Chapter 25: Rongrong Wants to Learn to Play the Flute

The next day.

When Tang Yuehua came to teach again, she indeed brought a brand-new court dance, combining the characteristics of social dance and the dances of this world to form her own style.

"You have one month to practice the Court Social Dance; afterwards, the best group will serve as the lead dancers for the first act of the graduation performance."

Tang Yuehua's words caused everyone to practice dancing desperately, because that was the court etiquette graduation performance, where the empire's emperor, nobles, and even the upper echelons of great sects would appear.

If one performed well, the benefits would be endless.

Unfortunately, after one month, the qualification for lead dancer did not fall to Qin Jian and Ning Rongrong, but was given to Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke.

"Qin Jian, actually you two danced the best, but being a lead dancer isn't just about dancing well or poorly; it also depends on the overall effect..."

Tang Yuehua said this: "You danced the best, but from a distance, it is Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke who look the most graceful, because Xue Qinghe is taller than Xue Ke, which instead makes them appear more agile and varied."

As soon as she spoke, Qin Jian grasped her meaning.

Indeed, Qin Jian, who was the same age as Ning Rongrong, had not yet started his growth spurt, so the two appeared to be the same height, and the effect of their social dance was slightly inferior.

"Qin Jian, Qin Jian, Xue Qinghe and Xue Ke have become the lead dancers; what should we do?"

Ning Rongrong was a bit anxious; she did not want to lose because of this.

Qin Jian shook his head and said: "That is only the opening dance; the most crucial part is the individual performance afterwards."

"But that is also the first impression; if they perform too eye-catchingly, then we will be under great pressure later," Ning Rongrong said.

"That's true..."

Qin Jian pinched his chin and said: "Don't worry, when the time comes, I will find a way to make us the focus of the entire audience."

Ning Rongrong nodded and said: "Qin Jian, we must be number one."

"What? Are you already impatient to change how you address me?" Qin Jian laughed.

Ning Rongrong pulled his left hand and pouted: "That's not it at all; I just don't want to let you go, even if it's just talk, it's not allowed!"

Hearing this, Qin Jian smiled until his eyes narrowed...

"Alright, the matter of the lead dancers is decided like this..."

In the classroom, after Tang Yuehua finished announcing this, she said: "For the next five months, you can freely choose the form of your final performance; whether it is singing, dancing, or musical instruments, I will guide you."

"The first place in this graduation performance will become my official student."

Her final sentence easily ignited the enthusiasm of all the students.

Because with her status and position, becoming her student was an extremely glorious thing.

As a guest of honor to countless nobles and even the imperial family, Tang Yuehua carried an aura of her own, and as her official student, one would likewise be held in high regard.

"Qin Jian, Qin Jian, what are we going to perform?"

Ning Rongrong leaned in close again, her face full of curiosity: "You said last time that we should prepare well; are you ready now?"

"Mm, it's already prepared."

Qin Jian smiled and said: "We will perform an ensemble piece; originally, a zither and flute ensemble would be best, but unfortunately, I don't know how to play the flute..."

"Playing the flute, Rongrong likes that; can Rongrong learn to play the flute?" Ning Rongrong suddenly said excitedly.

Qin Jian shook his head and said gently: "Rongrong, if you like the flute, we can learn it later, but in just five months, one cannot learn such a wind instrument well; playing a stringed one can be mastered quickly."

"Then what should I learn?" Ning Rongrong asked.

Qin Jian smiled and said: "Guzheng."

"Guzheng?"

Ning Rongrong was a bit strange: "I've never heard of this instrument..."

"This is a simplified version of the guqin; the seven-stringed zither is too difficult for you, so I expanded it to twenty-one strings, which makes it much simpler."

Qin Jian explained: "Moreover, the Guzheng has excellent sound quality and is very suitable as an accompaniment for our song."

"Then what about you, Qin Jian, what instrument will you use?" Ning Rongrong asked.

"Ancient Xun."

Qin Jian mentioned another instrument she had never heard of.

"You know so many things..." Ning Rongrong's eyes were shining.

Qin Jian smiled and said: "I only know a little about the Guzheng; when the time comes, Teacher Tang Yuehua will still have to teach you. The Ancient Xun is an old interest of mine; its sound contains an ancient flavor and is also an excellent accompaniment."

"Then what music are we going to perform?" Ning Rongrong asked.

Qin Jian looked at her and said: "I believe you will definitely be able to perform this song well, because this tells the story of Zhang Xiaofan..."

"Wow!"

Ning Rongrong indeed exclaimed: "Qin Jian, you are so amazing!"

Naturally, she attributed the credit for this composition to Qin Jian again.

"Alright, alright, next I will go and retrieve the custom-made Guzheng and Ancient Xun; when the time comes, I'll have to ask Teacher Tang Yuehua to teach us. After all, I only know how to play; to achieve the best effect, we still can't do without the teacher's guidance," Qin Jian laughed.

Thus, when the two of them brought the Guzheng and Ancient Xun to class the next day, it unsurprisingly caught Tang Yuehua's attention.

"These are very ingenious designs; Qin Jian, the Guzheng and Ancient Xun you brought have very distinctive timbres."

Tang Yuehua provided them with specialized guidance in a corner: "However, if you want to combine these two instruments perfectly, you must compose the music well."

"Qin Jian, your melody is not bad, but it's a pity you don't know how to score music; leave that to the teacher."

Perhaps it was because Qin Jian repeatedly exceeded her expectations that she had a great deal of favor for him, and she was actually willing to take the initiative to compose the music for the two of them.

"Big Brother, did you hear that? Teacher Yue is going to personally help Qin Jian and the others compose their music! What should we do?" Xue Ke asked on the other side, looking a bit worried.

Xue Qinghe waved his hand and said: "Xiao Ke, don't worry; for this graduation performance, we have already found professional teachers to customize everything, from the instruments to the music, from the choreography to the backup dancers, all are top-tier."

"These things are extremely simple for our imperial family to do, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't know how to do them, so even if Teacher Yue helps them, it doesn't matter," he said confidently.

Xue Ke breathed a sigh of relief and said: "That's good then; I don't want to lose to Ning Rongrong!"

Xue Qinghe nodded, glanced at Qin Jian and the others again, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

For this kind of court performance, she didn't worry at all; the only thing she worried about was Ning Rongrong's feelings for Qin Jian, and that inexplicably deepening affection...

Just like that, amidst everyone preparing and studying with all their might, five months passed by very quickly.

Except for the two groups of Xue Qinghe and Qin Jian, every other group had also prepared wholeheartedly for a long time, waiting for the final Assessment with full confidence.

Of course, Qin Jian did not care about these things; he and Ning Rongrong were simply immersed in their day-to-day practice, their feelings for each other growing deeper by the day.

The only thing that made him somewhat concerned was that, he did not know when it started, but the Charm Sword began to lose its effect on Xue Qinghe.

Could it be that using it too much could actually build up a resistance...

Perhaps this was normal; after all, it was only a First Soul Skill, how could it possibly increase favorability infinitely? Wouldn't that be heaven-defying...

(End of this chapter)