Transmigrated Female Official

27 The Sound of the Flute

As soon as you arrive at the entrance of Miaoyin Pavilion, you can hear the sounds of zithers and lutes coming from inside.

"Did we come here to listen to music?" Chu Qingluo asked excitedly.

"That's not all." Gongsun Yu smiled slightly, keeping everyone in suspense.

"Haha!" She especially loved these unexpected surprises, which made every curious cell in her body awaken like bamboo shoots after a spring rain!

He led her to a private booth on the second floor, a spot from which she could see the entire stage on the first floor.

"Young Master Gongsun, please have some tea." The waiter served them tea and was very polite to Chu Qingluo: "This young lady, please have some tea."

"Thank you." She was in a great mood, her face beaming.

Gongsun Yu seemed to be a regular here. Chu Qingluo looked around and noticed that most of the customers in the brothel were women. "Could it be that almost half of the women in Yancheng are gathered here?" she joked with a smile.

Gongsun Yu smiled brightly, but just looked at her without answering.

At this moment, a new man entered the stage downstairs. He bowed gracefully to the crowd, then sat down, his fingers plucking the strings of his guqin, and he began to sing: "High mountains, shimmering lake, rising smoke, a beautiful woman far away. A song of longing, pouring out my heart; a tear of worldly sorrow, severing our love..."

"This song is so mournful..." Chu Qingluo couldn't help but feel a pang in her heart and sighed softly.

Suddenly, another melodious and lingering flute note emerged, flowing gently and persistently. The flute's sound, like a babbling brook, pierced through the zither's notes, intertwining with the singing and amplifying the loneliness and sorrow within.

Chu Qinglu frowned slightly, closed her eyes, and listened intently.

Seeing this, Gongsun Yu asked softly, "How was the flute music?"

Although she didn't know why he had brought her to enjoy such a sorrowful ensemble of zither and flute, it was indeed beautifully melodious. She said from the bottom of her heart, "It's very beautiful."

“Take a closer look at the person playing the flute…” Gongsun Yu pointed to the right side of the audience.

Following his fingertips... unlike the mournful and somber sound of the flute, the person playing the flute had a handsome and bright face.

"A young heartthrob? It's him again?!" Chu Qingluo stared in disbelief. Wasn't he supposed to be in the palace? How did he end up here again??

“Last time, I snatched the sachet you threw to him…” Gongsun Yu lowered his eyes, his gaze lingering on the flute player, his tone tinged with apology. He then introduced, “This person is called Wu Yang, and his flute playing is the famous Spirit Flute Sound of Yancheng.”

"No wonder I saw him in the palace yesterday. Perhaps the Music Bureau specially invited him to play."

"You've met him?" Gongsun Yu looked somewhat surprised, but then put on a calm expression. "Yes, he was a flute player hired by the palace to teach the palace musicians how to play the flute."

Chu Qinglu raised an eyebrow slightly: "I see." She then asked him, "How do you know so much about this?"

"I used to accompany my mother to listen to music here often, so I know a little about it."

No wonder Gongsun Yu knew this place so well; it turns out the female officials also came here to relax in their spare time...

Seeing that she didn't react in any particular way, Gongsun Yu tentatively said, "He only turned sixteen this year. Should we... invite him to join us now? If we wait any longer, he might be asked to leave."

Although Wu Yang was young, his flute playing was already renowned. Many women came to hear his music, and given his frequent visits to the palace, he might be asked to leave any day. Gongsun Yu couldn't help but feel a little anxious for Chu Qingluo.

"Hey—so, all you've got in mind is playing matchmaker for me?" A sly glint flashed in her eyes as she teased, "And then you stole his matchmaking item before?"

Actually, on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, she was just randomly choosing someone, and seeing that Wu Yang was sunny and handsome and pleasing to the eye, she thought she might as well just give him the girl. After Gongsun Yu intercepted her, she only felt a little regretful and didn't think much of it. Little did she know that Gongsun Yu would keep thinking about it all this time.

"I..." If I don't intercept her gift, I really have no confidence that I can enter the Chu family.

Even the usually composed Gongsun Yu was speechless. Chu Qinglu laughed and said, "Alright! I was just kidding."

Gongsun Yu is not a bad person. The longer you spend time with him, the more he improves. Chu Qingluo is quite satisfied with him.

"What about him?" Gongsun Yu gestured towards Wu Yang.

"We'll see when the time comes!" Without the strict requirement of a coming-of-age ceremony, she wouldn't dare to chat up a minor! Besides, she wasn't so infatuated that she absolutely had to do something with him.

"It will be too late then," Gongsun Yu kindly reminded her.

"Oh dear—don't worry about it." Gongsun Yu's male servant... his generosity is unparalleled!

Seeing her insistence, Gongsun Yu said nothing more. He had wanted to help her find a match, to repay her for her misfortune, and to ease his conscience later, but she had refused. Two conflicting feelings were swirling within him, with joy outweighing guilt.

After finishing their previous conversation, the two ordered a few side dishes.

"Listening to some music and sipping some wine, how delightful!" Chu Qingluo was very satisfied.

After a hearty meal, Chu Qingluo's face flushed slightly, but she remained perfectly conscious; she wouldn't get drunk from such a small amount of alcohol.

"Let's head back early today. Madam wants you to go to the Goddess Temple early tomorrow morning to be the first to offer incense," Gongsun Yu said.

"Huh?!" How come she didn't know about this? "Why am I going?" Chu Qingluo was puzzled. The matter of vying for the first incense offering on the first and fifteenth of the month was usually handled by Chu's mother herself.

"Madam said that since you've entered the court as an official, you should at least personally snatch the first incense stick to show your respect to the Heavenly Goddess," Gongsun Yu said with a smile, unaware of her alcohol tolerance, as he helped her to her feet.

How early do we have to get up to be the first to offer incense?! What a disappointment! "Ugh..." She reluctantly stood up, and the two of them went downstairs.

"Lord Chu..."

She heard someone calling her from behind, turned around, and saw Wu Yang standing there with a flute in his hand.

"...Young Master, are you calling me?" She was stunned, finding it somewhat unbelievable. Gongsun Yu also stopped.

“Yes, Lord Chu, I am Wu Yang… I wonder if you remember me?” Wu Yang bowed slightly, his ears turning a little red.

He had actually seen Chu Qingluo long ago; today she was dressed in a jade-green gown, her eyes like autumn waters, breathtakingly beautiful. He also recognized Gongsun Yu, who was traveling with her, at a glance—the one who had caused his relationship to end in an instant. He nodded slightly to Gongsun Yu, trying to appear as natural as possible.

Gongsun Yu was surprised that Wu Yang would take the initiative to strike up a conversation, and nodded in return.

"Of course I remember. Hehe..." Recalling her extremely proactive behavior on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, Chu Qingluo suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"I was fortunate enough to witness yesterday's grand ceremony. Your performance was truly admirable, and I admire you immensely as well." His ears grew redder as he spoke.

Seeing his shyness, Chu Qingluo felt much more relaxed and smiled, "Young master flatters me. Your flute playing is extraordinary, like heavenly music."

Wu Yang, flattered by her praise, lowered her head shyly: "If you do not mind, I hope you will come often."

Haha, this young hunk's ears are as red as tomatoes, so cute! Chu Qingluo said boldly, "No problem!" How could she refuse an invitation from such a handsome man!

Knowing they were leaving, Wu Yang didn't bother them any further and said, "Please take care, sir. I look forward to seeing you again next time."

"Okay." Chu Qingluo nodded in agreement.

After the two left Miaoyin Pavilion, Gongsun Yu said, "It seems Wuyang also likes Qingluo very much." His voice was faint, as if he were talking to himself. In fact, he knew that such a beautiful woman like her would naturally attract a lot of attention.

Chu Qinglu shrugged dismissively: "Who knows?" Although Wuyang is cute, she is still young and lacks Gongsun Yu's composure.

……

For some reason, the two of them barely spoke the rest of the way. But Chu Qingluo didn't feel awkward; instead, she felt a sense of comforting tranquility.

Back at Ningxiang Courtyard, Gongsun Yu opened his mouth as if he had something to say, but in the end he only said, "Get some rest."

The two then went back to their respective rooms...

Chu Qingluo was soaking in the bathtub, looking completely relaxed.

Nine-Tailed's voice came from outside the door: "Miss, someone from Zhuqing Courtyard has sent word that they would like you to come and taste the wine."

Zhuqing Courtyard was where Chu Yilin lived. It was rare for her second brother to take the initiative to invite her, especially for something as wonderful as wine tasting. Without thinking, she agreed: "Okay, please pass on the message that I'll be there right away."

Nine-Tails: "...Understood!"

Chu Qinglu could hear a hint of displeasure in Jiuwei's voice, knowing that he was unhappy because he hadn't taken him out for a walk today. She smiled helplessly and ignored him.