She Would Not Keep Company with Trash

The girl couldn't help but look at Gu Sinian Gu Sinian, who looked quite young, around ten years old.

Yet his demeanor was remarkably composed, showing none of the impetuousness of youth, displaying an air of maturity beyond his years.

His poems were outstanding, and one after another they were posted, attracting many young ladies to gather around and read them.

Someone sighed softly, "This poem about spring is truly wonderful."

A young lady next to me read:

The gentle sunlight filters through the window screen, and spring breezes rustle the fallen petals everywhere.

Do not say that there are no beautiful scenes in the world; after reciting a poem, one is intoxicated by the rosy clouds.

"Isn't this poem much better than Zhou Wanwan's?"

The young lady looked at Gu Sinian, Gu Sinian glanced at her indifferently, and she immediately blushed.

Gu Sinian said calmly, "I can't compare to Zhou Wanwan."

The young woman smiled awkwardly and lowered her head.

The second match began quickly.

The host announced loudly, "The second competition will test your skill in playing the guqin; the winner will be determined by the guqin."

As soon as he finished speaking, servants brought forward three guqin (ancient Chinese stringed instruments) one by one and gently placed them in the hall.

The first guqin was made of paulownia wood, with a deep and calm color, clearly indicating that it had been well-maintained over the years, and its tone was the clearest and brightest.

The second guqin is slightly darker, with a simple and unpretentious wood grain.

The third guqin is the most eye-catching; it is made of old cedar wood and has a rich, deep tone.

As soon as the three instruments were set out, people around immediately began to murmur their admiration.

Lu Lan gave a cold sneer:

"Zhou Wanwan, someone like you probably hasn't even seen a good guqin, has you?"

Let me tell you, these three guqin (a seven-stringed zither) each have a special history; they weren't just random pieces used to make up the numbers!

Wen Zhiyu smiled and said:

"You're giving her too much credit. Did you see how dumbfounded she looked?"

"I'm afraid you've never seen a guqin before."

A noblewoman from the capital looked at the guqin and said:

"These guqin are quite nice. This particular guqin was made by Lei Wei, a renowned guqin maker from the previous generation."

While not a rare treasure, it is certainly a fine zither.

Lu Lan looked at Zhou Wanwan provocatively and said, "I want to see how you play later. I'm definitely taking this second round's reward."

Shangguan Wan'er sneered. What right did these country bumpkins have for such a reward?

The people from the capital haven't even said anything yet!

Lu Lan raised her hand and plucked the strings, playing a piece called "The Wind Enters the Pines." Her technique was mediocre, and the melody was ordinary, nothing particularly outstanding.

Wen Zhiyu stepped forward to play the zither, but her skills were already rudimentary, and she was also impatient and restless. Her fingers erratically, and the music was intermittent.

The crowd frowned slightly, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Zhou Wanwan laughed at what she heard. After Wen Zhiyu came down, she glared at her and said, "What's so funny?"

Zhou Wanwan shrugged and said, "I'm embarrassed by this music. How could you play it? Isn't this a disgrace to Yunxi County?"

Wen Zhiyu stomped her feet in anger. "I'll see how you shine later. If you can't bring glory to Yunxi County, I won't let you off the hook."

Zhou Wanwan scoffed lightly:

"You'll never forgive me? Someone with your skill level dares to embarrass themselves by going up there."

"To still dare to spout such nonsense here, you truly have commendable courage."

Wen Zhiyu angrily said, "Zhou Wanwan, you... you've gone too far."

Zhou Wanwan raised an eyebrow and said:

"Who's really going too far? You're always being sarcastic and sarcastic, like I owe you something."

"You just have the Wen Family backing you up, do you really think you're anything special?"

Wen Zhiyu was about to speak when Madam Wen scolded her, "It's one thing if no one disciplines her, Zhiyu, why are you arguing with someone like her?"

Zhou Wanwan looked at Madam Wen with a forced smile and said, "Oh my! Madam Wen is quite remarkable; she has raised your daughter exceptionally well."

Madam Wen was so angry that her face turned red. If Wen Zhiyu hadn't gone up to play the zither, those words would have been a compliment.

But anyone could tell that the piano she just played was utterly unbearable; those words were a slap in the face to her.

Madam Wen sneered, "As expected of someone from the countryside, utterly lacking in manners."

Zhou Wanwan looked at her and said:

How did Madam Wen judge upbringing?

Your daughter has targeted me time and time again; is this what you call well-mannered behavior?

After saying that, he turned and left.

She doesn't associate with trash.

When it was Shangguan Wan'er's turn, she gently raised her hand, and the maid beside her immediately brought over a guqin and placed it on the guqin table.

Everyone couldn't help but take a second look.

Immediately, people whispered among themselves, "Miss Shangguan's zither is quite extraordinary!"

The person who knew about zithers said softly, "This was made by Li Wenzhong, a famous zither maker in the capital. Ordinary people simply can't afford it."

Shangguan Wan'er smiled slightly, her slender fingers touching the strings of the zither, playing "Spring at the Dawn Window".

This is precisely the most popular elegant music for noblewomen in the capital today.

Someone remarked, "Well done, as expected of a noble lady from the capital, she's truly exceptional!"

"You can tell he's been a diligent student since childhood and has a solid foundation."

After Shangguan Wan'er finished playing, she proudly raised her head, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

Zhou Wanwan simply pursed her lips, lowered her eyes, and refused to look at her.

The maidservant beside Shangguan Wan'er said smugly:

"See? This is our master's true skill!"

"She's not someone a girl from a humble background like you can compare to!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Xuening stepped forward slowly.

She sat gracefully before the zither, her fingertips lightly touching the strings, and the melody of "Moon over the Capital" began.

After a moment of complete silence, thunderous applause erupted.

One of the judges stroked his beard and exclaimed in admiration:

What a beautiful piece of music, "Moon over the Capital"!

As expected of a disciple personally taught by Madam Shuhui of the capital, her skill and demeanor are truly exceptional!

Lu Xuening's expression was indifferent, but she couldn't hide the arrogance in her eyes.

The maids in the courtyard chimed in, each word aimed at mocking and belittling Zhou Wanwan: "Look at our young lady's musical skills! That's true elegance!"

"Some people can't even play the piano properly, yet they dare to stand here. They really don't know their own limitations."

"She thinks she can compare to Miss Lu and Miss Shangguan? Dream on!"

"I bet she'll be so flustered when she gets on stage that her hands will be shaking, and she'll completely embarrass herself!"

"Compared to our young lady, she's not even worthy to carry her shoes!"

Zhou Wanwan looked at the maids and said, "A group of maids can gossip about their master at will. These maids from the capital are really something else."

Logically speaking, these maids wouldn't be so talkative.

But he just kept talking; that would be impossible without someone giving him permission.

Shangguan Wan'er smiled slightly and said, "The little maid is telling the truth, and there's nothing we can say about it!"

Zhou Wanwan chuckled and said, "You really think you can win? Xing'an, go get my zither."

Lu Lan couldn't help but laugh out loud:

"You? You want to play the guqin? I advise you not to waste your time. What decent guqin do you even have?"

Why not just use the zithers we have prepared in our household? These are all top-quality instruments.

Don't embarrass yourself by showing off those cheap, low-quality instruments you have."