Chapter 118: Meeting with Xie Nu at Night
Inside, the candlelight is dim and the atmosphere is quiet.
Pei Xingju sat down in an armchair, his tall shadow cast by the candlelight on the diamond-shaped window to the west.
The veil half-covered the view, and Miss Ningyan lowered her head slightly. Before her stood a guqin, which she plucked lightly with her fingertips. The tune was clear and ethereal, as if it contained endless stories.
After the song ended, Ning Yan said softly, "Ning Yan's performance is embarrassing. I'm sorry to have made Master Shen laugh."
Pei Xingju's expression was indifferent, his gaze fixed on the eight-legged palace lantern beside the gauze curtain. The lamp frame was intricately carved, with flowers and birds painted on all eight sides. This style was only used by the wealthy and sophisticated.
"Miss Ningyan is too modest. This piece was composed by Concubine Xu of the previous dynasty. Concubine Xu was hailed as a woman of unparalleled talent. Her piece, 'Longing,' became famous throughout the world, and many people rushed to imitate her. However, many people, despite their tireless efforts, only grasp the basics. I, Shen, am fortunate today to feel that Miss Ningyan's playing of this piece has a natural and graceful charm."
These words made Ningyan's cheeks slightly hot.
I hadn't noticed him when I saw him downstairs just now, but now, talking up close, I felt even more that he was something special. Apart from anything else, his demeanor and conversation didn't seem like something you'd find in a merchant family. Furthermore, his imposing presence was so overwhelming that just by sitting there, the air in the room felt heavier.
She nodded. "Mr. Shen, you are too kind. Don't you think this song is too sad? Everyone knows that Concubine Xu was favored throughout her life and had a willful nature. On the surface, the melody of this song is melodious and extremely cheerful, but if you listen carefully, every trace of it is filled with regret. At the end, the joy is sung out, leaving people with only sadness."
"Perhaps..." She continued, "There are always some sad stories in this world hidden under beautiful appearances. When sadness and beauty blend together, regret is not so terrible. What do you think, Master Shen?"
There was something hidden in her words, guiding her to something, but Pei Xingju seemed not to understand, or perhaps he understood but did not want to discuss it in depth.
There was always a faint smile on his lips, as if he could see through Miss Ningyan's thoughts, and he remained silent.
Miss Ningyan's cheeks felt hotter again, but she pretended to be calm and changed the subject.
"I, a humble girl, wrote a riddle poem a while ago. I'm just curious why you guessed it but didn't write the answer."
“Shen is also curious. Since Miss Ningyan knew that I handed in a blank note, why did she invite me upstairs?”
Ning Yan smiled and said, "Young Master, you are well-informed and resourceful. I am a little too clever to be in front of an expert."
The riddle itself was simple, the answer being the word "door," and several young men had guessed it tonight. It was a shame they didn't understand Ning Yan's intention.
This poem is actually a test; guessing the answer isn't important; guessing her true intentions is. "Door" implies entry; she has already opened her boudoir. Simply enter, there's no need to go through the trouble.
It’s a pity that among the ten people, only one is extremely smart and only one understands her thoughts.
But what is even more regrettable is...
Ning Yan thought of the second stanza this person had written earlier and sighed softly, "Young Master is a man of great talent. I'm afraid that the second stanza he wrote earlier wasn't quite in his element. The words were all written to accommodate the meaning of the poem, but the last line, 'It's in vain to say I'm well and I'm sending you my love,' must have come from his heart. I just wonder who else could be so lucky to receive his favor."
The single word "send" reveals that he has a crush on a girl, a secret one. A man of his caliber, yet he loves a woman but can't express it. What kind of woman could possibly warrant such careful attention to detail?
For no reason, Ningyan felt a little envious.
.
Outside the house, Lingshan had already left, and Zhuang Wan was lying on the railing admiring the lights.
She was bored and pointed at the men and women passing by on the street. She drew a circle around the good-looking ones she saw, then searched for a suitable match in the crowd and drew a marriage line for them.
"This one's good... He's a little thin, but he's decent looking. Let's take him."
"Hey... this young man in blue is also very nice, he looks like a certain celebrity..."
"This one is also good...long legs..."
Suddenly, someone tapped her finger.
Zhuang Wan turned her head and saw Pei Xingju standing behind her.
She rubbed her fingers that were numb from being slapped, looking surprised: "Huh? How come you are so fast?"
She didn't know if it was her illusion, but Pei Xingju's face looked a little dark.
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