Qinling was originally prepared to have Xu Chang'an leave, but upon hearing he wanted to borrow a zither, her mind changed, and she led Xu Chang'an towards the zither room.

She really did possess zither skills.

Among the Six Arts for Women, only her zither playing and calligraphy were passable, among which calligraphy was an essential skill, and the remaining zither and tea were naturally learned to serve those she liked.

She usually didn't have much chance to flaunt, but now Xu Chang'an had come to her, Qinling didn't mind letting him see her collection.

On the way to the zither room, Qinling turned back and asked, "What do you need the zither for?"

"I dreamt about it last night and wanted to try... see if I've forgotten everything I learned," Xu Chang'an replied.

"A dream? You've gone open source, yet still dreaming... that's not a good thing," Qinling reminded him.

"Occasionally."

Qinling didn't say much else and asked, "Who taught you the zither skills at Muyu Peak?"

"Everyone taught me a little something," Xu Chang'an said truthfully.

"Studied many people's arts?"

"Not really. Senior Wen taught me some in her spare time."

"..." Qinling paused upon hearing this.

Wen Li again?

She shook her head.

Always felt that Wen Li quietly seemed to have her shadow everywhere?

But since the subject was Xu Chang'an, Qinling didn't think too much.

Xu Chang'an looked at the two-story pavilion in front of Qinling and said, "Going to Flower Moon Building to meet those musicians, I thought I'd let Miss Yun... hear mine first."

"... Can't quite understand." Qinling stopped.

"She might want to hear, knowing I can play the zither," Xu Chang'an said softly. "Rather than borrowing a zither in Flower Moon Building, why not settle it before going down the mountain."

"Aren't you overthinking it?" Qinling was more puzzled.

"Sometimes this happens," Xu Chang'an didn't argue.

Actually, there was something he didn't mention.

In his dream, he wanted to play the zither for Yun Qian but was rejected...

This feeling of being overshadowed by Wen Chun was like a knot stuck in his heart, so he had a bit of a spiteful determination to show Yun Qian his skills.

Otherwise... if after entering Flower Moon Building, Yun Qian were truly interested in zither skills due to those musicians, he would feel as if he'd lost to the girls of Flower Moon Building.

This is not a good experience.

Qinling could also sense Xu Chang'an wasn't fully forthcoming, but she didn't pursue it further, merely leading him into the zither room.

Before them was a simple red lacquer door.

Qinling carefully pushed the door open, a faint sandalwood scent wafting in. She didn't rush in, instead washing her hands before moisturizing her fingers at the incense burner on the table before ascending the stairs.

"Don't touch things randomly," Qinling called out, looking back.

"Okay." Xu Chang'an could feel the importance of this place, naturally he wouldn't misbehave.

"Hmm, there are not just my zithers here, but Miss Zhu's too."

With one sentence from Qinling, Xu Chang'an understood why she was so serious.

"Senior Zhu's zithers are being stored here with you too?" Xu Chang'an asked.

Qinling nodded, "Some magical artifacts aren't suitable for taking down the mountain, so they're stored here with me..."

She paused, her tone resigned, "Initially... I was practically a piano child carrying zithers for Miss Zhu, which is why I stayed by her side."

"Really?" Xu Chang'an was quite surprised.

For he seldom heard such resignation related to Zhu Pingniang from Qinling's mouth.

Logically, she ought to be proud of having been a piano child, yet her words were filled with resignation.

At this moment, Qinling suddenly said, "Actually, Miss Zhu isn't very good at naming, but fortunately... there's Madam Li watching over her."

"What does that mean..." Xu Chang'an was taken aback.

"Think for yourself," Qinling snorted.

Xu Chang'an: "..."

From Zhu Tongjun, such a melodious name degraded to Zhu Pingniang. Senior Zhu's naming skill might be on par with his own, but for Junior Master Qin to complain...

Qinling...

A zither-carrying child?

Zither?

Qin Ling?

Could it truly be as he imagined?

Xu Chang'an wanted to ask why she was called Qinling instead of Qinlin, but he wisely chose not to speak.

If according to Qinling's words, her current name had something to do with her teacher's effort.

Instinct told him, best to forget this matter entirely.

Xu Chang'an followed Qinling up the stairs, as Qinling serenely opened another door. Inside was a windowless room, emanating a faint woody fragrance. Qinling entered the room and lit a fire stone, her gaze followed the light.

The room was evenly divided into two sections, one main and one secondary, each with several half-person high sandalwood frames covered in soft white cloth.

Front and back there were roughly a dozen zithers.

"Those in the middle are Miss Zhu's zithers, stay further from them," Qinling led Xu Chang'an to a corner, pointing at the zithers before them and said, "These I've used before, they include seven-string, five-string, whichever you prefer, feel free."

"Anything is fine," Xu Chang'an said helplessly, "Junior Master, I'm merely borrowing casually, no need to be so serious."

He could sense the spiritual power fluctuations filling the room, clearly... some zithers here had quite the high level, especially the one draped in orange fabric in the middle... He could almost see the spiritual power coursing through it with naked eyes.

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