Walking behind Luo Shenyuan, Yining felt the cold wind clear her mind somewhat.
Seeing his tall figure ahead, she recalled how he had protected her countless times in her childhood.
Why did she suddenly have such strange feelings? Perhaps it was just the awkward situation earlier. He hadn’t said anything, only smiling and asking if she was hurt from the collision.
Yining could only attribute it to overthinking. After all, Luo Shenyuan had watched her grow up. Though no longer officially her brother, they still shared a sibling bond. Moreover, now that he had passed the imperial examinations, he should be considering marriage to Miss Sun. Yining had never met this Miss Sun but had often wondered what kind of person would be worthy of him.
When she arrived at Jingan Residence and slipped into the side room, she found several young ladies huddled behind the screen.
Among them were familiar faces, pushing and shoving, bashful yet curious, with flushed cheeks and flickering gazes.
Yining glanced at her Third Brother in the main hall. Time had passed, and she had almost forgotten how popular he was with women. Even more so than Cheng Lang – he didn’t do anything special, yet girls would blush just from looking at him a bit longer. Some shy ones could barely speak in his presence.
Luo Shenyuan paid his respects to Old Madam Wei, who smiled and helped him up. As he sat down, he heard the girls’ chatter from behind the screen. Knowing they were discussing him, as he was accustomed to, he cleared his throat softly. The noise immediately stopped, falling silent for a moment.
Yining saw the girls gathered around the screen fall quiet at Luo Shenyuan’s gesture, only to resume their excited whispers more quietly. She felt somewhat annoyed. Why was he so popular with young ladies? He wasn’t necessarily more handsome than Cheng Lang.
A maid came to say Old Madam Wei was calling for her, so she left the side room. Zhao Mingzhu, standing beside Old Madam Wei, gently took her hand as she approached and asked softly, “Is this your Third Brother?”
She hadn’t met Luo Shenyuan during her previous visit to the Luo family. Though not as handsome as Cheng Lang, he possessed a unique aura that drew attention.
Yining looked at her steadily. Zhao Mingzhu waved her hand, saying, “I didn’t mean anything by it. Jiarong wanted me to ask what kind of snacks your Third Brother likes…”
Shen Jiarong? Yining glanced behind the screen, seeing Shen Jiarong peeking out slightly.
Though unmarried, her Third Brother had many admirers. The maids in his household were likely vying for his attention as well. Luo Shenyuan wouldn’t be interested in a young girl like that.
Yining told Zhao Mingzhu, “He doesn’t like snacks.” Though he used to buy them often, it was only because she enjoyed them.
Old Madam Wei called Yining over. As she sat down beside her, the old lady smiled and said, “We knew you were well-educated, but to think you have a Zhuangyuan brother!” For him to visit her the day after becoming Zhuangyuan showed how much Luo Shenyuan had cared for Yining in the Luo household. Old Madam Wei patted Yining’s head and told Luo Shenyuan, “From now on, you’re welcome to visit the Ying Guogong Manor. You’ve taught this girl well – her calligraphy is the most beautiful. It would be best for her to have a Zhuangyuan as her teacher.”
The implication was that she wanted Third Brother to continue teaching her.
Yining knew Old Madam Wei meant well, but how could Luo Shenyuan, now a Zhuangyuan, find the time?
She was about to decline when Luo Shenyuan said, “I’ve taught her since she was little. If Old Madam is willing, I’ll continue to teach her.”
Did he agree just like that? Yining quickly said, “It’s not necessary. I also learn from Cousin Cheng Lang sometimes. I wouldn’t want to trouble you…”
Luo Shenyuan replied, “I’m not very busy usually.”
“I have something else to tell you. We have an important guest visiting today,” Old Madam Wei said to Yining. “You haven’t met her before. Her grandmother and I are close friends, though she rarely visits. When she arrives, I’ll point her out to you. Her grandfather is the current Minister of Rites, Xie Yao.”
The granddaughter of Minister Xie Yao? Yining felt the name was familiar but couldn’t quite place it.
After this conversation, Old Madam Wei had tea and snacks prepared in the flower hall and invited everyone over.
As Yining walked along the corridor, she saw a young lady approaching from the flower hall, surrounded by servants. She wore a water-red jacket with auspicious cloud patterns and a golden phoenix hairpin. With beautiful phoenix eyes, she carried herself with grace and nobility. She smiled and greeted Old Madam Wei respectfully: “Grandmother sent me to pay respects on her behalf. May you be in good health.”
Yining studied the young lady for a moment before suddenly remembering who she was.
This young lady was named Xie Yun, the niece of her sister-in-law Xie Min. She was also Cheng Lang’s future wife.
Born into a noble family with her grandfather as the Minister of Rites, Xie Yun was well-educated and talented from a young age, much like another Xie Min. This was why she was particularly fond of Xie Min. Yining remembered that Xie Yun had been quite proud even as a young girl. When visiting the Ning Yuan Marquis Manor, she hardly acknowledged anyone except her aunt Xie Min.
Unlike Zhao Mingzhu, who was adopted by Ying Guogong, Xie Yun was a legitimate daughter of a high-ranking family, raised with the finest upbringing. It was natural for her to look down on others.
Old Madam Wei accepted her greeting and smiled, telling Yining, “This is Miss Xie Yun, the second daughter of the Xie family. She’s three years older than you, so you should call her sister.”
Xie Yun’s phoenix eyes swept over Yining. She smiled faintly, “I’ve heard of Sister Yining. She’s the daughter the Duke recently found. Quite pretty indeed.”
As the only legitimate daughter of her generation in the Xie family, which had flourished for centuries, and with her grandfather Xie being a pillar of state for three reigns, Xie Yun had been doted on since childhood. Moreover, she was naturally intelligent. Among the young ladies present, she only spoke briefly to Yining after a glance, her tone neither warm nor cold. When Zhao Mingzhu called her “Sister Xie Yun,” she merely smiled and nodded.
The other young ladies from noble families seemed somewhat intimidated by her, as her reputation as a talented woman was well-known throughout the capital.
“…Your Sister Yining has excellent calligraphy,” Old Madam Wei said to Xie Yun as she seated everyone. “You two should have a friendly competition when you have time.”
Xie Yun thought Yining was young and raised outside, lacking a strong foundation. Naturally, she couldn’t compare to her. She asked, “Who was Sister Yining’s teacher? I learned from my grandfather.”
Thinking about calling this once-proud little girl “sister” still felt strange to Yining. In truth, her talent in this area was average. Her current skill was entirely due to diligence making up for her lack of natural ability. She would be exposed to a comparison and know her limitations. Xie Yun, on the other hand, had been renowned for her intelligence since childhood, even praised by the late emperor himself.
Yining just smiled and said, “My casual scribbles can’t compare to Sister Xie Yun’s capital-wide fame. I’m afraid a competition wouldn’t be fair.”
Xie Yun was used to praise since childhood, so Yining’s words didn’t particularly affect her. She elegantly set down her teacup and continued, “Sister Yining must be being modest. I wonder what famous teachers there are in Baoding? I’ve heard of a few. Did Sister Yining study with the Xuezhai Hermit or Grand Scholar Cao?”
Coming from a noble family, Xie Yun was acquainted with many prominent figures. These two were indeed renowned throughout the land, but they lived in seclusion in Baoding, rarely leaving their homes. Only someone like Xie Yun’s grandfather, Grand Scholar Xie, a literary giant, could hope to invite them.
No wonder others always lost face before this Second Miss Xie. Her knowledge and perspective were far beyond those of ordinary young ladies.
Yining was about to speak when a calm voice came from outside: “She learned from me.”
Yining looked up at the sound and saw a tall figure enter with his hands behind his back. Across from her, Xie Yun seemed surprised, standing up to look at him. “It’s you… Luo Shenyuan!”
Yining didn’t know Xie Yun and Luo Shenyuan were acquainted.
Luo Shenyuan walked to Yining’s side and said, “I’m no famous teacher, and can’t compare to Grand Scholar Xie. Miss Xie, please don’t trouble my little sister.”
Seeing his calm expression, Xie Yun smiled and said, “Last time I saw you, you wouldn’t even exchange poems with me. Now you’re talking to me?” She glanced at Yining. “Is Yining your sister? Then I really must compare with her, at least to see how well this new Zhuangyuan teaches.”
Luo Shenyuan frowned. “Xie Yun!”
Yining thought her Third Brother must not only know this Second Miss Xie but be quite familiar with her. Otherwise, such a polite person wouldn’t call her by name when angry.
“Even Grandfather praises Third Young Master Luo’s calligraphy,” Xie Yun said, her gaze never leaving Luo Shenyuan. “Surely his student must be quite good as well.”
Yining finally understood – this Miss Xie seemed to have some feelings for her Third Brother.
But she… was Cheng Lang’s future wife!
Yining suddenly remembered that Cheng Lang wasn’t particularly good to his future wife. He took three concubines, and when Xie Yun was in labor, he was even playing chess with Lu Jiaxue at the Ning Yuan Marquis Manor. When told he had a son, he didn’t even look up. Could this be part of the reason?
Yining felt these human affairs were truly complex. Many things she hadn’t known in her previous life seemed to be slowly revealing themselves as if an unknown thread was connecting everything. She gradually began to see more clearly the things she hadn’t understood before. Yet it all seemed somewhat laughable now.
Luo Shenyuan knew Yining’s abilities well. The girl could bluff, but she couldn’t truly compete with someone as well-trained as Xie Yun. After a moment, Luo Shenyuan calmly said, “My little sister is still young and lacks sufficient skill.” He called for brush and ink. “If Miss Xie truly wants to compare, let me take her place.”
Xie Yun wasn’t one to back down. She stepped forward with a smile. “Is the new Zhuangyuan bullying me? You’re now famous throughout the land. Wouldn’t beating me be an unfair victory?”
Luo Shenyuan looked up at her and said, “Miss Xie is also famous throughout the land. Wouldn’t competing with my not-yet-fourteen-year-old sister be an easy victory for you?”
Hearing this, Xie Yun blushed. Seeing Luo Shenyuan standing straight before her, she somehow found herself saying, “If Third Young Master Luo wants to protect his sister, that’s fine. I’m not the type to bully others. As long as Third Young Master can solve the riddle I posed last time, I’ll let it go and won’t trouble Sister Yining anymore.”
So there was some history between them.
Yining could imagine it. Xie Yun had always respected talented individuals the most. Though her standards were sky-high, if someone showed even a bit of talent, she’d regard them highly.
However, Luo Shenyuan said, “Miss Xie, I told you last time when you asked – my studies focus on policy essays and eight-legged essays. Comparing with you would indeed be an unfair victory for me.”
No matter how renowned a young lady’s talents might be, she couldn’t truly compare to an actual jinshi who had passed the imperial examinations.
Hearing this, Xie Yun bit her lip, unable to find words to refute him.
Since she had caused the issue, Yining felt she shouldn’t stand idly by.
“I’m willing to compete with Sister Xie Yun, but not in calligraphy or painting. If others heard about it, they might say Sister Xie Yun was bullying me. Even if she won, there would be nothing to boast about,” Yining stepped forward and said to Xie Yun. “Does Sister Xie Yun know how to play the pipa?”
Yining could play the pipa, and quite well at that.
It wasn’t particularly strange. Yining’s birth mother in her previous life had played the pipa. Though her mother was gone, her wet nurse had taught her. Oddly enough, while she struggled with many other skills, this one came naturally to her. It was only because her original grandmother disliked instrumental music that she rarely played. She remembered Xie Yun had also learned the pipa from a young age.
Hearing Yining’s words, Xie Yun finally looked at her. Recognizing the graceful exit she was being offered, she nodded and said, “…I learned from my mother since childhood.”
Seeing this, Old Madam Wei smiled. “It seems I didn’t consider things thoroughly. Playing the pipa is good too.” She instructed Mama Song to fetch two pipas.
Luo Shenyuan looked at Yining, unaware that the little girl could play the pipa.
In truth, Yining hadn’t played the pipa in a long time. It was only after finding one in Wei Ling’s storeroom and taking an interest that Wei Ling had let her keep it. Now, as she touched the strings, they still felt somewhat unfamiliar. She sat in the main hall’s armchair and listened as Xie Yun played “Wang Zhaojun Leaves the Frontier.” Her fingering was skilled, the melody graceful – truly befitting her reputation as a talented woman.
After Xie Yun finished playing, the hall erupted in applause. Xie Yun seemed not to hear it as she set down the pipa and looked at Yining. The girl’s fingering seemed to show some promise.
Yining plucked the pipa strings, producing a few light, rusty sounds.
Xie Yun frowned slightly.
Ignoring others’ expressions, Yining tested a few notes before tuning the strings properly. Her ten fingers moved slightly, and a low, husky melody emerged. Then it grew urgent, with dense, drum-like rhythms, yet the tune was mournful. The drumming grew faster, evoking the heaviness and desolation of a battlefield.
Xie Yun’s expression changed, and everyone turned to look at Yining.
Yining wore a lake-blue plain satin jacket and snow-white Xiangqun silk. The sunlight filtering through the latticed window gave her a unique radiance. As she held the pipa, the golden light falling on her was almost dazzling. Her expression seemed to grow calm and solemn with the music, tinged with a hint of desolation.
“Hegemon Unarms” was part of a set with “Ambush from Ten Sides.” While “Ambush” was a majestic battle song, “Hegemon Unarms” conveyed the sorrow of defeat. She had always loved this piece, as had her birth mother. As she played, those emotions gradually welled up. She recalled how earnestly and meticulously her wet nurse had taught her. The melancholy she couldn’t grasp as a child became clear as she grew older. When she had played it for Lu Jiaxue years ago, he had only smiled and pinched her cheek, saying, “Everyone else plays ‘Flowers Bloom in the Moonlight’ or ‘Spring Snow,’ but you play this for me!”
She had thought Lu Jiaxue was just being frivolous and hadn’t listened to her play seriously.
Outside Jingan Residence, surrounded by guards, Wei Ling and Lu Jiaxue were walking towards the building.
Lu Jiaxue suddenly stopped in his tracks, hearing the faint sound of a pipa.
Seeing him pause, seemingly to listen intently, Wei Ling smiled and said, “I wonder what piece is being played. It sounds quite good.”
Lu Jiaxue listened for a long moment before softly saying, “It’s ‘The Overlord Removes His Armor’.”