Chương 100: Blue and White Porcelain

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Liu Ce thought for a moment, looked at the guqin, and started a conversation:

"I've also learned a little piano, but I'm not very good at it."

"The general can also play the zither?" Cai Yan's eyes lit up.

Her reaction made Liu Ce feel a little guilty. His so-called "having learned a little" meant that in his previous life he could only play the guitar, which he learned when he was chasing girls in college, and he could only play a few songs.

He had never even touched a guqin.

But since the words had already been spoken, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the answer.

"I know a little, why don't you teach me, Yan'er?"

Cai Yan naturally wouldn't refuse.

She moved aside to make room for Liu Ce, and then began to explain seriously:

"This is the Gong tone, this is the Shang tone... Place your fingers like this, relax your wrists..."

She explained in great detail, and Liu Ce pretended to be very serious, nodding frequently as if he understood.

Actually, what I was thinking was: This fingering is much more complicated than guitar; I have to remember the positions of all seven strings. It's troublesome.

"General, would you like to give it a try?" Cai Yan asked, looking at him expectantly after explaining the basics.

Liu Ce took a deep breath, placed his hands on the zither, and plucked a string as Cai Yan had instructed.

"Zheng—" The sound did come out, but it was dry and lacked any beauty; it sounded more like cotton being fluffed.

He tried playing a few more notes, but when strung together... they were completely out of tune.

Cai Yan held back for a long time, but finally couldn't help but burst out laughing:

"The general's fingers... were too forceful. Playing the piano should be light and gentle, like a caress..."

She realized halfway through her sentence that the analogy was inappropriate, and her face turned red again.

But she still reached out and gently took Liu Ce's hand, helping him adjust the position of his fingers:

"So, your fingers should be bent, and you should touch the string with your fingertips, not your fingertips..."

Her hands were soft and cool, like jade.

Liu Ce felt a slight flutter in his heart as she held his hand.

Cai Yan seemed to realize that the gesture was too intimate, her face turned even redder, and she quickly let go of his hand.

"The general should try it himself."

Liu Ce nodded and played a few more notes as she had taught him.

This time it's much better, at least the pitch is in tune.

"You've improved," Cai Yan said with a smile, her eyes crinkling into crescents.

"The general learns very quickly."

"It's because Yan'er taught her well," Liu Ce casually praised.

He was actually a little guilty; he had deliberately played those few notes poorly so he could enjoy the beauty's hands-on instruction a little longer.

After pretending for a while, Liu Ce felt that it was enough.

He spent the entire afternoon studying the guqin at the Zhen residence in Luoyang that day, and with the knowledge Cai Yan had just shared, he had actually grasped the basics.

"Yan'er," he suddenly said, "I'll play you a piece; I figured it out myself."

Cai Yan's eyes lit up even more: "A melody composed by the general himself?"

"I guess so," Liu Ce mumbled.

He can't very well say it was copied, can he?

After taking a deep breath, Liu Ce began to play the guqin version of "Blue and White Porcelain".

At first, I was a little clumsy and spoke intermittently, but I quickly became fluent.

The guqin version of "Blue and White Porcelain" has a unique charm, lacking the pop appeal of the original version but possessing a more antique elegance.

The seven-stringed zither has a cool and clear tone, and when paired with this melody, it truly evokes a hazy, misty feeling reminiscent of the Jiangnan region in the rain.

Cai Yan listened intently.

She had been learning piano since she was a child and had heard countless famous pieces, but she had never heard a melody like this before.

It wasn't a traditional pentatonic scale, but it was very harmonious; the rhythm was soothing, yet it carried an indescribable sense of modernity (although she didn't know what modernity was).

After finishing the piece, Liu Ce lowered his hands and looked at Cai Yan with some nervousness:

"How is it?"

Cai Yan remained silent for a long while before speaking softly:

"This piece of music... is very special. The melody is beautiful and moving, full of classical charm, as if it takes you into the misty rain of the Jiangnan water towns."

She paused, looked up at Liu Ce, her eyes filled with admiration:

"The general is truly remarkable."

After saying that, she probably realized she had been too blunt, and lowered her head shyly.

Liu Ce breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed he had successfully copied the homework.

Liu Ce was secretly pleased: Mr. Zhou, I'm sorry, I plagiarized your work at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

The two exchanged a smile, and the atmosphere was just right.

At this moment, Cai Yong returned.

I don't know if they were really done with their work or if they timed their return perfectly.

"Bo Lue," Cai Yong sat down, stroking his beard, and asked seemingly casually, "you'll be going to Youzhou soon, won't you?"

"Yes." Liu Ce nodded.

"The border affairs of Youzhou are complicated, and the Xianbei and Wuhuan are eyeing us covetously. I must take up my post as soon as possible."

This is the truth.

Liu Hong appointed him as the governor of Youzhou. Youzhou was not a good place for others. To the north were the Xianbei, to the east were the Wuhuan, and there were many bandits and outlaws in the area. Moreover, after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the people's livelihood was in ruins. Going there would be a lot of work, but it was just right for him.

Cai Yong pondered for a moment, then suddenly said:

"Bo Lue, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

Liu Ce's heart skipped a beat: They've arrived.

"Please speak, Lord Cai."

"Your journey to Youzhou is long and arduous, and you will be without anyone to care for you. It will be inconvenient."

Cai Yong looked at Liu Ce with a meaningful gaze.

"Zhao Ji... although she is young, she is sensible and reasonable, and her talent and character are excellent. After spending time together these days, I find that you two get along quite well."

That's already made very clear.

Liu Ce looked at Cai Yan.

Cai Yan lowered her head, her ears were so red they looked like they could bleed, and her fingers were twisting the hem of her clothes; she was extremely nervous.

But she didn't hide or run away; she just sat there and waited.

Liu Ce understood.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Cai Yong:

"I am deeply grateful for Lord Cai's kindness. Miss Cai is beautiful and talented, and of noble character. It is my greatest fortune to have Miss Cai as my wife."

(Cai Yong: Did I tell you, you little brat, sit down?) Cai Yong smiled.

But Liu Ce changed the subject:

"However... there is something I need to explain to Lord Cai and Miss Cai first. Ce already has several unmarried concubines, and it would be unfair to Miss Cai if this were not made clear."

These words were quite frank. Cai Yong was taken aback, clearly not expecting Liu Ce to bring this up on his own initiative.

He then briefly described the situation of Zhang Ning and the five women of the Zhen family. Of course, he did not mention that Zhang Ning was the Yellow Turban Holy Maiden, and he also omitted the part about He Lian. If he had mentioned that, Cai Yong would have kicked him out on the spot.

After speaking, he looked at Cai Yan and said seriously:

"If Yan'er doesn't mind, I am willing to marry her with the rites due to a principal wife."

The courtyard fell silent.

Cai Yong stroked his beard, remaining silent and waiting for his daughter to make her own decision.

Cai Yan raised her head, her eyes shining.

She looked at Liu Ce for a long time before whispering:

"The general's frankness has moved Wenji deeply. In chaotic times, women are often powerless to control their own destiny. My father often says that the general is a hero of our time and will surely achieve great things. Zhaoji... wishes to marry him."

She spoke softly, but firmly.

Liu Ce breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, this girl was sensible.

Cai Yong nodded in satisfaction and slammed his hand on the table:

"Alright! It's settled then! Bo Lue, choose a date and finalize the marriage. As for the wedding ceremony... you'll be busy with affairs in Youzhou, so we can hold it after things have settled down."

"It's all up to Lord Cai's arrangements."

With the matter settled, all three of them breathed a sigh of relief.