The autumn wind blew high, the twilight dyeing everything in its hue.
Within the pavilion of the small courtyard, although not everyone from the sect had arrived, it counted as a small gathering nonetheless.
Cui Hao wore exceedingly formal, ornate white robes. Rarely showing such a serious expression, he sat cross-legged at the center of the courtyard with an ancient zither before him. His technique was skilled and graceful, the tones building layer upon layer, rising and falling in perfect arrangement.
Lin Luoyu held a teacup in her hand, her gaze constantly and suspiciously studying Cui Hao, who actually had real talent. Was it possible that someone had swapped their fifth junior brother out?
Many things called elegant actually had a barrier to appreciation.
Wild calligraphy, unfathomable paintings, and dances with somewhat bizarre movements.
Without deep study, the first impression was usually: what on earth is this? Is this thing normal?
Music, however, was somewhat more subjective. Good music could be said to appeal to both refined and common tastes without exaggeration.
If one had deeper knowledge of music, one could hear the little surprises hidden in the details.
Lin Luoyu's original background was Confucian. Although Grand Scholar Li had not been in a position to give her formal music lessons, she had still received proper training in appreciation.
At the very least, Grand Scholar Li could truly play, and during his leisure time he would teach Lin Luoyu.
Having studied it, Lin Luoyu understood just how impressive Cui Hao's skill really was.
The autumn wind was bleak and desolate, and the ancient zither in Cui Hao's hands echoed the same.
The piece was not too long, and Lin Luoyu quietly listened to it all.
Cui Hao raised his hand. A long tone vibrated the strings, then the strings fell still and the sound faded to silence.
Lin Luoyu pressed her lips together gently. Cui Hao's skill was truly beyond anything she could evaluate. She had not expected this fifth junior brother to have such a talent.
Cui Hao lightly stroked the long strings and gazed leisurely at Lin Luoyu as he asked, "Fourth Senior Sister, how was my performance?"
Lin Luoyu nodded in praise. "Naturally impressive. But learning something like this requires bitter effort, and it does not seem like an instrument you would take up. It is not really your style."
Cui Hao looked as if he had found a kindred spirit and sighed dramatically. "Truly, Fourth Senior Sister, your eyes are as sharp as torches. I originally wanted to learn the xiao flute. That thing is dashing and romantic. Only, back when I was still a mortal, it was really exhausting to play. I kept running out of breath until all my brilliant wit was breathed away."
"And when you are about to pass out from lack of air, you look truly hideous. So I switched to this one later. No blowing required, just plucking."
Lin Luoyu's expression turned speechless. "If you had not given me the reason, I would have thought a little more highly of you."
"Stating facts is simply my style." Cui Hao's face wore a leisurely smile. "It is just that this instrument turned out to be more interesting than I expected, so I spent a bit more effort on it. But it has been a long time since I last played. I am glad Fourth Senior Sister enjoyed it."
Lin Luoyu thought for a moment. In the past, Grand Scholar Li had always played gentle, soft melodies for her, so she said, "I still prefer softer pieces. The kind that help you relax."
Cui Hao's eyes lit up, and he smiled. "Fourth Senior Sister really knows how to pick. You chose the one piece I learned best on the very first try."
Lin Luoyu looked at Cui Hao in surprise.
Cui Hao raised his hand and plucked the strings. His eyes seemed to wink playfully, and his tone softened.
"Eighteen Touches, respectfully dedicated to Fourth Senior Sister!"
Lin Luoyu's eyes glared at him upon hearing this. She was a Confucian scholar, but she was not so sheltered that she did not know what Eighteen Touches was.
Looking at the way her junior brother was winking, he clearly had filthy thoughts in his head!
Fortunately, she still had warm tea in her hand. Today she would use it to give her fifth junior brother a good eye-washing and fulfill her duty as a senior sister!
Lin Luoyu gripped her teacup, but before she could act, Chu Xingchen's voice drifted in.
"Eighteen Touches? I did not expect you to have that kind of interest. I will find nine strapping men right away to give you a thorough head-to-toe rub-down with eighteen hands."
Cui Hao's expression turned solemn at these words. He hurriedly stood and looked at his master leaning against the door with a half-smile, and behind his master stood his master's Dao Companion.
He quickly changed the subject. "Master, you are done with your work?"
"No, I have not found those strapping men for you yet." Chu Xingchen pushed off from the doorframe and stepped inside.
Cui Hao hurriedly grinned. "I was just joking with Fourth Senior Sister. I do not even know how to play that thing."
Chu Xingchen raised his hand from across the room and flicked lightly. A pulse of spiritual energy shot through the air.
The next moment, Cui Hao yelped in pain. He clutched his forehead and looked at Chu Xingchen with an aggrieved expression.
"What kind of jokes are you playing with your Fourth Senior Sister?" Chu Xingchen looked at Cui Hao. "I flicked you. Do you accept the punishment?"
Cui Hao rubbed his forehead and nodded. "I accept it…"
Lin Luoyu cupped her hands and bowed. "Master. Dao Companion."
Xie Lingyu nodded gently, showing no hint of shyness. Her temperament had always been this way.
If it were not true and someone asked, she would not admit it out of propriety, and she would feel a little embarrassed.
But since it was true, there was nothing shameful about it.
She was utterly genuine in matters of the heart. Once she had chosen someone, that person was the only one.
Even if Bai Xuanling teased her about it right now, she would simply acknowledge it openly.
Cui Hao, seeing that Lin Luoyu had also suddenly become more open, cupped his hands and added, "Greetings, Dao Companion."
Xie Lingyu spoke calmly. "All is well. You have all worked hard this time."
Cui Hao smiled. "Working for our own sect, what hardship is there to speak of? It is only right."
Chu Xingchen lowered his gaze to the ancient zither before Cui Hao and plucked it lightly with spiritual energy. The sound was pleasant and clear, though he truly did not know how to play.
Now, aside from coordinating information, many things no longer required his personal attention.
At least it was not appropriate at the moment. Judging by appearances, Runan had accepted the gesture. But there was no need to take risks by running back into the encirclement himself.
Let others handle it.
He was not a workaholic, so there was no need to do everything himself.
Chu Xingchen turned his gaze to Xie Lingyu and asked with a smile, "Can Lingyu play?"
"Just a little. I tried it twice when I was curious." Xie Lingyu looked at the zither and asked curiously, "Can you?"
Chu Xingchen smiled with confidence, like a master, and said, "Seven openings, six are clear."
Cui Hao grinned immediately upon hearing this.
Xie Lingyu covered her mouth and laughed softly. "So you know nothing at all?"
"Hmm? Did I ever tell you that?"
"No."
"Then how do you know?"
Xie Lingyu walked to the zither and lightly plucked a simple melody. "Naturally I learned it from someone's bad influence. After all, a certain person once said, 'Near ink, one gets stained black.'"
Chu Xingchen walked to Xie Lingyu's side and raised an eyebrow. "I thought Lingyu would only learn the good things. I did not expect you to pick up the bad even faster."
"I am not a good person. Why would I only learn the good?"
Xie Lingyu turned, her gaze meeting Chu Xingchen's eyes, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.
Even though the autumn wind was bleak, it could not obscure the gentle warmth of spring in this place.
Chu Xingchen looked into Xie Lingyu's eyes, bright as autumn waters, and they seemed to say.
If I do not learn the bad habits, I will just keep getting bullied by you forever.
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