"An accident! Pure accident! That wasn't my real skill!"
Watching the others leave while desperately suppressing their laughter, Wang Yu felt utterly embarrassed.
It truly had been an accident. He had overestimated the practical outcome of executing a technique straight out of the tortoise shell's deduction feedback—something he had successfully mastered in theory, but had never actually practiced with his hands.
While deducing *Flowing Springs of the Icy Mountain*, he had also learned the zither fingering techniques, making all ten fingers far more agile and strong. Though he didn't yet know grappling finger styles, his ability to locate and strike acupoints had become noticeably faster, more precise, and more potent than before.
It was precisely because of this that he had grown confident he could effortlessly play a beautiful tune.
And then he had crashed and burned.
"As expected, weakness and ignorance are not barriers to survival, but arrogance is," Wang Yu muttered, shaking his head in resignation. He then ordered his servants to fetch a zither from the manor's inner treasury.
As for how to kill the rest of the day...
Wang Yu picked up the remaining watermelon from the wooden tub and called out to a nearby servant, "Head to the kitchen and fetch me a spoon!"
When eating watermelon, scooping it out with a spoon was the only proper way!
***
Over the next few days, though Wang Yu remained absent during the daylight hours, the sharp clatter of clashing weapons would wake everyone every morning, and each evening, the jarring plucks of a beginner's zither made falling asleep an ordeal.
Yuan Feifei wished to share musical insights with Wang Yu, but he tactfully declined.
To everyone's surprise, however, within just a few days, the evening zither notes grew clear, crisp, and fluid. Not only could he play an entire piece from start to finish, but it actually sounded quite pleasant.
Sleeping in Longyue Tower on the western side, Zhao Yingjie rolled over in bed and exhaled in relief. "Finally, it can actually help me sleep."
Sitting in Red Willow Garden to enjoy the cool air, Li Yunxiu smiled at Zi Ling, who was attending to her. "That fellow is actually a genius."
In Hongyan Pavilion, Qianqian leaned gracefully against the window frame. Her gaze drifted over the outer wall of the main courtyard and settled upon the young man seated peacefully inside, playing his zither. Her eyes held an affectionate, amused glint. "He actually looks the part."
Both Yuan Feifei and Meng Zixiao were lodged in Yingfeng Pavilion. At this moment, Yuan Feifei was marveling at how swiftly Wang Yu was mastering the instrument, while Meng Zixiao danced with her sword to the music, the moonlight like water and her blade flashing like silk.
***
One morning, Wang Yu finished warming up and practicing swordplay with Meng Zixiao.
The weather was already sweltering, and Wang Yu had not reached the realm of being impervious to heat and cold. Drenched in sweat, he beckoned a servant to bring a water basin and damp towels.
On the other side, Meng Zixiao did the same. She wiped her sweat with a towel, lifting her slender neck. As she dried herself, she revealed delicate, exquisite collarbones and a subtle, alluring curve beneath.
"Brother Zhao's life is truly delightful. Back when I practiced the sword in Shuzhong, I never enjoyed such luxuries."
"If you're willing, you may stay in the prince's manor as long as you like."
"That won't do. I came to the Northwest to hone my swordcraft, not to indulge myself. Besides, with your two consorts constantly sparring, the atmosphere is far too intense for me to bear."
At this, Meng Zixiao looked at Wang Yu and asked curiously, "Brother Zhao, have you still not consummated your marriage with either of them?"
Wang Yu said solemnly, "My father passed away recently. I must observe mourning."
Meng Zixiao nodded in understanding and patted him on the shoulder. "In the prime of your youth, it must be quite hard on you."
Wang Yu: "???"
Holding back a laugh, Meng Zixiao turned and walked away, leaving him with the enchanting view of her retreating figure.
Wang Yu followed shortly after.
Meng Zixiao glanced back over her shoulder. "Aren't you going to the workshop, Brother Zhao?"
Wang Yu shook his head. "Taking a break today. I need to see Feifei about something."
"Miss Yuan?" Meng Zixiao paused, puzzled. "What do you need her for?"
Wang Yu replied, "She's a true expert with the zither. I plan to have her accompany me to buy one. The tone of my current instrument is rather ordinary."
The musical instruments kept in the manor's inner treasury were merely backups for visiting troupes or musicians, and their quality was only mediocre. Even a beginner like Wang Yu could tell the vast difference between them and Bingquan Ming.
He harbored no illusions of finding an exceptional instrument on par with Bingquan Ming, but it had to meet a respectable standard.
Chatting casually, the two arrived before Yingfeng Pavilion, just in time to find Zhao Yingjie conversing with Yuan Feifei.
When Wang Yu explained his purpose, Yuan Feifei readily agreed. Zhao Yingjie insisted on joining as well and promptly arranged for Zhao Shan and Zhao He to provide covert protection.
Meng Zixiao smiled. "I have nothing to do either, so let me come along."
Wang Yu had no objection, so the party grew to four.
They made their way to East Market, which was home to several instrument shops. Some merchants from the Western Regions sold western instruments, local merchants offered cheap regional pieces, and prominent merchants from the Central Plains sold fine, valuable instruments.
Wang Yu naturally chose the third variety.
Yayun Zhai.
Just as they reached the entrance, a middle-aged man stepped out, flanked by two lean men.
"Manager Wang?"
He was an acquaintance. The last time Wang Yu had strolled through East Market to purchase perfume, he had met this man—a manager stationed in Longshan Prefecture by the Wang clan of Jiangnan. Back then, the man had shown goodwill by yielding several bottles of perfume to the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor.
"Manager Zhao?"
Manager Wang naturally recognized Zhao Yingjie, and having seen Wang Yu that day, he recognized him as well. With few bystanders around, Manager Wang stepped forward without hesitation to pay his respects. "Greetings, Prince of Zhenxi!"
Wang Yu nodded and looked up at the sign above Yayun Zhai. "Is this a business of the Wang clan?"
Manager Wang nodded. "Does Your Highness wish to purchase musical instruments?"
"I want to buy a zither and a xiao," Wang Yu said.
Although *Flowing Springs of the Icy Mountain* was a zither score, sound attack techniques were not strictly limited to that instrument. Wang Yu intended to learn the xiao later; carrying a flute was far easier than hauling a zither whenever he traveled.
Manager Wang felt slightly surprised. The Wang clan of Jiangnan was well-informed, and as their manager in Longshan Prefecture, he was well aware of the prince's manor, yet he had never heard that Zhao Yu could play the zither or blow the flute.
However, when he looked up and caught sight of the young woman who had accompanied Gutong and Ziyu that day, his heart leapt, and his thoughts raced.
*Has the Prince of Zhenxi established ties with Gutong and Ziyu?*
Manager Wang's mind whirred, though his expression remained unperturbed. Smiling, he ushered the group inside. "All instruments in our shop are crafted by renowned Jiangnan masters. Across every shop in Longshan Prefecture, none can surpass our quality."
The Wang clan naturally owned more than just this single shop in Longshan Prefecture. Manager Wang had merely been conducting a routine inspection. The head clerk and attendants were initially bewildered to see him return so soon, but he quickly instructed the shopkeeper to present their finest zithers and flutes.
A moment later, three zithers and five xiao flutes were arrayed across the counter.
Wang Yu looked toward Yuan Feifei. Though she wore a veil, a faint smile showed in her eyes as she stepped forward to test the instruments.
*Zheng—zheng—*
*Woo—woo—*
Before long, Yuan Feifei selected one zither and one flute. "This zither has a crisp, resonant tone with a lingering, distant resonance, perfectly suited for playing *Flowing Springs of the Icy Mountain*. As for this dongxiao, it is made of Sanjiang jade bamboo and boasts the finest quality."
The shopkeeper praised her repeatedly. "The lady is truly an expert! This zither is crafted from Liang paulownia wood, which indeed yields a crisper tone than other woods, and Sanjiang jade bamboo has a dense texture, making it an exceptional material for flutes."
With Yuan Feifei's personal seal of approval, Wang Yu told the shopkeeper to wrap them up and settle the bill.
Manager Wang stepped forward. "When Your Highness succeeded to the title early this year, we failed to present congratulatory gifts. Now that Your Highness has graced us with your presence, please accept this zither and flute as a congratulatory token from our Wang clan."
Wang Yu narrowed his eyes slightly and remarked indifferently, "A gift is a gift, and business is business. Nowhere in the world is it customary to pass off a transaction as a congratulatory offering. Wouldn't you agree, Manager Wang?"
Manager Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately conceded, "Your Highness is quite right. I was presumptuous."
Wang Yu waved his hand, and Zhao Yingjie handed over a banknote, retrieving the zither and flute.
***
Once they left Yayun Zhai, Zhao Yingjie chuckled. "That sly manager is quite sharp. He didn't send a gift when you took the title, Yu, and now he wants to make up for it—isn't it just to get his hands on more perfume from our workshops? Dog meat simply can't grace a proper banquet table."
Just as he spoke, a man and a woman clad in coarse hemp garments and conical bamboo hats approached from ahead, walking in great haste. In their rush, they bumped into Zhao Yingjie, who had been speaking over his shoulder.
Zhao Yingjie struck out with a backhand palm. The opposing man reacted with startling speed, thrusting his hand forward to seize Zhao Yingjie's wrist.
Startled, Zhao Yingjie channeled his inner force and twisted his wrist, slipping free of the grip. The man was equally taken aback. Stepping back two paces, he looked up at Zhao Yingjie.
Noticing the shock and wariness in Zhao Yingjie's eyes, the man relaxed instead. He hastily cupped his hands. "My sister and I were walking in too much of a hurry. Our apologies, Brother, and please forgive our clumsiness."
Zhao Yingjie nodded. "Watch where you're going next time."
"Of course, of course!" The man nodded repeatedly and pulled his younger sister along to leave.
Yet the moment they moved, a long-legged woman among Zhao Yingjie's group let out a sharp cry: "Hold it!"
*Clang!—*
Meng Zixiao's sword cleared its scabbard. She shot forward like a bolt, thrusting toward an area not far behind the siblings.
The pair jumped in fright. Just behind them, a figure bolted into the air, spouting crude curses: "You little greenhorn again! Ruining my fun every single day!"
"It's that flower-plucking thief?" Zhao Yingjie recognized the man's face. It was the very same scoundrel they had encountered on their return from Zhenxi Horse Ranch—the one who had tried to abduct Miss Shuixian and had knocked Meng Zixiao unconscious.
Meng Zixiao's sword flickered, casting three shimmering blade shadows. Seeing that the other side had superior numbers, the man dared not engage. He vaulted clean over a row of roadside rooftops and vanished.
Meng Zixiao bounded onto the roofs as well, glancing left and right, but the man had already disappeared without a trace.
Not far away, Zhao Shan and Zhao He closed in from both flanks, only to emerge from the back moments later, shaking their heads at Wang Yu to indicate they had found nothing.
Wang Yu clicked his tongue. "That fellow's qinggong is quite impressive."
Zhao Yingjie chuckled. "Every flower-plucking thief has decent qinggong. How else could they slip into ladies' bedchambers at night?"
"True enough." Wang Yu nodded. Come to think of it, his own qinggong technique had also dropped from Young Master Zhehua.
A moment later, having failed to locate her quarry, Meng Zixiao leapt down from the roof. "That rogue must have been tailing that brother and sister. We should warn them to be careful."
As she spoke, she looked around to alert the siblings, only to find they were already gone.
"Looks like they really were in a rush." Zhao Yingjie rubbed his wrist. "From his accent, that fellow is from the Central Plains, and his hand techniques are formidable. He shouldn't be an unknown figure. What could he be doing out here in the Northwest?"
Chapter 45