Chapter 103: Playing the Lute and Tongwu County

Chapter 103: Playing the Lute and Tongwu County

Lin Yingxue also received news of the imperial selection, but like Fu Jiaze, she did not take it too seriously.

Fu Wanan, being Fu Bin's niece, if Fu Bin could not even decide on his niece entering the palace despite Chen Pan's current influence, then his efforts in the first half of his life would have been in vain.

There was also Pei Qinghe. Although Minister Pei had not yet decided on a suitable match for his daughter, he certainly had ways to prevent her from being chosen.

Recently, Lin Yingxue had been learning painting, playing the lute, and perfumery.

In the past, while at the Lin family, Lin Yingxue had no chance to learn these arts. The Lin family once hired a female tutor, and Lin Yingxue learned well, but since Lin Baozhen had no interest in these pursuits, the tutor was eventually dismissed.

Now that Lin Yingxue was married, with her husband away and no household affairs to manage, she found herself both wealthy and idle. She decided to hire a female tutor for herself.

This tutor was found by Yao Su, an unmarried female tutor who chose not to marry. Her painting skills were so impressive that they left Lin Yingxue amazed, and her lute playing was soothing to the soul. Initially, Lin Yingxue had not intended to learn perfumery, but since Tutor Hua was skilled in it and Lin Yingxue had plenty of free time, she added this to her studies.

Tutor Hua, having such a distinguished student as Lin Yingxue, found herself in a much better financial situation and was very dedicated to teaching her.

At that moment, Lin Yingxue was practicing the lute under Tutor Hua's guidance.

Holding the lute in her arms, her left hand pressing down on the strings and her right hand plucking them, a fierce and intense melody began to play, the sound as if tearing through silk. Lin Yingxue noticed that Tutor Hua's cheeks flushed with emotion.

The passionate tune ended, and Tutor Hua, breathing heavily, took some time to regain her composure.

"Master, your skills are remarkable. It felt as if I witnessed a real battle. Have you ever seen one?"

Tutor Hua laughed. Though plain-looking with small single eyelids and a slightly yellowish complexion with faint spots, she radiated a vibrant aura when playing the lute or painting.

"How could I have such skills? This piece is about my struggle against my family to remain unmarried," Tutor Hua said with a smile. "This is what I want to teach you. If you cannot fully immerse yourself in certain emotions, find a similar feeling. Why don't you give it a try?"

Lin Yingxue held the lute, glanced over the score, and played the same piece with a different flair. While Tutor Hua's rendition was like a chaotic battle, Lin Yingxue's was like a lone hero standing against a thousand enemies.

Lin Yingxue thought of her mother, Wen Hui, who bravely stepped into the courtroom alone, fighting her own battle.

Next door, Pei Qinghe listened to the music and said to Fu Wanan, "That's Big Sister playing."

Fu Wanan was puzzled. The two pieces sounded almost identical; how could they be played by different people?

Pei Qinghe: "If you don't believe me, we can ask later."

Fu Wanan nodded, "Let's continue eating our pastries. We're enjoying a little concert and snacks."

Pei Qinghe thought for a moment and clinked her teacup against Fu Wanan's water glass, "Let's toast."

Fu Wanan pretended the tea was strong liquor and clinked her cup hard against Pei Qinghe's.

Pei Qinghe found this highly amusing and smiled brightly.

Lin Yingxue managed to play the first section, but by the second, though she remembered the score, her hands faltered, causing the music to become disordered.

Tutor Hua laughed and gently guided Lin Yingxue's hands, "You always get stuck at the nodding phoenix. Watch my hands."

Lin Yingxue tried hard to remember, but while her mind recalled, her hands did not obey.

Tutor Hua chuckled at Lin Yingxue's words, "Mrs. Lin, you really have a way with words."

Do I?

Lin Yingxue couldn't help but touch her cheeks, realizing how much she had changed. A year ago, she never imagined she would be in such a situation.

After the lesson, Tutor Hua left, and Pei Qinghe and Fu Wanan came over.

One called her Big Sister, the other called her Sister-in-law, both wanting to hear her play the lute.

Having just learned the piece, Lin Yingxue was still quite clumsy. However, she had previously learned a simple introductory piece that suited the season, and she began to play the lute.

Her fingers plucked the strings, evoking the sound of thunder announcing the arrival of summer, the rapid growth of plants, the scorching heat, the noisy cicadas, and the blooming lotuses in the flowing water, where fish played beneath the leaves, occasionally leaping out to create beautiful splashes.

The willow branches, swaying in the wind, disturbed the calm surface of the water, creating ripples. The evening sun dyed every leaf of the willows red, and a crimson dragonfly landed on a fully bloomed lotus flower.

It was a lively summer tune.

After listening, Pei Qinghe couldn't help but say, "Big Sister's lute skills have improved."

Fu Wanan looked confused, "Really?"

Lin Yingxue chuckled and wiped Fu Wanan's mouth with a handkerchief, "Technically, it might be the same, but the emotion is different. I'm in a good mood today."

Pei Qinghe was about to ask why she was in a good mood when Fu Wanan said, "I know why Sister-in-law is happy. Eldest Brother wrote back."

Pei Qinghe blinked, "That's great. Father must have received a letter from Brother-in-law too."

Fu Jiaze always wrote letters to everyone—Pei Jin, Fu Bin, Lin Yingxue, and Fu Wanan—without favoritism. However, only Lin Yingxue received a thick stack, while the others received thin letters.

Lin Yingxue nodded, "He visited General Jian and told me about the two elders of the Jian family."

The parents of General Jian, the current Empress's biological parents, piqued Pei Qinghe's curiosity. Fu Wanan, munching on pastries, asked, "Tell us more! Brother didn't mention this in his letter to me."

Lin Yingxue recounted the story of the two elders.

Old Master Jian's eyesight was poor, and although he used to love reading, he now had to find other activities. He spent his time gardening.

Despite the border city sounding desolate, the land near the northeast was actually fertile black soil, making it wasteful to use it for grazing cattle and sheep. The two elders of the Jian family grew vegetables, with Old Master Jian tending to the greens, while Lady Liu complained that it was easy to strain one's back.

Lady Liu enjoyed listening to music, and the local tunes were quite different from those in the capital, often featuring flutes and a broad, expansive sound.

Fu Jiaze's letters were always thick, and it took Lin Yingxue a long time to read each one he sent.

Reading the letters was like having Fu Jiaze sitting across from her, personally recounting his experiences and observations.

After Lin Yingxue finished speaking, she couldn't help but think that Fu Jiaze must have arrived in Tongwu County by now.

/

At that moment, Fu Jiaze was indeed standing outside the city gates of Tongwu County.

Due to the merger of three counties, the county office of Tongwu County was now located in what used to be Niushou County. The plaque on the city wall had been moved from the entrance of Tongwu County.

The city walls were tall and grand, almost matching those of the capital city. They had once withstood battles, and the ravages of time had left them weathered and dilapidated.

Fu Jiaze had not yet entered the city when he felt that if he had the silver, his first task would be to repair the city walls. The current leader of the Di people was ambitious, and although they were temporarily at peace with Great Qi, living so close, how could they not covet the vast territory of Great Qi?

The guards at the city gate saw Fu Jiaze's entourage. The leader, looking at Fu Jiaze's attire, boldly asked, "May I ask if you are the new county magistrate, Mr. Fu?"

Fu Jiaze nodded and said, "Indeed, it is I."

As soon as Fu Jiaze spoke, the man whistled, and a lion dance troupe appeared, accompanied by the sound of gongs and drums.

Fu Jiaze watched this commotion thoughtfully. Soon, many clerks dressed in blue robes gathered at the city gate.

"Welcome, Magistrate Fu."

The crowd bowed deeply to Fu Jiaze. The leading official smiled and said, "Our Niushou... or rather, Tongwu County, has never had a top scholar before. This is a historic event. The prominent Mr. Gan has arranged a troupe to welcome you, Magistrate Fu, and there will be a banquet at his residence later."

Fu Jiaze asked, "Is Mr. Gan here?"

The deputy county magistrate replied, "Mr. Gan is quite old and has difficulty walking. Shall we head to the county office first, Magistrate Fu?"

Fu Jiaze nodded and decided not to ride in a carriage but to mount a high horse to enter the city, allowing him a broader view of the entire county.

Upon entering the city, it was evident that this was the most dilapidated place he had seen on his journey. It seemed that since the Di people's invasion and departure, the city had not been repaired. The ground was uneven and muddy, much like the surrounding areas. The people here looked malnourished, and the most capable ones had likely left, leaving behind those with little spirit.

Although Jian He's encampment was also impoverished, the people there were more vibrant. Fu Jiaze made a mental note and soon arrived at the county office.

When Fu Jiaze saw the county office, he was momentarily speechless. It was the best place in the entire city, and it had been cleaned and polished for his arrival, making it shine brightly.

Looking at the poor land outside and the luxurious county office, Fu Jiaze felt a headache coming on. He decided that his first task tonight would be to thoroughly inspect the county office, as there might be hidden passages or secret rooms.

After settling his belongings, Fu Jiaze left most of his men at the county office and took a few guards to visit the Gan family.

When Fu Jiaze met the old Mr. Gan, he found the man to be full of vitality, not at all like someone with mobility issues. Instead, he was a lean middle-aged man whom Fu Jiaze had seen at the city gate—this was the second son of the Gan family.

Fu Jiaze did not point this out but greeted everyone politely, saying some formalities and praising the grandeur of the Gan family's residence, asking if he could take a tour.

Before the old Mr. Gan could respond, the second son smiled and said, "Why not?"

The old Mr. Gan seemed somewhat reluctant, but since his second son had spoken, he had no choice but to have someone show Fu Jiaze around.

While touring the garden, Fu Jiaze met Miss Gan Tian'er, one of the Gan family's daughters. When she saw Fu Jiaze, her eyes lit up, and she was about to step back when the old Mr. Gan chuckled and said, "Tian'er, come over."