Chapter 1324: Longyan Also Understand Music

"Your surname is also Liu?" Teresa asked with annoyance.

She had never seen Liu Zheng, nor had she seen Xie Chan; she did not know the two of them at all, as there were no photographs or cameras in this era.

Although she had never met them, Teresa instinctively loathed these two; he was a Longyan, and he shared a surname with Liu Zheng—that was enough.

Liu Zheng was also taken aback; he had not expected that the one meeting him would be Teresa, this Grand Duke of Austria.

This was actually somewhat interesting.

Liu Zheng nodded and smiled: "Yes."

Upon hearing this answer, Teresa's face fell a little, but out of respect for Count Austin, she did not flare up on the spot, merely asking.

"You Longyan, also understand music? Also understand musical instruments?"

Teresa was full of pride; Europe was developing rapidly now, and in music and literature, it was developing even faster, with quite a few artists having already emerged.

In Europe, although they knew that Liangzhou of Longyan produced the world's best fine wines, Perfume, and so on.

Yet in terms of culture, they had little understanding of this country with several thousand years of history, Longyan.

They always felt their culture was backward and had not developed like Europe.

Liu Zheng smiled; truly, the ignorant are not to be blamed.

The reason they had arrived so slowly was that Xie Chan had become deeply interested after hearing Liu Zheng play the Piano.

She insisted on playing the music Liu Zheng had written, but Xie Chan did not know how to play the Piano, only the guzheng.

In order for Xie Chan to have no regrets on this trip to Europe, Liu Zheng searched everywhere, and he had not expected to actually find a guzheng.

Now that art in Europe was developing quickly, some people had imported a few musical instruments from Longyan, but it turned out that few Europeans were connoisseurs.

They hadn't sold, and Liu Zheng just happened to run into them.

Before Liu Zheng could speak, Xie Chan held the guzheng and said: "If you don't believe me, I can let you witness Longyan music tonight."

Teresa gave a cold snort and agreed immediately: "Fine, but I want to hear the music composed by this Mr. Liu."

"Count Austin has described you as someone capable of creating divine musical movements."

"I hope you do not disappoint me!"

Having said this, Teresa turned and returned to the castle.

Count Austin put on a smiling face to comfort Liu Zheng and Xie Chan.

Europe is currently at war with Longyan, so please understand.

Liu Zheng and his party did not pay it much mind.

However, the Nobles in the castle did care, and were even more curious in their hearts about what kind of people Count Austin and Grand Duke Theresa were meeting.

Then they saw Liu Zheng and Xie Chan, with their Longyan appearance, walk in.

"It's actually a Longyan!"

"How could Teresa and Austin be meeting a Longyan!"

"Isn't Austria currently at war with Longyan? How could this..."

Hearing the chatter, Teresa immediately said: "Everyone, there is no state business tonight. Vienna is an open city; even Longyan can do business here. We are not barbarians; we understand the etiquette of hospitality."

"And these two claim to be artists from Longyan, here to bring us Longyan music. Everyone, enjoy it."

Liu Zheng secretly thought, impressive; in a few words, she resolved this dispute.

No wonder Teresa could govern Austria and make those arrogant Hungarian Nobles obediently follow her arrangements.

At the same time, she had also belittled their status, making them out to be those who play music for the ball.

Liu Zheng ignored it and signaled to Xie Chan that she could begin.

Xie Chan walked onto the stage and looked at the European Nobles in their strange attire sitting below, smiling calmly.

She took out the guzheng, but the European Nobles questioned it incessantly after seeing it.

"What is this piece of wood?"

"Tying a few strings to a piece of wood—can this really perform a musical movement?"

"Longyan's goods are so good, how can they be so backward in art?"

"Europe is better after all."

Xie Chan calmed her mind, took the music Liu Zheng had written, and said faintly: "This is a piece written by my husband, titled 'Laughter in the Vast Sea'."

Seeing this wood-like instrument and hearing that it was a piece written by a Longyan,

the crowd lost interest one after another.

Count Austin, however, was full of excitement waiting for this piece to be played; he had already witnessed the prowess of Liu Sheng at the coffee house.

Naturally, he was very expectant, though he was a little worried; he had not yet heard Yue Chan perform music.

Teresa felt the same as the other Nobles: what kind of pleasant music could be played on a piece of wood with a few strings tied to it?

But the next second.

Xie Chan plucked the guzheng, and Teresa's expression stiffened.

The upright and grand sound of nature was at times soothing and at times dashing.

It was infinitely varied, unrestrained and spirited; played by a woman, it actually had a touch of heroism.

Teresa was stunned; was this the Longyan art, the Longyan music they knew of?...

It was so moving, so stunning.

The European Nobles were the same, their mouths agape in astonishment.

Count Austin took in this scene, a smug smile rising in his heart.

It was just that he hadn't expected Yue Chan's performance to also be a masterpiece.

Zither Chess Calligraphy and Painting—born into the Imperial Family, these were all mandatory courses for Xie Chan, though she loved adventure more.

Her skill with the guzheng could only be called average, but it was enough to scare these sheltered European Nobles to death.

He glanced secretly at Liu Zheng, never expecting that the songs Liu Sheng composed would get better and better.

As the song ended, Xie Chan stopped her plucking fingers and looked at the Europeans who were still immersed in it.

"How was it? I played well, didn't I?" Xie Chan said as if asking for credit.

Teresa heard this, came back to her senses, and clapped in approval.

"Ms. Yue, your musical attainment is already very impressive. Thank you; this is the most beautiful piece of music I have ever heard."

Xie Chan smiled; usually, people said her guzheng playing was not that great, so being praised today for the first time made Xie Chan inevitably a little excited.

"Actually, it is all because the songs were written by my husband."

Teresa looked at the indifferent-looking Liu Zheng and smiled symbolically.

Although it was a song written by Liu Sheng, Teresa never believed in her heart that it was the song that was well-written, but rather that Yue Chan played it well.

He had the same thought as Count Austin, believing that the performer was more important.

At this moment, Liu Zheng spoke up.

"There is progress, but it is still a little bit off; there is one note that shouldn't be played that way."

Hearing this, Xie Chan was not angry, but Teresa was.

"What right do you have to say the note she played was wrong, just because you are the one who writes the songs?"

"There are plenty of people who compose songs, but there are not many who can perform them well. Even if you are her husband, I hope you can understand this."

Liu Zheng was stunned; he did not expect Teresa to have such a big reaction.

But Xie Chan said excitedly, "Yes, you are right."

Teresa was dumbfounded; I am speaking up for you, why are you getting excited?

She recalled the history of Longyan, where it was said that since ancient times, men were superior to women.

A man would even marry six or seven wives.

Teresa was very disdainful of this, which was why she had promulgated a monogamy system in Austria.

She assumed that Xie Chan's agreement was also due to the male-superiority of Longyan.

"This is Austria, not Longyan. You don't have to be afraid of him. I have the final say here."