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The morning sunlight slanted through the carved window lattices, casting dappled light and shadow in the Moon Pavilion's courtyard.
Feng Xiao followed the guiding maid through the winding corridors, the sleeves of his moon-white long gown gently swaying with his steps, and the tassels on his jade belt rhythmically swaying, making him resemble a walking ink wash painting.
"Honored guest, this way please," the maid stopped before a carved Zitan wood door, bowing slightly, her voice as light as a wisp of smoke: "Today's etiquette class is personally taught by Lady Tang Yuehua, and all new students are waiting here."
Feng Xiao nodded in acknowledgment, his slender fingers gently pushing open the door.
Inside the spacious hall, more than a dozen young men and women, dressed in luxurious clothing, were already seated on both sides.
His gaze was involuntarily drawn to a figure by the window—a green-haired girl leaning lazily against the carved window lattice, the sunlight casting an amber glow over her emerald eyes, making her appear like a thorny rose.
"Emerald eyes... Could it be..." Feng Xiao's heart stirred slightly, and he calmly chose a seat in the back row by the window, precisely where the shadows of the wisteria outside the window could conceal his gaze.
Snakes have always had acute senses.
Almost the instant Feng Xiao's gaze fell, Dugu Yan looked up as if sensing something.
Dugu Yan casually sized up the new student, "He's a handsome young man, and his eyes are well-behaved."
Unlike those pretentious noble scions, there was no disgusting evil intent in this young man's eyes.
"Lingling," Dugu Yan lightly nudged the silver-haired girl beside her with her elbow, her red lips slightly parted but silent, whispering in a voice only the two of them could hear: "Lingling, look at that new handsome young man."
Ye Lingling shook her head helplessly, her silver hair rippling with faint light as she moved: "Sister Yan, Lady Tang Yuehua dislikes private conversations during class the most."
"Utterly boring," Dugu Yan twirled a strand of green hair that fell over her shoulder, a hint of impatience flashing in her emerald eyes, "Grandpa insists I come to learn these elaborate rituals; I'd rather go play with snakes."
As the two whispered, the hall door opened again.
Tang Yuehua entered gracefully in a Moon Cloud gown, a gilded step-shake hairpin in her hair gently swaying with her steps, yet making no sound.
The entire hall instantly fell silent, even the birds chirping outside seemed to wisely cease.
"Today, we will study the etiquette of court audience," her voice was like a clear mountain spring, crisp yet gentle, "Please follow my demonstration."
Feng Xiao meticulously observed every detail of Tang Yuehua—the perfectly straight arch of her back when she bowed, the precise folds of her sleeves as her arms lifted, even the transition of her gaze from downward to level was as precise as if measured.
His imitation reached an almost mirror-like degree, even his breathing rhythm maintained a subtle consistency with the demonstration.
Tang Yuehua's peripheral vision swept across the entire hall, taking in everyone's performance.
Ye Lingling's natural grace, Dugu Yan's absentmindedness, and... Feng Xiao's meticulousness.
She nodded to herself, years of teaching had given her a discerning eye—who was serious and who was perfunctory was clear at a glance.
"This new student," Tang Yuehua suddenly stopped, her jade hand gently raised to point at Feng Xiao, her fingertips gleaming like pearls in the morning light, "Please come forward and demonstrate for everyone."
Feng Xiao rose calmly, his moon-white long gown flowing like water.
He walked to the center of the hall and slowly bowed under everyone's gaze.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze—his slender figure traced an elegant arc, his right hand lightly pressed against his left chest, his left hand naturally hanging down, every joint bending just right.
As he straightened, his sleeves fluttered, like a Bai He spreading its wings.
"Very good," a hint of unusual brilliance flashed in Tang Yuehua's eyes, and a barely perceptible smile touched her lips.
She took two steps closer, a faint orchid fragrance wafting from her: "However..." she suddenly reached out and lightly touched Feng Xiao's slightly tensed shoulder, "Etiquette is a dialogue between hearts, not a rigid mold."
Feng Xiao felt a warmth spread across his shoulder, the touch as light as a feather yet as heavy as a thousand pounds.
He looked up into Tang Yuehua's gentle, watery gaze and heard her continue: "You see the way the stream winds around the rocks; have you ever seen two completely identical meanders?"
"This student understands," Feng Xiao took a deep breath and bowed again.
This time, his movements were less deliberate and more composed, as if he were truly conversing with an elder.
When he straightened, his eyes already held a hint of lively Spirit.
Tang Yuehua nodded in satisfaction: "The essence of etiquette lies in sincerity of heart, not in outward form.
Remember, the noblest etiquette is to make everyone feel comfortable and at ease."
Her gaze swept over all the students present, "Now, please practice again with this understanding."
Soon, after the etiquette class ended, everyone filed out, moving along the sun-drenched corridor towards the music room.
Upon entering the music room, Tang Yuehua was standing by the window, adjusting a crystal harp.
Sunlight passed through her slender fingertips, creating fragmented light spots that danced on the harp strings.
Seeing Feng Xiao also arrive with the others, a barely perceptible hint of satisfaction flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her lips curved slightly upward.
"Please take out your instruments," Tang Yuehua's voice, like a clear mountain spring, gently echoed in the spacious music room, "Today we will play together."
Feng Xiao sat down at a harp stand in the corner, his slender fingers gently caressing the body of the unfamiliar harp.
This awkward movement immediately drew a suppressed snicker.
Several noble scions exchanged playful glances, and one golden-haired youth even exaggeratedly covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
"Poor handsome young man," Dugu Yan leaned by the window, her emerald eyes filled with amusement, whispering to Ye Lingling beside her.
Her own posture for holding the harp was not entirely standard either, but due to her status, no one dared to comment.
Tang Yuehua seemed oblivious to this, quietly adjusting the harp strings.
She knew Feng Xiao's musical attainments too well—Feng Xiao's skill in music was no less than hers; she believed he would soon silence all mockers.
Feng Xiao was deaf to the surrounding snickers.
He focused on testing a few notes, and the clear, resonant sound of the vibrating strings made him nod slightly.
The tone of this harp was as clear as autumn water, and its resonance as long as mountain mist; it was indeed a rare, high-quality instrument.
"Are you ready?" Tang Yuehua's gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Feng Xiao.
Feng Xiao looked up, met her gaze for a moment, and nodded gently.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting a fine shadow beneath his lowered eyelashes, concealing the fleeting sharpness in his eyes.
When the first note resonated in the music room, Feng Xiao's brow unconsciously furrowed slightly.
His slender eyelashes trembled faintly, and his ear tips twitched slightly with the rhythm, like a nimble cat discerning direction.
Amidst the chaotic sounds of the instruments, his keen hearing caught a melody like a clear spring—that was Tang Yuehua's harp sound, like pure moonlight piercing through clouds, carving a clear and traceable path through the chaos.
Feng Xiao's tense brows gradually relaxed, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
His slender fingers began to move awkwardly across the strings; the initially hesitant plucking quickly found its rhythm.
Although his movements were not yet skilled, every note landed precisely on the beat, like a fledgling eagle learning to fly, clumsy but determinedly following the leader's trajectory.
His harp playing gradually distinguished itself from that of the other students; it was no longer mere imitation but began to resonate wonderfully with Tang Yuehua's melody.
The two streams of sound sometimes ran parallel, sometimes intertwined, weaving a captivating rhythm in the air.
Those noble scions who had previously mocked him unconsciously stopped their playing, looking in surprise at this young man whom they thought knew nothing about the harp.
In the music room, Tang Yuehua's harp music flowed like a clear spring, every note as precise as a meticulously carved jade ornament.
And Feng Xiao's harp playing, though initially a bit awkward, carried a unique vitality, like wild vines in the mountains, seeking support as they explored.
Suddenly, a wondrous change occurred—Feng Xiao's harp sound seemed to have found its home, perfectly intertwining with Tang Yuehua's melody.
The two streams of sound met in the air, creating an incredible resonance.
Tang Yuehua's fingertips paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
She hadn't expected Feng Xiao's comprehension of music to be so high.
Feng Xiao closed his eyes, concentrating, completely immersed in the music.
His harp playing no longer followed but began to converse with Tang Yuehua's melody.
In a call and response, it unexpectedly interpreted a profound artistic conception not present in the original piece.
The air in the music room seemed to solidify; everyone held their breath.
A strange brilliance appeared in Tang Yuehua's beautiful eyes; she calmly changed the tune, playing a complex variation.
Feng Xiao understood her intention almost instantly; his harp playing shifted, not only perfectly taking over the variation but also adding a touch of liveliness to it.
The resonance of the two harps grew stronger and stronger, the sound waves forming faint, visible ripples in the air.
Dugu Yan had already stopped her movements, her emerald eyes filled with surprise.
Ye Lingling even gaped slightly; her musical attainment was not low, but she had never seen anyone who could match Lady Tang Yuehua in music.
Ye Lingling turned her head slightly, her silver hair sliding from her shoulder.
A hint of surprise flashed in her light purple eyes, and her gaze involuntarily followed Feng Xiao's slender fingers as he plucked the strings.
"How truly marvelous..." she mused inwardly, "His harp music is clearly distinct from Lady Tang Yuehua's style, one as clear as a spring, the other as deep as a secluded valley, yet they can perfectly merge at the most subtle points..."
"What?" Dugu Yan suddenly leaned closer, her warm breath caressing Ye Lingling's ear, her voice full of mischief, "Our Lingling, has she taken a liking to this handsome young man?"
Her emerald-like eyes sparkled with cunning, and her fingertips lightly poked Ye Lingling's flushed cheek.
"Sister Yan!" Ye Lingling hastily lowered her head, her silver hair falling to conceal her instantly crimson ear tips.
She instinctively tightened her skirt, yet couldn't help but secretly glance through the gaps in her hair at the figure in the center of the music room.
As the music reached its climax, Feng Xiao became completely immersed in the World of music.
His slender fingers danced faster and faster on the strings, his spirit power unconsciously flowing with the melody, and two yellow spirit rings quietly appeared around him.
The harp music gradually took on a peculiar rhythm, as if it could directly strike the depths of the soul.
Tang Yuehua was the first to notice the anomaly; she keenly observed the subtle changes in the air within the music room—the sound waves, amplified by spirit power, produced substantial vibrations.
Just as she was about to speak a warning, an unexpected change occurred.
"Pfft—"
A blinding emerald-green jet of blood spurted from Dugu Yan's mouth, gleaming with an eerie light in the sunlight.
She was struck as if by lightning; her previously lazy, leaning posture suddenly pitched forward, her emerald hair falling messily, obscuring her instantly pale, pretty face.
"Sister Yan!" Ye Lingling's cry of alarm shattered the music room's tranquility.
Her silver hair flying, she almost instantly moved to Dugu Yan's side, her Nine Heart Sea Tang Spirit blooming in her palm, pink healing light pouring down like flowing water.
Her usually cool face was now filled with anxiety, and her light purple eyes sparkled with panic.
The music room immediately erupted in an uproar.
The noble students retreated in panic, some knocking over harp stands, producing jarring clanging sounds.
Feng Xiao awoke as if from a dream, his harp playing abruptly ceasing.
He watched the scene before him in astonishment, his fingers still suspended above the strings.
Tang Yuehua also immediately stopped, her moon-white sleeve tracing an elegant arc in the air.
She quickly walked towards Dugu Yan, her brows furrowed with grave concern.
"Don't panic, everyone!" Tang Yuehua's clear shout, containing undeniable authority, instantly quelled the commotion in the music room.
Her moon-white skirt gently swayed as she moved quickly, arriving beside Dugu Yan like a wisp of clear wind.
"Sister Yan, how do you feel?" Ye Lingling knelt halfway, her silver hair falling like a waterfall.
The Nine Heart Sea Tang blooming in her palm emitted a soft pink glow, but she surprisingly found that Dugu Yan's spirit power was unusually stable, even smoother than usual.
Dugu Yan gasped, raising her face, a hint of surprise flashing in her emerald eyes.
She reached out to wipe the blood from the corner of her lips, suddenly realizing that the chest tightness that had plagued her for years had inexplicably vanished.
Her gaze fell on the puddle of emerald-green poisonous blood on the ground, and her pupils suddenly constricted—this was the Bi Lin Snake Venom she had been familiar with since childhood.
"What exactly is going on?" Dugu Yan's heart was churning with stormy waves, but she showed no hint of it on her face, "I must tell Grandpa as soon as possible."
Tang Yuehua had already arrived gracefully, bending down elegantly to examine her: "Student Dugu, are you alright?"
Feng Xiao also quickly stepped forward at this moment, the hem of his long gown slightly lifting due to his hurried movement.
He bowed deeply, his voice filled with sincere apology: "I was impolite; I forgot myself and used my spirit power..."
Dugu Yan waved her hand, a meaningful curve appearing on her lips: "It's not your fault."
She slowly stood up, her emerald hair gently swaying with her movement, "On the contrary, I... should thank you."
Ye Lingling looked at her friend in confusion, but saw that Dugu Yan had already returned to her usual lazy demeanor, only her emerald eyes sparkled with an inscrutable light.
Feng Xiao stood still, outwardly calm as water, but inwardly, stormy waves were churning.
His slender fingers unconsciously rubbed together, and a sharp glint flashed in his deep eyes.
"To infuse spirit power into the harp music could actually force out the Bi Lin Snake Venom integrated into the bloodline..." This unexpected discovery made his heart race.
He secretly observed Dugu Yan's expression, noticing the undisguised shock and contemplation in her eyes.
Feng Xiao's thoughts spun rapidly.
This accident today might just be the opportunity fate had granted him.
The corner of Feng Xiao's lips lifted almost imperceptibly, then quickly returned to an apologetic expression.
He respectfully cupped his hands towards Dugu Yan: "Miss Dugu, if you are alright, then I am relieved."
Tang Yuehua lightly flicked her sleeve, her moon-white long dress shimmering with a faint glow in the sunlight.
She surveyed the crowd, her gaze lingering on Feng Xiao for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes—both reproach and an unexplainable hint of admiration.
"Today's lesson will end here," her voice was clear and melodious, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate, "After you return, you might want to carefully savor the Way of Music you just experienced."
When she said "savor," she gave Feng Xiao a meaningful look.
The noble students exchanged glances, but no one dared to object.
They respectfully bowed and withdrew, but as they left, they couldn't help but glance at Feng Xiao several times.
Feng Xiao bowed slightly, his slender fingers unconsciously rubbing together, a blush appearing on his face: "I was presumptuous today and disturbed your elegant leisure, Madam.
This junior... will take his leave now."
Tang Yuehua looked at him in this manner, a helpless smile flashing in her eyes.
She elegantly raised her hand, her fingertips tracing a beautiful arc in the air: "Go."
Feng Xiao bowed deeply again, his sleeves fluttering as he turned.
His steps seemed composed, but they were a bit faster than usual, as if he wanted to escape this place that had left him both embarrassed and greatly rewarded.