“Qin Cangjing?”
Hearing the name, Zhen Mi was startled, not understanding why her uncle had given her such a strange name.
Cangjing? The two words reminded Zhen Mi of the Sutra Depository of the Shaolin Temple.
However, Shen Lang’s reaction was clearly different from Zhen Mi’s.
Upon hearing Qin Lianyue mention the name Qin Cangjing, Shen Lang was greatly alarmed.
He remembered that when he was eighteen and had cultivated to the early stage of the Profound realm, he had asked the old man a question: was he a rare prodigy who appeared once in a thousand years?
At that time, the old man had nodded to Shen Lang.
However, when Shen Lang asked the old man if he was the most talented young genius in the past hundred years, the old man had shaken his head.
Shen Lang was very confused by the old man’s words and pressed for details.
The old man told Shen Lang that the Qin family in Longdu had a genius named Qin Cangjing. By the age of eighteen, he had already reached the middle stage of the Profound realm. His talent might not have been as monstrous as Shen Lang’s, but he was definitely superior to Shen Lang at the same age.
However, when Shen Lang asked about Qin Cangjing’s current situation, the old man simply said three words: “He is crippled.”
Of course, the old man had also added that the reason Shen Lang only entered the Profound realm at eighteen was that he had started cultivating late. Having started martial arts at the age of nine, he had missed the optimal timing.
If Shen Lang had started martial arts at the optimal time, given his peerless innate talent, Qin Cangjing would not have been his match.
For many years, this was only the second time Shen Lang had heard this name mentioned, and he couldn’t help but be shocked.
If possible, Shen Lang would like to meet Qin Cangjing and see what kind of person he was.
“Alright, let’s not talk about him. Let’s talk about you.”
At this moment, Qin Lianyue suddenly changed the topic and said to Zhen Mi, “You girl, ever since you came to Nanling, you haven’t even called me. Have you almost forgotten your aunt?”
“That’s not true, Auntie, don’t wrongly accuse me.”
Zhen Mi replied, “Ever since my father and I came to Nanling, apart from class time, all my time has been spent managing this teahouse. It’s not that I don’t miss you, but I’m too busy.”
“Besides, Auntie, you are such a busy person, I wouldn’t dare to disturb you.”
Although Zhen Mi and Qin Lianyue were talking and laughing, there was a clear sense of distance in their tone, indicating that their relationship was not as close as it might seem.
“You are too influenced by your mother, always treating me as a bad person. This is not good.”
Qin Lianyue seemed to see through Zhen Mi’s thoughts and smiled, “I have a feud with your mother, and I even tried to have her expelled from the family, because she stirred up trouble in the Qin family and made a mess of things. As for you, I watched you grow up, and I hope you will be a little closer to me.”
“I know about the grudges between you adults, but I don’t want to understand them.”
Zhen Mi looked at Qin Lianyue and smiled, “Everything under heaven bustles for profit. Everything under heaven bustles for gain. Neither you nor my parents are people who stay put. Your struggle has no right or wrong, no bottom line, and I don’t want to get involved in your affairs.”
“I just want to study well, play my zither well, manage my teahouse well, and learn my medical skills. Anything else is none of my business.”
Speaking of this, Zhen Mi’s gaze shifted from Qin Lianyue to Shen Lang and she smiled, “Brother Shen, I’ve recently become more proficient in playing ‘Guangling San.’ Shall I play it for you?”
“Alright—”
Upon hearing this, Shen Lang smiled and said, “The celestial music from the last time I heard you play is still lingering in my ears, but today, instead of playing ‘Guangling San,’ how about playing ‘A Woman’s Sentiment’?”
“Of course.”
Hearing Shen Lang’s words, Zhen Mi smiled and then said to the old man behind her, “Grandpa Zhou, please bring my zither here.”
“Alright—”
Hearing Zhen Mi’s words, the white-haired old man quickly turned and left.
Two minutes later, the white-haired old man returned from upstairs with a guqin.
The guqin had scorch marks at one end, but just looking at the wood made it seem like a peerless instrument.
“Is this the legendary Scorched-Tail Guqin?”
Shen Lang looked at Zhen Mi and asked in surprise.
“Brother Shen, you know about the zither?”
Zhen Mi was shocked upon hearing Shen Lang mention the Scorched-Tail Guqin and said.
Many people had seen Zhen Mi’s guqin, but no one had ever recognized its origin. Shen Lang’s ability to recognize the instrument at a glance astonished Zhen Mi.
“I know a little, but only what I’ve heard.”
Shen Lang smiled, “I heard that the Scorched-Tail Guqin was personally made by Cai Yong of the Eastern Han Dynasty. When Cai Yong was on the run, he rescued a piece of phoenix tree wood from a fire. Then, based on the shape and length of the wood, he crafted a seven-stringed zither. Legend has it that this zither can produce celestial music. And because the tail of the zither still bears scorch marks, it is called Scorched-Tail.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Lianyue was shocked and said, “This guqin was given to Zhen Mi by my father when she was five years old. I always thought it was just an ordinary guqin, but I never expected it to have such an origin.”
“It seems the old man was biased. He actually gave such a priceless treasure to you, girl. It seems he doted on you more.”
Zhen Mi said calmly, “Auntie, Grandfather didn’t give this Scorched-Tail Guqin to you or tell you its origin because you are not people who appreciate the zither, and giving it to you would be a waste of a treasure.”
“An instrument like this should only be in the hands of someone who understands and loves it. It shouldn’t be defiled by just anyone.”
After speaking, Zhen Mi smiled at Shen Lang and said, “Brother Shen, I truly admire you. Not only do you understand music theory and medical skills, but your taste in antique appraisal is also top-notch.”
“How about we exchange favors today?”
Shen Lang heard this and smiled, “How do we exchange favors?”
“It’s very simple. Using this Scorched-Tail Guqin, you and I will each play a song for the other.”
Zhen Mi smiled and said, “You won’t tell me that you don’t want to play this legendary guqin, will you?”
“It seems I cannot refuse your offer of exchanging favors.”
Shen Lang smiled and said, “I would naturally not miss the opportunity to play this legendary peerless guqin. In that case, let’s begin. Please go first.”
“Alright—”
Hearing Shen Lang’s words, Zhen Mi asked Grandpa Zhou to bring the zither table and chair, placed the guqin, sat down, and lit some sandalwood incense.
However, just as Zhen Mi’s fingers touched the strings and she was about to play, a voice suddenly rang out.
“Yo, isn’t this Miss Zhen Mi? Long time no see.”
A young man, who looked about eighteen or nineteen years old, walked up to Zhen Mi with a sarcastic tone and said, “Before, you refused to play a song for me alone, no matter what. Now, you’re playing for another man in front of everyone. Is it because my money wasn’t enough?”
“How about… I add more money… Today, you not only perform but also sell yourself, how about it?”