Chapter 309 - Nalan Su

Just as Fang Dingwu was about to pull Chi Nanwei away, Ye Beizhi, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly said, "Wait."

The three of them turned their gazes to Ye Beizhi. Fang Dingwu frowned in confusion. "What’s the matter?"

Ye Beizhi stared at Nalan Su and slowly said, "I want to see your guqin."

Hearing this, Nalan Su’s pupils contracted slightly. After a moment, he glanced at Chi Nanwei before smiling and nodding. "Alright."

"Please follow me." Nalan Su stepped aside and gestured politely, leading the way to the inner chambers upstairs. Ye Beizhi got up and followed.

Fang Dingwu quickly caught up and whispered in Ye Beizhi’s ear, "Didn’t you say there’s something off about his guqin? So why...?"

Ye Beizhi shook his head but didn't say anything.

Seeing the strange expressions on Fang Dingwu and Ye Beizhi’s faces, Chi Nanwei asked curiously, "Brother Fang, what’s going on? Your tone was off when Mr. Nalan came over... Is there something wrong?"

Fang Dingwu gestured for her to be quiet and whispered, "Don’t say anything. That guqin master isn’t a good person."

Nalan Su led them up to the third floor and stopped in front of a door. With a smile, he turned to Chi Nanwei and said, "This is where I usually rest. The guqin is inside, and I hope to have a meaningful discussion with you later."

"I wouldn't dare," Chi Nanwei replied, seemingly flattered. "Sir, you are a master. To call it a discussion is too much. It should be me seeking your advice instead."

Nalan Su laughed heartily, clearly pleased by her words. "You’re too modest, young lady. Please, come in!" With that, he pushed open the door and entered.

The three immediately followed him, but as soon as they stepped through the door, they heard Nalan Su shout sharply from inside, "Stop! Who told you to touch the guqin?"

Ye Beizhi’s expression didn’t change, but he strode into the room. Fang Dingwu and Chi Nanwei hurriedly followed.

The room was small. At its center, on a soft couch, rested an ancient wooden guqin exuding an elegant aura. A woman knelt beside it, holding a handkerchief mid-air. Frozen in place, she fearfully looked at the furious Nalan Su.

Ignoring the three who had entered, Nalan Su strode forward, waving his hand to push the woman aside. He then bent down and carefully examined the guqin. After confirming that it was unharmed, he turned to glare at the woman, lowering his voice as he scolded, "Didn’t I make myself clear? You are not to touch my guqin."

The woman stood up trembling. "I... I just... saw some dust on it and wanted to wipe it off for you..." As she spoke, she held out the handkerchief, seemingly wanting to prove herself to Nalan Su.

"I don’t want to see it!" Nalan Su yanked the handkerchief from her hand and threw it to the ground. He pointed toward the door and yelled, "Get out!"

The woman’s face darkened. She opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately stayed silent. Picking up the handkerchief, she quietly left, not forgetting to close the door behind her.

Once the woman had left, Nalan Su took a deep breath to calm himself. When he turned back, his face was once again covered with an elegant, composed smile. In a casual tone, he said, "

Heh...

Forgive me for such an unbecoming display."

Without responding, Ye Beizhi lowered his gaze, briefly sweeping over the guqin.

Fang Dingwu glanced in the direction where the woman had exited, frowning in confusion.

Chi Nanwei bit her lip before speaking. "Mr. Nalan, earlier—"

Nalan Su waved his hand. "That was just an uncultured servant, it's not worth mentioning..."

Chi Nanwei’s delicate brows furrowed slightly as she continued, "That lady was dressed entirely in fine silk. She doesn’t seem like a servant."

"Heh..." Nalan Su’s expression soured, and he forced a few awkward laughs. "You have sharp eyes, young lady. That was my mother."

As soon as Nalan Su said this, Chi Nanwei’s pretty face instantly turned cold. Before she could speak, Fang Dingwu couldn’t hold back anymore. He slapped the table and stood up, glaring angrily at Nalan Su. "You bastard! Is that how you treat your mother?!"

Nalan Su raised an eyebrow, placing both hands on the guqin strings, and asked in a cold tone, "What advice does a valiant warrior like you have for me?"

Fang Dingwu’s eyes widened. "Today I’ll—"

"Sit down," Ye Beizhi interjected, cutting Fang Dingwu off. His gaze settled on Nalan Su’s hands that were resting above the strings. "It’s their family matter."

Fang Dingwu’s expression shifted several times before he snorted coldly and reluctantly sat down.

Nalan Su chuckled. "

Heh heh,

this gentleman is more sensible. My family affairs are not for others to interfere with.

"But that's enough, let’s not talk about unpleasant matters." Nalan Su spread his hands and said, "Young lady, please come forward."

Chi Nanwei glanced at Ye Beizhi and, seeing that he did not object, stepped forward and sat across from Nalan Su, with the guqin between them. Nalan Su said, "Young lady, please have a look. How do you find my guqin?"

Chi Nanwei parted her lips slightly, then extended her hand to slowly glide across one end of the guqin. After running her hand over its surface, she pressed down on a string with one hand and plucked it lightly with the other.

Zheng—

A clear and resonant note echoed through the room, lingering for a long time.

"What a fine guqin..." Chi Nanwei murmured softly, reciting, "The qin and zheng sing unique melodies. Jade posts lift the purest tune. The strings break under high tension but continue to sing under skilled hands."

Nalan Su’s smile deepened, and his expression grew more smug. "Young lady, your insight is exceptional. This guqin is no ordinary instrument..."As he spoke, his gaze shifted, and he noticed Ye Beizhi reaching out to touch the guqin. He angrily shouted, "What are you doing?!"

Ye Beizhi did not stop. Just as his hand was an inch away from the guqin, Nalan Su grabbed his wrist.

Ye Beizhi raised his head and looked at Nalan Su.

Nalan Su’s face darkened like a thundercloud. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Who gave you permission to touch it?"

"I... can’t touch it?" Ye Beizhi tilted his head slightly. "Why not?"

Nalan Su flung Ye Beizhi’s hand away. "Those who don’t understand the guqin have no right to touch it!"

Ye Beizhi did not get angry. He said calmly, "Sell me the guqin."

"That's ridiculous!" Nalan Su’s demeanor grew colder. "Why would I sell it to you?"

Ye Beizhi remained unmoved. "This guqin doesn’t belong to you."

Nalan Su faltered momentarily, then grew even more agitated. Placing both hands on the strings, he exclaimed, "Nonsense! This guqin is mine!"

Ye Beizhi’s right hand, at some point, had moved to the hilt of his blade behind his waist. With just a push of his thumb, the Tang blade could be drawn.

"Dummy!" A pair of pale hands suddenly pressed down on Ye Beizhi’s right hand. When he turned his head, his eyes met Chi Nanwei’s beautiful gaze. She gently shook her head.

Ye Beizhi paused, released his grip on the hilt, and stood up. After giving Nalan Su a long, penetrating look, he said in a low voice, "Let’s go."

With that, he turned and walked away.

Nalan Su watched the three leave with a cold expression but did not try to stop them. He sat alone in the room for a long time. Finally, he moved. Opening the case of the guqin, he revealed a ghost-head token inside, engraved with the title, Yearning Rhapsody.