Three punches shattered the demonic soul, young hero, I'm an honest man!

"I then trusted Commander Pei's judgment and Miss Yunniang's skills, based on the 'agreement between the Imperial Observatory and the Imperial Astronomical Bureau'."

The crowd erupted again!

Si Tianjian!

That was a force on par with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and in some aspects even more extraordinary!

A promise made by the star official of the Imperial Observatory.

Its significance is so great that it would make any wealthy family in the capital take notice!

Sun Shaoyou's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He never expected that the aloof woman beside Pei Yun was actually a star official from the Imperial Observatory!

Before everyone could recover from their shock...

Qin Yu, standing to the side, suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly:

"Hahaha! Brother Pei has already placed his bet, how can I, Qin Yu, fall behind!"

He straightened his chest, looked around at everyone, and was full of vigor.

"I will wager, using the 'Four Seas Chamber of Commerce Agreement,' that Miss Yunniang's skill will be unparalleled, her voice lingering for three days!"

Sihai Chamber of Commerce!

The Four Seas Chamber of Commerce, whose wealth rivals that of a nation!

The value of its "one agreement" is immeasurable!

Everyone was completely stunned.

A commander of the Imperial Guard, a star official of the Imperial Observatory, and the young master of the Four Seas Merchant Guild...

These three people actually stood on the side of the courtesan without hesitation, even at the cost of such a heavy bet!

Just who exactly is this Pei Yun?

Why do the people around him trust him so much?

Sun Shaoyou, who had previously provoked the trouble, was now pale and ashen-faced, with cold sweat pouring down his face.

He never imagined that his casual remark would provoke such a huge commotion.

In an instant, the atmosphere inside the waterside pavilion became increasingly eerie and tense.

All eyes were focused on Pei Yun and Yun Niang, who was about to perform.

What was originally just a talent show to add to the fun has turned into a high-stakes gamble involving all parties involved!

Princess Changyang, seated in the main seat, frowned even more deeply.

She glanced at her daughter, Princess Yongle, who was pale-faced and looked somewhat curious.

He glanced again at the composed Pei Yun, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Prince Yan Xu wore a wry smile; it seemed that today's tea banquet was about to encounter unexpected complications.

At this moment, Yunniang calmed down instead.

She took a deep breath and looked at Pei Yun.

Pei Yun nodded slightly to her, her eyes filled with encouragement and trust.

"There are many blind people in this world, and only true heavenly music can cleanse their worldly hearts."

Yunniang felt a warmth in her heart, and all her tension and unease dissipated.

……

Inside the waterside pavilion, Prince Yanxu turned to Princess Yongle with great interest.

"Sister Yongle, what do you think of this bet?"

"Why don't we join in the fun?"

Princess Yongle, Ying Le, tilted her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly.

Her dark, round eyes darted around as she pondered for a moment.

His gaze swept over the composed Pei Yun, and then landed on Yun Niang, who looked slightly nervous but with a determined look in her eyes.

She said softly, "Brother, I think Sister Yun will win."

Her voice was soft and gentle, carrying the innocence of a young girl.

"I...I bet my phoenix hairpin."

That phoenix hairpin was a gift from the Empress Dowager, and it was extremely precious.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yanxu laughed heartily.

"Good! Sister Yongle has good taste."

"Then I'll make a bet with you, cousin. I'll wager this 'Dragon Pattern Jade Pendant' on whether that Commander Pei loses!"

He took off the jade pendant from his waist; its inner brilliance clearly indicated it was no ordinary item.

Princess Changyang sat upright in the main seat.

She lowered her phoenix eyes slightly and did not participate in the gambling among the younger generation.

But his gaze lingered on Pei Yun for a long time.

With a hint of scrutiny and a subtle disapproval.

In her view, Pei Yun's actions were far too "out of line" in front of the royal family and nobility.

It's even somewhat "frivolous".

Royal dignity cannot be mocked like this.

Even if this kid were a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he truly doesn't know his own limitations.

On the other side of the waterside pavilion, in a relatively quiet and elegant corner.

Su Jinyue smiled gently.

She spoke in hushed tones with a young lady from a prominent family beside her.

"Sister Jinyue, look at that Commander Pei, he really has a lot of nerve," the young lady beside her said softly.

Su Jinyue covered her mouth and smiled: "The Embroidered Uniform Guard has always acted in an unconventional manner."

"This Commander Pei is one of the best among them."

Her voice was gentle, like spring rain in Jiangnan.

"I've heard that you, sister, are a master of both poetry and painting in Jiangnan. Why don't you also display your talents today?"

Su Jinyue shook her head slightly: "You flatter me."

"The capital city is a place where hidden talents abound. How dare I, with my meager skills, show off my limited abilities in front of you masters?"

Su Jinyue possesses an elegant demeanor and refined speech.

It doesn't try to attract attention, yet it has its own unique charm.

She didn't seem to care much about the bet.

But his eyes never left Pei Yun out of the corner of his eye.

A strange, indescribable glint flashed in those eyes, as clear as autumn water.

Not far away, at the seat of a young master from a noble family.

Li Xuanping, dressed in a Taoist robe, sat there quietly.

The hustle and bustle and flattery around him seemed like the liveliness of another world to him, making him feel out of place.

"Brother Xuanping, what do you think of this spectacle?"

The young master of the Marquis's mansion asked with a smile.

Li Xuanping smiled faintly and said, "That's quite interesting."

He occasionally whispered a few words to the young master of the Marquis's mansion.

Their gazes were mostly fixed on the artificial hills and flowing water in the garden, where the swaying bamboo seemed to be lost in thought.

"Brother Xuanping truly lives up to his reputation as a disciple of the Xuan Shu Sect of the Tai Su Dao lineage; his state of mind is indeed far beyond what we ordinary mortals can achieve."

The young master of the Marquis's mansion exclaimed in admiration, with a hint of awe.

"The Foundation Establishment realm is already a distinction between immortals and mortals. I wonder when we will be able to have the opportunity to glimpse the path to the Great Dao."

Upon hearing this, Li Xuanping's eyes flickered slightly, but he ultimately said nothing more.

He felt that the hustle and bustle of the garden was not as pleasant as a gentle breeze in the mountains.

……

With the betting set up, the gathering gained a new focus.

Before Yunniang, Wang Zhilan, a woman renowned for her talent and from the Wang family of Taiyuan, was chosen by the crowd to step forward.

"Sister Wang's piano skills are unparalleled in the capital; she will surely be a feast for our ears today!"

Miss Wang offered a few words of modesty, then bowed gracefully and sat down in front of the zither.

She sat gracefully behind the guqin, her slender hands rising gently, her jade-like fingers lightly plucking the strings.

As the tinkling sound rang out, the melodious tune of "Spring Outing" began to play.

Her skill was superb, and the clear, melodious sound of the zither was like the warm spring sun gently caressing one's face.

Although it lacked some of the wow factor, it was still elegant and melodious, winning applause from the audience.

"Excellent! Miss Wang truly deserves to be called the most talented woman in the capital!"

"This music should only exist in heaven; it is rarely heard on earth!"

Prince Yan Xu also nodded in praise: "Miss Wang's music is like a spring breeze, elegant and refined. She truly deserves to be called a renowned talented woman in the capital."

Everyone agreed that Miss Wang's musical skills were superb.

Miss Wang smiled politely, stood up to express her gratitude, but there was a hint of self-satisfaction in her eyes.

At this moment, a middle-aged scholar dressed in a blue robe with a thin face stepped forward, cupped his hands, and spoke.

"Gentlemen, you are all in high spirits. I am Liu Qingxian, and though I am not very talented, I would like to offer a short piece of music to add to the enjoyment of this tea banquet."

This man was a retainer of the Prince of Annam's court and was somewhat famous among the newly emerging musicians in the capital.

Prince Yanxu smiled and said, "So it's Mr. Liu. Your skills are superb, please!"

Liu Qingxian clasped his hands in a salute and walked towards the qin platform.

After he sat down, he took a deep breath and pressed his hands firmly onto the strings.

Clang—!

The sound of the zither suddenly arose, completely different from Miss Wang's refined elegance.

He played a more technically elaborate and complex piece, "Yellow Crane Circling Green Trees".

Finger movements were swift and agile, notes leaping and dancing.

Sometimes it is like ten thousand horses galloping, with a magnificent momentum.

Sometimes it soars like a crane through the sky, piercing through clouds and splitting rocks.

The complexity and variety of her techniques far surpassed those of Miss Wang from before.

When the music ended, everyone in the audience was astonished.

"My goodness! Mr. Liu's finger technique is simply divine!"

"Miss Wang's piano playing is beautiful, but it seems a bit... crafty."

"Mr. Liu's skill is superior; I admire him greatly!"

Even Wang Zhilan, who had been so self-satisfied just moments before, showed a hint of admiration on her face and stood up to nod slightly to Liu Qingxian.

Prince Yan Xu clapped and cheered.

"Excellent! What a wonderful rendition of 'The Yellow Crane Circling the Green Trees'! Mr. Liu's piece should be considered the best of today!"

He looked at Pei Yun and laughed, "Commander Pei, it seems your 'agreement,' as well as the 'agreement' between Yunwei Star Official and Brother Qin, are likely to lose to Brother Sun and me!"

Upon hearing this, Sun Shaoyou's face regained some of its smugness.

All eyes in the pavilion turned to Pei Yun and Yun Niang.

Most of them were skeptical and just curious.

With Mr. Liu's masterpiece preceding us, what kind of earth-shattering tune can this courtesan of Baidi Tower possibly play?

Yunniang took a deep breath and was about to get up.

Pei Yun suddenly leaned close to her ear and whispered something in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"Ignore them and play the piece I taught you."

His voice was gentle, carrying an undeniable sense of calm.

Yunniang's delicate body trembled slightly, a hint of surprise and understanding flashing in her eyes.

She nodded emphatically: "Yes!"

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Yunniang calmly stood up.

She moved with light, graceful steps toward the zither stand that had been the focus of countless gazes.