CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42: HIGH MOUNTAIN AND FLOWING WATER

Apart from healing, these past few days, Xiao Chong has also brought a rather different perception for Lin Wanwan.

He is a strong patient who won’t stay in bed longer than necessary, and his casual Ancient Zither playing is truly unmatched. Honestly, being under the same roof, gazing at the tranquil courtyard, and listening to someone play age-old melodies is especially pleasant.

Lin Wanwan herself had studied the Ancient Zither for a while, though not extensively. After listening to Xiao Chong play a few pieces, she was stirred and planned to buy an Ancient Zither for herself after curing Xiao Chong’s illness.

Upon learning of her intention, Xiao Chong sent her an Ancient Zither that very day as a token of thanks.

Lin Wanwan strummed a melody casually and found the sound unexpectedly delightful, incomparable to the beginner’s zither she had bought for five thousand in the modern era.

After playing, Lin Wanwan noticed someone outside and raised her voice, "Who’s out there?"

Xiao Chong responded by walking in, "It’s me. Sorry for disturbing your musical session, cousin."

Though he said this, his expression betrayed no such sincerity.

Knowing her skills were limited, Lin Wanwan felt she must have amused him by displaying them in front of a zither master like him. Slightly annoyed, she quipped, "Cousin, eavesdropping isn’t something a gentleman would do."

Xiao Chong laughed heartily, and freely said, "Believe it or not, cousin, it was truly unintentional."

Lin Wanwan rolled her eyes, "Cousin, since you’re here, why don’t you teach me the piece you played yesterday?"

Xiao Chong was slightly taken aback by her request but then smiled gently, "But I’m a patient, I might infect you. How about you wear a veil?"

Lin Wanwan waved her hand dismissively, "No worries, you’re already cured."

Xiao Chong said, "Alright then."

Lin Wanwan stood up to make space, and Xiao Chong, unconcerned about propriety, sat calmly before the zither, his long fingers gently stroking the instrument.

Lin Wanwan thought to herself, "Those hands, if they were in the modern era, would definitely be a model for hand photography. Beautiful things indeed please the eyes."

As Xiao Chong began to play, the ethereal harmonics made Lin Wanwan feel as if she were in a paradise of rippling green waves and billowing mists.

Next came the gradually intensifying rich melody, like rushing waters and tumbling clouds, full of unrestrained enthusiasm.

Following were sweeping changes across high and low registers, with harmonics, natural tones, and free strings skillfully intertwined, painting a splendid scene of colorful clouds in auspicious lights.

As the piece concluded, the celestial music lingered in the air, the echoes not fading, leaving one speechless for a long time.

After a while, Lin Wanwan snapped out of her trance and murmured, "This must be the ’High Mountain and Flowing Water’, right? What piece is this?"

Xiao Chong smiled, "Didn’t cousin just say the name of the piece?"

Lin Wanwan was surprised, "It’s really ’High Mountain and Flowing Water’?"

Xiao Chong nodded, "This piece was composed by Boya of the Chu Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period and has been passed down to this day."

Lin Wanwan’s eyes widened slightly, suddenly overwhelmed with emotion. When she studied the Ancient Zither, she had learned the compiled versions of "High Mountain" and "Flowing Water", but the original "High Mountain and Flowing Water" had long been lost in the mists of time.

If she could bring this piece back to the modern world, the thought was too beautiful for her to dare to imagine!

Xiao Chong wasn’t offended by Lin Wanwan’s reaction; after all, few people could remain composed in the face of his zither music.

Then, Lin Wanwan began to ask about the piece. Xiao Chong was patient, even though Lin Wanwan’s skills were limited, he repeatedly pointed out and guided her without the slightest irritation.

Amidst "flowers surrounding the house, moonlight shining through the lattice, no trees obstructing the stars", unknowingly, night had fallen. The two snapped out of their focus, realizing the moonlight, both feeling awkward. How could so much time have passed so quickly?

Hua Nong, waiting at the side, was already nodding off like a woodpecker, nearly pecking a hole through the column.

Xiao Chong quickly excused himself and returned to his own courtyard.

Lying in bed that night, Lin Wanwan was too excited to sleep, her heart filled with endless joy and a renewed enthusiasm for the Ancient Zither.

She initially studied the Ancient Zither because she became fascinated while serving as a ceremonial hostess when she heard a part-time zither player, also invited, play.

Coincidentally, that player was a talented girl from her university’s music department, and Lin Wanwan took the chance to learn from her. With one-on-one private lessons, the player only charged her 70 per session, even providing the zither.

Lin Wanwan worked for a long time to save up and finally bought her own beginner’s zither.

But gradually, overwhelmed by the pressures of survival, she lost her interest in playing and set it aside, not having touched it for almost a year now.

Living and surviving, they are not the same!

Lin Wanwan today could live well, so naturally, she wanted to reclaim what she had lost.

After getting up the next day and having breakfast, Lin Wanwan bid farewell to Xiao Chong, telling him her original intention: "The autumn sweet potatoes at my home are ripe. I’m going back to the countryside today to dig them up. But since you’ve just recovered, you might not be able to go, so I’ll bring you a basket when I’m done."

Xiao Chong had been thinking about this too, and after a moment of contemplation, said, "This is important, I must witness it myself. Shuqie, prepare, we’re going with cousin."

Shuqie hesitated, "Master, your body..."

Xiao Chong said indifferently, "No problem, I’ve been confined for so long, I need to stretch a bit."

Understanding her master’s resolute nature, Shuqie couldn’t advise further, had to prepare anxiously, cursing Lin Wanwan internally for even mentioning sweet potatoes.

Seeing Xiao Chong wanting to go, Lin Wanwan didn’t stop him and directly boarded her carriage with her zither.

From a distance, as the carriage approached the courtyard gate, Lin Wanwan already saw little Qingyu sitting on the west side door steps, resting her head on her hands. The little one pouted, looking dejected.

The sound of the carriage "clattering" came, and little Qingyu immediately perked up, jumped up, wide-eyed, staring in the direction of the carriage.

The carriage quickly reached the courtyard gate, and Lin Wanwan leaped down, opened her arms to little Qingyu, and smiled, "Little Yu’er, mommy’s sweet little darling, mommy’s back!"

Little Qingyu stood on the steps, and Yun Shang next to her kept saying, "Little lady, madam is back!"

Little Qingyu, however, had her hands behind her back, her little tummy puffed out, her head lowered, occasionally peeking at Lin Wanwan, not saying a word.

Seeing little Qingyu unmoved, Lin Wanwan laughed, taking a few steps up the stairs, and scooped her up, holding her close, "Sweetie, mommy’s back!"

Little Qingyu couldn’t hold back anymore and began to wail. These few days Lin Wanwan hadn’t returned, Yun Shang had kept her company at night, which frightened her.

Lin Wanwan hugged the little one and walked into the courtyard, comforting her dearly, leaving Xiao Chong standing outside the yard.

Xiao Chong chuckled, got off the horse, and followed through the side door.