Then, Mu Qianhua turned around and went upstairs. Dongfang Lingyun was invited up to the VIP room.
Qingying followed Mu Qianhua, and said in anxiety, "Princess, this is too risky. If General Pingyan know you are Princess Wude, we will be doomed."
Mu Qianhua looked at Qingying seriously and said, "Take it easy. I have my own plan. This restaurant needs a man with power to keep it from troubles. Even though Dongfang Lingyun is dangerous, he will never know I am Princess Wude and I dare make him my patron after he rejected the marriage. So, don"t worry. And..."
"And what?"
"And don"t you think that it is so interesting and challenging to see him fall into our trap?" She took off the veil and revealed her blooming smile.
It was five years ago that she revealed such a smile. At that time, she was criticized by Minister Chang in Cold Dark Empire for she had slipped out of the palace without permission. The Princess listened to the rebuke with a smile, but at that night, all the dishes on the dining table of the old minister and even his rice were added some chill peppers. A few days later, Minister Chang pleaded for resigning and returning back to hometown in his memorial to emperor Mu Ditian.
At the thought of the trick, Qingying knew that General Pingyan will have big trouble soon.
The good location of the tavern, its patron of general and his affairs with Bao Xiao would attract streams of customers to surge into the tavern.
Qingying stood at the entrance to the second floor with a sharp sword in her hand, so no one would dare to step close the stairs.
In the VIP room, Dongfang Lingyun sat by an incense burner. He looked around and found the room was gracefully decorated with delicate translucent silk rather than redundant designs and ornaments. Suddenly, he thought Bao Xiao was not an ordinary lady as she could run such a restaurant. At the moment, there came a knock at the door, and Bai Xiao arrived.
"Come in," Dongfang Lingyun said.
Mu Qianhua came into the room, with a guqin in her arms. Though the instrument was a new one, it was exquisitely made with an autumn lotus flower painted on its body and white jade ring decorated on its head. Set against the light blue silky dress, the flower seemed to come to life.
After placing guqin on the table, she burned incense and washed her hands for performance.
Dongfang Lingyun raised his eyebrow and said, "You seem like a player with decent etiquette."
Mu Qianhua smiled slightly, " Guqin is like a gentleman, and it makes n.o.ble and pleasing music. I daren"t disrespect it in any way. You are not only a great general to lead military forces and wage b.l.o.o.d.y wars, but also a master of gujin. Today, I am honoured to play a tune for you. "
As her fingertip plucked and strummed the string, there came a heavenly melody as if the music were made by jade rings and rippling steams. The tender melody was lingering long in the air to provoke everyone"s fancy imagination. All of a sudden, the music turned ardent and fervent as torrent was roaring or jade was crashing. The spectacular music could capture everyone"s attention no matter where they were.
Dongfang Lingyun was so shocked at the exquisite performance.
Not to mention the superb skill, the timbre of the instrument was incomparable.
Though a tune was finished, the sound still lingered in the air for a long time.
Qingying cast a look at the VIP room and thought that the exquisite performance of her princess would be known all over the Dark Night Empire.
In the room, General Pingyan remained calm rather than give big applauses or praising words, which had been foreseen by Mu Qianhua. A few seconds later, she said, "Seven-stringed guqin is the best among all instruments. This one is named Zhubo. On my birthday, my brother gave it to me as a present. Actually, there is a story about this guqin."
"Well, tell me, please." Dongfang Lingyun got curious about it.
"Have you ever known a guqin named Raoliang?"
The question set Dongfang lingyun into shock, and he asked, "Raoliang? Do you mean the ancient seven-stringed guqin?"
"Yes." Seeing he began to fall into her trap, Mu Qianhua turned so delighted, but she managed to hold her smile.
Mu Qianhua continued, "It is known that Raoliang is the most famous guqin in the world as it can make heavenly music lingering for three days. When King Zhuang of Chu got it, he was so addicted to this instrument and even ignored national affairs for seven days. Then, in the persuasion of his favorite concubine Fan Ji, King Zhuang ordered his man to destroy it. This is a great loss for people who love music instruments. But it is not true. Actually, the man, who was commanded to destroy Raoliang, took it out of the royal palace secretly. Then, for years of wars and social turmoil, the guqin was found at my hometown. Several years ago, my brother got it and had it repaired by a master. Then, this guqin was named Zhubo and given to me as a gift."
"Really! Such a treasure would be here..." Dongfang Lingyun exclaimed.
Mu Qianhua knew that Dongfang Lingyun was a great fan of guqin, and he spent most of his time in collecting famous guqin. Having collected Lvqi and Haozhong, which were as famous as Raoliang, how could Dongfang Lingyun keep calm when Raoliang was so close to him. And this was what she planned.
"Raoliang disappeared for such a long time. Today, every note it makes is so brilliant. I also love guqin. Do you mind selling it to me? I would give you a great deal of money."
However, Mu Qianhua declined him, and replied calmly "General, Qian Jin Restaurant can earn lots of money just in one day. Do you think that I need money?"
With a frown, Dongfang Lingyun said, "So you mean..."
"I left off my hometown and came to this city alone. There is an old saying that an afar off relative is not as helpful as a near neighbor. So, I need nothing but your name."
"My name？"
"Since you like this guqin, and it is also my favor. If you can come to my tavern frequently, I will establish myself in the capital, and you can also enjoy the melody. How about this?" She replied with no hurry.
"Are you making a bargain with me?"
She answered with a smiled, "No. I am just pleading."
Dongfang Linyun was displeased with her reply, but he could not refuse her as Raoliang was such an attraction to him, and Mu Qianhua was also superior to his musicians.
There was no harm to visit the tavern, but he could not accept it easily that he got constrained by others, especially by a lady.
So, he said, "I can"t be your patron unless you make me a promise."
"Go ahead, please."
Then, General Pingyan stood up from his chair and walked to Bao Xiao. He pointed at Zhubo and said, "From today, this room is only available to me. You can"t play Raoliang for anyone else but me."
Mu Qianhua replied readily, "No problem."
Knowing Dongfang Lingyun fell into her trap, Mu Qianhua revealed her radiant smile which was as charming as the glowing rosy cloud over the horizon. In an instant, he was enchanted by her smile, but he quickly came to himself and put on his poker face. Then, he got downstairs and strode out of the tavern where all the guests turned stunned and curious.
After Dognfang Lingyun left off the tavern, Qingying rushed to VIP room where Mu Qianhua was sitting in front of guqin, taking glances at the incense burner leisurely.
"Prin... My master, how does your plan go?"
Mu Qianhua smiled brightly," Have you ever seen me fail?"
As expected, there were new rumours around the city within half a day.
Then, there was a rumour that Baixiao became the mistress of General Pingyan for her fanciful performances, and the general would like to be the backer of Qian Jin Restaurant though he never interfered with the civilian business. The news was no less explosive than another one that Princess Wude was rejected on the day of her marriage. Soon, Bai Xiao and her affairs with general Pingyan became the hot story in tea houses.
From then on, Bao Xiao could only play guqin to general Pingyan exclusively. This aroused the public speculations of how close and intimate they were. Some said Bao Xiao was as gorgeous as heavenly fairy, and general Pingyan got so enchanted by her. Others said that Bai Xiao played guqin so skilfully and General Pinyan also was such a big fan of the seven-stringed instrument that she became his soul mate ...
These rumours spread throughout the capital. However, neither Dongfang Lingyun nor Mu Qianhua came out to make explanations.
Every day, Qingying could hear about different versions of the affairs between her master and Dognfang Lingyun, so she naturally got worried and said to Mu Qianhua "Master, all people are talking about you and General Pingyan. They are ruining your reputation."
"Well, I know."
"They compare you with Princess Wude."
"It"s me anyway. It makes no sense to fuss about it"
"But the storytellers in the teahouse have gone too far."
"I know. And half of these stories were written by me, and they were sent to teahouses at night," said Mu Qianhua. She sat by the window without a trace of worry and concern on her face.
"Master!" Qingying got anxious, "Don"t you care about your reputation at all? Soon, Princess Wude will be disreputable in Dark Night! "
"Is Princess Wude reputable, now?" Mu Qianhua said, "Princess Wude is a laughingstock of the whole empire. If I don"t manage to make Princess Wude gradually out of the public focus now, it"ll be harder in the future. For Wude, fame is crucial, but it"s nothing for Bai Xiao. Now, I am only concerned about freedom."
" If the incident was known by the King of Cold Night, how worried would he be?" Qingying said.
"My brother?" Mu Qianhua sighed, "He is the only one in this world to be concerned over me, but under the pressure of our mother, he could do nothing but send me to Dark Night. Although he gave me abundant dowry, I am just a cageling. Qingying, I have been locked in the palace of Cold Night for 18 years. I don"t want to be locked into another cage for the rest of my life. This is not the life I want. "
Qingying listened quietly, but knelt down suddenly, "When I was led to you for the first time, Your Royal Highness, I was told to protect you with my life. I will follow you to wherever you go!"
Mu Qianhua stepped forward to help her up, "You are the only one I can trust since we left off Cold Night Empire. I swear I"ll make all my effort to ensure your safety. Here, anyone who dares to lay a finger on you will receive what he deserves!"
It was the early spring after snow. There came spots of small flower buds on the branches of the malus halliana on the windowsill. Beside the window, Bao Xiao played guqin attentively, and the melodious tune was like the flower flakes dancing in the wind. General Pingyan sat in front of her, fully enjoying the melody with his eyes closed.