“Aye.”
“Good, very good.”
The lad laughed and waved his right hand.
Whoosh. Five carriages lined up to block Chen Rong’s way, the largest one completely obstructing Chen Rong’s view of the lake.
“Play a song for us, Ah Rong of the Chen house,” the lad said to her in her bewilderment. “If I like it, then you may pass through. If not, then I’m sorry, you can’t see your Qilang today.”
He had the cheek to ask this of her.
Chen Rong couldn’t help laughing.
She lifted her curtain to look at the vehicles lining in the front. “Very well,” she said with a smile.
She reached for her zither, gave a pluck and began the music.
Her playing was very much like herself in that the changing notes were exquisite and the intricate strumming was victorious.
But all of a sudden, the melodious zither came to a halt.
While the surprised lad was about to open his mouth, Chen Rong giggled and asked, “Are you Ah Lin of the Huan house, my lord? It’s said that Huan Jiulang (1) has an excellent memory. I haven’t the talent to continue the song. If you would, please resume what I was playing. All is well if your continuation proves to be satisfying. But if not, then I am sorry, I’ll sit right here and won’t go anywhere.”
Huan Jiulang = ninth son of the Huan clan
“Little miss, you know full well that I’m not a good zither player. Oh all right, never mind.”
He waved his hand and let the five carriages move out of her way.
Chen Rong and the young man came face to face.
“I hadn’t known you to be so ill-mannered, Miss Chen,” he frowned.
Chen Rong was greatly peeved. She glared at him and scoffed, “And I hadn’t known you to be so sickly, sir.” Despite his handsome features, Huan Jiulang was pallid and fragile, and had blue hues under his eyes.
He stilled, stared back and blurted, “Young miss, there is savageness in the crinkle of your brow. I can’t see how you are suitable for Wang Hong.”
His voice had barely landed by the time Chen Rong lifted her head, narrowed her eyes and stated: “I’m merely a concubine-born daughter from a subsidiary branch. My station is humble, my demeanor inferior to everyone else’s. If I don’t arm myself with savageness, I’d be letting others trample on me. A feeble young man who picks on others’ faults like you is just as loathsome!” There was something threatening in her tone unlike other young ladies.
Chen Sanlang was startled listening to her tirade. “Ah Rong, mind yourself!” he cried. “You must know who he is. He’s Jiulang of the Huan estate. His station is incomparable as their eldest son (2)! You ought not be so disrespectful!”
He is the ninth son overall, but likely eldest/heir based on legitimacy.
Waves of laughter reached them at this time.
A few boats appeared on the water; their arrival had been unnoticed until now. It had been Yu Zhi and another young scholar who were clapping and laughing.
“Excellent, well put,” Yu Zhi said in good humor. “I must agree that this sickly guy who likes to pick on others’ faults is really annoying.”
The other lad smilingly added, “Oh, there’s a whip hanging in Ah Rong’s carriage. Why don’t you take it down for a swing? Don’t go overboard, though. If he dies, the Huan estate is going to make a fuss. Ah Rong, just beat him partly dead and let him stay in bed for half a year.”
The pair’s laughter slightly flustered Chen Rong. She turned to look at them, meeting Wang Hong’s faint smile in the process. She blushed and turned her head away.