Wild gееsе frоm afar rеасh Неngyang, wherе thеy oftеn turn back.
Аs thе zithеr musiс rеаched its dеpth, Zhou Shaojin’s tears fеll silеntly.
Еven wild gееsе hаve а рlасе to rеst—where, then, wаs hеr own hоme?
Such melаncholу lingered in hеr hеаrt fоr а lоng whilе. When she finаllу regаinеd hеr cоmpоsurе, she reаlizеd she wаs not the onlу one entrаnсеd by thе music—Cheng Jiа sаt bу the rоund tаblе in thе раvilion, рrоpрing her сhin on her hаnd, eуеs lightlу clоsеd аnd еars intently listеning; Pan Qing leaned аgainst the cаrved railing, whоlly аbsоrbed аs she gazed at Cheng Shi outside the curtain, her eyes filled with admiration. Only her elder sister was like her, tears glistening at the corners of her eyes, a sorrowful expression on her face as she lowered her head to wipe them with a handkerchief.
Zhou Shaojin could not help but smile faintly.
It was clear that different experiences led to different feelings.
After all, she remained closest to her sister.
Zhou Shaojin dried her tears.
The lingering notes faded, and as the piece ended, everyone awoke from their reverie.
Outside the pavilion, applause and praises continued unabated.
Zhou Chujin also sighed in admiration, “I’ve lived in the estate for these years, yet I never knew Cousin Shi was such a master!”
Cheng Jia, feeling indignant on behalf of her brother Cheng Zheng, said, “What’s so special about that? Our family has many hidden talents! My brother also plays the zither very well. If you don’t believe me, I’ll have him play a piece later—I guarantee it will astonish everyone.”
“Astonish everyone?” Pan Qing chuckled. “Is playing the zither about skill? That would make one a mere technician! Playing the zither is about evoking a mood. When the mood is right, technique becomes secondary, not so important…”
Cheng Jia could not bear to listen to her and interrupted Pan Qing, smiling as she asked Zhou Chujin, “Sister, do you know Cousin Shi’s nickname?”
Zhou Chujin shook her head.
Cheng Jia replied with a sly smile, “Cousin Shi’s nickname is ‘Lianhua Jushi’ (the Flower-Admiring Recluse)…”
Zhou Shaojin and the others were momentarily stunned.
After a while, Pan Qing said angrily, “Cousin Jia, why must you always speak without basis and never be serious? How can you go around shouting Cousin Shi’s nickname like that?”
Cheng Jia laughed heartily and said, “Cousin Shi’s greatest love is cultivating flowers. The chrysanthemums he grows are as large as bowls, and the crabapple blossoms he tends can last until mid-spring. That’s why he earned the nickname ‘Lianhua Jushi’… What were you thinking, Cousin Qing?”
Pan Qing flushed crimson and retorted, “How do you know what I was thinking? It was you who had improper thoughts and are now projecting them onto others…”
The Zhou sisters had no desire to get involved.
Zhou Chujin watched the two with a faint smile, while Zhou Shaojin turned her gaze to Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng outside the Yicui Pavilion.
Both were tall and handsome, with an elegant scholarly air. The difference was that Cheng Shi carried a more bookish demeanor, reminiscent of a refined and charming scion of a noble family, while Cheng Zheng appeared steadier and more mature, exuding a capable and seasoned presence, like a descendant of a family that had long valued both farming and scholarship, with a touch of simplicity.
The two were speaking softly, their smiles bright, expressions sincere, and demeanor open, like close friends who had known each other for years.
But what they truly thought in their hearts—that, perhaps, no one could ever know.
Zhou Shaojin turned her head away.
Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Cheng Xu.
He was staring intently at the Yicui Pavilion.
Zhou Shaojin frowned slightly.
Cheng Xu withdrew his gaze and began chatting and laughing with Cheng Gao and Pan Zhuo beside him.
Not long after, a servant boy brought over a zither. Cheng Xu sat on the ground and began tuning the instrument.
Suddenly, Pan Qing’s voice reached Zhou Shaojin’s ears: “I wonder what piece Cousin Xu will play later? With Cousin Shi’s performance setting such a high standard, I wonder if Cousin Xu will feel nervous?”There was an indescribable emotion in her voice that Zhou Shaojin deeply disliked. She smiled faintly and said, "Does Cousin Qing know what pieces Cousin Xu excels at playing? I certainly don’t!"
Pan Qing smiled.
Pan Zhuo must have said something, for Cheng Gao and the others all turned toward Yicui Pavilion with looks of surprise, then laughed again, as if they had witnessed something amusing.
Zhou Shaojin stepped away from the bamboo curtain.
A young maid ran in, announcing cheerfully, "The young masters said they shouldn’t have all the glory to themselves and have invited the young ladies to play a few pieces as well, so everyone can critique each other."
This was clearly a challenge to a musical duel!
Cheng Jia was horrified and exclaimed, "Whose idea was this?"
The young maid dared not answer.
Pan Qing smiled and came to the maid’s rescue, saying, "She’s only here to deliver the message. What’s the use of taking your anger out on her?" Then she asked gently, "Who said this?"
The young maid looked at Pan Qing gratefully and replied, "All the young masters said so..."
Cheng Jia stomped her feet in frustration.
From outside Yicui Pavilion came Cheng Shi’s hearty laughter: "Since that’s the case, how could I dare refuse?"
Zhou Shaojin and the others turned to look.
Unnoticed, Pan Zhuo had already joined Cheng Shi and Cheng Zheng. Cheng Shi was unfastening a jade pendant from his waist, saying, "This jade was bestowed by our great-grandfather—it will serve as the prize!" Then, as if regretting his words, he patted his forehead and added, "Look at me—if the sisters win, this jade pendant wouldn’t be suitable..." After a moment’s thought, he called out Cheng Xu’s courtesy name, "Jiashan," and said, "I recall you have several fine qins. Bring one out later to serve as the prize for the sisters."
Cheng Xu replied generously, "Since Eldest Cousin has spoken, how could I dare disobey!" He called out loudly to Huanxi, "Go fetch my 'Phoenix Cry' qin."
Cheng Shi laughed and said, "Jiashan is always thoughtful and considerate. The 'Phoenix Cry' is lightweight with a clear, resonant sound—perfect for young ladies to play."
Cheng Jia wished she could stride over and jab her own brother, Cheng Zheng, hard: "What kind of brother is he? I always think of him, yet he sells me out in an instant. If I don’t complain to Grandmother and have him punished by kneeling, I’m not the 'Master of Ruyi Pavilion'..."
She had given herself the sobriquet "Master of Ruyi Pavilion."
Pan Qing was displeased and said, "It’s just a joke between siblings. Do you have to attack Cousin Zheng like this?"
"I’m talking about my own brother—what does it have to do with you?"
The two began bickering again.
Zhou Chujin glanced at Zhou Shaojin.
Zhou Shaojin remained silent.
Slowly, she stood up.
Pan Qing and the others looked at her in surprise.
Another young maid rushed in, panting as she bowed to Zhou Chujin and Zhou Shaojin, and said, "Second Miss, Sister Biyu says she has something to discuss with you and asks you to step over to Hibiscus Pavilion."
Cheng Xian was hosting guests in Hibiscus Pavilion. All the prominent female relatives of the household were there, and Biyu served by Old Madam Guo’s side.
Zhou Chujin asked the young maid, "What’s the matter?"
The young maid shook her head, timidly gazing at Zhou Shaojin.
But Zhou Shaojin offered no explanation, reassuring her sister with, "It’s nothing. I’ll be back soon," before taking Chunwan and heading straight out of Yicui Pavilion.
Biyu was waiting for her in a pavilion beside Hibiscus Pavilion.
Upon seeing Zhou Shaojin, she stepped forward with a smile and asked, "What’s going on? You sent a maid to bring me a message, asking me to fetch you in the middle of everything?""It's just that some people have such detestable faces, I'd rather not see them," Zhou Shaojin said vaguely, taking Biyu's hand. "Dear sister, thank you so much this time. I'll definitely treat you all to drinks tomorrow."
Originally, she had only gone to Yicui Pavilion out of politeness, but that didn't mean she had to sit there feeling miserable!
"Drinks are unnecessary," Biyu said with a laugh, eyeing her slender figure. "With your delicate build that looks like it could be blown over by the wind, you'd probably just coax us into drinking while you watch from the sidelines."
The two giggled together.
Biyu said, "I still need to attend to the old madam, so I won't keep chatting with you. Where will you go later?"
"I'll just sit here for a while," Zhou Shaojin replied. "When the banquet ends, I'll head straight back to Furong Pavilion."
Biyu smiled and left with the little maid.
Under the pavilion, mandarin ducks swam in the water, and schools of koi gathered. Zhou Shaojin broke off a willow branch and sat on a Taihu stone stool outside the pavilion, amusing herself by teasing the fish.
Chunwan watched as the sun gradually rose higher. Seating had already begun at Furong Pavilion, so she suggested to Zhou Shaojin, "Second Miss, shall I go to the kitchen to fetch some food?"
It was nearing noon. Zhou Shaojin had only eaten half a bowl of plain porridge in the morning, and the faint aroma of food wafted over from Furong Pavilion. Her stomach was starting to growl.
"Be careful then," she cautioned Chunwan. "Don't let anyone notice anything amiss."
Chunwan understood that she was trying to avoid the Cheng family's banquet. With a nod and a smile, she headed briskly toward the kitchen.
Zhou Shaojin tossed aside the willow branch, hugged her knees, and sat by the lake, squinting as she lost herself in thought.
But some things were just too coincidental.
Pan Zhuo had passed the imperial examination at the county level, and Cheng Xian was hosting a banquet... The falling-out between the fourth branch and Cheng Lu—given the honesty of Uncle Mian and the others—would certainly not be disclosed. Without the support of the fourth branch, if Cheng Lu wanted to advance further by leveraging the Cheng family, any branch would carefully weigh his conflicts with the fourth branch. So Cheng Lu wouldn't speak of it either. Since everyone was still unaware of the matter, yet Cheng Lu, also a newly passed scholar, hadn't been invited... Cheng Shi and the others had come to the garden for a qin gathering, all family members, and all were Pan Qing and Cheng Jia's own people... Old Madam Li had agreed... They had gone to Yicui Pavilion... She and her sister had become foils for certain people...
Zhou Shaojin recalled Pan Qing's sarcastic remarks toward her.
She and her sister might not just be foils—they might even be someone's pawns.
Zhou Shaojin sneered.
Someone passed by the piled stones of Taihu Lake, whispering, "...Our young lady indeed won the top prize. It wasn't in vain for our young lady to spend these past two days painstakingly selecting tunes and practicing secretly!"
Zhou Shaojin stood up.
She saw two slender figures in red and green heading toward Furong Pavilion.
This was the third branch's area, so these two maids were either from the third branch or the Pan family.
Were they going to report the good news to Cheng Xian or Old Madam Li?
It seemed Pan Qing was determined to marry into the Cheng family.
But if she thought she could use her or her sister as stepping stones, it wouldn't be so easy!
Zhou Shaojin twisted her fingers.
Cheng Shi was the eldest young master of the second branch. What role was he playing in all this?Zhou Shaojin returned to Hibiscus Pavilion, where everyone was discussing the qin gathering at Yicui Pavilion: "...Over there, it was Young Master Xu who won first prize. Here, it was Miss Qing who took the top honor... Several young masters composed poems, and Young Master Shi said he plans to publish a collection... What a pity for the eldest Miss Zhou—Miss Qing played 'Plum Blossom Prelude,' while the eldest Miss Zhou chose 'Qingping Melody.' Though she played beautifully, the piece was too simple... Otherwise, the eldest Miss Zhou would have been the champion this time..."
No one mentioned Cheng Jia, nor did anyone mention Zhou Shaojin. It was as if their disgrace was something everyone had expected.
Cheng Jia gritted her teeth in resentment, but Zhou Shaojin remained calm and composed.
She had thought of an idea that might help clarify the relationship between the Zhuang family and the Cheng family from back in the day.
※
Sisters, I haven't been in good form these past couple of days. After updating yesterday, I carefully reread the text and revised Chapters 65 and 66. If there are any inconsistencies, please go back and take a look—mobile users can just refresh.
Apologies for any inconvenience!
Today's extra update.
The update will likely be around midnight tonight, so you can check it out tomorrow morning!
※ (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
!!
OpenNovel