Long Er frowned and glared at his back, clearly displeased. Ju Mu'er called out to him from inside the room, "Second Master."
Long Er asked gruffly, "What is it?"
"Second Master, come here." Ju Mu'er heard the voice and knew he was turning to look at her, so she waved to him.
Long Er walked over with heavy steps. Ju Mu'er turned around, picked up the bowl of tea she had prepared from the table, and presented it to Long Er, saying in a soft voice, "Second Master, have some tea."
Long Er's expression softened, and he took the tea and drank it down in one gulp. The sweet orange aroma truly made him more awake. He put down the bowl, and Ju Mu'er came over and stroked his arm: "Second Master, what are your plans for tomorrow?"
Long Er thought about it and realized that tomorrow would indeed be another day full of tasks. He suddenly smiled and pulled Ju Mu'er into his arms. This girl, instead of directly urging him to leave, asked him about his plans for tomorrow, letting him figure out that he still had things to do and should go back to rest early.
Long Er rubbed her head. This clever little devil! He really wanted to marry her as soon as possible and keep her in the house so that no one could bother him. He could see her whenever he was free. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
That night, Long Er returned to his residence and lay down on his bed, about to fall asleep, when he remembered that he had forgotten to check on Ju Mu'er's head injury. How could he have forgotten again? He turned over and looked through the open window at the bright moon outside. He wondered if his Mu'er was asleep, and if she was also seeing the moon outside, so beautiful, just like him.
Then he remembered that his Mu'er was a sleepyhead and must be asleep. Also, she couldn't see the moon. Long Er closed his eyes, imagining what it would be like if he couldn't see anything at all. As he thought about it, he fell asleep.
The wedding arrangements on the 29th are a battleground between the parties.
In the following days, Long Er did not go to see Ju Mu'er again.
Firstly, they were busy, and secondly, it was time to exchange betrothal gifts. Granny Yu specifically sought out Long Er and instructed him to observe the traditional customs, that the man and woman should not meet before the betrothal, and it was even better not to meet before the wedding.
"Not even before the wedding?" Long Er's face darkened. There were still more than two months until the wedding, and he was currently in a good relationship with Ju Mu'er. He was really unwilling to keep avoiding her.
Granny Yu, of course, knew Long Er's temperament, so she tactfully suggested that it was fine to visit occasionally, but not too often. Ideally, a female relative from the woman's family would accompany him, but since there were no female relatives at home, it would be best if the father-in-law were present. Granny Yu said she had already discussed this with Old Man Ju.
Long Er then remembered that he had gotten drunk last night and scolded his future father-in-law.
Long Er began to feel a headache coming on. He knew about filial piety. Back when his parents were alive, he and his two brothers had always treated them with utmost respect. After their deaths, the Long family faced suppression from various forces in the government and business worlds. The three brothers worked together to protect the family; the eldest became an official, the youngest roamed the business world, and Long Er single-handedly supported the family business, managing everything with great difficulty. Over the years, he had grown accustomed to putting on a show of respect, and now, suddenly having a father-in-law to honor, he was finding it rather difficult to adjust.
Long Er thought for a moment. His father-in-law loved to drink, so he might as well cater to his taste and apologize to him. He instructed the head chef to prepare many side dishes to accompany the drinks every day, and then ordered a servant to deliver them to the local liquor store daily.
This greatly pleased Old Master Ju, who specially sent his servant to convey his gratitude. Long Er, however, asked if Miss Ju had said anything. The servant replied that Miss Ju had only smiled and had not spoken.
Long Erli was somewhat dissatisfied, thinking that his father-in-law knew to ask a servant to pass on a message, so why was his Mu'er so indifferent, not even saying a word to him? He thought about taking some time to write her a letter, but then he thought that she couldn't see it, and he didn't want Old Man Ju to read his letter, so he gave up.
During this time, Long Er also went to Ding Sheng's residence to deliver New Year's gifts. He didn't stay long, only chatting with that old fox Ding Sheng for a while. They didn't talk about anything serious, but in fact, they both understood each other's meaning.
Ding Sheng had, of course, heard about the trouble caused by the Yun family's betrothal. He understood Long Er's purpose in coming here. He didn't want to offend Long Er, but he also couldn't show weakness. So he subtly distanced himself, saying that he had been spending too much time with the younger generation lately and hadn't really enjoyed the joys of father-in-law and son-in-law life. He then turned around and congratulated Long Er on his marriage.
Long Er understood his meaning and casually mentioned a few matters that were of great importance, each of which had some connection to Ding Sheng. Ding Sheng accepted his suggestion and thanked Long Er for his guidance. He understood the seriousness of the matter and would never get involved with anything shady. Seeing that his purpose had been achieved, Long Er smiled and took his leave.
Back at the Yun residence, a scout from the Long family reported that Yun Qingxian had gone out of town on business a few days ago and hadn't returned. Upon hearing this, Long Er didn't go in person; he simply sent Steward Tie with gifts to inquire about Ding Yanxiang.
Meanwhile, the day for the betrothal ceremony finally arrived.
That day, Granny Yu, accompanied by the matchmaker and servants, went to the local wine shop to present the betrothal gifts. As soon as they arrived, the matchmaker began to announce the auspicious occasion, and the servants carried in box after box of large red gifts. The commotion was so great that people from all around came to see.
Everyone says there are so many things to do when you're at home. Just a couple of days ago, there was a betrothal ceremony that ended in a fight. How come there's another betrothal ceremony so soon?
Old Man Ju invited some of his regular neighbors to his home, served them wine, and everyone celebrated and offered their congratulations, making for a lively and joyous occasion. Old Man Ju, dressed in new clothes, beamed with smiles. He solemnly handed the betrothal gifts and return presents to Granny Yu, putting both elderly women at ease.
The marriage is finally settled!
In the backyard, Su Qing ran back and forth, telling Ju Mu'er, who was sitting in the house, everything she had seen and heard in the front hall. She said happily, "Sister, there are so many things. They are wrapped so beautifully, I saw that they were piled up in half the room. I used to think that Master Long was stingy and fierce, and I thought he was a bad person, but now it seems that he is not bad to you, sister."
"Second Master is indeed very good."
Su Qing looked at her and asked, "Sister, why aren't you smiling? Aren't you happy? Don't you want to marry Master Long?"
Ju Mu'er shook her head and quickly smiled; "I'm happy, I want to marry him. I'm just a little nervous."
Su Qing chuckled: "You're already nervous before you're even ready to get married. What will you do after you get married?"
Ju Mu'er smiled bitterly. There was no turning back; she was afraid she would have to carry this guilt all the way.
Inside the Long residence, Long Er was somewhat agitated, constantly wondering if there would be any more mistakes regarding the betrothal arrangements. He was busy with other things while his mind wandered, and after waiting for half a day, Granny Yu finally returned. She brought back the betrothal letter and return gifts, and pulled Long Er to go and pay respects to the ancestral tablets.
Long Er obediently went, and seeing his and Ju Mu'er's birth dates and times laid out before the ancestors, Long Er finally felt a sense of reality.
It's finally settled! Ryuji kowtowed earnestly.
He's finally getting married.
After the marriage between the Long and Ju families was arranged, the Ju family's wine shop became bustling with activity. Firstly, it was a joyous occasion, and the wine shop needed to prepare extra for a celebratory year. Secondly, the bride-to-be was busy with her wedding preparations. Although Ju Mu'er was blind and couldn't do much, the wives and mothers-in-law from the neighborhood were happy to help. For a time, the wine shop's courtyard was frequently filled with people, often with groups of women gathering in Ju Mu'er's small yard to work and chat.
Just then, Ding Yanxiang arrived again.
Old Master Ju became wary of Madam Yun and refused to let her see Ju Mu'er. Ding Yanxiang pleaded softly, but she wouldn't leave. Both sides blocked the front hall of the wine shop. Later, Ju Mu'er heard the news and sent Su Qing out to say that she was willing to see her.
Ding Yanxiang thanked her softly and followed Su Qing to the backyard. In the backyard, two women were sitting in the courtyard embroidering wedding handkerchiefs. When they saw Madam Yun arrive, they hurriedly got up and bowed. Ding Yanxiang returned the bow and then went into Ju Mu'er's hut alone.
The two women met and remained silent as they faced each other.
Finally, Ding Yanxiang spoke first: "I came here today to apologize to you, young lady."
Ju Mu'er nodded slightly to indicate that she had heard, but did not respond. Ding Yanxiang smiled bitterly, hesitated for a long time, and then said, "It was my fault. I was too eager to please my husband, which is why I said those things. I thought that since you had agreed, I would treat you well and never let you suffer any grievances once you entered the household. I thought that in time, you would understand my feelings. I told my husband that day, and he was very happy, but he was also a little skeptical. He said he would come and ask you, but he happened to find you injured and recuperating, and he was stopped at the door. He asked me again and again, and I told him that you had indeed agreed. At that time, I thought that it would be better to bring forward the matter of giving gifts."
Ju Mu'er listened attentively. Ding Yanxiang glanced at her, bit her lip, and her voice choked with sadness: "The next day, my husband took an official business trip and went to another place. I consulted a matchmaker about the betrothal gifts, but not long after, I heard that you and Master Long were getting engaged. I panicked and urged the matchmaker to come and talk to them properly, to make it happen. But I never expected that they were using a trick to swindle the gifts. Although I made a mistake before, I still want to tell you, Miss, that I never instructed them to do this. I hope you will forgive me and not blame me."
After thinking for a long time, Ju Mu'er finally replied, "Since the matter is over, Madam, please don't take it to heart."
Upon hearing this, Ding Yanxiang finally smiled, but two tears rolled down her cheeks. She took a handkerchief, wiped them, sniffed, and said, "I am truly happy to hear you say that, Miss. I really shouldn't have done this. I was so foolish. I didn't mean to do anything to your family when I said those things. I just wanted you to agree. I hope you won't blame me."
"It's all in the past."
“My husband should be back tomorrow. I… I still need to think about how to tell him. I felt bad seeing him so upset when his marriage proposal failed. I wanted to make him happy, but now I’m afraid I’ve upset him. I…” She sniffed, and tears fell again. “I’ve been very uneasy these past two days, and I feel ashamed to say anything more to you, but I definitely have to come and apologize. Now that I’ve said it, I feel much better.”
“Madam, you are overthinking this.” Ju Mu’er bowed her head and said, “I am just a blind woman in plain clothes. I have no special skills and I have no reason to blame anyone. Let bygones be bygones. Lord Yun and Madam are a loving couple and will surely grow old together in harmony. Please don’t worry about it anymore.”
30. Subtle probing, hidden turmoil.
The New Year is just around the corner, and the wedding date is getting closer.
That day, Ju Mu'er asked Su Qing to accompany her to Shihua Lane. There was a house in the lane where she secretly taught Hua Niang to play the zither.
Previously, apart from Su Qing, no one around her knew about this place. However, now that Long Er had sent two guards to follow her around the wine shop, Ju Mu'er couldn't avoid them when she went out, otherwise it would seem like she was doing something wrong, and reporting it to Long Er would bring trouble.
So when the date for the lesson was set, Ju Mu'er had a guard surnamed Chen accompany her. However, when they arrived at the alley entrance, she asked him to wait for her and explained the reason, clarifying that the girls who came to learn the zither could not meet outsiders.
Upon hearing this, the guard rested at the tea stall at the alley entrance and waited for them.
Su Qing led Ju Mu'er into the house. The house was a two-section structure, with one room inside and one outside. There were several zithers in the inner room, while the outer room only had tables and chairs, and the furnishings were quite simple.
Ju Mu'er and Su Qing waited for a while, and then five flower maids arrived one after another. They all wore veils, concealing their true faces. Su Qing knew the rules of teaching the zither, so she didn't look at them much and just sat in the outer room.
The courtesans entered the inner room, removed their veils, and began to laugh and joke. They first teased Ju Mu'er about her marriage, surrounding her and asking her all sorts of questions about Master Long. Even though Ju Mu'er pretended to be calm, she couldn't help but blush at their unrefined words.
Then Ju Mu'er put on a serious face and said that this was the last time she would teach them to play the zither. The flower maids quickly composed themselves and told her about the problems they had encountered in playing the zither. Ju Mu'er had each of them play a piece and then gave them detailed instructions, teaching them for a full hour. Only then was the lesson over.
Once the music lesson was over, the flower girls started chatting again. One of them suddenly said, "Miss Mu'er, since this is the last time we'll meet, why don't you play a really impressive piece so we can all see what it's like?" The other flower girls immediately agreed.
In terms of the art of playing the zither, Ju Mu'er was already famous when she was young. It was said in the streets that "in the wine shop in the south of the city, there is a girl named Mu'er, whose skillful hands play the zither and whose heavenly music comes naturally."
This is why Ju Mu'er was qualified to attend the execution ceremony held by her master, who invited many renowned musicians. She was also the only female musician who could attend the ceremony, and the youngest musician among them.
However, after a series of incidents, such as her blindness leading to the annulment of her engagement and her entanglement with a married man, fewer people talked about her musical skills, and more talked about her gossip and scandals. Few people said anything about her "magical hands playing the zither, heavenly music coming naturally".
Ju Mu'er was always low-key. When she taught the flower maids to play the zither, she never showed off her skills. She simply taught them the most basic techniques according to their individual circumstances, without playing the zither herself to show off.
This aroused the curiosity of the flower maids. The rumors were all very exaggerated, but they didn't know how good Ju Mu'er's zither skills were. Now that someone mentioned it, the flower maids cheered and agreed to let her play the zither.
Ju Mu'er simply smiled and asked, "What kind of amazing piece of music is it?"
The flower maids hurriedly suggested several famous tunes, but the one who made the suggestion said, "Those tunes are played all the time, what's so special about them? If we want to hear something, let's hear something we've never heard before."
Ju Mu'er laughed again, and asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'never heard of it'?"
The flower maid said mysteriously, "Miss Mu'er, I overheard some guests talking about how that Qin Saint Shi Boyin is the true master of the Qin world. In terms of Qin skills, I'm afraid no one in the world can surpass him. I've also heard that many high-ranking officials and nobles would spend a fortune just to hear him play a piece. But Shi Boyin is an eccentric. He has a rule: he only plays for those who understand him."
"A kindred spirit?" someone asked curiously. "What kind of person would be considered his kindred spirit?"
"Shouldn't they be someone who understands and appreciates the zither?" another person said.
The flower maid replied, "That should be it. I heard from a guest that the Minister of Personnel, Shi Zechun, is like that."
Ju Mu'er's heart stirred, and she listened quietly to their conversation.
One person shouted, "Isn't the Minister of Personnel the one who was killed by Shi Boyin?"
The flower maid nodded: "It was him. I heard that Minister Shi is a qin fanatic, his house is filled with qin scores and famous qins. Whenever he hears of a new or wonderful score, or a famous or fine qin, he has to go and see it. If he finds one he likes, he will spend a fortune to buy it. He loves the qin and is obsessed with music, and he tried every means to invite his master, Uncle Yin, to a gathering. Later, he inquired everywhere, asked people to persuade him, and even personally played a few pieces of music in front of Uncle Yin's residence. He was so sincere and a master of the qin, that he finally moved Uncle Yin. It is said that the two played together for three days and became close friends."
"Ah, close friends? Then why did Shi Boyin still want to kill him?"
"It is said that Minister Shi obtained a wonderful zither score, but he could not understand it and could not play it well. So he invited Master Boyin to his residence to ask for advice. Master Boyin studied it for two days in the Minister's residence and finally figured it out. However, the zither score was so wonderful that Master Boyin became greedy and wanted Minister Shi to part with it. Minister Shi was unwilling, and the two had a dispute. Master Boyin held a grudge and poisoned the food in the Shi family in order to take the zither score."
"How vicious!" several courtesans exclaimed, feeling indignant on behalf of the unjustly killed Minister Shi.
The flower maiden continued, "It is said that Master Boyin played a series of pieces at the execution ceremony, including this one. Miss Mu'er, why don't you play this peerless zither piece and let us witness it?"
Upon hearing this, the flower maids loudly echoed their agreement. Naturally, everyone was curious about the zither music that had caused such a sensational case.
But Ju Mu'er smiled faintly and said, "I have never seen any peerless musical scores, so how could I know whether Master Shi played the piece on that score before his execution? Your guest is very knowledgeable and has seen much more than I, a blind girl."
The flower girl was taken aback, but quickly added, "Regardless of whether it's from the score or not, Master Shi's music is bound to be excellent. Please let us see for ourselves, young lady."
Ju Mu'er shook her head: "Master Shi's qin skills are extraordinary, like those of a celestial being. How can I, a mere qin player, compare? The pieces he played at the execution qin gathering were intricate and exquisite. I was captivated by them, but I can't remember them afterward. The requirements you've set are too high; I can't play them."
The flower maids sighed and cried out in regret. Ju Mu'er plucked the strings and began to play music, saying slowly, "I will play a piece you are all familiar with, 'Warm Spring Day.' Listen to the changes and if you think I play it well, then think about what I would like to say."
As she spoke, she began to play. This piece, "Warm Spring Day," was one of the most beloved tunes played in the brothel. Its melody was gentle and simple, making it easy to play, beautiful in its imagery, and neither vulgar nor elitist, which is why it was so popular with the courtesans.
Almost every woman who learns the zither can play this piece; in fact, mastering it makes one a mediocre musician in the brothel. Therefore, when the woman heard "Warm Spring Day" being played, she lost all enthusiasm.
But Ju Mu'er seemed oblivious to their complaints, calmly continuing to play the piece. At first, it was a familiar melody, languid and sweet—a favorite tune in the brothel. But as Ju Mu'er played on, it suddenly became lighter, like the first plowing of spring, the busy work of farmers, invigorating and energizing. On the third repetition, however, it turned into a long, melancholic lament, as if waiting for spring's warmth and blossoms, yet waiting in vain for her lover…
Ju Mu'er played the piece six times, each time with slight variations, yet each time giving a completely different feeling. After playing it six times, she stopped.
The flower girls were all stunned. Even those with average musical skills who couldn't discern the profound nuances could understand that this simple melody had been given six variations. Because it was a piece they heard most often, they never expected it to be so different.
Ju Mu'er said, "Learning the zither is not about following a set routine. If you want to improve, practice more; if you want to achieve beauty, vary your playing. Play freely, with feeling and intention, and you will naturally produce good music. This is all I can teach you."
The flower girls realized what was happening and quickly thanked her. Ju Mu'er smiled slightly and said, "It's been quite a while, everyone should go now. I won't be coming here again, so I'll take my leave of you ladies."
The flower girls stood up to say goodbye, put on their veils, and filed out.
Su Qing waited in the outer room. Everyone had left, but Ju Mu'er hadn't come out for a long time. So she ran to the door of the inner room to call her, but saw Ju Mu'er staring blankly, as if she was thinking about something.
Su Qing was puzzled. She had found it strange when she heard Ju Mu'er suddenly showing off her zither skills in the outer room, and now seeing her lost in thought, she was even more puzzled. Just as she was about to go into the room, a veiled woman returned. She walked past Su Qing, entered the room, and called out, "Miss Mu'er."
Ju Mu'er paused for a moment, then replied, "Miss Yueyao."
Su Qing tilted her head and looked at them from the doorway.
Lin Yueyao approached Ju Mu'er and asked in a low voice, "If I need to find you in the future, how should I contact you? The gates of the Long Mansion are not a place a woman like me can enter or leave."
Ju Mu'er seemed hesitant and didn't answer for a while. Seeing this, Su Qing quickly jumped in and said, "If you're looking for your sister, just find me. I often sell flowers on East Street."