Chapter 81: Remembering the Ancients
The performance of "Nine Songs: Ode to the Gods" brought everyone present to a standstill, filled with sorrow and grief.
A hundred years of life is truly precious; a heart full of passion, yet it is all wasted on the riverbank. Dedicated to defending the country, yet time waits for no one; ultimately, his lofty ambitions remain unfulfilled.
The sentiments of scholars and the demeanor of gentlemen remain cherished by later generations even after several decades.
That heroic spirit and unrestrained demeanor, that elegant posture, are all captured in the lyrics of this song. Though the mysterious cannot be sought, one will resolutely persevere to the death; Heaven and Earth have their own way, let us return to the boat of May.
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Brother Xiaoyao is truly remarkable. The exquisite beauty of this piece is fully captured in the music, and the melody is flawless."
Xue Qingrou smiled and said, "I never expected to hear this song on the Dragon Boat Festival. I am truly fortunate!"
The landlady had come to the room when she first heard "The Rest of My Life's Love," and now, hearing "Nine Songs of Divine Ode," she was filled with even more emotion. Seeing that it was played by Xiaoyao Lang, her face showed deep affection, and she felt a mix of joy and sorrow.
Xie Yunfeng chimed in, “Brother Xiaoyao, I am familiar with this piece. But the one you played before was unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. It tells a story of a thousand years, with the strings conveying both sorrow and joy, and a powerful, turbulent atmosphere. It is truly a unique and unparalleled piece! But I wonder what the name of the piece is, and who composed it?”
Murong Hanchan also smiled and said, "Yes, Brother Xiaoyao, the previous piece was exquisite, truly surpassing 'The Tribulations of the Mortal World.' I know I have countless songs and lyrics, but what you just played was something I had never heard before!"
Xiaoyao Lang said calmly, "This song is called 'The Rest of My Life's Love,' and the lyrics were written by me. The melody is just as you see."
Everyone present was astonished by these words.
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan became even more excited and said with a smile, "Brother Xiaoyao, you're amazing!" She then gave Xiaoyao Lang a sweet kiss on the left cheek.
Everyone was stunned. Murong Hanchan realized her rudeness and blushed. She murmured, "Brother Xiaoyao, I have to go out for a bit!" Then she quickly rushed out the door.
Xue Qingrou: "Young Master Xiaoyao, you are truly a rare talent. Such a melody is full of deep emotions, clear distinction between love and hate, and its artistic conception transcends time. I am so fortunate to have heard this melody; my life has not been in vain."
The proprietress also remarked, "It is indeed remarkable. The melody directly expresses the poet's sentiments and tender emotions; it truly reflects the poet himself!"
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang smiled and said, "You two are very kind. I was just overcome with grief when I composed this poem. I apologize for causing you all to feel emotional and disturbing your peace of mind. I will play another piece as an apology."
Immediately, Xiaoyao Lang closed his eyes again, tested the strings with both hands, and calmed his mind. The moment he opened his eyes, the hand moved and the sound was transmitted, which was the first piece of "A Carefree Journey in Troubled Times".
Such is the nature of poetry and prose:
The vast ocean stretches across the sky, traversing half of the rivers and lakes. On a lone boat, braving wind and rain at night, I raise a wine jug and get drunk at the fisherman's head.
Many people laugh at me, for I brave the waves and storms. I ask you, is life or death, a coming or a ending?
Wealth, power, fame, and fortune—all vanish like bones turning to nothingness. Cultivating the body but not the mind leads to reincarnation as a mayfly.
Ignorant people tread the earth, two Jia are one cultivator, not for their own desires, and not to create calamities.
The way of Heaven cannot be defied; when the heart is at peace, all is well. The world has its sun and moon, and the cycle of Heaven and Earth is controlled.
Follow your heart and desires, and this life will not have been in vain. Letting go and giving are both part of the Way, and you can enjoy a carefree life.
After leaving the house, Murong Hanchan leaped onto the roof. Hearing this music, she was even more delighted, thinking to herself that she had indeed chosen the right person to devote her life to.
A moment later, the piece ended, and Xiaoyao Lang stood up and said, "The essence of this piece requires a duet of qin and xiao to fully appreciate its unique beauty. I have made a fool of myself in doing this."
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "Yu Lang, you have fully expressed the true meaning of the music, there is no need to be so modest. You have already played three pieces, it is time to go out for some fresh air."
Xue Qingrou stepped forward and said with a smile, "Miss Yu, thank you for your help earlier, as you exhausted yourself healing my injuries. Now that everyone is safe and sound, I'll take my leave!"
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "Sister Xue, you flatter me. It was just a small favor, nothing to mention."
Xue Qingrou looked at Xiaoyao Lang and said calmly, "Young Master Xiaoyao, farewell!"
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Take care, Sister Xue."
Xie Yunfeng and the others had already taken their leave, and Xue Qingrou left quietly.
Xiaoyao Lang went out the door and stood on the railing. The shop assistant brought him a plate of bamboo rice.
The proprietress smiled and said, "This is rice dumplings we made ourselves, please try them." As she spoke, she took the plate and handed it to Yu Linglong.
Yu Linglong accepted the tray and said with a smile, "Thank you for the gift."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan somersaulted off the roof and coldly said to the proprietress, "One should not accept gifts without prior acquaintance. To whom are you giving this gift?"
Upon hearing this, the proprietress smiled and said, "Young lady, you're overthinking it. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, and there are only a few of you in the shop. It's understandable that you're homesick while you're away for the holiday. This is just a small token of our appreciation, a few tubes of bamboo rice."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan was speechless. She hadn't expected the proprietress to say such a thing.
Yu Linglong smiled and said, "Chan'er has always been straightforward, please don't take offense, proprietress."
The proprietress smiled and said, "Of course. Then I won't bother you any longer. Please feel free to ask the shop assistants if you need anything."
Yu Linglong: "Thank you for your trouble, take care."
The proprietress said, "It's alright, please!"
After the proprietress left, Yu Linglong said, "These bamboo tube rice dumplings should taste good. Everyone should come and try them."
Yin Xiaosheng laughed and said, "Miss Yu, I've been wanting to eat this for a long time!" After saying that, he stepped forward, picked up a bamboo tube, and ate it as soon as he opened it.
Xie Yunfeng and Chunxiang each took a tube and went back to their room.
Yu Linglong: "Han Chan, what are you thinking about? Why don't you make a move?"
Murong Hanchan said indifferently, "You guys eat, I have no appetite."
Seeing this, Xiaoyao Lang went inside, fetched a tube, opened it, and smelled it; the aroma was quite pleasant. He took a sip, found it delicious, and then picked up a mouthful, feeding it to Murong Hanchan's lips. He said with a smile, "Try it!"
Upon seeing this, Murong Hanchan murmured, "I won't eat."
Xiaoyao Lang put down the bamboo tube and said softly, "You seem to be deep in thought. What are you thinking about?"
Murong Hanchan: "I miss home. I've been away from home for almost a month now, and I wonder how Father is doing back home." After saying that, she hugged Xiaoyao Lang.
Xiaoyao Lang held her close and whispered, "Soon, very soon we'll be home. We'll set off tomorrow and head straight for the Murong residence."
Murong Hanchan: "Brother Xiaoyao, what if my father doesn't like you?"
Xiaoyao Lang released her and declared, "Chan'er, your father is also a renowned figure in the martial arts world, capable of discerning truth from falsehood. I will do everything in my power and with all my sincerity to win your father's approval."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan turned around and said, "My father isn't like that. In his heart, there are only matters of right and wrong, and the common people. Moreover, and I also..." She couldn't finish her sentence.
Xiaoyao Lang said calmly, "Chan'er, what's wrong? Why can't you say it?"
Murong Hanchan suddenly smiled and said, "It's nothing. Brother Xiaoyao, would you like to come with me to the market?"
Xiaoyao Lang laughed and said, "Alright, let's go!" After saying that, he forgot to inform Yu Linglong.
Only Yu Linglong and Yin Xiaosheng remained in the room. Yin Xiaosheng looked at Yu Linglong, who was dressed in a cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with her long hair flowing, graceful and charming, and with a voluptuous figure. A strange impulse welled up in his heart.
Yin Xiaosheng smiled and said, "Miss Yu, you look so beautiful when you eat."
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong quickly turned around and put down the bamboo tube. She said calmly, "Young Master Yin, you can take the rest of the bamboo tubes. I want to rest."
Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaosheng immediately said, "Miss Yu, I just don't understand what's so special about Xiaoyao Lang that makes you all so devoted to him?"
Yu Linglong's expression changed slightly, and she said calmly, "Young Master Yin, I don't want to say any more. Please leave."
Yin Xiaosheng continued, "Junior Sister is with him because she's young and doesn't understand things. But what about you? You're so beautiful, dignified, knowledgeable, refined, and elegant. How could you be willing to follow such a frivolous, unrestrained, and homeless wanderer? Are you worth it?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Linglong was filled with anger and said coldly, "Young Master Yin, please have some self-respect. If Yu Lang has offended you, please state it and I will have him apologize to you. If not, please stop slandering him. After all, he is my husband."
Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaosheng exclaimed in surprise, "You...you two are already husband and wife?"
Yu Linglong said calmly, "As you said, please go back."
Yin Xiaosheng walked out of the room slowly and said calmly, "I'm sorry, I said too much."
Yu Linglong didn't speak, but with a wave of her hand, she immediately closed the door.
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