Chương 99: Gift Giving, Listening to the Qin

Zhao Yun and Dian Wei spoke quietly in the front yard, not daring to enter the back yard.

"What's wrong, brother?" Dian Wei asked.

"You've been inside for so long and haven't come out yet?"

Zhao Yun shook his head: "Don't ask, just wait."

Another incense stick's time passed before Liu Ce emerged from the backyard.

"Brother!" Dian Wei rushed forward, "Her Majesty the Empress..."

"It's nothing," Liu Ce waved his hand, "Let's go back to the Zhen residence."

"Are we no longer living in this house?" Dian Wei asked.

"Let's talk about it later," Liu Ce said.

"I'm tired today, I'm going home to sleep."

He said that, but his mind was in turmoil.

"What a tragedy!" Liu Ce sighed, looking up at the sky.

Dian Wei and Zhao Yun exchanged a glance, neither daring to speak.

The three rode back to the Zhen residence.

Liu Ce was sullen throughout the journey.

Upon reaching the gate of the mansion, he suddenly reined in his horse and said to Zhao Yun:

"Zilong, about today's events..."

"Rest assured, my lord," Zhao Yun said solemnly, "I saw nothing and know nothing."

Dian Wei quickly chimed in, "Me too! I was just eating pancakes in the front yard today and didn't see anything!"

Liu Ce nodded, feeling somewhat relieved.

"Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore!" Liu Ce shook his head.

"There's always a way out, things will work themselves out! Time for bed!"

He strode into the Zhen residence, temporarily putting his troubles behind him.

But some people and some things cannot be simply discarded.

In Changqiu Palace, He Lian was doing her makeup in front of the mirror. The woman in the mirror had a smile in her eyes, a radiance she hadn't shown in a long time.

"Liu Ce..." she murmured the name, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The moon outside the window is very round and bright.

The night in Luoyang is still long.

……

Another day, the sun was shining brightly.

Liu Ce stood at the entrance of the Cai residence, holding a brocade box in his hand. Inside the box wasn't gold or silver jewelry, but a set of writing implements. He pondered to himself:

"Now that I've given this gift today, I hope Elder Cai Yong understands what I mean?"

The gatekeeper already recognized him, and upon seeing that it was the Marquis of Champion, he didn't even bother to announce him, and directly led him inside:

"Please come in, my lord. The master is in his study."

Cai Yong was indeed in his study, looking at a scroll of bamboo slips with a troubled expression. Paper was very expensive these days, so bamboo slips were the most common choice.

He heard footsteps, looked up, saw Liu Ce, and his eyes lit up:

"Pelliot has arrived!"

"Lord Cai," Liu Ce bowed and placed the brocade box on the table.

"I brought a small gift with me today."

Cai Yong waved his hand: "You're here, why bring a gift? It's too formal."

That's what he said, but his eyes kept glancing at the brocade box.

Liu Ce opened the box with a smile.

Inside were four items: a purple-tipped brush, a Duan inkstone, a Huizhou ink stick, and a stack of Xuan paper.

Cai Yong's eyes widened instantly.

He first picked up the stack of papers, gently stroking them with his fingers, his voice trembling:

"This paper... this texture! It's even finer and smoother than Zuo Bo's paper!"

He picked up the Duan inkstone, his fingers tracing the patterns on its surface, his hands trembling with excitement.

"The texture, the grain, the feel... the carving... it's superb! Absolutely superb! In my fifty-plus years of life, I've never seen such a fine inkstone!"

The purple-tipped brush and the Huizhou ink also caught his eye; he examined each one carefully for a long time.

Liu Ce watched from the side, secretly amused:

"Of course! He ordered this set of writing implements from the system a few days ago. It's top-notch craftsmanship from later generations, how could it not be good? And looking at Cai Yong's reaction, it was worth it."

"Bo Lue," Cai Yong finally put down the gifts, his face serious, "this is far too valuable! I cannot accept it!"

Liu Ce had anticipated his response, and his prepared lines flowed naturally from his lips:

"Master Cai is mistaken. A fine sword is given to a hero, and a set of writing implements is given to a great scholar. This set of writing implements can only be of its greatest value in Master Cai's hands."

If it were in my possession, it would simply gather dust. You know my handwriting is quite mediocre.

Cai Yong was amused and stroked his beard:

"You're so good at talking."

He really liked the set of stationery, and after declining twice, he reluctantly accepted it.

After receiving the gifts, he suddenly remembered something and slapped his forehead:

"Look at my memory! Zhao Ji is playing the zither in the backyard. She said the sun is shining brightly today, and she wants to play a tune under the locust tree. Would Bo Lue like to go and listen?"

Liu Ce knew perfectly well: this old man was creating another opportunity.

But his expression still held that "I'm very interested" look:

"I couldn't have gotten it."

The two arrived at the backyard one after the other.

Sure enough, under the locust tree, Cai Yan was sitting in front of the zither table.

Today she wore a white dress, the fabric of which was very thin, and her outline could be vaguely seen when the wind blew.

Her hair was styled into a flowing cloud bun, adorned with only a jade hairpin, making her look incredibly simple and elegant.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on her.

With her head bowed, her fingertips lightly caressed the strings, and a piece of music, "High Mountains and Flowing Water," flowed like a spring.

Liu Ce stood under the eaves, silent, watching and listening.

It must be said, this scene is indeed pleasing to the eye.

A beautiful woman, a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), a locust tree, and sunshine—this combination would be perfect for the cover of a modern Chinese style magazine.

Also, I must say, Cai Yan played the zither really well.

Liu Ce had heard many guqin performances in his previous life, but those were all recorded in a studio with the sound edited.

This live, all-natural, additive-free version has an even better artistic conception.

Halfway through the piece, Cai Yan seemed to notice someone and looked up.

Upon seeing that it was Liu Ce, her fingertips trembled, and the music went off-beat, but she quickly regained her composure.

She just blushed.

Liu Ce chuckled to himself: This girl is too easily embarrassed.

When the music ended, Cai Yan stood up and bowed, saying, "The general has arrived."

"Yan'er's musical skills have improved more and more."

Liu Ce stepped forward and naturally sat down on the other side of the zither table.

"The piece you just heard, 'High Mountains and Flowing Water,' had a profound and uplifting atmosphere, and it was truly delightful to listen to."

This wasn't entirely flattery.

Cai Yan's qin playing skills were indeed excellent, at least much better than his mediocre skills.

Cai Yan was embarrassed by the praise and lowered her head, saying:

"General, you flatter me."

Cai Yong watched from the side, his eyes narrowing into slits with laughter.

He suddenly slapped his thigh:

"Oh dear! I suddenly remembered that there are still some documents to organize in the study! Bo Lue, why don't you keep Zhao Ji company for a while? I'll be right back!"

After saying that, he turned and left.

His speed was so fast that it didn't seem like that of a man over fifty, but rather like that of an old lady rushing to grab discounted vegetables.

Liu Ce and Cai Yan exchanged a glance and both smiled.

"Lord Cai, this is..." Liu Ce shook his head.

Cai Yan blushed even more and whispered:

"My father is always like that. He wants us to be alone whenever he has the chance."

These words were so blunt that even Liu Ce was taken aback.

Looking at the girl before him, Liu Ce sighed inwardly:

"Old Cai, Old Cai, are you so afraid your daughter won't get married?"

(Cai Yong: No, I need to hurry up and find a rich husband like you.) He looked at Cai Yan. Although the girl was shy, her eyes were clear and there was no sense of affectation.

Good.

The two sat down again at the zither table.