Chapter One Hundred Twelve: Kindred Spirits

"This piece is a new composition of mine; I wonder if it was pleasant to your ears?"

Wanyue’s soft inquiry broke the spell, pulling everyone back from the evocative world created by her zither music.

"Sister, you played beautifully. It was truly wonderful."

Whether in her past life or this one, Liu Qin was tone-deaf. To her, music could only be divided into two categories: pleasant or unpleasant. As for the artistic conception or the emotions intended to be conveyed, she simply couldn't grasp them; she truly didn't know.

Xiao Wu kept his head down, and Fang Nuo offered a faint smile, neither of them saying a word.

Jiang Li hesitated for a moment, then softly recited a poem:

"Slanting light falls upon the village, cattle and sheep return to the quiet lanes. An old man thinks of the shepherd boy, leaning on his staff by the thorn-wood gate. Pheasants call amidst the lush wheat seedlings, silkworms sleep as mulberry leaves grow thin. Farmers stand with hoes on their shoulders, chatting in the fading light. Seeing this, I envy such leisure, and sigh as I chant the song of decline."

Wanyue glanced at Jiang Li, a trace of surprise in her eyes. She had not expected this young boy to truly understand the spirit of her music.

"This is a new piece I composed called 'Hometown.' I never imagined that a young master like you could discern its meaning. It is truly rare."

"I was born in a mountain village," Jiang Li replied. "This music made me feel as if I had returned to those days of old."

Hearing this, Wanyue nodded, a look of melancholy crossing her face. "I have never personally experienced it. I only heard my mother speak of it since I was a child. Even until her final breath, she longed for her home. A few days ago, I saw her in a dream, and she showed me the hometown she spoke of. I believe her soul must have returned to her roots, and she visited me in my dream to tell me so. Upon waking, I felt a deep longing and composed this piece to comfort her spirit in heaven."

Wanyue’s words stirred the hearts of those present. A silence fell over the room as everyone retreated into their own private thoughts and memories of the past.

Liu Qin looked from one to the other, feeling as if an invisible river of sorrow were flowing through the room, sweeping everyone into a wave of sadness. *Sigh, the past cannot be reclaimed, and the departed are gone. Those who remain must strive to live well. Living happily is the best tribute and comfort one can offer to those who have passed.*

"Sister, I never imagined that you and Brother A-Li would be such kindred spirits in music."

Liu Qin’s crisp voice sounded somewhat abrupt, but it effectively pulled everyone back from their melancholy.

"Oh?"

"I forgot to introduce everyone," Liu Qin said with an embarrassed smile, pointing to Jiang Li. "This is my cousin, Jiang Li." She then pointed to Fang Nuo and Xiao Wu. "My cousin, Fang Nuo. And my fellow student, Xiao Wu."

"Little sister, what does 'kindred spirits of high mountains and flowing water' mean?"

Hearing Jiang Li’s question, Liu Qin tilted her head triumphantly. "Speaking of that, it’s a very, very long story. Since we have time now, I’ll tell you all about it."

"Legend has it that there was once a man named Boya who loved to play the zither. He often played in front of a mountain. One day, a woodcutter came by and sat down beside him, listening intently. For several days, whenever the music played, the woodcutter appeared. Boya asked him, 'Do you understand what I am playing?' The woodcutter replied, 'You are playing of the towering mountains.' Boya played another passage and asked again, and the woodcutter said, 'It is the sound of gurgling water.' Boya was astonished, for that was exactly what he had intended to express."

"Boya and the woodcutter, Ziqi, became great friends. But the ending wasn't very happy. Ziqi fell ill and passed away, and Boya smashed his zither, swearing never to play again. Later generations referred to them as 'kindred spirits of high mountains and flowing water.'"

"Does such a story really exist?"

"It does," the young Liu Qin said with certainty, though she faltered under Jiang Li’s skeptical gaze. "Heh, I read it in a book. I'm not sure if it’s true or not."

Jiang Li was even more perplexed. Where did his little sister find all these strange books, and why were there so many things she said that he had never heard of?

"High mountains and flowing water? You know quite a lot, little master. That is a very interesting story. For those who love music, meeting someone who truly understands your heart is not easy. It was Boya’s great fortune to meet Ziqi."

"Sister, you are fortunate too, for you have Brother A-Li as your kindred spirit."

"Well then, Young Master Jiang, come every day, and I shall play for you every day."

"What about me? If I come, will you stop playing?"

"Play for you? I imagine it wouldn't be much better than playing the zither to a cow."

At the sight of Liu Qin’s aggrieved expression, everyone burst into laughter, dispelling the gloomy atmosphere from moments before.

Speaking of this, Liu Qin felt a bit frantic. By rights, the study of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting was mandatory for every refined young lady. Yet Liu Qin was a "fake" lady; apart from playing with the boys all day, she hadn't learned any of these arts or embroidery.

Other things aside, she was quite interested in the zither. The thought of beautiful ancient figures in flowing robes playing the flute or zither made her blood boil with excitement. After all, she was a little beauty in this ancient world—oh, wait, a little *handsome* young man—and if she could learn some charming skills, perhaps she could attract a crowd of beauties when she grew up?

Thinking of this, she became spirited and ran straight to Wanyue. "If I don't know how, I'll learn! Sister, you must teach me."

"Are you truly going to learn?"

"Truly."

Liu Qin nodded vigorously. But as she looked at the zither in front of Wanyue, she began to have second thoughts. She had heard the zither was the most difficult to master. Perhaps she should learn something simpler? Her eyes caught a jade flute hanging on the wall. "Sister, I'll learn that instead."

"And what about you all?" Wanyue turned to ask Jiang Li and the others.

"I will learn the flute as well," Fang Nuo replied quickly.

"I learned to play the xiao (vertical flute) once before. If it’s possible, I would like to learn the xiao."

Liu Qin remembered that on the first day Jiang Li arrived at the Liu manor, he had held a jade xiao in deep thought for a long time. That xiao must have been a keepsake from his parents. As for Xiao Wu, he acted as if he hadn't heard a word, showing no reaction at all. Everything here seemed to have nothing to do with him.

It was finally decided: Liu Qin and Fang Nuo would learn the flute from Hong Jing, and Jiang Li would learn the xiao from Wanyue, with lessons taking place at the Yanyu Pavilion every few days.

On their way back from the Yanyu Pavilion, they ran into Master Zhou, who was just returning to the manor from his home. Master Zhou looked rosy-cheeked and cheerful, appearing to be in a very good mood.

"Teacher."

The group bowed respectfully.

Master Zhou kept Liu Qin behind. Ever since that one time he had been alone with the young lady, Master Zhou felt he had lost all his dignity. He could no longer maintain his air of authority in front of her, and even while lecturing, he didn't dare to look at her. Feeling both ashamed and embarrassed, he had actually felt the urge to resign.

So now, facing Liu Qin, Master Zhou’s face flushed red, and he didn't know where to look.

"That... that is to say, my wife has agreed to come to Wucheng once the weather warms up. I do not wish to trouble the manor, so I was hoping you could help me find a small house in the North City area. If there is... anything suitable, I would like to rent it. I thank you in advance."

"Really? Your wife is coming? That’s wonderful! Don't worry, Teacher, leave this to me. I guarantee I’ll handle it perfectly." Liu Qin patted her chest in assurance.

"That... it doesn't need to be too grand. A small courtyard where one can live is enough."

Liu Qin knew that Master Zhou came from a poor background. Although his salary for teaching at the manor was decent, living in a bustling town like Wucheng still required him to tighten his belt. However, he was too embarrassed to admit his financial constraints in front of a student, which was why he only asked for a simple courtyard.

"I understand."

Liu Qin nodded. Although she had money, she wouldn't simply take over the entire burden. Everyone had their dignity, and impoverished scholars were especially particular about their pride. Since he wouldn't even stay in the manor, Master Zhou would never let a student pay his rent.

Therefore, finding a place that was both affordable and suitable would be the greatest help she could offer her teacher.