Chapter 58: The Demure Little Cat

Chapter 58: The Reserved Little Cat

As for gifting the zither, it wasn't particularly important to the plot, so Xiao K looked the other way.

Actually, the main reason was that Xiao Yan had already gotten the zither, and there was no way to return it to the treasury now.

Xiao Yan returned to the mansion.

His subordinates started bustling around, figuring out where to place this priceless Nine-Sky Ringed Zither.

As the zither was carefully carried into the Moon-Gazing Pavilion, Xiao Yan stood under the eaves.

Fu'an quietly instructed beside him, guiding them to place the zither by the east window of the study.

Hearing the commotion of Xiao Yan's return, Liu Qingci came out of the warm chamber. Just as he reached the study door, he encountered this careful procession.

He walked over to Xiao Yan, his eyes landing on the long sandalwood case being carried in, and asked softly, "Your Highness, what's happening?"

Xiao Yan turned his head to look at him.

This time, Liu Qingci had clearly taken Xiao Yan's earlier advice to "dress warmly, it's cold outside" to heart, wearing a cloak that Xiao Yan had ordered to be made for him a few days prior.

Wrapped in the thick cloak, his cheeks had a healthy pink, no longer that worrisome paleness from before.

"Nothing much," Xiao Yan said flatly, as if dealing with something trivial. "I went to the palace, and my father insisted there was a zither gathering dust in his treasury and forced it on me."

"A zither?" Liu Qingci's brows lifted slightly.

"Hmm, I think it's called the Nine-Sky Ringed Zither," Xiao Yan replied casually, even furrowing his brow slightly as if trying to recall the cumbersome name. "Such a flashy name—I don't understand these things."

At the words "Nine-Sky Ringed Zither," Liu Qingci's clear eyes lit up.

"Since I brought it back anyway, I'll leave it in the study for now," Xiao Yan continued. "I'll have someone tidy up the zither room in the next couple of days, then move it there. After all, it's supposed to be some legendary masterpiece—it needs a proper place."

"...Your Highness."

Xiao Yan: "Hmm?"

Liu Qingci said hesitantly, "This zither... it's a rare, priceless treasure."

Hearing the hesitant tone in Liu Qingci's voice and seeing how much he clearly loved it yet didn't dare to show it too much, a faint smile flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Rare treasure or not, if it just sits there silent, it's nothing but a pile of wood."

As he spoke, he glanced at Liu Qingci and sure enough, saw the other's eyes widen slightly at his words, the faint pink on his face deepening with eagerness.

Then, as if offhandedly, he asked, "Do you know how to play the zither?"

Xiao Yan knew that Liu Qingci not only could play but was a master of the art, though his quiet nature kept him from being flashy in public.

Sure enough, Liu Qingci replied modestly, "I know a little."

"I learned as a child from my father," he paused. "After official duties, my father loved to play the zither by the study window. He said the zither could calm the mind and clarify one's aspirations—the heart's voice reveals itself through the strings. One must not rush or be impatient; first, calm one's heart like the still water of an ancient well, only then can pure tones flow."

Liu Qingci spoke slowly, his voice soft and faraway.

When he met Xiao Yan's deep, unfathomable eyes, he realized he might have said too much.

He pursed his lips and fell silent, but then heard Xiao Yan speak:

"It seems this zither won't be left idle after all."

Liu Qingci blinked, bewildered.

Xiao Yan took his wrist and led him inside, stopping directly in front of the sandalwood zither case.

"Try it." Xiao Yan released his hand and gestured with his chin.

He stood half a step behind Liu Qingci, watching quietly.

The moment Liu Qingci saw the zither, a pure, boyish delight sparkled in his eyes.

Like a little cat who had found its favorite dried fish but, because it had been taught manners, kept its cool.

Liu Qingci was completely captivated by this long-admired masterpiece, completely unaware that behind him, Xiao Yan's gaze had softened into something startling.

But Xiao K's electronic eyes took in all of this.

It felt like the plot was heading in an uncontrolled, disastrous direction.

What a headache for a system!

The scene was too harmonious; reluctant to interrupt, it had to anyway.

Xiao K appeared with its assignment: "Host, I know you wanted to give a carrot before a stick. Now that the carrot is given, can you finish the task?"

The tenderness faded from Xiao Yan's eyes as his expression tightened and hardened.

Xiao K: "Host, have a look at the task's lines."

Xiao Yan saw the familiar teleprompter in his mind.

"Do you want to know how your father was ultimately dealt with?"

"Exiled to the northern frontier, never to return to the capital."

"Liu Qingci, you should understand—if I hadn't brought you back to the mansion, you'd have set foot on that bitter northern road as well!"

From his experience with the last surprise task, Xiao Yan knew how to use these lines.

"Just saying these three lines completes the task, right?" Xiao Yan confirmed again with Xiao K.

Xiao K: "Yes."

He could say more, but couldn't say less.

Xiao Yan looked at Liu Qingci's back and said, his tone measured: "Qingci."

Liu Qingci turned around, his eyes still holding a look of concentrated confusion.

Xiao Yan said: "Do you want to know how your father was ultimately dealt with?"

The topic was raised so abruptly that Liu Qingci's expression froze instantly.

He stood there stunned, staring blankly at Xiao Yan, at a loss for words.

After a long moment, he finally managed to ask, his voice strained: "Your Highness, d-do you know?"

Liu Qingci knew that Xiao Yan had been to the palace today.

He had stayed inside the Prince of Yu's mansion all day, cut off from the outside world.

Xiao Yan had just returned from the palace and asked him this—which meant Xiao Yan must have gotten the news from the palace.

But then he heard Xiao Yan say, "I don't know."