Behind the house was a large herb field, filled with all sorts of unfamiliar medicinal herbs swaying gently in the wind, emitting a fragrant scent.
Beyond the herb field lay a circular lake. Wisps of shallow purple mist rose as if from heat, yet there was no wind. The lake was as clear as a mirror.
When herbs from the shore fell into it, the water took on a fragrance that was not only pleasant to smell but also incredibly comfortable for bathing.
Once, Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou secretly slipped down and bathed for a while. The water alternated between warm and cool. When it was warm, every inch of their skin opened up, even their meridians seemed to sink into it. When it was cool, they could feel the flow of their blood with such clarity.
After their bath, their bodies felt completely relaxed, and they experienced an unprecedented sense of refreshment.
However, Mu Qingyao dared not bathe too often. The valley was filled with men, and they were the only two women. It would be incredibly awkward if they were discovered.
But, so far, apart from a few servants, they hadn't seen anyone else.
In the afternoon, Qingyao woke from her nap, her hazy eyes gazing at the peach blossoms outside. A wave of melancholy washed over her, and she couldn't help but sigh. Mo Chou entered, carrying the little fox, and asked with concern, "Mistress, what's wrong?"
"They completely ignore us. What should we do?"
"Let them ignore us. We'll stay here. This place is like a paradise, and it's quite comfortable to live in." xxs
Mo Chou, like her, had slowly grown to like this place. There was no intrigue or bloodshed, only peace. Although those people didn't welcome them, they hadn't made things difficult for them, and that was enough.
As Mo Chou finished speaking, Mo You entered from outside, his face beaming with excitement.
He hadn't been seen much these past two days, and now he appeared with such a happy expression. Mo Chou raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Mo You, why are you so happy?"
"Do you know where I've been these past two days?" Mo You asked mysteriously. Before Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou could guess, he blurted out impatiently, "I've been trying to get friendly with that Ming Yue fellow. He finally stopped rejecting me, so I steered the conversation and managed to find out a bit of information?"
Upon hearing his words, Mu Qingyao's interest was immediately piqued.
"What did you find out?"
"Young Master Wuqing enjoys playing the zither in the peach grove every afternoon. Why don't you go and meet him?"
Mo You's dark eyes sparkled, and he panted with excitement. Mo Chou heard his words and looked up through the window lattice at the peach grove. She raised her delicate eyebrows, looking somewhat disbelieving.
"No way, why haven't we heard anything?"
Yes, their residence was right by the peach grove, so why had they never heard anyone playing music inside?
"It's not that. There's an array set up in the peach grove. You can only hear the zither music once you enter. It can't be heard from the outside; it's as if it's isolated from the world."
After Mo You finished speaking, Mu Qingyao and Mo Chou's eyes lit up. "What amazing zither skills!"
"Good, I'll go into the peach grove to investigate. As long as he's in the peach grove, I'll find a way to get him to accept us as disciples." Mu Qingyao threw back the brocade quilt, got out of bed, tidied her clothes, and led Mo Chou and Mo You out of the bedroom.
The afternoon sunlight was warm and gentle. March was the most beautiful season, with the peach blossoms in full bloom and the willow branches lush and green. Beyond the railing, the chirping of birds was melodious and crisp.
The wind rose, and peach blossoms fell. But where was the zither music? The surroundings were silent.
Mu Qingyao glanced at Mo Chou and Mo You.
"You two stay here, I'll go in."
"Mistress, be careful," Mo Chou cautioned. The array in the peach grove wasn't frightening; Wuqing was. As long as the Mistress didn't anger him, she would be fine. "Don't provoke him."
"I know."
Qingyao smiled, her eyebrows curved, her eyes sparkling. Although the peach blossoms were radiant, she was the most vibrant bloom. With a flick of her figure, she entered the grove.
Indeed, as soon as she entered the grove, she heard the faint echo of zither music, winding and turning, incredibly moving.
She had never heard such beautiful zither music before. Although there was the zither of Ximen Xin Yue and the Xiao of Mu Rong Liu Zun, compared to this music, they seemed to fall slightly short.
The zither tugged at her heartstrings, as if imbued with magic. It rejoiced when she rejoiced, and when it was sad, tears would stream down her face. Qingyao walked through the grove.
Suddenly, the peach trees began to spin. A wave of peach blossoms struck with fierce winds. She cried out in alarm and leaped up, but the peach blossoms seemed to have a life of their own, following her into mid-air, entangling her completely, making her feel suffocated, and carrying a murderous intent.
Suddenly, the zither music shifted, flowing like a clear mountain spring, so pure. The murderous intent vanished, and the peach blossoms scattered, dancing in the air.
She focused her gaze. Amidst the falling peach blossoms, a person sat in the grove, playing the zither with graceful hands, focused and serious, with lowered brows and hair as black as clouds cascading down.
Her eyebrows were curved like a crescent moon, her skin whiter than snow. Even though her clear eyes were not visible, she was still awe-inspiring.
A person could possess such an aura, like water flowing from a heavenly mountain, or like a snow lotus, possessing a beauty that could topple cities and enthrall the world, yet unstained by the dust of the mortal realm.
Qingyao watched intently, marveling, seemingly forgetting her purpose, engrossed in appreciating the beautiful scene before her, as if it were a painting.
Suddenly, he raised his head. His pupils shot out a gaze so captivating, like the bright moon after dark clouds disperse, pure and transparent without a trace of impurity. He simply stared at her.
The zither music flowed, hazy and graceful, suddenly becoming lingering and affectionate. Qingyao's thoughts became somewhat hazy. She seemed to see Mei Xin standing before her, smiling charmingly, "Mistress, you've come to see me."
Qingyao smiled happily and reached out as if to pull Mei Xin, walking forward, unconsciously murmuring, "Mei Xin, don't go. Didn't you say you would serve Mistress forever?"
The zither music suddenly struck a discordant note and stopped.
All was silent. Mu Qingyao shivered abruptly, coming back to her senses. She looked blankly at the transcendent man sitting on the wheelchair, his face expressionless. He spoke faintly.
"You've been ensnared."
Mu Qingyao was covered in cold sweat. If he hadn't spared her life, she would likely have been sent to the netherworld by now. This zither music carried such powerful malevolent energy; it was likely a demonic zither that confused the mind.
"Thank you."
Mu Qingyao spoke softly, her eyes filled with determination. Looking at him earnestly, before he could speak, she abruptly knelt down, "Please take us as your disciples."
Wuqing gazed at her quietly, his demeanor simple and elegant, his eyes cold. Although she was kneeling, there was no trace of subservience. Instead, she exuded an unyielding nobility and a pure, refined demeanor, like the most wild lily of the valley in this mountain gorge. She made one see through her while being inexplicably puzzled about the kind of pure heart and intelligence she possessed.