Nangong Qiushui, catching Li Yongyi's stunned expression, chuckled softly, her jade-like finger tapping his brow. "Little man, daring to challenge your auntie?" she teased. "Adorably foolish, aren't you?" She flicked his forehead, her laughter light, and handed him the vegetables, gliding into the house. Abroad, she dulled her eyes and sallowed her skin, a guise of frail poverty; yet now, her gaze sparkled, her smile radiant, as if no disguise could dim her peerless allure, a pearl shining through dust.
Li examined the greens: cabbage, radish, canton mustard, brought by Guanwing City's farmers at dawn. By afternoon, their luster faded, leaves torn by choosy hands, sold cheap as farmers hastened home. Though marred, they served well in porridge or stir-fry. His auntie always bought at this hour.
Carrying the bundle inside, he saw Nangong Qiushui's amber eyes brighten at the covered roast goose. Turning, she asked, "What happened today?" Li recounted his dismissal from Rejuvenation Hall and hiring by the Xue clan. She smiled warmly: "Rejuvenation Hall's loss, but the Xue girl sees true worth. My Little man is Guanwing City's finest youth! I never dreamed you'd recall my love for roast goose and buy it on your first day."
Her tone teased, eyes dancing with mischief. Li's temple twitched, retorting, "I didn't buy it for you! The stall had only goose left, so I took it." She leaned closer, hands clasped behind, grinning, "Shy, are we?" He groaned, "Are you eating or not?" Laughing, she replied, "Of course!"
The goose, still warm, paired with fragrant braised pork and blanched greens tossed in oil and vinegar, graced their stone table. The goose delighted, but Nangong's smile, blooming as she ate, warmed Li more. Her eyes softened, voice gentle: "Today's meal surpasses all before." He grumbled, "You're teasing again." She chuckled, "Caught by my Little man."
After dinner, Li Yongyi cleared the dishes. Nangong took up her scorched-tail zither, tuning its strings. She always insisted he practice daily, but today she played herself. Expecting her usual spring-and-moon melodies, Li was startled by a note sharp as clashing iron, his spine tensing, muscles taut, as if cavalry charged, blades ringing. Only after breaths did he realize it was the zither music.
Approaching, he saw her seated, the zither across the table, her alabaster fingers weaving a tempest of sound, as if legions marshaled behind her. His *Song of Breaking Formations* inner qi surged, flowing naturally, completing a cycle by the song's end, smoother than his own urging. Calming his breath, he met her gaze, her azure robe serene, her hands curling notes like clouds.
"Little man, is your auntie impressive?" she asked, eyes expectant. Sighing, he humored her: "Peerless, Auntie, the world's finest." Then, curious, "Can zither aid cultivation?" She plucked a string: "The zither voices the heart, guiding qi. As hermits seek wilds to hone their spirit, music shapes the mind, aiding breakthroughs."
Sensing the tune's harmony with *Song of Breaking Formations* , he recalled Yue Qingfeng's tale of its origin. "What's this piece called?" She propped her cheek: "A childhood composition. An old man lingered, loved it, named it
She shrugged, "Formations breaking tunes abound. If linked to your art, it is the old man's insight, not my zither. A stream's flow could've sparked it." Sitting beside him, she taught him to play, his mind clearing, spirit and qi aligning in sublime harmony.
Strumming, he asked, "Were you that eight-year-old?" She laughed, slyly: "No, I was five." Stunned, he pressed, "Not eight?" She smirked, "Why tell a white-beard my age? Little man, beware charming deceivers." Groaning, he shifted, "What's the piece called?" She mused, "Perhaps… Third Practice Tune, Eighth Month, Ninth Day, Jiachen Year?" Speechless, he stared. She ruffled his hair, cooing, "Call it what you wish—
He nodded softly, then presented the white jade amulet, placing it in her palm. Her smile froze, sorrow clouding her eyes.
"I redeemed it," he whispered. Silent, her gaze brimmed with storm-like emotion, then softened with a nod as she kept the amulet. He asked, "Auntie, who were my parents and uncle? Why are we being hunted?"
"When we leave Chen," she replied, "I'll tell all." Noting his martial progress and Xue ties, she paused, adding, "But heed this: steer clear of Chen's royal house."
**(End of Chapter)**