Episode 47: Enchanted by the Young Lady

Xiao Yun blushed and said, “These clothes were indeed bought for me by them, but it was only because the Ninth Lady saw I was small and without proper clothes, so she took pity on me and bought them. What's so strange about that?”

Xiao Yun protested, “You say you're pitiable, but am I, Chu Xiaoyu, not pitiable as well? Why hasn't she ever bought me a piece of clothing? Besides, if she took pity on you, wouldn't a few taels of silver have sufficed? Why did she have Xiao Hong and Xiao Cui accompany you to buy things? I think the truth is, that young lady has taken a liking to your handsome face.”

Xiao Yun was clever, too. He understood well enough that the Ninth Lady was somewhat fond of him, but he couldn't fathom why she would notice an obscure nobody like himself. This left him feeling inferior, unwilling to admit she liked him. If, by chance, the Ninth Lady's affection was not genuine, it would be a terrible mess.

Then Xiaoyu, as if seeking advice, asked, “Tell me, how did the Ninth Lady come to like you?”

Later, when he went to the Long family in Luoyang, he would finally understand: the Ninth Lady had drawn him in merely to act as her shield. Bringing him into the Long family was, in truth, dragging him into the world of rivers and lakes... just as, later, Qu Buping was pulled into the court by the Little Princess, and Chu Xiaoyu was drawn into the most fearsome black organization, the Sakura Society, by Peach Blossom.

Xiao Yun gave a noncommittal smile. “To tell you the truth, I don't know myself. Only the heavens know.”

As he spoke, he busied himself with his belongings. There were few things to pack—only some worthless old clothes. He sorted them neatly, taking with him only Lingzhi's “Hundred Poisons Powder” and Xie Xiaoyan’s silver hairpin.

Seeing him pack, Xiaoyu couldn't help but rummage through his things, and suddenly found the beautiful garment Xiao Yun had prepared as a gift for the Ninth Lady.

Xiaoyu started, then laughed. “Tell me, who do you plan to give this lovely dress to?”

Xiao Yun gave a sly smile. “Of course, to the one I love. Would I give it to you?”

Xiaoyu scolded, “That much I know. What I want to ask is, who is the one you love? Is it the Ninth Lady?”

Xiao Yun grinned. “Brother Xiaoyu, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”

Xiaoyu replied, “Enough nonsense—of course, the truth.”

Xiao Yun laughed. “To tell the truth, I don’t know, because I don't have anyone in my heart yet.”

Xiaoyu, annoyed, said, “Then tell me the lie instead.”

Xiao Yun said, “All right, then I'll tell you—I want to give it to the Ninth Lady. Satisfied now?”

Xiaoyu laughed. “I see—though you like the Ninth Lady, you still have other women in your heart, is that right?”

Xiao Yun chuckled. “What's so strange about that? Haven't you thought the same? To men, there are two things one can never have too much of: beauty and silver.”

As they joked, Xiao Jing entered and said, “Xiao Yun, come with me for a moment.” Hearing this, Xiaoyu called out, “And what am I supposed to do?”

Xiao Jing shot him a look. “You stay here. Why all the fuss?”

Xiaoyu complained, “Xiao Yun, you really aren’t much of a friend. Just now you said we were brothers, but in the blink of an eye, you’re leaving me behind to go enjoy yourself.”

Xiao Jing retorted, “Are you done yet? Careful, or I'll have someone sew that noisy mouth of yours shut and spare us your wailing.” At this, Xiaoyu fell silent.

Xiao Jing led Xiao Yun to the Ninth Lady’s Laurel Courtyard. From a distance, Xiao Yun could already hear the melodious sound of a zither drifting from within. Xiao Jing said, “My lady is playing the zither. I shouldn't disturb her. Go in by yourself.”

Xiao Yun nodded, thinking that the Ninth Lady’s playing was as beautiful and enchanting as Sister Lingzhi’s.

Though he knew little of music, faced with such exquisite sound, he instinctively lightened his steps, afraid to disturb the one playing.

He crept closer, stopping at the doorway to listen before entering. But just as he halted, the music ceased.

He heard the Ninth Lady’s clear voice, “Is that you, Xiao Yun? Please, come in.”

Startled, Xiao Yun thought, “She’s remarkable—despite my quiet approach, not only did she hear me, she knew it was me.”

He hurried forward, lifting the curtain. He saw the Ninth Lady seated at the zither table, smiling at him warmly.

“Miss Ninth, your playing is truly wonderful,” he said hastily. “I only wanted to listen quietly outside for a while, not to disturb your elegant mood. Odd—I thought I was walking softly enough.”

The Ninth Lady thought to herself, “If I couldn't even detect your approaching footsteps, how could I survive in this world?”

Aloud, she replied calmly, “Perhaps you do not know, but when one plays the zither with true devotion, one’s ears become exceptionally keen. One listens not with the ears, but with the heart, and so can discern any movement outside—be it the wind in the grass or the faintest sound. To put it more mystically, one can not only hear footsteps, but even the breathing of someone approaching.”

Xiao Yun exclaimed in wonder, “So playing with one’s heart can make the ears so sensitive? I must learn to play, if I get the chance.”

The Ninth Lady smiled. “In fact, as long as you listen with your heart, whether it’s the zither, the guzheng, or the flute, it is all the same.”

Xiao Yun seemed to ponder. “Ah, so that’s how it is.” The Ninth Lady couldn’t help but smile secretly, thinking that telling Xiao Yun such things was rather like casting pearls before swine.

After all, only true masters who listen with their heart can hear something as subtle as a breath. Ordinary people wouldn't understand at all.

Suddenly, Xiao Yun recalled a question. He asked, “Miss Ninth, what is your family name? I feel awkward always calling you ‘Miss Ninth.’”

The Ninth Lady smiled. “Is it so important?”

Xiao Yun blushed slightly, then said with composure, “Of course. When I first arrived, I didn’t know the proper etiquette, so I called you Miss Ninth. But now I understand—it’s not quite appropriate.”

The Ninth Lady was taken aback. She realized Xiao Yun was telling her that, despite all her kindness to him, calling her Miss Ninth was too distant.

She smiled tenderly. “My adoptive father’s surname is Long. He raised me.”

“Oh, so your surname is Long?” Xiao Yun said, pleased. “Then may I call you Sister Long from now on?” In his heart, he thought, “So she was raised by another, with no birth parents of her own—her fate is rather pitiful, too.”

The Ninth Lady smiled softly. “You may call me whatever you wish. After all, you’ll never lack for elder sisters.”