Chapter 105: Lingering Echoes (Part One)

Yuan Jin'er crept stealthily along the long corridor of the building, her gaze scanning the stairwell opposite for her target. When she spotted the figure descending, she hurried forward a few steps. As a few young women passed by, casting suspicious glances at her, she lifted her head, twirled a strand of hair, and assumed a dignified air, though she continued to walk with quick, dainty steps.

She had little faith in Ning Yi, even if Sister Yunzhu did. Regardless, Ning Yi was someone connected to the Zhuji shop, and thus, in a sense, one of their own. As for this evening’s affair, Lü Xia had clearly already decided to side with Xue Yan; there was no way to win. It would be better to concede a little to avoid further trouble. If she were to watch him lose face, Sister Yunzhu would likely feel pained, and since Ning Yi had worked hard to build his reputation, she didn't want to see him humiliated.

Of course, she intended to give him a good scare first.

Peering through gaps in the corridor that overlooked the central garden, she watched two figures approach the intersection from different paths. Yuan Jin'er hid behind a corner, listening to the approaching footsteps. The singing from the main hall drifted toward them. Simultaneously, Liu Qingdi was approaching the same junction from another corridor. When Ning Yi’s figure came into view, Liu Qingdi cupped his hands with a smile: "Brother Ning, what a pleasure..."

"Whoa..."

"Uh..."

Opposite Ning Yi, behind Liu Qingdi, Yuan Jin'er suddenly stepped out. At the three-way intersection, the expressions of the three shifted. Liu Qingdi’s remained relatively polite, but Ning Yi, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of two people, gaped in astonishment.

Yuan Jin'er, who had intended to scare someone, was perhaps more startled herself. She had stepped out with a graceful, dance-like movement, intending to block Ning Yi’s path, her triumphant smile already forming. As she straightened up, she suddenly found herself face-to-face with a man’s back. Her eyes widened, and as she realized it was Liu Qingdi, she covered her mouth, let out a soft "whoa," turned on her heel, and retreated like a ghost, head bowed and cheeks puffed in frustration.

Ning Yi watched the entire scene, his facial muscles twitching. He didn't know whether to laugh or not; the sight of Yuan Jin'er jumping out with wide eyes was startling, yet in retrospect, quite comical. His expression was complex and varied. Liu Qingdi, still holding his cupped hands in a warm gesture, faltered when the greeting went unfinished. He looked down at himself, wondering if there was something ridiculous about his attire.

"Brother Ning, today..."

"Ah... are you heading to the restroom, brother?" Ning Yi looked toward where Yuan Jin'er had vanished, then smiled at the man before him, stepping back and gesturing toward the end of the path: "My apologies."

Liu Qingdi was truly stunned. His reason for approaching was simple: Ning Liheng never participated in such social gatherings, and this was a rare opportunity. He had been confident, intending to challenge him to a poetry duel and make a name for himself. He had thought that since the man was usually indifferent or eccentric, a few snide remarks wouldn't hurt. He never expected such a bizarre reaction.

Ning Yi seemed preoccupied, his expression odd, clearly not paying much attention to him. It was like a bucket of cold water. Liu Qingdi wanted to restart the greeting, but seeing the other man’s kind, absent-minded smile—"It's fine, go ahead"—he found it impossible to maintain the atmosphere. Gritting his teeth, he bowed with a stiff smile and headed toward the restroom in a foul mood... even though he didn't actually need to go.

After walking a dozen paces, he looked back. Ning Yi was still standing there, lost in thought. Noticing the look, Ning Yi smiled and bowed again. Liu Qingdi returned the gesture and trudged away, feeling disgruntled.

Ning Yi found the man’s departure somewhat tedious. He had known the man's intentions the moment he appeared. Honestly, writing a poem wouldn't have been a bother—he could have humored the man for the sake of Li Pin or the Su family. But upon seeing Yuan Jin'er pop out, he couldn't be bothered to waste time. He had heard that Liu Qingdi and Yuan Jin'er were well-acquainted, and he didn't want to cause her any trouble by lingering.

When he didn't want to talk, there was no way the other party could sustain a meaningful conversation. A few friendly gestures were enough to make the man feel awkward and leave. Once the figure had vanished, Ning Yi walked a few steps, passed the intersection, and went to find Yuan Jin'er.

It had been a huge blunder...

Nearby, Yuan Jin'er leaned against the wall, reflecting on her embarrassment.

"What's wrong?"

In the corner of the corridor, the two stood together. The hall was filled with decadent music and the sounds of revelry. People passed by, casting glances before moving on. Ning Yi asked his question, and Yuan Jin'er’s expression, previously one of annoyance, turned into a faint resentment at his arrival.

It was always like this; she always seemed resentful whenever she saw him.

"Nothing. Is it a crime to want to give you a scare?"

"Oh... I was indeed startled just now." Ning Yi nodded, seeing her pouting expression. "I saw you two from upstairs. Why are you here?"

"To push the pine-flower eggs, of course. I know Mother Chen here."

"The very beautiful one?"

Jin'er nodded, then frowned. "I didn't ask you to comment on who's beautiful! Hmph, if it weren't for Sister Yunzhu, I wouldn't have come to warn you... I'm telling you, don't try to show off with any poems. If you must write, do it another time, not here!"

"Wow," Ning Yi mused, nodding. "Has that Miss Lü Xia really progressed that far with someone from the Xue family?"

Yuan Jin'er arched an eyebrow. "At least you’re smart enough to realize that. Lü Xia has already promised her cup to Xue Yan tonight; you won't win. The better the poem you write, the more people will say you were chasing after someone who didn't want you, hmph..." She looked at him. "You’d already guessed?"

"Ha, I was just speaking with Dexin upstairs. Xue Jin suffered a major loss last time. Even though Xue Yan is his older brother, he wouldn't act so recklessly without a sure chance of victory. If not for your words, I might have truly made a fool of myself..."

"Glad you know that." Jin'er’s expression cleared. "I only came to tell you because Sister Yunzhu is here. You should thank her properly tomorrow."

Ning Yi nodded with a smile. "By the way, you and that Liu Qingdi..."

Before he could finish, she glared at him with her almond-shaped eyes: "I don't know him!"

They chatted for a while longer, with Yuan Jin'er even suggesting, "Why don't you just hide outside and pretend you weren't here?" before they finally parted ways. The second round of performances in the main hall had already been underway for some time.

Yuan Jin'er returned to the room, but Sister Yunzhu was not there.

She wouldn't have left early; she must have gone to find Mother Chen. Yuan Jin'er left the room again, carefully noting Liu Qingdi’s location to avoid any awkward encounters. She ran into several acquaintances in the Yancui Pavilion who greeted her with surprise. While inquiring about Mother Chen's whereabouts, the beauty named Lü Xia, having pondered for a long time on stage, stepped down. She poured a cup of wine and, biting her lip in hesitation, walked toward the table where the Xue family sat, her expression tinged with shyness.

She offered the wine to Xue Yan.

The hall erupted in a mix of laughter and jeers. In the Su family's private room on the second floor, a heavy silence fell. One could imagine the atmosphere.

Liu Qingdi and Li Pin had both presented poems, and both had spent a generous amount of money, but Ning Yi had remained silent. Yuan Jin'er shrugged and headed toward Mother Chen. Fortunately, she wasn't currently entertaining guests. After pushing open the door to what appeared to be a dressing room, she found Mother Chen and looked around at the busy women.

"Eh? Where is Sister Yunzhu?"

"Your Sister Yunzhu?" Mother Chen pondered. "I haven't seen her."

"Oh..."

A moment later, a familiar melody began to play.

Lü Xia, the star of Yancui Pavilion, had finished her performance and chosen her companion for the night. Though other women would also make their choices, Lü Xia was the focus. Even though there were more performances to follow, the result had caused a stir, and these subsequent acts were performed in the worst possible atmosphere. People were either discussing the Xue family’s wealth or the talent of Liu Qingdi and Li Pin, while offering pity or mockery for the Su family's minor setback. It was under these circumstances that the zither music began to drift from the stage.

The clamor continued, but the zither music was ethereal. At first, it went unnoticed, like a faint breeze woven into the conversation, neither arrogant nor out of place. It just began to play. Few noticed it, but Yuan Jin'er was most sensitive to the sound. She spent a few seconds distinguishing it, then frowned, a look of utter disbelief crossing her face.

"Sister Yunzhu..."

Her whisper was as faint as the music. Mother Chen’s expression began to shift as well. The music grew clearer. In the midst of the melody, the two women moved toward an adjacent room. Yuan Jin'er took a deep breath and pushed open the window that overlooked the hall.

In her mind, she had already seen the figure playing the instrument...