Chapter 32 Three young men come to propose marriage
Chapter 32 Three young men come to propose marriage
As the performance drew to a close, Gongsun Da Niang and Qiu Ziyue's sword dance transitioned from intense to gentle, finally ending slowly amidst a long, lingering echo.
With their backs to each other, they slowly drew their swords, the tips lightly touching the ground, and all was calm.
The room was initially silent, then erupted in thunderous applause and cheers, which continued unabated, the most enthusiastic affirmation of this audio-visual feast.
Qiu Ziyue and Gongsun Da Niang smiled at each other and clasped their hands in greeting. This collaboration, which transcended age and seniority, was not only an exchange of skills but also a collision of hearts, leaving the audience with an unforgettable legend of sword dance.
That night, they showed the world the perfect fusion of martial arts and dance, as well as the deep bond between master and disciple that transcended competition.
Qiu Ziyue and her master, Gongsun Da Niang, walked off the stage. Gongsun Da Niang then left without saying goodbye and was never heard from again.
This sword dance performance not only proved Qiu Ziyue's strength, but also fostered a deep friendship with her senior, Gongsun Da Niang, that transcended generational differences.
Under the night sky ignited by the sword dance, the previous ten contestants were all defeated by this unique sword dance in front of a large audience, leaving only the legend of the sword and the dance to be passed down for generations.
Many audience members said that being able to witness the amazing sword dance performed by Gongsun Da Niang and Qiu Ziyue was truly a blessing.
In this final round, everyone knew perfectly well that Qiu Ziyue was the better player. If this round were the deciding factor, Qiu Ziyue would definitely be the winner.
However, perhaps everyone was still not satisfied with the competition, or perhaps some people were dissatisfied and felt the judging was unfair.
Some people even felt it would be a real pity if Qi Yuxuan and Qi Yushuang's dance didn't advance to the championship, just to give Qi Yuxuan face.
The judging panel was caught up in a heated discussion and struggled to make a decision. In the end, they decided that the four beautiful dancers from the last four valleys would have another showdown.
The final round included an impromptu dance to test the four dancers' adaptability and creativity.
The competition is scheduled for the following evening, which gives the participants time to prepare.
Despite facing this challenge, Qiu Ziyue remained completely unfazed.
Night falls, and a crescent moon hangs gently in the sky.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, Lu Yuanchangming once again chose to leave silently, leaving behind only a proud and mysterious figure that blended into the night.
He secretly decided that he would remember this beauty in his own way and look forward to more encounters in the future, whether it be the sound of the piano or the shadow of a dancer, they could all be in his life.
As the stage lights gradually faded, Qiu Ziyue, her three senior brothers, and Xueying returned together.
On the way back, several thin figures quietly approached, and a few little girls secretly followed them, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.
Under the thin moonlight, these girls, of varying ages and dressed in tattered clothes, had an unusual light in their eyes.
They are homeless children in this ancient city, who usually survive by scavenging and begging.
Qiu Ziyue stopped and looked at them tenderly, sensing their inner longing and innocence.
"Do you want to... learn to dance?"
She asked softly, her voice full of tenderness and understanding.
The girls exchanged glances and then nodded.
The girl in the lead mustered her courage and said timidly, "Sister, your dance is so beautiful, it's like magic. We...we want to learn too, is that okay?"
Qiu Ziyue's heart softened. She knew what dance meant to her: it was a form of self-expression, a release of the soul, and a path to change her destiny.
She nodded without hesitation.
She decided to take them back to the Valley of Passion and teach them to dance.
On the stone-paved path, her steps were light, and she and the others happily embarked on the path back to the inn.
On such a quiet night, under the lanterns at the street corner, three handsome young men from wealthy families stood side by side, each holding an exquisite box, as if waiting for something.
As Qiu Ziyue's figure gradually became clearer, their eyes lit up simultaneously.
"Miss Qiu, please wait!" the leading young man said loudly.
This young man was handsome and dressed in luxurious clothes.
He gently opened the box in his hand, and a dazzling pearl necklace came into view.
"This is a pearl on the shore of the East China Sea, and I hope it is worthy of Miss Qiu's elegance."
Before Qiu Ziyue could speak, the second young master stepped forward. In his hand was a box containing a folding fan inlaid with various gemstones, each gemstone radiating a soft and mysterious luster.
"This is a precious jade fan passed down through generations in my family. I hope it can add a touch of color to Miss Qiu's life."
The last young man appeared more scholarly; the gift he held was an ancient book with a simple, old cover, clearly from a long time ago.
"If Miss Qiu enjoys literature, this 'Treasured Sword Manual' might pique your interest, as it contains many lost sword techniques."
Qiu Ziyue was stunned; she hadn't expected such a scene.
She thought to herself, "My God, Yangzhou is really crazy. Last time on my way home, they came to my door to fight, and this time they're proposing marriage. What kind of situation is this?" After all, Qiu Ziyue was still a sixteen-year-old girl, and she fell silent for a moment.
Just as Qiu Ziyue looked troubled, wondering how to politely refuse the three rich young men, her three senior brothers made their move.
Senior Brother Qiu Langyu said, "Oh dear, where did these young masters come from, daring to make a move on our junior sister right under our noses?"
Qiu Langyu walked over easily, patted Qiu Ziyue on the shoulder, signaling her to step back and let him handle the matter.
Qiu Wentian smiled and seemed the most amiable, but his words were sharp: "Gentlemen, people in the martial world value shared ideals and mutual affection. My junior sister has her own ambitions and will not be easily swayed by worldly wealth and status. You should all be sensible and find other suitable partners."
Qiu Wenfeng, however, wore a serious expression, his sharp gaze sweeping over the three young masters. His deep voice carried an undeniable authority: "Our junior sister is not someone that can be moved by any rare treasures."
“If you truly admire her talent and courage, you should respect her choices,” Qiu Langyu added.
The three young masters were caught off guard by this sudden turn of events. In particular, they were somewhat taken aback by their senior brothers, who possessed an extraordinary musical temperament, were dressed in gorgeous attire, and exuded an even more imposing aura. They involuntarily took a few steps back.
They knew that even ordinary people and officials might not be able to match the life in the Valley of Passion, so they did not feel ashamed.
Seeing this, the onlookers began to whisper among themselves, and the scene suddenly became dramatic.
Seeing how her senior brothers were protecting her, Qiu Ziyue felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
She looked at them gratefully.
Just as she was preparing how to politely refuse, a detached yet familiar voice came from outside the crowd: "It seems that the moon tonight is indeed captivating."
Qi Yuxuan, Tao Ling'er's savior when she was a child, can be said to be Tao Ling'er's first love when she was young, and also Qi Yushuang's fiancée. Yin Lihen, who was accompanying her, appeared on the outskirts of the crowd at some point.
Qi Yuxuan's eyes appeared particularly cold under the moonlight.
"It seems that Miss Qiu is indeed very popular," Yin Lihen said with a slight smile.
Yin Lihen's eyes were deep, and a half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Clearly, he was quite interested in the scene before him.
"Gentlemen, how can Miss Qiu's dancing and wisdom be measured by these mundane things?"
Yin Lihen slowly stepped into the circle, his words carrying a hint of provocation and an unquestionable tone.
"If you truly wish to marry her, why not have a contest and see who can win her favor?"
The three young men looked at each other, clearly not expecting anyone to make such a bold suggestion.
Will the three young men who have come to propose to Qiu Ziyue accept the challenge? To find out what happens next, please read the next chapter.
si-mexico