Chapter 27

Xun is a unique closed-mouth wind instrument of the Han nationality. In ancient times, xun was mostly made of baked clay, in a round or oval shape with six holes, also known as "clay xun." However, if one were to use their hands as a xun, while it might not be entirely impossible, it is certainly not something an ordinary person can accomplish. Therefore, when Ye Yu boasted that he would use a hand xun to accompany the music, not only did Lu Zheng refuse to believe it, but even Liu Qianyu, who was on the upper floor, was quite skeptical.

At this moment, Ye Yu had already wiped his palms and then clasped his hands together to form a hand-shaped xun! When it was time for the accompaniment, Ye Yu blew into the hand xun he had formed.

Everyone held their breath and focused their gaze on Ye Yu, all eager to see if the hand xun could indeed produce a melody.

In the end, Ye Yu did not disappoint the crowd. As he continued to blow, a mournful sound akin to that of a flute harmonized with the flowing melody of the guzheng, blending seamlessly without any discord.

Even as the mournful sound gradually filled the flower hall, a sense of indescribable heaviness and transcendence made the hearts of those present sink.

Liu Qianyu, sitting beside the guzheng, though her fingers moved nimbly, her beautiful eyes could not help but look down at Ye Yu, who was closed-eyed and blowing the hand xun. At this moment, she felt not only a hint of surprise but also a great curiosity about Ye Yu.

Although the mood in Ye Yu's music aligned with the loneliness in her own piece, she could not understand how a young person could play such a sad and heavy tune.

Liu Qianyu pondered to herself, what had happened to this young gentleman?

At this moment, Ye Yu was completely immersed in his music. His eyes were slightly closed as he recalled past events, as if they had happened just yesterday.

Growing up in an orphanage, he had always lacked the warmth of a family. With his excellent grades, he was admitted to a military academy and later became a true soldier with honor.

His talents in both literature and martial arts made him highly valued in the military, and he even had a rare and precious love.

Unfortunately, all of this, which he had worked so hard for, was lost in an instant. A false accusation from a comrade sent him to prison, and his bright future was destroyed.

If death were a form of release, he would have been filled with regret! But fate had brought him here. Perhaps misfortune and fortune are two sides of the same coin. Although he was disabled in this life, it gave him a chance to start anew.

He did not want to give up this opportunity, nor would he.

As his emotions fluctuated, Ye Yu's xun music also changed, sometimes with furrowed brows, sometimes with a wry smile. All of this made Mei'er, who was beside him, feel a sudden flutter in her heart.

It is often said that a man who attracts attention must have three qualities: focus, melancholy, and a story. These three qualities were perfectly embodied in Ye Yu at this moment.

The combination of these three qualities was a perfect elevation.

As Liu Qianyu's guzheng music gradually came to an end, Ye Yu's xun music also slowly faded. Finally, when Liu Qianyu's fingers left the strings, Ye Yu's xun music abruptly stopped.

Ye Yu took a deep breath, looked at Liu Qianyu with a smile, and then turned his gaze to drink alone, saying, "The music has ended, and the pent-up feelings in my heart have been released. What a relief!"

At this moment, the flower hall was very quiet. As soon as Ye Yu finished speaking, the hall was filled with praise, and many people fell into a long silence.

Liu Qianyu gracefully descended from the upper floor to the flower hall, first bowing to Ye Yu, and then asked, "Please forgive my ignorance, but the mood of this piece is far superior to mine. May I ask, what is the name of this piece, sir?"

Liu Qianyu's question was within Ye Yu's expectations. The piece he played was not an ancient tune but one of his favorite pieces from the future.

However, Ye Yu could not reveal this, so he said softly, "This piece is called 'Solitary Star's Lament.' It is normal that Miss Liu has not heard it before. It is just a tune I composed by chance, a simple folk melody, not a famous piece."

"Oh? Then, sir..."

Liu Qianyu wanted to ask more, but Ye Yu did not intend to listen. It was already late, and he was worried about leaving Qiulan alone at home. So he said to Lu Zheng, "Mr. Lu, the competition is over. You should honor the bet."

"You!... But you haven't passed the third round yet..."

Lu Zheng's face was extremely gloomy, but standing in a disadvantaged position, he lacked the confidence to argue.

Ye Yu, hearing this, sneered disdainfully, "Mr. Lu, don't forget, our bet was about the outcome between us. You never said how many rounds there would be."

"You! Ye Yu you!..." Lu Zheng, thinking of the multiple times he had been outsmarted by Ye Yu, felt as if he had swallowed a fly.

But at this moment, he did not know how to argue. He remembered his father's words: Ye Yu is not an ordinary person...

"Brother Ye is right, Brother Lu. Since you lost, you should honor the bet."

At this moment, Pan Zhi also came to Ye Yu's aid. He had once again re-evaluated Ye Yu, and for this friend who was unassuming but impressive in critical moments, he did not know whether to be happy or jealous!

Feeling the strange gazes of the crowd, Lu Zheng reluctantly took out the banknotes from his sleeve and threw them on the table, then turned and left the Zui Chun Lou without a backward glance.

Ye Yu took the banknotes, took a few out, and handed them to Mei'er, saying with a smile, "Miss Mei'er, thank you for your hard work!"

To Ye Yu's surprise, Mei'er did not take the money but looked at him with a charming expression and said softly, "Mei'er doesn't want the three hundred taels. I only ask that when you have free time, you play a tune for me. That would be enough!"

Ye Yu did not expect his music to have such an effect. He laughed heartily and said, "If Miss Mei'er likes this tune, I will teach it to you another day! The three hundred taels are what you deserve, as I promised."

"Yes! Mei'er will also fulfill her promise!" Mei'er said with a happy face.

Ye Yu nodded and then bowed to Pan Zhi, "Brother Pan, it's late. I will not keep you company. Goodbye!"

"Hey! Brother Ye, since you've passed the second round, why not push through to the third? It would be a pity to give up now."

Pan Zhi felt very regretful about Ye Yu's sudden decision to quit. Although he admired Liu Qianyu's talent and beauty, his broad-mindedness made him hope that Ye Yu would not waste this opportunity.

The maid Xiaohuan, seeing Liu Qianyu's intention to retain Ye Yu, also spoke up, "Mr. Pan is right. Since Mr. Ye has passed two rounds, why not try the third?"

At this moment, Guo Xiaotian had already come close and was pushing Ye Yu's wheelchair toward the door.

Sitting in the wheelchair, Ye Yu turned his back to the crowd and sang with a smile, "I came with no intention, why talk of passing three rounds? Winning a thousand taels, let's all enjoy the moment..."

As he left, the thoughts of those present varied. Pan Zhi, looking at Ye Yu's departing back, shook his head helplessly and then also left the Zui Chun Lou.

Liu Qianyu stood in place, her brows slightly furrowed, gazing at Ye Yu's departing back, her beautiful eyes flashing with a hint of interest.

...

Lu Zheng not only failed to win the beauty but also lost a thousand taels, which was a bitter pill for the usually arrogant Lu Zheng to swallow.

The long-standing grudge had made Lu Zheng hate Ye Yu to the bone. However, he knew that Ye Yu was no longer the same as before.

He deeply regretted not taking harsher action earlier and instead talking about credibility with Ye Yu.

When Pan Zhi returned home, he reported everything Ye Yu had said to Pan Yue.

Upon hearing this news, the old man Pan Yue was furious and immediately summoned his two sons, Pan Chengjun and Pan Chengfeng, to question who had given the secret instructions. After a series of questions, Pan Chengfeng admitted that he had acted in secret.

The old man was enraged and immediately beat Pan Chengfeng with a pear wood cane, ordering him to never use such despicable means again. Although Pan Chengfeng admitted his mistake, he was secretly不服 (unconvinced).

As soon as he returned home, he summoned the intermediary who had contacted She Tongcheng.

In the dimly lit study, the charcoal fire drove away the cold, making the room warm and cozy.

At this moment, Pan Chengfeng leaned back in his chair, coldly staring at a man standing in front of him. This man was named Wang Gui, in his thirties, with a beard. Wang Gui hung his head, trembling slightly, and stood silently.

"Wang Gui..." Pan Chengfeng's brows furrowed slightly, and he called out sternly.

"Your servant is here!"

"Didn't you assure me that She Tongcheng would definitely succeed? But now, not only did he fail, but he also turned against me and became Ye Yu's ally! Is this your guarantee!?"

Thud!

Although Pan Chengfeng's voice was calm, Wang Gui was so frightened that he fell to his knees, his face contorted in fear as he tried to explain, "Your servant never expected..."

"Enough!" Pan Chengfeng waved his hand, cutting off Wang Gui's words. He then stood up, his eyes flashing with anger, "Go and take a hundred lashes. If you survive, I will not pursue this matter further!"

"Second Master..."

"Out!" Wang Gui tried to plead, but was immediately shouted down by Pan Chengfeng. The butler quickly called the servants to drag Wang Gui away.

After the study returned to calm, the butler advised, "Master, a hundred lashes might be fatal!"

Pan Chengfeng was unconcerned, snorting, "If I suffer a little, others must suffer ten times more! Because Wang Gui failed, the old man beat me with ten lashes today. So Wang Gui should take a hundred!"

"Master, we are in the grain business. This matter is not..."

"Hmph! All my efforts are to please the old man. He always thinks I am not as good as my elder brother. But the facts show that most of the family's business success is due to me, while my elder brother's cloth business is declining!

Just because he is the eldest son and I am the son of a concubine, when the old man passes away, I will have to hand over the business I worked hard for to my elder brother!"

Mentioning this, Pan Chengfeng's emotions were like a flood that could not be contained, and the years of bitterness poured out endlessly.

The butler stroked his three-inch beard, thinking, "But, Master, no matter how hard you try, can you change reality? You are only clearing the way for others!"

"Hmm? What do you suggest I do?" Pan Chengfeng, calmed down, asked seriously.

"Why not use force to counteract force and secretly achieve your goals?"

Pan Chengfeng nodded thoughtfully and then clapped his hands in approval, "Two-pronged approach, excellent!"

For some people, this night was destined to be sleepless. But for Ye Yu, it was a peaceful winter night. He slept very soundly, very soundly...