Qingsi remained silent for a long while, then looked at him and asked, "Why are you helping me?"
The young master said, "Because what you are about to do is beneficial to me."
Qingsi looked at him and said, "You're using me."
“No, there are things I don’t need to use you for, but you would do them anyway, and you might not even succeed. So I’m just helping you,” the young master said with a smile and a shake of his head. “I not only know your background, but I also know the person you’re looking for.”
Her gentle gaze turned sharp, and Qing Si took two steps forward: "Where is he?"
The young master did not answer, but instead looked at a paulownia wood zither beside him: "I heard that there was once a Miss Wen in Huai'an City who loved playing and listening to the zither. Miss Qing Si is beautiful and talented, so she must play it quite well as well."
Qingsi remained silent, staring straight at him.
The young master suddenly changed the subject: "The weather has been nice lately, and the night view in Jiangnan is beautiful. Why don't you go boating and enjoy the scenery? Perhaps the person you are waiting for will come to you when they hear your music."
Qingsi frowned, as if she had realized something.
The young master said, "Whether you can keep someone in front of you depends on your ability. Some things cannot be rushed, and you will have to pay a price for it."
Qingsi nodded: "Thank you."
“You don’t need to thank me, it’s just that what you did was to my advantage,” the young master said, rising. “From now on, no one will know your background, and your family will live a good life.”
He took two steps, then stopped, turned around, and smiled: "Remember to bring your violin."
.
The Millennium Warm Jade Cup has been stolen! The news spread like wildfire at daybreak. Who else but the Thousand Hands Sect would dare to steal the Warm Jade Cup right in front of Tianshui City Lord Shui Fengqing? In recent years, Tianshui City and the Thousand Hands Sect have risen to prominence side-by-side, maintaining a low profile. Now, a conflict has finally arisen, and everyone is excited, eager to see a good show. The news did not disappoint: "We will never let the Thousand Hands Sect get away with this," supposedly Shui Fengqing's exact words.
On the riverbank at night, two dark figures walked side by side, one tall and the other petite.
"Brother Xiaohu's wife is very kind. Those people tried to grab her just now and almost chopped off her hand. If we don't go, will Brother Xiaohu use his martial arts to save her?"
"Won't."
Jin Huanlai is better than him, because Jin Huanlai will definitely step in to save him. Qiu Lingling's mood improved a lot: "Is it because he wants to secretly find that enemy?"
Jin nodded: "Those people won't really do anything to his wife."
Qiu Lingling thought for a moment: "Those people deliberately kidnapped his wife just to force him to hand over his family's treasures. Who sent them?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
"Huh?" I asked, puzzled.
Jin stopped and said, "Go back now. It's getting dark. Don't wander around anymore."
Qiu Lingling lowered her eyes: "Aren't you going back?"
Jin remained silent.
She quickly looked up and smiled, "Don't be angry, I won't argue with you. I know you won't marry them."
Jin remained silent for a long time, his eyes gradually showing pain, and he hesitated to speak.
Just then, the faint sound of a zither drifted over the river.
"Miss Qingsi!"
"It's rare to see her out today."
The two looked in the direction of the sound.
On the river, illuminated by colorful lights, flower boats gently swayed. The curtains were rolled up high, and a woman in a light red dress with her hair in a high bun sat sideways in the cabin. In front of her was a guqin (a traditional Chinese stringed instrument), and her slender hands gently caressed it. The woman and the instrument together were like a painting or a poem, a sight that was exceptionally pleasing to the eye. She was not the most beautiful, but her gentle and quiet temperament was unmatched, not to mention courtesans, even ladies from noble families rarely matched her.
When his gaze fell on that face, Jin Huanlai was completely stunned.
Qiu Lingling had already sensed something was wrong. She stared at him blankly for a long time, then murmured, "Jin, come back?"
"Qin'er!" He seemed not to hear her and ignored her, only walking quickly towards the flower boat, staring blankly, his eyes still showing shock and ecstasy.
Behind her, Qiu Lingling bit her lip. She remembered the beautiful woman's words when she went to Jiang Liuqing's place to look for him that afternoon. Her tone was desolate and helpless: "Sister, don't worry. He left yesterday. Men are all just playing around. At most, they'll stay for a year or two. Even if they redeem themselves, it's only because they're attracted to beauty. How many of them would really like us?"
Jin still likes beautiful women and is fierce towards her, but no matter what, he will always care about her when she is in trouble, and that's good too.
But seeing him find someone else, she would still feel sad. Qiu Lingling wiped her eyes, turned around and ran away.
.
“Young master, you can’t just go in like this. There are rules for seeing our young lady. Please extend your hand first,” the maidservant stopped him.
"Who's on this boat?" he asked urgently.
The maidservant asked in surprise, "You don't know? This is our Miss Qingsi."
Qingsi? Jin stayed there for half a day, feeling lost. That's right, this is the legendary Qingsi girl with eccentricities. It seems the two look alike. He had seen her grave with his own eyes. She is long gone, so how could she be here?
"Young master?" the maid called to him.
"It's nothing." Jin turned to leave.
"What's all this noise?" a gentle voice asked.
The maidservant hurriedly said, "Miss, this young master wanted to come in just now, but wouldn't let us see his hands."
The face vaguely resembled hers, but Jin remained silent. No, it still didn't look like her, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact difference. The face had long since faded from his memory, causing him guilt and heartache. That gentle woman hadn't betrayed him; she had searched for him for five whole years. He had betrayed her. Five years. If he had just gone back to see her, she would surely not have died. But he hadn't. He had only tried to hide far away and forget her, lacking even the courage to go back for a single glance. Now, he had almost forgotten her appearance, even less vividly than the image of the little girl.
His heart clenched suddenly. He turned to look at the shore, but the person was gone.
Unlike those纨绔子弟 (spoiled young masters) or roguish scholars, his handsome face carried a lot of heroic spirit. His bright eyes first stared straight at her, and then his gaze gradually changed from infatuation to pain. Then he looked at the shore, as if searching for something. Anyone who saw such a person would take a second look. Qing Si was stunned for a while, then she reacted and smiled: "Since you have come, why don't you come in and sit for a while?"
The woman with such peculiar habits had such gentle and understanding eyes. In an instant, the face in his memory became clear and vivid again. Jin was silent for a moment, then went in.
.
The small oars splashed in the water, and the boat slowly moved to the middle of the river. The cabin curtain was lowered, blocking the view of those outside, which drew sighs from the people on the bank.
He neither drank nor tasted tea; he sat there alone, staring straight at her face. Qing Si's heart stirred slightly. Without saying a word, she slowly walked to the zither, sat down, turned to him, and smiled shyly.
A moment later, the sound of a zither flowed from between the fingers, melodious and lingering, plaintive and sorrowful.
Those eyes looked increasingly pained.
The music stopped, and both of them fell silent.
He suddenly spoke up: "You have something on your mind."
Qingsi lowered her eyes, but a smile played on her lips: "How do you know?"
He didn't answer, his eyes darting around: "You don't seem like someone who grew up in a place like this."
“Who is born to be in a place like this?” Qing Si looked up at him and smiled slightly. “If you end up in a place like this, the only way to preserve your innocence is to diligently learn skills and raise your value. Besides, I am looking for someone. If I become famous throughout Jiangnan, perhaps I can get his attention. I have been waiting for a long time to find him.”
"He might not come."
"Sometimes, a woman will wait for someone, no matter how long it takes."
Jin returned to silence. What did it matter how long it took? She was just as foolish as that woman, clinging to a vow and refusing to give up. In truth, she could have completely forgotten him and perhaps lived a better life instead of ending up like that.
"You don't recognize him?"
“It’s been so long that I’ve even forgotten what he looks like,” Qing Si shook her head, “but I remember his hands.”
So that's why she has this strange habit of looking at hands? Jin was speechless. Time takes away many things. That woman gave up her life for him, and he had almost forgotten what she looked like.
Qingsi then remembered something: "How should I address you, young master?"
"His surname is Ning."
"Does Young Master Ning also have something to be sad about?"
Jin didn't answer: "I'm leaving now."
Qingsi did not try to stop him, and got up to see him out.
.
That night, in the side hall.
Jin leaned back lazily in his chair, looked at Yue Yiping, the wealth protector opposite him, and smiled: "Protector Yue, have you been having a good time lately?"
It was clearly a friendly smile, yet hanging on that handsome face, it inexplicably revealed a hint of evil, much like Jin Yue in his prime, making Yue Yiping break out in a cold sweat: "This subordinate dares not."
"You look good," Jin said, examining him closely and beckoning him with his finger. "Come here and let this leader take a closer look."
Yue Yiping knelt down with a thud: "It really has nothing to do with me. It was Miss Lingling who insisted on asking. I was worried that something might have happened to her, so I followed her out. Who knew..."
“Who knew she would still run away,” Jin Huanlai jumped up, walked up to him, and leaned down, “and almost died under Shui Fengqing’s sword.”
Yue Yiping trembled and couldn't speak.
Jin picked him up with his left hand and held a pill in his right: "Come on, open your mouth."
Yue Yiping screamed, "Master, spare my life, your subordinate..."
"I, the leader of this sect, will personally serve you the medicine. How dare you refuse?" Jin Huanlai glared angrily, shoving the medicine into his mouth while cursing, "Damn it, this is a new medicine that I just developed. The first one is being given to you. If you don't take it, you're disobeying orders. I'll chop off your hands and feet and kill you without mercy!"
The pill rolled down his throat after he struck his pressure points. Yue Yiping's face contorted in pain as he clutched his throat with both hands: "Master, Master, save me!"
“Help! I’m saving your life!” Jin Huanlai threw him aside and straightened up. “You’re lucky she’s still alive.”
Sisters' Scheme
As the heat of July fades and the weather turns cool, the annual Golden Autumn Gathering of Tianshui City arrives once again. Every year after the early rice harvest, City Lord Shui Fengqing hosts the Golden Autumn Gathering to invite friends from all directions to enjoy themselves. Many famous figures from Jiangnan receive invitations, and even secret government officials are invited. On the eve of the Golden Autumn Gathering, carriages from Tianshui City will come to pick up the guests.
The name Tianshui City has only been in the martial arts world for a few short years, yet it has made a lasting impression on everyone because of the unparalleled Tianshui Sword Technique and the name Shui Fengqing. Legend has it that Tianshui City is shrouded in mystery; very few know its location, and those who have actually been there mostly remain silent. The city's inhabitants have very little contact with the outside world, and all goods and supplies are transported by designated personnel.
Under the sunlight, wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, and countless buildings line the riverbank, bustling with people, resembling a thriving little town.
A strange ship sped by and stopped at the dock.
The boat was not tall and was made of precious ebony. It had no windows, and the cabin was almost completely sealed. Several people were already waiting on the dock. The leader was dressed in a blue shirt with a white headband. He had a kind expression and a friendly smile, but his eyes revealed a hint of authority.
Two burly men in blue robes, who were rowing the boat, put down their oars, opened the cabin door, and then respectfully stepped aside: "We have arrived at Tianshui City. Please disembark, distinguished guest."
A tall, thin man dressed in blue and white robes emerged from the cabin first, but did not go ashore. Instead, he stood respectfully by the cabin door. Then, a young man in brocade robes emerged from inside. His wide sleeves reached the ground, and he exuded an air of nobility. He bent down and stepped out of the small cabin door. He then lowered his robes, straightened up, and looked around at the scenery with great interest.
The man in blue quickly clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "Is this Young Master Yi?"
The young master smiled and returned the greeting with a slight fist and palm salute: "I am new here and am unaware of the customs of your city. Please forgive me."
The man in blue smiled and said, "Young Master Yi, you are too kind. The city lord is busy with the Golden Autumn Gathering tomorrow night. The guest rooms have been arranged. Why don't you go and rest for a while, and then take a walk around to relax? Tianshui City is small, so please don't mind any shortcomings."
"I wouldn't dare, thank you for your guidance," the young master nodded with a smile, exchanged a few more polite words, and then casually pointed to a thin man with a full beard and a small stature behind him, "I suppose you must be very busy, brother, why don't you ask this brother to lead us there first?"