Chapter Six: Willow Leaf Melody
In Yingzhou during the summer, the daytime heat was stifling, but the evening brought a refreshing coolness. After class that day, Xie Ansu arrived at Tingxue Studio with several scrolls in his hands, full of excitement.
“Mingyue, please look,” he said, spreading the book out on the stone table like a treasure. “This is the ‘Yingzhou Folk Music Score’ that I finally found. It contains many local folk songs.”
Qi Mingyue carefully examined the score and found that it mainly contained folk tunes with simple lyrics but unique melodies. She couldn't help but praise, "This is truly a rare resource. Where did An Su find it?"
Xie Ansu smiled and said, "The other day I visited an old qin player in the west of the city. When he was young, he traveled the streets and alleys and wrote down many tunes. I begged and pleaded for half a day before he finally agreed to let me borrow them to copy." As he spoke, he took out a bamboo flute. "The old qin player also taught me a tune called 'Lotus Picking Song.' Would Mingyue like to hear it?"
Qi Mingyue nodded, and Xie Ansu immediately picked up his flute and began to play. The flute's sound was clear and melodious, simple yet moving, as if one could see the busy figures of lotus-picking girls moving through the lotus pond.
As the piece ended, Qi Mingyue sincerely praised, "An Su's flute playing is superb, perfectly capturing the essence of the music."
Xie Ansu shook his head: "My skills are merely child's play. If Mingyue were to play, it would surely be even more exquisite." He suddenly remembered something, and his tone became slightly somber, "I've heard that Mingyue's musical skills are superb, but unfortunately, after that lesson..."
Qi Mingyue knew he was referring to Bai Lian'er's crying, and smiled calmly: "It's alright. The zither is in the heart, not in its form. Even without playing it, one can still appreciate the beauty of its music."
Xie Ansu gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly said, "Mingyue is so open-minded, I admire you." He paused, his eyes gleaming, "Since Mingyue likes these folk tunes, why don't I teach you to play tunes on willow leaves? Although it's not as elegant as the zither or qin, it has a unique rustic charm."
Qi Mingyue smiled as she recalled the day he taught her to blow willow leaves by the river: "I'm afraid I'm too dull to learn this 'rustic charm'."
“Mingyue is intelligent and will learn it in no time,” Xie Ansu said, and then went outside the courtyard to pick a few willow leaves and brought them back.
The two sat down on the ground under the pear tree. Xie Ansu patiently demonstrated, and Qi Mingyue followed suit. At first, he always leaked air, but after a few tries, he was actually able to produce a few notes.
"We did it!" Qi Mingyue rarely showed such girlish joy, her eyes sparkling.
Xie Ansu was momentarily stunned by her appearance. In the days he had spent with her, Qi Mingyue had mostly appeared as a dignified and composed woman of talent, but now he saw such a vibrant and lively side of her.
Zhi Shu watched from the side, unable to suppress a smile. When had her young mistress ever had such a relaxed moment while in the capital?
Just then, a soft cough came from outside the courtyard. Bai Lian'er was standing under the moon gate at some point, holding several scrolls of poems in her hands, her face slightly pale.
"Thank you, Young Master Xie and Sister Qi." She gave a slight curtsy and said softly, "Lian'er has composed some new poems and would like to ask for your guidance. I apologize for disturbing you."
Xie Ansu quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Miss Bai, you're too kind. How could I possibly be bothering you? Please come in."
Bai Lian'er walked in slowly, her gaze lingering for a moment on the willow leaves and musical score on the stone table, a faint smile playing on her lips: "You two have truly refined tastes. It's just a pity that Lian'er is not skilled in music and cannot share in your enjoyment."
Qi Mingyue said calmly, "Miss Bai is too modest. In the zither lesson the other day, Miss Bai played 'Three Variations on Plum Blossom' very well."
A flicker of panic crossed Bai Lian'er's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure: "Sister, you flatter me. If it weren't for your guidance that day, I don't know how many mistakes I would have made." As she spoke, she handed the manuscript to Xie Ansu, "Please do not hesitate to offer your guidance on these humble works, Young Master Xie."
Xie Ansu took the manuscript and carefully read through it. Qi Mingyue watched quietly from the side and saw that Bai Lian'er was wearing a light pink dress today, which made her face look even paler. Her brows showed a sickly look, which made her particularly pitiful.
"Miss Bai's poems about lotus flowers are quite original," Xie Ansu nodded in praise. "Especially the line 'Dewdrops fall like pearls on the lotus heart,' which captures both the form and the spirit of the lotus."
Bai Lian'er smiled shyly, her eyes sparkling: "Thank you for your kind words, young master. Lian'er is not very knowledgeable and cannot compare with Sister Qi..." She suddenly covered her mouth and coughed lightly, her figure swaying slightly.
Xie Ansu asked with concern, "Miss Bai, are you feeling unwell? You should take good care of yourself after falling into the water the other day."
Bai Lian'er forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, young master. I'm much better now." But then she coughed a few more times.
Qi Mingyue observed coldly, then suddenly said, "Since Miss Bai is not feeling well, why don't you go back and rest early? Leave the poem manuscript here, An Su and I will review it and then discuss it with you."
A hint of resentment flashed in Bai Lian'er's eyes, but she couldn't stay any longer and had to take her leave.
After she walked away, Xie Ansu sighed softly, "Miss Bai seems to have been in poor health all along. It's really pitiful."
Qi Mingyue remained noncommittal, turning her attention back to the sheet music: "An Su just mentioned what other pieces the old qin master taught?"
Xie Ansu then came to his senses and resumed discussing the musical score with Qi Mingyue. The two became increasingly engrossed in their conversation, and before they knew it, the sun was setting.
…………
A few days later, the academy organized a trip for its students to go boating on the Qingshui River in the suburbs. It was the height of summer, and a cool breeze was blowing on the river, with weeping willows swaying on both banks, making it a perfect place to escape the heat.
Qi Mingyue and several female students rode in one boat, while Xie Ansu and several male students followed in another boat. The oars cut through the blue waves, startling several water birds, which flapped their wings and flew away into the distance.
“Sister Qi, please look over there,” a female student pointed to the shore, “there are boat girls selling lotus pods.”
Following her gaze, Qi Mingyue saw an old boatwoman selling freshly picked lotus pods on a small boat. Several students bought some and shared them; the sweet lotus seeds melted in their mouths, quenching their thirst and cooling them down.
Xie Ansu quickly caught up in the boat, and he laughed across the water, "Mingyue, would you like to try the lotus seeds from this Clear Water River? They're sweeter than those from other places."
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