Chapter 73 : Who Is the Skilled Qin Player
73: Who Is the Skilled Qin Player?
Yan Chi arrived nearly half an hour earlier than the appointed time. However, because the entire Anyang Marquis's household was to accompany Qin Wan, they took a longer route. Moreover, with Grand Princess Jiayi in tow, the carriages moved at an extremely slow pace. By the time the procession reached the shores of Li River Lake, the dusk had just begun to settle.
The last glimmers of twilight had faded, the sky veiled in a layer of gray haze. Night was about to fall but had not yet fully descended. Yet the entire lakeside was already bustling with extraordinary liveliness. From a distance, Qin Wan could hear the clamorous, festive noise from outside.
"Wan'er, have you ever been here before?" Grand Princess Jiayi asked.
Qin Wan shook her head. "I have not. I was always confined indoors in the past."
Grand Princess Jiayi understood immediately. She gave Qin Wan's hand a gentle squeeze and said nothing more. Soon, the carriage came to a halt.
The moment the carriage stopped, footsteps approached from behind. The carriage curtain was lifted, and Yue Qing stood at the doorway. "Grandmother, shall your grandson escort you onto the boat first?"
Grand Princess Jiayi smiled warmly. "There's a lantern market below. Don't you want to go and enjoy it?"
Yue Qing glanced quickly at Qin Wan. "The lantern market is the same every year. What's so interesting about it? Your grandson naturally wishes to accompany you first."
Grand Princess Jiayi nodded, releasing Qin Wan's hand and extending it toward Yue Qing. "Very well. Since you are so filial, you shall accompany me up." She then turned to Qin Wan. "You've never been here in previous years. Let Ning'er accompany you to stroll through the lantern market first. Later, you can also release sky lanterns and river lanterns. If you see anything you like, buy a trinket or two for fun. Just don't eat too much of the street food; it's not clean, and you might upset your stomach. It's a bit chilly by the lakeside; don't remove your cloak or cape."
Grand Princess Jiayi gave these instructions unhurriedly. A warmth spread in Qin Wan's heart, and she promptly agreed.
Beside them, Yue Qing was dumbfounded. He had assumed Qin Wan would accompany Grand Princess Jiayi onto the boat...
Grand Princess Jiayi turned back to him. "Qing'er? What is it? Have you changed your mind and want to go play?"
Yue Qing hurriedly shook his head, though inwardly he felt immensely regretful. "Of course not, of course not. Your grandson will accompany you. After seeing you safely aboard, I'll come back down to look around."
Grand Princess Jiayi smiled kindly again and looked toward Yue Jia, Yan Chi, and the others. "You all go and enjoy yourselves as well. A vegetarian feast will be prepared on the boat for the evening meal. We'll have dinner on board. When it's time for the lake cruise, someone will call for you!"
Li River Lake was a natural lake south of Jinzhou City, connected to the Li River that encircled the city. The Li River flowed southward from the city's southern edge, eventually merging into the Li River. The shores of Li River Lake were usually a place of refined elegance in Jinzhou, lined with pleasure boats, painted barges, wine shops, teahouses, and literary societies. The scholars and talented youths of Jinzhou were particularly fond of lingering here.
Now, for the Mid-Autumn Festival lantern market, the festivities encircled the entire lake. The shimmering water and the colorful lanterns created a scene that was neither small nor overwhelmingly large. With everyone gathered for amusement, it would be easy to find one another.
After Grand Princess Jiayi finished her instructions, Yue Qing, with heavy steps, supported her as they made their way toward the Anyang Marquis's household's multi-story pleasure boat.
Li River Lake could moor hundreds of painted boats, yet tonight, only about twenty or so were docked. Each boat on the lake represented the wealth and influence of a family in Jinzhou. The decorations on each vessel differed, yet all were dazzlingly magnificent. The painted boats stood upon the water like jade towers and immortal mountains. Even ordinary commoners, though unable to board, found the splendid sight a feast for the eyes. These pleasure boats naturally became one of the great spectacles of Li River Lake.
"Where would you like to go first?" Yue Ning pointed ahead. "All around the lakeshore, there are sights, games, and food. Is it true you've never attended any garden parties or fairs before?"
Qin Wan thought for a moment, then shook her head. "It seems I have not."
Yue Ning frowned. "'Seems'?"
Fuling, following behind Qin Wan, quickly spoke up. "Reporting to the Young Princess, after my young mistress fell into the lake, she injured her head. She doesn't remember much from before. The last time my young mistress attended a lantern fair was when the master and mistress were still alive."
Yue Ning looked at Qin Wan for a moment. "How strange. You don't remember events, yet you remember all the medical knowledge you learned so clearly."
Qin Wan let out a soft breath. In the first few days, she had been quite apprehensive, fearing she might give herself away. But by now, she had fully embraced the identity of Ninth Young Miss and faced such doubts with complete composure.
"It's not entirely impossible. From my medical readings, many people who suffer injuries or trauma forget even their own close relatives. Yet the skills they learned remain. They can still write, paint, cook, or do carpentry. Such cases are numerous."
When it came to medicine, no one could challenge Qin Wan. Yue Ning nodded. "Why haven't I heard you mention falling into the lake and injuring your head?"
Qin Wan glanced around and noticed Yue Jia and the others were still waiting. She smiled. "If the Young Princess wishes to know, Qin Wan can tell you later. Right now, isn't the Young Princess supposed to be guiding Qin Wan through the lantern market? The Heir-Apparent must have been here before, but Young Master Wei and His Highness Yan Chi are visiting Jinzhou for the first time. The Young Princess should be an excellent guide."
Yue Ning's eyes shifted. She shrugged and pointed in a direction ahead. "In that case, let's go this way..."
Having said this, Yue Ning took the lead, walking at the front. Qin Wan, with Fuling, followed. Behind them, Yue Jia and the others also began to move. Yue Jia's heart was shadowed by the gloom of the failed wedding, but compared to him, Wei Yanzhi beside him was even more grief-stricken. Besides sorrow, he was also filled with anxiety and self-blame. Yue Jia thus took up his duties as host, introducing the sights to Wei Yanzhi.
The group had not taken more than a few steps when suddenly, from a nearby pleasure boat, the sound of a zither rang out. The notes were clear and bright, piercing through the gathering dusk and instantly resounding across the entire expanse of Li River Lake.
"'Seagulls Forget Their Cunning'?"
A voice suddenly spoke up. Qin Wan turned to look; it was Wei Yanzhi who had spoken. Qin Wan listened carefully for a few moments. Indeed, it was that very piece, "Seagulls Forget Their Cunning." A slight curve touched Qin Wan's lips. "Young Master Wei recognized the melody so swiftly upon hearing it. You must be skilled at the qin?"
Wei Yanzhi's face had worn a somewhat entranced expression of appreciation for the music. Upon hearing Qin Wan's words, he snapped back to himself. He shook his head. "Not at all. In comparison, my elder brother is the true master of the qin. I've merely heard him play it so often that I remember this tune."