Fortune Across the World

Chapter 183: A Day in the Mountains

Ding Qiyu swallowed the words she was about to say and nodded, "Yes, I'll study diligently with Master. You too, Zhuyi, should learn well from Godmother. With your talent, you'll surely become a renowned healer and martial artist, a legendary heroine with unmatched skills in medicine and whip techniques." As she spoke, Ding Qiyu couldn't help but imagine the future of the person in her arms, a warm smile spreading across her face.

A future without you isn't the future I desire... The momentary wave of sadness in Le Zhuyi's heart was quickly dispelled by her resilience. She opened her mouth to change the topic, "I heard from Xiao Chun and the others that you're quite skilled with music?"

"Huh?" Ding Qiyu was taken aback. She had merely hummed some tunes in front of Xiao Chun and Xiao Lan, yet somehow it had been exaggerated to "skilled with music." She quickly clarified, "No, no, I just know a few tunes. Do you want to hear something, Zhuyi?"

Receiving a nod, Le Zhuyi felt a pang of jealousy. She had never been serenaded by Ding Qiyu, unlike her junior sisters. After a moment's thought, she playfully commanded, "I'll let you off for now, but from today, you have to sing me to sleep every night!"

Ding Qiyu found Zhuyi's bratty demeanor endearing and indulged her, "No more stories, just lullabies?"

Since the first night Zhuyi woke up, she had insisted on a bedtime story from Ding Qiyu, so she had to clarify.

"Mm..." Le Zhuyi tilted her head thoughtfully before shaking it, "No, both stories and songs!"

"Haha, alright~" Ding Qiyu, touched by Zhuyi's rare adorable side, agreed readily, "Okay, I'll tell you stories and sing you to sleep every night."

Satisfied, Le Zhuyi blinked her pretty eyes and added, "Alright, but for now... you need to learn the bamboo flute from me."

"Huh?" They had been talking about songs, but now the topic had shifted to learning the flute. Ding Qiyu was momentarily confused, "Learn the flute? I... I've never learned before!"

Le Zhuyi asserted with a tone that brooked no disagreement, "That doesn't matter. You're going to learn."

Ding Qiyu could only comply, "Alright... I'll learn." Playing the flute was a graceful skill, and picking up some techniques from Zhuyi wouldn't be a bad deal.

Le Zhuyi smiled and moved away from Ding Qiyu, turning to her, "You don't have a flute today, so I'll demonstrate. Watch me." With that, she raised the flute and began to play.

Previously, Zhuyi's flute melodies had been casual and spontaneous. This was the first time Ding Qiyu heard her play a structured piece. The melody was familiar to Ding Qiyu from her time in Yinzou, a favorite among Jiangnan's scholars, "Willow by the Bank."

"Willow by the Bank" wasn't traditionally played on the bamboo flute, as flute pieces were typically more somber or majestic. Yet Zhuyi chose this light and airy tune. Her skill might not have been flawless, with unrefined fingerings and breaths, but that made the carefree and elegant piece suit her perfectly. Zhuyi's flute playing was never heavy or sorrowful; her sound was natural and free, like the spring breeze gently brushing across the valley, embodying the essence of "playing with the breeze."

Since it was a "lesson," Ding Qiyu focused intently, listening with her ears and watching Zhuyi's fingers. Observing the deft movements of those beautiful fingers over the smooth holes, Ding Qiyu's intent to learn faded, her thoughts drifting as she admired the flutist.