Chapter 1, The Flow of Years

"No, no, during the Cold Food Festival, there is no need to light a fire, it is quite quick." Old Zhong smiled as he took the bamboo basket and hurriedly sent it to the old partner in the eastern kitchen. The siblings then began to insert willow branches at the door.

Among these pleasure boats, the most dazzling is a two-story painted boat. With its vermilion lacquered railings and flying eaves adorned with colorful paintings, it is far more splendid than the other vessels. However, what truly attracts the crowd to this boat is the unparalleled beauty aboard.

"So obedient..." The young girl nodded, but couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The young man did not urge her, focusing intently on holding the umbrella for her, quietly watching his sister.

"What do you understand? The master is an honest official." Old Zhong glanced at his old partner and said, "Previously, there wasn't a single servant in the residence. The master took us in out of pity for us two old folks."

Lu Yun's hands, resting on her knees, were tightly clenched into fists. Lu Ying also turned pale, on the verge of tears.

The young girl was around sixteen or seventeen years old, with her hair styled in the popular hanging bun of the Jiangnan region. She wore a fitted dress in a delicate yellow hue, which accentuated her graceful figure and made her appear as elegant as a rare orchid. Her features were picturesque, and her skin was fairer than snow. A small plum blossom makeup mark adorned her tender forehead, while two strands of black hair fell gracefully by her temples, further enhancing her delicate beauty and charming allure

Lu Yun quickly signaled Lu Ying to be quiet. Lu Ying also noticed her mother's expression and said in a slightly spoiled tone: "Mother, today is a festival..."

In this misty and drizzly season, it is just right for a young girl to feel sentimental. Along the way, she reminisces about the ten years spent in Yuhang, saying that her Northern Mandarin has already been replaced by the soft Wu dialect, and if she returns to Beijing, she would be laughed at by those young ladies. She also sighs that she has always been taller than the boys, yet unknowingly, she now only reaches his eyebrows.

Duke Wen of Jin restored his state but forgot to reward Jie Zitui, who then retreated into the deep mountains with his mother. Duke Wen set fire to the mountains, hoping to force them out, but unexpectedly, he burned the mother and son to death... At this point, Lu Ying felt a sudden jolt in her heart and saw that both Lu Xin and Lu Yun had put down their wine cups, their faces turning extremely grim.

A pair of siblings, holding an umbrella, strolls along the misty, drizzling banks of the enchanting West Lake, where the sound of the qin resonates. The young boy, approximately fifteen or sixteen years old, is tall and slender, with a complexion as fair as jade and an exceptionally handsome appearance. He is dressed in a white robe, holding a bamboo basket in one hand while using the other to hold the umbrella over his sister, looking remarkably gentle and obedient

Bang! Lu Xin finally slammed the table and shouted, "Shut up! Do not mention what happened ten years ago!"

Madam Lu, on the other hand, appeared emaciated, with a sallow complexion and a pair of eyes devoid of any luster, kneeling before the low table like a lifeless stone statue. Upon seeing the brother and sister kneeling in front of the table while secretly exchanging glances, a flicker of anger finally rose on Madam Lu's face

"Uncle Zhong, I hope I didn't delay Aunt Zhong in preparing the meal?" The young girl smiled sweetly at the old servant, expressing a hint of apology, "It took some time to gather the willow branches."

Ah, indeed. The young girl then realized that she had delayed outside for too long. She hurriedly lifted the hem of her dress and walked briskly along the slippery bluestone path by the lake

After the old Zhong couple finished serving the dishes and withdrew, Lu Xin raised his wine glass and signaled to his wife and children, saying: "Today is a festival, let us make an exception and drink a cup of spring wine to celebrate"

Is it the Cold Food Festival? Lu Ying replied in confusion: It is the day for inserting willow branches and eating sweet rice porridge...

Why does he want to commemorate Jie Zitui? Lady Lu's expression became increasingly strange.

Ah, it is only the young masters and young ladies who suffer... Aunt Zhong sighed and said: "Look at the young masters and young ladies from other families..."

Hehe... Mrs. Lu seems even more annoyed, but she is restrained due to the presence of the old Mr. and Mrs. Zhong.

The brother and sister entered the alley, and they saw that the neighbors had already placed willow branches for warding off evil and praying for blessings in front of their doors. The young girl, feeling a bit embarrassed, reached out to touch her pretty little nose and said to the young boy with a serious expression: "Willow branches, the ones from the West Lake are the best."

Lu Yun and Lu Ying also raised their wine glasses, and the three of them looked at the motionless Madam Lu

As the sound of the guqin resonates in the pavilion draped in light gauze atop the boat, the West Lake instantly falls silent. Listening to the celestial music akin to pearls falling on jade plates, people seem to be transported into a realm of clarity and beauty, their souls thoroughly cleansed by the melodies. ... Everyone forgets the intrigues and grievances, knowing only peace and joy, wishing to revel in the enchanting scenery of the lake and mountains while toasting and sharing laughter ...

The young man was taken aback by the words, and when he turned around, his gaze softened and warmed, devoid of any trace of hostility. His cheeks flushed slightly as he protested, "What nonsense are you talking about, sister?"

The ethereal sound of the zither reached the shore, causing passersby to stop and gaze dreamily at the enchanting figure in the boat. The willows by the lakeside swayed gently, their countless strands caressing the tender green surface of the water, as if the entire West Lake were entranced by this melody

The governor's office and the county office are both located at the foot of Mount Yuhuang, beside West Lake. This area has naturally become a place where high-ranking officials and nobles reside. A little over half a mile from the governor's office, within Qingbo Gate, there is a street called Luguan Alley. The long alley, paved with bluestone, is ancient and tranquil, and at the very end lies the residence of Lu Xin, the county lieutenant of Wu County.

"How did this lesson come about?" Madam Lu's ashen gaze swept over the three.

"Sister, we came to the lakeside to gather willows." Seeing the clumsy girl who had completely forgotten the purpose of their visit, the young man could only remind her.

As the brother and sister were conversing, a boat carrying several young gentlemen approached the painted pleasure boat. The young gentlemen clasped their fists and called out loudly: "This melody should only exist in the heavens; how often can it be heard in the mortal realm? The Four Young Masters of Qiantang have come here out of admiration, and humbly request Miss Qianqian to spare some time to meet, to soothe their lifelong yearning"

The girl turned around as she spoke, raising her delicate, almost boneless little hand, intending to compare the height from the top of her head to her brother's brow, to verify the accuracy of their height difference. However, she found the young boy lost in thought, gazing at the surface of the lake.

In the initial decade, the spring is warm and the scenery is bright

The girl looked at the boy with a pleading expression, while the boy raised his hands slightly, indicating that he was unable to help.

Lu Xin's residence is provided by the county magistrate's office. He is the third-in-command of Wu County, so his residence is naturally not too small. However, with only six people in total, including the elderly couple, they occupy only half of the courtyard, which still appears quite empty.

Madam ... ... " Lu Xin called out.

... ...

It was getting late, and Old Zhong was in the kitchen helping his partner prepare. The two of them took out the sweet rice and spring wine they had bought from the bamboo basket, and divided the millet rice and green dumplings they had made the previous day into four sets of tableware. While preparing the meal, Aunt Zhong sighed, saying: "I really don't know what the master is thinking. Others may not have as high a position as him, yet their households have seven or eight servants. As for him, he relies on our two old arms and legs, and still needs the young master and young lady to help buy things." Aunt Zhong sighed again, saying: "I really don't know what the master is thinking. Others may not have as high a position as him, yet their households have seven or eight servants. As for him, he relies on our two old arms and legs, and still needs the young master and young lady to help buy things."

The young man nodded in agreement, adding, "It is particularly effective."

Oh. The young girl tapped her forehead and made a funny face, saying, "I'll do this." She then stopped in her tracks and began to admire the willows by the lake. She noticed that each willow branch, laden with raindrops, was delicate and charming, making one reluctant to harm them. The girl's youthful fingers poked at her chin, and for quite a while, she did not bring her hand down to inflict any harm.

The young boy looked helplessly at the girl who was laughing and running away, and with concern, he reminded her: "Be careful of your feet." After a pause, he added somewhat angrily: "And... from now on, you are not allowed to call me Xiao Yun'er."

The girl pouted, sticking out her little tongue, and teased the young man with a playful expression: "Liu Qianqian is the foremost master of guqin in Jiangnan, yet at such a young age, you already harbor prejudice"

It was just that no one noticed; in his gaze directed towards the surface of the lake, there was a heaviness that bore the coldness and severity not befitting his age, contrasting greatly with his appearance

Understood, Xiaoyun. The young girl nodded, twirling a willow branch in her hand, skipping along the stone path. Although her steps were light and cheerful, they were remarkably steady upon landing, clearly indicating that the young man had worried unnecessarily.

"Feeling shy, feeling shy, Xiao Yun'er has indeed become enlightened." Seeing him in embarrassment, the young girl giggled charmingly, her laughter light and unrestrained. The young man could only helplessly hold the oiled paper umbrella over his sister's head as much as possible to prevent the rain from soaking her dress.

The two arrived at the entrance of the Lu residence, laughing and chatting. The old servant at the gate hurriedly approached, taking the bamboo basket from the young man's hand while respectfully saying, "Miss and Young Master have returned."

On the misty West Lake, stars twinkle like scattered dots. This gentle spring breeze and light rain only serve to enhance the enjoyment of the talented scholars and beautiful women. They either play the zither or the flute on the lake, or sing loudly, feeling content and secretly competing with one another

The old couple, holding a tray, arrived outside the front hall and entered with a bow. The Lu family of four was already seated in the hall. Lu Xin's appearance had not changed much from ten years ago, except that he had grown a short beard, and his gaze was now more calm and profound

The girl pouted her lips and had no choice but to act decisively. In a small act of revenge against the boy, she discreetly tugged at a branch while bending a willow twig. The droplets of water that had accumulated on the willow suddenly fell all at once onto the boy's head

The young girl followed his gaze and saw the ornate boat surrounded by admirers, her brows furrowing slightly before she broke into a smile and said, "Little brother has truly grown up..."

"I do not know whether there is bias or not," the young man said, raising the bamboo basket in his hand. "All I know is that if we do not go back, there will be no dinner."

I insist on bringing it up! Madam Lu straightened her body and coldly locked eyes with Lu Xin, saying: "You may pretend to have forgotten about that matter, but I will never forget!" After saying this, she stood up, brushed her sleeves, and left, saying: "You may continue your celebration; I can no longer eat, it is nauseating!"

Haha... Mrs. Lu laughed silently, her laughter more unpleasant than crying. With a twisted expression, she pointed at Lu Yun and said: "My son was also burned to death, handed over to your mother by his father! She let him burn to death!"

The Great Xuan Dynasty unified the north and south, dividing the realm into thirty-one provinces. Yuhang County, where West Lake is located, belongs to Yangzhou Wujun. In the city, in addition to the county government, there is also the governor's office.

Upon hearing this, the young man looked at the young woman and said, "If father hears what you just said, my sister won't be allowed to go out this year."

... ...

Duke Jin Wen established a memorial for Jie Zitu. Lu Yun and Lu Xin remained silent, so Lu Ying had no choice but to respond

The young boy shook his head helplessly and followed her at a leisurely pace. The brother and sister chatted and laughed, disappearing into the misty and beautiful scenery.

Hehe, congratulations... Mrs. Lu still did not raise her glass, only coldly asking: "What holiday are we celebrating?"

The young girl, feeling tired from laughing, rested her hand on her brother's arm. Once she had caught her breath, she gazed dreamily at the painted boat and softly said, "Her piano playing is exquisite; how wonderful it would be to have her as a teacher."

The young masters and young ladies are well-educated and courteous, treating others with kindness, which is much better than those young aristocrats. Old Zhong brewed some new tea and, together with his old partner, carried the food tray to the front hall to set the table