usatvline Chapter 52 Master and Disciple
Chapter 52 Master and Disciple
As dawn broke, Luan Ding drove his carriage back to Guili from the market.
Inside the carriage, Wu Ji lifted a corner of the curtain and peered outside.
The courtyard walls of Lord Chunping's residence gradually came into view. The high walls were built of rammed earth, with a smooth surface and covered with roof tiles. Occasionally, a few treetops peeked out from the top of the walls, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
Although the main gate was not fully visible, the outline of the imposing gate tower and flying eaves could already be seen.
Wu Ji lowered the curtain and turned to look at the Snow Woman sitting opposite her.
The girl held the jade flute in her arms. She wore a light blue dress, and her long, snow-white hair was simply tied in a bun at the back of her head, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck. She looked down at the flute in her hand, appearing particularly quiet.
"See that?"
Wu Ji lowered her voice and leaned towards Xue Nu: "The grandeur of such a noble residence is extraordinary, even just from the gates and walls. Every blade of grass, every tree, every person, and every object inside is governed by rules. Once inside, observe more, listen more, and speak less. Whatever you are asked to do, just comply. Doing your duty well is the most important thing."
The snow woman did not respond.
Wu Ji looked at her, a few indescribable emotions flashing in her eyes, like pity, or a kind of helpless anxiety.
Her throat bobbed, and before she could finish speaking, she continued to advise, "You must understand that this opportunity is hard to come by. Since Madam has spoken, you should seize it. If things go smoothly, the future... will be better than staying in the music hall. At least you won't have to put up with these looks and suffer these disturbances anymore."
"Aunt Wu."
Wu Ji stopped talking.
"I know what to do." The snow woman's light blue eyes were calm and unwavering. "You've said it many times already."
Wu Ji opened her mouth, wanting to say something more, but looking at Xue Nu's expressionless face, she swallowed her words. She sighed, sat up straight again, and straightened her clothes.
The carriage stopped.
Luan Ding jumped off the carriage shaft and called out to the carriage, "Miss Xue Nu, Madam Wu, we have arrived at the mansion. Please get off the carriage."
Wu Ji immediately put on a smile and said repeatedly, "Thank you for your trouble, brave warrior."
She moved to the car door first, held onto the car frame to get down, and then turned around to help the Snow Woman after she had stood firm.
The Snow Maiden instinctively wanted to avoid it, but hesitated for a moment and ultimately let Wu Ji support her. The girl, holding the jade flute, noticed Wu Ji gently squeezing her hand.
The snow woman's expression grew increasingly indifferent, but the sadness in her eyes deepened.
Luan Ding led them toward the side door.
There were servants waiting there. When they saw Luan Ding return, they immediately went in to inform him. Soon after, Madam Fu came out to greet him with two maids in green.
Because the day before was the day Fu's mother went to Zuiyue Tower to formally finalize the hiring arrangements for the tutor and inform her of the time of entry into the mansion, Wu Ji recognized her. So, upon seeing Fu's mother, Wu Ji's smile immediately blossomed, and as she quickly stepped forward, her waist was already bent low.
"Mother Fu, you've come to greet us personally; it's too much of an honor. We should have arrived much earlier; how could we have troubled you to wait?"
As she spoke, she subtly pushed the snow woman forward to greet her.
"Madam has already given instructions, so there's no need for such formalities," Madam Fu nodded slightly and said gently, "Young Master and Madam are already waiting in the mansion. Please follow me."
The two followed Madam Fu through the gate. Inside, there was a short alleyway paved with blue bricks and high walls on both sides. After walking a short distance, the space opened up into a spacious courtyard with several old trees. Beyond the courtyard was another gate, which was the ceremonial gate.
Just after passing through the ceremonial gate, a figure came walking in front of us.
The Snow Maiden looked up and saw Zhao Heng, dressed in Hu clothing, slowly approaching. He had tied his hair back with a cloth strip, revealing a pair of clear eyebrows and eyes. He looked very clean and bright, not at all like a child.
The Snow Woman immediately looked back at the ground, and Wu Ji's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly stepped forward and was about to bow again.
Zhao Heng first bowed to Xue Nu and Wu Ji, saying, "Miss Xue Nu, Madam Wu, I apologize for being late in welcoming you both."
Wu Ji was flattered and quickly bowed in return, saying, "Young master, you flatter me. To be honest, I had no choice but to come to your residence this time."
As she said this, a troubled look appeared on her face:
"Ever since that incident at the Drunken Moon Pavilion, the Snow Maiden's reputation has somehow spread. Unidentified people keep coming to her door, wanting to see her and become her disciples. I can fend them off, but the Snow Maiden can't bear the harassment. That's fine, but then..."
She paused slightly, then said with a hint of fear:
"However, Lord Jianxin has recently sent someone to inquire again. Although the neighborhood has tried its best to mediate, it is ultimately powerless. I fear that one day Lord Jianxin might have the same idea again and do what he did with the forced invitation. I have been thinking about this and I am really uneasy. That is why I have taken the liberty of thinking that if Xue Nu could start teaching you sooner, with the name of Lord Chunping's mansion, it might be able to avoid some unnecessary trouble. I hope you will understand my selfishness and fear."
Zhao Heng hesitated for a moment, a hint of apology appearing on his face, and said:
"This matter was also due to my oversight. I should have invited Miss Xue Nu to my residence earlier, but I was preoccupied with trivial matters these past few days. I also thought that since I had already hired Miss Xue Nu as my teacher, I could not be hasty and needed to make proper arrangements so as not to neglect Miss Xue Nu. It was my fault that it was delayed until now. I hope Miss Xue Nu and Madam Wu will forgive me."
The snow woman noticed his gaze, her light blue eyes flickered slightly, and she simply shook her head gently, it was unclear whether she meant it was alright or something else.
Zhao Heng didn't say much, but simply gestured an invitation: "Since this matter arose because of me, it should be resolved properly by me. The outer room is not the place to talk. My mother is waiting in the front hall. Please come with me."
Wu Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly thanked Xue Nu, and followed her.
When Xue Nu heard that she was to pay her respects to Zhao Heng's mother, a hint of nervousness seemed to flicker across her usually calm face, and her breathing became lighter. But urged on by Wu Ji's gaze, she still stepped forward to follow.
In the front hall, Madam Han was already seated in the main seat. When she saw them enter, she showed a warm smile.
Wu Ji immediately bowed deeply and said, "This humble servant, Wu, brings Xue Nu to pay her respects to Madam. As a lowly person, I should not disturb your esteemed residence, but since you, young master, were able to help me out of that predicament, it is only right and proper that I come to your residence to express my gratitude to you and Madam."
Following Wu Ji's movements, the Snow Woman also slightly bent her knees in accordance with etiquette.
Hearing Wu Ji's words, she frowned slightly, then relaxed.
She had heard these words far too often. Every time she met an important person, Wu Ji would say the same thing, as if it were a habit ingrained in her bones, or a layer of protective armor.
Madam Han smiled and said softly, "Madam Wu, there's no need for such formality. Please rise."
After Wu Ji stood up, she gave Zhao Heng a slightly reproachful look: "I only heard about this from Heng'er a couple of days ago. That child, he didn't tell me about what happened that day. I had to ask him later before he told me what happened at Zuiyue Tower."
Zhao Heng stood aside, simply smiled, and offered no explanation.
Madam Han had no intention of blaming him, but simply looked at Lady Wu again and said:
"To be honest, Madam Wu, as a mother myself, I was quite frightened when I heard about Heng'er's conflict with someone, and I couldn't help but ask the people involved a few more questions. Therefore, I also know a little about Madam Wu and Miss Xue Nu's past. If I have asked anything presumptuously, please forgive me."
Wu Ji was taken aback upon hearing this, and the smile on her face froze.
She truly hadn't expected Madam Han to bring up the investigation so directly. A hint of wariness and unease flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it, saying hastily, "Madam, you flatter me. For the fact that my past, concerning such a lowly person, has even reached Madam's ears is already quite an achievement..."
Zhao Heng, standing to the side, quietly observed Wu Ji's fleeting emotional shift, remaining silent.
Madam Han gently shook her head, interrupting, "Madam Wu, why belittle yourself?"
She remarked with emotion, "I've heard that Madam Wu, driven by love, acted boldly and decisively. Despite her turbulent circumstances, she remained true to her word, raising her deceased friend alone and never abandoning him. Such loyalty and responsibility are admirable, regardless of social standing. Sometimes, nobility and lowliness in this world are not determined solely by birth or social class."
These words clearly refer to the story of Wu Ji eloping with a wandering knight and raising the Snow Maiden alone. There was no hint of contempt or disdain in the tone; instead, it carried a rare respect and understanding.
Wu Ji was stunned for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
She was brimming with prepared humble words, the polite phrases for dealing with different dignitaries, and the constant self-deprecation she was expected to maintain in front of such people. Yet, in front of the aloof Madam Han, they all suddenly caught in her throat. A complex, bitter feeling rushed to her nose, and she hurriedly lowered her eyes.
Xue Nu also raised her eyes slightly, looking at Madam Han with some surprise. This was the first time she had heard someone talk about Wu Ji's past in such a tone.
Seeing that Wu Ji was in a daze, Madam Han didn't say anything. She got up and walked to Xue Nu. Xue Nu immediately came back to her senses and lowered her eyes slightly. Madam Han didn't pay attention to her snow-white hair. She simply took her hand naturally and examined her carefully.
"This child is so beautiful."
Madam Han first sighed softly in admiration, then turned back to look at Zhao Heng, who had already sat back down, and said with a smile, "No wonder you insisted on showing up that day. I like a girl of such good looks and character."
Zhao Heng was taken aback by Madam Han's sudden remark, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face. He chuckled dryly twice, "Mother is joking. I was merely admiring Miss Xue Nu's flute skills that day..."
Hearing Zhao Heng's somewhat hasty explanation, Xue Nu's cheeks inexplicably felt warm.
She rarely received such a sincere and unintimate compliment, and Madam Han's hands were warm, with a strange yet gentle strength when she held them, making her lower her eyes somewhat uncomfortably.
Seeing the two's interaction, Madam Han's smile deepened, but she stopped teasing them and instead spoke seriously to Lady Wu:
"Madam Wu, rest assured, since Miss Xue Nu is willing to teach my son, I will certainly not mistreat her. During Miss Xue Nu's stay in the manor, all her needs will be properly arranged, and she will not be wronged."
Wu Ji then came to her senses and hurriedly pulled Xue Nu down to kneel together: "Your Majesty's great kindness is something we, Xue Nu and I, will never forget. If Your Majesty doesn't mind, may Xue Nu perform a song for you now, and please enjoy it..."
The Snow Maiden raised her eyes and looked at Madam Han. This time, she found that she had no intention whatsoever of playing a piece for the lady before her.
Madam Han gently waved her hand, saying, "No need."
She walked back to the main seat and sat down, jokingly saying, "Since my son acknowledges Miss Xue Nu's skills, I, as her mother, naturally trust him. Besides, the key to learning and mastering a skill lies in perseverance, not in a one-time demonstration. Let the 'master and apprentice' decide for themselves."
Then, seeing Wu Ji's forced smile, she turned to Madam Fu and asked, "Is the music room ready?"
"Reporting to Madam, everything has been arranged."
Madam Han nodded and then said to Wu Ji, "From now on, Miss Xue Nu will be teaching in the music room on the west side of the mansion. It's quiet there and not far from Heng'er's study, so it's convenient for her to come and go."
Wu Ji readily agreed, but seeing that Madam Fu was about to lead Xue Nu away, she hesitated on her face, as if she had struggled with her inner thoughts. Then, gritting her teeth, she spoke with a reckless attitude: "Madam, young master, I... have another request, but I don't know if I should say it."
Zhao Heng was raising the ceramic cup beside him when he heard this. He paused slightly, then squinted and took a sip. Through this action, one could see Xue Nu quickly purse her lips.
Madam Han simply said gently, "Please speak freely."
Wu Ji said, "Since that day, the Snow Maiden's reputation has spread far and wide, attracting a lot of attention. Recently, there have indeed been some people who do not know her background, either claiming to admire her or using the excuse of asking for advice, who have frequently tried to approach the Snow Maiden. Although the music hall has tried its best to stop them, it is impossible to guard against them all, and they are already very troubled."
She observed Madam Han's expression and carefully continued:
"Furthermore, some idle people in the neighborhood, seeing that Xue Nu has gained the favor of the young master, inevitably spread rumors... Therefore, I humbly request that you, Madam and Young Master, grant Xue Nu permission to stay at your esteemed residence for a period of time. Firstly, this would allow her to avoid those troublesome people and those with unclear intentions; secondly, with Xue Nu residing here, she can focus on teaching her art, and your esteemed residence would be spared the trouble of daily transportation."
After she finished speaking, she held her breath and carefully observed Mrs. Han's expression.
Upon hearing the words "staying at your residence," Zhao Heng, who had been listening quietly, frowned slightly, his eyes instantly becoming deep, but he remained silent.
However, after pondering for a moment, Madam Han almost instinctively looked at Zhao Heng and asked, "Heng'er, what do you think?"
Wu Ji's heart skipped a beat.
This reaction is wrong.
Normally, such a matter should be decided by the mistress of the house, but she deliberately brought it up when Madam Han was present, precisely for this reason.
But Madam Han actually asked Zhao Heng? Moreover, her subconscious demeanor and tone did not seem to be taking care of her son's feelings or respecting his opinion, but rather subtly revealed a sense of seeking his opinion that "this matter needs to be decided by him."
Her eyes quickly swept over Madam Fu and the maid standing in the hall; their expressions were normal, as if this was perfectly natural.
Could it be that Zhao Heng is in charge of the Chunping Lord's residence?
Wu Ji realized that her thoughts were somewhat absurd, but a strange sense of unease crept into her heart, wondering how Zhao Heng would react. She quickly tried to salvage the situation, saying, "If it is inconvenient for your household, I would never dare to ask for anything. What I said was merely my foolish opinion; please do not put me in a difficult position, Madam and Young Master..."
Zhao Heng knew that Wu Ji had noticed Han's usual habits, but he didn't dwell on it. He simply looked at Han and smiled.
"This matter is entirely up to Mother to decide. However, as Madam Wu has said, it ultimately depends on Miss Xue Nu's own wishes. If Miss Xue Nu feels uncomfortable or has any concerns, we will not force her."
Madam Han suddenly understood and nodded, saying, "Heng'er is right. Miss Xue Nu, this matter still depends on your own wishes. If you feel it's inconvenient, or have other concerns, please feel free to speak up."
Wu Ji immediately turned to look at Xue Nu, her eyes carrying a hint of urging and pleading.
It's always like this.
The Snow Maiden raised her eyes, first quickly glancing at Zhao Heng, seeing that his gaze was calm and without any other meaning, then looked at Madam Han's gentle face, finally grasping the jade flute, lowering her eyes, and whispering:
"Thank you for your kindness, Madam and Young Master. However, I am of humble status and staying at your esteemed residence, which may cause you some inconvenience. If word gets out, it might also harm your reputation. I do not wish to implicate you because of my own situation."
Zhao Heng was slightly surprised, but then smiled knowingly, realizing that this did sound like something she would say.
Wu Ji's eyelids twitched; she hadn't expected the Snow Maiden to refuse.
However, this girl is usually quiet, but she has a strong will. A hint of surprise and anxiety flashed across Wu Ji's face, but she reacted quickly, immediately echoing the Snow Maiden's words:
"What the Snow Maiden says is absolutely right. I was foolish. I was only thinking of avoiding trouble and didn't consider this matter carefully. I was indeed reckless and almost ruined your reputation, young master. I deserve to die. This matter is absolutely unacceptable. Just pretend I never mentioned it!"
She quickly apologized, trying to salvage any bad impression she might have made.
Madam Han smiled, intending to reassure her, but Zhao Heng, who had been silently observing Xue Nu's demeanor, suddenly spoke up: "If this is all that Miss Xue Nu is worried about, then there is no need to worry too much."