As the song ended, Lin Xiao slowly lowered the white jade flute, eyes still sealed shut. His expression was depressed and lonely, like he was painfully recalling something from the past. But the audience was still immersed in the lingering sounds of the flute rising in spirals having yet to come to their senses…The sound of the flute, indeed appeared like an illusion emerged in front of their eyes showing the miracles of all living things, and also enabling them to witness the different stages of a human life, from young and immature, to beauty, to maturity, until life’s end.
It was as if they were having a dream. From there, they watched themselves pass by each stage of life. That which brought them to dreamland is the boundless magical power of the flute’s song.
The people were shocked. If it wasn’t for today, they would have carried on thinking that the sound of flute only brought out pleasure to the sense of hearing and would not think that this sound would stir up their heartstrings. Deep in their hearts, it depicted scenes of touching images. Such sound is both magical and incredible, what an extraordinary kind of person to be able to play this kind of sound.
Besides total shock, they could not think of anything else.
A number of people still do not know that it was just a dream, and until this very moment have yet to wake up.
“The name of this tune is similar to the name of the flute, called A Dream of Worldly Affairs, this is the tune that I play everyday. Every time I play it, it reminds me of my deceased mother. The sound of the flute is like her gentle call, making me feel as if she has not left me, but is always here by my side, witnessing every stage of my life.” Lin Xiao said softly, the corner of his eyes were wet with tears. This is the first time he played A Dream of Worldly Affairs in front of a large number of people. He did not pay any mind to their exclamations, not even the least bit of arrogance, as if reactions like these were normal.
His voice was very low, but not enough to wake the people up from their stupor until Long Yin exclaimed his admiration word by word. “Great! What a nice tune A Dream of Worldly Affairs. How great Lin Xiao of Lin family is. I realized only now the true and real sound of a flute, and when man and flute unite as one we receive something that belongs to the heavens rather than the ordinary human world. I have listened to numerous types of wonderful music, but now comparing to A Dream of Worldly Affairs, the music I have heard before were intolerably bland. As you have mentioned before, these worldly sounds are nothing compared to your flute playing. I couldn’t accept it before, but now I am fully convinced. The sound of your flute and Wuchen’s painting skills are indeed not the skills that can be compared side by side with the skills from the secular world. For the Tian Long Nation to have these two is really a blessing from God; may the heavens protect my Tian Long!”
Long Yin’s voice was generous and fierce, hardly concealing his excitement, surprise, appreciation, and gratification. His words had woken up the people and also mirrored their thoughts. For a moment, an uproar resounded throughout the entire stage. The high officials and noble persons who normally don’t talk and smile and are normally very stingy when it comes to words of praise one by one started to praise the sound of the flute with every magnificent and flowery word that they could think of, admiring Lin Xiao. Some felt that their words of praise was still not sufficient, that their flowery words from this world were still not qualified enough to decorate the sound of the flute that belonged to the heavenly world.
Today, they had recognized Ye family’s Wuchen and now, also Lin family's Lin Xiao — an outstanding talent who can play such heavenly music.
Everybody is convinced that for this stage, Lin Xiao was the winner. They could not think of anything else that can surpass his A Dream of Worldly Affairs, a fine tune that brought everybody to a strange illusion-like place, and that described the stages of life in a dream like manner. His portrayal of the sorrowful memories of his mother and confused stage of depression in life were fully appreciated by all the people, showing empathy for him.
Among these people, surely including Ye Wuchen himself did not expect that Lin Xiao’s artistic attainment on the flute had reached this shocking level.
“It’s indeed astonishing!” Ye Wuchen said facing Lin Xiao.
“Flute…is the other half of my life.” Lin Xiao answered, his face emotionless.
“Oh? Huh… for me, flute is just a musical instrument, that’s all. Does it mean that if you are not able to use the flute, you have lost half of your life?” Ye Wuchen pondered.
“Yes!”
“You must have absolute self-confidence else you wouldn’t make light of your life and bet it on this irrelevant competition, more so on a bet that has no payback. Only a fool can do such things or perhaps you think you have an absolute assurance. But I believe…”
Ye Wuchen did not continue. The noises beside his ears still did not break up for a very long time, he heaved a sigh of relief then yelled with a clear voice, “Everybody please listen to me first.”
The clear and loud voice had caused them to shake and gradually, calmed themselves down. Their gazes once again focused on Ye Wuchen, awaiting his performance.
Ye Wuchen said smiling. “Master Lin’s playing has surely lived up to its reputation and is greatly appreciated by the people. Even I don’t have a hundred percent certainty to win over master Lin. But we from Ye family never back out from a fight, so please excuse my shameful acts.”
He glanced at the flute in Lin Xiao’s hand, then continued. “This flute of Lin Xiao is a remnant of his mother, being treated as his life and never leaving his side. Naturally he won’t allow any person to touch it, so this flute I am certainly not allowed to touch. Not to mention, is there any elder or friend here who have brought a flute? Please lend it to me for a short moment, and it will be greatly appreciated.”
When his voice dropped, he didn’t sweep his gaze across the whole area and instead looked immediately towards Hua Shuirou. With a smiling face, his gentle gaze fixed on her, unmoving for quite a while.
People in the area looked at each other, but nobody was able to pull out a flute. Their purpose of attending this occasion was to witness the competition between young talents. Who would have brought their flute to this place? Moreover, a flute is not like zither which is a stringed musical instrument, it needed to be played using the lips, whether male or female. Who would agree to share his or her flute with someone? It is almost like sharing your chopsticks with some other person; these two acts are essentially not very different. Even if someone brought their flute, it was unlikely for them to present it—of course, except maybe those young ladies who took a liking to him and couldn’t wait to get close to him. If a lady gifted a flute to a man, it would have an underlying meaning that they are willing to entrust their future to the man. Those ladies would have agreed a thousand times, but too bad none of them have brought a flute.
Hua Shuirou’s heart was beating very fast. Little by little she tried to lift her head, but then she tried to lower her head in the same manner because every time she secretly lifted her head, she was met by a gaze that made her heart suddenly beat faster. She covered her blushing face, whispering to herself, “Did he… discover it?”
For a long while, nobody had been able to provide a flute and the situation became awkward. Then Long Yin knitted his brows. “Does anybody have a flute?”
If there was no flute, then this stage of competition could not continue on. If one had to return to the palace to get a flute, then it would be very time consuming.
Hua Shuirou slowly lifted her head, meeting the gaze of Ye Wuchen. His gaze contained some hidden expectation, and that expression in his eyes spoke to her: Even if some other person lends me theirs, I still wouldn’t accept it. I only want yours.
Translated by: Fatty_Uncle
Edited by: patrick_father_of_dragons
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