Regardless of exactly what connection existed between Madam Ci, “Sorrow’s Parting,” the Wuzheng and Bloodstring zithers, Qinse Valley, and the isolated island, the two Qinse elders, as the heads of Qinse Valley and the true masters of the sea valley, surely knew at least something about it.

So Xuanyuan Lige thought to himself, and Jun Beiyue shared the very same thought.

Once everyone had reached solid ground, the great zither platform slowly began its descent. By now it was already dusk—time to bid farewell.

The two Qinse elders personally escorted everyone to the main gate, and after a lengthy exchange of pleasantries, the farewells finally concluded.

Patriarch Gu had intended to leave as well, but was informed that the two Qinse elders wished to detain a few people on other matters. The group ended up staying in the main hall, and Baili Weisheng was also helped inside, his face still pale, looking sickly and weak, entirely without energy!

Jun Beiyue watched coldly, his mind filled with suspicion—this fellow had clearly already drowned to death underwater; how could he possibly still be alive once brought ashore?

Had he not seen the man’s condition underwater himself, he might have believed it—but having witnessed that state firsthand, how could anyone possibly believe this now?

Equally puzzled was Xuanyuan Lige. This wretched scholar—he’d never once heard of such a figure existing within the martial world of the Longyuan continent. Had he not bid such an outrageous sum for that Fusang seed from the Bai family atop the zither platform, Xuanyuan Lige wouldn’t even have taken notice of him.

Who exactly was this man, and just how capable was he?

The room fell silent. Patriarch Gu sat to the right, with Jiang Chen and Gu Suying standing quietly behind him, so still they might as well have been invisible, easily overlooked entirely!

Aside from these three, Jun Beiyue, Ziqing, Xuanyuan Lige, and Baili Weisheng all harbored their own private thoughts!

Finally, Baili Weisheng coughed lightly a few times, breaking the silence. “Lit…”

That single syllable “Lit—” had nearly slipped out into the full “Little Qingqing,” but fortunately, catching sight of Jun Beiyue’s terrifyingly cold glare, he managed to stop himself just in time.

He coughed a few more times before asking, “That… Ziqing, might I come visit your household as a guest?”

At these words, Patriarch Gu and the others immediately looked over sharply—someone of unknown origin, and a friend of Han Ziqing’s no less, they had to be cautious!

Ziqing didn’t answer immediately. They still had matters to attend to once they returned to the Gu family—what would this fellow even do there?

Yet Jun Beiyue said flatly, “Ziqing and I are guests here ourselves. You’ll have to ask Patriarch Gu about that.”

Ziqing couldn’t help but smile secretly to herself—how clever of this man, refusing without refusing, simply passing the matter off to Patriarch Gu instead.

Patriarch Gu, of course, understood exactly what Jun Beiyue meant, stroking his long beard, expressing regret. “It would be the Gu family’s honor to have young master Baili visit, but unfortunately, the Gu family isn’t currently receiving guests. Should another opportunity arise, I’ll be sure to invite young master Baili!”

Baili Weisheng smiled without warmth reaching his eyes. “What a shame indeed.”

“By the way, how exactly did young master Baili fall into the water earlier?” Jun Beiyue continued asking.

“Not sure who bumped into me—I just got launched right in!” Baili Weisheng explained, entirely composed. “Fortunately, you and young master Xuanyuan saved me, or else this one’s life would have been forfeit.”

As he spoke, he deliberately glanced toward the perpetually silent Xuanyuan Lige.

Yet unexpectedly, the normally reticent Xuanyuan Lige immediately turned venomously sharp-tongued the moment he opened his mouth. “Young master Baili had been submerged for so long that his mouth had already fallen open and his breath had already left him. Prince Yao and I, rushing to escape the undercurrents, very nearly didn’t bother fishing you out at all!”

At this, Ziqing’s brow immediately furrowed. It seemed Jun Beiyue’s earlier remark hadn’t been mere anger talking after all. A flash of malice clearly crossed Baili Weisheng’s eyes, yet he remained cheerful nonetheless. “Indeed, indeed—I’d already thought myself dead. Which just goes to show how formidable you both are!”

“Just your good luck,” Jun Beiyue said flatly.

“Both, both, ha ha!” Baili Weisheng continued smiling without warmth. He still much preferred conversing with little Qingqing—Xuanyuan Lige and Jun Beiyue truly weren’t decent people at all, no wonder they’d fought so viciously underwater!

Yet at that very moment, Ziqing suddenly appeared deep in thought. “Aside from the Jiao people of Nanzhao, who else could possibly open their mouth underwater without swallowing water?”

At these words, Baili Weisheng’s hand, clasped behind his back, stiffened visibly. Jun Beiyue’s heart gave a slight start, seemingly recalling something.

Only then did Xuanyuan Lige turn a direct gaze toward Baili Weisheng. This scholar didn’t quite fit the description—the Jiao people’s eyes were especially beautiful, capable of weeping pearls, and while their limbs and features resembled those of ordinary humans, both male and female Jiao people were renowned for their extraordinary beauty.

This scholar’s features weren’t particularly striking, though his bearing was quite refined, clean and handsome, like a lotus rising untouched from the mud!

This certainly didn’t match the characteristics of the Jiao people—yet Ziqing’s observation wasn’t wrong either; indeed, only the Jiao people possessed the ability to open their mouths underwater!

Still, even if Baili Weisheng were indeed one of the Jiao people, what of it?

To Xuanyuan Lige, he was merely an inconsequential figure, not worth much concern at all!

Yet Jun Beiyue’s handsome brow furrowed slightly—he had, after all, encountered a Jiao person in the sea valley himself. What exactly had brought Baili Weisheng here?

Though inwardly startled, Baili Weisheng remained entirely composed, laughing lightly. “Ziqing, if only I really were one of the Jiao people—would I have nearly drowned, then?”

“Just a passing thought,” Ziqing said with a smile.

Every word exchanged between the four of them carried hidden implications, probing beneath the surface. Patriarch Gu and the others, entirely unaware of the underlying context, listened in complete bewilderment, utterly left out of the conversation!

At that moment, the two Qinse elders hurried in.

“Patriarch Gu, sorry to have kept you waiting, sorry to have kept you waiting!”

“Not at all. I wonder what the two elders wished to detain this old man for…”

“Patriarch Gu, refreshments have been prepared in the side hall—please, make your way there. We have some matters we’d like to discuss privately with Prince Yao’s consort.”

At these words, Ziqing was puzzled, while Jun Beiyue seemed entirely unsurprised—this, after all, was the true purpose behind his coming to the gathering in the first place.

Given how directly they’d stated their request, Patriarch Gu had no room to insist on staying, finding himself genuinely embarrassed, with no choice but to move along.

The moment they left, Gu Suying spoke up. “Father, we might as well leave now—they clearly have no interest in having us around anyway!”

Having already been left on the sidelines for so long, only to continue being sidelined further, even Patriarch Gu’s considerable patience finally began to wear thin!

The position of family head, he’d already resolved to pass on to Jun Beiyue—he could set that aside without concern. But what he did care about was the basic respect he deserved!

A flicker of suppressed, indignant anger crossed his eyes, yet Patriarch Gu ultimately said nothing further.

With Patriarch Gu departing, Baili Weisheng, sensibly, took his leave as well.

Seeing Xuanyuan Lige remaining present too, Ziqing felt a faint unease, asking flatly, “I wonder what matter the two elders wished to discuss with me?”

Elder Qin glanced at Xuanyuan Lige, then got straight to the point. “Consort of Prince Yao, might we take a look at the Wuzheng zither?”

For the zither?

“Of course. I understand the Wuzheng originally belonged to Qinse Valley,” Ziqing said, immediately taking out the Wuzheng and unveiling it before everyone.

This zither, unadorned and uncarved, ancient and simple, yet radiated an inexplicable air of mystery and nobility. Even someone entirely unfamiliar with zithers could tell at a glance how precious it was!

“This was a gift from Li,” Elder Se said with a smile, gesturing for everyone to sit.

Ziqing nodded. This zither—she truly hadn’t wanted it originally; it was Jun Beiyue who had insisted she keep it.

“We haven’t seen this zither in over a decade. The two of you… might you play a duet together, to satisfy these two old zither-obsessed fools?”

Xuanyuan Lige couldn’t help but glance toward Ziqing. How long had it been since they’d last played together?

Yet before Ziqing could even respond, Jun Beiyue said flatly, “Elders, we still have matters to attend to back at Liuxian Mountain. Whatever it is you wish to discuss… please just say it directly.”