Fortune Across the World

Chapter 40: Singing Freely Across Huan Lake

"If only there was some soft music," Ding Qiyu thought, unable to bear the silence. She began whistling a tune, believing that no journey should be without music. Even during her short trips from Hejia Village to the city, she would hum or whistle. As for whistling, she had taught herself back in elementary school. With a natural sense of rhythm, she could whistle any tune she remembered. To her, it wasn't a crude behavior but a natural expression of her mood, akin to Su Dongpo's carefree "Why not hum and stroll leisurely?"

From "Kangcheng Horse Racing Tune" to "Heart and Orchid Together," from "Minstrel's Dance" to "Walking Song," Ding Qiyu's whistling and humming intertwined with the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels, echoing through the morning forest. Her lively tunes lifted the spirits of anyone who heard them.

Inside the carriage, Lu Weiming cheerfully remarked to his sister, "Where does this kid get so much energy? Makes me want to try driving the carriage to see if it's that fun!"

Lu Weixi smiled and shook her head, listening to the unfamiliar tunes sung by the vibrant person outside. She could easily imagine the sunny face with a smile at the corners of her mouth, feeling increasingly cheerful.

...

After days of travel, they arrived at the banks of Huan Shui, a few days ahead of the academy's schedule. Ding Qiyu learned that Canghuan Academy's name came from "Cang Mountain" and "Huan Lake." The academy was situated atop Cang Mountain, with Huan Lake encircling its base, hence the name. The last leg of the journey required a boat ride. Except for one driver left to guard the carriages, everyone boarded a boat designated for transporting students.

Huan Lake was not a true lake but a tributary of the Han River, a renowned river in Daqian, traversing multiple states and nurturing countless citizens. This tributary at Cang Mountain's base was wide and calm, with slow currents, making it appear more like a lake, justifying the name "Huan Lake."

The lake was vast, requiring nearly two hours by water to reach the foot of Cang Mountain. The boat was small but had two cabins for resting, with Ding Qiyu's party as the only passengers.

As the boat slowly left the shore, Ding Qiyu stood by the railing, admiring the vast emerald waters and the verdant peaks rising from the lake, feeling elated. Initially, Lu Weiming also enjoyed the scenery, but soon he felt dizzy and nauseous, showing all signs of seasickness. Seeing this, Ding Qiyu remembered preparing sour oranges, found one, and handed it to him, "Brother Weiming, are you seasick? Rest in the cabin. The smell of orange peel might help."

Grateful, Lu Weiming accepted the orange and hurried into a cabin to rest.

Ding Qiyu peeled two more, offering them to Lu Weixi and Qing'er with a smile, "Just in case, being seasick is unpleasant."

Lu Weixi thanked her with a smile, while the gluttonous Qing'er couldn't resist the orange's aroma and soon ate it, scrunching her face in sour agony.

Ding Qiyu laughed heartily, "Haha, I bought the sourest ones on purpose. Fresh sour oranges, refreshing, right?"

With her teeth on edge, Qing'er couldn't retort, pitifully tugging at her mistress's sleeve, hoping for her intervention.

Lu Weixi, often teased by Qing'er, seized the chance to enjoy her servant's predicament, widening her eyes innocently as if unaware of Qing'er's plea. Frustrated, Qing'er could only stomp her foot, grumbling internally about how her mistress had already teamed up with Ding Qiyu to bully her.

After some time on deck chatting and admiring the scenery, Lu Weixi, not seasick but weary from travel, retired with Qing'er to a cabin. Ding Qiyu, never one to get motion sickness, felt invigorated by the lake's beauty. She leaned against the ship's mast, basking in the morning sun and breeze.