Chapter Ninety-Nine: A Song of Overlord
The two walked around the bamboo fence and entered the garden, where they saw a woman sitting alone under the pavilion, gracefully playing the zither.
Yi Mingzhao heard the zither music and felt that it was pure and untainted, a famous piece from the past, "Ode to the Goddess".
Ling Qichen looked around at the scenery. The wisteria in the garden was in full bloom, and large clumps of roses were a mix of pink and white. Two rows of willows by the lake had their green leaves swaying. The wooden planks supporting the pavilions stretched more than ten feet into the lake. The air beneath the planks was filled with the fragrance of lotus flowers, and dragonflies perched on them.
Yi Mingzhao and his companion went forward and saw that the girl was wearing a blue cross-collar ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with long hair reaching her waist and a slender figure. She was only seventeen or eighteen years old and was a beautiful young girl.
Seeing that the young lady had stopped speaking, Yi Mingzhao stepped forward, bowed, and said respectfully, "Greetings, young lady. We are passing by here and are parched. We wonder if you could be so kind as to give us two bowls of water to quench our thirst."
This woman was Zhu Ziyue. Seeing Yi Mingzhao's politeness, she stood up and said softly, "Young master, there's no need for such formality. Please wait a moment, and I'll have someone bring you water right away."
As Zhu Ziyue swayed her body, Yi Mingzhao immediately smelled a fragrant aroma that stirred his heart. But standing before her, he dared not be impolite and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss!"
Zhu Ziyue stretched out her delicate hand, picked up the zither with one hand, and played a single note repeatedly in rapid succession. After a moment, a maidservant looked out of the attic window and asked, "Yue'er, did you call me?"
Zhu Ziyue looked up and said, "Lian'er, these two young masters are very thirsty. Please get them some tea to quench their thirst."
Xiaolian replied, "Okay! Coming right away!"
Yi Mingzhao felt a strange admiration for the person in front of him, and couldn't help but think of Murong Hanchan. He said, "It is quite amazing that you, young lady, like a piece like 'Ode to the Goddess' at such a young age."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue smiled and said, "Since you are well-versed in the 'Ode to the Goddess,' you must also be a lover of the zither. I merely played it in my spare time, and it is hardly worthy of being played in a refined setting. I hope you will forgive my poor performance!"
Yi Mingzhao smiled and replied, "You are too modest, young lady. The music you just played was pure and clear, without any impurities. It is evident that your mind is as clear as a pool of water, a state that is difficult for ordinary people to reach."
At this moment, Xiaolian brought the tea and poured it for the two of them. The two accepted it respectfully, exchanged a few polite words, and then gulped it down, drinking two bowls in a row.
Seeing the two men drinking so heartily, Zhu Ziyue couldn't help but smile slightly and said softly, "Judging from your official documents, you two gentlemen must be from wealthy families. May I ask where you two gentlemen come from and where you are going?"
Ling Qichen laughed and said, "Miss, you are joking. We are not from wealthy families. We are originally from Longyang City, but unfortunately, our family suffered a disaster, so we came to seek refuge with our relatives. Unexpectedly, we were robbed halfway there and our two horses were stolen, so we have to walk to this place."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue knew that the horse thieves must be from the Zhu Family Manor. She immediately said, "I see. Gentlemen, don't be discouraged. I have a friend who owns quite a few fine horses. I'll tell my friend, and he can send you two horses to help you on your journey."
After saying that, Zhu Ziyue whistled, and a crow flew down from the pavilion and landed on her arm.
Zhu Ziyue opened her small mouth and spoke to the crow, saying, "Two horses!"
The crow was even more surprised, as if it understood her words, and actually cried out in human language: "Two horses! Two horses!" Then, it flew away.
Upon seeing this, Yi Mingzhao and the other person were both astonished. It was simply unbelievable that a crow could speak human language.
Yi Mingzhao said respectfully, "Thank you very much, young lady. We will remember your kindness forever. Please tell us your name, so that we may repay your kindness someday."
Zhu Ziyue smiled and said, "It's nothing, young master, please don't worry about it. My name is Zhu Ziyue, and this place is called Yuehu Pavilion. I have lived here for many years."
Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "Miss Ziyue, you truly live up to your name. My name is Yi Mingzhao, and this friend of mine is named Ling Qichen."
Upon hearing this, Ling Qichen glanced at Yi Mingzhao, seemingly complaining that he had told the truth, but Yi Mingzhao didn't seem to care.
Zhu Ziyue also noticed this, and Ling Qichen, seeing that it was somewhat impolite, immediately said, "The scenery here is captivating, with a clear lake and elegant pavilions. It is truly a perfect match for Miss Ziyue to live here; the scenery and people are in perfect harmony."
Zhu Ziyue smiled and said, "Young Master Ling is too kind! I simply prefer a quiet place, which is why I chose this location."
Yi Mingzhao chimed in, "Such a quiet and fragrant place can dispel all worldly thoughts and dust. In one's leisure time, one can play a tune on the zither, appreciate flowers and willows, and be accompanied by books, wine, poetry, and painting. This is truly a joyful thing in life."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziyue immediately said, "Since Young Master Yi is so fond of the zither, his music must be extraordinary. I wonder if you would be so inclined to appreciate it and let me hear this heavenly music?"
Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "Since Miss Ziyue is so kind, then I will make a fool of myself. If there is anything inappropriate, please point it out!"
Zhu Ziyue said politely, "Young Master Yi, please!"
Yi Mingzhao sat down gracefully, already deep in thought. He figured that since Zhu Ziyue was fond of "Ode to the Goddess," she must be proud and aloof, not someone to be trifled with.
With his mind made up, Yi Mingzhao calmly plucked the strings, playing the same tune that Murong Hanchan had played in the past, "Farewell to the General of Western Chu Under the Thousand Autumn Moon".
The rapid, melodious notes resonated deeply, a heavenly melody, wildly arrogant and domineering. Although Yi Mingzhao fully understood the profound meaning of the piece, he lacked internal energy and could not fully unleash its arrogant power, thus failing to fully display the kingly aura within. Compared to Murong Hanchan, he was indeed inferior.
Heroes never die, but the return of beauties is unforgettable. The strings are plucked three thousand miles away; who among us listens? Farewell songs are sung, firelight flickers, unparalleled skill, the Overlord's spear. Today we remember again, the Overlord of Western Chu, his imperial ambitions and achievements, all ultimately tinged with sorrow. The beautiful Yu Ji, with deep and enduring love, willingly accompanied her king to the Yellow Springs, to sing and dance for him once more.
As the song ended, the strings stopped and the sound faded, Zhu Ziyue remained, lost in its melody, savoring the memory alone. The once arrogant and domineering King Yu Ji ultimately perished; what a tragedy it was to have both power and beauty, a life of heartbreak that soared to the heavens.
Although Ling Qichen was not skilled at playing the zither, he knew a little about it. Hearing this piece stirred his blood and filled him with excitement. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Mingzhao, this piece is wonderful, truly beautiful. It's like a thousand horses galloping by, so exhilarating!"
Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "I was able to play this piece today thanks in part to your help."
Hearing this, Ling Qichen was puzzled and asked, "My merits! What do you mean by that?"
Yi Mingzhao laughed and said, "You've forgotten! This musical score is the one you gave me in the past!"
After thinking for a moment, Ling Qichen's eyes lit up, and she said, "I remember now, it's that tattered animal skin you took a fancy to at my house back then!?"
Zhu Ziyue, having regained her composure, said softly, "Young Master Yi's musical skills are truly unparalleled. May I ask the name of the piece you just played?"
Yi Mingzhao replied, "This piece is called 'Farewell to the General of Western Chu under the Moon for a Thousand Autumns.' It is said to have been composed by the young concubine Qianxue, and it has been six or seven hundred years since then."
Upon hearing the words "Young Master Yi Qianxue," Zhu Ziyue immediately took notice and asked, "Young Master Yi! Do you have the sheet music for this piece? Could you please take it out and let me see it?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingzhao hurriedly replied, "Yes! I always carry it with me!" After saying that, he took out a musical score from his bag and handed it to Zhu Ziyue.
Zhu Ziyue took the herb, her eyes slightly furrowed, and said quietly, "Since it's a herb, it's definitely not an original score. Is the one composed by Shao Ji Qianxue still available?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingzhao immediately said, "It is here! However, it is all in classical Chinese, which is very difficult for non-experts to understand. I will show it to you so you can understand!" After saying that, he took out a roll of old and worn animal hide from the package and handed it to Zhu Ziyue.
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