Chapter 28 The young master and his wife are truly a perfect match…
Chapter 28
“Wait a minute,” Shen Suining said, her mind working very quickly when she felt a sense of crisis, “I have something to ask of you.”
"you say."
“As for Xiao Jiu, whom I mentioned a few days ago, her official identity is a musician from the Nine Heavens, and she is quite a celebrity in Huadu,” Shen Suining said, consciously bringing the distance between herself and He Hansheng to a safe level. “You have to think of a way to take me in to see her.”
He Han chuckled, "Do you even know what the Nine Heavens Beyond is?"
"Of course I know, otherwise why would I need your help?" Shen Suining retorted sarcastically, then, fearing that He Hansheng would use this opportunity to make things difficult for her again, she quickly interrupted him before he could speak, saying, "Don't forget that I asked Xiao Jiu to help you investigate the poison in the wine. Besides, there are many powerful and famous people gathered outside the Nine Heavens. If I weren't concerned about your reputation and face, I would have found a way to go myself long ago. Why would I need to go through all this trouble?"
Having said that, He Hansheng had no way to refute it and could only ask, "Are you going today?"
“Of course, the sooner the better. If we find out who the murderer is later, unpredictable changes may occur.” Shen Suining thought for a moment and then made a request: “You must be able to introduce me to Xiao Jiu openly and honestly, but you also cannot let others doubt Xiao Jiu’s identity or our relationship.”
"Okay," He Han sighed, "Go change your clothes."
...
An hour later, Shen Suining stood at the main entrance of the Nine Heavens, silent.
"...Your solution is to lead me in through the main entrance in a perfectly legitimate way?" She asked, somewhat incredulous, repeatedly asking for confirmation.
He Hansheng pondered for a moment, "You can sneak in if you want."
"..." Shen Suining was speechless for a moment. People came and went in the Nine Heavens. He Hansheng's identity was so flamboyant that even if he dared to bring her here, she wouldn't dare to enter through the main gate properly.
Seemingly noticing her concerns, He Hansheng explained, "The Xiao Jiu you mentioned is actually named Luo Jiuxun. She is a renowned musical prodigy from the Nine Heavens. Countless scholars and literati from all over the capital come to hear her play the zither. Some even bring their female relatives to exchange songs and poems with Miss Luo. Everyone always enters through the main gate openly and honestly."
Shen Suining was skeptical, but figured He Hansheng probably wouldn't joke about the reputation of the Yong'an Marquis's mansion, so she went in with him.
On the way, He Hansheng was afraid she would get lost, so he held her hand and drove the route with ease.
Shen Suining followed behind him, unable to resist making sarcastic remarks, "You seem to know this place quite well."
"It's alright," He Hansheng countered, following her words, "What? Are you jealous?"
"Don't give me that," Shen Suining rolled her eyes at him. "But given how strict your family is, if the eldest princess knew you brought me to a place like this, wouldn't she punish you?"
"Since you're so eager for this, isn't this just what you want?"
As they spoke, the two arrived at the Changyin Pavilion, which was located in the Nine Heavens. Luo Jiuxun sat on the platform in the middle of the pavilion, holding a pipa and playing it. There were elegant seats on three sides, and many listeners were captivated by the music.
He Hansheng found a private seat and sat down with Shen Suining.
As luck would have it, the Duke of Zhenguo, Gao Zhongyi, was sitting at the same table as the two of them. He Hansheng saw him and nodded politely as a greeting, but Gao Zhongyi completely ignored him.
Previously, when the Empress and the Eldest Princess were arranging a marriage for He Hansheng, they chose Gao Zhongyi's youngest daughter, Gao Lanxin. Although they had never openly discussed it, both families were aware of it. The Duchess of Zhenguo had even started preparing a dowry for Gao Lanxin early on. However, before the Marquis of Yong'an's family could come to propose marriage, an imperial decree of marriage was issued, making the Zhenguo Duke's family the laughing stock of the entire capital.
Gao Lanxin had long admired He Hansheng and hoped to marry him. Just when her wish was about to be fulfilled, it was cruelly cut short. Heartbroken, she fell ill and never recovered. Gao Zhongyi, who loved his daughter dearly, naturally felt dissatisfied with He Hansheng.
"Does she perform the pipa like this every day?" Shen Suining's attention was entirely on Luo Jiuxun, and she didn't see Gao Zhongyi.
"More or less," He Hansheng said, turning his gaze away. "This piece of music is newly acquired; it's said to have been composed especially for Miss Luo by a talented scholar."
“You know quite a lot,” Shen Suining glanced at him. “This piece is indeed beautiful, but the pipa solo sounds a bit lonely. It would be better if there were flute music to accompany it.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Gao Zhongyi burst out laughing, “Vulgar! This piece was specially composed for the ethereal quality of the pipa, how could you add such a jarring sound as the flute?”
Upon hearing the voice, Shen Suining looked over and frowned, asking, "Who is this old man?"
Just as He Hansheng was about to speak, Gao Zhongyi seemed to have finally noticed them, and stepped aside to bow, "It is rare for me to have congratulated the young marquis on his marriage. The young marquis has only been married a short time, and instead of staying at home with his virtuous wife, why has he come to such a place to enjoy entertainment?"
“Ah, I remember now,” Gao Zhongyi laughed, deliberately saying in front of Shen Suining, “The bride that His Majesty has chosen for the young marquis seems to be a countrywoman? No wonder the young marquis doesn’t want to stay at home; such a woman is indeed not fit for a refined setting.”
Shen Suining was instantly enraged and was about to argue with him when He Hansheng grabbed her hand and retorted before she could speak: "According to the Duke of Zhenguo, you have a lot of wives and concubines at home, so why do you have to come all the way to the Nine Heavens? Isn't that just a sign of your lustful audacity?"
"You!—" Gao Zhongyi was speechless and then became furious. "I've heard that the Princess is very strict with her household. Did the Princess teach you to speak to your elders like that, young marquis?"
"Her Highness the Princess is of imperial lineage. How she teaches her juniors is not something the Duke of Zhenguo can casually inquire about. Just like my wife, she is not someone the Duke of Zhenguo can casually comment on," He Hansheng said calmly and composedly. "By the way, I would like to remind the Duke of Zhenguo that my marriage to my wife was personally arranged and bestowed by His Majesty. If those words were to reach His Majesty's ears, it would probably do the Duke of Zhenguo nothing but harm."
Gao Zhongyi was furious, but he had to hold it in. He could only snort coldly and turn to a seat further away.
After watching Gao Zhongyi walk away, Shen Suining shook off He Hansheng's hand and asked with dissatisfaction, "Why did you stop me? This old man, it's one thing to call me vulgar, but he even dared to say that I'm a country bumpkin who can't be considered refined?! I, the young master, don't boast of being exceptionally talented, but I am proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. What is he anyway?!"
Shen Suining grew angrier the more she thought about it, and even looking at He Hansheng filled her with rage. She kicked him and sat down in the seat next to him.
The kick was quite forceful. He Hansheng didn't dodge, but sighed with a hint of helplessness and asked someone to fetch a flute.
A moment later, He Hansheng stood up and sat down next to Shen Suining, handing her the flute.
Shen Suining glanced at him, then turned her head away and snorted softly, "Aren't you afraid that I, a rustic countrywoman, will embarrass you?"
"That's what he said, why are you getting angry with me?" He Hansheng found it somewhat amusing. Seeing that Shen Suining was still turning her body away from him, he reached out and turned Shen Suining's prayer mat around so that she was facing him.
Before Shen Suining could speak, He Hansheng shoved the flute into her hand, saying, "I believe you."
Shen Suining was very pleased with these words, and her expression finally improved as she took the flute.
On stage, Luo Jiuxun had finished playing a piece and was about to thank the guests when she heard a melodious flute sound coming from the audience. The piece being played was the very one she had just played.
Luo Jiuxun was slightly taken aback. Following the sound, she saw Shen Suining sitting in the corner. Although she had her hair styled in a woman's bun, the wildness and liveliness that belonged to a young man in her eyes had not diminished at all. Instead, she had incorporated a touch of the everyday life of the city.
The moment their eyes met, Shen Suining nodded to her, and Luo Jiuxun instantly understood, picking up her pipa again.
It was the same piece that had just been played, but now it incorporated Shen Suining's flute playing. She handled the flute's sound exceptionally well, blending it seamlessly with the pipa's timbre. It didn't sound like a new piece that had only been heard once. The addition of the flute instantly gave this originally somewhat lonely unrequited love song a sense of responsiveness, making it even more comforting to listen to.
The audience on stage looked in the direction of the sound and were surprised to see that the flute player was a woman. Gao Zhongyi seized the opportunity to make sarcastic remarks: "Bringing a woman to such an occasion to show her face in public is such a shameful thing, it's unheard of!"
Many people nodded in agreement, and were about to make a few criticisms when they saw He Hansheng, who was sitting next to Shen Suining, sweeping over with sharp eyes.
The Yong'an Marquis's Mansion enjoys a high reputation in Huadu. Even though it has declined somewhat after He Hansheng inherited the title, it is still far superior to ordinary noble families. In addition, He Hansheng is exceptionally handsome and is one of the most handsome men in Huadu. When the audience recognized him, they immediately fell silent.
Gao Zhongyi was so angry that he sat there fuming and glaring.
He Hansheng withdrew his gaze and continued to calmly drink his tea. When Shen Suining and Luo Jiuxun finished playing a piece together, he stood up and led the applause.
Immediately following, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
Shen Suining raised an eyebrow triumphantly in Gao Zhongyi's direction, then looked happily at He Hansheng, as if she wanted to praise him.
He Hansheng smiled and reached out to pull her up, putting his arm around her shoulder, his eyes full of praise and indulgence.
The young marquis himself didn't think it was a bad thing for his wife to show her face in public, so others who were dissatisfied could only shut up in frustration. Gao Zhongyi was so angry that his face twisted, and he turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.
Luo Jiuxun also stood up and bowed slightly in the direction of Shen Suining. Shen Suining returned the bow.
The two played such a harmonious duet on their very first meeting, instantly becoming fast friends, making subsequent meetings much more natural.
He Hansheng and Shen Suining were led to a room with a musical instrument. The room was filled with all kinds of musical instruments. The person who brought them there said that this was where Ninth Miss often discussed music with others, and asked them to sit there for a while.
After everyone left, Shen Suining finally couldn't help but boast to He Hansheng, "How about that? I told you this piece would be better with the flute added, right?"
He Hansheng did not refute, "The combination of pipa and bamboo flute does make this piece more moving. However, the composer was probably in a hurry to send the piece out, and there are a few places where the transitions are a bit abrupt. If the score were revised, it would probably be better."
"I already felt it, you don't need to remind me." Shen Suining crossed her arms and snorted softly.
He Hansheng smiled. "Can you play the pipa?"
“…I can play the suona.” Shen Suining rolled her eyes at him, thinking to herself that this person really knew how to ask questions, and he just happened to ask about something she didn’t know.
“Then play the flute,” He Hansheng said, bringing over a guqin and gently plucking the strings. “Come on.”
Before Shen Suining could react, He Hansheng had already started playing the piece he had just played. She paused for a moment, took out her flute, and waited patiently for the right moment to go in.
The two played the same piece together, the guqin and flute blending together to create a unique and charming sound. When they reached a few awkward transitions, Shen Suining and He Hansheng exchanged a glance and, quite tacitly, changed a few notes at those places, making the transitions instantly natural.
This feeling is quite magical, as if you have met another version of yourself in the world, with a tacit understanding that can instantly comprehend your thoughts and feelings without any words.
The two only played the first part together, making two changes before stopping. Luo Jiuxun, who was standing outside the door, clapped and said with a smile, "Young Master and Madam are truly a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Shen Suining was stunned. She exchanged a glance with He Hansheng and then quickly looked away. "Didn't you hear it? It was clearly a hidden murderous intent."
Luo Jiuxun smiled, knelt down opposite the two, and waited until there was no one else in or outside the room before switching roles and asking softly, "What are your orders, Young Master?"
Shen Suining immediately composed herself, becoming serious. She took out a small glass bottle and a piece of paper. "This is the poison that appeared in the wine that the Princess bought not long ago. The formula has already been deciphered. I need you to help me investigate and see who is responsible for this poison."
Luo Jiuxun glanced at it but didn't move.
"What's wrong?"
"The Master ordered me to manage this place so that one day I could help the young master and the master resolve the crisis," Luo Jiuxun glanced at He Hansheng, "but young master, this matter concerns the Yong'an Marquis's mansion. Once I take action to investigate, it will inevitably involve the political disputes of the court, leaving no way out. Is the young master really sure?"
“Since I’ve come to see you in person, it’s naturally a decision I’ve made after careful consideration,” Shen Suining smiled, appearing much more relaxed than Luo Jiuxun. “Father is also in the capital, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets involved in the court. Although Shuyu Manor has an ironclad order, rules change with people, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
“Understood,” Luo Jiuxun put away the glass bottle and the formula, got up and took out a scroll of musical score from the cabinet and handed it to Shen Suining. “In the future, I will keep in touch with Feng Yu under the pretext of discussing musical scores. Unless necessary, Young Master should not come here often.”
After Luo Jiuxun left, Shen Suining looked at the various musical instruments in the room and was immediately seized by a playful mood, showing no intention of going back.
He Hansheng glanced at the sky outside the window and sighed silently, "Remember to leave me some time."
"do what?"
"I got scolded," He Hansheng said dejectedly. "I got back too late; my mother was already asleep."
Shen Suining, holding her erhu, looked at him with slight confusion, "Can't we wait until tomorrow? Maybe after a night, the Princess won't scold you anymore."
"We'll scold them even harsher tomorrow."
Shen Suining said "Oh," and became even happier. "Anyway, you're going to get scolded soon enough. If I play a little longer, you won't lose out."
He Hansheng: "..."
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