The Unveiling of Secret Queen

Chapter 634: I Don’t Think She Can Play the Konghou at All_1

She had never considered taking music exams; her interest in music was solely for the cultivation of her emotions, never thinking to gain anything from it.

After all, she didn’t need to take music exams and art tests like Ghania Quinlan did.

Others would still make it into Tsinghua University without such assessments.

However, to Celine Tucker and Caryn Zachmann’s ears, there seemed to be a provocative undertone, especially since Nathalie Quinlan hadn’t chosen any other compositions but the one that won second place.

In Caryn Zachmann’s eyes, this act seemed even more provocative!

With a stern face and an emotionless expression, she spoke indifferently, "Since the konghou has been brought out, let’s not talk about not having grades. I believe students Mr. Norton values must have something exceptional about them, and I would like to learn from you."

She stressed the word "learn" with particular emphasis!

Her words were filled with mockery.

And thick with the smell of gunpowder.

She really hadn’t expected to run into Nathalie Quinlan yesterday, and again today, this feeling was as disgusting as swallowing a fly.

She came down from the stage, walked over to Celine Tucker, stood beside her, and took the woman’s arm, saying to Nathalie Quinlan in a muted voice, "I’ve given up the stage for you, please, go ahead!"

Nathalie Quinlan raised her eyelids, unable to comprehend where the heavy scent of gunpowder came from, nor did she care where it came from.

When Caryn Zachmann gave up the position, she carried the konghou onto the stage.

She exuded an air of nonchalance.

This made others frown involuntarily, unsure how to judge her calmness.

This student named Nathalie Quinlan seemed a bit arrogant, but after all, she wasn’t afflicted with stage fright.

If a student Mr. Norton held in high regard were to suffer stage fright, it would be more embarrassing than a mediocre performance after getting on stage!

"Is this Nathalie Quinlan up to the task?"

"I don’t know."

"She dares to play the konghou in front of Mr. Norton; I don’t know if I should say she’s got guts or is overconfident. Mr. Norton’s konghou skills are known to all, and she’d better showcase the electronic keyboard to not be too severely outshone later on!"

"Let’s just watch and see. She seemed quite composed to me; she might have some real skills."

Someone spoke in a lowered voice, dismissive, "The konghou isn’t like other instruments; only a few people in the country know it, let alone play it well. I think she’s going to make a fool of herself in a moment. Just watch, she definitely can’t compare with Caryn Zachmann."

Shawn Norton heard those doubting Nathalie Quinlan’s voice. To everyone’s surprise, he was exceptionally calm, even leisurely enough to pick up the Biluochun tea beside him, gently sweep across the floating tea leaves with the lid of the gaiwan, press down the froth, and take a sip of tea with composed ease.

The girl on the stage had found her spot, crossed her legs, and sat down casually, with the konghou held in front of her chest, plucking the strings on either side with her hands.

The konghou is inherently a classical musical instrument.

However, her own aura didn’t have a trace of classical flavor; the sweater and duckbill cap she wore seemed defiant, completely at odds with the classical and elegant impression of the konghou.

But the moment she sat there, she gave off a captivating illusion.

No spotlight was upon her, yet it appeared as though a beam illuminated her, drawing everyone’s attention.

Nathalie Quinlan at first strummed a few discordant notes.

It looked as though someone who didn’t know how to play was randomly plucking at the strings.

Caryn Zachmann snorted arrogantly, standing with her arm around Celine Tucker and whispered, "I don’t think she can even play the konghou!"

No sooner had the words left her lips,

the girl, as if done testing the sound, suddenly lifted her delicate fingers and swiftly brushed across the strings.

The konghou sounds similar to the harp of Western music, and due to having duplicated strings on both sides, comparable to two harps, it has an advantage in playing rapid melodies and harmonics over the regular harp.