The Reborn Aristocrat’s Daughter
Chapter 179 Banquet Begins (3)_1

Chapter 179: Chapter 179 Banquet Begins (3)_1

"Hehe, I’m back." Liu Zhengyang felt a bit embarrassed as he touched his hair. Upon seeing Situ Xin, he asked, "Is this your darling little sister?" Although Liu Zhengyang had never met Situ Xin, when she was born, Situ Jin had run over to him and boasted about how beautiful, adorable, and well-behaved she was. Thus, he still kind of remembered her.

Situ Jin was about to introduce Liu Zhengyang and Situ Xin, but at that moment, someone suddenly walked onto the stage ahead of them. As Liu Zhengyang saw the person who had appeared, his expression instantly changed, and he said, "What on earth is this girl doing going up there?"

Upon hearing Liu Zhengyang’s words, Situ Jin asked, "Your sister?" "Yeah, the kid doesn’t know any better, got no idea what kind of ghost she’s playing at." Liu Zhengyang was feeling incredibly anxious and didn’t know what his sister intended to do. But even with his urgency, he couldn’t go up to drag her down, so he could only stand aside and watch the situation unfold.

"Everyone, please quiet down. I am Liu Qianxue, and I will be performing a piece to wish Grandpa Yu a happy birthday." When Liu Qianxue stood on the stage and asked everyone to quiet down, the members of the Liu Family couldn’t help but break out in a cold sweat. Liu Qianxue was too audacious, daring to ask the audience to be quiet.

Fortunately, everyone saw that Liu Qianxue was still a child and didn’t say much.

Liu Qianxue, having said this, then sat down at the piano on stage, ready to start playing.

Situ Xin, watching Liu Qianxue on the stage who was now seated at the piano, raised an eyebrow. If she hadn’t seen wrong just now, when Liu Qianxue mentioned performing for Elder Yu’s birthday, her gaze had been fixed on her, and if Situ Xin’s eyes didn’t deceive her, Liu Qianxue’s look had been filled with challenge and hostility.

Situ Xin considered Liu Qianxue and quickly searched her brain to see if they had met before, but unfortunately, no. Situ Xin wondered internally why this girl, whom she didn’t recognize, harbored such animosity toward her.

While Situ Xin pondered whether her memory was failing her or if she had somehow missed this girl, the sound of the piano began to fill the air.

Situ Xin collected her thoughts as well. "Liszt’s ’Love’s Dream’"—as soon as Liu Qianxue played the first note, Situ Xin recognized the piece. In her past life, when Situ Xin was not out on assignments, she would play piano and violin tunes at home, and this piece by Liszt was one of her favorites.

Hearing a melody she adored, Situ Xin also pushed aside her previous thoughts and focused on listening to Liu Qianxue’s piano performance. Situ Xin closed her eyes and listened intently.

When they originally saw Liu Qianxue step onto the stage, Old Master Liu and the others were apprehensive, but as they listened to the piano piece she played, a faint smile crept onto their faces.

Situ Xin, halfway through Liu Qianxue’s performance, frowned and opened her eyes. Undeniably, Liu Qianxue’s piano technique was proficient, and to those unfamiliar with the piano, the performance would surely seem impressive. However, to someone with knowledge of the piano, it was immediately clear that Liu Qianxue didn’t handle certain transitions well, and while playing, she failed to pour her emotions into the music—she completely missed the emotional essence of Liszt’s "Love’s Dream."

As Liu Qianxue struck the final note, everyone in the banquet hall courteously erupted into applause. Although many were annoyed by Liu Qianxue’s showy behavior, everyone knew that the attendees all had powerful connections. It was possible that they might need the support of those connections someday, so even if they were displeased, they still clapped mechanically.

Old Master Liu’s smile spread wide across his face, and Old Master Yu, willing to give face to Old Master Liu, commented, "Old Liu, your granddaughter Qianxue isn’t bad. At such a young age, she plays the piano really well."

"Hehe, Old Yu, you flatter her. She’s just somewhat decent," Old Master Liu said modestly, although his expression showed no real humility.

Old Master Situ couldn’t stand Old Master Liu’s complacent demeanor. So his granddaughter knew how to play the piano? His Baby was proficient in many more things, yet he never flaunted them.

"Thank you, everyone. Next, Situ Xin will perform a piano piece." After Liu Qianxue finished playing and stood up from the piano bench, she exchanged glances with Zhang Siya. Then, with a cue from Zhang Siya, she approached the microphone and spoke.

As she spoke, she looked at Situ Xin with a gleeful expression. Situ Xin raised an eyebrow upon hearing Liu Qianxue’s words. It seemed she had been right about the provocative gaze previously thrown her way; it was indeed a setup waiting for her arrival.

Upon hearing Liu Qianxue’s announcement, the faces of the people from the Situ Family, Loo Family, Xiao Family, Zhang Family, and Yu Family in the hall changed instantly. Old Master Situ and Old Master Loo exchanged a frowning glance, and then Old Master Situ looked at Old Master Liu with an unfriendly expression, "Old Liu, what’s the meaning of this from your granddaughter?"

"What?" Elder Liu was also confused about this whole act his granddaughter had put on. He had been in the military and political circles for many years, and his instincts were usually sharp. He noticed the change in the elders’ expressions immediately, "I also don’t know what my granddaughter is up to."

"Old Liu, tell your granddaughter to come down immediately. There should be a limit to everything," Old Master Xiao stated sternly. Old Master Xiao had fully accepted Situ Xin as part of the Xiao Family now.

It wasn’t just the old masters who reacted; Situ Xin maintained her smile when Liu Qianxue spoke, showing no obvious change. But a closer look into Situ Xin’s eyes would reveal a cold iciness. She knew Liu Qianxue intended to make her look foolish.

And when she saw Zhang Siya standing below the stage, she realized how this unfamiliar Liu Qianxue could have known about her inability to play the piano and wanted to use it to embarrass her.

Indeed, over the years, many girls in the military compound had been sent by their families to learn various talents from an early age. When Loo Yaxin saw other children learning such skills, she was tempted to send Situ Xin as well. But Situ Xin rejected the idea, scoffing internally. The knowledge from the Jade Token in her mind was far more extensive than anything those teachers could offer.