Wan Wan pouted and reluctantly said, "I don't know how to play either."
Yun Xiao fell into thought, involuntarily recalling Murong Chong. When he played the zither, he was elegant and ethereal, his white robes like snow, his ink-black hair like ink, melting into the moonlight, as if he were an exiled immortal descending from the heavens.
Even the melodies he played carried an otherworldly aura, as if from the highest heavens, inspiring endless longing.
Suddenly, a melodious, weathered zither melody rang out. Yun Xiao startled and snapped back to attention. Wan Wan had already rushed to the window, peering out.
In the fine rain, she saw an old woman sitting on a distant arched bridge. The old woman was dressed in black, her expression solemn, with a zither resting on her lap.
She began to play, and the elegant, sharp notes flowed from her fingers, laced with deep resentment. The music suddenly soared, like crashing waves, like a profound abyss, soaring straight to the heavens. xxs Yì Èr
Yun Xiao walked to Wan Wan's side, gazing through the rain curtain and sighing softly.
"That person must be in great pain. The zither is the heart of a person. Those who are happy play joyful music, and those who are happy play happy music. Conversely, those who are suffering play music full of resentment. This music not only carries resentment but also killing intent."
As Yun Xiao finished speaking, the music abruptly stopped. Both of them looked out simultaneously. There was no one there. The bridge was empty. Someone had casually crossed the arched bridge, and the scene they had just witnessed seemed to have been merely an illusion of theirs.
"Where did she go? Did we imagine it?"
Wan Wan murmured. Yun Xiao smiled and shook her head, walking inside. The old woman, though unassuming, was likely a person with peerless martial arts skills, which was why she had vanished in the blink of an eye.
The rain in Su City was truly strange. It had rained all day, but in the evening, it stopped as if it had been commanded to do so. The sky looked as if it had been washed clean, a clear, bright blue.
The last trace of the setting sun, like blood, spilled onto the clear river surface, as if it had been daubed with rouge, inexpressibly beautiful.
Wan Wan cheered, "Great! Master, it's finally stopped raining. I was bored to death. Shall we go shopping tonight? We've been here for a few days, but we haven't really experienced the night market yet. I heard from the waiter downstairs that the nights in Su City are like dazzling gems, brilliant and spectacular, with everything fun and delicious."
Yun Xiao smiled, looking at the girl. It seemed she was truly stifled. She wondered how she had endured that period in the imperial palace.
Yun Xiao was not disguised now, nor was Wan Wan in elaborate attire. Everything was natural. However, Yun Xiao was still disguised as a man, a handsome young gentleman. Wan Wan's attire was not as luxurious, leaning towards graceful and gentle.
"Alright."
Yun Xiao finally relented. Liu Xing pushed the door open, followed by Jing Yun, holding a tray. The waiter also held a tray. The two of them walked to the table and began to place the dishes one by one. The waiter said respectfully.
"Please enjoy, esteemed guests. I will take my leave now. Please let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, little brother," Wan Wan said with a smile. The waiter remained expressionless and unruffled, showing no reaction to the beautiful Wan Wan.
This was because Su City was full of beauties, a haven for scholars and their muses. Wan Wan's looks were common in Su City, so she wasn't enough to cause astonishment. This was not the border.
The waiter retreated, and they ate in the room.
While eating, Wan Wan excitedly spoke, "Liu Xing, did you hear any interesting news when you went out today?"
Earlier, Yun Xiao had asked Liu Xing and Jing Yun to go out and inquire about interesting things in Su City, which was why Wan Wan had been pestering them for amusing stories.
Liu Xing rolled his eyes and continued eating without moving. Someone else would speak, and indeed, Jing Yun chuckled and said.
"I heard that a family named Ding in Su City is taking a concubine tonight."
"What kind of gossip is that? Which wealthy family doesn't take concubines? It's the most normal thing," Wan Wan glared coldly at Jing Yun, feeling he was deliberately trying to annoy her by telling her such things.
Jing Yun was unhurried and continued with a smile, "But that man is sixty years old and is taking a concubine who is only eighteen."
"Ah, isn't that ruining that girl's life? Poor woman! That old man is too wicked."
Upon hearing this, Wan Wan immediately became indignant, pounding the table and cursing angrily.
Everyone at the table looked at her strangely. Wan Wan asked, confused, "Did I say something wrong?" Then she turned to Yun Xiao, her face full of sorrow, "Master, it's us women who are unfortunate. All men are no good."
Liu Xing and Jing Yun looked at her inexplicably. Why was she suddenly cursing them? Well, this woman always had her eccentricities, so they couldn't be bothered. At this moment, Yun Xiao reached out and patted Wan Wan's hand, signaling her to calm down. Jing Yun had not finished speaking yet.
"Wan Wan, Jing Yun hasn't finished speaking."
"Ah, there's more?" Wan Wan's mouth gaped wide. Jing Yun, quick as lightning, grabbed a piece of sparerib and stuffed it into her mouth. He then looked with satisfaction at the woman gesticulating and blushing, struggling, finally enjoying the quiet before continuing his story.
"This concubine is still a famous courtesan from the pleasure quarters, willingly marrying this sixty-year-old Ding Haowen. This man was the former martial arts alliance leader, possessed immense wealth, and was considered a magnate in Su City. The concubine vowed that she must be carried into the Ding manor in an eight-person sedan chair, or she wouldn't talk about it. To everyone's surprise, Ding Haowen agreed. He redeemed the courtesan for three thousand taels of silver. Tonight is the day of their wedding, and it's expected that more than half of Su City will attend, some to watch the excitement, others to show their support."
"Poor his original wife."
Yun Xiao sighed. In this world, it had always been women who troubled women.
This concubine was young and beautiful. Why couldn't she choose anyone else but to marry someone as aged as Ding Haowen? And she was arrogantly annoying.
Was she just a little more beautiful? No matter how beautiful, she couldn't change her identity as a courtesan, a lowly prostitute, Yun Xiao thought to herself. Suddenly, she remembered the old woman she had seen earlier, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.
At this moment, Wan Wan had removed the sparerib from her mouth, panting heavily, her eyes wide. After a long moment, she said with heartache.
"Master, this lowly woman is truly detestable. I really want to see what she looks like to be so hateful. I wonder if that detestable old man has a wife. Perhaps his wife has already died."
Yun Xiao's eyes darkened. She actually felt relieved. Yes, perhaps the wife had already died. Even if Ding Haowen wanted to take a concubine, it wouldn't matter.
In modern times, young and beautiful actresses married sixty-year-old men. As long as there was money, it was easy. Moreover, in ancient times, taking a concubine was even more common.