Chapter 3, Listening to the Qin (Part 1)

Xu Manniang gently nodded and said: "Qianru is my daughter. Tonight, we are fortunate to have you, young master, to help her out of a predicament. Later, she will personally offer a toast to you, as a small token of her appreciation"

Long Yuan cast a cold glance at him, following Xu Manniang up the stairs, while Fu Zishan, feeling helpless, could only obediently follow behind.

Upon entering the Xichun Pavilion, a delicate fragrance wafted through the air, emanating from the pink flowers adorning the grand hall. Longyuan surveyed the entire hall, only to find four young girls with long hair, quietly standing in the corners of the hall, dressed in pink long skirts. Their charming faces bore a faint smile, exuding a sense of innocence and cuteness, resembling the exquisite beauty of freshly bloomed lotus flowers.

Qian Ruo chuckled lightly and said, "I am merely an innocent and naive young woman. Even if the Emperor were to hear this, with his broad-mindedness, he certainly would not stoop to the level of a little woman like me"

Longyuan smiled and said, "There is no need to go through so much trouble. Today, as I meet Miss Qianru for the first time, I would rather not dampen your spirits. Just one cup."

Not interested

Long Yuan said apologetically: "In that case, it seems that I have implicated you."

Xu Manniang sighed and said, "If it were not for your assistance, I fear that my Xichun Tower would have long been trampled down by them. You are my great benefactor!" She gently waved her hand and said, "Ziwei, Su'e, you two go to the kitchen to prepare wine and dishes. I want to properly thank this young master.

Hearing the sound behind her, she slowly turned her head, only to see her skin fairer than snow, her willow-like brows resembling wisps of smoke, and a pair of crystal-clear beautiful eyes that were as enchanting as the stars in the sky. With a delicate nose and lips, whether in joy or frown, her eyes shimmered like spring water rippling.

Long Yuan smiled faintly, raised his wine glass, and said softly: "This set of porcelain is quite nice. If I am not mistaken, it should be the Ru porcelain from Ruzhou, as mentioned in the *Illustrated Book*.

Longyuan looked up and saw the flickering lights in the room. A figure of infinite beauty stood with her back to the window, quietly admiring the snowy scene outside. The young girl was dressed in a white cotton dress, with a fur shawl draped over her shoulders. Her long hair cascaded down to her waist, and her slender waist was casually cinched with a red ribbon, accentuating her exquisite curves. Snowflakes drifted in through the window with the wind, settling on her black hair, creating a beautiful contrast under the candlelight, resembling sparkling crystals.

Long Yuan smiled and said, "Boss Xu, you are too polite. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will have to pass tonight. I will visit again another day..." Before he could finish his words, a melodious sound of a guqin suddenly drifted from afar. The music flowed like a gentle stream in the mountains, at times resembling the soft drizzle that nourishes the heart. Long Yuan could not help but stop in his tracks, captivated by the sound, and unconsciously began to tap his fingers lightly to the rhythm of the music. The guqin's sound suddenly became ethereal, as if autumn geese were flying south, never to return. It contained boundless sorrow, and the more Long Yuan listened, the more his heart ached, reflecting on his own situation, nearly brought to tears.

Longyuan Dao: "Boss Xu, it seems that the business at your Xichun Tower is somewhat sluggish"

Just as he was entranced by the music, the sound of the qin suddenly ceased, leaving Longyuan's heart suspended in mid-air, and he blurted out: "Why did you stop playing?"

Long Yuan hesitated for a moment and then immediately replied, "My surname is Huang, and my given name is Yuan!" He also had a sudden inspiration, as he chose names that are homophones of the characters for 'emperor' and 'abyss'.

Fu Zishan certainly understood that Xu Manniang was deliberately trying to divert his attention, yet he cast a cold glance at Xu Manniang without moving his feet at all

Ascending the three-story building, I turned left into the corridor, walking to the end and passing through the intricately carved round door. A chill night breeze swept in, and a few crystalline snowflakes fell upon Longyuan's forehead, a refreshing sensation melting upon his skin. Looking ahead, there lay a sky bridge, spanning the void like a rainbow, connecting the Ningsnow Tower behind and the buildings in front. There were no eaves above the sky bridge to provide shelter, and a thick layer of snow had accumulated on its surface. A refreshing sensation melted upon his skin as he gazed ahead, where the sky bridge, resembling a rainbow, spanned the void, linking the Ningsnow Tower behind with the buildings ahead. There were no eaves above the sky bridge, and a thick layer of snow had settled on its surface. Beneath the sky bridge, a small garden had been established, already completely covered in white.

If the old man is willing to wait outside, it's up to you!" Xu Manniang threw a flirtatious glance and swayed her ample hips as she walked down the stairs

Qian Ruo chuckled lightly and said, "I have yet to inquire about your esteemed name, young master!"

Qian Ruo

Long Yuan had not yet felt anything particularly special, but Fu Zishan secretly marveled. It is known that whenever men visit places of pleasure, the women they encounter are often charming and delicate, fully embodying the essence of seduction. However, the Xichun Building takes a contrary approach, presenting young women who possess a purity that is untainted by the filth of the world. This quality is more likely to touch a man's heart than mere charm and delicacy.

Xu Manniang smiled and said, "Qianru, the benefactor has arrived!"

Qian Ruo gracefully approached Long Yuan, lightly bowing and saying, "Thank you for saving me, young master!" Her voice was soft and melodious, like a feather teasing the listener's heart

Qian Ruo looked at Long Yuan with great interest and asked, "How can you tell?"

As she stepped out of the room, Xu Manniang signaled to the two beautiful maids to close the door. Fu Zishan angrily said: "You ... ... "

Long Yuan smiled calmly and said, "Such a trivial matter is hardly worth mentioning; Miss Qianru is too polite." His gaze fell upon the guqin not far away: "It was the beautiful sound of Miss Qianru's guqin that drew me here."

Qian Ruo smiled and said, "If the young master does not enjoy drinking wine, I shall brew tea for you instead"

The young master is very guarded! Qian Ruo gazed intently at Long Yuan, as if trying to see through his heart. A youth so young possesses a pair of eyes that are impossible to decipher. Although Qian Ruo sat opposite him, she could not fathom what he was thinking at that moment

Longyuan said to Fu Zishan: "You go help Boss Xu"

Your glaze layer is thin and lustrous, with large and sparse glaze bubbles, earning it the title of 'sparse as morning stars.' The glaze surface features fine patterns known as crab-claw patterns. The wine cup in Longyuan's hand perfectly matches the characteristics he described

The Xichun Building is a theater for singing and dancing. Fu Zishan, fearing that Longyuan would be invited to go there, hurriedly reminded, "Young Master, it is getting late; we should return as soon as possible"

Fu Zishan, hindered by Longyuan, remained indoors, suppressing his anger and refraining from expressing it

Long Yuan turned back and saw that it was still the middle-aged beauty speaking. When he was conversing with Liao Qiyuan, this beautiful woman had been standing at a distance, observing. She appeared to be in her thirties, with charming features and flirtatious eyes, suggesting that she must have been a stunning beauty in her youth. She approached Long Yuan and gave a slight bow, saying: "Young master, my name is Xu Manniang, and I am the owner of this Xichun Tower. I am grateful for your assistance just now. If you do not mind, please follow me inside for some drinks, so that Manniang may express her gratitude."

It is merely something I have heard others mention in the past, Miss Qianru, please do not take offense

Xu Manniang smiled and said: "Listening to the qin is indeed an elegant pursuit. Do you, my lord, also understand how to appreciate the qin?"

Although Longyuan was young, he couldn't help but be stunned there, let alone someone like Fu Zishan, a martial man. Fu Zishan's heart raced uncontrollably, as he never expected that such a stunning beauty would be hidden in this place of wind and moon.

Since the master has already spoken, Fu Zishan naturally must comply. He surveyed the room, assured that there was no danger, and then reluctantly followed Xu Manniang as she departed.

Qian Ruo smiled gently and said: "If the young master likes it, Qian Ruo is willing to play another piece for you."

Qian Ruo gently nodded and filled Long Yuan's wine cup. She then sat opposite Long Yuan, raised her wine cup, and said: "Thanks to the young master for your assistance tonight, this humble girl offers you a toast!"

Xu Manniang smiled and said, "My daughter, let us first invite the benefactor to take a seat!"

Two young maidens dressed in green long skirts greeted with smiles as they carried red silk lanterns in front. When Long Yuan arrived before them, the two stepped aside, revealing a four-fold door carved from sandalwood behind them. Xu Man Niang waved her hand, and the two maidens opened the door.

At the entrance of the Ningxue Tower, two red lanterns are hung, appearing even more resplendent amidst the swirling snow.

Longyuan smiled and said, "That is indeed correct!"

Longyuan had long been intrigued by the sound of the zither, and he slowly nodded, saying: "Alright, I would trouble Boss Xu to lead the way."

The flickering candlelight cast a reflection of her enchanting beauty, as if she could captivate an entire city or nation. She picked up the celadon wine pot, intending to fill the cup with fine wine for Longyuan. Longyuan extended his right hand to cover the mouth of the cup and smiled, saying: "I do not drink wine"

The young master indeed possesses extraordinary insight

Long Yuan originally did not wish to go, but the more Fu Zishan insisted, the more it stirred his resentment. He completely ignored Fu Zishan and smiled, saying: "I trouble Boss Xu to lead the way ahead"

Xu Manniang smiled and said: "It seems that the young master must be well-versed in music; Qianru would surely be very happy to know this!"

At this moment, four beautiful maidservants entered the room in succession, placing wine, dishes, and fruits on the rosewood table. Qian Ruo invited Long Yuan to take a seat. Fu Zishan stood behind Long Yuan, while Xu Man Niang glanced playfully and said with a light laugh: "Esteemed sir, I have some items I would like to present for the young master’s appreciation; could you assist me with that?"

Fu Zishan, being well-versed in the ways of the world, sensed that it was not merely a simple expression of gratitude. He quietly reminded Longyuan, "Young Master, be wary of deception"

Xu Manniang gently patted Fu Zishan's chest and said in a soft voice: "I have prepared food and wine for the master next door..."

Qian Ruo retorted, "Is it the emperor's emperor?"

Long Yuan was taken aback, his eyes suddenly brightened, and he thought to himself: "Could it be that this young lady has already seen through my identity?" However, upon further reflection, he deemed it unlikely, as he had not revealed too many flaws. He smiled calmly and said: "There are ears on the other side of the wall, Miss Qianru, please be cautious with your words. If these remarks were to be overheard by others, it would likely lead to charges of disrespect!"

Xu Manniang has evidently recovered from the earlier fright, and Gege smiled, saying: "After what just happened, the guests have all left one by one, it seems there will be no business tonight"

Entering the Lingxue Building, one finds that the long corridor is flanked by the proud snow of the wintersweet trees, each tree exhibiting a unique posture, ancient and exquisite, each excelling in its own way. Longyuan's perspective is extraordinary; although he has never studied the art of gardening, he can certainly tell that the gardener who pruned these plum trees is undoubtedly a master in the field

Longyuan clinked her glass and brought it to her lips for a brief taste. He rarely drank alcohol, only pretending to partake during festivals or banquets for the officials, in order to maintain a clear mind at all times. Living in the palace was fraught with anxiety, requiring constant vigilance.

Qian Ruo said: "Does Young Master Huang know who has been offended tonight?"