Tang riddles

The agreed time for playing the piano was at Youzheng in the evening, about two quarters before Youzheng, Shen Sui brought Shen Jin to Luyun Tower.The attendants were all waiting downstairs, and only the two sisters went to the top floor.The location of Luyun Tower was chosen by Shen Jin himself. Of course, one can understand from the name that this is a restaurant under Qianyumen.

One of the most famous features of Luyun Tower is that it is tall, with a full five floors, almost surpassing the corner tower of the imperial city on the side. It is already the highest standard of folk buildings.Moreover, the foundation of the platform was very thick, and the actual height had exceeded the standard, but Chang'an Jingzhao Mansion and the general in charge of the building turned a blind eye and closed their eyes, and no one cared.The main reason is that Luyun Tower is the favorite meeting place for Chang'an high-ranking scholars and scholars besides Pingkangfang.Even emperors, princes and princesses like to come here in micro-clothes.The height of the building here can be said to be acquiesced.

In addition to the height of the building, Luyun Building is most famous for its terrace on the top floor.The tallest terrace of Luyun Building is also elegantly called "Lutai" by literati. There is no roof on it, but a fully open terrace with a wide area, which can accommodate hundreds of people at the same time without being too crowded.Every summer, some relatives of the emperor or relatives come here to enjoy the cool air. On the terrace, temporary wooden pillars are erected, and a pergola is built.On the Lutai, various activities are often held, where literati and inkmen fight poetry, or Jianghu knights fight swords and swords here, or chess masters talk and fight here.Also, just like today, masters of temperament play music here.

Shen Jin's reputation was not well known in Chang'an in the past, but it gradually spread after she came to Chang'an City recently.The main reason is to borrow the name of her sister Shen Sui. In everyone's eyes, Shen Jin is Shen Sui's disabled younger brother who is sitting in a wheelchair and unable to speak.He is a gentleman who is gentle and elegant, but unfortunately, this jade is flawed.

It's just that he didn't expect that this disabled young man would turn out to be a superb luthier worthy of Dong Tinglan's challenge. All of a sudden, this rhythm competition became a hot topic among Chang'an people who love to watch the excitement.

If there is a competition, it is natural to have a temperament master to judge, otherwise it is difficult to say who is superior and who is inferior.Dong Tinglan is one of the most outstanding luthiers in the world, and the person who can judge him must also be a master of temperament.For this competition, Fang Luyunlou, the organizer, specially invited Li Jilan, the most popular female champion among talents, and Xue Yijian, a famous luthier who is as famous as Dong Tinglan, as judges.

The two masters came one after another after the Shen sisters.

The first to arrive was Li Jilan, dressed in a black gauze Taoist robe, sandalwood hairpins, and holding a dust whisk, this female Taoist appeared on the Lutai.Seeing this famous and talented woman with your own eyes, you will know how charming she is.The black gauze robe was as black as a cloud of ink, which made Li Jilan's skin as frosty and snowy as fat. Her thin red lips had seductive lines drawn at the corners of her lips, and she seemed to be smiling even if she wasn't smiling.Her facial features are incomparably delicate and unmatchedly handsome.However, the appearance is only part of her body, the unrestrained and natural temperament of her body is the most exciting part.

The story of Li Jilan's childhood is very famous, but when she was five or six years old, her father held her and watched the gardener build a rose trellis in the yard. After watching for a while, her father asked her how she felt.Li Jilan wrote a poem to answer: "After time has not been put on hold, her mind is in a mess." It means that this shelf can't be set up well for a long time, which makes her feel chaotic.Because the word "Jiaque" is the same as "Jiaque", his father was furious and threw it to the ground, saying: "I will lose my wife!" It means to reprimand the child for wanting to marry at a young age. In the future, she will definitely be a woman with no morals and no character.There are different opinions on whether Li Jilan has really lost her character, but most people know that she is indeed a romantic and talented woman.

At that time, Shen Jin had already entered the test seat. This table was a tall table specially customized for her. The belly of the table could just swallow the armrest of the wheelchair, and the height was just right.Today, Shen Jin wears a lacquered gauze with a small high crown, a sky blue embossed cloud-pattern gown with a right lapel and wide sleeves, sitting in a wheelchair, frail and elegant, elegant clothes, exquisite and beautiful facial features, and a gentle and jade-like temperament. All made her the focus of the field.Seeing this handsome man, many noble ladies in the arena whispered to each other with peach clouds on their faces.Datang women, especially some noble women from the family of generals, prefer this kind of handsome man with weak temperament. I don't know if they were influenced by the Emperor Wu. The Lianhua Liulang back then was very impressive.

Shen Sui probably made an appointment with her younger sister to wear a "brother's outfit". Compared to Shen Jin's azure cross-collared gown, she wore an azure round-necked gown with a crotch, which was also embossed with cloud patterns.The younger sister wears a crown, and she wears a black, footless, hard hat with a square of jasper embedded in the center of the hat.In order to set off her younger sister, she was covered with a silver mask, with a belt around her waist and a saber, standing aside.

Today may be a special day, she finally revealed the knife wrapped in black cloth.When the black cloth was removed, people could see that it was a large horizontal knife with a snow-white whole body. The handle and scabbard should be made of white jade, carved with exquisite patterns of ice and snow crystals, and the middle part of the white jade was glazed with ice cracks. Beautiful.This is the "Snow Knife" in "Snow Knife Mingjuan". It is tied on the back of her waist with a red ribbon, lining her straight spine.Even the silver face couldn't hide her handsomeness, on the contrary, it added a mysterious aura, which made her attract as much attention as Shen Jin.

As soon as Li Jilan came, his eyes fell on the "two brothers", and the smile on the corner of his mouth could not be restrained.Two handsome men!Let her discover the treasure today.Li Jilan, who originally agreed to be the referee because he wanted to join in the fun, realized that he had come to the right place.

Just as I was about to go up to say hello, and by the way made a joke, the guy who didn't know how to play came.Dong Tinglan and Xue Yijian came here hand in hand, Li Jilan had no choice but to restrain his mind and stepped forward to greet Shen Sui and Shen Jin solemnly.

After exchanging pleasantries without wasting time, the competition officially started at the right hour.Dong Tinglan entered the competition table, and faced Shen Jin from east to west, leaving an open space several feet square in the middle.A fence was erected around the fence, and the fence was full of Chang'an people watching the competition, including some celebrities, scholars, nobles and guests.

The competition is divided into two parts, one is the performance skill part and the other is the improvisation part.In the part of performance skills, the two have to play a set piece respectively, and the surrounding audience will testify and judge whether they are good or bad.The repertoire is the well-recognized difficult Guqin piece "Eighteen Beats of Hujia".

As for the sequence, it is agreed that whoever initiates the challenge first will play first.Therefore, Dong Tinglan took the lead in playing.

When Master Dong put his hands on the strings of the guqin, the surroundings naturally fell silent.Immediately the sound of the ancient rhyme and fragrance of the piano sounded, instantly leading everyone present back to the ancient and elegant era of the Han Dynasty.Lei Yin's timbre is really outstanding. When the first sound came out, it was like a spring thunder, which made everyone excited.

Shen Sui silently stood beside Shen Jin. She had listened to the qin slave play "Eighteen Beats of Hujia" countless times, and once reconciled with it. "Hu Jia Eighteen Beats" is Dong Tinglan's famous song, and it is his best repertoire.At that time, there was a poem that said: The ancient garrison was green and the beacon fire was cold, and the wilderness was heavy and white.First brush the Shang strings and then the horn feathers, and the autumn leaves in the surrounding suburbs startle (color).Master Dong, who is a god, Shensong eavesdropped on the goblin.Words are late and fast, and they will be reciprocated as if they are affectionate.The empty mountains are scattered and the birds are still together, and the clouds are cloudy and sunny for thousands of miles.It truly describes Master Dong's superb piano art.

However, it was Shen Jin who set the song, so I really don't know who is challenging whom.

Shen Sui saw that Li Jilan was already being lipped by the sound of the piano, although he didn't make a sound, he couldn't help singing in harmony in his heart.On the first beat, sing: I did nothing at the beginning of my life, and Han Zuo declined after I was born.When the sky is unkind, there will be chaos, and when the earth is unkind, I will be at this time.The roads are in danger in the days of fighting, and the people are in exile, mourning together.The smoke and dust cover the wild and the barbarians are full, and the sincerity is obedient and righteous.It is not suitable for me to be so vulgar, and who should I sue when I am insulted.After a while, I beat the piano, and I feel angry and resentful, and no one knows.

At the end of the first shot, some viewers were moved to tears and choked. I don't know which passionate writer touched the heartstrings inside.

About the third beat, a new customer came up downstairs, which crowded the crowd and caused some noise, but it disappeared quickly.The visitor stood quietly among the crowd behind Shen Sui and Shen Jin, and joined the blind girl blindfolded in black cloth who was waiting for her, it was Zhang Ruohan and Wu Ya.

When No.18 was played at the end, the audience fell into a state of ecstasy, listening to it in a state of ecstasy, except for the sound of the piano, the needle could be heard.When the performance ended, the lingering sound lingered, making people unable to recover.After a long while, led by Shen Jin and Shen Sui, there was warm cheers and applause.

Next, Shen Jin played the piece.Before talking about the song, she said a word to her sister Shen Sui.So Shen Sui said for her:

"Shedi said that when she talks about this song, if anyone wants to sing in harmony, just sing it, don't be restrained."

As soon as this remark came out, there was a murmur of discussion around.Shen Jin didn't care at all, and attached the scorched-tailed strings with both hands, the surroundings became quiet as usual, and Shen Jin plucked the first note.

Clang, Jiaowei made an incomparably soaring sound, as if he saw the scene of the yellow sand in the Western Regions.The tone of Jiaowei is not as crisp and loud as Leiyin, but it is simple and mellow, with traces of time.Jiaowei was originally the piano made by Cai Yong, the father of Cai Wenji, the protagonist of "Eighteen Beats of Hujia". This piano has been with Cai Wenji for a long time, and it is the most suitable piano for playing "Eighteen Beats of Hujia".

There was an unconcealable smile on the corner of Shen Sui's mouth under the mask. Her qin slave is really cunning, this girl is not stupid at all, why did she choose the song "Eighteen Beats of Hu Jia"?But it was chosen because of the Jiaowei.She also asked the audience to sing in harmony, probably to distract attention from the performance.In terms of performance level, the piano slave who is more than ten years younger than Dong Tinglan, no matter how talented he is, lacks the time to hone it.But being able to use the two points of famous piano and singing to win is the smartest part of her.

There are always people who know the elegant meaning of string songs, such as Li Jilan.In order to befriend the two handsome men of the Shen family, Li Jilan really sang together.She was already very good at singing, and the lyrics came out of her mouth, it was really melodious, like weeping.

The rest retreated when they knew the difficulty, but they did not dare to harmonize with Li Jilan, lest they expose their own standards.Unexpectedly, another elegant and cool female voice suddenly sounded in the crowd, her singing was no worse than Li Jilan's, she cut into the fifth beat perfectly, harmonized with Li Jilan, and sang until No.16 beat, Gradually the sound faded away.

Shen Sui's face under the mask was a little more surprised, and then he turned his head to search among the surrounding crowd, but he still couldn't find the owner of the voice.Hearing the sound, even Shen Jin was taken aback. Fortunately, she had a very good mental quality, and her hands were not messed up at all, and she continued to play perfectly.Li Jilan herself was also very surprised. She also searched for a long time but couldn't find who was singing, so she couldn't help but feel a little lost.

Until the end of the song, Shen Jin's performance also won a lot of applause. In the final judgment, Li Jilan believed that Shen Jin and Dong Tinglan were on par, while Xue Yijian believed that Dong Tinglan was better in terms of playing skills alone, but in this performance, The two are evenly matched.

"Hahaha, brother Zhongqin is really a natural born luthier, he has already caught up with my generation at a young age, Ting Lan admires it."

Shen Sui said on behalf of Shen Jin: "My brother said, Mrs. Dong is too humble, and Mrs. Dong is so talented that I can't beat you. Today, the competition is the second, and it's a festive season. Wouldn't it be beautiful to play joyful piano music and let everyone sing and dance together? ?”

"Okay, okay, Brother Zhongqin has such a kind intention, how can Tinglan refuse. How about changing the second competition, and we impromptuly playing together?"

Shen Sui endorsed: "Brother She said: I have exactly that intention."

Li Jilan applauded when she heard the words, and said with great joy: "It's wonderful, it's a bit monotonous just to play the guqin. Why don't you call the drum band from Luyun Tower to come and accompany you, and let's have fun together."

Xue Yijian smiled and said, "That's a very good proposal." Then he immediately called a servant to call the drum band.

Luyun Building originally ordered the drum band to stay downstairs, and once called, they can go upstairs.So soon, the drum band came, the pipa player, the Jie drum player, the flute player, each musician showed excitement, and moved the pier to occupy a corner of Lutai.For them, being able to play with a master like Dong Tinglan today is really lucky, and they will die without regret.

Everything is ready, Dong Tinglan asked Shen Jin to speak first.Shen Jin smiled lightly, and with a flick of his bare hand, he set the happy tone of the tune.Dong Tinglan immediately plucked the strings, and the drum band joined in one after another. The melodious music wafted around the Lutai.Li Jilan did his part and became the lead singer. The barriers were dismantled, and many audience members, driven by individual activists, began to join the team of Tage one after another.

Stepping songs are lively only when they are singing while stepping. There is a mixture of men and women, regardless of age or dignity, and everyone enjoys it.In Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty, singing and dancing have been peaceful for many years. Everyone grew up under the influence of singing, dancing and poetry, and they still have the most basic sense of music and rhythm.The most basic movement essentials of Tage are to twist the waist and tilt the hips, stepping on the ground as the knuckles.The rhythm is well grasped, and it is particularly exciting to dance.Therefore, the lead singer is particularly important, playing the role of choosing words and poems and adjusting the rhythm.Li Jilan is obviously a very qualified lead singer, her talent is so high that few people can match her.

With the cheerful music unfolding, under the leadership of Li Jilan, the spacious Lutai became a place for singing.The two large teams formed a circle, facing each other two by two, circling the open space between the two guqin players, singing happily.

Li Jilan was the first to lead the singing: "The stars last night, the wind last night, the west side of the painting building and the east side of Guitang."

Everyone laughed and said in harmony: "The body has no colorful phoenix/flying wings, but the heart has a tacit understanding."

When she sang "Hearts and Sympathy", Li Jilan happened to walk around to Shen Sui's side, leaning her hips, throwing out the Taoist robe with wide sleeves elegantly, hooking Shen Sui to join the team of stepping songs.Shen Sui was a little displeased, but since everyone "challenged" her door, she would not be shy, and joined the team openly. The tall and handsome figure faced Li Jilan, both of them stepped on the pipa, and Shen Sui twisted her waist Turning around, a kite turned over, and the snow knife on its waist drew a beautiful arc.

"Shen Dalang, why don't you take off your mask and let Ji Lan see his beauty?" Li Jilan sneakily said to Shen Sui during the interval between the songs.

Before Shen Sui could answer, when it was time to lead the singing, Li Jilan opened his mouth and came:

"Swallow grass is as green as silk, Qin Sang has low green branches."

Everyone sang along: "When the king returns to the sun, it's when the concubine is heartbroken." After singing this sentence, Li Jilan actually showed a heartbroken expression to Shen Sui. Although Shen Sui knew it was an act, he was also fascinated by this moving expression eyes.

She settled down, concentrated on singing, and remained unmoved.

Not long after, the tune changed again, and Li Jilan acted accordingly and sang:

"Yangliuqing and Qingjiang River are at the same level, and I can hear the sound of singing on the Langjiang River."

Everyone responded: "The sun rises in the east and rains in the west. The Tao is not sunny but sunny."

Sentimental?Still ruthless?Li Jilan's eyes seemed to have hooks on Shen Sui.Shen Sui smiled lightly, Li Jilan could only see a pair of gloomy black pupils under the silver face, without any thoughts.

However, she had just finished singing this poem, and before the melody fell completely, someone suddenly picked up the rhythm and started another end. The cold and bright voice resounded through Lutai, like the voice of heaven, and sang:

"On a spring outing, the apricot blossoms are blowing all over your head. Who is young in Moshang? It's romantic."

Li Jilan was wondering, isn't this voice the mysterious woman who harmonized with her in "Eighteen Beats of Hu Jia"?

Just at this time, I saw a white dress coming from the crowd, dancing gently, singing like walking on the clouds.Her figure was like snow falling leaves, she leaped into the team lightly, and unexpectedly shook Li Jilan, skillfully shifted her place, replaced him, and faced Shen Sui face to face.

At this time, the second half of the sentence came in harmony:

"The concubine intends to marry her and marry her, and she will be divorced for the rest of her life. Even if she is ruthlessly abandoned, she must not be ashamed!"

Don't be ashamed, don't rest.Right in front of Shen Sui, a golden-faced girl, with a pair of clear and cold pupils, was sinking her waist and slumping her hips, with her wide sleeves fluttering. The waves in her eyes were like autumn water, and when she looked into the bottom of Shen Sui's heart, it turned into a deep abyss. The depth of the pond is unpredictable.The golden lotus in snow clothes, the fairy falls into the mortal world, as light as a startled bird, as graceful as a swimming dragon.

Shen Jin pointed to a sudden change in the tune, as if echoing her singing, and the girl in white with a golden face led the singing again:

"Thousands of maple leaves turn into ten thousand branches, and the river bridge hides the evening sails."

Few of the people in Tage had heard this poem before, and they didn't know how to sing it in harmony. They were shocked by this beautiful fairy sound, and felt that their souls were absorbed and floated into the sky.For a moment, there was only one person in the field agreeing:

"Yijun's heart is like the water of the West River, flowing eastward day and night without a break."

The voice is hoarse and unique, like a pharynx and a flute.Although there were hundreds of people in the arena, only one person could get along with the white-clothed and golden-faced fairy.She was just across from her, turning around freely, beating the festival and tapping songs, the hem of the sky green robe fluttering, and the silver-faced snow knife was flowing.

If it's not Shen Sui, who is it?