Chapter 890 - 410: Competing Heroes for Beauty, Li Xian Alone Withdraws, Entranced by Scenery, Yet Encounters the Courtesan (2)

Chapter 890: Chapter 410: Competing Heroes for Beauty, Li Xian Alone Withdraws, Entranced by Scenery, Yet Encounters the Courtesan (2)

Tao Xiangrong applauded and said, "Young Master Cyan Sword, truly well-known, you’ve seen right through my thoughts."

Young Master Cyan Sword smiled with a raised corner of his mouth, clasping his hands to those around him, quite proud. Tao Xiangrong said, "However, the first part of the tune was merely slightly altered by me, it’s not much. I even composed an original second part of the tune myself. Gentlemen, would you care to listen?"

Everyone said, "We couldn’t ask for more."

Tao Xiangrong immediately played the zither again. This time, the melody was even more beautiful, astonishingly attracting the Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix. From afar, several thousand birds came, riding upon hundreds of dishes.

Precisely delivered to the tables, each person got a portion, steaming with fresh white mist, it was a bowl of "soup." Just then, Young Master Cyan Sword was served with two portions of dishes and an extra cake.

The others looked on enviously. Young Master Cyan Sword clasped his hands to all sides, looking extremely proud, not in a hurry to eat or drink, gently nodding along with the melody. Xu Shaoqian and others gently flicked their sleeves, secretly "humming" under their breath.

Tao Xiangrong’s melody was exceptional, with a twisting but beautiful sound, soon captivating everyone. Lost in thought, as the piece ended, they slowly returned to consciousness.

Tao Xiangrong said, "For today’s birthday feast, I personally cooked a few dishes myself. The Phoenix Pudding on Young Master Cyan Sword’s table is one of them. Young Master Cyan Sword, please taste it and tell me how it is."

This sight indeed made the others envious. Young Master Cyan Sword lightly tasted it, continuously praised it, and spoke eloquently and profusely about the flavors of the dish. This person’s knowledge was extensive, with witty words and elegant speech, having already taken the lead. Tao Xiangrong laughed and said, "Though Young Master Cyan Sword is well learned, your answer is correct, it ultimately didn’t fully align with what I intended. My composition of Phoenix Cry was slightly cleverly altered, adding some pleasant tunes. But why the joy, Young Master Cyan Sword did not answer."

Tao Xiangrong asked, "Is there anyone who can answer this question? If anyone can answer correctly, I will invite him on the Red Sleeve Boat for a drink."

Everyone was astonished, exhausting their musical knowledge, and pondering why Tao Xiangrong was happy, searching for clues in the tune. Xu Shaoqian hesitated, unable to decide.

At this moment, "Xu Ningyuan" from the Xu family in Jade City spoke loudly, "I observe Miss Xiangrong’s tune is melodious and contains the evolution of Martial Arts. This joy naturally comes from progress in Martial Arts, and that is why it reflects happiness in the music."

Everyone felt regret, having similar thoughts but being beaten to it. Xu Shaoqian felt deeply frustrated, glancing at his kin "Xu Ningyuan" with heightened suspense.

Tao Xiangrong remained silent for a moment, not giving an answer. Whether right or wrong was unknown. Xu Shaoqian stood and said, "In my opinion, Miss Xiangrong’s joy isn’t necessarily due to a major event. Even small everyday matters can bring happiness. Perhaps it’s the joy from flowers blooming in the garden, or the breeze upon the face. As long as Miss Xiangrong desires it, there are joys everywhere."

Tao Xiangrong laughed and said, "Xu Lang’s tongue is like a lotus, just loves to amuse me. Unfortunately, it’s not the answer I seek."

Xu Shaoqian felt both worried and happy, happy because Tao Xiangrong’s tone towards him was quite intimate, different from others. Worried because he still didn’t answer correctly. But since he answered, he wouldn’t do it again, silently praying others wouldn’t answer correctly either.

Li Xian listened from afar, already savoring the "fresh soup." Amidst tasting its beautiful flavor, he pondered the question. Soon, he thought mockingly, "Though I am not well-versed in music, I know music is a reflection of emotions. In my view, the courtesan neither progressed in Martial Arts nor saw a streak of good fortune. It’s likely she truly saw a phoenix, fulfilling a regret from the composer. Thus, she altered the original tune, thus composing the latter piece."

"It’s not an improvement, but a fulfillment. Unfortunately... everyone is thinking about how to please her. Their focus is solely on her. Too utilitarian, losing the carefree spirit."

Li Xian, not versed in music, precisely because of this, steps outside the conventional thinking and can speculate Tao Xiangrong’s thoughts.

Tao Xiangrong sighed softly and said, "Though the gentlemen’s words have reason, they ultimately miss my heart’s answer by a narrow margin. Is there really no one who can guess it?"

Tao Xiangrong said, "That gentleman, if he can answer correctly, I will personally toast to him."

Everyone was silent. Li Xian thought, "My answer is merely my own assumption. My sole purpose for coming here was to freeload the food. I might as well just enjoy freeloading, and not bother about anything else. Whether right or wrong, it doesn’t concern me."

Tao Xiangrong asked for a moment, then said, "Alas, actually the answer lies within the name of the tune. This composition ’Phoenix Cry’...was initially composed by the musician unable to find the phoenix. I was fortunate to have seen the phoenix’s call some time ago. This inspired me to create this tune, adopting the sound of the phoenix’s call to modify and complete the original piece. Today playing it for the gentlemen, I intended to share this great joy. But alas...my thoughts were in vain."

Xu Shaoqian, Xu Ningyuan, and others heard Tao Xiangrong lamenting from the heart, her words reflecting numerous grievances, her intentions entirely misunderstood by the gentlemen. They felt great pity and more resentment over their own stupidity, the answer being plainly obvious yet remaining elusive.

Xu Shaoqian sighed and said, "What a pity, what a pity...if only earlier I had answered. At a time when no one understood Xiangrong’s feelings, if I could speak from her heart, my fate with her would have been seventy percent assured."

Li Xian thought, "I casually guessed and was correct. Speaking of which, General Xu is truly unfortunate. If he hadn’t been this impatient, I might have suggested to him, letting him have a chance."

Casually sipping wine and eating soup. Like this, Tao Xiangrong repeatedly gave out questions involving various talents and knowledge, including historical strategies, martial arts comprehension, Buddhist studies, Daoist studies... and more.

Constantly characters emerged to demonstrate their abilities, and each answer that met Tao Xiangrong’s intent was rewarded with an additional dish, such as "Phoenix Pudding," "Crispy Cakes," "Dragon and Tiger Soup"...