Chapter 28: Dispelling Suspicions

  Bai Zhenxuan had been bedridden for two days and had already heard Bai Yunnuan talk about the matter of Qin Guan being replaced by someone else to play the zither, which was favored by Master Xiang. His resentment towards Qin Guan had dissipated, replaced by guilt and gratitude. When he looked at Qin Guan, his eyes also held a deep affection.

  Qin Guan saw Bai Zhenxuan's haggard appearance and was also deeply concerned, both of them were filled with tender feelings. Bai Yunnuan then said: "Do you two have something to discuss privately? I'll temporarily withdraw for a bit." Before waiting for Bai Zhenxuan to stop her, she had already walked out. She thought that this private conversation opportunity would be used as a way to repay Qin Guan's kindness.

  Bai Zhenxuan saw Bai Yunnuo leave and decided to speak his mind. He smiled faintly and said: "The kindness of Qin Xianggong will be forever remembered in my heart, I have no way to repay it."

  He stood up and bowed deeply, and Guan Qin hurried forward to support him. In his heart, he was both satisfied and excited. "Master Bai said something wrong, it's all Guan Qin's willingness." Guan Qin is a humble and insignificant person, originally not worthy of attention. Master Bai is different, from a noble family, pure and noble, like a lotus flower that rises out of the mud without being stained. Can't bear to see Master Bai being treated unfairly? Guan Qin knows he doesn't match up to Master Bai's talent, but it's his honor to be able to do something for him. As long as Master Bai shows some kindness towards him, Guan Qin feels it's worth it.

  Qin Guan spoke with emotion, his eyes shining with tears, and Bai Zhenxuan felt a mix of emotions, blaming himself for being cold to Qin Guan earlier. He said warmly: "In the future, please come to the White Mansion often when you have time. If it's convenient for me, I'll also go to the Jinxiu Ban to support your performances. Although I couldn't fulfill your wish and become a couple like mandarin ducks, as friends, I'm still very happy to do so."

  Qin Guan heard this and became even more despondent, he took a step back, sorrowfully saying: "I'm afraid that from now on there won't be such an opportunity again." As he spoke, tears began to fall.

  Bai Zhenxuan furrowed his brow, looking at Qin Guan in confusion. "How can there be no opportunity? We're both in Luoxian County, as long as you're willing, what's to fear that we won't meet?"

  "Young master doesn't know, this time when the prime minister returns to Kyoto, he will bring Qin Guan along."

  Bai Zhenxuan was stunned, seeing Qin Guan's face full of tears, knowing that he was unwilling, and suddenly feeling even more guilty and uncomfortable, could only comfort him randomly: "Sir, don't be sad, wait for me to report to my father, and then discuss whether there is any room for maneuver."

  Qin Guan shook his head and let out a faint sigh, "Lord Xiang's position is high and powerful, how can we ordinary people go against him?"

  Bai Zhenxuan felt a pang in his heart upon hearing this.

  Qin Guan smiled and said: "Young master has this heart, Qin Guan is extremely grateful. Qin Guan is in the Pear Garden, drifting with fate, humble and lowly, actually following Master Xiang to Kyoto is not a bad thing. Not to mention Master Xiang's favor towards Qin Guan, food and clothing will not be lacking, let alone the stage of the Kyoto theater compared to Luoyang is a world apart. Anyway, Qin Guan's life is destined to be born in the Pear Garden and die in the Pear Garden, so why not go seek a broader horizon, create some achievements in art, who knows?"

  Bai Zhenxuan saw Qin Guan's words were bold and forthright, but his expression was despondent and sorrowful. He knew that Qin Guan was just using words to comfort himself, but he had no other way except to accompany him in his grief. Moreover, with their parting imminent, a thousand words and ten thousand phrases could only be replaced by tea instead of wine, as an apology and consolation for his emotions.

  Qin Guan said: "If you really miss me, it's better to give me a gift. I'm going to Kyoto now, the journey is long and far, thousands of miles of smoke and waves, and I'm afraid that this life will have no chance to meet again with the young master. If the young master can keep me in mind, give me a gift, from now on, I also have a place to think about, seeing things like seeing the young master..."

  Qin Guan's eyes were brimming with tears, and Bai Zhenxuan couldn't bear to see them. He thought that since they would never meet again after Qin Guan left for Kyoto, it wouldn't hurt to give him a gift if he had feelings for himself. So he rummaged through his trunks and found a piece of camphor-scented handkerchief, which he handed to Qin Guan, saying: "This handkerchief was obtained by my father from who-knows-where; it's said to be extremely rare. When worn in the summer, one's skin smells fragrant without sweating. I've never used it before, and it still looks brand new. I'll give it to you as a farewell gift; please don't refuse."

  Qin Guan carefully accepted it, folded it up and put it on his body, muttering to himself: "It would be even better if it had been worn before!" But then he thought, Bai Zhenxuan is a humble gentleman, if it's something that has been worn before, how could he bear to give it to him, and tarnish his reputation? So he revealed a happy smile, bowed to thank Bai Zhenxuan.

  "Now Master Xiang mistakenly thinks that you and I are in a master-disciple relationship. We've taken on the name of master and disciple, but we haven't actually established a true master-disciple relationship. Since we're about to part ways, why not let Guqin play a piece for Young Master?"

  Bai Zhenxuan immediately cupped his hands and bowed, leading Qin Guan to a nearby music room.

  White clouds stand under the corridor, quietly looking at the root of the west flower wall where a row of jade butterfly plum trees are blooming with purple and white petals, sparse branches adorned with jade, fluttering clouds and mist.

  The plum blossom's biggest characteristic is that it blooms before growing leaves. As the cold winter has passed and spring is approaching, these plum blossoms should also give way to those spring flowers. Even the densest flowers will wither away, replaced by green leaves like jade.

  Suddenly, the sound of a guqin came from within the wing room, and I couldn't help but lose my soul in it. I don't know how long I had been listening when, still dazed, the curtain was lifted and the zither player walked out.

  White clouds warm turn back to see him handsome and elegant, difficult to describe, charming and gentle, with a unique flavor, also see the residual tears in his eyes, can't help but say: "Sorry..."

  Qin Guan was stunned, not expecting Bai Yunnuo to apologize, and walked over to her side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, his eyes also gazing at the row of jade butterfly plum trees at the foot of the west flower wall.

  "It has come to this, I will not complain about heaven and blame others."

  Bai Yunnuo knew that Qin Guan had truly taken a liking to her brother, and she felt grateful in her heart. She continued: "As the saying goes, 'save people to the end, send Buddha to the west.' Whether or not the Bai family can obtain compensation from the imperial court and rebuild Qiang Jin Pavilion is all up to you, Qin Sir."

  Qin Guan smiled and nodded at Bai Yunnuo, his voice crisp: "The affairs of the White family should be handled with utmost dedication..."

  White clouds warm even more, involuntarily blessing falls on me.

  Qin Guan returned the courtesy and left with a flourish.

  His snow-white crane cloak on the corridor with bright colors is like a white plum in extreme winter days.

  After this incident, Bai Yunnuo couldn't help but feel disgusted with Qin Guan's fondness for men. She thought to herself that perhaps people are born with two kinds of forms, some people are destined to be with the opposite sex, while others are destined to be with the same sex, and these are all natural existences that cannot be blamed.

  What is natural is rational; what is rational is justifiable.

  Luofu took Qinguan back to Kyoto, and a month later the imperial court issued an edict, allocating 3 million taels of silver as consolation money to assist the White family in rebuilding the Qiangjin Pavilion. The emperor also dispatched special officials to survey the buildings of the Qiangjin Pavilion, the style of the bookshelves, which would be used for reference when building the imperial library in Kyoto.

  This spring, the White family in Luo County was bustling with activity. High-ranking officials and nobles visited their home one after another, and those rare books that had been scattered among the people also secretly made their way to the White family. Bai Yushu was busy buying up these good books while also overseeing the renovation of Qiangjin Pavilion, making his days very fulfilling.

  Finally helped her brother avoid a disaster and brought good fortune to the White family, Bai Yun warmed up and let out a long sigh of relief.

  Once the tightly strung heartstrings relax, one becomes a recluse in their boudoir, sleeping soundly like hibernation, lazy about eating and even lazier about going out.

  One day, while sleeping soundly, she was suddenly woken up by someone pushing her, and when she opened her sleepy eyes to take a look, it turned out to be her father Bai Yuxu, which gave Bai Yunnuo a big fright.