Chapter 54: Because You

Because you're not worthy!

When those words were spoken, the whole room erupted in murmurs.

Ye Qingran said Ye Huanhuan wasn't worthy of his guidance in the art of the qin?!

"Ye Qingran, you must have lost your mind! My sister is the number one talented woman of Xiliang City, and His Majesty praised her qin skill! What do you mean, do you think His Majesty lacks discernment?"

Ye Sisi stood up, determined to charge Ye Qingran with the crime of gross disrespect.

Ye Qingran gave Ye Sisi a cool glance: "Why are you so agitated? If your mind isn't working, keep quiet. His Majesty will praise Ye Huanhuan only because he hasn't seen anyone better yet."

Shameless boasting!

Ye Huanhuan couldn't help laughing: "Sister, you mean you can play even better?"

Ling Shaoyang, who had been sleeping nearby, suddenly lifted his head and, still half‑asleep, glanced at Ye Qingran.

This woman, where does her confidence come from?

Ling Shaoyang let out a cold snort and lay back down.

But he never felt sleepy again.

Ye Qingran stared straight at Ye Huanhuan: "What's so strange about that?"

Ye Huanhuan almost wanted to laugh out loud.

She now seriously suspects that when Ye Qingran was thrown off a cliff by her years ago, she might have damaged her brain!

Otherwise, why would she utter such unrealistic words?!

Ye Qingran, on what grounds?

Thirteenth Princess Dongfang Ling'er rolled a White Eye: "Ye Qingran, if you're truly that amazing, play a piece for us! All talk and no practice is a fake move! Who doesn't brag?"

Ye Qingran replied calmly, "I'm not an entertainer, so why should I perform for you?"

Those words landed like a slap, striking Ye Huanhuan and Lin Yue's faces hard.

Is this insulting them as entertainers?

Lin Yue gritted her teeth: "Your words sound grandiose, you're probably not capable at all, right?!"

Ye Qingran lifted the corners of her brows slightly, a sly glint flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"Of course, if you each produce a treasure you possess and satisfy me, I'll play a piece, treating today as a brief session with the master, giving you a lesson."

Master?

Still giving them a lesson?

Arrogant!

Everyone fell silent.

This Ye Qingran, not knowing how to play, just blurted out all this nonsense.

Who would have thought, as soon as those words were spoken, Gu Dongliu was the first to stand up.

"Since Miss Ye said so, I'll present a Space Bag, hoping Miss Ye won't be stingy with her instruction."

Gu Dongliu smiled, pulled a Space Bag onto the table, and the Folding Fan inside 'whooshed' open, the four characters "Life is but a dream" fluttering like dragons and phoenixes.

"Young Master Gu, how magnanimous!" Ye Qingran praised.

Dongfang Qingxuan raised an eyebrow: "My Palace will produce a Spirit Gathering Pearl as tuition. However, to be blunt, if Ye Qingran's playing is inferior to Ye Huanhuan's, what then?"

"If I lose, everyone may divide General Dingyuan's inheritance among yourselves."

The crowd: "……"

Is there anyone under the heavens more treacherous to their mother than Ye Qingran?

Ye Li couldn't help furrowing his brow.

General Dingyuan's inheritance is massive; how could it be easily offered as a wager?

Ye Li intended to speak up to caution Ye Qingran, but seeing her calm smile, he cooled down.

He told himself that A Ran was no longer the A Ran of before; she now had her own thoughts and ideas.

He should support her.

Even if it means losing everything.

As long as she lives, everything still has hope!

Ye Li suddenly felt relieved, a smile of release appearing at the corner of his mouth.

With Ye Qingran's words, everyone hurriedly produced a treasure. Not out of generosity, but because they were eager to see Ye Qingran embarrass herself.

Xiao Feng produced one million taels of gold.

"They say the Xiao Family is powerful and wealthy enough to rival a nation; a mere one million taels of gold, and you want to divide General Dingyuan's inheritance. Young Master Xiao, your calculations are truly sharp!"

Xiao Feng wore an unhappy expression: "Then what amount do you think is appropriate?"

"Ten million taels of gold!"

"Ye Qingran, are you mad?!"

"It seems Young Master Xiao also believes I'll win, right? Otherwise, why wouldn't he dare to put even a mere ten million taels of gold on the table?"

Upon hearing that, Xiao Feng's face darkened: "Who thinks you'll win? Fine, ten million taels of gold, huh? I'll put it up!"

Ten million taels of gold is but a drop in the bucket for the Xiao Family!

Ye Qingran nodded satisfactorily: "I was mistaken before. Young Master Xiao is a straightforward person!"

Xiao Feng: "……"

It always feels like something's amiss.

One by one, the treasures were placed on the table, and the entire Courtyard shimmered with radiant light.

"Not bad, I'm very satisfied. Today I'll give you some guidance."

Ye Qingran recorded each of these items, lest anyone try to cheat.

As for the loot that had been secured in advance for this table, she was very satisfied.

Ling Shaoyang, unable to sleep from the commotion, irritably lifted his head, saw Ye Qingran's greedy look, and snorted in disdain.

A little money makes her eyes light up!

What a vulgar, intolerable woman!

Hearing the snort, Ye Qingran turned her head: "Young Master, what is your treasure?"

Ling Shaoyang snorted: "Boring!"

He would never take part in such a utterly boring game!

"Ye Qingran, you can start playing the zither now, right?!" Dongfang Xuan urged. He couldn't wait to see Ye Qingran make a fool of herself.

Ye Qingran nodded, stood up, thought of something, and asked: "Is there a zither here?"

Everyone: "..."

It's becoming ever more certain that Ye Qingran can't play the zither!

Even Lin Yue, an amateur player, always carries a zither; how could Ye Qingran, this "master," not have one?

Ye Huanhuan's face showed a disdainful smile.

Ye Qingran, let's see how long you can keep up the act!

"If Miss Ye doesn't mind, please play my Phoenix Tail Qin."

At this moment, a warm, smooth voice came from outside the door.

Everyone was stunned, all turning their heads toward the door.