Han Jing, seeing Feng Jin Yue rise, reached out to grasp her sleeve. “Are… are you really sure it’s alright?”
Feng Jin Yue didn’t understand either—after all, she was the one going up, yet this person seemed more nervous than she was. Ultimately, she responded with a calm “It’s fine” and walked directly toward the qin table.
Unconvinced, Han Jing turned to Feng Jin Yue’s personal maid and asked, “How is your young lady’s qin skill? Is she truly unbothered?”
“Miss Han, rest assured. Even ten Lin Xuans combined couldn’t compare to a single strand of my young lady’s hair,” Qian Zhu replied calmly. Moreover, she was certain that certain individuals were about to face consequences—though come to think of it, why was this Han family young lady so worried about her mistress?
Feng Jin Yue seated herself gracefully before the qin, her hands resting on the strings. This instrument naturally couldn’t compare to the seven-string qin she had crafted herself, but it would suffice for now.
All present stared intently at Feng Jin Yue, though not in anticipation of exquisite melodies—they were waiting for her to fumble with disjointed notes and become a laughingstock.
Lin Xuan simmered with mockery. Sitting there putting on airs—just wait until you fail to produce a single captivating tune, then we’ll see if you still have the face to speak. She glanced scornfully at Feng Jin Yue, inwardly sneering, when suddenly their eyes met. Strange—an icy chill instantly permeated her entire being.
As Feng Jin Yue’s fingers brushed the strings, the melody emerged—ethereal, distant, and hauntingly beautiful…
This… Everyone present was stunned by the enchanting music, immersed in its layered harmonies as if transported to a profoundly mysterious realm.
Jun Yao frowned deeply, her hand unconsciously tightening around the teacup she held.
Lin Xuan gritted her teeth, disbelief written across her face. Impossible! Such mastery—even top-tier qin virtuosos might not achieve this level. How could Feng Jin Yue, so young and previously convalescing due to illness, possess such transcendent skill?
Listening to the melody, Han Jing finally understood why Feng Jin Yue remained unperturbed, and why her maid had boldly claimed ten Lin Xuans couldn’t match her. With this performance, how could Lin Xuan even compare?
Qian Zhu recognized this piece from her young lady’s repertoire. Back at the Hot Spring Villa, she had heard her mistress explain it was a cultivation technique practiced by qin cultivators—called “Heavenly String Demonic Music,” and this particular composition was the “Soul-Snatching Melody.”
The qin’s notes could capture souls and claim spirits. Those targeted by its erosion would fall into hellish torment, dying without visible cause. Currently, without doubt, Lin Xuan was the recipient.
Under Feng Jin Yue’s fingertips, the melody continued. Using this piece to “kill a chicken to warn the monkeys”—perhaps this particular “chicken’s” father would even deliver himself to her doorstep. She could take care of two with one strike, saving her from dealing with constant memorials of impeachment. This way, the Feng family could finally enjoy some peace.
No one else showed any unusual reactions—except Lin Xuan.
Lin Xuan didn’t understand what was happening to her. It seemed to start the moment Feng Jin Yue’s melody began—with each passing measure, the eerie sensation deepened.
From without to within, it felt like countless shackles binding her, dragging her into an abyssal depth. Overwhelming pressure and terror surged like tidal waves.
Enclosed in darkness, her consciousness was gradually eroded and devoured—with no means to struggle…
All surrounding attendees were already intoxicated by Feng Jin Yue’s performance, none noticing the transformation occurring in Lin Xuan’s body.
Clatter—
The first to notice the disturbance and react were the two people standing closest to Lin Xuan.
“Ah—” Two sharp screams erupted simultaneously, shattering the atmosphere carefully crafted by the music.
At this moment, Feng Jin Yue stopped playing the qin. Though lingering notes still hung in the air, the melody had abruptly ceased. She glanced at Lin Xuan—this person’s consciousness was incredibly fragile, unable to even withstand half of her composition.
Alas, what a pity. Lin Xuan would never get to hear the complete piece.
Everyone watched as Lin Xuan fell face down, her body rigid as she hit the ground. Lin Xuan’s personal maid immediately rushed forward to help her mistress up, but no matter how much she called out while holding the seated figure, there was no response.
The young ladies from various families were now utterly terrified, several of them huddling closely together.
The elderly matron serving by Princess Changle’s side, seeing the princess’s dazed expression, promptly instructed two maids behind her: “You, go quickly to fetch the estate physician. You, report this matter to the Princess Consort.”
The two maids hurried out in panic. The elderly matron, drawing from her years of experience, approached Lin Xuan and knelt beside her. Calling out “Miss Lin,” she slowly reached to check Lin Xuan’s breathing, then instantly withdrew her hand in alarm. This…
The matron stood up, her gaze shifting to the young lady from the Feng family seated before the qin table. This matter was truly bizarre.
Jun Yao, finally regaining her composure, asked: “Matron, Lin Xuan… how is she?”
Hearing the princess’s question, the matron didn’t dare respond. Meanwhile, the maid sent for the physician returned surprisingly quickly.
The estate physician immediately began examining the pulse without delay.
Soon, he reached his conclusion: “I must apologize for my inability to help. This young lady’s vitality has been completely severed. There is no bringing her back.”
Lin Xuan’s personal maid cried out in distress: “Physician, you must be mistaken! How could my young lady suddenly… when she was perfectly fine?”
The physician stated firmly: “My diagnosis is not mistaken. However, based on my many years of experience, this young lady shows no signs of hidden injuries, chronic illnesses, or evidence of poisoning. It appears to be sudden death. Of course, if an autopsy is required to determine the exact cause, that would require a coroner.”
“Dead?”
“Lin Xuan… is really dead?”
Having witnessed Lin Xuan die before their very eyes, all the young ladies trembled uncontrollably, murmuring in disbelief!
The chrysanthemum garden’s viewing pavilion fell into a terrifying silence…
“Her Highness the Princess Consort has arrived—”
Seeing the Princess Consort’s arrival, the matron serving Jun Yao quickly approached and reported the physician’s confirmation of Lin Xuan’s death.
Since Lin Xuan was the legitimate daughter of Censor Lin Rong of the Censorate, her sudden death in the Jin Prince’s residence required a proper explanation to the outside world. However, with the physician’s conclusion and the option of a coroner’s examination, the Prince’s household bore no responsibility. The Princess Consort calmly declared: “Send someone to the Lin family. Have Lin Rong come collect his daughter.”
“Yes.”
The Princess Consort then said to Jun Yao: “Your Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet ends here today. Ensure all the young ladies from various families are properly escorted out.”
Jun Yao approached her mother, “Mother, Lin Xuan’s death is too suspicious. How could a perfectly healthy person suddenly die for no reason? Just now, Feng Jin Yue was playing the qin piece. Who would have thought that while listening, Lin Xuan inexplicably collapsed? That piece of music is definitely not something someone our age could play. Feng Jin Yue, it must be you who did something. Lin Xuan died because of you…”
“Outrageous!”
A cold, stern voice interrupted Jun Yao’s words.
The Princess of Jin recognized the voice as Qi Bei Han’s. When her daughter had pointed the finger at Feng Jin Yue, she had been about to intervene, but before she could…
Qi Bei Han stood outside the viewing pavilion, his tone icy. “How dare anyone speak ill of my future princess!”