Chapter 28: A Joyful Reunion

  The King of Jin returned to the palace in a state of utter despair, ignoring the repeated calls of his steward, and walked straight into his study, closing the door behind him. He sat down at his desk, taking deep breaths to convince himself that he was still alive.

  The King of Jin poured himself a cup of hot tea, and the slightly bitter taste of the tea entered his senses, making him feel like he was coming back to life. This woman is really formidable; if he could make her his own, it would be a wonderful thing, and another step closer to securing his throne. But what's worrisome is that these two women are extremely difficult to deal with, and all the silver he spent might have just gotten him into trouble instead.

  Inside the Cuimicro Building, one wave after another, besides flower petals, there were countless silver tickets and silver coins falling from the sky. In a world where gold was like dirt, Xue Mama had long been intimidated by this momentum. Su Ou and Lin Qing got along well after Jin Wang left, each having their own guard against Jin Wang. Although they didn't have official positions, their fathers held important positions, and they weren't fools, so they naturally knew about the affairs of the officialdom. When Su Ou heard the sound of the guqin and saw Jin Wang's expression, he knew that his friend who often talked about being carefree was actually not immune to power and imperial throne, and befriending him was just because of his father's support, he really had been blind. As for Lin Qing, it wasn't necessary to mention him, he and Su Ou were good friends, with a clear mind, naturally seeing through Jin Wang's simplicity, only didn't expect that tonight he would expose himself.

  Pang Luoxue put down the zither and returned to the room with Qi Yao, rolled up the painting scroll, and carefully observed Su Ou and Lin Qing. Qi Yao was puzzled, but she didn't interrupt, and they looked at each other for a whole afternoon, until Su Ou and Lin Qing's ears turned red, thinking it was because of a fever, so they had to brew another pot of good chrysanthemum tea to cool down before they could finally relax.

  Pang Luoxue said: These two young masters, one is the son of the Prime Minister and the other is a young master from the family of a Grand Scholar. Both are geniuses of this generation, more importantly, they are friends of the King of Jin.

  Pang Luoxue knew that these two were one of the helpers for the Jin king to ascend to the throne, although they ended up with a miserable end.

  "These two are friends of the King of Jin, but now they are just acquaintances. Moreover, both of them are gentlemen who have been misled by the appearance of the King of Jin. If we can let them see the true nature of the King of Jin, even if they cannot be used for our benefit, at least they will not become a help to the King of Jin."

  Qī Yáo slightly lowered her head, thought for a moment, and carefully observed them for a while. The two men's movements were indeed elegant and refined, with an air of confidence about them. Although they were together, they only listened to the music and didn't make any improper moves, especially Lin Qing, who was handsome with clear eyebrows and bright eyes, far surpassing Su Yì in terms of demeanor. She said: "Xuě ér, you're quite perceptive. I think this young master Sū is not as steady as young master Lín. However, since we can make friends with them, it would be a pity to miss this opportunity."

  Pang Luoxue heard Qi Yao's words and nodded thoughtfully.

  The two of them walked out of the secret room hand in hand and went to Qi Yao's room, where they had Mrs. Xue personally deliver a pot of Hundred Flower Wine.

  Xue's mother nodded and personally took a pot of Hundred Flowers wine to deliver it. She walked to the door, tidied up her clothes, and knocked on the door with her bangle.

  "Come in." Su Ou's lazy voice carried a few hints of languor, her narrow and long Danfeng eyes half-closed, today was really not going well.

  Xue's mother smiled and said: "Two young masters, good fortune! This Hundred Flowers wine is a token of our landlord's sincerity."

  Lin Qing smiled and accepted it. Su Ou was indeed a sharp-tongued person: "Your landlord is quite good at doing business, this trick of giving a sweet date after slapping someone is really effective."

  Xue's mother just smiled: The two young masters are really joking, everyone who comes to our Cuimicro Building is a guest, and we serve them with all our hearts. If the two young masters have any dissatisfaction, just speak up.

  Lin Qing was indeed a straightforward person and couldn't bear to make things difficult for Mrs. Xue, so he reached out and accepted the wine, saying with a smile: "Mother doesn't need to be on the same level as him, we'll take this wine, thank you to your family's landlord, if possible, I'd like to invite your family's landlord to have a few cups, is that convenient?

  Xue's mother said: "I'll arrange for the two young masters right away. Do you have any other instructions, young masters?"

  Nothing left, this is for inviting mom to have tea. Lin Qing said, and casually stuffed a ingot into Xue's mother's hand.

  Xue's mother respectfully bid farewell

  Upon arriving at Qi Ya's room, Mrs. Xue told Qi Ya and Pang Luo Xue everything they had said. Qi Ya had an even worse impression of Su Ou, waving her hand to let Mrs. Xue lead the way, and the two followed her to the room where Lin Qing and the others were. She waved her hand for Mrs. Xue to leave, then closed the door.

  Qī Yāo curtsied and said: "Thank you, Lin Qing. Today is the opening day of Cuì Wēi Building, I wish you a prosperous business."

  Qī Yāo raised an eyebrow and said: Thank you, young master, I'm deeply grateful.

  Lin Qing looked at Pang Luo Xue again: "Miss Yu's piano sound is exquisite, I admire it."

  Pang Luo Xue arrived at Wan Fu: The young master mistakenly praised, the little girl's piano skills are nothing more than that. Just now, the song "Han Jiang" was adapted from the "Heart Sutra", mainly to dispel inner emotions. It's just that Xiaoyu's technique is not enough, and it can't satisfy everyone, which is Xiaoyu's fault.

  Su Yun said to himself: That tune is indeed formidable, and it's able to bring out the hidden true nature of people like Jin Wang. It's not just a matter of skill with the zither, but also thanks to this ethereal young lady. Otherwise, I'd probably still be treating Jin Wang as a friend with whom I share life and death, without knowing how I'll end up dying. As he spoke, Su Yun's face also broke into a smile: Miss Ruyan's zither music is exquisite, and I'm honored to have had the chance to hear her play in this lifetime. Today, being able to meet you is naturally fate; why don't we share a cup of wine and become friends? In the future, if there's anything that requires my assistance, Su Yun will not hesitate.

  When the goal is achieved, some words don't need to be said too much, just a hint is enough. Everyone is smart, saying too much is intentional and will only lead to suspicion.

  Pang Luoxue's smiling eyes made Su Ou look dazed. He couldn't hear anything Pang Luoxue said, only remembering those affectionate eyes. Lin Qing pulled him and he came back to his senses.

  Qī Yāo personally poured wine, and the four of them drank a few cups together. Without the barrier of the King of Jin, the four of them got along quite well.

  Pang Luo Xue personally played a tune of "Joyful Reunion" for the two, with different moods, the melody seemed more desolate. The thick joyful atmosphere in the music melted away the estrangement between the four people...

  Qī Yáo picked up her wine cup, taking sip after sip, her cheeks gradually turning pink, but she didn't seem to notice.

  Sitting across from Lin Qing, Qi Yao sat quietly, her every move exuding a subtle elegance that didn't seem to belong to a woman from the pleasure quarters. Perhaps it was because Lin Qing looked too serious, but he completely failed to notice that Qi Yao was also looking at him.

  Lin Qing's focused expression fell into Qi Yao's eyes, Qi Yao couldn't help but laugh, Lin Qing suddenly came back to himself, the two people's silhouettes fell into each other's eyes...