Chapter 129: If This Can Be Endured, What Cannot?

"It is of no consequence. Let it be. The palace is truly too stifling. Zhong Shi, will you accompany me out of the palace?"

Qiao Qingyun looked up, her eyes shimmering with a hint of unshed tears, a sight so heart-wrenching that no one could ever think to deny her request. She would have gladly given the world to Qiao Qingyun.

Zhong Shi nodded solemnly. "Very well."

The two of them, along with Qingluo and Hongying, set out. Yuanbao, burdened by affairs within the Zijing Palace, could only watch them leave with longing, consumed by envy.

"My Lady, are we still going to the medical clinic? With Master Feng there, should everything not be fine?"

"It is fine. Let us go to the Qinyin Workshop instead."

Qiao Qingyun’s curiosity had been piqued by Jianli. A mysterious aura clung to this man, one that made her unable to resist wanting to explore further.

However, as soon as she mentioned the Qinyin Workshop, Zhong Shi’s expression darkened slightly, a shift that did not escape Hongying’s notice. She quietly stepped forward, pulled Zhong Shi behind the others, and whispered, "Brother, what is wrong?"

Hongying could not fathom why Zhong Shi held such hostility toward Jianli. Zhong Shi’s internal alarm bells were ringing; he lowered his voice. "This Jianli is no ordinary person. He gives me a very dangerous feeling."

"Dangerous?"

"What are you two whispering about?"

Qiao Qingyun noticed Zhong Shi and Hongying lagging behind and turned around with curiosity. The two exchanged a knowing look and smiled, waving their hands repeatedly. "It is nothing, nothing at all. Wherever you wish to go, My Lady, we shall follow."

They arrived at the entrance of the Qinyin Workshop. Two attendants stood guard, and flanking the door were two stone lions—a standard of grandeur usually reserved for noble households, yet here they were at a small music studio.

"Is Master Jianli in?"

Qiao Qingyun went straight to the point, not mincing words. The attendant was taken aback, but after assessing Qiao Qingyun and realizing she was not a troublemaker, he immediately replied, "He is."

The group entered. As they reached the threshold, the melodious sound of a zither wafted through the workshop. Jianli was not only a master of the guqin but also equally adept with other instruments, making him a sought-after companion for many noble ladies in the capital. To have Master Jianli grace one’s private quarters was a status symbol worth boasting about.

Qiao Qingyun entered the private room and tossed a tael of gold before the attendant. "I wish to see Master Jianli."

"Oh?"

The attendant raised an eyebrow, looking Qiao Qingyun up and down with a beaming smile. This made Zhong Shi deeply uncomfortable, and he immediately placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, barring the way.

With a loud "thud," the attendant was startled and quickly answered, "The Master generally does not grant private audiences to guests."

"Tell him my name is Qiao Qingyun. We have met twice before."

"Understood."

Only a fool would turn away money. Pocketing the gold, the attendant turned and left; whether or not Jianli chose to meet her was his business, and it would not stop him from enjoying his windfall.

Just as Qiao Qingyun expected, within a quarter of an hour, footsteps approached. Everyone lowered their teacups, eyes fixed on the door. When it opened, a silver-haired man appeared. He seemed to have hurried, clutching his guqin, with a thin sheen of sweat upon his brow.

Yet, this only heightened Zhong Shi’s vigilance. It seemed this Jianli harbored improper intentions toward Qiao Qingyun.

Upon seeing that Qiao Qingyun was not alone, Jianli’s initial excitement faded. He bowed to the group. "Greetings to you all."

"Rise, why all the formality?"

Qiao Qingyun was naturally at ease; she waved a hand, signaling for Jianli to sit. Qingluo, gazing at such a beautiful man, was almost completely bewitched. Who could have imagined such a man truly existed in this world? How many people longed to bring him into their own homes!

"I did not expect the Princess to come in person. I feared I might never have the chance to see you again."

The two began to converse warmly. Even Hongying sensed something amiss and leaned toward Zhong Shi’s ear, whispering, "Brother, you have a rival."

Zhong Shi furrowed his brow, his expression growing increasingly grim. He suppressed the urge to grab Qiao Qingyun and drag her away, his hand tightening involuntarily around his cup. He had worked so hard to help Qiao Qingyun let go of her feelings for Yuan Zaichun; if someone were to take advantage of this moment, he had no idea what his own chances would be.

"Master Jianli is too kind. After the palace banquet yesterday, I found myself still savoring the memory. I doubt there are many in the world whose music can stir the heart as yours does."

Praised so highly by Qiao Qingyun, Jianli blushed, looking like a shy, newlywed bride. A mere faint smile from him was enough to intoxicate countless beauties.

Hongying’s mouth twitched violently. It was over. Zhong Shi had met a formidable opponent! With a musician so adept at charming others, who could guarantee that Qiao Qingyun would not be moved?

"Does the Princess truly think so? If you like it, then I..."

"Master Jianli’s music is indeed excellent. However, Princess, your own dancing is even more exquisite; I fear there is no one who would not be captivated by you."

Zhong Shi immediately cut Jianli off, fearing that in the next breath, he might ask to accompany Qiao Qingyun back to the palace. It was not just about the trouble it would cause; it would only invite gossip regarding Qiao Qingyun’s reputation. Having been forced to spend the night in her room yesterday had already set tongues wagging, which was terrifying enough. Being upright and honorable was one thing, but rumors were another.

Jianli sensed Zhong Shi’s hostility with puzzlement and his expression cooled, but at the sight of Qiao Qingyun, a smile involuntarily returned to his face.

"Oh, dancing is far too tiring. Zhong Shi, you have no idea how exhausting it is to learn, and one often gets hurt. That is why I prefer this method—one can enchant others just by moving their fingers!"

Qiao Qingyun spoke her mind, but this dealt a heavy blow to Zhong Shi’s heart. He had hoped to divert the conversation, never expecting it would remind Qiao Qingyun of her painful past. What was to be done?

"It is my fault..." Zhong Shi immediately lowered his head to apologize. Qiao Qingyun did not mind, shaking her head with a smile. "It is fine. It is all in the past."

"Yes."

The man could only sit there obediently, terrified of saying the wrong thing. If he were to earn Qiao Qingyun’s disgust, he feared he might struggle even to see her again.

"Since the Princess enjoys it so much, I shall play another piece for you today."

With that, Jianli’s ten fingers danced, and a mellifluous melody filled the room, leaving Qiao Qingyun so intoxicated she could not pull herself away. Qingluo, unaware of the undercurrents between them, simply enjoyed the music, never noticing that Zhong Shi had gripped the peach-wood table so hard he had left an indentation in it.

Flesh and blood could only endure so much!