Green Mountain-Chapter 681 - 538: Prelude to Water Melody

In the Qi family boudoir, Qi Zhaoning sat in front of the mirror, while Qi Zhenzhu stood behind her gently bundling her hair.

The mirror was a rare glass one, and the comb was made of rhinoceros horn. The comb, as smooth as black jade, plowed through Qi Zhaoning's hair, making it as sleek as satin.

Qi Zhenzhu tied up her hair: "Which hairpin will you wear today, Miss?"

Qi Zhaoning took out two hairpins from the left-hand drawer of the dressing box, one was a Dian Cui velvet flower pin, and the other was a white jade pin like mutton fat. She looked at herself in the mirror: "The one on the left is a new piece by Master Li, and the one on the right is finely carved by Master Zhou. Which do you think suits me better? It's said that Master Zhou also made a white jade pin embedded with east pearl, which was his two months of effort specially prepared for the Mid-Autumn Festival. The east pearl is as round as the moon, but unfortunately, someone took it a step ahead..."

Qi Zhenzhu, her face veiled with white gauze, lowered her eyelids: "The Dian Cui is wise and beautiful, while the white jade is elegant and plain. Both would look good on you, Miss."

Qi Zhaoning insisted: "I want you to tell me which looks better."

Qi Zhenzhu paused for a moment: "The white jade pin suits you more, Miss."

Qi Zhaoning examined the two pins and finally chose the Dian Cui velvet flower one: "The Dian Cui is too extravagant, he should prefer something more elegant."

At this moment, Qi Zhaoyun entered the room with two maids, and Qi Zhaoning quickly asked: "Sister, has he arrived yet?"

Qi Zhaoyun shook her head slightly: "Not yet, Father sent me to hurry you. The guests have already arrived at Pellucid Tower, you must be quick."

Qi Zhaoning frowned: "It's almost evening, how come he's not here yet."

Qi Zhaoyun sighed: "The An Nan Envoy arrived in the Imperial Capital today, he might have been delayed by something."

Qi Zhaoning raised an eyebrow: "He's not on duty anymore, what could delay him... Sister, what's the matter with you?"

She scrutinized her sister, noticing her haggard face, sunken eyes, and cheeks, appearing quite emaciated.

Qi Zhaoyun smiled gently: "I'm fine."

Qi Zhaoning grasped her arm with concern: "Are you still thinking about that man named Huang? I heard he's gone south for business, dealing with coarse salt every day, why bother thinking about such a man."

Qi Zhaoyun remained silent.

Qi Zhaoning continued: "Sister, you're about to become Princess Consort Fu. Prince Fu is currently in Jinling, striving for governance, a rising dragon. All the girls in the capital secretly envy you."

Qi Zhaoyun placed her hand on Qi Zhaoning's and said softly: "Zhaoning, one's life is but a fleeting few decades. What others think is not important, what's important is how you see it yourself. Don't let others' opinions become your prison. Also, when the Marquis of Wuxiang comes today, don't quarrel with him. You're to be married in January, you should be affectionate."

Qi Zhaoning withdrew her hand: "He's the one who first published his affair with Zhang Xia in the Capital Morning News. Everyone says he's suited for Zhang Xia, leaving me humiliated. About this, even in front of Official Chen, I'm in the right."

Qi Zhaoyun said helplessly: "Yes, yes, he was wrong at first, but why must husband and wife insist on right and wrong? At that time, they were outside Chongli Pass, facing life and death. If it weren't for Second Miss Zhang charging into the White Tiger Festival Hall, how could he have come back alive?"

Qi Zhaoning's face darkened: "So what? It still shouldn't have been published in the newspaper!"

As they spoke, a maid came in carrying a sandalwood box: "Miss, the Chen family has arrived. The Chen family housekeeper, Chen Xu, brought a box, saying it's an apology gift for you from the Marquis of Wuxiang for Mid-Autumn Festival."

Qi Zhaoning's eyes lit up, but she maintained composure: "Alright, place it on the desk."

After the maid exited the boudoir, she nodded toward Qi Zhenzhu: "Open it and see."

Qi Zhenzhu opened it facing her, and Qi Zhaoning suddenly stood up with delight: "Isn't this the 'Mid-Autumn Full Moon' that Master Zhou spent two months making? So he was the one who bought it!"

Qi Zhaoyun smoothed things over: "I've also heard of this 'Mid-Autumn Full Moon'. It is said that Master Zhou took a year to choose the east pearl. He told people that Mid-Autumn is both a time for family reunion and mutual love, so if east pearl is to be chosen, it must be perfectly round and flawless to live up to the symbolism of Mid-Autumn. I also heard that before the hairpin was finished, the wife of the Xu family wanted to reserve it, but Master Zhou refused, saying that this hairpin is more fitting as a token of love."

Qi Zhaoning smiled with pleasure: "Alright, alright, since he put so much thought into it, I shall forgive him."

Qi Zhaoyun slowly exhaled a breath: "Come, let me help you wear it. The banquet is about to start, we must hurry."

...

...

Beside Guangchi, Pellucid Tower was brightly lit, resembling an exquisite painting boat anchored by the lakeside.

Someone on the second floor cast fish food, drawing all the golden-red koi in Guangchi to gather in the light, shimmering brilliantly.

Inside Pellucid Tower.

At the head of the hall, Mr. Qi and Official Chen sat side by side, with only a step between their desks.

Qi Zhaoning walked breezily, holding her sister's hand as they entered Pellucid Tower, seating themselves at the empty spot on the left.

As soon as she sat down, her eyes searched the main hall, but she couldn't find any trace of Chen Ji: "Huh, where is Chen Ji?"

Chen Ji was not in Pellucid Tower.

Qi Zhaoyun furrowed her brow and turned to her brother at the next table, Qi Zhenwu: "Brother, didn't the Chen family arrive? Why isn't the Marquis of Wuxiang here?"

Qi Zhenwu shook his head: "I didn't see him. Just now when Official Chen arrived, he was not present, see, the table left for him is still empty."

Qi Zhaoning's face slowly sank: "Since he didn't come, then the hairpin wasn't sent by him but by Official Chen on his behalf."

Qi Zhaoyun quickly changed the subject, asking Qi Zhenwu: "There are two tables left empty, who is the other for?"

Qi Zhenwu replied with regret: "It's reserved for Buddhist disciple Wuzhai. Originally, there was an intention to pair Wuzhai with Chen Ji for a third Debating Scripture, but unfortunately, the servants reported back just now, saying that Wuzhai has been practicing Silent Meditation since the last Debating Scripture, living in seclusion and unwilling to engage in worldly affairs anymore."

Qi Zhaoyun worriedly looked at Qi Zhaoning, who remained silent with a small, tense face.

After waiting for two incense sticks' time, Chen Ji still did not appear.

Chen Ji was absent.

During the banquet, everyone was discussing the visit of the An Nan envoy today. Yuan Wang said loudly: "Earlier, I heard that Governor Yang is brave and wise. I never thought he could capture the Siam King alive with eight thousand elite soldiers, bringing glory to our nation."

Yang Zhong looked at Qi Xianshu: "Uncle, I've heard that the King of An Nan desires a political marriage with our court on this visit. Is this true?"

Qi Xianshu nodded: "It is true. Although Your Majesty has not agreed yet, the King of An Nan has attained such a great achievement, and there isn't a reason to reject him."

Yang Zhong asked, puzzled: "But Your Majesty has no daughters, and our country has no one suitable for a political marriage."

Qi Xianshu casually replied: "Don't forget, Princess Jing's daughter Zhu Baili is still cultivating in Jingyang Palace. She could be sent for the marriage."

While Qi Zhaoyun was listening to her father's discussion with others, she heard Qi Zhaoning beside her suddenly whisper: "I know why he didn't come."

Qi Zhaoyun turned her head to look at her sister, who took out a plain silver hairpin from her sleeve, her fingers turning white with pressure. There were eight small characters engraved on the hairpin:

Year after year, age after age.

On the day of the sacrifice at the Ancestor Silkworm Altar, Qi Zhaoning had already suspected that the story of Li Changge debating scripture and leading a horse for the Commandery Princess in the Four Dreams of Bianliang was true, both the event and the sentiment were true. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

And today, Chen Ji's absence was surely due to his efforts for the Commandery Princess's matter. His apology was false, the purity of their feelings was false, all was false.

Qi Zhaoning whispered: "Truly a deep affection. If one person were to do so for me, this life would be worthwhile. No wonder Daoist Master Zhang Li wants to write about him, for his appearance makes others seem dim by comparison..."

Qi Zhaoyun asked in confusion: "What?"

Qi Zhaoning's voice gradually sank: "But he is not mine."

At this time, someone at the banquet mentioned the Capital Morning and Evening News competing with each other, as well as the grand wishes of the Morning News.

This was the most lively matter in the Imperial Capital lately, and since wine flowed, it could not be avoided in conversation.

However, after someone brought it up, everyone at the banquet cautiously observed Mr. Qi and Official Chen's expressions, as after all, the cause of the commotion was rooted in Chen Ji and Qi Zhaoning.

Yuan Wang, aware that the Mid-Autumn Night Banquet today was meant to ease the tensions between the Qi and Chen families, glanced at Cui Qinghe, and said loudly: "The competition between the two newspapers was originally meant to foster friendship through literature. Unexpectedly, the Third Miss Qi's challenge brought out the Marquis of Wuxiang's magnanimity, whose selfless generosity and compassion for the world is truly exemplary. The Third Miss Qi and the Marquis of Wuxiang are indeed a pair made in heaven..."

But before the words fell, Qi Zhaoning spoke up: "What friendship through literature? It's nothing but a hastily assembled piece by martial artists and idle city dwellers, why is it so highly esteemed? The Marquis of Wuxiang is accustomed to sophistry; when they cannot produce Mid-Autumn poems, they resort to trickery. I say, Meihua Ferry Crossing should be closed, so those filthy city people do not confuse the audience!"

After these words, Pellucid Tower suddenly fell silent.

Qi Zhaoyun grasped Qi Zhaoning's wrist tightly, not wanting her to continue, and even Mr. Qi and Official Chen looked over. No one expected that Qi Zhaoning was unwilling to reconcile.

Yet at this moment, Chen Xu entered Pellucid Tower holding a stack of newspapers, heading straight for the Chief.

He approached Official Chen and whispered: "Sir, this is today's Evening News from Meihua Ferry Crossing. Though there's nothing new, there's a fine Mid-Autumn poem written by Brother Pao Chen Chong."

Mr. Qi looked at Official Chen: "Official, you seem quite interested in these new things."

Official Chen took the Evening News, leisurely saying: "It's the work of our own children, so we must look to see if there are any flaws. I asked Chen Xu to buy it daily for me to check for any omissions. At first, I didn't take it seriously; I, like Mr. Qi, felt that these things shook the foundation of the court. Yet, now, if I miss even one day, I feel something is missing... Mr. Qi, take a look too; though we are old, we must understand what happens in this world daily."

Official Chen turned past the section that flattered Emperor Ning, directly flipping to the third page. The third page still held new things, explaining how charcoal could be used to filter dirty water for emergency drinking during long travels... nothing special.

The fourth page discussed piston pumps replacing the current manually operated water wells, but Official Chen, despite reading the diagrams and explanations for some time, could not comprehend them.

He turned to the fifth page.

The fifth page previously was all idle gossip, such as which merchant entered which brothel, written by scholars disdainful yet secretly reading.

And today, the fifth page contained only a poem.

Official Chen, upon seeing this poem, fell silent at his seat for a long time, seemingly contemplating the poem's nuances.

The guests below exchanged glances, unsure of what had occurred. Qi Xianshu thought for a moment and motioned to the servant: "Bring the Evening News from Meihua Ferry Crossing."

Thirty minutes later, the servant returned.

Qi Xianshu turned to the fifth page, whispering: "...Water Melody Variations?"

He continued reading: "When will the bright moon appear? With wine, I ask the blue heavens."

These words caused the banquet to fall silent once more; only then did the crowd realize that Meihua Ferry Crossing's Evening News had chosen to respond with a Mid-Autumn poem on the Mid-Autumn day.

Qi Xianshu continued reading quietly: "Not knowing the heavenly palace, what year is tonight. I want to ride the wind back there, but fear the jade palace is too high to endure the cold. Dancing under the clear shadows, how like it is in human realms."

He halted abruptly.

After a brief pause, Qi Xianshu's voice inadvertently rose, distinct in the silent Pellucid Tower: "...turn to the vermilion pavilion, lower the carved door, illuminating the sleepless. There should not be hatred, why does it long to be complete at times apart? People experience sorrow and joy, partings and reunions, the moon has cloudy moments and clear. Such things are ancient and rarely perfect. May we endure long, sharing the moon's beauty from afar."

Pellucid Tower sank into prolonged, nearly stagnant silence, as quiet as a needle dropping.

Mr. Qi sighed lightly upon noticing the poem's signature: "Chen Chong's final piece."