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Chapter 1026: First Cry of a Young Talent

Pei Zhenyuan felt ashamed too. Although this girl was an orphan, she was still representing the Pei family on stage!

Pei Jingyu and Pei Jingshan exchanged glances. Their expression revealed subtle joy—the more this little beggar threw her face, the happier they were. It was best if she was put on the spot and thus chased out by Big Cousin!

In the weird atmosphere, only Pei Ziheng’s expression was at ease.

At the moment, he did not know yet how well she could sing. Looking at the big picture, even if her voice was offbeat and awful, he would still be able to let her successfully win the title of the “Midsummer Lady”. Wasn’t it just money? Even in the entire business world, the scale of Imperial Entertainment was second to none, and many people were rushing like ducks to curry favor with him.

Pei Ziheng sat with his ten fingers interlaced together. He assumed a comfortable position and intended to appreciate her singing.

Xia Ling stood by the water pavilion, her beautiful eyes sweeping past the gentry of big shots that were sitting in absolute silence. She was a little nervous. She was worried that she would not sing well and would thus throw Brother Pei’s face. She took a deep breath and was about to sing when she heard a young man say, “Wait!”

Everyone turned around and saw that Xun An had taken his flute and was waving it to Xia Ling with a smile. “It’s too lonely if Sister Xiao Ling sings by herself. I happen to play the flute, I’ll give you an accompaniment.”

Xia Ling was a little surprised. “You really know how to play?”

“Why would I lie to you?” Xun An rolled his eyes at her. However, every discerning person would be able to tell that this was a form of mocking that could only be between familiar and intimate friends. He said casually to her, “I’ve told you just now that I’ll play an accompaniment for you. Do you think I’m kidding? Don’t belittle me, everyone has said I’m good after hearing me play the flute.”

Xia Ling laughed. The original tension in her heart dissipated a little and she nodded. “Sure.”

There was a bustling offstage.

Even when placed inside the banquet where prestigious families came together, the Xun family was not a small family. Ever since the death of the Xun family’s Young Master, this Second Young Master was the final heir to the crown. With such a distinguished identity, he was actually volunteering to play accompaniment for an orphan who was a nobody?

“Isn’t his sucking up too obvious?” Someone shook his head and said to his companion beside him, “Even if that girl was adopted by Pei Ziheng, his currying favor is too obvious.”

However, his companion said, “Don’t you know? I’ve heard that the Xun family had always wanted to carry out in-depth exclusive cooperation with Imperial Entertainment. Once they have succeeded, they would have the monopoly of a large number of film sources. Pei Ziheng had never agreed and the two sides were in discussion for a long time. Who would expect by just now... because Xun An and the little lady seems to be on a close relationship, Pei Ziheng actually said yes! The Xun family has already sent someone to get the contract. Once the banquet is over, the two families will sign the contract!”

“Really?!” The person was shocked. “No wonder Xun An is protecting that little girl. If there was such a good thing, I would protect her too!” Besides him, several other people also had the same thoughts.

“Rumor has it that Pei Ziheng adores that little girl,” an insider said. “Did you think that he would casually adopt someone? I’ve heard that when he was in the orphanage, he’d seen her talents and is now preparing to transform her into Imperial Entertainment’s next-generation female-in-charge! If that’s really the case, then it’s understandable why he’d brought this little girl here to attend the flower banquet. If she can win the title of ‘Midsummer Lady’ in one shot, this would be a good antic for her future debut.”

“I see...” Many people were thoughtful.

At first, when they’d heard the rumors that Pei Jingyu had spread, they’d thought that Pei Ziheng had brought Xia Ling here on purpose to disgrace her, but their thoughts on the situation had changed after seeing what had happened with Xun An. Pei Ziheng was so obviously doting on Xia Ling? Since he doted on her so much, why would he bring her here to the flower banquet to suffer grievances?

Unless it was really like what that insider had said. This girl was heading for the title of “Midsummer Lady”!

Was she crazy?

At first glance, it seemed crazy, but upon closer inspection, everything clicked into place and made sense. With the status and power of Pei Ziheng, if he wanted to make someone famous, need he fear failure? Just like just now, he slightly agreed to the Xun family and immediately, the Xun family’s heir was already naturally trying his best to help protect the little girl.

All the other families were the same.

Many people were contemplating it. How could their family possibly benefit from this matter?

“Vote for Xia Ling,” many parents of the big prestigious families were already telling their children and grandchildren. “The Midsummer Lady competition occurs every year, but the chance to win the favor of Pei Ziheng doesn’t come by often.”

Everyone in the crowd was full of wits. Soon, many people had made their decision.

Xun An’s melodious flute sounded. He did have a good skill. He had listened to Xia Ling’s arrangement and had practiced twice in private just now. Thus, his accompaniment was familiar and extremely pleasant.

Xia Ling followed his flute and sang softly—

“Time to gather lotus in the Yangtze Valley, as lotus leaves are fair and lusty...”

“Fish frolic amidst the lotus leaves, fish frolic to the east of the lotus leaves...”

“Fish frolic to the west of the lotus leaves, fish frolic to the south of the lotus leaves...”

“Fish frolic in the north of the lotus leaves...”

The short Han Chinese tune was a clean and simple folk song in olden times, and under Xia Ling’s inference, the freshness doubled, as if a melodious wind of ancient times had brushed past.

The song ended, leaving a pleasant lingering effect on the audience, immersing them in her voice for a long time before they were able to snap out of their daze.

Usually, they had been accustomed to various kinds of grand and solemn songs and it was their first time hearing such a fresh and touching folk song. Furthermore, the song used only a simple flute accompaniment and it was similar to singing opera music. It made everyone feel as though they had a breath of fresh air. It was a very mysterious feeling. It caught people off guard and a kind of sweet clearness penetrated deeply into their hearts.

People could not help but ponder over it and linger on it.

“It’s too nice...” A long time passed before someone muttered.

Someone took the lead to clap and in a flash, thunderous applause sounded.

Xia Ling wore a light-colored evening gown and was standing near the water pavilion amidst the cool breeze. She was like a lotus flower blooming. She hadn’t felt nervous at all when she was singing, but once she’d ended her song she felt a little embarrassed. She finally smiled upon hearing the thunderous applause of the audience. Her smile was sweet as a flower, making many of the audience stunned on the spot.

“Her song is beautiful, even she is beautiful too.” Some Young Masters couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Go, give my flower and vote for Xia Ling,” said a young master to the waiter nearby. “Such a beautiful sweet song deserves a flower vote.”

At this time, many young masters were casting flowers to Xia Ling as votes, not because of Pei Ziheng, but because Xia Ling’s voice had genuinely touched them. After listening to the gorgeous skills of many noble ladies, only her singing voice was like a clear spring, flowing into the hearts of people and evoking lingering sentiments.

She was worthy of their votes.

Every year in the Midsummer Lady’s Flower Banquet, besides the first lady on stage being the previous season’s “Midsummer Lady”, the rest of the ladies’ performance order was subjected to a lottery, which made sure it was fair. However, this time there was an exception, which was Xia Ling—the organizer had arranged Xia Ling’s performance to the end since her identity was beneath that of others.

Hence, when Xia Ling had finished singing, it was already time for voting.