After joking for a while, I still found it hard to believe. I asked Yindeng, "Is that truly the *Jiuxiao Huanpei*? What is the original owner’s background? How did it end up in his hands?"
"I played it myself just now; it is indeed genuine," Yindeng replied. "He is said to be a descendant of the Xu family of Qiyuan." 'Qiyuan' was the final inscription seal on the instrument. The Xu family was a renowned lineage of guqin collectors, and their seal dated back over three hundred years. If the collection had never changed hands, it was indeed possible for them to produce over a dozen legendary instruments.
As soon as I mentioned asking Yindeng to help me select a qin, she answered with a smile, "It is only my duty. Consider it a way for me to curry favor with my superior!" Her words made me burst into laughter. In truth, the few times I had seen Yindeng and Wei Qingming together, it was always Yindeng finding ways to trouble her boss.
On the carriage ride back, Wen Qi’s appearance and expression began to linger in my mind again. Seeing my somber face, Muyu dismissed the others as soon as we reached home and spoke to me solemnly. "Miss, please do not trouble yourself with such thoughts. I, Muyu, am but a servant, and my loyalty lies with you—the mistress who protects us, cares for us, and treats us like kin. Whether six years ago or now, you have not changed, and neither have I. The Young Master, of course, feels the same. Furthermore... though she and Miss Qi spent a year or two together as children, it was Miss Qi who harbored feelings while the Young Master remained indifferent. This was plain for everyone in the household to see."
In truth, I wasn't entirely focused on matters of the heart. I simply felt, instinctively, that Wen Qi’s return was suspicious, and her behavior was subtly strange. During our brief initial meeting, she had undoubtedly been shy and gentle, appearing almost embarrassed to speak in front of strangers. The years of memories I had extracted from her mind confirmed this, as did Wen Xiang’s drunken remarks about Wen Qi being introverted and quiet as a child. There was no reason for her personality to suddenly become lively and cheerful after a few years, and even less reason for her—the "original"—to start imitating my mannerisms... I even wondered if Fourth Master Wen had found another illusionist to take his daughter’s place in the capital. Yet, there wasn't a trace of illusion magic on her.
Thinking back, when Fourth Master Wen hired me, his reason was that he didn't want his daughter to be married off. But since Wen Qi’s feelings for her cousin were so obvious, that reason seemed far too forced...
Regardless, Muyu’s words moved me deeply. I couldn't help but take her hand, my eyes moistening. "Thank you, Sister. You have put my mind at ease." After a moment of silence, I asked, "In your view, how does Miss Qi differ today from how she was back then?"
"I entered the manor at the age of ten and served in the First Madam’s quarters," Muyu said. "Miss Qi lost her mother young, and Fourth Master was away all year. The Old Madam pitied her and the Young Master for their loneliness, so she kept them both by her side to be raised in her own quarters. Thus, I did not know the Miss Qi of that time very well. However, I knew her basic temperament and preferences. To be honest, when you first arrived, we servants found it very strange—especially Qingchen, who was temporarily transferred from the Old Madam’s side to serve you and had spent more time with Miss Qi. We simply assumed that after years apart, the girl had grown up and her personality had changed. What I saw today... was still somewhat strange."
"Strange in what way?"
"She is too much like how you were back then."
I actually grew calm; this proved my feelings were not a delusion. "Good," I said with a smile. "Please ask Brother Luo to come see me."
Muyu bowed respectfully, her expression as calm as ever. I added one more thing: "What exactly is going on between you and him?"
"It is nothing..." Muyu replied flatly. "Having lived under the same roof for over a month, I suppose we have become somewhat familiar." Her attitude made it clear she wasn't ready to talk, so I didn't press her.
This time, I truly intended to exercise my authority to investigate the reason for Wen Qi’s arrival in the capital. It wasn't out of pettiness; with war imminent and the New Year approaching, anything involving the Wen sisters required extra caution.
A few days later, Sister Qing indeed arrived at the manor with Xiaoyan and several female family members. The rest of her subordinates remained at the inn, so I found a small courtyard near Xianglan to rent for them. I also introduced Sister Qing to a few suitable business deals and connected her with some merchants who would be easy to collaborate with.
The day arrived for my appointment with Yindeng to choose a qin. As usual, I went to Wangxiang Pavilion first to have lunch with her. My first impression of Yindeng had been one of cold elegance and sophisticated charm, but after spending time with her, I learned she had a pampered and sweet side. Her greatest flaw, surprisingly, was her love for sleeping in... If I didn't come early to drag her out of bed, forget lunch—it would be a miracle if she could even step out after dinner.
Yindeng was clearly awake, but hearing me enter the bedroom, she pulled the quilt over her face and pretended to snore. I knew exactly how to handle her. Using a refined technique, I reached under the covers, felt for the hand warmer she used at night, and snatched it away. The cold-sensitive Yindeng immediately glared with wide eyes like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shouting, "Give it back!"
Though she was a secret agent, she had never received martial arts training. A fragile courtesan possessing martial skills would eventually give herself away. Thus, she was powerless against me and could only resort to verbal attacks.
"Hmph, 'give it back' indeed!" I laughed. "If I give it back, you'll never leave the house."
Together with Biyao, we teased and coaxed her until she finally got up. Yindeng was well aware of her own beauty; her face, with the remnants of last night’s makeup and her hair unkempt from sleep, possessed an even more delicate charm. She frowned and pouted, unconsciously releasing a powerful aura of allure toward me. But my heart was entirely set on buying a qin for Lord Wei—a good qin, the best qin. My heart was as hard as stone, my face as stern as a judge's; not even the gods themselves could have swayed me with their charms. I dragged her to the copper washbasin and even made a move as if to dunk her head in the water...
Yindeng cried out in mock distress and finally behaved, washing up and sitting down to eat. As I ate, I watched her with my chin resting on my hand, smiling. I thought to myself: how many nobles in the capital could witness the famous courtesan in such a state? I, Su Zhenzhen, could frequently enjoy for free a treatment that wealthy young lords might not obtain even after spending a thousand gold pieces. What a bargain!
Bickering and playing, we boarded the carriage and headed straight for the western suburbs. The descendant of the Xu family of Qiyuan lived on the outskirts of the western city. Once Yindeng had agreed to help, she quickly discovered the man's location.
The owner of the instruments was named Xu Yanxi, a young gentleman. The person responsible for the grand display of ancient qins at the market was his distant relative, Xu Boxiu, who had always acted as a servant to the heir of the Qiyuan name. Yindeng had sent a formal visiting card ahead of time, and the house had been cleaned in anticipation of our arrival.
Xu Boxiu was waiting by the gate, hands tucked into his sleeves. Seeing the carriage arrive, he stepped forward with a fawning smile, offering to help us down. Biyao quickly declined with a smile and deftly assisted Yindeng, while I hopped down with a light leap, causing a look of surprise to flash across Xu Boxiu’s face.
"The master is waiting in the hall; the famous instruments have already been laid out," Xu Boxiu said hurriedly. "Please, this way, please."
Xu Yanxi sat casually at the head of the room. Despite the deep winter, he wore only a thin, faded padded jacket with tufts of cotton poking out, and a faint trace of frost sat beneath his nose. After exchanging greetings, he gave a lazy wave toward six qins resting on three large tables. "This is all that's left. Take your pick. You may test them, but you must wash your hands with my bean powder first."
Yindeng and I exchanged a glance, stifling a laugh. Even in his poverty, this man still clung to the pretentious habits of a young lord...
Yindeng ignored him and, after meticulously washing her hands, began to lift the velvet covers from the instruments one by one. The six qins were: the Tang dynasty *Caifeng Mingqi* (Phoenix Chirping on Mount Qi) and *Wangwei* (Transcending Flavor); the Song dynasty *Xiaoxiang Yeyu* (Night Rain over the Xiao and Xiang), *Songfeng Qingjie* (Pure Integrity of Pine Winds), and *Haiyue Qinghui* (Clear Radiance of the Sea Moon); and a Yuan dynasty instrument named *Jiayu* (Striking Jade).
Being in such close proximity to so many treasures that had previously only existed as names on paper, I was momentarily stunned. The once-vibrant red lacquer had, over a thousand years, deepened into a shade as dark as black. Some had been repaired in multiple places but remained largely intact; others had slight damage to the bridge or cracks in the tuning pegs. Each one told a story of surviving chaos and war, as if a sorrowful voice still resided within them.
As a professional, Yindeng perhaps felt even more than I did. She leaned down solemnly, inspecting them in detail and occasionally plucking a string. Various tones suddenly rang out, echoing through the cramped, humble room, each one sounding otherworldly and pure.
We were both wearing veils today. As she leaned over, a corner of her veil brushed softly against the strings, producing a rustling sound like the whispering caress of lovers, and offering a fleeting glimpse of her true face. Xu Yanxi and Xu Boxiu were both dazed by the sight; even the young lord in the tattered cotton jacket dropped his lazy demeanor and sat up straight, uncrossing his legs.
I found it amusing, thinking that beauty truly was useful, but I also gave the two men a warning glance, signaling them not to dare any untoward moves. Though they didn't know my identity, they instinctively sensed a dangerous aura and didn't dare disturb Yindeng.
Oblivious to them, Yindeng finished her inspection and politely praised all six instruments. As a lover of the qin, her voice was tinged with excitement. Finally, she appraised them: "*Mingqi* and *Wangwei* are truly worthy of being Master Lei’s masterpieces. The bridges are not high, yet there is no metallic harshness; the resonance is long, clear, and moving. *Xiaoxiang* is charming, while *Songfeng* and *Haiyue* are lofty and bright, though it is a pity those two have slight damage." As for the Yuan dynasty *Jiayu*, though its appearance and tone were excellent, it was ultimately a grade lower. Even to my untrained ears, a single note revealed the difference between it and the Lei family instruments. If I were to give it to my A-Yun, it would feel somewhat unworthy of her.
Yindeng’s trip wasn't just to help me; she had said that if there was a good one, she might take it for herself. I asked her with a smile if any had caught her eye. Yindeng smiled back, her eyes downcast as she tenderly stroked the *Xiaoxiang Yeyu*. "This instrument brings to mind the misty rivers of Chu. It seems I have a destiny with it."
She was from Fengzhou in the southwest, which was just northwest of our Myriad Demon Stockade, bordering Jinzhou. Unfortunately, Fengzhou had not been 'bountiful' in those years. Her family had fled north, and by the time they reached the capital region, both her parents had died of illness on the road. Yindeng’s first impression of the capital was of heavy snow and clamorous noise; she had knelt by the roadside, nearly starving to death. A night patrol guard had rescued her, only to sell her to a slave trader in the East Market for two catties of wine. Had the Yingzhao Bureau not happened to be scouting for talent there and noticed her potential as a beauty, her fate would have been no different from that of any other demon slave or lowly maid.
Aside from the slightly flawed *Songfeng* and *Haiyue*, that left only the two Lei family instruments to choose from. Yindeng’s words made me realize that befriending a qin is like befriending a person—sometimes it is better to rely on initial impressions and destiny. Among the few notes Yindeng had played, *Mingqi* was grand and orthodox, worthy of its fame alongside the imperial *Jiuxiao Huanpei* and the *Dasheng Yiyin*, yet it felt almost too opulent and imposing. *Wangwei*, however, had a tone that was cool and moist, evoking the comfort of a pale moon over a river or the sound of wind through a spring. It felt as if it were leisurely inviting me to escape the mundane world and enjoy the freedom of the mortal realm together. This fated resonance was just like Bai Juyi’s poem: "A secluded sound awaits a clear scene; only my heart knows it." It felt even more like the essence of Wei Qingming herself.
My mind was made up. I smiled and said, "Sister, would you be so kind as to play a piece on both *Xiaoxiang* and *Wangwei*?"
***
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