Chapter Thirty-Two: The True Meaning of Silk Entangled in Lotus Root Revealed
Lingyue Pavilion has been established in Jiangnan for three years. During these three years, with the support of Xue Chang and Cen Fei, it rose to fame after a major play and became a major tourist attraction in Yangzhou. Even when He Yuan's birthday came, the Cen family would specifically request Lingyue Pavilion to perform for the celebration.
Furthermore, the music at Lingyue Pavilion blends northern and southern styles, appealing to both refined and popular tastes, and is reasonably priced, attracting all sorts of people to come and listen to a performance. Therefore, Lingyue Pavilion is no longer just a theater; it is a genuine gathering place for news and entertainment from Jiangnan.
Where there are people, there will be news. Moreover, the people who come to Lingyue Pavilion are numerous and diverse, ranging from marquises to commoners. Even the most important news passes through Lingyue Pavilion before reaching He Yuan's ears. With just a little attention, one can have a thorough understanding of all matters, big and small, in Jiangnan.
However, Lingyue Pavilion kept this a secret very well, as if they were afraid that He Yuan would find out that they had such abilities.
In these chaotic times, every war could determine the fate of an era. They knew He Yuan's character well, and they also knew how dark the shadows lay beneath his superficial and glamorous exterior.
The Lingyue Pavilion was a theater with backbone; they were unwilling to entrust their lives to He Yuan, much less sit idly by and wait for their demise.
Thirteen years ago, the first Pavilion Master died suddenly from an illness, and this well-worn signboard fell into the hands of Zhao Ran, who was only fifteen years old at the time.
She watched the theater being built step by step, and she grew up in the theater. How could she bear to abandon the theater and live alone?
But no matter what, she was just a fifteen-year-old girl. At an age when she couldn't even support herself, she dragged the Lingyue Pavilion along, performing day and night in this turbulent world of the court, without eating or drinking.
Undeterred by the chaos of the world, she only wished to run Lingyue Pavilion well with her own strength, to continue her father's dream, and to let the spirit of Bingqu Jin resonate throughout the vast Central Plains.
Through tireless efforts day after day and year after year, the reputation of Lingyue Pavilion gradually spread, establishing a foothold in Longcheng, Bingzhou. Zhao Ran, in order to make a living, also honed her martial arts skills. She transformed from a stubborn young girl who refused to accept her fate into the true head of Lingyue Pavilion.
Perhaps it was because of this experience that Zhao Ran felt an instant connection with Yang Xiao when she was in trouble and offered her help without hesitation.
Later, when the Northern Qiang attacked Bingzhou from the south, Lingyue Pavilion suffered many hardships along the way and fled to Jiangnan, where it unexpectedly became famous and became a well-known theater in Jiangnan.
But they did not forget their roots. They also wanted to quell the chaos and become the ones in this play who defied fate.
At this moment, Lingyue Pavilion resembled a talented but unappreciated scholar. Yang Xiao and Bai Ming, who were heading south, were precisely the discerning mentors eager to find such talent.
Yang Xiao has an inextricable connection with Lingyue Pavilion, Bai Ming is the benefactor who helped him back then, Xue Chang and Cen Xun, who have been secretly helping him for a long time, have already made their stance clear, and the news that Zhong Li'an's subordinates are as close as family has already spread throughout the country...
Their arrival, serving as inside agents for Zhong Li'an, became the unanimous choice of everyone in Lingyue Pavilion.
So when faced with Yang Xiao's undisguised attempt to "win them over," the group immediately agreed.
Zhao Ran looked at everyone with a smile in her eyes, "Lord Lunhong and his subordinates are as close as family. We will naturally trust the same people you trust. Therefore, we, Lingyue Pavilion, will be your support in Jiangnan."
“And there’s me and my master,” Cen Xun said, looking at everyone and then at Zhao Ran. “With our hearts united, what is there to fear in failing our great cause?”
Bai Ming and Yang Xiao exchanged a glance, then looked at everyone with deep emotion. He stood up and bowed deeply to everyone, "Since the military is not here today, Lingyu and I, on behalf of our lord, thank you all for your kindness."
"It is I who should thank you all," Zhao Ran also stood up and clasped her hands in thanks to the group, "Without your help, how could Lingyue Pavilion have come this far?"
After some polite exchanges, Zhao Ran finally sat down again, poured herself a pot of hot tea, and looked at Yang Xiao, "By the way, Lingyu, is that Mr. Qi who came with you your teacher?"
“Yes,” Yang Xiao poured herself a cup of tea, nodded, and then turned to look at Cen Xun, “Tongxi, you said Mr. Xue just hosted a banquet for us yesterday, so why did he specifically go to invite my master today?”
Cen Xun held the teacup, smiled and shook his head, "Who knows? Maybe the two of them haven't seen each other for a long time and want to take this opportunity to catch up."
“What a coincidence,” Zhao Ran said, looking at the two girls. “You two are best friends, and your master is like a brother to you.”
Yang Xiao glanced at Cen Xun, then at Bai Ming and the people around her, "It's fate, we are all destined to be together."
Cen Xun stood up, glanced at the blazing sun outside the window, and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Zhao Ran. "It's getting late. I should obey my father's orders and take you two back to the manor to discuss military matters."
Seeing this, Yang Xiao also stood up and patted Zhao Ran's shoulder. "Sect Master, then we won't bother you any longer." She smiled and shook Zhao Ran's hand. "We'll take our leave now, and see you another day."
Chen Mo stood up and walked towards the group, saying, "I'll see you all off."
“No need to trouble you,” Yang Xiao looked back at him and waved her hand. “Take good care of the Pavilion Master for me, or I will not forgive you when I return to Jiangnan.”
Everyone laughed upon hearing this. Zhao Ran smiled and stood up, looking at Yang Xiao, "Don't worry, there won't be any problems."
Yang Xiao nodded, clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two people over there, and said, "Take care, everyone."
"Until we meet again."
-
The three bid farewell to the pavilion master, then turned and walked up the long street toward the Cen residence.
Outside the pavilion, the sun was already shining brightly. Yang Xiao stretched lazily as she walked through the fragrant streets, and the image of Cen Xun and Chen Mo talking naturally came to mind.
She closed her eyes and sighed regretfully, "Ah, I never expected this, Tongxi."
Cen Xun gazed at the falling blossoms covering the street, then looked back at Yang Xiao, "What's wrong?"
"Such a gentle and refined gentleman has been pleading with you for five years, and you've remained unmoved." Yang Xiao smiled at Cen Xun. "Do you really have absolutely no feelings for him?"
Cen Xun chuckled and waved his hand, "Why would I joke about feelings?"
"Who would joke about feelings like that?" Yang Xiao also looked up at the falling blossoms. "Why don't you like him?"
Cen Xun glanced at Yang Xiao, then looked up at the sun hidden in the treetops with her. "Chen Mo is refined, but he lacks a bit of youthful vigor and spirit. Although he practices martial arts, he doesn't have the invincible courage and aura." She smiled and looked at Yang Xiao again. "Or perhaps, he is too composed and lacks a bit of naivety."
Yang Xiao looked at Cen Xun, tilting her head in thought, then saw Cen Xun laugh self-deprecatingly and sigh, "What's wrong? Are you asking for too much?"
“How could that be?” Yang Xiao shook her head with a smile. “It’s just that the person you just described,” she paused, then turned back to look at Bai Ming with a smile, “sounds so familiar.”
Bai Ming smiled and nodded upon hearing this, then turned to look at Cen Xun, "Miss Cen, if you have the chance, you should come with us to Jizhou."
“I would like to go with you and serve Lord Zhongli,” Cen Xun said with a helpless smile. “But right now, I’m afraid my father can’t do without me, and I also can’t explain it to He Yuan.”
“That’s true,” Yang Xiao sighed as she looked up at the dazzling sky. “Relationships are never easy, and they’re even more difficult in chaotic times.”
Before Yang Xiao could finish speaking, she wanted to look back, but she barely managed to suppress the impulse in her heart. She suppressed the pounding in her heart, raised her eyes to look at the high-hanging sun, and her palms became slightly damp.
"Lingyu," Bai Ming gazed at Yang Xiao's retreating figure, his heart pounding wildly for some reason. He let out a soft sigh, raised his eyes, and gently called out to the person before him.
Yang Xiao was startled, then turned to look at him. Her gaze was somewhat unfocused, but she forced herself to remain calm and met his bright eyes. However, there was still a faint blush on her ears.
"Based on what you just said," Bai Ming began hesitantly, then paused and inquired, "Do you... like Chen Mo?"
"How could I like Chen Mo?" Yang Xiao retorted instinctively, waving her hands as if she had heard a joke.
She looked into Bai Ming's eyes, which shone brightly in the sunlight, and saw a timid expression she had never seen before. She chuckled and shook her head. "I don't like him. I just think it's a pity that he loves someone but can't have them."
"So, what does your ideal of love look like?"
Yang Xiao stopped, letting the sunlight fall on her face. She looked up at the sunlight intently, pondered for a moment, and said, "Perhaps it is mutual attraction, compatibility, love, and commitment."
She breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and looked sincerely at Bai Ming, "I admire his appearance, share his interests, love his character, and pledge my life to him."
Bai Ming gazed at Yang Xiao with expectant eyes, a warm feeling suddenly welling up in his chest. He looked at her deeply as if he had made up his mind, as if Yang Xiao, bathed in the bright sunlight, was to be imprinted in his mind, just like his name.
"Then, have you encountered such a person?"
Yang Xiao's thoughts were suddenly struck. She looked up at Bai Ming, who was cautiously probing her, closed her eyes, took a breath, and suppressed the throbbing and elation in her heart.
"I don't know." She opened her eyes, as if trying to understand her own heart, and looked at Bai Ming earnestly and gently, her eyes full of clarity and brightness. "Of the 'four aspects' I mentioned, three have already been achieved. As for the last one..."
She laughed heartily and sighed, "It's not something I can decide alone. Besides, I don't even know 'his' feelings yet."
Yang Xiao emphasized "him," and that emphasis also touched Bai Ming's heart. His heart pounded, and his cheeks flushed red.
He stepped forward hastily, wanting to prove something to Yang Xiao, but didn't know how to begin.
Yang Xiao seemed to notice his hesitation, but she couldn't be sure what he was thinking.
She let out a hearty laugh, unsure whether she was comforting Bai Ming or herself. "But oh well," she said, stretching her arms out to the wind, "How can one rush into something so important? Let's just take it one step at a time." She smiled at Bai Ming, whose brows were slightly furrowed, then turned to look at Cen Xun. "Right, Tongxi?"
“Yes, yes, yes,” Cen Xun stood to the side, smiling in agreement. She stepped forward, looking at the two of them with a knowing smile, “Alright, gentlemen, my father is still waiting at the manor.”
“Alright,” Yang Xiao readily agreed. She raised her hand to touch her slightly flushed cheeks, then turned to look at Bai Ming. “Let’s go, General Bai. We’ll leave the future to us for another day.”
Bai Ming looked at Yang Xiao, smiled and nodded, "Okay, but we've wasted too much time. We should hurry up and not keep the old gentleman waiting for too long."
“In that case, why not take the waterway?” Cen Xun turned his head and smiled at the two of them. “We’ve come all this way to Jiangnan, how can we keep going around in circles by land?”
Yang Xiao immediately became interested upon hearing this, "Sure, Zhao Qing has never been here before, shouldn't we take this opportunity to experience it?"
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