Episode 11 recap: The name of Xue Fang Fei's composition has shaken the capital city.
The final round of the annual music examination was about to begin, and everyone was eagerly waiting to see their performance. The order of performance showed that Xue Fang Fei would perform after Jiang Ruo Yao. Many believed that Xue Fang Fei was at a disadvantage, as Jiang Ruo Yao's musical skills were widely known.
Jiang Jing Rui and others cheered for Xue Fang Fei, believing in her potential. When Xue Fang Fei took the stage, the examiners were amazed by the ethereal beauty of her playing. However, some examiners still preferred Jiang Ruo Yao, finding Xue Fang Fei's music too mournful.
Xiao Heng, one of the examiners, carefully considered his vote. In the end, it was Shen Yu Rong's crucial vote that went to Xue Fang Fei.
Jiang Ruo Yao had secluded herself in her room, practicing the entire day without taking any food. She was obsessed with the way Zhou Yan Bang looked at Xue Fang Fei, and she had sworn not to let Xue Fang Fei take him away from her.
Si Tu Jiu Yue brought a scorpion venom needle, believing that this acupuncture technique would have a powerful effect, though it would also cause excruciating pain and hallucinations.
Xue Fang Fei accepted the scorpion venom needle, and she suddenly felt her heart racing as a sharp pain pulled her into the water. Shen Yu Rong grabbed her, and Si Tu Jiu Yue prepared an antidote, asking Xiao Heng to hold Xue Fang Fei down.
Xiao Heng was pained to see Xue Fang Fei's suffering, but he knew she couldn't give up halfway. Si Tu Jiu Yue urgently tried to antidote her, fearing Xue Fang Fei wouldn't make it.
Meanwhile, Jiang Jing Rui hoped that Xue Fang Fei would win against Jiang Ruo Yao, and Liu Xu was determined to watch Xue Fang Fei's performance despite her own injury. Ji Shu Ran helped Jiang Ruo Yao prepare, hoping she wouldn't disappoint him.
At the gambling den, many bet on the young master of the Li family, believing Xue Fang Fei had no chance of overcoming the odds. Jiang Jing Rui was worried that someone might sabotage the examination, but Xue Fang Fei believed no one would dare in front of so many eyes.
When it was Xue Fang Fei's turn, the examiners, including the unexpected presence of Xiao Heng, listened intently. Jiang Ruo Yao's performance of the difficult "Wild Goose Descends on the Sandbar" piece was recognized by Xue Fang Fei, who had been secretly tutored by the Ethereal Fairy.
Mian Ju praised the piece, saying it was marvelous, and lauded Xue Fang Fei for playing with a unique style that surpassed even the Immortal Beauty. Xue Fang Fei was ranked behind Jiang Ruo Yao, and Li Lian believed she would be at a disadvantage.
Xue Fang Fei took the stage and contemplated for a while, and the audience speculated that she might not be able to play the guqin. Xue Fang Fei recalled how her father had bought her a good guqin, and she became emotional and paused. When she played calmly, the melody started off monotonous and obscure, and no one recognized it. Mian Ju had traveled far and wide and heard "Fallen Flowers and White Pear Blossoms" before, and thought it was a mediocre tune.
But when the climax came, he fell into deep thought. Xue Fang Fei's performance evoked a profound sadness in the audience. Shen Yu Rong was reminded of his deceased wife, and Xiao Heng noticed the change in his expression. Xue Fang Fei played with all her heart, and her fingers had blisters, but she remained immersed.
Li Lian couldn't hold back her tears, and Meng Hong Jin was startled. After hearing the full piece, Mian Ju was at a loss for words. Upon learning that Xue Fang Fei had composed the piece herself, he praised her extraordinary talent and cast his vote for her. Mian Ju assumed everyone felt the same way, but he was surprised to find that the Immortal Beauty and Xiao Guan had voted for Jiang Ruo Yao, enraging him and making him suspect that Xiao Guan had been bribed.
Xiao Heng supported Xue Fang Fei's victory, wishing her a bright future. The most crucial vote was Shen Yu Rong's, who was reminded of how his late wife had sold her beloved guqin for his career. Xiao Heng persuaded him further, and Shen Yu Rong ultimately cast his vote for Xue Fang Fei.
Li Lian was so shocked that she fainted. Zhou Yan Bang approached Xue Fang Fei again about their marriage proposal, but she rejected him, and others witnessed it. The competition results were announced, and Xue Fang Fei emerged victorious, making her name known throughout the capital. The court congratulated Jiang Yuan Bai on having such an exceptional daughter, and Jiang Yuan Bai let Li Lian off the hook, no longer requiring her to fulfill the bet.
Li Zhong Nan was upset that his son had to break his word, but Jiang Yuan Bai played along, reminding him to uphold his promise and let Li Lian enter a nunnery. Jiang Ruo Yao returned home, locked herself in her room, and smashed objects, and her maid, Sun Ma Ma, could not console her. There were rumors that Zhou Yan Bang would call off the engagement.
Ji Shu Ran admonished Jiang Ruo Yao for her lack of composure. She then realized that Xue Fang Fei might not be Jiang Li, as the Chaste Women's Hall would not have taught her to play the guqin. She asked Sun Ma Ma to discreetly inquire with the former hall master about the situation.
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