Teacher Gao ushered in the aged elder. The elder's hair was almost entirely white, yet her spirit remained robust.
With a serene countenance and an elegance that seemed to emanate from poetry, her every movement exuded an extraordinary aura.
Upon entering the gate, the two stopped. The elder gazed at the girl playing the zither, adjusted her spectacles, and as if overcome by a sudden warmth that misted her vision, she slowly removed them, wiping them while smiling and nodding frequently in the direction of the music.
Though her vision was blurred without her glasses, her eyes still brimmed with admiration. "Little Gao, the one playing the zither is a young girl, isn't she?"
Teacher Gao replied with a gentle smile, "Yes, she's one of our young ladies here. I'm not being modest, but she can't compare to your prized disciple."
The elder waved her hand, her smile undiminished. "She certainly can't compare. But the one just now, can she compare? You! You are too modest!"
"Of course, this young lady's playing is also excellent, full of spirit. If nurtured well, she could achieve great things!" Her words conveyed appreciation and affirmation of the girl's zither skills.
To avoid disturbing the music, their conversation was kept exceptionally quiet. Only a few with keen hearing could catch snippets.
Huo Rou watched the elder's silver hair with a smile, then shifted her body slightly. Listening to the elder's praise and insights regarding the music, her smile deepened.
Teacher Gao remained silent. She knew that when listening to someone play, whether they were a junior or a master like the person beside her, respect was due. Especially since the elder placed great importance on the atmosphere of listening to music.
Seeing that the elder no longer had questions, she did not speak further.
The staff member, observing Teacher Gao standing respectfully beside the elder, with both of them lingering at the entrance instead of coming in, felt a touch of curiosity.
He brought over two stools and invited them to sit. Looking at the elder up close, he suddenly found her familiar. He subtly moved closer to Teacher Gao and asked in a low voice, "Teacher Gao, is this..."
"Master You?"
Teacher Gao made a shushing gesture and then nodded towards him.
My heavens! He had actually met the living Master You!
When Guo Xiu had spoken earlier, he had been filled with disdain. He had thought such a master would only come to meet a select few at their classical institute, never imagining she would visit these humble quarters!
The excitement in his eyes was difficult to conceal. He stood to the side, rubbing his hands, his face alight with anticipation.
Master You listened intently. She had finished wiping her spectacles but did not put them on immediately. Instead, she sat still, eyes narrowed, smiling and nodding to the music, occasionally tapping her fingers or furrowing her brow.
Guo Xiu, reluctantly emerging from the spell of Huo Rou's zither performance, noticed two more people at the entrance.
She glanced over with a disgruntled expression, only to see the person she most wished to encounter.
"Master You?!" Her voice, beyond her control, rose in volume.
A staff member beside her impatiently nudged her foot, as if to say, "Don't be so surprised, as if you've never seen anyone before."
Guo Xiu could no longer pay attention to such trifles. She had seen Master You's face countless times, watched all her performances daily, and studied her preferences. All this was for the sole purpose of appealing to Master You when she visited, hoping to gain her favor for her goddaughter.
The strict requirements regarding hand posture were also due to Master You's emphasis on fundamental knowledge. It was why she relentlessly corrected her darling daughter's hand positioning every day.
Everything she did was for Master You's approval. Now that the person was right in front of her, nothing else mattered!
She stood up, brushed off imaginary dust from her clothes, tidied her hair, and approached Master You with a face full of obsequiousness and fawning.
Master You was clearly pleased with her goddaughter's performance! Her hard work had not been in vain. If Master You took her 'Nian Nian' as a disciple, why would she worry about money?
With careful maneuvering, repaying Master Qin for the zither would not be an issue!
"Master You!" she said, approaching Master You with a smile, her voice not lowered, deliberately raised slightly to convey her excitement.
Master You frowned, looking at her with a hint of displeasure.
Guo Xiu, too overcome with excitement, failed to notice the emotion in Master You's eyes. She rubbed her hands and reached out towards Master You. "Master You, the one playing the zither is my goddaughter."
After speaking, she proudly added, "I taught her myself."
Master You's furrowed brow relaxed slightly upon hearing this. She narrowed her eyes. "You taught her?"
Teacher Gao knew Guo Xiu well and feared she might speak recklessly. Teacher Gao had intended to remove her immediately, but Master You had interjected.
Feeling unable to act on her own, she could only signal Guo Xiu with her eyes not to boast.