Chapter 64: Don

Xiao Ningxun knew that Zhong Ziya was the court‑recognized master of music, even the emperor's sacrificial ceremonies would invite him to give guidance, and she dared not be slow: "Master Zhong, the moon lute sound just now was my little sister plucking the strings casually."

Tuan Tuan stared at Zhong Ziya, wondering why this uncle's hair was all loose and uncombed, as if he'd just woken up…

Zhong Ziya walked up to the brother and sister, eyeing Tuan Tuan from head to toe, amazed that this little child had produced the earlier lute sound?

The adult and child locked eyes for a moment; Xiao Ningxun glanced at her sister, then at Zhong Ziya, her face full of confusion.

Zhong Ziya stretched out his long arm, took the moon lute down from the wall, and placed it on a nearby table: "Little miss, would you play another piece for uncle?"

The people nearby all exchanged puzzled looks: the master is having a little kid play the lute for him? No way, the child standing up is barely shorter than the moon lute itself.

Tuan Tuan, with a puzzled face, said: "I can't."

Zhong Ziya smiled: "No problem, just do as you did earlier; uncle likes to listen."

Tuan Tuan tilted her little head, looked at him for a moment: "Just like before? Alright then."

Xiao Ningxun hurriedly placed her sister onto the stool beside the moon lute.

Tuan Tuan lifted her two tiny hands and casually plucked the strings.

There was no complex melody, nor any profound technique. Yet the sound that emerged was so clear it seemed not of this mortal world.

It was like the first drop of meltwater from fresh snow falling into a deep pool, or like morning dew dropping in a secluded valley—cool, crystal clear, untouched by any dust.

The tone was pure to the extreme; each note carried an unrefined, naturally formed spirit, exceedingly simple yet striking straight to the heart.

It wasn't really a composition, but seemed like the most primal, most pleasant sound when heaven and earth first opened.

Zhong Ziya's eyes grew brighter, his gaze at Tuan Tuan becoming increasingly greedy, as if he had found a treasure.

Xiao Ningxun, frightened by his stare, stepped forward quickly and pressed close to her sister's back.

Immediately, something even more miraculous happened!

Outside the window, several small birds swooped in, circling above Tuan Tuan's head, chirping crisp and pleasant sounds, as if echoing the lute music.

The people in the shop instantly erupted in a clamor!

"Is this… a hundred birds paying tribute?"

"Who is this little girl? She has such spirit?!"

The music stopped; Tuan Tuan's attention was drawn to the birds, and she exclaimed "Wow" happily, completely forgetting the lute, lifted her face and waved her arms at the circling birds: "Birds! Birds! Tweet tweet! Third Brother, look! The birds came to play with me!"

"Come down, birds! Let me pet you!"

To everyone's astonishment, those few birds actually folded their wings; one landed on her fingertip, another perched on her shoulder, and a third, bolder still, hopped twice on the soft little spot on top of her head!

Tuan Tuan, with several birds perched on her, had sparkling eyes and smiled like a little sun, as if she were meant to merge with these natural spirits.

Zhong Ziya's gaze was deep, his face showing emotion as he looked at the Xiao Tuanzi before him.

Xiao Ningxun beamed with pride, chin held high, as if she wanted to tell everyone: this is my sister!

Zhou Yuwei's complexion turned pale, a mix of jealousy and hatred, she forced herself to stay calm and sneered: "It's just a coincidence that a few pure notes attracted some feathered vermin, a ploy for attention!"

She inhaled deeply, slowly sat down as if to prove something, and placed her hand on the strings again: "I refuse to believe that an ignorant child could be compared to my years of painstaking lute practice?"

After speaking, she tried to steady her mind and plucked the strings: "Just now I played casually, without intention. Let me perform 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' again, so you all know what true elegant sound is!"

However, this time the lute sound, tainted by her inner panic, jealousy, restlessness, and chaos, lost its original timbre; instead of improving, it became sharp and grating.

The birds that had been obediently perched around Tuan Tuan were apparently startled by some noise; they instantly fluttered their wings in panic and flew out the window, disappearing into the sky as if fleeing.

Tuan Tuan's little face fell: "Birds! Don't run! Stay and play with me a little longer!"

"Pfft—" someone in the shop couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The contrast is absurd! That little girl plucks a heavenly sound with a casual touch, while your years of painstaking lute skill just scares the birds away?

Zhou Yuwei watched the fleeing birds, hearing the mocking chuckles at her ears; her complexion drained of color, her fingers stiffened, and her heart grew increasingly frantic.

"Clang—snap!"

After a piercing sharp sound, everyone saw that a string from her instrument had snapped! The broken string rebounded, nearly striking her face.

The shop fell silent in an instant, then a wave of suppressed whispers rose.

"Ha ha! How is this lute being played? Not only scaring away the birds, but also breaking the strings?"

"Is this the result of years of diligent practice? Still not as good as the little girl's casual pluck!"

"The talented lady of Jing Hai Hou Fu, turns out she's no different."

Zhou Yuwei sat rigidly, staring at the broken string, her hands beginning to tremble slightly, tears finally breaking free and streaming down.

She was at a loss, her face reddened to the point of seeming blood could drip, shame and fury overwhelming her, she leapt to her feet, pushed aside the ancient lute, covered her face and fled from the Qingyin Hall.

Han Xueling glared fiercely at Tuan Tuan and Xiao Ningxun, her face turning a steely blue as she chased after them.

Tuan Tuan, puzzled, asked: "Third Brother, what's wrong with them?"

Xiao Ningxun, prompted by her sister's shout, finally came to herself, looked down at the sister who was gazing up at her with a small face, clueless about what had happened, and murmured, "Tuan Tuan, you truly never cease to surprise me!"

Zhong Ziya silently observed everything, crouched down and said, "Little miss, you played wonderfully!"

Upon hearing the praise, Tuan Tuan smiled, her dimples deepening: "Third Brother, Uncle says I played well!" Xiao Ningxun smiled and nodded: "Indeed, Tuan Tuan played wonderfully!"

Zhong Ziya said: "Uncle will give this lute to you. However, this lute, to sound beautiful as just now—able to attract the birds—requires constant maintenance."

"Can you take care of it?"

Tuan Tuan shook her head: "I can't."

Zhong Ziya flashed a cunning, determined smile: "Then, although this lute belongs to you, keep it here with me; I'll look after it. Whenever you want to see the birds, come to me and play, okay?"

Xiao Ningxun furrowed her brows: "Master Zhong, aren't you blatantly trying to lure Tuan Tuan back here to play for you? You're a master! To deceive a child like this?"

Tuan Tuan thought for a moment; Uncle's words made sense, she indeed didn't know how to care for the lute, so she nodded and agreed: "Alright."

"What is your name, little miss?"

"I am Tuan Tuan!"

"Tuan Tuan?" Zhong Ziya stood up, looking at Xiao Ningxun.

Xiao Ningxun clasped her hands and said: "Master Zhong, this is my sister, Princess Jiayou of Ning Prince's Mansion."

A gasp spread from the surroundings: "It turns out she is Princess Jiayou!"

Ah? That person who bet for her brother and won the snow ginseng, and also saw through Boss Xie's gold hairpin, is Princess Jiayou?

It's her! How young is she!

Xiao Ningxun scooped up Tuan Tuan in one embrace: "Master Zhong, we're heading back to the manor—farewell." She turned and walked out.

Tuan Tuan turned and waved at Zhong Zi'ya nonstop: "Thank you, Uncle, for giving me the qin! When I want to see little birds, I'll come find you! Next time I'll bring you a gift when I come!"

Zhong Zi'ya smiled and gave her a slight nod.