Chapter Thirteen: Deepest Affection
Murong Hanchan arrived at Yi Mingzhao's room, where a zither table had already been prepared, ready for Murong Hanchan to display her skills.
Murong Hanchan set aside the sheet music, then immediately began to pluck the strings, and a peerless masterpiece, "Butterflies Flying Together," resounded once more in the mortal world. When played in sorrow, the sound was mournful and poignant, a lament of unrequited love, a love that ended in separation, leaving only empty joy in the mortal realm; when played in joy, the music was exhilarating and stirring, evoking the thought, "If you were to transform into a spirit and ride the wind, I would follow you across the world." The finale was wildly arrogant, like a soaring dragon roaring through the vast clouds. The profound meaning of this piece is: the only eternal lovers in the world are you and me.
After finishing the piece, Yi Mingzhao clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! You are truly my kindred spirit, a divine being indeed!"
At this moment, Xiaoyao Lang, who was on the roof, heard the music and said, "The music played by Chan'er is a mixture of sorrow and joy, full of tender feelings. It is truly rare in this world. However, the sound of plucking the strings is more powerful and faster than that played by Qingxue!"
Upon hearing this, Zui Mochou slapped his head and said, "What do you know! Different notes will produce different sounds!"
Hearing the noise on the roof, Murong Hanchan smiled slightly, thinking, "This fool is so jealous, he actually ran up to the roof to spy on me! Since that's the case, I'll pretend to be jealous and force you to come out!"
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Young Master Yi is too kind. I dare not accept such praise. I am merely sympathetic to the person who composed this piece, and thus, I share the same feelings."
Immediately, Murong Hanchan closed her eyes to regulate her breathing. After a short while, the strings of the zither began to play again, and a peerless aria, "Farewell to the General of Western Chu Under the Thousand Autumn Moon," resounded once more.
The sound of the zither lingered in the ears, the rapid strumming of the strings like a warrior cutting through a pass, all in one breath; the urgent zither music spread throughout the entire Yi residence, the jade-like hands, cold and graceful, once again stirred up heavenly music, the beauty displayed her unparalleled elegance, playing famous tunes from ancient times to the present; the hero is gone, but the beauty is unforgettable, the strings are plucked for three thousand miles, who are we to listen to?
Upon hearing this, Xiaoyao Lang muttered, "Chan'er is truly extraordinary; such a divine melody is a rare treat!"
After the music ended, Yi Mingzhao exclaimed excitedly, "Having heard this music, I am content to die! Miss Murong, I thank you so much for making my life complete!" He then bowed deeply.
Murong Hanchan smiled and said, "Young Master Yi, there's no need for that. I am honored that you have allowed me to play this piece! In fact, it is not difficult to play this piece. Now that you know the true meaning of the score, you only need to learn the internal energy cultivation method to play this piece again!"
Yi Mingzhao: "Miss Murong can play with ease, which is truly remarkable. I have practiced many times, but I still cannot satisfy my expectations. I have also sought the help of skilled hands, but they all misunderstood and thought that all three scores were in the same key, which is ridiculous."
Murong Hanchan: "Most people who play the zither are gentle and respectful, and pay great attention to etiquette. Even if someone understands the secrets of the zither and plays these three pieces, I think it would be difficult to produce the sound even if the strings were broken."
Yi Mingzhao: "What you say is absolutely right, Miss. I have practiced playing it many times, but each time the strings have broken. Does Miss Murong know who wrote the scores for these three pieces?"
Murong Hanchan: "Of the three songs, I only know the origin of 'Red Dust Tribulation'. As for the remaining two songs, I would like to ask you to enlighten me!"
Yi Mingzhao: "The original name of 'Red Dust Tribulation' was 'Red Dust Dreams,' which was composed by the Taoist Qi Meng (one of the Taoist immortals). Legend has it that she was about to ascend to immortality, but because the person she cared about could not comprehend the shortcut to immortality and his cultivation was only at the Saint level, Qi Meng, in desperation, composed this piece and disappeared from the mortal world. Later, the score was obtained by a Confucian scholar, who only knew its sorrow but not its anger. Therefore, the 'Red Dust Tribulation' that has been passed down to this day has lost all its sound and color."
Murong Hanchan murmured to herself, "How many people truly understand the depth of my feelings for Qi Meng!"
Yi Mingzhao continued, "This piece, 'Butterflies Flying Together,' was composed by the legendary composer Feng Ya. Throughout his life, Feng Ya was dashing, extraordinary, and devoted himself to self-cultivation. However, in the end, he still failed to ascend to heaven. He believed that no one could understand his works, so he buried all his masterpieces. It was only after later generations exhumed his grave that this piece was able to be passed down to this day."
Upon hearing this, Murong Hanchan sighed, "In this world, how many lovers can be united in marriage? In this mortal realm, how many cultivators can achieve their desires? The only eternal lovers in this world are you and me!" After saying this, she glanced at the rooftop.
Yi Mingzhao: "This 'Farewell to the General of Western Chu under the Thousand Autumn Moon' was written by the Yin-Yang School's young Ji Qianxue (who has already cultivated to become an immortal). It is said that the young Ji Qianxue was just a sixteen-year-old girl. Her ability to transform and ascend to immortality is not due to her profound cultivation, but rather because she has seen through the mortal world. It is truly unimaginable."
Murong Hanchan said, "The rumors must be true. From this song, one can hear that fame, fortune, love, and hate are all empty and nothing but a dream in the mortal world."
Upon hearing this, Yi Mingzhao smiled and said, "Miss Murong is not only exceptionally intelligent and beautiful, but also deeply affectionate. Brother Xiaoyao, to have such a peerless beauty by your side is truly the envy of everyone!"
Murong Hanchan was surprised that Yi Mingzhao would speak so directly, and her face flushed and her heart pounded. She thought to herself, "Xiaoyao Lang is very jealous. I'll take this opportunity to add fuel to the fire and see if he'll jump out and beat Yi Mingzhao up!" She then said, "Young Master Yi, you've misunderstood. Xiaoyao Lang and I are just friends, not what you think."
Yi Mingzhao exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Murong, Brother Xiaoyao is deeply in love with you, and everyone can see it."
Murong Hanchan declared, "Young Master Yi only sees the surface of things and lacks exceptional foresight. Xiaoyao Lang's kindness towards me is one-sided, and I cannot directly refuse him. Because he is merely giving me a key to enter your Yi family."
Yi Mingzhao sighed, "Miss Murong, Brother Xiaoyao is kind-hearted and straightforward. How can you treat him like this?"
Murong Hanchan retorted angrily, "How could you bear to do that? What else could it be?! Do you think it's possible for me to wander the world with him? Putting aside the illustrious reputation of my Murong family, Xiaoyao Lang is not only incompetent and weak in martial arts, but also foolish and homeless. A penniless wanderer like him, let alone me, Murong Hanchan, who would despise him, even a common girl in the marketplace might not be interested!"
Xiaoyao Lang, listening from the rooftop, looked somber. Murong Hanchan's words pierced his heart like a knife, leaving a scar without blood, a pain without wound. Unconsciously, tears welled up in his eyes. Perhaps, from this moment on, he would once again wander the world.
Zui Mochou touched his nose and said, "I didn't expect this girl to be this kind of person. She's outrageous. I'll go down and teach her a lesson for you."
Xiaoyao Lang grabbed Zui Mochou, opened his eyes a few times, and then said, "Take me down."
Zui Mochou: "Yes! Go down and ask her how she could say such a thing." The two left the house, their carefree spirits rising within them. They rushed out of the Yi residence gate, arrived at the stable in the detached courtyard, led out a tall white horse, and rode eastward without looking back. Seeing this, Zui Mochou hurriedly mounted a small red horse and chased after them.
The four gatekeepers were somewhat puzzled, but they didn't ask any further questions.
Yi Mingzhao was somewhat disappointed; he hadn't expected Murong Hanchan to be such a woman. Yi Mingzhao said, "It's understandable that Miss Murong is doing this for the sake of her family's reputation, but this action has wronged Brother Xiaoyao."
At this moment, Murong Hanchan noticed that there was no sign of life on the roof. She immediately went outside, leaped onto the roof, but could not find Xiaoyao Lang and the other person. She thought something was wrong and hurriedly searched around.
When Yin Xiaosheng and the others learned of this, they still hadn't seen Xiaoyao Lang. Finally, the gatekeeper informed them that the two had just ridden away and that they could still catch up.
Yin Xiaosheng: "Junior Sister! Let's chase after them together!" He then went to fetch the horse.
Murong Hanchan said, "No need. He doubts my feelings for him, so chasing after him is useless. If he understands in the future and knows how deeply I love him, he will believe me even if there are many lies and illusions."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
