Ancient Clans

After that day, neither Li Yexuan nor I ever brought up what happened while he was drunk, and Kong Juelin, after receiving his beating, also kept silent. It was as if nothing had ever occurred. That suited us best; Li Yexuan and I tacitly understood each other, both pretending nothing had happened. He remained the master, and I continued as his maidservant.

Yet, whether I was beside Yun Heng or Li Yexuan, one thing remained unchanged: I was always a maid. People are always concerned about fairness, after all. Having been a princess for so long, I had enjoyed many privileges; perhaps now it was only right that I repay some of that good fortune by serving others. Fortunately, my masters were all decent people, not given to temper or making life hard for their servants.

The ultimate auction at Maple Leaf Auction House was about to begin, but it had already strayed far from its original purpose.

On the high platform stood several prominent figures of the Maple Leaf Auction House as usual.

I followed behind Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin and took my seat. Wang Huan, however, sat right next to us, pressing close to Li Yexuan.

“Brother Li, are you interested in this legendary item as well?”

Li Yexuan nodded but said nothing more.

“Do you know what it is, Brother Li?”

Perhaps because Li Yexuan had bought the wine, Wang Huan was now fixated on him. How amusing. Me, who truly knew something, was ignored because I looked like a mere attendant. Wang Huan, you poor soul—Rongfu Ziyun is right before your eyes, and you don’t even realize it.

“Do you know what it is, Brother Wang?”

Li Yexuan finally spoke, and Wang Huan was beside himself with joy.

“They say, besides the millennium black iron and the ten-thousand-year celestial silk, there is another unknown item.”

“Is the rumor trustworthy?”

“We’ll see soon enough.”

The conversation was brief and unrevealing; Wang Huan was never going to get anything out of Li Yexuan.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please be patient. Lin thanks you all for your support. Without further ado, let us welcome the main guest—the Ancient Tribe.”

The Ancient Tribe? What kind of people were they? Why had I never heard of them? I looked at Li Yexuan in confusion, and he met my gaze with equal ignorance.

If even Li Yexuan didn’t know, it must be a secluded clan, well hidden. Judging by the expressions in the crowd, most were equally puzzled.

When the man from the Ancient Tribe finally appeared, I was astounded.

His skin was darker than ours, his clothing and style utterly foreign. One glance at his appearance and attire made it clear he was no native of the Central Plains.

One sleeve hung long and wide, while his other arm was entirely exposed. His garments bore crooked lines, likely some kind of script.

Yet, however beautiful the characters, to me they were nothing but tadpole markings.

“What kind of nonsensical symbols are those?” Kong Juelin whispered, barely audible to the three of us.

Li Yexuan and I both gave him a glare.

Ignorance is dangerous; one must respect other cultures.

Before my thoughts could settle, the Ancient Tribe man, who had not yet spoken, looked straight at Kong Juelin, his gaze unfriendly.

How could he hear from such a distance, amid so many people?

Kong Juelin, sensing the hostility, quickly nodded, acknowledging his mistake.

The man shifted his gaze, but then returned it to me.

Huh? I hadn’t said anything—why was he looking at me? Maybe he was wondering if I was male or female?

After all, I was dressed as a man, though I was truly a woman.

He glanced away, then looked at Li Yexuan.

What was the Ancient Tribe man up to, staring at each of us in turn?

“I am from the Ancient Tribe, unfamiliar with the customs of the Central Plains. I hope you will forgive me.”

“Of course, of course.”

“This time, I have come to the Central Plains in search of someone.” As he spoke, he produced a treasure box. “This is millennium black iron and ten-thousand-year celestial silk, a gift for the fated one.”

“Who is the fated one...?”

“Yes, who...?”

“Could this be a trick...?”

The crowd murmured, but the man calmly handed the treasure box to his attendant and took out an even larger box.

“Whoever can identify and use this item is the fated one I seek, and the millennium black iron and celestial silk shall be theirs.”

When the box was opened, the noisy crowd fell silent, then whispers spread like wildfire.

“Is there truly no one who knows?” The Ancient Tribe man furrowed his brow.

Amid the discussions, I stood up.

“What are you doing?” Li Yexuan grabbed my hand.

“I know what it is.”

My voice was clear enough for the Ancient Tribe man to hear.

“Will you come up?”

“Yes.”

I patted Li Yexuan’s hand to reassure him, and slowly walked onto the stage under everyone’s gaze.

Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin followed but did not step onto the platform.

All eyes were fixed on the object in the box.

“I know you’ve recognized it,” I smiled at the Ancient Tribe man. For some reason, I felt he had already seen through my disguise as a woman.

He nodded but did not expose me.

“What do you call this?”

“Violin.”

“So it is you?” The Ancient Tribe man's eyes shone with excitement, as if a long-awaited hope had finally been fulfilled.

“Hm?”

“Can you play it?”

“Yes.”

Carefully, I took the violin, resting it against my neck.

Drawing a deep breath, I began to move my hands.

It felt as if I had returned to my previous life.

Back then, I adored the violin. The Rongfu family had many practice rooms, including one specially designed for violin sessions.

There were not only violins, but also pianos and guzhengs, all instruments I loved.

Everything else seemed to fade away; only the light shone on me, allowing me to become one with the violin.

I was the violin; the violin was me.

Enraptured, intoxicated, the music became my very soul.

When the melody ended, my illusions shattered, and I felt a hint of melancholy.

But everyone else remained lost in the music.

Director Lin of Maple Leaf Auction House was the first to recover, shielding me as he led me away.

The Ancient Tribe man, Li Yexuan, and Kong Juelin were quick-witted, and together with the auction staff, we hurried out the back door.

Millennium black iron, ten-thousand-year celestial silk, an unfamiliar instrument, and unheard music.

News could not be concealed; best to leave immediately.

Hurriedly, we fled back to the inn, only to find the Ancient Tribe man following us, carrying his treasures. In the end, we had no choice but to let him in.

“These are all yours,” he said, handing over the black iron and celestial silk.

“No, no, these are too precious for me. The violin alone is more than enough,” I said, still clutching the instrument tightly.

“No, I came to the Central Plains specifically to find you and give these things to you.”

“Are you sure you have the right person?” I had never left the Central Plains; how could I have any connection with someone like him?

“No mistake. According to the divination, you would appear here.” The Ancient Tribe man seemed about to say more, but glanced at Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin and fell silent.

Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin exchanged a look and left the room.

They really trusted him, leaving me alone with this mysterious stranger. Was it because he had gifted me so many things?

“Princess Ziyun,” the Ancient Tribe man bowed slightly.

The violin slipped from my hands, and I stumbled back two steps in shock.

He swept his sleeve to catch the violin, preventing it from crashing to the ground.

“Who are you?”

Who was he? What was the Ancient Tribe? How did he know I was Rongfu Ziyun?

“Do not be afraid, Princess. I am your ally.”

“Why should I believe you?”

“If I meant you harm, you would already be dead.”

True enough; I had no retort.

“What do you want from me?”

“Princess, I bear no ill will, nor does the Ancient Tribe. I merely came to deliver things you might need.”

“Then perhaps I should thank you.”

A stranger, and yet I could sense no malice from him—how odd.

“You are too kind, Princess.”

“I truly do not know you, though I sense no hostility.”

“The millennium black iron and celestial silk are yours, Princess. We shall meet again.”

“Take the violin with you.”

“Do you not like it, Princess?”

“A man without guilt is envied for his treasures. Since you say we are destined to meet again, you should keep it safe.”

“Very well.”

I sensed that when alone, the Ancient Tribe man treated me with utmost respect, as one would to a master.

“I hope you will keep my identity secret. It’s not easy for me to survive.”

I couldn’t very well kill him to ensure silence, so I had to ask.

“Of course.”

“Good.”

“The Ancient Tribe has fulfilled its task. I shall take my leave.”

“All right.”

“Princess, many things in this world are hard to explain; it all comes down to fate. Do not force what cannot be obtained, and even with fate, trials must be endured. For instance, those outside this door—I hope you will understand in time.”

“I see. What is your name?”

“When we meet again, you will know, Princess.”

Since he would not say, I did not press further.

He walked away just like that.

“Why did he leave so quickly? Where’s Qin?”

Li Yexuan and Kong Juelin came in and asked.

“He took it away.”

“Didn’t he say it was for you?”

“We bargained for ages, and he insisted on taking the violin, leaving me only these two useless things.”

I toyed with the black iron and celestial silk.

“Useless? Do you know how rare these treasures are?” Kong Juelin bristled.

“If you want them, I’ll give them to you,” I said to Li Yexuan.

“No, these items are meant for you. Keep them; let Juelin craft them into hidden weapons for you. That was the original purpose.”

“Then I won’t be shy.”

I carefully stowed the two items away.

There was a knock at the door, and the innkeeper entered.

“Honorable guests, the city lord invites the three of you to his residence.”

“We’ll come later.”

“All right.”

Li Yexuan spoke, and I handed the innkeeper some silver, sending him off happily.

“When did we become acquainted with the city lord?”

“It’s a good opportunity to meet Baili Yue.”