129. Judging the Heart through Music: "Pipa Language"

Gu Huaiyuan looked up, his face softening with a faint smile as he caught sight of Fang Zhijing.

"Old Fang, you've come."

"And this is..." The old man’s gaze fell upon Ji Fanxing, his eyes filled with a trace of scrutiny.

"This is Ji Fanxing, the creator of *Sound of Silence*," Fang Zhijing introduced.

"You are Ji Fanxing?" The old man’s tone was tinged with surprise.

"Hello, Professor Gu. I am Ji Fanxing."

Gu Huaiyuan looked her up and down, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "Young lady, do you know why I refused to merge the various departments of national music into one single major?" he asked suddenly.

Ji Fanxing shook her head.

"Because I am afraid that one day, our national music will vanish from this world entirely." Gu Huaiyuan’s voice was low and resonant, speaking words that sounded both profound and eccentric. "If it is truly merged into one big major, those niche traditional instruments will have no one left to learn them."

"I understand." Ji Fanxing was not perturbed by this sudden statement; she simply nodded.

"Understand what?" Gu Huaiyuan stared at her, clearly unconvinced that she had grasped his meaning.

"I understand your love for national music," Ji Fanxing summarized.

Gu Huaiyuan fell silent for a moment upon hearing this. He had shouldered the pressure of the entire academy, enduring the whispers of other professors who accused him of "occupying the latrine without moving his bowels"—hoarding classrooms and musical resources for himself. He had persisted until now solely because of his devotion to the pipa and the entire culture of national music. He had not expected to be seen through by such a young girl.

He did not relent, however, and instead voiced his criticisms of her. "I have heard of your wager with Zhao De, a student of Qu Feiyang. I cannot agree with it. Music is meant to be appreciated, not used as a bargaining chip to boost one's own fame."

*In this life, if you do not compete, you lose. If this fame is not sought, traditional music will never be able to break out of its encirclement.*

Ji Fanxing lowered her gaze slightly. She kept her thoughts to herself and listened quietly as he continued.

"I admit that *Sound of Silence* is a fine work, and you play the pipa well," Gu Huaiyuan continued. "But these things alone are not enough to earn my recognition or assistance. Some say that you are using pop music to promote traditional instruments, and in doing so, you are merely using traditional music to further yourself. I need you to prove with sincerity that you are not just consuming it."

In truth, Ji Fanxing did not need Gu Huaiyuan’s help. On the contrary, she had come here with Fang Zhijing because she wanted to help the Department of National Music—and indeed, all the traditional music of the Dragon Kingdom—to achieve comprehensive development in this era.

It was a grand undertaking, and relying on herself alone was far from enough; she needed to unite all available strength. To achieve this, she first had to win their approval. Her goal was to realize her vision, and there was no need to engage in petty debates.

Ji Fanxing took a deep breath, letting Gu Huaiyuan feel her sincerity and resolve. Since he was a pipa professor who valued genuine passion, she would use the pipa to open his heart.

"Professor Gu, I have a piece called *Pipa Language*. I would like to invite you to critique it. Might I borrow your instrument?"

Gu Huaiyuan was taken aback by her request. Fang Zhijing chuckled, acting as a mediator. "Old Gu, this girl wants to express her intentions through music."

Exchanging thoughts through music had been a way of communication among intellectuals and scholars since ancient times. Ji Fanxing was young, yet she had faced his skepticism without a hint of panic, responding with elegance and grace. Even a man as rigid as Professor Gu could not help but view her in a new light. He stood up and handed the pipa to her.

Ji Fanxing took the instrument and plucked the strings lightly. The tone was rich and mellow, clearly the result of years of dedicated play and careful maintenance. "It has a wonderful tone," she praised sincerely.

"It’s Old Gu’s treasure; he usually doesn't let anyone touch it," Fang Zhijing said with a smile.

"Ahem," Gu Huaiyuan coughed lightly. "Since you wish to play, go ahead and try."

Ji Fanxing nodded in thanks and sat down, cradling the pipa. Even though her attire and makeup seemed at odds with the instrument, the moment she sat down, her entire aura shifted. She and the pipa became one; there was no sense of discordance at all. Only through years of relentless practice and profound study could one possess such a presence.

Gu Huaiyuan watched her posture and mused that she was not just someone who talked big. He only wondered how this never-before-heard piece would sound. If it matched the quality of *Sound of Silence*, he might consider helping her win the wager.

Ji Fanxing rested her hands gently on the strings and began a simple tuning. As the saying goes, "Plucking the strings a few times before the melody begins, the sentiment is already there." Though the notes did not yet form a complete melody, they revealed the desolate and lingering emotions of *Pipa Language*.

With the very first note, Gu Huaiyuan, who had initially only intended to listen out of politeness, sat up straight and turned his full attention to the music.

As Ji Fanxing’s fingers danced, the melody of *Pipa Language* flowed forth—desolate, winding, and hesitant, as if wanting to speak but holding back. The emotional depth of the piece was rich; from the initial lingering sorrow to the final serene peace, every transition was worth savoring.

*This technique, this force, this emotion...*

As the music progressed, Gu Huaiyuan’s expression grew increasingly focused. His eyes, which had appeared somewhat cloudy, now shone with a strange light.

Midway through the piece, Ji Fanxing began to hum in an ethereal voice, pushing the emotional intensity to its climax. Through her singing, the characteristic of the pipa—"sobbing softly to pour out one's heart"—was displayed to its fullest. This was a piece born for the pipa, and anyone who heard it would be moved by the instrument's beauty.

Outside the classroom, in the previously empty hallway, students began to gather.

"What piece is this? It sounds amazing!"
"I don't know, I've never heard it before."
"Is a teacher playing a new composition?"
"The music is so hauntingly beautiful, and the singing is divine! I feel like I'm listening to music from the heavens!"

The students whispered in shock, captivated by the celestial sounds. Some peeked through the door, curious to see who was playing. Inside, they saw a graceful woman sitting there, strands of hair framing her face, the exquisite sound of the pipa flowing from her fingertips.

"So beautiful..."
"The way she plays is so beautiful..."
"How come I’ve never heard of such a talented person in our department?"

The students were mesmerized, watching in a trance. Inside the room, Gu Huaiyuan and Fang Zhijing were completely immersed in the world of the pipa, oblivious to their surroundings.

When the piece ended, a profound silence filled the room. Gu Huaiyuan remained lost in thought for a long time, only snapping back to reality when Fang Zhijing began to applaud softly.

"Good! That was excellent!"

Gu Huaiyuan’s expression was entirely different now; his eyes were filled with admiration. "I never expected that someone as young as you could have such a high level of mastery over the pipa! This piece is magnificent!"

Ji Fanxing smiled modestly. "Professor Gu, you are too kind."

Her clear eyes and forthright demeanor had already left a great impression on him. Furthermore, only someone who truly loved and understood the pipa could play with such depth. Ji Fanxing had proven with her skill that her desire to promote traditional music was genuine.

She stood up slowly and returned the pipa to Gu Huaiyuan. Her dark hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her delicate profile seemed to glow in the sunlight.

"Holy cow! It’s Ji Fanxing!" someone in the hallway exclaimed, shattering the quiet of the classroom.