"My child, didn't I tell you not to spend money recklessly? This old woman can still move and play music to earn money. But you, Xintzi, you must save up for marriage and daily life!"
Although the old woman grumbled, her heart was warm and she was very pleased.
"Grandma, marriage is still too early for me, please don't worry about it!"
Kamisato Ayaka's cheeks flushed slightly, and she then changed the subject. She hadn't thought about marriage and having children.
"Too early? Xintzi, you can't drag your feet on these things. I can tell from your voice that you're not young anymore. If you meet a good man, get married quickly. If you wait any longer, all the good men will be snatched away by others! I don't want you to be like me, alone for life, with no one to rely on in old age..."
The old woman held Kamisato Ayaka's hand and earnestly advised her.
"Alright, Grandma, I know. I'll consider it in the future!"
Kamisato Ayaka replied with a blush, quickly ending the topic. It was too embarrassing to discuss such matters in front of Feng Yi.
"What is there to consider? Don't you have a suitable candidate right beside you?"
The old woman smiled. If Xintzi didn't have feelings for this young man, why would she bring him to see her?
The old woman felt that Xintzi was just shy and too embarrassed to confess. She decided to help Xintzi and facilitate this happy occasion.
"Grandma, what are you saying? Feng Yi and I... are just ordinary friends!"
Kamisato Ayaka secretly glanced at Feng Yi. Seeing him smirking, she immediately glared at him.
"Ordinary friends? Xintzi, don't try to deceive this old woman. Although I can't see, my heart is very clear. Xintzi, don't evade your feelings. Be brave and accept them, don't leave yourself with regrets!"
The old woman sighed. In her past, she lacked this courage and was separated from the person she loved, regretting it her entire life.
She did not want Xintzi to repeat her mistake.
"Grandma, I know. Have you fixed your zither? Can you play it for us?"
Kamisato Ayaka, helpless, had to agree and then asked about the old woman's zither.
The last time she visited, the old woman's zither strings were broken, and Kamisato Ayaka had specially found new strings for her.
"Of course, if you don't mind, then listen to this old woman play a song!"
Speaking of the zither, the old woman's attention was successfully diverted by Kamisato Ayaka. She picked up the zither beside her and played it cross-legged.
The ancient and melodious notes echoed in the spacious courtyard, as if reminiscing about the last glory of the previous era.
A song that breaks the heart, where in the world can one find a soulmate?
The song and the music were old, products of a bygone era, but if one listened with an open heart, they would discover that this piece narrated the old woman's lonely and desolate life.
The song ended, and fallen leaves rustled.
"I'm old, my playing is nowhere near as good as it used to be. Xintzi, young man, my music is hardly refined enough for the elite, it's just enough to scrape by."
The old woman put down the zither, gently stroking its cracked body, the marks left by time.
The zither was about to break, just as her life was nearing its end, to conclude this life without any lingering attachments.
"Grandma, the cherry blossoms at the street corner have bloomed again..." Kamisato Ayaka told the old woman with a smile, "As beautiful as your music."
Kamisato Ayaka loved the old woman's music, the kind that could express a lifetime of experience, a realm that many musicians could not reach.
As the Kamisato clan, responsible for the Yashiro Commission, they had extensive research into folk instruments, and employed many renowned musicians. Yet, few of these famous musicians could reach the old woman's level.
Only the old woman could play and sing a song that spanned a lifetime.
"Although the music is old, it is precisely because of this that its charm has settled more deeply. This single piece is worth a thousand pieces of gold. It's a pity that not many people can sit down and listen to music quietly..."
Feng Yi sighed. Zhongli would probably enjoy this kind of time-worn melody.
"Hahaha, it's enough that you two like it. Young man, this old woman has a request for you..."
"Grandma, please say it."
"This old woman knows her time is short. I hope that after I'm gone, you'll take good care of Xintzi. She's a good child..."
"Grandma, I will!"
Feng Yi nodded.
"Grandma, I'm not a child anymore, why do I need someone to take care of me?"
Kamisato Ayaka held the old woman's arm, pouting softly, and couldn't help but steal a glance at Feng Yi.
"Alright, alright, Xintzi is not a child anymore..."
The old woman patted Kamisato Ayaka's hand and chuckled softly.
This scene was remarkably warm and peaceful.
As the sky gradually darkened, Kamisato Ayaka and Feng Yi bid farewell to the old woman and departed.
"Feng Yi, you don't need to take Grandma's words seriously..."
At the street intersection, as they parted, Kamisato Ayaka placed her hands behind her back, her ears slightly red, and said softly to Feng Yi, her voice a little nervous.
"That won't do. I, Feng, am a man of my word. Since I've already promised Grandma, I will definitely take care of you for the rest of your life..."
Feng Yi winked at Kamisato Ayaka and said with a chuckle.
"This... I, uh, I should be going. Feng Yi, goodbye, good night!"
Upon hearing Feng Yi's words, which were almost a confession, Kamisato Ayaka's mind went blank, and she became flustered.
At this moment, the maiden's heart was in turmoil.
"Ayaka, good night!"
Feng Yi waved goodbye with a smile to the flustered Kamisato Ayaka who ran off.
After Kamisato Ayaka left, Feng Yi also turned and walked towards his residence, in good spirits, humming a little tune.
"Feng Yi! It's bad! Master Masakatsu has been arrested!"
Just as he passed by the Naganohara Fireworks Shop, Yoimiya suddenly rushed out in a panic.
"Yoimiya, don't rush. Calm down and tell me what happened slowly."
Feng Yi stopped and gently comforted the anxious Yoimiya.
Master Masakatsu?
Could it be the one who was caught by the Tenryou Commission for forging Visions?
"Feng Yi, come inside and talk!"
Yoimiya pulled Feng Yi's arm and dragged him into the room.
"Feng Yi, this is what happened..."
Yoimiya drank a large cup of herbal tea, calmed down considerably, and recounted the events to Feng Yi.
According to Yoimiya, the secret hideout for forging Visions was suddenly raided by the Tenryou Commission, and the leader, Master Masakatsu, was directly arrested and taken to the Shogunate prison.
Yoimiya, who received the news in the afternoon, intended to storm the prison and rescue Master Masakatsu.
However, she was stopped by her father, Ryunosuke. Attempting a jailbreak was a serious crime, and if she acted impulsively, she would not be welcome anywhere in Inazuma.
Ryunosuke told Yoimiya that it would be best to discuss this matter with Feng Yi first, to see if he had any better ideas.
"Let's stage a jailbreak!"
Feng Yi said after listening.