"Didn't the young lady say the person playing the zither was an old man?"
"A kindred spirit transcends age." Yu Mingyue said with great conviction.
The old man's zither skills were truly exceptional. If she could receive his guidance, wouldn't that infuriate Zi An, that stubborn old fool?
Chi Dan pouted. Whatever the young lady said, it was always right.
Yu Mingyue climbed the ladder. Zhu Yu intended to act as a shield. If the young lady fell, she would catch her, ensuring no harm came to her.
Yu Mingyue was agile and quickly scaled the wall. Following the sound, she looked towards the pavilion.
Unfortunately, curtains hung in the pavilion, obscuring her view of the zither player.
Just as she was regretting this, a voice suddenly called out, "Who's there?"
The zither music stopped abruptly. Then, something was plucked and shot out, landing precisely on Yu Mingyue's leg.
Yu Mingyue's leg throbbed with pain, and she tumbled over the wall.
Zhu Yu had wanted to be a shield, but her young lady had fallen into the neighboring yard.
Yu Mingyue landed on the ground, fortunately on a patch of grass. Though withered, it was softer than the surrounding ground.
Still, the fall was brutal, leaving her face down.
Humiliated, she tried to stand, but the injured spot on her leg was too painful.
Silence enveloped the area. Yu Mingyue could hear approaching footsteps.
She clenched her fists. Fine, she'd take the plunge. Today, she'd play the card of being young and vulnerable. The zither music suggested the player was not a petty person.
Yu Mingyue gathered her courage and looked up, striving to make a good impression despite her predicament.
But as she saw the person's face, her smile froze.
"You..." The word "good" was swallowed by Yu Mingyue.
She was utterly shocked.
Xie Jia Yan looked down at Yu Mingyue, who was sprawled on the ground. Her exquisitely carved face wore a most amusing expression.
Yu Mingyue attempted to explain, "I, I heard the zither music and just wanted to come and see..."
Under Xie Jia Yan's gaze, the rest of her words failed to materialize.
Alas!
How embarrassing!
"Can you get up?" Xie Jia Yan's voice held a hint of playful teasing.
As soon as Xie Jia Yan spoke, an anxious voice called from above, "Young lady!"
Zhu Yu stood on the wall, then leaped down using her qinggong after seeing Yu Mingyue.
Zhu Yu helped Yu Mingyue up. Yu Mingyue rose somewhat ungracefully, leaning half her body against Zhu Yu.
"Is the young lady in great pain? This servant will carry you back." Zhu Yu was filled with remorse.
If only she had gone up with the young lady earlier. She could have protected her from the side, providing a cushion for her fall.
"It's nothing, I'm much better." Yu Mingyue, enduring the pain out of sheer embarrassment, said.
Xie Jia Yan glanced at Yu Mingyue's right leg, which she dared not put weight on. A bit of blood seeped through, indicating a not-so-minor injury.
He then, as if by chance, looked towards Liao Kong, who was holding a broom.
Liao Kong appeared innocent. He had been sweeping the courtyard and, sensing movement, had casually flicked a dry leaf in that direction.
Who knew the little lady was so fragile and would fall so easily.
"My younger sister is mischievous. She has caused trouble for Brother Jia Yan." Yu Ming Jing arrived in haste, his voice laced with a smile.
Following Yu Ming Jing was Yu Mingyue's maid, Chi Dan. The maids in her household were all sharp and knew whom to seek for help when their mistress caused trouble.
"Not at all, Brother Xie is too polite."
Yu Mingyue guiltily looked at her elder brother. "Brother, I was just standing on the ladder wanting to get to know the old gentleman playing the zither. The wind was too strong, and I accidentally fell down..."