Chapter 76: Panic in the Whole City (3)

Lou Xiwu was startled at first, but when she looked up, she only saw a corner of Jing Sa's clothes and his tightly clenched fists from her angle. Her heart was filled with joy; perhaps he still cared about her. Usually, he was indifferent to her, but this time she must make him jealous!

Zhuo Qing squinted and saw that the person outside the courtyard had veins popping on his hands. Well, since Xiwu wanted to make him jealous, she would help her. Zhuo Qing also followed suit and said, "Xiwu has always admired your zither skills, Young Master. This time, it was not easy to get your instruction, and she has been very happy for this. I hope you can stay for a few more days for Xiwu's sincerity."

Lou Xiwu's sudden approach made Su Mufeng feel a bit unaccustomed. He turned his body slightly and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss. I really have something important to do."

Lou Xiwu played happily, forgetting what it meant to stop when it was enough. Zhuo Qing also felt a headache. Su Mufeng's originally calm face was already a bit unhappy, and the person outside the door was probably stimulated enough. If they continued to play, there might be a counter-effect.

"Alright, you don't have to be too obsessed with fingering or music scores. Playing the zither is more about the situation and state of mind. Use your heart to play, even if the zither skill is not high, it can still move people's hearts. Conversely, no matter how good the technique and how beautiful the music score is, it is just a note without emotion." Zhuo Qing hurriedly took Lou Xiwu's hand, and while saying something to her, she pulled her back to her side.

Lou Xiwu's mind was all on the outside of the courtyard, and Zhuo Qing was just saying it casually. Unexpectedly, Su Mufeng nodded slowly and smiled admiringly, "Miss Qing is indeed a person who knows the zither and music. Miss Lou, there is a famous teacher in your family. With her guidance, why do you need me to say more?"

"But I just want you to teach me!" Lou Xiwu was still continuing to tease the nerves of someone outside the courtyard. Sure enough, as Zhuo Qing expected, as soon as Lou Xiwu finished speaking, Jing Sa outside the courtyard actually turned around and walked away quickly without looking back.

Lou Xiwu was startled, both disappointed and anxious. He wouldn't think she really liked Young Master Su, would he! How could he be so stupid!

Lou Xiwu's mood suddenly became very low. Zhuo Qing naturally knew why. Su Mufeng also seemed to see some clues. The three people in the courtyard were speechless, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward.

Lou Xiwu was immersed in her own love affairs, and it was strange for Zhuo Qing and Su Mufeng to stare at each other. Zhuo Qing could only follow the topic just now and laughed, "Young Master Su is polite. I had a serious illness a few days ago, and I forgot all the fingering and tunes. I can't even play the zither now, let alone teach others. I was just saying it casually, making you laugh."

Su Mufeng didn't feel sorry for her like ordinary people, but smiled indifferently, "Just as you said just now, playing the zither is just about the state of mind and situation. Those tunes, fingering, and techniques are forgotten, so what's important?"

Zhuo Qing was startled. She didn't expect him to answer like this. For a zither player, tunes, fingering, and techniques couldn't be said to be all of his profession, but they were also an important part, right? He could be so free and easy, saying "forgotten is forgotten, what's important" so lightly. Zhuo Qing really admired his indifference and transcendence, and her appreciation for him grew a few more points.

Zhuo Qing sincerely retained him, "Xiwu sincerely retains you. If you have nothing to do, why not give her some advice for a few more days." If Xiwu could really learn the zither well from him, it would go without saying that her zither skills would increase. If she could learn half of his attitude toward things, it would be considered a benefit.

This time Su Mufeng didn't prevaricate, but shook his head gently and replied honestly, "The capital is not peaceful recently, and I don't think Prime Minister Lou wants outsiders to frequent the Prime Minister's Mansion during such a dangerous time."

Lou Xiwu finally came back to her senses from her self-entanglement, and couldn't help but be anxious when she heard Su Mufeng's reply, "Young Master is not a bad person, and it was my brother who specifically invited you here. How could he not want you to continue teaching me!"

Su Mufeng smiled without saying a word, and his mind was indeed made up. Zhuo Qing didn't retain him anymore. What he said was not unreasonable. It was better to be careful at this time.

Patting Lou Xiwu's shoulder, letting her be impatient, Zhuo Qing smiled generously, "Alright, since Young Master has made up his mind, we won't force you anymore. I hope Xiwu still has the opportunity to get your advice."

"Miss Qing is polite, I will take my leave." Like when he came, Su Mufeng left freely, as if there was nothing that he was reluctant to part with.

Night

Lanyue Lou

Zhuo Qing supported her chin, flipping through various medical books that Lou Xiyan had found for her by candlelight. Stretching her back, Zhuo Qing looked out the window. The moon had gradually set to the west. It should be past twelve o'clock, right? After dinner, Xiyan only said one sentence to let her rest early, and then went out. He hadn't returned until now. She didn't know if something had happened.

Not long after, Zhuo Qing heard light footsteps, and the door was pushed open.

"Xiyan." Zhuo Qing called out lowly.

Seeing it was her, Lou Xiyan walked to her side, sat down beside her, and said unhappily, "Why are you still not asleep."

It was indeed very late. Zhuo Qing didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "There is one thing I have always wanted to ask you, have you made any arrangements for Xiwu's marriage?"

Shaking his head gently, Lou Xiyan smiled, "Xiwu is still young, let's see when she has someone she likes."

Zhuo Qing's eyes lit up, "Do you mean that as long as it's someone she likes, you won't object, even if the families are not well-matched?"

Lou Xiyan dumbfounded, "What do you think?"

Zhuo Qing was startled, and couldn't help but laugh. She and Lou Xiyan were not well-matched, didn't he marry her? He wasn't someone who cared about family background. Asking him this was a bit insulting to Xiyan.

Zhuo Qing smiled apologetically at him. Lou Xiyan didn't care, gently encircling her waist, holding her in his arms, Lou Xiyan leaned on her shoulder, and laughed, "As long as the man she likes is a man of good character, responsible, and treats her well, I won't object."

His shallow breathing made her a bit itchy. Zhuo Qing shrank her neck gently, but didn't retreat. Thinking about it, Zhuo Qing asked again, "Then if others object, will you support her too?"

Raising her head, Lou Xiyan raised her eyebrows lightly, and asked with a smile, "Did Xiwu tell you which man who is not well-matched she likes?" How did he not know that the relationship between these two had progressed to this point?!

This expression was wrong. Zhuo Qing flashed a thought and scolded with a smile, "Don't tell me you can't see it!" Even she could see it, Xiyan was so smart, there was no reason he couldn't see it. He wanted to tease her again!

His Qing'er seemed to be getting smarter and smarter. Gently picking up her cool hair and playing with it at her fingertips, Lou Xiyan sighed, "Jing Sa is indeed a good man. I approve of Xiwu marrying him, but I can't order Jing Sa to marry her!"

How could he intervene in matters between men and women!

He really knew! Thinking carefully about the appearance of Jing Sa every time he was with Xiwu, Zhuo Qing guessed, "Jing Sa seems to have a knot in his heart, is it the so-called distinction between superior and inferior?"

Lou Xiyan nodded helplessly. Jing Sa's stubbornness and persistence on this point also gave him a headache.

It was really difficult to handle, but... it wasn't without a way!

The smile on her face was a bit strange. Lou Xiyan smiled, "What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing." She could only tell this method to Xiwu, and absolutely couldn't tell Xiyan.

She must have thought of some method, and it must not be a proper way! Lou Xiyan laughed, but didn't intend to expose her. If she could let Jing Sa untie this knot, even if she used some extraordinary means, he wouldn't mind. But since she didn't want to tell him, he would just pretend not to know.

Anyway, someone helped him solve this problem, why wouldn't he be happy! Gently stroking her soft and cool hair, Lou Xiyan doted, "Madam, you've finished asking your questions, can you rest now?!"

Zhuo Qing laughed. Just as she was about to reply, a chaotic and urgent sound came from outside the courtyard. The chaotic footsteps went in one direction, and the light of the torches was dazzling even in the room.

Zhuo Qing was puzzled, "What's the sound outside?!" It was so late!

Lou Xiyan's face suddenly stiffened, and he said anxiously, "Oh no, Xiwu!"

When Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing walked out of Lanyue Lou, the guards in the Prime Minister's Mansion had already surrounded the courtyard where Xiwu was from several directions. Both of them had a bad premonition in their hearts, and tacitly ran toward Lou Xiwu's direction.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 77 =====

"It's nothing." She could only share this method with Xiwu; she absolutely could not tell Xiyan.

She must have thought of some method, and it certainly wasn't a righteous one! Lou Xiyan chuckled, but he did not intend to expose her. If she could help Jing Sa resolve this knot in his heart by using some extraordinary means, he had no objections. However, since she did not want to tell him, he would just pretend he didn't know.

Anyway, since someone was helping him solve this problem, why wouldn't he be happy about it! Gently stroking her soft, cool hair, Lou Xiyan smiled dotingly, "Madam, you have finished asking your questions, can you rest now?!"

Zhuo Qing chuckled. Just as she was about to reply, a chaotic and urgent sound suddenly erupted outside the courtyard. The sound of messy footsteps headed in one direction, and the flickering light of torches was blinding even to them inside the room.

Zhuo Qing was puzzled: "What is that sound outside?!" It was so late!

Lou Xiyan's expression, however, suddenly stiffened. He said urgently, "Oh no, Xiwu!"

When Lou Xiyan and Zhuo Qing walked out of Lanyue Lou, the guards in the Prime Minister's Mansion were already orderly surrounding the courtyard where Xiwu was located. Both of them had a bad premonition in their hearts and ran toward Lou Xiwu's direction in tacit understanding.

(End of chapter)