BSI Chapter 32 Tuition Fees
Chapter 32 Tuition Fees
Silence fell over the building for a moment.
All eyes were fixed on the figure of the snow-haired girl. The previous arguments, shouts, and whispers all vanished, and everyone awaited her answer.
The girl slightly raised her eyes, her light blue eyes looking over the crowd and landing on Zhao Heng's face.
Those eyes were calm, like the surface of a frozen lake in winter, reflecting no emotion, just looking.
Look into his eyes, into his face, which still retains a childlike innocence but is already showing its angular features, and into his bright smile that has not yet completely faded.
Zhao Heng looked at her, the smile still lingering on his face, meeting her gaze without flinching.
Jianxin's face grew increasingly grim, and the veins on his forehead throbbed slightly. Guo Kai continued stroking his beard, his eyes narrowed to slits, making it impossible to discern his inner thoughts.
On the third-floor railing, the woman in the purple dress, her purple eyes slightly curved above her veil, looked down at the scene below with great interest.
"You..." Finally, the girl spoke, her voice clear and even, without any inflection: "Do you really want to learn the xiao (vertical bamboo flute)?"
Zhao Heng suppressed his smile, took a half step back, clasped his hands in front of him, and performed a standard bow of seeking instruction. He then said, "I sincerely wish to learn from you, and I hope you will be kind enough to teach me."
His movements were very precise, and among the onlookers, some who knew proper etiquette let out a soft "Eh." For a prince of Zhao to perform such a formal greeting to a woman from a music academy seemed somewhat illogical to them.
The stepmother, standing to the side, had a fleeting look of anxiety on her face. Almost instinctively, she reached out and tugged very lightly at the girl's sleeve. Then, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something to dissuade her, but the girl simply turned her body slightly to avoid the slight tug.
The girl didn't look at her stepmother; her gaze never left Zhao Heng. After a moment, she simply nodded slightly.
"it is good."
A single word fell crisply.
Jianxin Jun's face darkened completely at this moment, turning ashen with a suffocating flush.
The Snow Woman's agreement was tantamount to publicly trampling all his previous threats underfoot.
His chest heaved noticeably, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes suddenly sharpened as he swept over the girl before fixing his gaze on Zhao Heng.
But just as he was about to explode, the woman standing by the railing on the third floor spoke up again at just the right moment.
"Since the young lady herself is willing,"
Her beautiful eyes swept over the various expressions on the faces of the people downstairs, finally settling on Jianxin's gloomy face:
"Then Zuiyuelou would be happy to see this apprenticeship arrangement come to fruition. Jianxin Jun, with your refined taste and noble character, surely wouldn't hold such a trivial matter against a junior and spoil today's rare and pleasant occasion, would he?"
Jianxin felt a surge of anger rising in his chest, but in the end he only stared at the woman on the third floor and let out a heavy snort through his nose: "I will remember what happened today. May I ask how you are addressed, young lady? I will come to express my gratitude another day."
The woman chuckled softly, and her veil swayed slightly.
"I am but a woman, and my name is truly insignificant. I have only been in Handan for a little over a month, representing my clan. Managing this Drunken Moon Pavilion is merely a spur-of-the-moment decision, a chance to practice. If Your Majesty does not mind, you may simply call me 'Purple Maiden'."
"Purple Maiden..." Jianxin Jun chewed on these two words, his tone chilling: "Very well, Miss Purple Maiden. I will definitely come to 'take care' of you again another day."
He spoke the word "take care" very slowly, each word carrying a profound meaning, and the threat was made no attempt to conceal it.
After saying this, he stopped looking at the crowd, suddenly flicked his wide robe sleeves, turned around and strode towards the stairwell, his steps heavy, clearly still carrying lingering anger.
Guo Kai was the last to leave. Before departing, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhao Heng and said with a smile, "Young Master, you have truly broadened my horizons today. I will seek your guidance again when I have the time."
Zhao Heng returned the greeting with a smile: "Mr. Guo, you flatter me. I was merely stating the facts as they are."
"The younger generation is truly formidable, indeed!" Guo Kai's laughter was ambiguous, his eyes narrowed to almost nothing. "Farewell, farewell."
After saying that, he politely cupped his hands towards Zi Nu on the third floor before quickly following her downstairs.
The attendant who had been reprimanded earlier turned around before leaving, glaring at him fiercely with a face full of resentment.
But when he glanced to the side, he saw the tall and burly Ji Cheng staring intently at him, his hand on the hilt of his sword, and taking another half step forward. The follower's momentum immediately faltered, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he hurriedly turned and ran away.
The captain of the music hall's guards finally let out a long breath, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and waved to the guards around him.
The onlookers, seeing that there was no more trouble, gradually dispersed, whispering among themselves in twos and threes, their eyes still occasionally glancing at the snow-haired girl and the boy in the green robe.
The stepmother let out a long sigh of relief, quickly pulled the girl forward a few steps, and bowed deeply to Zhao Heng.
"Thank you so much, young master. We are truly grateful for your righteous words today! If it weren't for you, my wife and I... we really wouldn't know how to end this situation."
The girl, being pulled along, also slightly curtsied in a gesture of respect. Her long, snow-white hair slid down her shoulders with the movement, shimmering with a faint silver luster in the gradually setting westward light.
Zhao Heng waved his hand: "No need for formalities. I just saw injustice on the road."
As he spoke, he looked at the girl again and asked curiously, "Speaking of which, I still don't know your name, young lady..."
The girl raised her head, her light blue eyes calmly looking at him.
"I have had this white hair since birth." Her voice remained cold and emotionless. "Others see me as strange and ominous. I have no name, no surname, and no given name. The people in this building only call me 'Snow Woman'."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Heng was slightly taken aback, but then burst into loud laughter.
"How can a natural phenomenon be considered an ominous sign?"
He shook his head: "If there truly were a predetermined fate, the young lady would not be standing here peacefully today, nor would I have happened to come upon hearing the flute. This shows that fate is unpredictable, and people's words are absurd. It really has nothing to do with the color of your hair."
The snow woman looked at him, her light blue eyes flickering slightly, like a gentle spring breeze rippling across a frozen lake.
But she quickly lowered her eyes, hiding that slight emotion beneath her long eyelashes, and fell silent.
Seeing this, the stepmother quickly took over the conversation. A troubled look appeared on her face as she rubbed her hands together and said to Zhao Heng:
"Young master's kindness is of utmost gratitude to Xue Nu. However... as you can see, Xue Nu's identity is somewhat special, and she may not be able to freely enter and leave your residence on ordinary days."
She carefully observed Zhao Heng's expression and tentatively said, "Regarding the teaching, could you... perhaps condescend to occasionally visit the music hall? Or, could we perhaps devise another solution that satisfies both parties..."
Zhao Heng glanced at Xue Nu, noticing that she still had her eyes downcast, and said gently to the foster mother, "It's alright. If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to do as you please. My intention is to pursue my studies, not to force anyone. Whenever and wherever is convenient, we can discuss it."
His tone was frank and open, without the slightest hint of reluctance or probing.
However, just as the fake mother visibly breathed a sigh of relief, a look of gratitude appeared on her face, and she was about to say something comforting, the snow woman who had been silent all along suddenly spoke again.
"I'm willing to go to your residence."
The fake mother's expression changed, and she turned to look at the snow woman. Her eyes first showed surprise, and then obvious disapproval. She seemed to want to say something, but she couldn't speak in front of Zhao Heng.
Zhao Heng took in the whole scene, but ignored the stepmother's loss of composure. He simply smiled at Xue Nu and said:
"In that case, that would be perfect. Your residence is just across the street from here, making it very convenient to travel back and forth. Moreover, I have fixed daily lessons, and when Miss Xue comes to teach, the time can be staggered from my lessons. We can simply set a time. In this way, it won't take up too much of your time, the route will be fixed, we'll avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble, and we won't attract any attention."
The stepmother opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but a delicate fragrance had already quietly arrived.
The jade pendants tinkled softly, and her dress fluttered gently.
Zi Nu had descended gracefully from the third floor at some unknown time, her figure swaying like a lotus stem in the wind, her steps light and silent, and she arrived in front of me in an instant.
Zhao Heng turned around at the sound of her voice and was surprised to find that Zi Nu was quite tall. He himself was already considered quite tall for his age, but when he stood in front of Zi Nu, he only reached her chest.
At this very moment, behind the veil, a pair of smiling purple eyes looked down at him with a hint of amusement.
"I helped you so much just now, but I didn't even get a word of thanks from you." Zi Nu's voice was pleasant, with a hint of lazy teasing. "Now that I see you thinking of this beautiful lady in every way, being so considerate and thoughtful, arranging everything so meticulously, it really makes me a little sad."
Zhao Heng quickly feigned embarrassment and bowed deeply to Zi Nu.
"Heng, please forgive my rudeness. Thank you so much, Miss Zi Nu, for rescuing me from that predicament!"
He straightened up and said earnestly, "I am deeply grateful for your help in handling the tuition fee. However, tuition is a gift for becoming a disciple and a sign of respect for one's teacher. How can I let someone else pay it on my behalf? As for the ten thousand coins you mentioned, I really cannot come up with them immediately. But please grant me some time. Consider this money a temporary loan, and I will definitely repay it in the future. There will be no reason for me to delay."
Upon hearing this, Zi Nu softly uttered an "Oh," her voice slightly rising at the end. Her beautiful eyes darted between Zhao Heng's handsome yet earnest face and Xue Nu's aloof and ethereal profile, and the smile beneath her veil seemed to deepen.
"Young master, you are young but have a proud spirit and are very particular. Very well, since you are so kind, why shouldn't I help you? This money will be a temporary loan, as you say. As for when to repay it, that's up to you."
"I can forgo tuition."
The Snow Woman's cold voice suddenly interrupted again, and before anyone else could react, the fake mother's expression changed instantly.
She almost immediately tugged at the Snow Woman's sleeve, forced a smile, and hurriedly said to Zhao Heng:
"Please don't be offended, young master. This child is honest and doesn't know any better. The gift of tuition is naturally acceptable... cough, etiquette cannot be disregarded. If word gets out, others will say that you have slighted your teachers, or... that Xue Nu has lowered herself and doesn't know the rules. Moreover, if Lord Jianxin finds out, he might use this as an excuse to ruin your reputation..."
She spoke quickly and urgently. She was already heartbroken that she hadn't received the ten thousand coins. Now, if even the tuition fee was waived, wouldn't it be like trying to get water in a bamboo basket?
Zhao Heng could see through the fake mother's anxious little thoughts, and understood. He simply smiled and shook his head, then turned his gaze to the Snow Maiden and said seriously:
"I appreciate Miss Xue Nu's kindness. However, a true man keeps his word. Since I have offered to take you as my teacher, tuition and other gifts are essential. I have my own plans for this, so you need not worry."
The woman beside him, Zi Nu, looked even more intrigued. Her purple eyes swept over Zhao Heng, as if she were savoring the words of this mature-beyond-his-years "great man."
The Snow Maiden looked at Zhao Heng, her light blue eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't say anything more.
After a moment's thought, Zhao Heng naturally steered the conversation back on track: "Young lady, you seem to be about my age, yet your flute playing is already superb. The piece you just played, 'White Snow,' had a profound and lofty artistic conception. May I ask which master you studied under? Is it a family tradition?"
The fake mother's eyes flashed suddenly. She was first surprised that Zhao Heng, at such a young age, could accurately identify the not-so-popular "White Snow" from just a fleeting glimpse of the flute music. Then, that surprise was quickly replaced by panic.
Almost as soon as Zhao Heng finished speaking, she interrupted with a dry laugh, "Young master is joking. There's no master or teacher involved... This child just has a natural love for music and is figuring it out on her own. There's no proper teacher or teacher, it's not really... Xue Nu, don't you think so?"
Xue Nu glanced at the fake mother, then at Zhao Heng. Her light blue eyes lowered slightly, her lips pursed, and she finally fell silent, saying nothing.
Zhao Heng, observing the situation, knew there must be a hidden story behind it, perhaps involving the Snow Maiden's past that she didn't want to talk about, or perhaps, like the "naturally white hair," it concealed an unspeakable story.
However, since the other party was unwilling to speak, he naturally had no right to delve into it. He simply smiled understandingly and gently changed the subject: "I was being presumptuous. The essence of music lies in intuitive understanding, and there is no need to be bound by lineage or school. It is already a great fortune for me that you are willing to teach me."
He pondered for a moment, then added, "Regarding the specific dates of the lessons, I will send someone to discuss them with the young lady after I return to my residence, based on the daily schedule. At that time..."
He turned his head and instructed Luan Ding, who had been silently guarding him, "Luan Ding, from now on, you will be in charge of escorting Miss Xue Nu. Make sure everything is arranged properly and that there are no problems."
"Rest assured, young lord, I will be careful."
Zhao Heng nodded, then turned to Zi Nu and cupped his hands in thanks again: "Thank you for your help today, Miss Zi Nu. However, it is getting late, and I should return home to avoid keeping my mother waiting and worrying."
He paused slightly, then smiled with a somewhat polite tone, "Heng is young and it's inconvenient for him to visit the music hall so often. If you have time in the future, please feel free to visit my home, so I can do my part as a host and thank you for your kindness today."
These were just common polite words. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the corners of Zi Nu's lips beneath her veil turned up noticeably, and a smile flickered in her purple eyes, as if she had seen through something.
"Young master's hospitality is too kind of me to refuse." Her voice was tinged with laughter as she replied naturally, "I will certainly pay a visit to Madam Han another day."
Zhao Heng was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but chuckle, and cupped his hands again: "Then we will await your arrival, Miss."
Having said that, he didn't linger any longer. He nodded slightly to the Snow Maiden and the fake mother, then turned and left with Ji Cheng and Luan Ding.
The footsteps faded into the distance.
The Snow Maiden stood there, gazing in the direction Zhao Heng had left. The young man's figure descended the stairs, then passed through the gates of the music hall, disappearing quickly into the light and shadow of the street outside.
She held the jade flute in her hand, unconsciously tightening her grip slightly.
The stepmother, standing beside her, let out a long sigh of relief, then immediately put on a smile and turned to Zi Nu, babbling on with words of thanks and flattery.
Zi Nu's gaze lingered on Xue Nu for a moment, but in the end she didn't say anything more to her stepmother. She turned around, her skirt trailing on the ground, and walked slowly into the depths behind the building with her grandmother, who had been silently following her.
……
Behind the Drunken Moon Pavilion lies a hidden paradise.
A secluded courtyard, separated from the main music hall where singing and dancing were taking place in front by a high wall, with bamboo planted inside that rustled in the wind. In the courtyard stood a small building with upturned eaves, and copper bells hanging from the eaves dangled quietly in the twilight.
Zi Nu walked into the small building, and her grandmother followed behind her, closing the door behind her.
There were no lights in the room; only the faint sunlight filtering through the window paper vaguely outlined the room's shape. Zi Nu walked lightly to the west window and gently removed the light veil covering her face.
As dusk settled, a sliver of light shone through the window, illuminating her profile.
It was a face so alluring it was almost bewitching. Her skin was as white as snow, smooth as jade; her eyebrows were naturally dark, her eyes naturally captivating, possessing a natural charm. Her lips were naturally red, and the slightly upturned corners of her mouth carried a hint of a smile that wasn't quite a smile. The butterfly wing tattoo under her left eye, in the dim light, seemed as if it might truly take flight at any moment.
Grandma walked behind her, head bowed, hesitated for a moment, and finally lowered her voice to speak:
"My lord, if this old servant may speak frankly... wasn't today's action a bit rash? I've been traveling lately and have overheard some rumors. That Prince Heng seems to be quite close to Ying Zheng, the Qin prince who is currently detained in Handan. There's already talk in the city that he's 'pro-Qin.' Your assistance to him today, and your appointment to visit him... if this gets back to Gongyi, I'm afraid it will be very bad for you..."
Zi Nu did not turn around.
She gazed at the darkening sky outside the window, where bamboo shadows swayed on the window paper.
"Pro-Qin?"
Zi Nu repeated softly, then scoffed:
"Are there few in the Handan court who openly or secretly side with Qin? Take, for example, Lord Jianxin today. In order to overthrow Lord Chunping and consolidate his own power, how did he secretly collude with Qin back then, insisting on sending Lord Chunping to Xianyang as a hostage? Does no one really know? As for the royal family… Zhao Yan is mediocre, narrow-minded, and only knows how to fight for power and profit. How could he possibly have the talent to turn the tide and revitalize the Zhao state?"
She raised her eyes and looked out the window at the twilight descending on Handan City.
"I originally thought that the Zhao dynasty's fortunes had declined and there was no successor. But today, this Zhao Heng... his actions are measured and his wit is hidden. He seems straightforward, but in reality, every step he takes is on the edge of reason and law, forcing Jianxin Jun to be furious but unable to vent his anger. How can such a character and skill be confined by the words 'pro-Qin'?"
Was his relationship with that Qin hostage a youthful act of impulsiveness, or did he harbor some deeper scheme? Was he standing up for justice today, or was he strategically positioning himself for the future…? We're new here; why rush to conclusions?
Her voice softened, as if she were speaking to her grandmother, or perhaps organizing her own thoughts:
"Since our ancestor was enfeoffed in Gong, the royal families of Zhao and Han have secretly supported him. The lineage of Duke Hui has been independent in Gong for nearly a hundred years. Now the Zhou dynasty is in decline, and Luoyi and the royal city have fallen into the hands of the Qin people. The people of the clan are in a state of panic, and the future is bleak. My father sent me to travel between Handan and Xinzheng to smooth things over, not just to accumulate wealth. My real intention is to observe the situation and find an opportunity."
She withdrew her gaze, looked at her grandmother, and her eyes curved slightly:
"This Zhao Heng, though young, is quite unusual in his speech and behavior. We should observe the situation regarding his affair with the Qin hostage prince for some time before making a decision. Perhaps he can truly stir up this stagnant pool and open the window we've been longing to open?"
Grandma opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing more, only letting out a soft sigh.
"This old servant will obey your orders, young master."