Chapter 54 of 100

Chapter 54

16 min read4,047 words

As the musicians took their positions, the audience cheered, and the much-anticipated Su Weiwei finally made her entrance.

Indeed, she was renowned throughout Hong County and celebrated in Qi Prefecture. She had personally handled every detail of the battle song, from start to finish, and even the costume was carefully selected.

At this moment, she was dressed in a silk gown, her makeup perfectly suited to the occasion. She walked onto the stage with a gentle sway, the fragrance of her presence captivating the audience. The guests were entranced, their hearts racing, and they swallowed hard.

Yue Heng was no better. He found the feeling of being at a live concert quite enjoyable, with the beauty just a few meters away, seemingly within reach. When Su Weiwei glanced deeply at him upon her entrance, his heart beat faster.

"Thank you, Master Yue for the lyrics~"

Su Weiwei bowed lightly before everyone, and the first person she thanked was Yue Heng, causing many men to envy her and drool.

"Hmph! A lecherous little thief! Writing such licentious and sensual lyrics!" In a small, unnoticed corner, Wen Xin Yue's eyes were red, muttering to herself.

After a brief preparation, the musicians began to play, and Su Weiwei started her performance.

The horn sounded, the copper cymbals clanged, the drums thundered, and the flutes and reed pipes harmonized.

These four instruments were clearly not ordinary, providing a strong enhancement to the battle song "The Ballad of Mulan."

The horn's deep, penetrating sound touched the heart, the copper cymbals' clear and pleasant tones were not harsh, the drums awakened the dormant depths of the soul, and the flutes and reed pipes sang of the world's hardships and sorrows.

Su Weiwei's lips parted slightly, and she sang the lyrics "The sound of the loom, the sound of the loom, Mulan is weaving at the door." Her every gesture was graceful and charming, her voice vivid and expressive. She was not just a good singer; her acting was also excellent.

The long poem changed through seven musical modes, perfectly matching the ancient Xianbei style. Many people, upon hearing the melody played by the musicians, began to hum along with the familiar tunes.

The seven modes used seven different rhymes, from the first line "The sound of the loom, the sound of the loom" to "She has no thoughts of a man," and from the second-to-last section "The Son of Heaven sits in the Hall of Brightness" to "No one knows Mulan is a woman." The style of each section changed subtly.

Su Weiwei, a master of song, modulated her voice with grace, sorrow, and passion, effectively stirring the emotions of the entire audience.

When the song ended, even though they were not within the range of the Illusory Spirit Array, people felt as if they had witnessed Mulan's entire military journey.

A good song can penetrate the soul, touching the most tender part of the heart.

A hundred people listened, and each had a different feeling, but the one thing they all shared was their applause and cheers.

"An extraordinary poem, an extraordinary story, loyalty and filial piety never waver, this poem will surely be passed down through the ages, its fame never fading!"

Cui Shilang praised, "There are indeed biased views about women in the world, which makes us literati feel quite ashamed. I will certainly reflect on this for three days! Yue Heng, you have written a fine poem!"

Yue Heng did not dare to accept such high praise. After silently thanking the unknown author, he said, "Cui大人, you flatter me! I think we should thank Miss Su for her heavenly voice. Even the best poetry and lyrics would be nothing without good music and a good voice."

Hearing Yue Heng praise her, Su Weiwei's delicate eyebrows curved into a smile. She covered her mouth and replied, "Master Yue is the master of music~ And the performance of a man disguised as a woman is quite flavorful~"

Yue Heng was embarrassed, and Zhang Junbei laughed heartily, urging, "What are you waiting for? Please, Miss Su, take a short rest and prepare for the next song! I will order the women and ladies to come closer to listen to Master Yue and Miss Su's performances!"

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Su Weiwei left the stage to prepare for the next song, and Yue Heng was surrounded by a group of women, offering toasts, making connections, and introducing their daughters, turning his face red. It wasn't until Su Weiwei returned to the stage that the others let him go.

She had not only changed her makeup but also her clothes. Her petite figure was now dressed in a martial outfit, looking like a malnourished female warrior.

Yue Heng had expected Su Weiwei to sing "Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men" in her own style, but the tune remained the same, still the Yu Opera version. However, with the accompaniment of the musicians and her free-form movements, the effect was much better than Yue Heng's, providing both an auditory and visual feast.

"Great performance!"

"Who says women are inferior to men! It's exhilarating, passionate, and refreshing!"

"Who doesn't want to be a female hero? This song expresses the dreams of all women! Miss Su, you sang wonderfully! Master Yue, your lyrics are even better!"

The women surrounding the main seat did not forget to tease Yue Heng, each taking turns to touch his face and then giggling as they returned to their tables, making the men in the audience envious and jealous.

There was no way around it; the poem and song were created for women, and the men in the audience could not benefit from them. Moreover, seeing Yue Heng so popular, it was no wonder the men were not giving him a good face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please calm down! Please, Master Yue, say a few words!" Zhang Junbei grabbed Yue Heng's arm and pushed him to the front of the main seat, standing beside Su Weiwei and giving him a look that only a man would understand.

Yue Heng was flustered, as he understood the meaning in Zhang Junbei's eyes: "I can only help you so much..."

What should he say?

He glanced sideways at the jade-like figure beside him. Su Weiwei stood gracefully, looking at him with a gentle smile, and his mind was a bit unsettled.

However, the faint, soothing fragrance calmed him down. He said, "First, I must admit that I adapted this from the 'Mulan Song' of the Great Jing Kingdom..."

"Hahahaha..."

Everyone who knew the reference laughed, and County Magistrate Qi and Dean Wen also chuckled, shaking their heads.

"That was just a joke. Yue Heng, tell us about your inspiration for creating this poem and song," County Magistrate Qi said lightly, easing the awkwardness.

Yue Heng rubbed his smooth chin and fabricated a story, "My family is poor, and I cannot afford various books and classics. I usually rely on borrowing from fellow students or helping to organize old documents at the Hanwen Book Bureau to learn about the world's wonders. The story of Hua Mulan substituting for her father in the army was an inspiration that came to me by chance. The creation of 'The Ballad of Mulan' was actually completed before the spring examination."

Everyone believed him, even Dean Wen and County Magistrate Qi had no doubts. Cui Shilang asked, "Was your spring examination work this 'Ballad of Mulan'?"

Yue Heng shook his head, "A month ago, I heard a traveling poet in a teahouse tell the story of the ancient Qin dynasty's remarkable woman, Wang Zhaojun. I was deeply moved by her noble spirit. During the spring examination, with the protection of the power of Fuxi, I was inspired to associate Hua Mulan's situation with Wang Zhaojun's, and I spontaneously wrote a seven-character poem, 'In Praise of Mulan.'"

"Oh?"

The few examiners who knew the truth exchanged glances, secretly amused. This was definitely an excuse from Yue Heng.

"Since you were specially admitted, no one knows your spring examination work. What are you waiting for? Prepare the ink, paper, and brush!" Zhang Junbei laughed and ordered his subordinates to prepare.

Yue Heng watched as Zhang Junbei's men brought the writing materials and sighed, steeling himself to proceed.

"Master Yue, I will grind the ink for you~"

Su Weiwei, standing beside him, blew gently, completely unconcerned about others' gazes, and smiled as she extended her delicate hand to lay out the paper and grind the ink for Yue Heng.

This scene made many people envious. Yue Heng, forced to enjoy it, saw the officials who were amused by the spectacle, the envious and jealous fellow scholars like Ji Cong, the martial artists and craftsmen who wished to replace him, and the women who were smiling and swooning...

Yue Heng took the brush from Su Weiwei, noticing her smooth, porcelain-like skin, and his heart wavered. He took a deep breath, gathered his thoughts, and wrote:

"Bending the bow to fight as a man,

In dreams, I once painted my eyebrows.

Several times I thought of returning home with wine,

At the Fuyun Pile, I wished for the Empress Ming."

This poem, titled "Inscription at the Mulan Temple," was written by Du Mu of the Tang Dynasty. Yue Heng did not use the original title, instead using the banquet as an opportunity to pay homage to Mulan.

As he finished the last character, a faint pink light appeared between the brush and paper, surprising Cui Shilang and the other officials, who thought it might be a resonance. However, upon checking their divine palaces, they found no abnormalities.

"The first line's 'act' is very vivid. Only 'act' could allow Mulan to serve in the army for twelve years without being discovered!" an old man stroked his beard and smiled.

"The battle is real, the dream is false, the disguise as a man is real, the painting of the eyebrows is false. This contrast is very skillful and innovative," another person nodded in agreement.

Dean Wen sighed, "The last two lines, 'Several times I thought of returning home with wine,' express a profound contradiction and reality. Is it to dispel sorrow with the scenery, or to drink under the moon? It is a remote wish for Empress Ming Wang Zhaojun in the ancient borderlands!"

Cui Shilang smiled, looking even more pleased at Yue Heng's expression, "Empress Ming Wang Zhaojun, who volunteered to go to the Xiongnu, and Hua Mulan, who substituted for her father in the army, one for peace and one for war. Although their situations and motivations differ, they both served the greater good of the nation. This line not only elevates Mulan to the status of Empress Ming but also allows the two to connect across the ages, making the poem even more touching!"

"Great poem!"

"Masterpiece!"

"Highly evocative!"

The officials praised the poem, especially after being moved by "The Ballad of Mulan" and "Who Says Women Are Inferior to Men." Their appreciation of "In Praise of Mulan" was profound.

Although most of the martial officials were coarse and not particularly literate, some were quite cultured, almost as accomplished in both literature and martial arts.

After hearing the officials' comments, these martial officials were enlightened. At least they understood the concepts of serving in the army and going to the Xiongnu. Thinking of the ancient times, when such important national affairs were entrusted to women, many sighed and felt moved.

Suddenly, a woman in the crowd let out a high-pitched scream.

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