Wang Yu's eyes lit up as he seized upon the core of Cai Wuqi's words. He slapped the table and said, "Honestly, if I'd known thieves would have the gall to plunder the entire hoard, I would've quietly kept a bit for myself."
Qianqian nodded, speaking timidly, "I only wanted to keep a cat's-eye necklace, but Sister wouldn't allow it. And now it's all ended up in the thieves' hands."
Li Yunxiu's eye twitched, but she could only play along. "I never imagined anyone would dare rob court treasure in Hexi Circuit either."
Qianqian said wistfully, "Perhaps they felt the court had no right to take the treasure. After all, the Emperor didn't help Loulan restore its kingdom, and he even executed the Minister of Rites over it. Neither the cause nor the standing was justified."
Li Yunxiu took a deep breath. "The court harbored the Prince of Loulan for decades, letting him spend his sunset years in peace. Inheriting the treasure is justifiable."
Qianqian gave a perfunctory nod. "Perhaps."
Ardai glanced between Wang Yu and Qianqian, then saw Li Yunxiu clench her fist. She hastily ducked her head, not daring to speak.
Zhao Shan and Zhao He stood nearby, expressionless.
Cai Wuqi glanced around and poured tea for everyone, smoothing things over with a smile. "Still, Your Highness has already uncovered clues regarding the thieves. A matter worthy of celebration."
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. "How did Master Cai know?"
Cai Wuqi smiled. "If you had no leads, you wouldn't have the leisure to visit a music house to listen to tunes."
"Sharp as ever, Master Cai!" Wang Yu gave her a thumbs-up, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "Would you like to know who's behind it all?"
Cai Wuqi shook her head repeatedly. "Please don't tease me, Your Highness. This humble one only wishes to live a quiet and peaceful life. I have no desire to know too many secrets."
Wang Yu nodded. "Though the mastermind's identity remains a secret for now, it won't stay one for long."
Cai Wuqi smiled. "Then it won't be too late for this humble one to learn of it when the time comes."
By then, the music in the main hall had begun to fade into soft background melody, and music began playing in the various private rooms as well.
Cai Wuqi waved a hand behind her and said to the group, "During the summer, I composed a piece called *Splashing Jade Pearls*. With such fine guests gracing my establishment today, I'd like to invite everyone to appraise it."
Though addressed to everyone, it was really directed at Wei Gutong and Yan Ziyu. Still, none of the others would refuse the good fortune of hearing Cai Wuqi play in person.
Soon, a servant brought in a qin.
Wei Gutong introduced it to the group: "This qin is named the Three-Colored Phoenix. It is a famed instrument on par with Bingquan Ming."
Cai Wuqi demurred humbly, "Master Wei flatters me. Bingquan Ming earned eternal renown alongside Master Yuan. I possess no such ability."
With those words, Cai Wuqi adjusted her posture and gently plucked the strings.
*Zheng—zheng—zheng—*
Everyone sat quietly, watching Cai Wuqi's graceful posture and fluid movements. Melodious notes rippled from her fingertips, dancing and echoing through the private room.
Wang Yu closed his eyes to listen. He felt as though he were standing amidst rolling mountains, surrounded by waterfalls crashing against boulders, water droplets pattering against moss and tree leaves, mingling with the chirping of insects and birds to weave a light, joyous melody.
Moments later, the piece came to an end.
Ardai opened her eyes. "That was wonderful!"
Li Yunxiu clapped in praise. "A bright and cheerful tune. It leaves one feeling refreshed in body and mind."
Qianqian nodded. "Like stepping into verdant mountains. Truly enchanting."
Cai Wuqi glanced at Qianqian with appreciation; to grasp the artistic conception of the piece proved she was someone who understood music.
Then she heard Wang Yu applaud. "A splendid piece! A plunging cascade bursting from a gorge, jade pearls scattering everywhere, green mountains enduring through age, insects chirping in the spring. Master Cai must have composed this while touring the Southern Mountains in spring. To weave scenery and sentiment so seamlessly into music—Master Cai's artistry is truly superb! This prince is full of admiration!"
Cai Wuqi's eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Even Wei Gutong and Yan Ziyu snapped their heads around, utterly stunned.
Li Yunxiu and Qianqian looked at Wang Yu as though they were seeing a ghost. Only Ardai, knowing nothing of music theory, looked at Wang Yu with adoration. "Brother Zhao put it so well! I felt the exact same way."
Seeing their reactions, Wang Yu blinked. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Wei Gutong asked, "You heard all that?"
Wang Yu asked, "Heard what?"
Wei Gutong said, "The plunging waterfall scattering pearls, the mountain insects chirping."
"Well, yes. Is something strange about that?" Wang Yu was thoroughly baffled, pointing at Qianqian. "Didn't she hear it too?"
Qianqian shook her head. "I could only tell the music seemed inspired by verdant mountains. I couldn't hear the rest."
Li Yunxiu chimed in, "I couldn't even tell it was verdant mountains."
Yan Ziyu praised, "I never expected Your Highness to possess such astonishing musical talent. Master Cai has found another kindred spirit."
Cai Wuqi looked at Wang Yu, her eyes brimming with admiration and delight.
Li Yunxiu and Qianqian, however, were both utterly dumbfounded. They exchanged a look, both recalling the day Wang Yu tried to play the qin—it had sounded like a slaughtered pig squealing.
All right, he had quickly improved to a listenable standard, but first impressions were hard to erase, not to mention Wang Yu rarely played afterward.
Thus, their lasting impression of Wang Yu's playing was that pig-slaughtering racket. Hearing Yan Ziyu suddenly claim he had astonishing musical talent struck them as utterly surreal.
Wang Yu, however, realized what had happened.
It was his cheat!
*Flowing Springs of the Icy Mountain* was both a martial art and a qin score. While its internal cultivation might not be exceptionally profound, it contained deep musical theory.
Using the tortoise shell to deduce and improve it, he had not only mastered the internal arts of *Flowing Springs of the Icy Mountain*, but also thoroughly grasped its musical sensibilities. Perhaps his playing technique still required practice and familiarity, but perceiving the artistic mood of music required no formal training.
Because he had never encountered this before in daily life, Wang Yu hadn't realized his musical attainments were already remarkably high.
Wang Yu smiled modestly. "Senior Yan is too kind. I merely listened with my heart and felt inspired."
Qianqian raised an eyebrow, Li Yunxiu curled her lip, and Ardai's eyes sparkled with stars.
Cai Wuqi asked earnestly, "Could Prince Zhao offer some critiques on this humble piece of mine?"
Wang Yu shook his head repeatedly. "Now you're putting me on the spot. I can't play well at all. I can only listen—I don't have the skill to critique."
Wei Gutong chuckled. "Your Highness misunderstands. At our level, technique is secondary. What is truly rare is the harmonious fusion between the composition and the emotion conveyed by the sound. You may not know musical theory, but your perception is extraordinary. If you perceive any awkwardness or flaws in her music, telling her will only earn her gratitude."
Cai Wuqi nodded eagerly. "Indeed."
Wang Yu scratched his head, recalling Cai Wuqi's performance just now. "Well, in the second and fourth measures, there were two interludes that felt slightly odd to me. It felt like the insects weren't on the trees, but in the water—a bit disjointed."
Cai Wuqi's eyes lit up. "Please elaborate, Your Highness!"
Wang Yu then roughly explained the details of those two sections. Wei Gutong and Yan Ziyu also joined in, helping Cai Wuqi adjust the score for those two passages.
The other three women listened, thoroughly bewildered yet impressed.
Right then, a plainclothes prince's manor guard entered through the doorway, walked over to Zhao Shan and Zhao He, and whispered a few words.
Li Yunxiu's expression stirred. "Has news returned from Shangshan Prefecture?"
Zhao Shan shook his head. "No. Honghai has returned from Great Vajra Monastery, bringing the Tendon-Changing Bone-Forging Pill and Sanyang Qi-Invigorating Pills for His Highness."
Hearing Zhao Shan's words, Wang Yu's eyes lit up. "They certainly keep their word."
Wei Gutong smiled. "Great Vajra Monastery's reputation is worth far more than a Tendon-Changing Bone-Forging Pill. They wouldn't break their word over this."
Wang Yu stood up. "Then let's head back. He's traveled all this way; we can't keep him waiting."
Compared to discussing music, Wang Yu naturally placed far more value on the Tendon-Changing Bone-Forging Pill.
Although its medicinal potency didn't match the Snow Lotus Yellow Dragon Pill or the Snow Lotus Jade Marrow Pill, it was still extraordinary—at least enough for him to fully master the Star-Plucking Hand and Star-Chasing Steps.
And that remaining Snow Lotus Yellow Dragon Pill would be perfect for learning the *Seventy-Two Forms of Wind and Snow*. Perfect!
By now, the musical discussion was wrapping up. Seeing that Wang Yu had business to attend to, Cai Wuqi naturally didn't insist on detaining him. She simply said, "Before Your Highness returns to the Northwest, please visit once more to allow this humble one to host a banquet and express my gratitude."
"You're too polite, too polite!" Wang Yu cupped his hands. The group then left the music house together, preparing to return to the prefectural yamen.
However, it was only the hour of Shen, still far from evening. Next door to the music house, several street acrobats were performing, surrounded by a ring of spectators.
Interest clearly showed in Ardai's eyes, and Qianqian had no desire to return to the boring Daxing prefectural yamen either. "Brother Yu, Ardai and I will stroll around a bit longer. We'll bring a few roast chickens back for you tonight."
Wang Yu didn't mind, nor was he worried about their safety.
Qianqian wouldn't even need to lift a finger—Zhao Shan and Zhao He were both first-rate experts. Unless scions of prominent sects intervened, ordinary people couldn't even get close to them.
A burly man, bare-chested despite the dead of winter, held a torch in his left hand and a teacup in his right. Pushing out his chest and stomach, he circled the ring, striking various poses.
Before long, the man stepped into the center, drained the liquid in the bowl in a single gulp, and turned the bottom down to show it was empty.
Knowing the performance was about to begin, the crowd broke into applause.
In the next moment, the man's eyes went wide. Standing tall and proud, he held the torch before his face and blew hard.
*Pfft—*
*Boom!*
A massive burst of flame roared forth, appearing almost like a miniature sun in the eyes of the onlookers.
"Well done!"
*Clap clap clap!*
Cheers and applause erupted continuously.
The man spat fire several more times, blowing out all the kerosene in his belly, before striking another pose and extinguishing the torch.
Ardai watched with great delight. When she saw the man circling with a tray, she generously tossed in ten copper coins, then wandered over to watch the stilt-walkers and the chest-shattering stone trick.
Only when she felt her purse growing light did Ardai reluctantly pull Qianqian away. With Zhao Shan and Zhao He in tow, they visited the neighboring street to buy five roast chickens before slowly heading back.
The Daxing prefectural yamen was located in the northeastern part of the city. For security reasons, there were no commercial markets nearby, so pedestrians grew scarcer the closer they got to the yamen.
Just as the four of them were passing through a narrow alley—
Zhao Shan and Zhao He halted in unison. With a flick of his hand, Zhao Shan sent three locust stones whistling through the air.
"Not bad."
A frivolous voice rang out. A green figure leaped down from a nearby tree, dodging the three locust stones, and soared over Zhao Shan's head.
"Get down here!" Zhao He barked fiercely, his tiger claw lunging toward the green figure's ribs.
"Get lost." The green figure clashed hands with him three times in midair. Zhao He let out a muffled grunt and stumbled back three steps.
In the next instant, the green figure pounced directly toward Qianqian and Ardai. "Little beauties, let big brother take you to have some fun!"
Chapter 98