Seducing the Heart - Chapter 20

“What is the matter?” Qin Zhanluo’s psychological composure had always been excellent, and she was not easily startled by the young girl before her.

“Princess Consort,” Cui’er fell to her knees with a thud. “This servant deserves to die. When I was cleaning the Prince’s study, I saw his zither. I thought it had gathered some dust and intended to wipe it down, but I accidentally broke a string.”

The zither was named Wan Fu. It was crafted from agarwood and was black all over. Yun Jin seemed to be extremely fond of it.

Cui’er knew she had caused trouble and did not dare to tell Yun Jin directly. Remembering that the Prince was always gentle and elegant toward the Princess Consort, she thought that if the Princess Consort intervened, the punishment might be lightened. Therefore, she had no choice but to brace herself and beg Qin Zhanluo for help.

“Where is the zither now?”

“It is right there,” Cui’er pointed behind her. “This servant did not dare leave it in the study and has been carrying it along.”

“Get up. Hold the zither and I will take you to admit your fault to the Prince. The Prince is always amiable and will not make things difficult for you.” By now, Qin Zhanluo did not know whether to think Cui’er was clever or foolish. How was it that everyone in Yun Jin’s manor was so lively and cute in such an unconventional way?

“The Prince and the County Princess have such elegant interests. Are you enjoying the flowers here?” Qin Zhanluo found the returned Yun Jin and discovered that he was chatting in the pavilion with the County Princess named Xingnan.

Cui’er followed silently behind Qin Zhanluo. Upon seeing Yun Jin, she felt a massive amount of guilt.

“Princess Consort, you have come.” Yun Jin recognized that what Cui’er held was his own zither and raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Is this not my zither? Why has it been brought here?”

“Your Highness, this zither,” Cui’er spoke timidly, thinking that a prompt confession might lead to leniency.

“I have long heard that Princess Zhaoning is exceptionally gifted and proficient in all the arts. The atmosphere today is perfect and this famous zither is right here. Why does Xingnan not seek a bit of instruction from Royal Sister-in-Law?” Xingnan looked at the distant expression of Qin Zhanluo and made the suggestion as if on a sudden whim.

Although Qin Zhanluo was proficient in musical theory, the one thing she was least skilled at was playing the zither.

Cui’er’s body trembled as she held the instrument. She hesitated and wanted to speak again, but she was stopped by a look from Qin Zhanluo and had to silently swallow her words.

“Very well. Then please, County Princess, you go first.” Although Qin Zhanluo had a smile curled on her lips, the smile did not reach her eyes.

Cui’er suddenly sensed that the atmosphere between these two people was not quite right. She placed the Wan Fu zither on the wooden table and then stood to the side with an anxious heart.

Yun Jin opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing. In such a subtle atmosphere, even if he spoke to stop them, the two of them likely would not listen.

Xingnan sat down steadily. She first gently toyed with the strings with her hand, then closed her eyes and skillfully played an ancient melody.

Yun Jin sat calmly to the side drinking tea. He felt that something was not quite right with the sound of the zither. Before he could figure out exactly what was wrong, he heard the sound of a string snapping.

So that was it. A sound like tearing silk often does not last long.

Xingnan opened her eyes and could not react for a long time. She was clearly startled by the sudden snapping of the string.

“The County Princess was a bit too careless. Are you injured?” Qin Zhanluo watched coldly as Yun Jin stood up to inspect Xingnan’s fingers and asked the question in a lukewarm tone.

“It is no great matter.” Xingnan knew in her heart that the string breaking was certainly not her fault, but she could only endure it and apologize. “Royal Brother, it is my fault for a momentary lack of attention and ruining this zither.”

Yun Jin’s gaze swept over the broken string and he offered Xingnan a comforting smile. “It does not matter. I will simply ask a musical craftsman to repair the string later.”

Xingnan’s finger had been cut by the string and tiny beads of blood emerged. She likely would not be able to play the zither for a short while.

“County Princess, it seems our competition must be saved for the future.”

Qin Zhanluo smiled faintly. “There is plenty of time ahead.”

In the evening, when Yun Jin walked into the bedroom, Qin Zhanluo was reading a volume of political essays. Yun Jin naturally noticed an open brocade box sitting on the table.

“This jade pendant of the Princess Consort is quite beautiful.”

The qilin carved onto the white jade pendant looked lifelike and very majestic. Compared to dragons and phoenixes, Yun Jin’s favorite was the qilin.

“Do you like it?” Qin Zhanluo did not lift her eyes from the book in her hand. Her voice was flat. “I obtained it by chance. It is for you.”

Is that so? Yun Jin had thought the jade pendant was a gift specially prepared for him. Yun Jin raised an eyebrow slightly and smiled warmly. “Many thanks to the Princess Consort.”

When Yun Jin went out to find Nangong Ning to handle some matters, he happened to run into Ying Xi, who had been sent by Xie Lianjing to deliver medicine.

“Oh, Your Highness? Why are you not wearing the jade pendant our Princess gave you?” Ying Xi frowned and her tone was slightly dissatisfied. “That jade pendant was one where Her Highness personally selected the material, personally drew the design, and personally sought out a difficult old master to carve it.”

The smile blooming in Yun Jin’s eyes was hidden by the medicine bowl. He only replied plainly. “Is that so?”

This Princess Consort of his was truly very stubborn.

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