My humble days in ancient times

These musical instruments dazzled Xu Ruyi, and she wanted to buy them all. However, her rationality told her to stay calm.

The shop owner stepped forward and said, "Miss, what musical instrument do you need? I can help you find one."

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "Thank you, shopkeeper. I like guzhengs. Please help me pick a good one. As for the others, I'd like to take a look."

The shopkeeper understood what was going on and left.

Xu Ruyi approached the pipa and plucked it. The pipa, this ancient and mysterious instrument, carries thousands of years of history. Originating in ancient Persia and later introduced to China, it is an indispensable part of both court music and folk art. Its beautiful timbre and rich expressiveness convey the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human heart.

Over time, the pipa's playing techniques and musical styles have continued to develop and evolve. During the Tang Dynasty, the pipa reached its peak, becoming one of the most popular instruments of the time. Many renowned poets and writers have captured the beauty of the pipa in their works, such as Bai Juyi's "Pipa Song." "After much urging, she finally appears, still clutching her pipa, her face half covered." The pipa player's skill is captivating, piercing and plaintive. Holding the pipa, she casually strums with lowered brows, revealing the boundless depths of her heart. In her youth, her exceptional skills and beauty were envied, attracting the attention of wealthy young men. But as she aged, her beauty faded, her family fell into disfavor, and she was forced to marry a profit-seeking merchant, leaving her alone and helpless...

Bai Juyi was mesmerized by the story. He couldn't help but think of his own life experience and was filled with emotion...

Xu Ruyi thought of the modern pipa music again, which was also intoxicating and like the sound of nature.

Xu Ruyi went to the place where the Xiao and the Dizi were placed. Xiao and the Dizi were different in appearance, timbre and playing method.

The xiao is typically made of bamboo and has a long, thick tube with six sound holes. Its tone is deep and melodious, conveying a feeling of profound sorrow.

The flute is usually made of bamboo or wood, with a shorter, thinner body and usually six or eight sound holes. The flute has a clear, bright tone, giving people a cheerful and lively feeling.

Xu Ruyi thought: What should I buy for my older brother and younger brother? Finally, she chose two flutes.

Xu Ruyi looked at the drum and the sheng, then his eyes fell on Sun.

The xiao was originally used by ancient people to imitate the calls of birds and beasts to lure prey. Its timbre is rich, gentle, simple, deep, and full, capable of producing melodies ranging from mournful and mournful to cheerful and lively. Its unique sound quality, representing elegance and grace, has made it a favorite among scholars.

Xu Ruyi picked it up and touched it with her hand. It was quite cute. She played with it for a while and then put it down.

As for the erhu and qin? ...

The erhu's timbre is melodious and deep, capable of expressing rich emotions. The player typically sits with the erhu resting on their lap, using a bow to draw the strings and produce sound.

The body of the qin is made of paulownia or fir, and the strings are silk strings. The tone is simple and deep...

What should I choose? What should I choose as a gift for Ruyuan?

Finally I chose a pipa.

Xu Ruyi was thinking again, was it too hasty? What if they didn’t like the things they bought or put them aside and didn’t practice them?

Xu Ruyi shook her head, feeling that she was thinking too much and it was useless.

The shopkeeper came over and asked, "Miss, I've chosen the guzheng you wanted. Let me take you to see it."

Xu Ruyi followed him and walked into the yard. She saw two guzhengs placed on the table. Xu Ruyi sat down and started playing.

After trying two, I naturally had to choose a guzheng with a good tone.

Xu Ruyi played a song about a girl's love on the good guzheng. The melody was beautiful, moving and intoxicating.

The music attracted many people, and the young men and women in the music shop gathered around.

When the song was over, many people applauded and some people whispered to each other in praise.

The shopkeeper stepped forward and asked, "Young lady, what was the name of the piece you just played? It was very pleasant."

Xu Ruyi smiled, stood up and replied, "Thank you, shopkeeper. This song is called Daughter's Love."

The shopkeeper said happily: "I've learned a lot."

Xu Ruyi looked at the crowd, looking like she had never seen the world before. However, one of the young men stood out from the crowd, his presence striking and impressive. Xu Ruyi couldn't help but stare at him a few more times.

He was a handsome young man with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, a straight nose, and rosy lips. His hair was as black as ink, tied into a neat bun and secured with a jade hairpin. He wore a white robe and a black belt around his waist, from which hung a crystal-clear jade pendant with a pattern. He was tall and slender, with elegant manners, giving off a fresh and refined air.

Oh, he's a handsome boy. When he grows up, he will surely charm many girls.

Xu Ruyi always felt that the servant beside the young man looked familiar, as if she had seen him somewhere.

The servant recognized Xu Ruyi at a glance: I didn't expect that the girl selling egg pancakes and rice balls could play music, and she played it very beautifully.

Xu Ruyi smiled and said to the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper, please bring the pipa over so I can try it out."

The shopkeeper's smile froze a little, and Xu Ruyi comforted him, "I'm going to buy the guzheng for myself, the pipa for my sister, and the flute for my older brother and younger brother."

The shopkeeper understood now and said embarrassedly, "Excuse me, young lady. I thought you would be overwhelmed by the choices, but it turns out I was worrying too much."

The shopkeeper asked the waiter to bring two pipa instruments. Xu Ruyi plucked the strings with her hands. Then she chose one and played a piece: Pipa Language.

The audience was stunned again: the pipa's sound was like a plaintive lament, melodious and graceful, as if telling a touching story. The intoxicating melody made people intoxicated, the moving tune made them immersed in it, unable to stop. The pipa's sound was sometimes crisp and bright, sometimes low and mournful...

After Xu Ruyi played, everyone applauded.

A man holding a fan in the crowd said, "You are a very skilled musician. I wonder who composed this song and who taught you."

Xu Ruyi was startled. How should she respond? Should she make one up?

Xu Ruyi smiled and said, "This is my secret, I hope everyone can forgive me."

The crowd laughed, and the man holding the fan continued, "If it's inconvenient for you to say it, then forget it. It's my fault for being nosy, so please don't blame me."

Xu Ruyi smiled: "No problem."

Xu Ruyi said to the shopkeeper again, "Shopkeeper, please bring the flute over so I can try it."

The shopkeeper signaled, and the waiter quickly brought two flutes. Xu Ruyi tried them out, chose one, and began to play.

Everyone around was reluctant to leave, for fear of missing out on some wonderful moment.

Xu Ruyi picked up the flute and played a song: Crossing Love.

The sound of the flute pierces the soul and strikes the heart. The sound of the flute is clear and pleasant, and the melody is cheerful and a little unrestrained.

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, then intoxicated, lost in the experience, a feeling that would last a long time. They had thought the love of a daughter was already deeply moving and rare, but they hadn't expected the pipa's music to surpass it, leaving them mesmerized and stunned by the sounds of nature. They reflected that just because a guzheng or pipa is played well doesn't necessarily mean a flute can be played well. Many in the crowd were both worried that the flute wouldn't be able to play well, but also eager to see what kind of moving music the flute could produce.

If Xu Ruyi knew, she would feel so tired for them.

Xu Ruyi was only concerned with her own passionate performance and had no idea what was going on in their minds.