Chapter Three: The Lute Has Fifty Strings Without Reason

  The lamp was dimly lit, and she had finished her rice porridge and gone back to her room. Out of habit, she reached out to feel the temperature of his forehead, but stopped halfway, a mask separating them with an icy distance between them.

  He looked like he was asleep, and after hesitating for a moment, she finally gave up the little curiosity in her heart.

  Just hesitating whether to wake him up, a glance up, found that he had unknowingly opened his eyes, the dark and deep eyes had a bit of fatigue, but couldn't hide the innate coldness, quietly gazing at her.

  Qingchen and he exchanged a brief glance, and suddenly she felt as if the whole person had been seen through, as if that gaze could penetrate everything, leaving no room for reserve. She lightly raised an eyebrow and got up to serve porridge: "You're awake? Eat something."

  He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head.

  "Eating nothing won't restore your strength and will be of no benefit to your injuries." Qing Chen advised.

  I thought I still had to spend some more words on it, but the person just paused for a moment, closed his eyes quietly for a while, and then there was no objection, "Okay."

  You dusted him off and helped him sit up, testing the temperature of the porridge. The ceramic spoon lightly clinked against the rim of the bowl as her wrist moved, producing a faint sound that made the room seem even quieter.

  He looked at her for a while, and said lightly: "The mask is for the enemy to see, take it off." His voice had a natural commanding tone that brooked no argument.

  "Hmm?" Qing Chen stopped his actions, pondering the appearance behind the mask.

  That person saw her not moving, stopped for a moment, and said: "I don't have any strength in my hands."

  "Oh." Qing Chen knew it was because of excessive blood loss, and he must be in extreme pain now. She put the porridge beside him, and for some reason, she felt a little nervous, "Then I'll take it off."

  That person stopped speaking, Qing Chen stretched out his hand and gently took off the mask. Underneath the mask was a face with distinct features, due to injuries there was no blood color, making it look somewhat pale and calm.

  He wasn't as handsome as Pan An, but Qingchen was stunned, as if she had seen this elegant face a million years ago.

  That moment of daze made her as if she had sunk into a dream, and the flow of time had turned into an unknown cycle.

  Suddenly turning back, that person is in a place with dim and flickering lights.

  She fell silent for a moment in the strange emotions deep within her, the dark depths of her eyes reflecting her figure, a faint glimmer of light flashing across.

  She suddenly came back to her senses, and the wine she had just drunk seemed to have turned into a warm and fiery feeling that burned in her five organs and six viscera, making her feel a slight warmth on her face. She lowered her eyes to avoid his gaze, put aside her mask, and casually reached out to test his forehead temperature.

  That person seemed to have dodged slightly, but still allowed her hand to fall on him.

  It's not very hot, she brought the porridge over, but he didn't take it.

  For a moment, she didn't understand and thought to herself that she was really careless. She apologized with a smile, scooped up a spoonful and sent it to his lips. He calmly let her serve him, without any discomfort, and had a noble air about him, as if it were only natural.

  He only drank half a bowl of porridge and then shook his head, not wanting to drink anymore. Qing Chen didn't force him either, asking instead: "Is there anything else uncomfortable?"

  "No." He gave a flat reply, his spirit was low, but his eyes could still see through to the bottom of one's heart.

  "Uh-huh." Qīng Chén also stopped talking, and the room suddenly became very quiet. Once it was quiet, no one broke the atmosphere, she felt that language seemed to be superfluous when she was with him. After drinking the medicine again, he soon fell asleep in a daze.

  The moonlight outside the window is like water, and through the delicate bamboo window frames, the shadows of flowers are sprinkled in a bright and dark manner. Eleventh is also sleeping outside, but Qingchen doesn't feel tired at all.

  In the empty and desolate night, she was the only one awake, standing here quietly, bewildered, and even a little fearful, as the darkness stealthily gave rise to a sense of suffocating anxiety that gripped her heart.

  She sat down in front of the copper mirror without any purpose, picked up a comb to tidy her shoulder-length hair, and the figure in the mirror was faintly reflected, unusually strange, still dazed and not yet awake from the dream.

  She raised her head, gazing out the window with indifference. The moonlight was like a white silk, casting a cold glow over the long night, its clear radiance quietly covering her heart, bringing endless desolation and melancholy.

  A hard-to-describe feeling surged up in her heart, she really wanted to call out to Eleven and talk to him, so as not to be left alone with her thoughts, but seeing how soundly he was sleeping, she couldn't bear to wake him, instead finding something to drape over his shoulders.

  Even if he wakes up, what can he say? Maybe it's just a dream, and once turned over, it will be forgotten, and it has always been absurd.

  The person on the couch had been sleeping restlessly, she walked over quietly and put her hand on his forehead. He didn't open his eyes like he did before, but instead slightly furrowed his brow, his whole body burning with fever, after all, it seemed he was running a temperature again.

  She stood in front of the bed with a frown, feeling anxious, then went to the yard and fetched a basin of clear water, and also brought out that jar of wine she had found earlier.

  On a summer day, the water from the well was icy cold, but it was just right for use. You used a cloth to wet and apply it to his forehead, changing it slightly later, repeatedly keeping him cool. After soaking the cloth in the cool water and placing it behind his neck and under his armpits, he carefully wiped his body with wine, hoping to see some effect.

  She had never taken care of a patient like this before, and for the time being, she was still a bit flustered. When she rolled up his sleeve, something slid down from his wrist. By the candlelight, it was a string of black Buddhist beads. Qingchen immediately recognized that it was a string of extremely pure obsidian, with a calm luster, and each bead had a double-sided rainbow eye on it, which was a very rare thing among this type of gemstone.

  She lowered her head to look at the aquamarine on her wrist, thinking of the so-called Nine Turns Labyrinth Array and the mysterious witch tribe's forbidden technique. Perhaps these crystal gems could send her back; she had a glimmer of hope.

  That person suddenly moved slightly, Qing Chen was afraid that he would unknowingly turn over and move to the wound, so she hurriedly stretched out her hand to press down on his. But when she touched his fingers, he grasped them instead, refusing to let go.

  She tried to pull back, but felt that he was holding on very tightly, as if enduring some kind of pain. Her heart softened, and she let him hold her hand like this, standing guard beside him.

  After such a tumultuous night, when the sky was just beginning to lighten, she finally couldn't hold on and fell asleep in front of her bed.

  When she woke up, she found that the morning light was faintly sprinkled all around. The thin quilt that had been covering her body was now on her shoulders, and her hand was covered by the long fingers of the man, giving her a sense of being protected.

  She raised her head with one hand and gently touched her eyes with the other, her eyelashes slightly damp as if there were tear stains.

  She had already forgotten the brief dream, and didn't know how today would go. She gently pulled her hand out, and put his hand back under the covers, he looked like he had broken a fever and was sleeping very soundly.

  She felt relieved and said in a soft voice: "That's great."

  "What's too good?" The voice of Eleven sounded from behind.

  You scared me half to death! What's with the sneaking around?

  Eleven didn't refute immediately, instead smiled and said: "Thanks for a hard night's work, sorry about that."

  You know he's been exhausted for days, and last night didn't sleep well either, just said lightly: "Remember you owe me a favor."

  Eleven pairs of hands clasped together in front of their chest, smiling and asking: "How's that? You tell me."

  "I haven't thought it through yet, I'll tell you once I have, you owe me one for now." Qīng Chén said.

  "It's a debt I owe you," said Shuangxi with a smile. "Don't waste this rare opportunity, I don't easily agree to others' requests."

  You dust phoenix slanting fly, a face of not thinking: "Speaking sounds like self-aggrandizing."

  Eleven HaHa smiled and said: "I just went to the riverbank to take a look, how about I go catch a fish and bring it back?"

  "Alright," Jingchen showed some interest, she hadn't seen what the surroundings were like yet, so she said: "I'll go too."

  Eleven shook his head, made a pleading gesture with his hands and pointed to the bed.

  You turned your head back, raised an eyebrow, and then turned your bright eyes around, saying: "Two requests."

  "Take advantage of the fire to loot." Shi said in a low voice, but did not decline: "As long as Fourth Brother is safe and sound, what do two trivial requests matter?"

  You pout your lips, with bright and charming eyes, full of smile: "Go ahead, I'm here."

  With an air of elegance, he flashed a bright and cheerful smile, then turned around and left.

  You stepped out of the bamboo house with a gentle pace, looked up and saw that all around were undulating green mountains, dyeing the color of the trees, a single emerald green quietly and deeply unfolding between heaven and earth.

  The bamboo house is built on the mountain, half hidden in the dense forest of tall bamboos. The river that was a distance away yesterday can only be faintly heard, its gentle gurgling sound like pearls and jade moving lightly, flowing through the quiet depths of the mountains.

  The summer mountain breeze is slightly cool, blowing gently on the collar, hair fluttering, you walked a few steps forward, looked up at the sky as blue as washing, sunlight like gold, pure and transparent, faintly spreading across the sky.

  She stretched out her hand, as if wanting to grasp the flowing light, and the sunlight fell into her eyes, with a slight stinging sensation.

  Even sunlight feels so strange.

  She stood facing the desolate mountain and wilderness for a long time, finally let out a long sigh, turned around and went back into the house.

  Bamboo house is cool and quiet, with a refreshing breeze that penetrates to the bone.

  She sat alone for a while, feeling listless and bored, so she casually plucked the strings of the ancient zither. The strings vibrated softly at her fingertips, producing a faint, almost imperceptible sound.

  This zither was not quite the same as the guqin she had learned before, and she was curious for a moment. She plucked and stroked one string at a time, slowly exploring the playing method. After playing a piece of music, it became much smoother when played again, and the third time it was even more effortless.

  The transparent sound of the zither strings was faint, but it calmed down the complicated thoughts. She pressed the fine zither strings and slowly raised her lips to meet the sunlight falling into the window. Suddenly, she heard a clear and cold voice say: "When playing the Shang Yin to Jiao Yin, slow down a bit, it will be better."

  She turned around and saw that the man had woken up at some point and was leaning on the couch listening to her play the piano.

  "Are you awake? Did I wake you up?" she asked as she walked over.

  "What tune?" He didn't answer her words, but instead asked back.

  She smiled slightly and said, "Just playing around."

  That person didn't ask any more questions, only lightly saying: "There's some drifting rain and smoke, a carefree and proud interest in the world."

  You raised your eyes to look at him, and unexpectedly he was able to hear the meaning behind the melody.

  That person said again: "This song is quite suitable for accompaniment with a Xiao. Later on, you can try it out with Eleven."

  "Will eleven blow?"

  "Okay."

  For a moment, it seemed as if they had nothing more to say. One lay quietly, and the other stood quietly.

  You dust feels that being with this person is always particularly quiet, unlike meeting Eleven, where you can casually argue and laugh. However, even Eleven faces him with a serious expression, it's not that people have become quieter, but rather that his presence naturally quiets the atmosphere. He seems to have a strange aura about him, a hint of calmness, a hint of noble coldness, making people dare not be reckless in front of him.

  She was lost in thought, unintentionally raising her eyes to meet the gaze of that person, whose eyes held a hint of contemplation and scrutiny.

  She turned her head to look at him, feeling unable to fathom what he was thinking. He reminded her of a distant peak in the depths of a deep lake, its reflection clear and serene, yet shrouded in mystery.

  The silence made her feel a bit strange, so she casually asked: "Are you feeling better now?"

  "Hmm." Still such a simple answer, just when she thought the two of them were about to fall into silence again, she heard him say: "Who was your medical mentor?"

  At this question, she smiled slightly, with a hint of helplessness in her smile. It's a long story, but there's no way to start: "No one taught me." She replied softly, with an unintended tone of desolation.

  He glanced at her with a faint gaze and said, "The medicine is very effective. I've seen many skilled doctors who may not be able to concoct such a wound-healing medicine."

  You got up and poured water for him, saying: "It's too slow to take effect, otherwise you don't have to burn all night."

  He took the cup from her hand and drank some water. She asked, "Do you want more?" Seeing him shake his head, she put the cup away. Her heart felt dull, not wanting to face the silence again, so she walked over to the piano: "If you don't mind the noise, why don't I just practice my piano?"

  "A beauty playing the zither, how could it be annoying?" The man said, looking like he's still in good spirits.

  You sat in front of the piano, plucked a few strings, looked out the window, and slowly tuned the melody. A lingering and melodious sound arose from your hands.

  The melody is low and slow, vast and desolate. She plucks the strings at will, singing softly: "Countless mountains and rivers, my heart is boundless and free, I've traveled all over the Central Plains to the southern borders, watching my great wings spread in the wind. The demonic path is rugged and difficult to pass, tomorrow's green hills are still several layers away, people's lives and fates are different, but I only ask to stand tall between heaven and earth..." The horse gallops on the flat plain, the sky is high and the land is vast, like a sigh, like a complaint, gradually unfolding.

  Suddenly, the originally calm and broad strings subtly produced a golden spear and sword shadow, with an aura that was overwhelming: "The momentum is like a thunderbolt, shaking the mountains and rivers, the sword is like a white rainbow, out of its scabbard to pursue the primary culprit..."

  Overbearing and intense, yet transformed into a gentle whisper, accompanied by her soft voice that conveyed infinite deep emotions: "There is also a place where feelings run deep, why must we make an appointment to meet again? Heroes have always been lonely, and the prime ministers are not of the same kind..."

  After tenderness has passed, the wind rises and clouds surge, the sound of the zither changes again. Heroic emotions rise with the song: "Good young men must not miss their youth, watch the winds and clouds change, colorful clouds soaring!"

  The music fades away, the lingering sound wafts gently around the window in the soft sunlight, floating and sinking slightly, slowly dispersing. She sits silently in front of the piano, and for a moment all around is quiet and still.

  Just then, someone outside the house said, "Good zither!" The eleventh one carried a basket of lively jumping fresh fish in.

  You dust saw him bring the fish to the front of the piano, the smell of the fish and the slippery feeling were right next to her, she quickly got up and dodged: "Take it away quickly!"

  Eleven deliberately lifted the fish high and laughed: "Aren't you going to catch fish with me? Afraid of becoming like this."

  "It's fun with live fish, but dead ones are disgusting."

  "Hey?" said Eleven. "This fish is still alive." As he spoke, he deliberately waved the fish in his hand, causing it to struggle even more painfully.

  "A fish without water is almost dead!" Qing Chen hastily dodged and looked at the person on the couch for help.

  "That's Eleventh Brother."

  Eleven listened to that person speaking and was no longer afraid of dust. He shrugged his shoulders: "Forget it, with Fourth Brother protecting you. Was the zither just now played by you?"

  "Hmm." Qing Chen said.

  "Is the song also sung by you?" Eleven asked again.

  "Yes." Gu Xuan replied, his eyes clearly thinking it was an unnecessary question.

  "Not bad, doesn't seem like it was written by a woman." Eleven said: "'Life's fate is different for everyone, but strive to stand upright in the world', this sentence is well-written."

  "You rather like that phrase, 'Heroes are often lonely, generals and ministers have no kin'."

  "Why?"

  "Are emperors and kings born to be so? The heavens are high, the earth is vast, humans live for a hundred years. Everyone has the possibility of ascending to the throne or becoming a noble or prime minister. Nothing is predetermined."

  As soon as this was said, four pairs of eyes fell on her face. The gaze of the person on the couch swept over without a trace, but stopped in her eyes and said: "You have a big nerve!"

  You slightly frowned, then smiled as if it was nothing, a pair of clear and bright eyes shone with elegance: "Emperors and generals, those who are capable take the position, it has always been this way. The will of heaven is made by man. If one is born with talent, why can't they aspire to power?"

  "What makes you think you are a monarch and I am a minister? Where does loyalty and filial piety come from?" asked the Eleventh with a smile.

  "Loyalty and filial piety are the invisible swords in the hands of rulers, killing people without a trace." Xiang Chen smiled and replied: "Which founding emperor of any dynasty can be considered a loyal and filial person? The strong survive, the weak perish. The strong set the moral rules for the weak, until another strong one comes to replace them. However, no matter how things change, some things remain unchanged, just like what you said about loyalty and filial piety. It's said that loyalty, filial piety, propriety, and righteousness cannot be violated, but it can only be said that controlling people's minds is the best policy for ruling a country. What else can be said?" She suddenly saw that Eleven still had a half-dead fish in his hand, and carefully retreated further back.

  Eleven didn't take the fish to scare her again, with a profound meaning in his eyes: "You're not small-minded, then you say it, what is the talent of an emperor and hero?" The other person didn't say a word, but quietly listened to them talking nonsense.

  "You speak at will: 'Cleverness, strategic planning, controlling people, cold-bloodedness, magnanimity... or maybe there's more. In short, in the end, heroes are often lonely, and high places can be chilly. So, things in life are fair, heroes have to pay a price, not everyone can do it, you'd better give up.'" She didn't forget to tease Eleven.

  Eleven did not think it was a mistake, and said leisurely: "Those who achieve great things must be cautious in planning and thinking ahead, remain calm in the face of changes, know people well and use them wisely, and be patient and forbearing."

  You slightly tilted your head to look at him and deliberately said in a serious tone, "Huh? You're right, I didn't expect you to be a talented person. I wonder how capable you are as a fish?"

  "Haha" laughed and said: "This wasn't what I said, it was Fourth Brother who said it. Just because of those words you just spoke, I'm going to cook this fish tonight."

  You wait for him to leave, whispering: "It was originally you who did it, I didn't want to touch that sticky thing, but can what you made be eaten?"

  She lowered her head, only to see that the man was watching her with great interest. She looked back at him, but all she could see was an endless depth, like an ancient well, which swallowed others whole, leaving no room for exploration.

  Can't see through it, can't bear to look at it like this anymore. She raised an eyebrow and averted her gaze, chasing out of the house: "I'll come help!"