Music Prodigy

A week after her brother went to the barracks Ming Shu started her arts lessons. Today she will meet for the first time her music tutor Ms. Ji.

In her past life, when she was 13 years old, she escaped home and went to the barracks to trains under her Grandpa. This stunt took the last drop of her Father's patience. Completely given up on cultivating her as a virtuous daughter, her Father invested on her Sister to take her role. He called the best tutors for her which made her one of the 3 flowers of their time.

Between the group of tutors was Ms. Ji. When Ming Shu went to war with Zhao Song, Ms. Ji became famous because of her composition about their country victory in the war. That made not only Ms. Ji career rise to another level but made her sister reputation to be even higher than before surpassing hers as the main daughter.

Ming Shu looking at her sister and new tutor remembered how once, because of her sister's friends, she was humiliated in the Imperial Palace because she as the main daughter was less 'knowledgeable' then a concubine born.

'Sigh, such bothersome people. Matters not, this time around will be different.'

"Shu'er pays respect to the teacher"

"Yu'er pays respect to the teacher"

Making a perfect courtesy, Ming Shu surprised Ms. Ji.

'Such a perfect courtesy, how can a 10 year old doll be able to do it? She is even better than the second princess who is 5 years old then her. In comparison...'

Ms. Ji glance at the smaller girl behind the perfect doll. Although she was not bad for her age, she was still ages a part from her big sister.

'Alas, I guess this is the difference between the main daughter and a concubine born'

Motion to the seats in front of her, Ms. Ji wondered if one of these two can be the disciple she was looking for.

"Well. Please sit down. Have you guys learned any type of instrument yet?"

"Answering to teacher, I never touched an instrument"

"Answering to teacher, Mother teaches me the basics of flute"

Raising her eyebrow Ms. Ji was unbelievable.

'Oh, the concubine born is more knowledgeable than the main wife? But I did hear that the Minister Of Justice's main daughter was a tomboy'

"Since Yu'er already know the flute, we will begin to learn about the pipa"

Explaining how the pipa worked, how to read the pipa's score and the right way of strumming, Ms. Ji played a simple piece, that Ming Shu and Ming Yunning would begin to practice with.

"Now play the song that I just showed. I will make corrections every time you get a thing wrong. Shu'er try it first.

Ming Shu picked up the pipa from her tutor and couldn't help but being emotioned. 'How long has it been since I played'. Since she was locked on the Cold Palace, Ming Shu was prohibited from playing, since Zhao Song feared she would be discovered alive at the Cold Palace instead of sick in her Phoenix bed as he told the General and his ministers who supported her.

Because music was one of the few things that made her forget about all the terrible things she made, it was one of the few things she missed when locked in the Cold Palace.

With all this emotions brewing inside her, Ming Shu forgot that she had to pretend to still be novice, since she couldn't explain her sudden knowledge, and played a flawless music exercise that Ms. Ji has passed.

'Are you kidding? If she truly never touched a pipa and plays this well shouldn't I just retire? What is this monstrous talent? I just played once and she could copy it perfectly"

While Ms. Ji was agape with her new student talent, Ming Yunning looked at her sister, who was now immersed in playing the pipa, with a complex look. ' Mom, how am I to surpass this? Sister only saw the instrument once and she is even playing better than the tutor'. Glancing at Ms. Ji, Ming Yunning saw how amazed she was with her Jiejie performance, 'Would be so nice if everyone could get along, alas'

Just as her sister permitted herself to emerge self-depreciative thoughts, Ming Shu ended her song. Seeing the silence around her, she realized that she was too into playing and maybe missed her teacher's corrections 'How embarrassing'. Flustered, Ming Shu bowed in apology

"Ms. Ji I'm sorry, as I was to immersed in playing I didn't hear if you made any corrections"

"Silly child, how can I correct when you played the song perfectly. Is this really the first time that you played the pipa?"

"Yes teacher. Until now I am embarrassed to say that I only had interest in martial arts"

'Shit, I screw up. I forgot to play like a novice'

"Prodigy! Who knew I could meet a child blessed by the heavens in this lifetime! Shu'er don't you want to become my disciple? I will teach you everything I know, even my exclusive pieces"

'Of course I want. Won't father be pleased and I will have the perfect cover for my music knowledge with this?'

Thinking like this, Ming Shu performed the tea Master-disciple ceremony.

"Ming Shu hopes that Master will accept my tea"

"I accept. From today onwards you will be my disciple"

As she looked at her side, Ming Shu remembered that her sister was also there.

'If she comes back without being made a disciple too who knows what that woman will do to her. I can't let my baby sister to be hurt over such a trivial thing'

"Master, Shu'er would like to ask something"

Happy about acquiring a prodigy as a disciple, Ms. Ji was in a happy mood

"What is it? Do you want a personalized pipa? Do you want to learn now the exclusive compositions? Ask, if Master can she will do for you"

"Shu'er thanks teacher for the consideration, but what I This is not what I want. Shu'er wants Master to accept Yunning as Master's disciple too. My meimei is very talent in music also, although she doesn't know how to play the pipa, her flute is perfect. Show to Master a song on flute Yunning."

'Meimei, you must not disappoint me'

Taking out the flute she brought, Yunning played the song that her Motger made her practice all day over since her Jiejie said she would be her study partner.

Hearing the smooth play, Ms. Ji has to admit that although not as talent as her older sister, Ming Yunning was also a rare talent. 'It appears I discovered two genius. The Minister Of Justice was truly blessed with a pair of wonderful daughters.'

"Yu'er I would be really please to accept you as a disciples do you want?"

Learning with her Jiejie demonstration early, Ming Yunning performed the tea ceremony too.

"Ming Yunning hopes that Master will accept my tea"