HRPM – Chapter 254 The Rival Has Arrived (1)

Jin Luoluo sat confidently at the bow of the boat, watching the beauties compete to outshine one another.

Finally, it was Yang Ruoyao’s turn to perform. Tonight, she was dressed especially lightly and elegantly. Her snow-white lotus-hem gauze dress looked extraordinarily ethereal under the moonlight, giving her the aura of an immortal fairy.

Combined with her naturally refined and delicate beauty, and makeup done to perfection, the moment she stepped onto the painted pleasure boat, she was immediately greeted with enthusiastic applause and cheers from her admirers.

She gracefully walked to the center of the stage, lowered her sleeves and bowed politely. When she lowered her head and smiled beneath the glow of the bright moon, she looked like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens, dreamlike and enchanting.

“Hmph, fools always love putting on an act.” Jin Luoluo sneered at Yang Ruoyao’s fake innocence.

“Luoluo, pay close attention. She’s your strongest rival if you want to win. Leaving aside everything else, her skill in singing surpasses even many court musicians. Everyone who has heard her sing says her voice sounds like heavenly music. She was born with an exceptionally beautiful voice. If you want to surpass her, you’ll need to put more thought into your performance—make the audience so captivated while watching you that they completely forget everything else. Only then can you succeed.”

As they spoke, Yang Ruoyao began to sing. The song she chose was an ancient folk tune passed down through generations.

Sure enough, her voice was as melodious as the sweetest nightingale, full of penetrating emotion. The high notes were stirring and soul-shaking, while the low notes were gentle and sorrowful. Her voice flowed smoothly and naturally like water—at times babbling softly like a stream, at others surging like a mighty river.

The lyrics themselves were deeply moving, and paired with her emotionally expressive singing, they stirred an indescribable feeling in the hearts of the listeners.

As she sang, the entire lake fell silent. Looking around, the crowd listening nearby was utterly immersed in her song, intoxicated as if spellbound. Some women were even wiping tears from their eyes.

At last, Jin Luoluo became serious. She hadn’t expected that hypocritical woman Yang Ruoyao to possess such a naturally gifted voice. Her singing truly was beautiful, and the song she had chosen suited her perfectly. So when she finished singing, thunderous applause erupted everywhere.

Many excited admirers loudly confessed their affection, while gifts poured in one after another.

“Young Master Zhang gifts Miss Yang ten thousand taels of gold!”

“Vice Minister Bai presents a pair of jade ruyi scepters!”

“Young Master Zhao—”

“Master Hua—”

“The Third Prince presents a ceremonial silk banner woven from snow silk brocade, wishing Miss Yang victory from the very start!”

“Tch, so who exactly is the one not taking whom seriously now?”