Su Mufeng seemed long accustomed to such pleas. There was no joy of praise on his face—only a calm, indifferent reply:
"Your finger techniques are already refined; I have nothing more to impart."
Yet Lou Xiwu was reluctant to miss such a rare opportunity. She truly loved the guqin, and though she sometimes composed pieces herself, they never turned out quite right. Now that Young Master Su had finally arrived, why was he leaving so soon? She couldn't help but plead once more:
"But my fingering still lacks fluidity! I also have a few compositions I'd love your guidance on. Please—just a few more lessons, won't you?"
She gazed at Su Mufeng with eyes full of hope, unaware that just outside the door, a man with already dark skin looked positively thunderous.
"Ahem!" Zhuo Qing coughed harshly, then whispered in Lou Xiwu's ear,
"Jing Sa is outside."
Lou Xiwu was momentarily stunned. When she looked up, she could only glimpse the corner of Jing Sa's robe and his tightly clenched fists. Her heart fluttered—perhaps he did care after all. Normally, he treated her with utter indifference. This time, she would make sure to get a reaction! Having made up her mind, she leaned closer to Su Mufeng and called out with a coquettish tone:
"Please, Young Master Su, won't you stay?"
Zhuo Qing squinted at the man outside the courtyard—his veins looked ready to burst. Well then, since Xiwu wanted to provoke him, she might as well help. She added,
"Xiwu has always admired your musical talent. She was overjoyed at the chance to learn from you. For her sincerity, could you not stay a few more days?"
Su Mufeng seemed somewhat unaccustomed to Lou Xiwu's sudden nearness. He shifted slightly to the side and responded:
"I appreciate your kind intentions, Miss Lou, but I truly have pressing matters to attend to."
Seeing how tense Jing Sa looked, Lou Xiwu was thoroughly amused. She pushed further—grasping Su Mufeng's sleeve, she laughed sweetly:
"I still struggle with fingering, composition, and tuning—what should I do? May I seek your guidance when you're free?"
Su Mufeng subtly pulled his sleeve away and refused without hesitation:
"I am fond of wandering and rarely settle in one place. I fear I cannot be of assistance."
Truthfully, Lou Xiwu didn't care much about his refusal. What mattered more was Jing Sa's reaction. Zhuo Qing, however, was beginning to grow concerned. The girl had gotten carried away and forgotten her limits. Not only was Su Mufeng starting to show signs of displeasure, but the man outside had likely been provoked enough. If this continued, it could backfire.
"All right now," Zhuo Qing quickly interjected. "You shouldn't be too fixated on fingerings or compositions. What matters more in playing the guqin is the mood, the heart. If you pour your feelings into it, your music will move others—even if your skill isn't perfect. But without emotion, even the most exquisite technique and melodies are but hollow notes."
She gently took Lou Xiwu's hand and began chatting idly as she pulled her back. Lou Xiwu's mind was still outside, while Zhuo Qing's words were merely to distract her. Yet Su Mufeng unexpectedly nodded in agreement and smiled in genuine admiration:
"Miss Qing indeed understands the essence of music. Miss Lou, with such a mentor at home, what need have you of me?"
"But I want you to teach me!" Lou Xiwu's words were clearly aimed at provoking the man outside. Sure enough, just as Zhuo Qing had predicted, the moment she finished speaking, Jing Sa turned and strode away without a backward glance.
Lou Xiwu froze, disappointment and panic washing over her. Did he really believe she had fallen for Su Mufeng? How could he be so dense! Her spirits plummeted, and the courtyard fell into awkward silence. Zhuo Qing, understanding the reason, looked helplessly at her. Even Su Mufeng seemed to sense something was amiss.
Seeing the girl sunk in melancholy, Zhuo Qing tried to steer the conversation back with a light smile:
"You flatter me, Young Master Su. I was gravely ill not long ago and have forgotten all my fingering and melodies. I can't even play anymore, let alone teach others. I was merely making conversation—you must think me foolish."
But Su Mufeng didn't offer the usual condolences or regrets. He simply smiled lightly and said,
"As you said, the guqin is more about emotion and atmosphere. If the techniques and tunes are forgotten, so be it—what of it?"
Zhuo Qing was taken aback. For a guqin master, finger techniques and melodies are vital—not everything, perhaps, but certainly essential. Yet he dismissed them with such detachment, such grace. "Forgotten, so be it—what of it?" The ease in his words made Zhuo Qing admire him all the more for his transcendence.
She spoke sincerely,
"Xiwu is earnest in her request. If you are free, would you not stay and guide her a little longer? If she could truly learn from you, not only would her skills improve, but she might also absorb some of your calm demeanor. That alone would be a great gift."
This time, Su Mufeng didn't deflect with politeness. He gently shook his head and answered candidly,
"The capital is no longer safe. I imagine Prime Minister Lou would not welcome outsiders frequently entering and leaving the residence at such a volatile time."
Lou Xiwu, finally snapping out of her emotional spiral, caught the end of his words and grew anxious:
"You're not some stranger! My brother invited you personally—why wouldn't he want you to continue teaching me?"
Su Mufeng only smiled, saying nothing more. His decision was clearly made. Zhuo Qing didn't press the matter. He wasn't wrong, after all. Best to be cautious.
She patted Lou Xiwu's shoulder gently and said with a graceful smile:
"Very well. Since you've made up your mind, we won't insist. We only hope Miss Xiwu may yet have the good fortune of learning from you again."
"You are too kind, Miss Qing. Farewell."
Just as he had come, Su Mufeng departed with elegant ease—nothing, it seemed, could ever hold him back.
At the Moon Pavilion, Zhuo Qing propped her chin on her hand and flipped lazily through a stack of medical books that Lou Xiyan had found for her, the candlelight casting long shadows. Stretching, she looked out the window. The moon had already drifted westward—it must be past midnight.
After dinner, Xiyan had said only a few words before leaving, and had not returned since. Zhuo Qing couldn't help but wonder if something had happened. Xiwu had been moody all afternoon. She felt it was time to speak with Xiyan about it. Having slept too much these past few days, she wasn't tired yet. So she read and waited.
Soon, she heard light footsteps approaching. The door opened.
"Xiyan," she called softly.
It was indeed him. Lou Xiyan came to her side and sat down, frowning slightly.
"Why are you still awake?"
It was very late, but Zhuo Qing didn't bother with small talk. She asked directly,
"There's something I've been meaning to ask. Have you made any arrangements for Xiwu's marriage?"
Lou Xiyan shook his head gently and smiled:
"She's still young. When she finds someone she truly cares for, we'll talk then."
Zhuo Qing's eyes lit up.
"So what you're saying is—if she finds someone she likes, you won't object? Even if he's of humble origin?"
Lou Xiyan chuckled,
"What do you think?"
Zhuo Qing blinked, then laughed softly. She and Lou Xiyan were hardly a match by social standing, yet he had married her regardless. For her to question him that way now—it was almost insulting.
She smiled apologetically, but Lou Xiyan didn't mind. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her close. Resting his head in the crook of her shoulder, he said with a soft laugh:
"As long as the man she chooses has good character, a sense of responsibility, and treats her well—I will not stand in her way."
His gentle breathing tickled her, and Zhuo Qing instinctively shrank back a little, though she didn't pull away.
After a moment of thought, she asked again,
"And if others oppose it—you'll still stand by her, right?"
Lou Xiyan raised his brows slightly, and—