Chapter 101: Instruction

The door between Cen’s residence and Suo Chun Courtyard was reopened, now fitted with a dark red wooden door. Lin Ru Nan instructed that it should remain locked most of the time, only to be opened when necessary.

They entered Suo Chun Courtyard through this door, where Prince Qi was already present. He stood there in an elegant stone-blue embroidered robe with a jade belt around his waist and a golden crown on his head, looking strikingly handsome an image of grace that had captivated numerous noblewomen. Meinang thought to herself that it was quite a waste for such a good-looking man to prefer men.

Prince Qi looked displeased as Meinang and Lin Ru Nan approached. Without waiting for them to pay respects, he remarked, “Is this how you treat guests? Making me wait here in this rundown courtyard while you live comfortably on the other side?”

Meinang looked around and replied, “This courtyard has been newly refurbished. There’s nothing rundown about it. It’s specifically for practicing dance and drumming. The other courtyard houses children and the elderly, which might be too noisy for you.”

Prince Qi waved dismissively. “Never mind. I’m not interested in seeing random people. I just want to learn drumming.”

He glanced at them once more. “I don’t like how you’re dressed. Go back and change into what you wore last night.”

Lin Ru Nan looked at Meinang and replied, “How can we wear last night’s clothes? They’re dirty and need to be washed.”

Prince Qi gave Lin Ru Nan a cold look. “Do you even know how to play the drum?”

“No,” she replied.

“Then why are you here?” he asked.

Lin Ru Nan lifted her chin. “To watch the drumming.”

Annoyed, Prince Qi turned back to Meinang. “Let’s begin. And remember to change your clothes next time.”

Meinang was exasperated, thinking to herself how she had even bathed and dressed up for the occasion. Yet he seemed unappreciative, even insisting that she dress in men’s attire. His peculiarities were unending.

Prince Qi turned out to be quite talented. He had an ear for music, excellent coordination, and a strong sense of rhythm. While Meinang occasionally used modern terminology in her explanations, he grasped it quickly. However, his drumming strength was too heavy, likely due to his past experience with war drums. Correcting this required patience, but his enthusiasm kept him focused.

Time flew by, and three hours passed. A servant approached Prince Qi, whispering, “Your Highness, it’s time to go. The Empress Dowager is expecting you for dinner.”

Prince Qi, in the midst of practicing a series of drum strikes, replied impatiently, “What’s the rush? She can wait a bit longer. I’ll just ride faster later.”

The servant added, “The Emperor and Empress are also going to be at the Ci Ning Palace…”

Prince Qi missed a beat and scowled. “You talk too much.”

He lifted a drumstick, swinging it toward the servant. Meinang was startled, fearing for the servant, who narrowly avoided the blow.

Prince Qi looked at the servant with a hint of satisfaction. “You’re improving.”

Tossing the drumstick, the servant deftly caught it.

Turning to Meinang, Prince Qi said, “That’s enough for today. I’ll return tomorrow. Or perhaps I should send someone to bring you to the palace? My residence is far better than this rundown courtyard. There, you’ll be well attended, and there’ll be refreshments.”

Lin Ru Nan interjected, “Your Highness, tea was served, but you were too engrossed in learning to drink it.”

Prince Qi shot her a look. “What tea? It was barely drinkable.”

Lin Ru Nan moved her lips to respond, but Meinang quickly intervened. “It’s best to come here. Multi-faced drums are difficult to make. We currently only have two sets, one at the Xian Ke Lai Restaurant and one here. You’ll also need someone to play along when you practice look at them, they’ve been keeping you company for hours.”

Prince Qi glanced dismissively at Li Qiu Ge and others on the other side. “What’s the problem? Just load the drums and people onto a carriage and bring them to the palace. They can live there from now on.”

Meinang shook her head. “I won’t leave my home.”

Prince Qi sighed, “Are you planning to spend your whole life in this broken house?”

“Your Highness must know the saying, ‘A golden nest and a silver nest are not as good as one’s own home,’ and my home isn’t broken.”

Hearing “home,” Prince Qi’s gaze softened as he recalled a close friend once teasing him about his bed being like a doghouse. He, a prince, could hardly be compared to a dog, yet they had ended up laughing about it.

After Prince Qi left, Meinang and Lin Ru Nan returned to Cen’s residence. After a brief rest, Meinang said her goodbyes, planning to visit her family and check on Qin Bo Qing before the upcoming examination.

As her carriage traveled, Meinang suddenly felt a jolt and realized they had collided with another carriage at a busy intersection. When she looked out, she recognized Zhang Jing Yun and Ling Xu Zi.

Zhang Jing Yun greeted her, laughing. “Cen Mei, what happened last night? I heard the place was chaotic.”

Ling Xu Zi added, “We were about to go check on you. You seem fine.”

Meinang explained with a smile, “I’m alright, just sore from last night’s commotion. Ling Xu Zi, do you still have those medicinal pills?”

Ling Xu Zi handed her a small cloth bag through Zhang Jing Yun. After a few more words, Meinang waved goodbye and continued on her way.

At a distance, Xu Jun Ying, who had observed the entire scene, grew suspicious. Zhang Jing Yun had called her “Cen Mei,” yet she bore an uncanny resemblance to Qin Meinang.