Hua Yuyan smiled faintly. "Please do not be impatient, gentlemen. There were too many people earlier, and Yuyan had no choice but to test you all. I have been deeply uneasy about it. Now, let me play a piece for you as a small expression of my apology. I hope you will forgive me."
"Good! Let us enjoy Great Courtesan Hua's skill with the qin." Led by Lü Shidao, the crowd cheered in approval, each of them lavishly praising her.
Song Qingshu's heart stirred. This Courtesan Queen truly understood people's hearts. Although everyone had said nothing while repeatedly submitting to her tests just to see her, who among them was not usually the center of attention? They had been forced to humble themselves and undergo trials for the sake of a courtesan. It would have been fine if they ultimately won the beauty's favor, but if they returned empty-handed, would they not explode with rage when they recalled being led around by the nose by a courtesan?
Now that she had taken the initiative to perform for them, she was at least giving them a little sweetness. Even if they were eliminated afterward, they would be better able to accept it.
Soon, Hua Yuyan lightly plucked the strings with her ten fingers, and a heavenly melody slowly filled the room.
At first, the sound was soft, like a clear mountain spring trickling downward. Gradually, it became more compact, like the dense drizzle of early spring. Listening closely, the music seemed to carry a strange magic. Its notes appeared to circle above their heads, then whisper in their ears, intoxicating them all.
"Piercing the lingering haze, it entered the night wind. A bright moon rose over the curtained window. Startled that the road was long and you were still far away,