Chapter 51 (2/2)
“I thought I was the one who had came early, Brother. I wasn’t expecting you to be here so soon.” Feng Luodi smiled as she curtsied to Jing Moyin. Fei and Jiang Moyin’s attendant quietly backed out of the pavilion, leaving the s.p.a.ce to the two of them.
“It seems like we were both anxious to meet, then.” Jiang Moyin smiled, and gestured to the table in front of him. “Here it is: your surprise.”
Feng Luodi’s eyes had swept to the zither on the table many times since she’d entered the pavilion, and now her eyes were glued to it.
“Rising Wind! It really is Rising Wind!” Feng Luodi’s voice was shaking as she rested her hands on the Guqin, gently caressing it. “Brother!” She was at a loss for words.
“I am well aware of your love for zithers, especially the 10 Guqin. I was hoping to gather more of them for you at the same time, but this was the only Guqin I was able to get for now. The surprise is a little lackl.u.s.tre, I guess.”
“Of course it isn’t!” Feng Luodi picked up the Guqin. “I am eternally grateful for your help in finding this Guqin for me, Brother.”
“This is a gift for my younger sister. Instead of being grateful to me, why don’t you play me a song instead?” Jiang Moyin was elated at seeing Feng Luodi’s excitement. “You haven’t left your household for a long while, and I miss your songs.”
“Sure!” Feng Luodi gently set Rising Wind back on the table. “What will you like for me to play?”
“I want a song like the ones you usually play. They are always different, yet beautiful.” 1
“Alright.” Feng Luodi nodded. “But I will alter the lyrics of the song.”
Beneath a crescent moon, my lady laughs
I raise my goblet, taking a swig of snow and wind
If Fate edicts, I shall stir the dust of life
You smile, and that will never change, even if we part.
Moon, polish our memories
Drunk in the dust of life, the years make me sleep
In this life, I raise my goblet with you by my side
In the next, I will remember this: songs, chess, you, and me.
The song ended, and Jiang Moyin clapped. “The song is beautiful. But Luodi, tell me something.”
“Hmmm?”
“Why are your songs always so sad?”
“Are they?” Feng Luodi smiled. “Maybe it’s because the lyrics are a little melancholic, and they influence the song as well.”
Jiang Moyin placed a hand onto Rising Wind.
“What’s wrong?” Feng Luodi stared at Jiang Moyin, looking as innocent as a baby.
Jiang Moyin did not speak for a long while. Then, he smiled. “Nothing. May I play a song for you now? The one you had just played.”
“You can remember it after hearing it once?” Feng Luodi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Jiang Moyin adjusted the Guqin, and placed his hands on the strings. “Of course. I can remember everything I read, and everything I hear.”
“Now I’m jealous.” Feng Luodi balled her hands into fists. Just imagine if I had this ability back in the 21st Century! All of the exams would just be in a walk in the park for me!
Jiang Moyin’s skill in playing the zither was comparable to Feng Luodi, and his performance was moving as well. Brother is not only good in music, but an expert in the other arts as well. He is knowledgeable, well versed everything from astronomical studies to governmental policies. No wonder the Heir relies so heavily on him. Feng Luodi supported her head with her hands, looking admirably at Jiang Moyin. How lucky am I, to have him as my elder brother!
“How is it?” The song ended, and Jiang Moyin looked amusedly at Feng Luodi. Feng Luodi quickly came back to her senses and withdrew her burning stare, giving him a thumbs-up.
“Amazing!” Her face crumpled, and she slumped onto the table. “Brother, you’re way too talented for your own good, you know? The zither is the only thing I’m good at, but I am barely as good as you!”
“Who said that you can only play the zither?” Jiang Moyin smiled, and took out a handkerchief with a cl.u.s.ter of bamboo embroidered on it. “You are good at sewing as well, not to mention these beautiful bookmarks that you’d made.”
Feng Luodi pouted. “The bookmarks are well done, but they are merely small craftworks. As for the sewing, stop making fun of me, Brother!”
Jiang Moyin kept the handkerchief, and laughed at Feng Luodi’s expression. “Come on now, I think I’m allowed to tease you every once in a while, or is it even a little too much to ask?”
“No! It’s unacceptable! I demand compensation!”
“Fine, fine.” Jiang Moyin stood up. “Why don’t we have some fish for lunch, fresh from the rivers in the area?”
“Really?” Feng Luodi’s eyes were s.h.i.+mmering. Her taste buds have been groomed immaculately by Qi Jianqiu’s constant culinary stimulation.
Jiang Moyin held out his hand. “Let’s go fis.h.i.+ng.”
Feng Luodi pushed herself up using the table, and smiled. “Let’s go! Jianqiu is going to be so jealous of us!
Jiang Moyin quietly retracted her hand. “We could give some of the fish to her. You’ll never know, she might just get some inspiration from this!”
“Sounds great! I’ll entrust it to you, then!”