Le’an was happily munching on her treats and watching the scene unfold.
When the floating wine tray game came to an abrupt stop, she spoke up to take charge.
“Since it’s stopped at your side, why don’t you give us a talent performance to liven things up?”
The term “talent performance” was something she had learned from Shen Yunshu.
Cao Haiyue, though unfamiliar with the phrase, understood the meaning.
“I am unskilled, but I would be happy to play a piece on the qin to entertain Your Highness!” Cao Haiyue quickly volunteered.
Shen Yunshu glanced at her, noticing a faint, inexplicable gleam of pleasure at the corners of her mouth.
Indeed, although performing a talent might normally feel like a punishment, it wasn’t entirely bad—if she played the qin well, she could subtly stand out among the other noble ladies, leaving an impression and elevating her status.
The little eunuchs and maidservants at Qionghua Terrace quickly carried over a qin for Cao Haiyue to play, placing it ready for her performance. In a flower-viewing banquet like this, the staff were always prepared for any surprise.
Cao Haiyue, no longer awkward as before, smoothed her robes, seated herself gracefully, and let her fingers glide across the strings. Slowly, the melody of Yangchun Baixue filled the air.
“Yangchun Baixue? I wouldn’t have expected someone her age to enjoy such a piece,” Le’an muttered.
Le’an rarely took interest in music, preferring dance or lively tunes. Yangchun Baixue was one of the pieces she would hardly ever choose.
Wen Peihan also raised her eyebrows, watching Cao Haiyue at the qin. “Yangchun Baixue is a classic, elegant piece. Though she plays it clumsily, the fact that she can play it at all shows she’s practiced. Cao Haiyue is rather clever.”
Shen Yunshu, observing Le’an and Ji Xinyi’s puzzled expressions, smiled faintly.
“This piece is notoriously difficult and highbrow; few enjoy it. Anyone who likes it is usually a refined person. To play it well enough to be noticed is impressive. Cao Haiyue chose this piece deliberately—she’s minimizing the embarrassment from earlier, when she fumbled the poetry contest and forgot the assigned topic.”
Daughters of noble families, even minor ones, were often trained in music, painting, and calligraphy from a young age.
As the legitimate daughter of a fifth-rank censor, Cao Haiyue was no small fry. Even if she didn’t particularly enjoy the qin, she would have at least one piece she could perform confidently.
Yet she played Yangchun Baixue clumsily, making small mistakes in key passages. It clearly wasn’t her strongest piece—unless she normally didn’t like the qin at all.
But if she disliked it, why choose such a notoriously refined piece? That would be contradictory.
Clearly, she had prepared this in advance, bringing it out at the right moment to elevate herself. Though her playing was shaky, it would be enough to impress those unfamiliar with the piece—like Le’an and Ji Xinyi, who hadn’t noticed the subtlety.
“This might seem like a last-minute improvisation, but her cleverness doesn’t stop there,” Shen Yunshu noted.
Wen Peihan studied Cao Haiyue carefully, her gaze sharp with understanding.
“Her calm, composed demeanor contrasts sharply with the awkwardness she showed after messing up the poem.
If that reaction wasn’t feigned, someone could be embarrassed over a poem, but she plays this piece without embarrassment? I don’t believe anyone could fail to notice her performance—and yet she seems unfazed herself.”
“You mean… she did this on purpose? Just to perform? Did she know Le’an would ask her to showcase her talent?” Ji Xinyi was surprised.
Wen Peihan looked at Le’an. “Did the princess request it spontaneously, or did Your Highness’s mother explain the Qionghua banquet custom to her?”
Le’an, still eating her milk bird’s nest dessert, raised her head innocently, a silver peach-shaped spoon in her mouth.
“My mother said that at Qionghua Banquet, which runs from the sixth to the tenth hour, there are always breaks. If someone loses at poetry or games, they entertain guests with a talent performance. Every Qionghua Banquet has been like this.”
Wen Peihan and Shen Yunshu exchanged a glance. “Then we’ll see soon enough. Once the piece ends, it’ll be clear.”
Le’an nodded, continuing to battle the bird’s nest in her bowl.
As Cao Haiyue’s fingers left the last string, she rose and performed a low bow, face polite yet slightly apologetic.
“Forgive me—I was a bit flustered. In my mind, only Yangchun Baixue, which I practiced yesterday, came to me. I overestimated myself; please forgive any mistakes.”
Cao Haiyue shyly glanced toward the screen. “I heard the Sun family gentlemen are knowledgeable in music. Might I have a chance to seek guidance from one of them?”
On the other side, Sun Jinhui hesitated. He had no interest in the daughter of a fifth-rank censor.
During his hesitation, Prince Yi’an looked at Sun Jinhui with mild interest, then called out to the female side.
“We have two Sun family gentlemen here. Which one do you mean?”
Cao Haiyue’s face brightened at Yi’an’s voice. She quickly adopted an innocent, embarrassed expression.
“Oh, I was unaware there were two. I… I merely heard rumors and didn’t inquire carefully. I also enjoy music, so I naturally pay attention to fellow enthusiasts. Hearing a poem by one of the Sun gentlemen, I assumed it was the same person and responded unconsciously. My apologies if I caused offense.”
Sun Jinhui, hearing Cao Haiyue’s shy, gentle voice, felt flattered despite having no romantic interest in her.
“You needn’t worry. It’s an honor for me to exchange poetry with you. Your taste is refined, and this Yangchun Baixue is played wonderfully. Unfortunately, I am not skilled enough to instruct you.”
They exchanged further polite remarks before sitting down. Cao Haiyue’s expression remained composed, while Sun Jinhui’s showed a hint of restrained pride.
Ji Xinyi finally understood Cao Haiyue’s intention and nodded, taking mental note of the tactic.
Wen Peihan, bored, covered her mouth with a handkerchief and quietly yawned.