"What?" Clara and Lila exchanged glances, both feeling a spark of anger ignite within them.
"What kind of music is this?" Nathan's blunt critique was a first for Clara. Typically, those who heard her play were full of praise, their compliments becoming so common that they hardly registered. Today, however, she had expected Nathan to join in the usual flattery but was instead met with outright disdain. Any hint of admiration she'd had for him instantly faded, replaced with a flicker of irritation.
"What an arrogant brute!" Lila couldn't hold back, jumping in to defend her mistress. "How dare you speak of my lady's music this way! Do you even understand music?"
Nathan's words had come out impulsively, but after speaking, he realized perhaps he'd been too frank. However, as a self-assured man, he didn't see a reason to back down.
"Oh? And what do you think I should say?" he asked, hands clasped behind his back with a cool expression.
"Obviously, you should compliment my lady's performance!" Lila responded as though it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nathan pretended to contemplate her suggestion. "Alright, the performance was indeed... decent."
Clara's irritation began to ease slightly, thinking perhaps Nathan had come to his senses. But her relief was short-lived as Nathan added, "Though I have to say, it lacks soul."
Lila bristled, about to argue further, but Clara held her back with a slight wave of her hand. Her expression was displeased, a slight frown tugging at her brows.
"And what does Master Ye mean by 'soul'?" Clara's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it.
This woman's voice was striking, Nathan thought. It wasn't exactly soft; there was a hint of sharpness, yet her tone carried an innate charm, one that seemed to pierce directly to a man's heart.
"Music isn't just sound. It's a living thing. Its life comes partly from the musician, but just as importantly, from the music itself," Nathan explained frankly. "Your skill is impressive, but the piece itself is lacking."
Nathan believed his explanation would make her feel somewhat appeased, perhaps even appreciated. But Clara's face only darkened.
"Are you saying the music itself is the problem?" she asked icily.
Nathan nodded. "Yes, exactly."
Lila scoffed, her expression filled with disdain. "You really don't know what you're talking about, do you? Do you have any idea who composed this piece?"
Nathan shrugged indifferently. "I'm all ears."
With pride, Lila declared, "This composition, The Flowing Stream, was created by Master Mo, the Imperial Court's chief musician. He is also my lady's teacher!"
"Master Mo's life work includes over a hundred compositions, each one a masterpiece," she continued. "This piece was his gift to my lady, yet you, ignorant of his renown, have the audacity to mock a master's work! Isn't that laughable?"
Nathan barely suppressed a chuckle. Who was this "Chief Musician" anyway? Since he didn't know the man, he felt no need to revere him.
"So that's the extent of the Chief Musician's skill?" he replied, unimpressed.
Clara's temper finally snapped. "Master Ye's dismissive tone toward my teacher implies that you must be quite skilled yourself. Why not perform a piece to show me what true soulful music sounds like?" she challenged, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
Nathan was undeterred by her anger. In his past life, he'd learned a valuable lesson from countless stories: women aren't won over by mere flattery. Only a genuinely outstanding man can capture their attention. The overly eager are left with nothing but disappointment.
So he ignored her tone entirely. "To be honest, my skills are average," he said, smiling serenely. "But I can still play a tune or two, enough to show you what good music sounds like."
Clara was taken aback, feeling her irritation rise again. The audacity! First, he claimed to be "average," yet implied he could show her "true" music. What nerve!
"Well, then, I eagerly await your performance!" Clara forgot her purpose in irritation. In her pride, she couldn't bear being belittled in her strongest area.
"But I don't usually work for free," Nathan replied, pointing toward the curtain. "If my performance surpasses yours, then remove this curtain. I don't like talking through fabric."
Lila protested, "That's against the rules!"
Everyone else had to speak through the curtain!
"Fine. I agree," Clara interrupted, her gaze fixed on Nathan.
"Bring the zither," Nathan gestured with a finger.
Lila looked to Clara, who gave a nod, so she reluctantly fetched the instrument and handed it to him, albeit with a sulky expression.
Nathan sat down, lightly strumming the strings as he reacquainted himself with the instrument. It had been a long time since he'd last played.
He began to play. At first, Clara let out a quiet scoff.
"Is that all?" she sneered.
As a skilled musician, Clara could tell immediately that Nathan was out of practice. Several notes were off, though he gradually found his rhythm. Still, his technical skills were nothing extraordinary; he was merely an amateur at best.
"This is the man who mocked my teacher?" she murmured with a cold smile.
But as she listened further, her smile slowly faded, replaced by an intense look of concentration.
"This melody..."
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