Lin Wenruo descended Taibai Mountain and arrived at the foot of the mountain.
On the main road, an ordinary carriage was already waiting.
Lin Wenruo lifted the curtain and entered the enclosed carriage.
Once seated, the carriage began to move slowly.
In the darkness, he sat quietly for a while.
Soon, he reached out to open the window curtain, and sunlight flooded into the carriage.
Lin Wenruo thought for a moment, then fumbled in his sleeve.
He soon took out two letters.
One was from Siqi Academy.
The other was from Linlu Academy.
He first opened the letter from Siqi Academy, where he saw the handwriting of his Han-surnamed friend, a former classmate.
Lin Wenruo narrowed his eyes and read for a moment.
Soon, his expression returned to normal, and he refolded the paper, put it back in the envelope, and put it away.
Lin Wenruo gazed out the window, looking south toward Siqi Academy.
Lately, it had been a bit restless there.
He pondered for a moment, withdrew his gaze, and picked up the other unopened letter from Linlu Academy.
A slight smile curled the corners of Lin Wenruo’s mouth.
That well-known classmate from Siqi Academy had just written to him, expressing curiosity.
He was very eager to meet Zhao Ziyu, whom Wenruo often praised as a peerless poet and musician.
The ability to be considered a close friend by Wenruo, praised for his zither skill capable of haunting someone for days, surely meant he was also a refined, elegant, and dignified individual...
He had thought the Confucian scholars from Linlu Academy were mostly like a certain Sima fellow, always sporting a boring cold face; it seems he was indeed mistaken.
This Zhao had such exquisite music art, it suited his taste perfectly. At this year’s joint session of the north and south academies, he was determined to behold his esteemed presence and humbly learn zither skill from him. Wenruo, please help introduce us. Oh right, I heard Zhao likes to engage in hand gestures as a greeting, how coincidental, so do I...
Inside the carriage, Lin Wenruo, thinking of something, could not help but chuckle and nodded seriously.
He decided that after he returned, he would write another letter to this friend, advising him on a few matters.
Ziyu might seem approachable, but like those talented musicians, he was somewhat proud and temperamental.
Thus his mood might shift easily, and you should approach him with humility and patience when asking to learn music; if he suddenly turns you away, it’s normal, and he will probably modestly belittle himself and ask you to step back.
But no worries, persist fiercely, pursue him further, take his hand, and urge him repeatedly.
Thus, with utmost sincerity, even the hardest stone cracks; surely, you can touch Ziyu’s heart and inspire him to mount an effort to treat you openly.
If all else fails, I still have ways to advise you, ensuring you and Ziyu get along wonderfully and satisfy your desire to experience his divine music...
Lin Wenruo nodded as he manipulated the items in his hands.
He began opening the second letter.
It seemed that Ziyu had entered Linlu Academy, but it was uncertain whether he had reconciled with his wife from Taiching Prefecture or if he needed any support.
He chuckled to himself as he thought about it.
Lin Wenruo pulled from the envelope and pinched out a shiny apricot leaf.
His gaze lowered and swept over the familiar, elegantly flowing script that was pleasant to the eye.
Lin Wenruo slightly pondered, then nodded lightly; it was probably the most beautiful handwriting he had seen.
Yet the first line on the apricot leaf, formed by such beautiful characters, made the corner of his mouth twitch involuntarily.
This sentence had only three words:
’Final farewell letter’
Lin Wenruo’s eyelids lifted as he began to carefully read this farewell letter sent by an old friend.
Zhao Rong: Dog Brother, seeing these words... never mind, it’s not like seeing you in person.
My wife tells me not to play with you, fearing you might be a bad influence.
After some serious thought, I realized she’s a good wife and a wise helper.
My wife is not only as beautiful as a fairy, with youthful beauty, pure as jade, unparalleled in grace, otherworldly, breathtakingly gorgeous...
She is also beautiful inside and out, crystal clear, brilliantly intelligent, a gentle and lovely lady, kind and wise...
Lin Wenruo gently inhaled, his eyes dazzled by the long list of adjectives that followed.
His gaze shifted downward, and about half of the entire letter consisted of non-repetitive flattery directed at someone...
Lin Wenruo had no doubt whether this letter was written by Zhao Rong under his wife’s supervision.
Or perhaps this letter would pass through the hands of that fairywife Zhao.
But... could you not digress in the letters you write to me?
Lin Wenruo felt that this guy definitely intended to brag about his wife.
Yep, that’s so typical of Brother Ziyu.
It’s ironic he was just worried about how Ziyu was doing with that fairy Zhao before he opened the letter.
It turns out that after the couple reconciled, they united against the outside world. Ziyu had first turned against him, Lin Wenruo, effectively severing their friendship.
Lin Wenruo chuckled and shook his head, continuing to read.
Zhao Rong: ...So as I have such a wife, what more can a husband ask for?
Here, I have to talk about you, Dog Brother.
I think boasting about having eighteen concubines is nothing to be proud of.
Nothing more than that.
My wife Qing Jun thinks the same, so I’m not playing with you anymore, let’s end this friendship.
But we still need to go through the motions; make time to come to Linlu Academy soon, find me at East Fence Small House at Nanxuan Academy.
I’ll call Qing Jun as well, and we can have a breakup meal together, hmm, the process of tearing the robe and breaking off relations must be conducted too, rituals are important, so hurry over, let’s break up...