xymnovel Chapter 79 Su Xiaoxiao's Little Thoughts
Chapter 79 Su Xiaoxiao's Little Thoughts
After Liu Changfeng left, Lin Chen leaned lazily back in his armchair, flipping through the account books sent by the Su family.
The evidence is indeed detailed, covering everything from the illegal business dealings of the Canal Gang to the accounts of their dealings with Cui Mingyuan and Zhou Ming.
"My lord, Miss Su requests an audience," Yuan Tiangang's voice rang out from outside the door.
Lin Chen raised an eyebrow: "What's she doing here? Invite her in."
The door was pushed open, and Su Xiaoxiao walked in wearing a light green ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).
She dressed more elaborately today than yesterday, with a jade hairpin swaying gently in her hair, adding a touch of liveliness with each step.
"Young Master Lin," Su Xiaoxiao said with a graceful bow, her voice soft, "I apologize for disturbing you."
"Miss Su, there's no need for such formality." Lin Chen stood up, gesturing for her to sit.
"I wonder what brings this little girl to me?"
Su Xiaoxiao sat down in the guest seat, a barely perceptible blush crossing her face:
"Yesterday, I pondered over and over again your poem 'Taihu Misty Rain' and composed a few variations. I would like to ask for your guidance."
She took out a delicate musical score from her sleeve and presented it with both hands.
Lin Chen took it and unfolded it to examine it closely.
The musical notes on the sheet music are neat and tidy, with annotations next to them, showing that care was taken.
Although he was not knowledgeable in music, he could still tell from his memories of his past life that the score was indeed exquisite.
"Miss Su, you're too kind," Lin Chen said with a smile.
"However, I only have a superficial understanding of music, so I'm afraid I can't offer any valuable advice."
"Young master, you are too modest." Su Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled.
"To be able to write such poems, young master must have a profound understanding of music."
Besides… I’ve heard that Mr. Bai of Zuiyue Pavilion is the most skilled musician in the capital. For you, sir, to have won her favor, you must be a kindred spirit.”
This was a clever way of putting it, both flattering Lin Chen and subtly probing his relationship with Dongfang Bubai.
Lin Chen chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly composed:
"Ms. Bai is indeed a master of the zither, but she is aloof and does not like to socialize."
I was able to persuade her to come because Zuiyue Pavilion provided her with a quiet place.
"I see." Su Xiaoxiao said thoughtfully. "Then, young master... what do you think of my score?"
Lin Chen looked at the sheet music again and pondered for a moment:
"I'm not very good at music, but Miss Su's score feels...too neat and orderly to me."
"Neat and orderly?" Su Xiaoxiao was taken aback.
"Yes." Lin Chen nodded. "Every note is just right, and every paragraph is neat and symmetrical."
But art sometimes needs a bit of "breaking the mold" and a bit of "unexpectedness".
Just like writing poetry, while tonal patterns and parallelism are important, if one only pursues form, one loses the spirit of the poem.
He paused, then pointed to a spot on the score:
"For example, here, if we extend this syllable by half a beat, or add a vibrato, wouldn't it have more charm?"
Su Xiaoxiao leaned closer to take a closer look, her eyes gradually brightening:
"Young master is right, this place is indeed too rigid..."
The two began to discuss the music score.
Su Xiaoxiao was a little reserved at first, but she gradually opened up when it came to music and poetry.
She discovered that although the young duke always seemed lazy, his occasional insights were always to the point and refreshing.
Before we knew it, we had been chatting for almost half an hour.
"Young Master is truly talented; I have benefited immensely from your teachings," Su Xiaoxiao said sincerely.
"Once this piece is perfected, I would like to perform it for you alone, young master."
"Then I'll wait and see," Lin Chen said with a smile.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Xiao Yulou pushed the door open and came in:
"Eighth Brother, Miss Su, you seem quite engrossed in your conversation?"
Su Xiaoxiao quickly stood up: "Mrs. Lin."
"Fourth Sister-in-law, you've come at the perfect time," Lin Chen said.
"Miss Su and I are discussing music right now, would you like to join us for a chat?"
Xiao Yulou sat down next to Su Xiaoxiao and smiled:
"I don't understand those fancy words."
"But Miss Su, you just said you wanted to perform a solo for my eighth brother... I wonder if I could also have the honor of hearing the music of the most talented woman in Jiangnan?"
"Madam is too kind," Su Xiaoxiao said, her face slightly flushed. "If Madam doesn't mind, Xiaoxiao is always willing to play for you two."
The three of them talked for a while in the study, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Xiao Yulou was cheerful and straightforward, while Su Xiaoxiao was gentle and polite; the two actually got along quite well.
They chatted until the sun was high in the sky, then Su Xiaoxiao glanced at the sky, got up and said goodbye.
"It's getting late, Xiaoxiao should go back now. My brother instructed me to organize some correspondence between the canal gangs today and send it to you tomorrow, young master."
"Thank you for your help, Miss Su." Lin Chen stood up to see her off.
After seeing Su Xiaoxiao off, Xiao Yulou closed the door and looked at Lin Chen with a half-smile:
"Eighth Brother, Miss Su really cares about you. She came early this morning to deliver sheet music and even arranged a private performance."
Lin Chen shrugged: "Fourth Sister-in-law, I'm a respectable person."
"Serious?" Xiao Yulou rolled her eyes at him.
"You have such a silver tongue, you can charm any girl with a whole repertoire of words."
But honestly, Eighth Brother, Su Xiaoxiao is truly remarkable—talented and beautiful, from a respectable family, and she's also interested in you. If you like her, just accept her."
Lin Chen pulled her into his arms: "Why do you always push me away, Fourth Sister-in-law?"
"I didn't push you," Xiao Yulou whispered, leaning against his chest.
"I am doing this for your sake. Although the Lin family has been revived, it has made many enemies in the court."
The Su family is the richest family in Jiangnan. A marriage alliance would be of great benefit to you.
And... I can tell you admire her.
Lin Chen was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice:
"Fourth Sister-in-law, I do have feelings for Su Xiaoxiao, but when it comes to matters of the heart, we can't just consider interests."
Besides... I already feel I owe you seven so much.
"Nonsense." Xiao Yulou looked up at him.
"The seven of us are all members of the Lin family. Your sincerity towards us is enough. As for titles and status, we don't care about them."
She paused, a sly glint in her eyes:
"But Eighth Brother, if you really marry Su Xiaoxiao, you have to promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"No favoritism allowed." Xiao Yulou poked his chest. "You must treat all eight of us equally."
Lin Chen chuckled: "Fourth Sister-in-law, the way you're saying that makes it sound like I've already married her."
"It's only a matter of time," Xiao Yulou said confidently.
"I can tell from Su Xiaoxiao's eyes that she's already fallen for her. I refuse to believe that you, a seasoned player in the game of love, can't see it?"
"Haha, Fourth Sister-in-law understands me best." Lin Chen gave Xiao Yulou a big kiss on the cheek.
……
In the afternoon, Lin Chen brought Xiao Yulou to the shore of Taihu Lake.
The vast expanse of water and sky blends seamlessly into one.
Sails dot the lake, and fishermen's songs fill the air—a beautiful scene of a Jiangnan water town.
"So beautiful." Xiao Yulou stood on the shore and took a deep breath.
Lin Chen smiled and said, "If you like it, Fourth Sister-in-law, come often."
"You said it," Xiao Yulou turned to look at him, "you can't go back on your word."
"I will never go back on my word."
The two strolled along the lake shore.
Lin Chen appeared relaxed, but in reality, he was secretly observing the situation in the lake.
According to Zhang Qing's intelligence, the goods belonging to the shipping guild were transported to a small island in Taihu Lake, which was protected by a formation.
"My lord," Yuan Tiangang appeared beside him unnoticed and whispered.
"I have ascertained that the island is called Guishan Island. It is located deep in Taihu Lake, surrounded by water on all sides, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack."
There were indeed fluctuations in the formation on the island; it should be the "Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation."
"The Nine Palaces Bewildering Array?" Lin Chen raised an eyebrow. "The work of the Purple Robe Pavilion?"
"Most likely." Yuan Tiangang nodded.
"This formation can confuse the mind and trap people invisibly. Ordinary martial artists who enter will at best lose their way, and at worst, suffer mental derangement. However..."
He paused for a moment: "Although this formation is ingenious, the person who set it up is not highly skilled, at most a mid-stage Grandmaster. With my abilities, I can break it in ten breaths."
Lin Chen pondered for a moment:
"No rush. Have you figured out if there are any other secrets on the island besides the goods?"
"Besides the members of the Grand Canal Gang, there are also a few men in purple robes on the island," Yuan Tiangang said.
"One of them was the purple-clad envoy who appeared in Xishan that night. There seems to be a dungeon on the island, where many people are imprisoned."
"A dungeon?" Lin Chen's eyes turned cold.
"It seems that the canal gangs not only smuggled goods, but also engaged in kidnapping and extortion."
"That's right," Yuan Tiangang said.
"From my observation, many of those who were imprisoned were family members of wealthy merchants from Jiangnan. They were probably hostages used by the canal gang for extortion."
Xiao Yulou roared, "These beasts!"
Lin Chen's eyes turned cold:
"Since we've run into it, we can't just ignore it."
Mr. Yuan, tonight you will bring Zhang Qing to the island. First, break through the enemy's defenses and rescue the hostages. Remember, evacuate immediately after rescuing them.
"Yes," Yuan Tiangang replied, "What about the goods on the island..."
"Don't move the goods for now," Lin Chen said.
"That's evidence. We'll seize it when we close in. When you're rescuing people, leave some marks on the island so the Canal Gang knows they're being watched."
Yuan Tiangang understood: "Your subordinate understands."
As they were talking, a painted boat slowly sailed over the lake.
Two people were standing at the bow of the boat; they were Su Mo and Su Xiaoxiao.
"Brother Lin!" Su Mo called out from afar.
Lin Chen replied with a smile, "Brother Su, what a coincidence."