Yan Chu's Zither Notes

Wang Yu was invited into Yuyin Tower by Cai Wuqi and Yan Chu. Yan Chu was not the proprietor of the establishment. Ordinarily, she traveled far and wide to gather folk tunes and compose melodies; this place was merely her temporary residence, where she played and sang to build up her travel funds. Once everyone was seated in an elegant private room in the tower, maids served tea. Cai Wuqi had her personal maid bring over a jade zither. "Young Master Zhao, I have finished revising 'Splashing Jade Pearls.' Please appraise it once more." "Virtuoso Cai is too polite." Wang Yu lifted his teacup and took a light sip. "I am all ears." Qu Lingbo cast a glance at Wang Yu, noncommittal. Yan Chu pulled Qu Lingbo to sit beside her. "Do not be impatient, younger sister. Since Sister Cai said he could pick out the flaws in 'Splashing Jade Pearls,' he surely possesses some real skill." Qu Lingbo whispered, "I simply can't stand his arrogant, conceited attitude. Which master of music isn't modest and open-minded?" Yan Chu chuckled softly. "I haven't seen you being modest and open-minded either." Qu Lingbo giggled. "How could I possibly count as a music virtuoso?" Yan Chu smiled. "Your flute music is nimble and lighthearted. Though tinged with pride, your heart is pure. How could a flute melody so utterly true and genuine not qualify you as a virtuoso of music?" Just then, the music of Cai Wuqi's zither began, and both women fell silent of their own accord. *Zheng—zheng—zheng—* Verdant green mountains, cascading waterfalls striking rocks, splashing spray, the chirping of birds and the humming of insects—a symphony of green hills. Beneath its lively, bustling surface emerged a deep sense of peace and serenity. "Wonderful! Truly wonderful! Absolutely delightful!" Wang Yu applauded. The corner of Qu Lingbo's eye twitched. Was this something a musical master would say? Vulgar! Common! Utterly unrefined! Intolerably crude! Yan Chu, however, could not help but laugh. "Young Master Zhao is deliberately vexing you. Who told you to doubt him in the first place?" Qu Lingbo could not resist narrowing her eyes, looking Wang Yu up and down. Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she were plotting something. Cai Wuqi took no offense. She knew Wang Yu's capabilities and was aware that he had never formally studied music, so she actually believed his praise was sincere. "What does Young Master think?" Cai Wuqi asked with a smile. "Verdant mountains and secluded valleys, plunging torrents and flowing springs—the melody is bright and crisp, leaving one refreshed in both body and mind." Wang Yu nodded, and then came the customary pivot: "However..." Cai Wuqi paused, startled. "However what?" Qu Lingbo chimed in, "Sister Cai's piece is practically flawless! What could there possibly be to 'however' about?" Wang Yu continued, "However, is Virtuoso Cai in a rather poor mood today?" "Hm?" Cai Wuqi jerked her head up. Qu Lingbo looked utterly bewildered, while Yan Chu's eyes flashed with surprise as she gave Wang Yu an astonished glance. "Young Master Zhao can even hear that?" Cai Wuqi was thoroughly shocked. "It simply sounded less joyful to me than it did that day," Wang Yu said with a smile. Cai Wuqi smiled in relief. "I thought I had concealed it well." Qu Lingbo asked in astonishment, "Sister Cai, you're unhappy today?" "It's not just today," Cai Wuqi shook her head. "At the Prince of Zhennan's residence, I ran into someone I didn't care to see." Years ago, Cai Wuqi had gone to the imperial capital to advance her career. Musical virtuosos were not all on harmonious terms; clashes of temperament or conflicts of interest often led to friction. That person held an edge over Cai Wuqi in both musical prowess and background, which was why Cai Wuqi had not remained in the capital and instead returned to Daxing Prefecture. In truth, ten years had passed since then, and Cai Wuqi had long let it go. Yet she never anticipated that the Prince of Zhennan would invite that person as well this time. If that person had merely come, so be it, but they had actually crossed paths with Cai Wuqi and even tossed a couple of snide remarks her way. Thus, Cai Wuqi's mood had soured ever since she was at the Prince of Zhennan's residence. However, as a master of music, concealing one's true emotions and playing beautiful melodies for guests was her duty. Thus, no one had noticed Cai Wuqi's foul mood, and ordinary listeners would never have picked it up. Yet Wang Yu had heard it! Hearing Cai Wuqi's explanation, Qu Lingbo was utterly flabbergasted and turned to Wang Yu. "You really heard that?" Wang Yu picked up his teacup again, took a small sip, and said nonchalantly, "Under heaven, there aren't many whose musical attainment surpasses mine." The very same sentence, repeated a second time. Seeing Wang Yu's feigned aloofness, Qu Lingbo badly wanted to flick a throwing dart at him. But when she considered that he truly had discerned Cai Wuqi's mood, she suppressed the urge. She held genuine respect for those who possessed real skill, and she even set aside the mischievous notions she had harbored of pranking him. Qu Lingbo pursed her lips. "Fine, you're good." And then she saw Wang Yu beam with joy as if he had received the highest compliment, replying brightly, "Thank you!" "Pfft!" Qu Lingbo could not help bursting into laughter. "You're actually quite amusing." Wang Yu laughed heartily. His impression of Qu Lingbo improved a bit as well. Though rather proud, she was at least straightforward and did not stubbornly deny the truth against her conscience. The group chatted for a good while longer in Yuyin Tower, listening to performances throughout the building and casually conversing about music. Thanks to Wei Gutong's crash course during the New Year, along with Wang Yu's occasional immersion afterward, his musical literacy had grown by leaps and bounds compared to his time in Daxing Prefecture. At the very least, he could hold a conversation without exposing his ignorance. Seeing the sun sinking in the west, Zhao Shan reminded him, "Young Master, it's time for our appointment with Mr. Sun and the others." Wang Yu had agreed to meet Sun Wenzhu at the inn before sunset. "Right, right, right!" Wang Yu nodded repeatedly and took his leave. Cai Wuqi invited him, "Is Young Master Zhao here to meet friends? I will remain in Qushui Prefecture for several more days. Tomorrow, you may bring your friends along to meet with us." Wang Yu shook his head in refusal. "We have business in Qushui Prefecture. Whether we can come depends on how smoothly things go." At this point, Wang Yu swept his gaze over Yan Chu and Qu Lingbo, cautioning, "If possible, you two should try not to go out over the next few days." "Why?" Qu Lingbo asked. "Because a flower-plucking thief has arrived in Qushui Prefecture," Wang Yu said with a grin. "You two are so beautiful; if that defiler catches sight of you, I fear your virtue won't be safe." Yan Chu smiled faintly and nodded in thanks. "Thank you for your concern, Young Master Zhao." Qu Lingbo chuckled. "A flower-plucking thief? Splendid! I'll go take a stroll outside in a bit!" Wang Yu was speechless. He glanced at Qu Lingbo's fair, delicate fingers. "You know martial arts?" Qu Lingbo raised an eyebrow. "Guess?" Wang Yu shook his head, still cautioning her, "Generally, flower-plucking thieves possess excellent qinggong and are skilled at using knockout powder. Furthermore, this particular thief is quite out of the ordinary. I advise you not to provoke him." Qu Lingbo asked, "How out of the ordinary?" Wang Yu said, "Have you heard of the Snowy Regions Tantric Sect?" "Those Bliss Monks who cultivate the *Yogic Tantra*?" Qu Lingbo's willow brows shot up. "They came to Qushui Prefecture?" Wang Yu realized. "You know of them?" "Of course I know." A flash of anger flared in Qu Lingbo's eyes. Wang Yu looked at Qu Lingbo. Seeing the fury in her eyes but no personal bitterness, he knew she had likely not suffered at their hands herself, but rather someone close to her had fallen victim to the Tantric barbarian monks. "Since you know, you should understand that Tantric barbarian monks are not easy to deal with," Wang Yu said. "Besides, word is that the Yucang Sect has already dispatched people specifically to handle them." To his surprise, Qu Lingbo casually shook her head. "The Yucang Sect? They are no match for the Snowy Regions Tantric Sect." What sweeping arrogance! The Yucang Sect was, after all, one of the Seven Great Sword Sects. Sect Master Ye Dan'ya possessed peak Xiantian cultivation; backed by the sharp blade in his hand, even against a Xiantian Grandmaster, the outcome would be uncertain. Wang Yu shot Qu Lingbo a look, unable to guess her identity. Wang Yu took his leave, yet to his surprise, Qu Lingbo actually followed him out. She did not tail Wang Yu, but simply began wandering around the nearby streets on her own. Back at the inn, Wang Yu met with Sun Wenzhu and Leng Jiangzhu. "Any news?" Wang Yu asked. Leng Jiangzhu said, "We approached three local gangs and asked them to keep an eye out for a bald monk with a Snowy Regions accent, but there has been no news so far." Qushui Prefecture was a major city; local gang halls that lived off the city numbered seven or eight alone. Leng Jiangzhu and the others had visited three today, planning to seek out the rest tomorrow. Sun Wenzhu said, "We also inquired about the young ladies in the city known for their beauty—about seven or eight of them. We can split up tonight and keep watch." At the mention of this, Wang Yu felt not the slightest bit drowsy. Bright-eyed, he asked, "Who are they?" "In the north of the city, the Huang family has a scholarly heritage; their young miss is said to be not only gentle and beautiful, but also accomplished in zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting." "Then there is the Xie family, a branch of the Jiangnan Xie clan residing in the Two Sichuan regions. Miss Xie is dignified and virtuous, and she is also a cousin of Xie Fuyun, the head disciple of the Yucang Sect." "And Virtuoso Yan of Yuyin Tower. She is a renowned music master, not a native of Qushui Prefecture, but has been temporarily lodging and performing here for the past half year. She is said to possess refined grace and an ethereal beauty that transcends the mundane." "Virtuoso Yan?" Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. Sun Wenzhu looked up. "You know her?" Wang Yu nodded. "Just met her. We even listened to music, drank tea, and chatted together." Sun Wenzhu and Leng Jiangzhu: "..." A moonlit night, windless and warm. On the second floor of an inn near Yuyin Tower, Wang Yu laid out braised meat, pastries, and fruit wine, inviting Zhao Shan to join him. Zhao Shan did not stand on ceremony either. After eating for a while, he said, "Young Master, you should rest first. I'll keep watch, and if there's any movement, I'll call you." Wang Yu nodded. Just as he was about to speak, the clamor from Yuyin Tower next door suddenly subsided, followed by the sound of zither music drifting over. The zither notes were melodious and flowing, like a spring breeze transforming into gentle rain, as if one were transported to a warm, breezy morning that left both body and mind utterly enchanted. Zhao Shan remarked, "When we booked the room earlier, the inn clerk mentioned that Virtuoso Yan plays a solo piece every night. At this hour, when all sounds are hushed, only Virtuoso Yan's zither resonates. By staying in this inn, one can appreciate her playing without spending a copper at Yuyin Tower." Wang Yu closed his eyes and listened. One had to admit that whether in artistic conception or technical skill, Yan Chu's zither mastery surpassed Cai Wuqi's. This rendition of "Spring Ode" was undeniably superior to Cai Wuqi's "Splashing Jade Pearls." Yet Wang Yu raised an eyebrow; he still heard another mood beneath this "Spring Ode"—a chill, detachment, and... loneliness concealed beneath the warm sun shining upon all creation. "Tsk, tsk. And you called someone else proud—you're plenty proud yourself. Loneliness? Doesn't that just mean no one has caught your eye?" Just then, a sudden commotion erupted in Yuyin Tower. "Defiler, you truly are here!" "Heh-heh! Two Yucang Sect hypocrites! Lord Buddha couldn't even be bothered with you, and yet you press your luck?" Wang Yu rose abruptly. "He really did come."