The hall of Guanyi is actually not big, only the size of an ordinary room. Behind a row of wooden cases, eight judges sat behind the cases with numb expressions, staring at the woman who came in from the hall door.
Eight people were seated at eight tables, which suddenly seemed cramped.
They are all judges of this competition and come from all over the Zhou Dynasty. Some are world-famous musicians, some are literary figures, some are painting masters, and some are experts in dance appreciation. In short, they are all recognized as experts in a certain aspect.
According to the rules of previous oiran competitions, the number of judges must reach thirteen. These eight people are not locals in Hangzhou, and the other five people must participate in counterinsurgency in the finals. This is also for the sake of fairness in the preliminary competition. After all, the preliminary competition is non-local.
Fairness is particularly important when it is conducted in public. And the final competition is judged in full view of the public, and the pressure of public opinion will also make those who intend to seek favoritism dare not make mistakes. If the judges of the Oiran Competition are excessively partial and
If they show favoritism, their reputation will be ruined. Both in terms of the arrangement of the competition system and the pressure of consequences, fairness and justice can basically be guaranteed.
"Report yourself." An old man in gray robe sitting in the middle said to the woman who came in holding a pipa.
His name is Yuan Xiandao, a bachelor of the Imperial Academy of the Zhou Dynasty, and one of the leading figures in the literary world of the Zhou Dynasty. He was invited to Hangzhou to serve as the chief judge of the Oiran Competition.
"Xie Yingying, from my family, is from Wangyue Tower, Hangzhou." Xie Yingying bowed down and saluted.
"Looking at you like this, are you going to play a pipa or sing a song?"
"Yes, I am playing and singing a song with new lyrics. This new lyrics was composed by myself. Several gentlemen are trying to do something in front of others, so please forgive me!" Xie Yingying said softly.
"Oh? You wrote the lyrics yourself? Can't Wangyuelou hire a famous person who can write lyrics?" Yuan Xiandao said, stroking his beard and frowning. Yuan Xiandao was very dissatisfied with women writing lyrics. Recently, many women in Da Zhou like to dance with prose, but when they write
Yuan Xiandao's lyrics had no merit other than being fragrant and beautiful, which was exactly what Yuan Xiandao criticized. When Yuan Xiandao heard that Xie Yingying said that he composed the lyrics, he felt disgusted in his heart.
"It's true as Mr. said, we couldn't hire anyone with suitable talent and knowledge to write the lyrics, so we wrote the lyrics ourselves." Xie Yingying said.
"Hmph. Our literary style is at its peak in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the country is governed by literature. The most indispensable thing in the world is talented and learned people. Do you mean that these people are all dead?" Yuan Xiandao frowned.
Several old men on the side covered their mouths and laughed. The great scholar Yuan seemed to be angry. During this half hour in the afternoon, only one of the more than ten brothel girls was decent and sang a song like a model.
A decent new song. The rest are all dressed up and dressed up. However, when he opens his mouth, his voice is not good, or the lyrics are not good. One of the dancers even twisted his foot, which is simply terrible. The one who was rushed out just now is flattering everyone.
After looking at the coquettishly talking woman, Academician Yuan was already a little angry. This woman seemed to have hit the muzzle of a gun.
Xie Yingying was a little overwhelmed by Yuan Xiandao's words. She thought about it and pursed her lips and said: "Although there are many talented and learned people, there are not many ci works that caught my eye. The Nu family thinks that the ci they write is better than theirs, so
So I wrote the lyrics myself.”
"Oh, what a loud tone. This is the first time I have seen someone with such a loud tone. In that case, you can sing a song. But there is one sentence that I am not satisfied with, so you will not be able to enter the finals tomorrow night." Yuan Xiandao
said coldly.
Xie Yingying was speechless. She didn't know how she had offended this old gentleman, and how did she get into trouble with him? She couldn't help but feel worried. She even suspected that someone was plotting it secretly to prevent her from entering the finals.
"The servant has made a fool of himself." Xie Yingying secretly sighed, bowed to everyone again, and then sat on the spring stool, holding the pipa in her arms. She turned her orchid fingers lightly, and the pipa made a tinkling-dong-dong sound.
Tang Yu, the great musician at the table, nodded slightly. Judging from Xie Yingying's techniques and movements, it can be seen that she is very skilled in playing the pipa. The five-finger rotation method is the most complicated, but it is also the easiest to get through. Because the number of strings makes a sound,
It is often difficult for outsiders to distinguish the sounds of each sound. But in Tang Yu's ears, the rotating sounds produced by the pipa in Xie Yingying's hand are all clear and without any ambiguity. This is the skill of a master.
The sound of the pipa is like running water, and after several turns, it enters a chord. Xie Yingying lightly opens her red lips and slowly sings: "The fragrance of red lotus root lingers in the jade mat in autumn. I undress my clothes lightly and get on the orchid boat alone."
Yuan Xiandao's brows furrowed as he sang. Sure enough, this woman spoke loudly, but she exaggerated the truth. The first two sentences were only mediocre. If she hadn't seen that she was a woman, it would have been difficult for her to write a harmonious and mediocre sentence.
, if the person sitting opposite him was a man, Yuan Xiandao would immediately sentence him to death.
"Who in the clouds sent a brocade book? When the wild goose comes back, the moon is full on the west tower." Xie Yingying sang.
"These two sentences... are quite interesting. But... they can only be considered qualified, not very good." Yuan Xiandao thought to himself, his brows unknowingly stretched.
"Flowers float and water flows."
"One kind of lovesickness, two worries. There is no way to eliminate this feeling, so I only lower my brows, but it is in my heart..."
Xie Yingying's soft singing voice is as light as a feather, soaring up to the sky without any harshness. When it hangs low at 90%, it still echoes in the deep valley. It is really full of charm, with lingering sounds. After the song is over, Xie Yingying stands up, bows her head and stands.
Yuan Xiandao was originally sitting, but now he had stood up. His expression was originally disdainful, but now he was staring at the woman opposite with his eyes wide open.
Art is interrelated. Although not all of the people here are proficient in music and poetry, everyone may not know how to appreciate the master's dancing skills. This woman can sing well and write lyrics well, but she can hear it and feel it.
. They were very impressed.
However, the leader present was Yuan Xiandao. Before he expressed his opinion, everyone was reluctant to speak. However, Yuan Xiandao was stunned on the spot and remained silent for a long time.
"Master Yuan? Master Yuan?" Someone reminded in a low voice: "She has finished singing. What do you think of Master Yuan?"
"Oh." Yuan Xiandao woke up, took a long breath, and said to Xie Yingying: "Is this really the lyrics you wrote?"
Although Xie Yingying felt a little ashamed, as of now, she could only act according to the plan.
"Of course it was done by the slave family."
"Good! Excellent words. Everyone, this poem is a masterpiece. What is the sorrow of separation and what is lovesickness? Li Yu, the late leader of the Southern Tang Dynasty, said, "It is separation sorrow that cannot be cut and sorted out, but it is a feeling in the heart." This
Taking a step further, as soon as the sorrow of separation disappeared, he frowned slightly again, that is, his brows were raised. Let's judge oneself and others, as the saying goes, one kind of lovesickness in two places, the sorrow of lovesickness is the common sorrow of both parties, the two of them
Missing each other, this is the taste of lovesickness. Wonderful, wonderful. Such brushstrokes are delicate and graceful. Thinking about them really makes you feel like you are in ecstasy. I shouldn't have asked what I said just now, how could this kind of delicateness be...
What can a man do? Of course it’s a woman’s idea.”
Yuan Xiandao's analysis was clear and logical, his eyes were shining with enthusiasm, and he was full of praise.
Everyone on the side rolled their eyes. That's not what you said just now. You became like this in the blink of an eye. This also shows from the side that Yuan Xiandao is actually a person with no scheming, and his character is as changeable and sincere as a child.
"By the way, what do you think? I've definitely passed this test here. Mr. Tang, you are a master in music and singing. Your lyrics are excellent. It's up to you to judge how well you sing." Yuan Xiandao smiled at him.
According to Tang Yudao.
Tang Yu smiled slightly and said: "There is only one word here: pass! Miss Yingying's singing skills and pipa skills are very exquisite. Although she is not as good as Gu Panpan of Qunfang Pavilion, Gu Panpan sang Sima Qingshan's lyrics.
, this girl Yingying sings her own words, which is comparable to the mountain. Haha, before, University Scholar Yuan complained that this Oiran Conference had no suspense and no good young talent. Now, University Academician Yuan is still like this
Do you see it?"
"Hahaha, I don't see it that way now. She sings well, plays well, and is also a talented girl. She looks good now. The three houses of Wanhua Tower, Qunfang Pavilion and Wangyue Tower can compete with each other. I know the previous ones.
It didn't work, it ruined our mood, but it turned out to be a foreshadowing, with surprises hidden behind. So everyone, what do you think?" Yuan Xiandao was in a good mood and asked with a smile.
What opinions does everyone have? In fact, these eight people are here to judge the shortlisted candidates, and not all eight people have to give opinions. There are specialties in the arts, and the corresponding judges' opinions will be dominant according to the talents of the women who come in. Not to mention
With the approval of the chief judge Yuan Xiandao, the others naturally had no reason to raise different opinions. In fact, they did not have different opinions. The impression that Wangyuelou's top star gave them was actually very good from the beginning. He was elegant and refined.
She is not dressed like the previous people who wore heavy makeup and posed. She has a good appearance and figure, and her talent can be called a genius. How can she be relegated?
The eight people voted unanimously, and Xie Yingying won a place in tomorrow night's finals.
Xie Yingying couldn't help but feel happy when she received the joint letter confirming her shortlisting. In fact, the biggest help today was this poem. If skills such as singing and playing pipa were not based on this good poem, it would be rootless. I
The music score was not very good either, and I was aware of these flaws. If Mr. Lin's lyrics had not been approved by the chief judge, Yuan Dajun, things would not have been so tight.
When leaving, Yuan Xiandao specifically said to Xie Yingying: "Can I allow this poem to be recited? It will also make you famous. Even if it is taken to the Hanlin Academy, some people will be ashamed to death."
Xie Yingying naturally wanted it, so she thanked her and agreed.
Yuan Xiandao added: "I hope I can see your good words again in the finals tomorrow night. You probably gave your best words today in order to enter the finals. I am very worried that your performance tomorrow night will not be as good as today."
Xie Yingying smiled and said: "Sir, don't worry, the slave family has its own arrangements for tomorrow night, and I will not disappoint you."
Yuan Xiandao was overjoyed when he heard this, and then waved his hand and allowed Xie Yingying to leave.
In the evening, the news that Xie Yingying successfully entered the finals reached Lin Jue's small courtyard. Lin Juezheng, Fang Huanqiu and Lu Wu were eating sugar cakes around the small table. After hearing the news, Lu Wu and Fang Huanqiu jumped for joy, but Lin Jue couldn't even shake his head.
Without lifting it, he just took a big bite of the sugar cookie and chewed it with his cheeks puffed out.
