"This instrument has a wide range, a diverse tone, and exceptional expressiveness. Not only can it be used as a solo, chamber, orchestral, or accompanying instrument, but it also excels in solo performances…"
As Tang Yuehua spoke, she walked over to a pitch-black instrument.
She sat in front of it and lifted the lid, revealing the alternating black and white keys.
This was a newly introduced instrument on the Douluo Continent.
The other guests looked on in curiosity.
Tang Yuehua gently tapped a few keys, and beautiful notes rang out.
The guests all showed expressions of enjoyment.
Whether they were truly captivated or just putting on an act was uncertain.
Dan Heng slightly raised an eyebrow. The instrument Tang Yuehua had brought out was nothing other than a grand piano.
At this moment, the young lady who had been pestering him earlier appeared again.
Princess Xue Ke sat across from Dan Heng, her face full of curiosity as she gazed at him.
"Sir, I want to ask you something. How could you possibly refuse Lady Lister, such a charming and seductive beauty?"
Princess Xue Ke's bright eyes sparkled with interest.
She was simply dying of curiosity.
Aside from her brother, Xue Qinghe, she had never seen any other man reject Lady Lister.
Yet Dan Heng had been unmoved even when tempted with great wealth.
Dan Heng shook his head slightly. "It's nothing."
"Huh? What do you mean by 'nothing'?" Princess Xue Ke looked at him in confusion, unsatisfied with the answer.
"Why shouldn't I refuse her?"
Dan Heng frowned. He didn't like that woman. Besides, as a married man, wasn't it normal to turn her down?
Princess Xue Ke still wasn't satisfied. That was Lady Lister—the woman who had countless men wrapped around her finger!
Even she had heard of the woman's irresistible allure.
And yet, Dan Heng treated her as if she were insignificant?
Princess Xue Ke scrutinized Dan Heng carefully, suddenly feeling that he must be a very scheming man.
He was unwilling to reveal any information about himself.
Was he afraid of being exposed?
Or was it just as Lady Lister had said—did he have bigger ambitions and designs on her teacher, Tang Yuehua?
At that moment, Tang Yuehua stood up and addressed the crowd with a gentle voice.
"Would any of you like to come up and play a piece? The best performance of the evening will be rewarded with this piece of jewelry."
She held up a jewelry box and opened it, revealing a necklace. The white gemstone at its center reflected a brilliant glow under the light.
Dan Heng, with his keen eyesight, noticed the intricate craftsmanship on the gemstone.
It was undoubtedly a piece of exquisite beauty, and everyone in the room was captivated by it, their gazes burning with desire.
Especially the women—they all longed to make it their own.
Princess Xue Ke saw Dan Heng's reaction and chuckled. "That necklace is the result of half a month's work by my teacher."
"Are you interested? Who do you plan to give it to?"
Resting her chin on her hand, Princess Xue Ke was still trying to get information out of him.
But Dan Heng paid no attention to her attempt.
Princess Xue Ke pouted. Since he was avoiding the question, he probably had ulterior motives. Most likely, he wanted to give the necklace to her teacher.
Soon, a young nobleman with golden hair stepped forward.
After a slight bow, he began to play.
His playing was enthusiastic, but many of the notes were off.
When he finished, the audience politely applauded.
Then another noble stepped up.
He played well, with only minor mistakes—understandable for a beginner.
Gentle applause filled the room.
Just then, Lady Lister arrived.
With her wavy locks, off-shoulder gown, and fiery red lips, she sat beside Princess Xue Ke.
A fragrance filled the air.
Princess Xue Ke's face turned red. Even as a fellow woman, she couldn't help but feel flustered by Lady Lister's presence.
She was simply an enchantress sent by the heavens!
Dan Heng, however, didn't spare her a single glance.
To win the necklace that supposedly all women adored, one had to perform on the piano.
So, he focused on studying the instrument.
With his learning ability, he would quickly master it.
Lady Lister poured him a glass of red wine and rested her chin on her hand, admiring the curve of his lips.
Princess Xue Ke, feeling uneasy in Lady Lister's presence, pretended to be engrossed in watching the noble guests play.
Soon, about a third of the guests had taken their turns, and no one else stepped forward.
They all exchanged smiles, waiting to see who would be deemed the best.
Eventually, their gazes turned to Ning Fengzhi.
Yes, Ning Fengzhi also took the stage.
As a veteran of high society, he naturally wouldn't miss such an opportunity.
Sensing the crowd's expectations, Ning Fengzhi smiled gently.
"I believe there may still be others who wish to perform?" He didn't mention Dan Heng's name, but he knew that Dan Heng was watching from the corner.
The guests looked around, wondering who else might step up.
Tang Yuehua instinctively glanced toward Princess Xue Ke's direction and was surprised to see Lady Lister once again approaching Dan Heng.
Lady Lister was undoubtedly a temptress, but she was not without her pride.
If a man rejected her, she would rather destroy him than offer herself to him again.
Yet, she was making an exception for Dan Heng?
Just then, Dan Heng stood up and walked toward the piano.
His steps were light and natural, unlike the other nobles, who deliberately maintained an air of poise and elegance.
The guests all turned their attention to him, slightly surprised.
They recognized him as the "fool" who had earlier rejected Lady Lister.
Yes, in their eyes, any man who refused her was a fool!
Dan Heng sat before the grand piano and placed his hands on the keys.
His fingers, long and well-defined, seemed born to play an instrument. His entire presence exuded an ethereal grace.
Tang Yuehua stood beside him, observing from up close.
Through her noble domain, she could keenly sense Dan Heng's uniqueness.
Even she found it difficult to remain calm in his presence.
As all eyes focused on him—
Ding dong~
A crystalline melody trickled from his fingertips, like a bubbling spring.
Compared to the other performances, which had occasional errors, his playing was seamless, flowing as naturally as breathing.
The dreamlike melody washed over the listeners like a gentle tide, carrying them through a moonlit garden, treading upon stardust.
They felt as though the musical notes were guiding them into a fantastical world.
Immersed in the music, they were enraptured, their hearts swaying with the rhythm, forgetting everything else.
When the piece finally ended, they remained lost in the world of sound.
It took them a long time to return to reality.
And when they did, a sense of loss settled over them.
For in that fleeting moment, they had forgotten time itself.
(End of Chapter)