Chapter 667: Chapter 666: Pearls and Jade Before
This kind of silence had never happened before.
This is the silence after being overwhelmed, the silence after magnificent splendor, the silence when reality exceeds expectations and hasn’t yet transformed, or rather, it is the silence after grandeur where everyone reflects and relishes in their minds...
Someone gently clapped, then the crowd seemed to awaken from a dream, and applause began to resonate continuously.
Looking at the stage again, there was no longer that graceful figure on the stone platform; it turned out that Xia Wenjin had long left the stage. Yet, engrossed in reminiscence, no one reacted, nor did anyone see when Xia Wenjin stepped down.
Yi Zixuan found her voice with difficulty and couldn’t help but exclaim, "I never imagined that a sword dance could be so soul-stirring, so dazzlingly beautiful. In Miss Xia’s sword dance, I not only saw the fierce and sharp sword but also the heroic and graceful dance. I saw landscapes and painted scrolls, the tide of history, the vicissitudes of time..." Too excited, she paused to collect her emotions and continued, "Miss Xia truly gave us all a surprise!"
As she said this, many people internally agreed.
As for the one who wanted to see Xia Wenjin make a fool of herself, deliberately signing her up, they were probably sulking somewhere secretly at this moment.
What could be more frustrating than wanting to see someone humiliated, only to see them stand out splendidly in the end?
At this time, the crowd recalled Xia Wenjin’s words on stage earlier. At that time, there was a wave of ridicule, but now thinking back, she wasn’t boasting; she truly had such skills.
Although it wasn’t a murderous swordsmanship, just an ornamental sword dance, the tension, the lightness, who would dare say that sword dancing is not worthy of the stage?
Didn’t you see that even Yi Zixuan was lavish with her praise?
Knowing that Yi Zixuan is close to the Seventeenth Princess, her status is noble, and to receive a compliment from her is not easy.
Praising so much in one breath, Yi Zixuan could already be considered losing composure.
Zhai Hao grumbled, "Indeed... there are some abilities!"
He was also the one hoping for Xia Wenjin’s embarrassment.
Yi Zixuan glanced at the paper in her hand, which bore the names of all the registrants, and laughed, "Everyone is in for a treat. Next is Miss Zhao’s Jing Hong Dance, one of the talented Shuang Yan girls."
Before the words had even fallen, a round of applause erupted immediately, many wearing expressions of anticipation.
Unlike the skepticism and ridicule when Xia Wenjin took the stage, clearly Zhao Keyan’s talent was deeply ingrained in people’s hearts.
Zhao Keyan composed herself, stood up, and elegantly walked towards the high platform.
Who in this circle does not recognize the talented Shuang Yan?
Zhao Keyan seemed to carry her own radiance; even the voices of those young noblemen speaking became softer, as if afraid that too loud a sound would disturb such a celestial being as Zhao Keyan.
Zhao Keyan took the stage, wearing a light pink palace outfit, with long wide sleeves, her dress swirling, her figure graceful, her steps light, like a splendid butterfly, extremely eye-catching.
Her dance was as light as a butterfly; her long sleeves floated up like butterfly wings flapping, living up to the name Jing Hong, indeed leaving a fleeting glimpse of vibrant beauty, ethereal and agile, graceful and winding.
Beautiful!
Very beautiful!
However, after seeing the dazzling richness with the traces of time, the light and lively dance imbued with the grandeur of landscapes in the previous sword dance, people couldn’t help but feel it was like once seeing the vast ocean, no water could compare; once seeing the splendid mountains, no clouds seemed as beautiful.
With gems and jade preceding, even if the latter is also jade, it ultimately doesn’t shock, surprise, or awe as much!
Zhao Keyan was very satisfied with today’s dance.
She imagined the gaze she cared about falling upon her, appreciating her dance.
Her dance, practiced for so long, was originally also for him.
Therefore, she immersed herself wholly in it, infused with feelings and thoughts, even feeling she performed exceptionally.
Such dance moves should be enough to move anyone, right?
She slightly drew in her wide sleeves, ending the dance in a most beautiful pose. Being on the high platform, everywhere below had blind spots in the field of vision, but being on high, one could see all places.
Her gaze was extremely precise, yet subtly glanced towards the direction she always wanted to see.
Would there be admiring eyes and a gentle smile?
However, when she looked over, that person was talking with someone beside him!
Huangfu Yuxuan looked to his side and said, "There are many lively and fun things in the Capital City; you didn’t participate much before, so don’t miss out in the future!"
Having grown up in the Capital City, his words carried a sense of superiority.
Huangfu Jingchen dismissed it with a smile, and Prince Lu’s son said, "Yuxuan is right. Before, we were really ignorant, being stationed in the territories, exposed only to local sights. This Capital City, a place of prosperity, even the gatherings are so elegant and fun, truly a feast for the eyes!"
Prince Xin’s son also smiled and said, "Yuxuan is well-versed; we’ll need your guidance here in the Capital City in the future!"
They had actually been in the capital for over a year, but they had few interactions, rarely mingling. Such a coincidence for the four to gather like today had never happened before.
Zhao Keyan gracefully performed a curtsy, poised and dignified, and there was applause from below the stage, but compared to the applause after Xia Wenjin’s sword dance, it was noticeably sparse.
Zhao Keyan lowered her head, gently biting her lip, quickly descended from the stage.
She had been very confident in her dance for today, but who would have anticipated such a remarkable sword dance? Who would have expected such an excellent sword dance to precede hers?
Especially recalling Xia Wenjin’s previous mention that it was someone else who signed her up without her knowing, suggesting her sword dance was performed impromptu, while her Jing Hong was practised for months!
How could Zhao Keyan not feel bitter?
Next, more people took the stage, either composing poetry on the spot, or painting, or dancing, or demonstrating boxing and sword. Yet, what people remembered was still that sword dance.
Over there, the ladies sitting with Xia Wenjin chuckled, "Miss Xia, you really are one to remain silent before making a stunning impact! You’re truly amazing!"
Several people sought her guidance on sword dancing.
Xia Wenjin openly declared, "I grew up in the Jianghu, and practiced sword from a young age, so I can dance with the sword. If you want to learn sword dancing, you must practice diligently. The sword is a sharp tool; it’s easy to get hurt!"
Hearing this, several people were immediately discouraged.
Though sword dances are beautiful, the risk of possible injury deterred them from practicing.
Previously chatting amiably with Xia Wenjin, these ladies didn’t regard her Jianghu background with any peculiar eyes, but asked curiously whether those stories on heroics and vengeance in Jianghu novels were true.
On the other side, Luo Fu glanced at Xu Man and said flatly, "Don’t do such pointless things in the future, granting others success while souring yourself, why bother?"
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