Ah Luo repeatedly warned Juan’er not to mention anything about what happened at the stream. Juan’er didn’t dare say that it would be more of a miracle for Third Miss to say nothing. She only nodded hard in agreement.
Ah Luo stood outside Minister Gu Family’s pavilion and said softly, “This maid sends plum blossoms to Madam Gu on behalf of Madam Li.”
An amiable voice sounded from inside the pavilion, “Come in.”
Ah Luo lowered her head in response and with both hands, picked up the flower branch that she had just harvested. Then she heard that gentle voice say, “Your family’s madam is very courteous. We must not be impolite. He Xin, follow this girl to thank Madam Li and take these fresh fruits with you.” The girl named He Xin quickly picked up a plate of fresh fruits and left the pavilion with Qing Luo.
Ah Luo felt very disappointed. Hadn’t they said that the noble daughter of the Gu Family, Young Miss Lin, had already arrived? How come there was only Madam Gu and her two maids in the whole pavilion? She glanced sideways at He Xin and suddenly noticed that He Xin was rather beautiful. Her head was raised, revealing a slender neck as white as snow, and her hands were as pale as jade. Ah Luo smiled and said, “Sister He Xin, you’re really pretty. May I ask if the Young Miss of your family is even more beautiful?”
A smile appeared on the corner of He Xin’s mouth. Ah Luo was stunned, thinking that if Qing Lei was as cold and lofty as an orchid, then this He Xin was as indifferent as a chrysanthemum. She suddenly had a feeling that this girl was Gu Tianlin, the second best in Feng City.
He Xin said with a small smile, “Are the maids of the Li Family as clever as you, little sister?”
Startled, Ah Luo laughed lightly, “Yes, but we are all simply maids. I think none of us can match up to Sister He Xin’s little finger.”
While the two of them talked, the group inside the pavilion facing them were all thinking that the girl who had appeared from the Gu Family’s pavilion was dressed rather well, and had graceful manners. They whispered to each other, wondering about the beauty of the Young Miss of the Gu Family.
He Xin reached the outside of the pavilion and conveyed Madam Gu’s gratitude. Eldest Mistress was just about to call her in when Ah Luo plucked the fresh fruit from He Xin’s hands then smiled and said with a wink, “Sister He Xin, I’ll help you deliver this. You must not delay in waiting on Madam Gu.”
He Xin also smiled, “Something like this should be thanked in person.”
Ah Luo chuckled and said, “There’s really no need. Sooner or later, Madam will recognise you. Calling you a maid of the Gu Family, how embarrassing if others found out, Sister Tian Lin!”
He Xin was shocked, although the smile on her face remained unchanged. On second thought, should she really appear in front of Madam Li as a maid only to be recognised later, it truly would not look good. She reached out and pinched Qing Luo’s cheek, “Little imp, come find me at the Gu residence to play when you have time!” As she was leaving, she whispered to Qing Luo, “Are you really just a maid from the Li residence?”
Ah Luo smiled and didn’t answer. She had only been testing her, yet He Xin really was Gu Tian Lin. It seemed like she too had wanted to see what Li Qing Lei looked like! She hadn’t hesitated to come disguised as a maid just to take a look, but she hadn’t thought about the consequences should she be recognised. It was good that Ah Luo had wanted to stop her, so that a personal conflict between the Left and Right Ministers was avoided. She wanted to live peacefully in the minister’s residence for a few more years.
Watching Gu Tian Lin’s elegant back, Ah Luo pursed her lips with a smile, parted the veil and walked inside. Eldest Mistress looked at Qing Luo with distrust, not understanding why she had stopped the Gu Family’s maid from coming in.
Qing Luo smiled and said, “I have seen the noble daughter of the Gu Family.” She successfully changed the subject. The rest of them surrounded Qing Luo and listened to her description for a while. Qing Lei had a slight smile on her face, seeming like she didn’t care. When she heard Qing Luo say that Gu Tian Lin was elegant and intelligent, she gave a low hum. There was a trace of disdain on her face. Ah Luo saw this and sighed, this eldest sister was just too arrogant.
Eldest Mistress questioned further, “Did you hear anything else? Have you seen the two highnesses?”
Ah Luo was speechless and Juan’er’s face began to pale. Qing Luo could only answer, “I didn’t see the two highnesses, however, the noble daughter of the Wang Family definitely isn’t as beautiful as Eldest Sister and can’t even compare to Second Sister.”
Qing Lei and Qing Fei couldn’t help but smile.
At this moment, Princess Hu Guo spoke, “Such beautiful scenery. If someone were to play the zither, it would add brilliance to the present splendor. I have heard that Minister Gu and Minister Li both have noble daughters who are talented in Feng City and are skilled in the art of the zither. I wonder if you would each like to perform a song for us?”
Ah Luo was speechless, this was a completely blatant PK match. After a moment, a response could be heard from the front. The two families were eager to please the Princess. However, to honor the Left Minister, Eldest Mistress invited the Young Miss of the Gu Family to play first.
(TLN: “Left” (senior) and “right” (junior))
After a while, the sound of the zither rose from the adjacent pavilion. The melody was as pure and mild as though it was being played by the celestial maidens. It was precisely the song called <Fragrant Orchid> which originated from a phrase in Qu Yuan’s poem, <Encountering Sorrow>, “And twined autumn orchids to make a garland.”
A gentle and sweet voice could be heard, “The orchid grows in an empty valley, its fragrance uninhibited; if you are not an intelligent scholar, who would be with you?”
At a glance, Miss Gu Tian Lin’s character was obvious. The meaning of seeking a confidant was slowly revealed in the tone of the zither.
Ah Luo remembered there was a saying that meant if one poured their feelings into the zither, who of the few close friends would listen if the strings broke? Gu Tian Lin had obviously chosen this song for the Crown Prince, yet she lay partial emphasis on finding a confidant, comparing this to orchids in an empty valley. Displaying her intentions of not seeking wealth and power, the song <Fragrant Orchid> was fine-tuned but unforced, gentle and measured. Proud, yet not haughty. If he chose this woman as his wife, it would be better than the legend of Nong Yu and Xiao Shi. It seemed that Gu Tian Lin suspected the Crown Prince’s intentions and wished to tell him not to choose a woman who merely wants the position of being an imperial concubine. With this song, she showed that even if she became the Crown Princess in the future she would not use him to climb to a higher social status. If she wasn’t chosen, then it was simply that her soulmate had not heard this song yet.
Ah Luo glanced to the side and saw that apart from the pavilion for the Crown Prince and the other four highnesses which was still empty, the others were filled with promising youths from Feng City. Swaying their heads while listening, it seemed like there were many people present who were infatuated. She then looked at her sister Qing Lei who was also fascinated. It was likely that this song, <Fragrant Orchid>, also expressed her intentions. Ah Luo was a little anxious, not knowing what song Qing Lei would choose as her counter.
Qing Lei frowned slightly. Ah Luo somehow felt sympathy for this older sister who had to compete with Gu Tian Lin in front of a crowd. Both Qing Lei and Gu Tian Lin were renowned in Feng City for being the best and their zither skills were not weak by any means. However, if the meaning of the song couldn’t be brought out, then the momentum gained by selecting the song would be lost and they would become a great joke in Feng City. Not to mention, if Qing Lei was defeated by this person, then her family would lose all of its prestige.
By now, Gu Tian Lin had finished playing her song. Princess Hu Guo cleared her throat twice and praised her, “A good song, <Fragrant Orchid>, and what a wise girl with a refined nature! Miss Gu, I just happen to have a jade orchid hair pin. Come, let me personally pin it for you.”
Gu Tian Lin gradually emerged from the pavilion. She truly was He Xin, having already changed out of her maid attire. Her silk skirt fluttered and her ladylike steps were light like a lotus as she walked to the princess and knelt down. Princess Hu Guo took the orchid hairpin from her own hair and inserted it into her Yunji-styled bun. Gu Tian Lin expressed her thanks, stood up daintily and walked back slowly.
Ah Luo looked over at the opposite side. When Gu Tian Lin made her appearance, she had certainly stunned the crowd. Her gaze suddenly swept across a familiar face. Frightened, she retreated and hid her face behind Qing Fei. Then she sneaked a peek and saw the martial artist who had saved her at the stream, gently sniffing a peach blossom in his hand. He casually handed the flower to the little servant behind him.
The little servant took the flower and headed to the Gu Family’s pavilion. After a while, more and more servants gathered to deliver flowers, shuttling back and forth in front of the Gu Family’s pavilion. As a result, the other women felt jealous. Princess Hu Guo sensed this and said with a smile, “What song would the Eldest Miss of the Li Family like to offer?”
Qing Lei replied aloud, “I would like to respond with <Autumn Water>.”
A smile appeared on Ah Luo’s face. Gu Tian Lin had used the orchid to show her aspirations, but Qing Lei was not bad either. <Autumn Water> was clear and unclouded with lofty ideals. This song’s intent was not lower than Gu Tian Lin’s.
After Qing Lei answered, she took a deep breath and stretched out her hands, however, her fingers were shaking slightly. Eldest Mistress said anxiously, “Ah Lei, you must win, don’t make our Right Minister lose face!”
Qing Lei’s fingers trembled even more. Dispirited, she withdrew her hands and said, “Eldest Madam, I have lost. I cannot calm my heart.”
Outside of the pavilion, people were impatient and began whispering to each other.
Eldest Mistress, Qing Fei, and Qing Luo all looked anxiously at Qing Lei. Unable to stop herself, Ah Luo said, “Eldest Sister, pretend that you are playing the zither at home alone, like you are playing this for your own ears. Don’t worry about winning or losing.”
Qing Lei smiled bitterly, “The heart knows success and failure, can you simply let them go at will?” After saying this, she lowered her head and the expression on her beautiful face was gloomy and dismal. She had begun playing the zither at the age of three and was extremely proud and arrogant. Li Xiang usually disciplined her strictly, expressing frankly that he wanted her to marry into the imperial family. Although she had heard that both Gu Tian Lin and herself were admired and the best in Feng City, she hadn’t really cared about it. Now she heard Gu Tian Lin’s song and saw the princess reward her for it. Countless people had been brought to their knees by the clarity of her zither, she was in shock. There was actually not much difference between her and Gu Tian Lin, yet Gu Tian Lin had won them over first and there were no words to describe how difficult it would be to surpass her! Her heart had twisted and turned a thousand times, losing all fighting spirit. She sighed and said, “If I had played first, Gu Tian Lin would also be feeling this way!” She already knew a little more about Gu Tian Lin through the sound of her zither.
Eldest Mistress said anxiously, “What kind of situation is this? If you hesitate again, the others will be impatient and the princess will be annoyed.”
Qing Lei’s strength left her body and she collapsed on Juan’er in panic.
Ah Luo looked at Qing Fei. Qing Fei shook her head; she had no expertise in the art of the zither. Ah Luo whispered to Eldest Mistress, “Eldest Madam, Qing Luo is willing to help eldest sister, but this must not be found out by anyone.”
Eldest Madam was speechless for a moment, “What can you do with your zither skills?”
Ah Luo raised her head, “It’s better than having no one play the zither, right? Eldest Madam?”
Having said this, she sat in front of the zither and calmed her mind. Plucking the strings, a note rang out, imagining that she was sitting on a boat out at sea on an autumn day with clear skies and the azure water as smooth as blue silk. Before her eyes, there was only the vast sea. Her soul focused on the sea, turning herself into a bird that flew low and pecked the water, occasionally flying up high. Soaring into the sky, playing in the sea like it was her pond.
Qing Lei stared at this little sister who was supposed to have no skills, only feeling that her little body seemed to emit a kind of light that would not tolerate having others watch closely. Sliding her fingers and plucking the strings, her hands looked like rapidly flowing water, the droplets exuberant and dignified, like towering mountains, meeting the sky and clouds. Thousands of emotions crossed her heart. If she hadn’t seen this with her own eyes, she would have thought that this song was being played by an adult, not this little girl.
She couldn’t help but sing, “On an auspicious day, we are happy fragrant blossoms. The peaches shine with a serene brilliance, adding a pollia flower to brightly colored clothes. The autumn waters flow endlessly, my heart is elated and carefree…”
Qing Lei’s voice was clear, singing only her gratitude to the princess for hosting the Peach Blossom Banquet, yet also expressing a sense of dignity. Accompanied by Qing Luo’s energetic and resounding zither, the music lingered in the air. It was mutually beneficial!
As the last note was played, Ah Luo and Qing Lei smiled at each other.
