind.
Two large hands grabbed the flower ball at the same time, neither willing to let go.
At that moment, the wooden frame collapsed with a thunderous crash.
The two figures landed on the ground in a swift motion.
Fortunately, no one was crushed. The elderly host looked at the two men, each holding half of the flower ball, and fell into deep thought.
How should the winner be decided?
"Everyone, please wait a moment. I need to consult with my master." The old man lifted the curtain behind the stage and disappeared inside.
Meanwhile, the crowd gathered, engaging in a lively discussion. This was something that had never happened before.
Su Yue stepped forward and looked at Su Li. "Elder Sister, why don’t you let me have the guqin? After all, you don’t even know how to play."
Su Li replied indifferently, "And how do you know I can't?"
Su Yue scoffed inwardly but maintained a sweet demeanor. "Because I've never seen you play before."
Su Li did not respond.
In her past life, before she met Zhao Huai’an, she had indeed been uninterested in the arts, dismissing them as frivolous.
But Zhao Huai’an was a man of talent, and to catch his attention, she had forced herself to master music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Fortunately, she was intelligent and diligent, and in the end, she had truly excelled.
Seeing that Su Li remained silent, Su Yue became even more pleased with herself.
Wei Yuanyao was about to speak up, but someone else beat her to it.
"The guqin belongs to whoever wins it. Even if Miss Su wins and doesn't know how to play, she has every right to let it gather dust in her room," Jun Mo said nonchalantly.
Jun Hui glanced at Su Li with interest. The eldest Miss Su, rumored to have a ruined face, had actually managed to get his Seventh Brother to speak on her behalf. Not bad.
Jun Hui chuckled. "Seventh Brother, I think you're mistaken. This is a rare and exquisite guqin. Letting it collect dust would be a shame. Wouldn't it be better to give it to Second Miss Su? She is a true music enthusiast and will cherish it."
Su Yue smiled gratefully at Jun Hui, lifting her chin slightly as she looked at Su Li.
Su Li let out a light chuckle and said calmly, "It's too early to say such things. Let’s rely on our own abilities. If you’re so worried about the guqin being wasted, then win it back yourself."
Just as she finished speaking, the old host returned.
"My master has decided that each side will choose one person to perform a piece. Everyone present will be the judges, and the guqin will go to the one with the most votes."
Su Li nodded slightly. That seemed fair enough.
Su Yue, who had been learning the guqin since childhood, smiled confidently. "I’ll go first!"
The old man gestured toward the stage. "Please, Miss."
As she ascended the flower platform, Su Yue passed by Su Li and whispered, "Elder Sister, you should just give up. It’ll be embarrassing when you lose."
With that, she stepped onto the platform.
Su Li lowered her gaze, standing quietly.
Wei Yuanyao was fuming. "Su Yue is truly shameless! Next time I visit the Su residence, I’ll have Aunt discipline her properly!"
Jun Mo looked at Su Li, who had yet to speak. "Do you need me to step in for this round?"
If he played, he could secure the guqin for her, but it would also confirm the rumor that Su Li was talentless.
Su Li shook her head. "I’ll handle it."
Seeing her determination, Jun Mo remained silent.
Su Yue circled around the guqin, Lüqi, gently running her fingers over its surface. Her eyes gleamed with ambition.
As expected of Lüqi—it was truly a fine instrument!
Its body was made of premium sandalwood, carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, and its strings were as taut as silk.
She slowly took a seat, her elegant fingers lightly grazing the strings… producing rippling melodies.
The music was as clear and cool as a flowing stream, like a gentle summer breeze over a lake, soothing and refreshing to the soul.
When the piece ended, applause and cheers erupted.
Those well-versed in music could hear the flaws in her performance.
An instrument and its player required time to harmonize. Since this was Su Yue’s first time playing Lüqi, several notes were not handled well.
But to the general audience, her performance was already exceptional—practically divine.
"Amazing! Truly worthy of her reputation as the capital’s talented lady!"
"As expected, Second Miss Su's skills are remarkable. Only she deserves such a fine guqin!"
"Why even continue? The eldest Miss Su has no chance. She should just give up now."
"I heard Second Miss Su studied under a renowned master and has practiced for years. This match is already decided."
"Look, the eldest Miss Su is so calm."
"Pfft, she's just pretending."
The surrounding chatter did not affect Su Li. Wei Yuanyao, on the other hand, was so angry she nearly stomped her foot.
Ji Huaizhou, standing nearby, said, "Why so anxious? Your cousin looks quite composed."
Ever since Su Li had dominated the first round of riddles and the second round of poetry, he had sensed that this supposedly ruined Su Li was far from ordinary.
Su Yue, basking in the flattery, gracefully bowed and stepped down. Looking at Su Li, she smirked. "Elder Sister, do you still want to play?"
Su Li said nothing. She merely walked past Su Yue and ascended the platform.
Su Yue sneered inwardly. Go on, pretend all you want. Let’s see you humiliate yourself!
As she stepped down, Su Yue turned to Jun Hui. "Your Highness, what do you think of my playing?"
Jun Hui smiled. "Second Miss Su’s skills are among the best in the capital. You truly live up to your reputation."
Su Yue’s smile grew even sweeter as she cast a coy glance at Jun Hui.
Jun Hui smirked—what a pity she was only a concubine’s daughter. Otherwise, she could have been a useful alliance.