Chapter 29: Simplified Character Notation

The next morning.

Ding Suian stood outside his room, looking towards Huguai Garden. The trace of white light from last night had kept him up for half the night.

After some guessing, he thought the problem might lie with Jiang Yuan.

According to her, men’s Yang energy prevented them from using the ‘Flowing Wind and Cloud’ melody as a cultivation method. Last night, Ding Suian personally played the zither, and she stood outside the door, listening to half of the Spell for Clearing the Heart and Universal Goodness. Ding Suian indeed did not absorb any white Protective Aura.

This indirectly confirmed Jiang Yuan’s statement.

However, the sudden appearance of that trace of white light in the middle of the night gave Ding Suian a conjecture: perhaps the Golden Finger that absorbs white light also applies to music, but it requires ‘Yin Instrument’ as a medium or bridge.

That Is to say, it requires female students from the Law Academy to perform so that the emotional resonance can be converted into the Protective Aura needed by Ding Suian, the ‘original creator’.

All of the above are speculations. To thoroughly understand the reason, it would be best to discuss it with Jiang Yuan again. But his attitude was a bit stiff when he refused her ‘free ride’ last night. It would be quite a loss of Face if he were to go to her now, after being so arrogant earlier!

While he was pondering, he suddenly heard a commotion from the front courtyard.

Ding Suian temporarily put the matter aside and walked out quickly.

Diying Garden Is the strongest enforcement agency within Prince Lanyangs Estate, with sentries on duty twenty-four hours a day.

At the courtyard gate, a chubby boy was wearing a highly saturated sapphire blue brocade arrow-sleeved robe, with a purple tiger-head patterned waist wrap—typical attire for a young martial noble. Yet, he held an ivory fan, a symbol of literary scholars.

It was a mismatch.

Hu Jiangjiu, who was on duty today, had somehow offended him and was being kicked repeatedly by the boy.

Hu Jiangjiu was tall and burly, but he didn’t fight back when kicked. He just muttered, “I can’t let you in. If you want to enter, you need the Princess’s decree or my Sui’an Bro’s permission.”

“Jiangjiu, let him in!”

As Ding Suian approached, Chest Hair, Shortened name, and others had already gathered upon hearing the commotion.

The chubby boy was startled to see so many people rushing over. Then, hearing Ding Suian tell the big oaf guarding the gate to let him through, he immediately straightened his back, fanning himself with the ivory fan as he strolled over to Ding Suian. “So you’re the Sui’an Bro he was talking about?”

Ding Suian smiled and cupped his fists, “Indeed, that would be I.”

“Hmm, you’re quite sensible, much more so than him.” The chubby boy snapped his fan shut with a’swish’ and pointed the fan bone at Hu Jiangjiu. “Much more sensible than him. The Princess Is my Maternal Aunt, yet he still blocks me from entering a mere garden! He’s practically breaking up a pair of lovers, he deserves a beating!”

Ding Suian chuckled, “Yes, shall I take Young Master in for a stroll?”

“Alright! Lead the way!”

The chubby boy put his hands behind his back, held his head high, and strode into Diying Garden.

Chest Hair and the others knew Ding Suian’s temper all too well. They exchanged glances and grinned.

Even the honest Hu Jiangjiu guessed what Ding Suian was about to do and quickly said, “Sui’an Bro, he didn’t hit hard. Those kicks didn’t hurt as much as my mother pinching me.”

Ding Suian waved his hand, telling Hu Jiangjiu to shut up, and then enthusiastically led the chubby boy deeper into the garden.

However, Wang Xigui, who was naturally cautious, whispered in Ding Suian’s ear, “Boss, this Is the Princess’s nephew. Go easy on him.”

“I have my limits.”

The chubby boy’s destination was probably Diying Garden’s training ground. Halfway there, Ding Suian suddenly raised his hand and pointed to a room, “There are a few weapons in here. Young Master, would you like to pick one that suits you and let us witness your skill?”

“Alright then!”

As the chubby boy walked towards the door, he didn’t forget to brag, “This Young Master has the nickname ‘Cold-Faced Silver Spear Jade Gentleman’ in Central Heaven. Ten or eight strong men can’t even get close to me! This Young Master will just show a few moves and you’ll benefit endlessly.”

Chest Hair and Wang Xigui, who were following behind, saw the two enter the room and thoughtfully pulled the door shut.

‘Creak~’

The chubby boy suddenly heard the door hinge squeak. He looked back and saw that only he and Ding Suian were left in the room.

Squad Leader Ding, who spoke nicely and was sensible, smiled as he pressed closer.

The Cold-Faced Silver Spear Jade Gentleman’s expression instantly changed.

He was arrogant, but also exceptionally clever. Seeing that the situation was not right, his eyes darted around. He then tucked the ivory fan into the collar behind his neck, cupped his hands in a bow, and immediately changed his tone, “Oh my! Brother Is so dashing and beautiful, it truly captivates this little brother! Just now, there were many people outside, so this little brother was too embarrassed to say. Now that it’s just the two of us, this little brother dares to ask if I have the good fortune to become sworn brothers with you, Brother!”

“…”

As everyone knows, Ding Suian Is rarely left speechless by others.

This was one of those times.

Is ‘Qin Jin’s Good’ really used like that?!

Meanwhile, the Cold-Faced Jade Gentleman took advantage of Ding Suian’s brief astonishment to quietly slip towards the door.

“Cold-Faced Gentleman, where are you going?” Ding Suian’s tone was sinister.

“Uh…” The tiptoeing Cold-Faced Gentleman immediately stopped at the sound, looking at Ding Suian with an expression of reverence, “Brother, becoming sworn brothers requires burning yellow talismans and cutting off a chicken’s head! This little brother will go arrange it right away.”

With that, his steps suddenly quickened.

But Ding Suian grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.

The Cold-Faced Gentleman looked innocent, “Brother, why Is this?”

Ding Suian had a benevolent expression, “Yellow talismans and chicken heads can wait. You said you want to acknowledge me as your elder brother, so can you promise me one thing?”

“Brother’s command, let alone one, even ten things would be fine!”

“Alright then, when I hit you later, don’t scream. I have a peculiar habit; the louder others scream, the more excited I get.”

Qiyuan Garden, Flower-Warmed Hall.

Lin Hansu and Lin Fuyao were sitting on a soft couch, chatting idly.

Suddenly, they heard a wailing from outside, growing closer.

A moment later, Jiang Xuan pushed aside the curtain and entered, tears streaming down his fair, chubby Face, and several large footprints clearly visible on his flashy clothes.

“What happened?” Lin Hansu was astonished.

“Maternal Aunt! Someone from your estate beat me. Maternal Aunt, you must uphold justice for me.”

“Who beat you!”

Lin Hansu’s pretty Face turned cold, and she abruptly stood up.

“He’s called… called…” Jiang Xuan sobbed for a long time before saying, “That Soldier ruffian named Ding Suian!”

“…”

Lin Hansu sat back down, her Phoenix eyes lowered. She said faintly, “Why did you provoke him? An apology should be enough, right?”

“No, an apology isn’t enough!” Jiang Xuan cried, snot and tears flowing, refusing to let it go. “Maternal Aunt must have him flogged!”

“Who said he should apologize? I told *you* to go apologize to *him*.”

Jiang Xuan’s crying stopped, and his eyes widened, “Ah???”

Facing her elder sister’s questioning gaze, Lin Hansu said calmly, “Your Maternal Aunt’s life was saved by the ‘Soldier ruffian’ you speak of. If it weren’t for him, Diminutive for Jiang Xuan, you wouldn’t have seen me.”

Seeing that complaining to his Maternal Aunt was getting him nowhere, Jiang Xuan angrily ran to Huguai Garden to seek support from his elder sister.

In the past, whenever he was bullied by other noble youths in Central Heaven, his elder sister would always stand up for him.

Unexpectedly—

Jiang Yuan listened to Jiang Xuan recount the entire story, then said, “You, you never dared to speak up when bullied in Central Heaven, but you insist on coming to your Maternal Aunt’s place to show off your might! Now you’ve hit a rock, haven’t you!”

“Why are you also siding with outsiders, Sister!”

“I’m not siding with anyone, I’m just standing by what’s right. Give me your money pouch.”

“What do you want my money pouch for, Sister? I don’t have many taels of silver left.”

Jiang Xuan grumbled, but years of psychological dependence made him obediently untie the purse from his waist and hand it over.

Jiang Yuan poured all the Broken silver (broken silver) from the purse into her palm and weighed it, estimating it to be about six or seven taels. Then she opened her own purse, took out two Silver barley (silver ingots) to make up ten taels, and put them back into her brother’s purse.

Jiang Xuan was deeply moved. My sister still loves me!

She knows I’ve been wronged and Is giving me money to spend!

“Let’s go, I’ll accompany you. Later, you’ll personally hand this silver to the Soldier you kicked as compensation for his medicinal expenses.”

“???”

Jiang Xuan was shocked, then indignantly said, “Sister, you want me to apologize to that rogue Soldier?”

“Shut up!” Jiang Yuan’s voice was soft but stern. “If it weren’t for our Great Wu Soldiers leaving their homes and families to guard the borders, how could you, a pampered Young Master, enjoy such peace and prosperity in the capital! Father Is also a border Martial Artist. Next time you see Father, will you also call him a ‘rogue Soldier’!”

“…” Jiang Xuan shrank his neck from the scolding. After a long while, he awkwardly said, “Don’t be angry, Sister, I’ll go with you.”

Diying Garden, Halberd Hall.

“Boss, that chubby boy just came with a Young Lady. They’re probably looking for trouble! That Young Lady resembles the Princess; she might be a relative of the Princess who arrived at the estate last night!”

They beat the small one, and now the big one has arrived. Chest Hair, who came to report, was a bit worried.

Ding Suian immediately guessed that the visitor was a pure version of Lin Hansu. He was planning to ask her more about ‘music and Yin Instrument’ related questions, and now she had conveniently delivered herself.

He casually picked up a leisure book to cover the plum in the golden vase manuscript on his desk, then Ding Suian stood up and said, “Please invite them in.”

Compared to yesterday’s flashy brocade robe, today Ding Suian was wearing a military jacket with a patched shoulder.

Fortunately, last night Jiang Yuan learned through Yi Huan that the so-called ‘Squad Leader Ding’ was actually Dragon Guard Army Squad Leader Ding; otherwise, she would probably have had doubts again.

Ding Suian stood outside the hall steps to greet them. The brother and sister stood five feet away.

Jiang Xuan secretly glanced at Ding Suian, then turned his head away, his small expression showing both defiance and a hint of fear.

It wasn’t until his sister glared at him that he grumbled, “Military Brother, I was wrong this morning. I shouldn’t have kicked the Soldier on duty. This little brother apologizes to Military Brother.” After bowing, Jiang Xuan reluctantly offered his purse, “Here are ten taels for medicinal expenses. Please accept them, Military Brother.”

“Oh?”

Ding Suian was quite surprised. He had already witnessed the chubby boy’s nimble movements earlier, but he didn’t expect him to take the initiative to apologize after leaving.

Not beyond redemption, or rather, his family education hadn’t completely failed.

Ding Suian looked at Jiang Yuan, who was standing quietly with her head bowed, and smiled at Jiang Xuan, “You didn’t hit me. Give the medicinal expenses to the person you kicked.”

Feeling deeply humiliated, Jiang Xuan looked at his sister. Seeing no reaction from her, he then followed Chest Hair to the front to apologize to Hu Jiangjiu.

Silence fell before Halberd Hall.

Jiang Yuan came with her brother today to apologize, partly out of a genuine sense of ‘right and wrong,’ and partly with a little bit of self-interest.

It was, after all, still for that zither piece.

But as a Young Lady, she couldn’t very well pester him relentlessly.

The incident this morning provided a good excuse for her to try again.

Unexpectedly, before she could speak, Ding Suian asked, “Miss Jiang, last night at the end of the hai hour, did you play the Spell for Clearing the Heart and Universal Goodness?”

“…” Jiang Yuan’s heart tightened. Thinking Ding Suian was blaming her for secretly learning the zither piece, she quickly curtsied and explained softly, “Last night, after listening to Squad Leader Ding play the zither, that half-tune of the Spell for Clearing the Heart and Universal Goodness lingered in my mind, so I played it for my Maternal Aunt.”

“Only the Princess heard it?”

“Yes.”

That matches!

It seems his guess was correct!

So-called poetry, essays, and music, as long as they can stir emotions and evoke resonance, can allow him to absorb Protective Aura.

However, for music to gather spiritual energy, it needs ‘Yin Instrument’ as a bridge.

That means as long as he outsources the zither performance to Jiang Yuan, he can just sit back and collect a share of the Protective Aura.

Having confirmed this, Ding Suian immediately took out a piece of paper from his Huai (bosom) and handed it over, “Miss Jiang, if you like this piece, you can practice according to this.”

Jiang Yuan gracefully stepped forward two paces, took the paper, but saw it covered with scribbles. She couldn’t help but feel confused, “Squad Leader Ding, this is—”

Ding Suian, however, was even more confused, “You’ve been playing the zither since childhood, yet you don’t recognize Simplified Character Notation?”

His tone… was as if he was saying someone claimed to be well-read but couldn’t understand elementary reading materials.

Jiang Yuan felt a little embarrassed. She had no choice but to look at the paper again. The characters on it looked familiar individually, but when combined, she didn’t recognize a single one. She shook her head helplessly, “I’ve never heard of Simplified Character Notation.”

“Then how do you in the Law Academy usually learn new pieces?”

“Entirely through oral transmission from our teachers.”

Thanks to reader: Autumn God’s Light for the reward~

Thanks to reader: z Too late for the reward~

Thanks to reader: Read one and spray one for the reward~

By the way, the author was terrified when he saw the last guy’s ID name!