Chapter 31 Misty Western Hills (Part 3)

Qing Shu was also analyzing: "Could it be that Your Highness and the Consort have been found out that you are living separately? Sun Man may have misunderstood, thinking that you need some new entertainment while you are away..."

Ling Wei was taken aback, then suddenly realized.

She tapped her fingertips lightly on the armrest, pondering, "If I refuse directly, will it make her suspicious? Will she think I'm being too wary?"

Qing Shu offered a different approach: "I think we should turn the tables on them. Since they've misunderstood, let's make the misunderstanding even more real."

If Liu Mianfeng comes again tomorrow, Your Highness can feign compliance, and then... have Consort Shen intercept him. This will both prevent him from trying to force someone on you and make it seem like Your Highness is simply indulging in novelty, not being deliberately wary, thus appearing natural.

Ling Wei thought about it and agreed that it made sense.

"Then go and make the arrangements," Ling Wei said to Qing Shu. "Remember, don't force him; let him decide for himself."

Seeing that Shen Zhilan usually had a cold and aloof demeanor, she couldn't quite imagine what it would be like for the other party to intercept and snatch her away.

The next day, as the moon rose, Liu Mianfeng indeed arrived at the post station.

This time, Sun Man did not hold a banquet. Instead, he asked Liu Mianfeng to set up a zither table in the waterside pavilion outside Ling Wei's courtyard under the pretext of asking for her guidance on zither playing.

Liu Jichen's zither skills are indeed superb. His fingering is skillful, and his melodies are lingering. Coupled with the deliberately created hazy beauty and elusive posture under the moon, it is enough to stir the hearts of most people.

Qing Shu reminded Ling Wei, "Your Highness can sit in the waterside pavilion for a while. Lord Shen will come to invite Your Highness back later."

Ling Wei got up, pushed open the door, and went out.

In the waterside pavilion, Liu Mianfeng saw her come out and his eyes lit up with joy. The music he played on the zither became even more tender and affectionate.

Today he specially changed into a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns, his hair was tied up with a jade crown, and his posture while playing the zither was more beautiful and attentive than yesterday. Every look and every gesture seemed to have been carefully arranged.

Ling Wei sat down on the stone bench under the corridor, her leisurely gaze falling on Liu Mianfeng who was playing the zither. She seemed genuinely attracted by the music and appeared quite interested.

The sound of the piano drifted through the night, and it was indeed quite moving.

However, just as Liu Mianfeng was playing a magnificent and rapid movement, his fingers flying across the strings, trying to push his emotions to the highest point, another piece of music interrupted him without warning.

It wasn't from the waterside pavilion, but from the direction of the courtyard.

It started with just a few scattered single notes, clear and cold, like a cold spring tapping on a stone.

Then the melody unfolded gently, and it turned out to be the same piece being played, but the feeling was completely different.

Liu Mianfeng's zither music is beautiful, but it's a bit too cloyingly sentimental.

The music coming from the courtyard was like a stream flowing quietly under the moonlight, or a gentle breeze blowing through the pines in the mountains—it was so natural and effortless.

The highs and lows, the tops and bottoms, are immediately distinguishable.

Liu Mianfeng's fingers faltered, and with a "clang," he accidentally played the wrong accented note.

His face paled, he gritted his teeth, and his fingers moved faster, trying to overpower the other person.

But the music followed him like a shadow, always leading the melody at a steady pace. No matter how he changed it, the other person could always catch it easily and then use even more ingenious techniques to highlight his impatience and craftsmanship.

Later on, Liu Mianfeng was completely led by the nose by the music, his rhythm and emotions were all messed up, his fingers moved faster and faster, but it only made things more chaotic.

The song ended.

The music in the courtyard ended cleanly and crisply, the lingering sound slowly dissipating, carrying an indescribable sense of freedom and openness.

Liu Mianfeng stood frozen behind the zither table, his fingers trembling slightly, and his handsome face was completely drained of color.

Qing Shu stood silently behind Ling Wei, her face calm and composed, but she was puzzled. She remembered that when she discussed things with Shen Ceqing during the day, she only mentioned asking Her Highness to return to her room.

This captivating opening note... was not pre-arranged, but in any case, the effect seemed even better.

The courtyard gate creaked open at that moment.

A person walked out slowly; it was Shen Zhilan.

He changed into a plain blue brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, his hair half-tied up and secured with a simple jade hairpin, the rest cascading down his shoulders like a waterfall.

There were no other decorations on her body.

Yet it is precisely this extreme simplicity that makes him appear as if he were formed from moonlight, radiating a pure and serene glow.

Liu Mianfeng subconsciously glanced down at the moon-white cloud-patterned robe he had carefully chosen. It was originally a very elegant color, but now, compared to Shen Zhilan, it looked deliberate and vulgar.

Shen Zhilan walked up to Ling Wei and stopped.

He didn't even glance at Liu Mianfeng, as if that person didn't exist at all. He simply looked calmly at Ling Wei, extended his hand towards her, palm up, in a waiting gesture.

The moonlight fell on his fingertips, shimmering softly.

Ling Wei naturally placed her hand on it. Shen Zhilan closed his fingers and clenched his fist. His hand was a little cold, but his palm was dry.

Then he turned around, took Ling Wei's hand, and walked straight into the courtyard where the lights were on.

The two figures stood close together, their steps in sync, as if this was how it was meant to be.

In the courtyard, only the distraught Liu Mianfeng and the cold moonlight remained.

The door closed behind him, blocking all view.

Ling Wei let Shen Zhilan lead her to the table before letting go of his hand and saying with a smile, "Qing Shu's idea is good. Now Sun Man should give up completely."

Shen Zhilan's back remained straight as usual, only her ears were faintly red in the candlelight.

He walked to the desk, laid out paper, ground ink, picked up his brush and wrote a few words, then pushed the paper toward Ling Wei.

Ling Wei took it and saw that it read: "[The music was disturbing; I played it without permission. I hope Your Highness will not be offended.]"

She was somewhat surprised: "Was playing the piano your own idea?"

Shen Zhilan glanced at her, then picked up his brush again, his ink flowing gracefully:

His piano playing is too noisy.

He paused slightly, then began a new line: [Your Highness needs some peace and quiet.]

Ling Wei stared at the two lines of text for a moment, then looked up at him.

Shen Zhilan met her gaze, her expression still calm, but the slightly pursed corners of her lips and the fleeting annoyance in her eyes betrayed something.

Ling Wei suddenly felt like laughing.

She actually laughed.

It wasn't the usual perfunctory laugh, but a genuine, hearty laugh.

Her eyes curved into beautiful crescent moons, and the natural blush at the corners of her eyes spread out, instantly making her whole face lively and bright.

Based on what he had just said, Shen Zhilan originally only needed to come out and pull her away according to the plan, but this person suddenly had a change of heart. He somehow got hold of a zither, hid in the courtyard and played a tune, overwhelming her completely, before leisurely walking out.

She didn't know how to describe the feeling; it was like seeing a plum blossom standing quietly in the wind and snow, suddenly stretching out a branch and slapping a noisy bird next to it.

Unexpected, yet vibrant.