Chapter 141: Golden Branches and Jade Leaves
The seats were empty.
Where did that man go?
Lian Li scanned the audience seats, but there was no sign of Jin Shi Yue.
It was as if he had never appeared, and the eye contact from afar was just her hallucination.
The musician in front saw her stop and called out to her, “Lian Li.”
Lian Li withdrew her gaze, stepped forward, and followed the musician back to the brightly lit lounge.
The musicians were lively discussing the distinguished guests in the audience just now. Lian Li didn’t join in, only politely replying a few words when others asked her.
The theater staff brought back the cello. Lian Li packed it into its case; the performance was over, and she had to take the cello with her.
The orchestra leader raised his hands and called out to everyone, “Everyone, don’t rush off. Our recent performances have been smooth. Let’s go to the Peace Hotel to celebrate later.”
Everyone cheered joyfully, and some even sang beautifully, praising the leader for his generosity.
The leader turned to Lian Li and said, “Lian Li, you’ve rarely come to Shanghai, so you can’t miss this.”
Lian Li smiled and agreed.
Every time she performed at the Grand Theater, the people here took good care of her.
The Grand Theater building had a geometric design, resembling a crystal palace from the outside, with a crown-like white curved roof arching towards the sky.
The cello was inconvenient to bring to the dinner, so Lian Li handed it over to the bodyguard and asked him to take it back to the hotel first.
“When you get to the hotel, give it to the hotel manager and ask her to help you send it to your room.”
Bodyguard: “Yes.”
Lian Li lowered her eyes and stared at the floor pattern resembling piano keys for a few seconds, thinking that Jin Shi Yue didn’t have a room card and wondering if she should message him to tell him she’d be back late.
But the Second Young Master Jin had connections everywhere; getting a room card should be easy…
While lost in thought.
“Mr. Jin.” The bodyguard suddenly spoke.
Lian Li turned her head, her gaze passing over the giant stone pillars, and saw the person walking down the steps at an unhurried pace.
The burly bodyguard cleared the way, and Jin Yan Ting walked with a composed stride, chatting with the lady. His every move exuded a noble and dignified aura that powerfully intimidated people.
Jin Yan Ting was always humble and steady in front of elders, showing the upbringing of a distinguished family. Even with his suppressed pressure, he was still awe-inspiring.
As if pulled by an invisible thread, Lian Li’s gaze involuntarily fell on the noble lady. She elegantly adjusted her dark green shawl, a faint smile appearing on her beautiful face.
Her appearance, temperament, and every glance and smile were enough to captivate all living beings.
Lian Li had met many people with Jin Yan Ting. If she had met that stunningly beautiful lady, she would definitely have been deeply impressed.
But she had no impression of her now.
Lian Li thought, I haven’t met her.
Jin Yan Ting said something to the lady, and the lady looked at her with smiling eyes.
Lian Li guessed they were probably discussing her cello piece and cello skill for the concert.
Meeting Jin Yan Ting’s gaze from afar, out of politeness and habit, Lian Li walked over proactively.
“Brother.”
After greeting Jin Yan Ting, she put on a polite smile and bowed slightly to the lady as a greeting.
The lady smiled, her beautiful eyes captivating.
Jin Yan Ting’s gaze swept over the bodyguard carrying the cello case behind her, finally landing on Lian Li’s fair face. “The performance is over, aren’t you going back?”
“The leader is organizing a dinner party,” Lian Li said. “It’s at the Peace Hotel. I’ll go back after dinner.”
Upon hearing this, Jin Yan Ting nodded slightly. “Have someone pick you up when you’re done.”
The “someone” referred to the driver or the bodyguard.
Lian Li nodded and said, “Okay.”
Jin Yan Ting and the noble lady walked past and towards the entrance. The path was clear, indicating that it had been specially cleared.
Lian Li saw a middle-aged woman walk in and respectfully call out, “Mr. Jin,” then helped the noble lady.
She must be a young lady from some distinguished family.
Lian Li stood there for a moment, then returned to the lounge to gather with the Grand Theater musicians, who would all take a car to the Peace Hotel later.
The Grand Theater is located in People’s Square, not far from the Peace Hotel, about a 15-minute drive.
…
The lady and Jin Yan Ting walked out of the Grand Theater side by side, their steps slow. “That girl is young but her cello skill is superb.”
“She’s a good prospect,” Jin Yan Ting smiled for a moment.
Talented and hardworking.
The lady asked, “She’s not a professional cellist?”
“No,” Jin Yan Ting replied calmly. “She’s Dean Lu’s student.”
In their circle, there was only one Dean Lu: Lu Huier, a legendary mathematician.
The lady looked slightly surprised. “Huier’s student plays the cello?”
“It’s a hobby,” Jin Yan Ting smiled gently.
Which young master from a distinguished family didn’t learn multiple languages, various musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, and painting from a young age? It wasn’t rare to be skilled at playing the cello. What was surprising was that Lu Huier actually allowed her students to perform publicly instead of solely focusing on mathematics.
Several discreet sedans were parked at the entrance of the Grand Theater. The night lights fell on the cars, reflecting rippling and mysterious highlights.
“After returning to the country, your Second Uncle Duan originally said he would visit Old Master Jin and Old Madam, but he was too busy with affairs in the Capital and couldn’t find the time,” the lady said to Jin Yan Ting with a constant smile. “Please convey my regards to the elders. We will visit them another day.”
Jin Yan Ting nodded. “The Old Master knows that Second Uncle is taking up his post in Shanghai urgently. It’s not too late to see him when you both are free.”
Second Master Duan had taken office in Shanghai. A new official’s initial actions often brought significant changes, and this period was estimated to last for some time. Other matters would have to wait until this period passed.
About a meter away from the car, the lady said to Jin Yan Ting, “No need to see us off. Come over to our home with Shi Qing when you have time.”
Jin Yan Ting smiled elegantly and said nothing more.
Back then, the Duan family and the Zhong family had cooperated to weaken the Jin family’s power. This lady was the Fourth Miss Zhong, Zhong Yingyi, who had a marriage alliance with the Second Master Duan.
When Jin Yan Ting and Duan Shiqing were together, the Jin family and the Duan family were still arch-enemies. The elders of both families did not approve of them being together.
Only two people supported them: Chen Shifei and Zhong Yingyi.
Now, the disputes among the distinguished families in Sijiucheng had long since subsided. Zhong Yingyi and Second Master Duan taking up posts in Shanghai suggested they intended to stay away from the power struggles in the Capital.
Zhong Yingyi?
Lian Li sat in a private room at the Peace Hotel, looking at the WeChat chat page on her mobile phone.
She asked He Shu who that stunningly beautiful noble lady was.
He Shu’s loyalty to Lian Li was no less than his loyalty to Jin Yan Ting. He replied directly: 「Fourth Miss Zhong, Zhong Yingyi.」
Lian Li searched her mind for related information. Finding none, she sent a WeChat message to Xue Shufan:
「Senior Sister, do you know Fourth Miss Zhong, Zhong Yingyi?」
Senior Sister was engrossed in her research in the study late at night and ignored the continuously popping unread messages.
Even if the Emperor himself came, she wouldn’t be able to spare a moment to pay attention.
Wait.
It’s Junior Sister.
Xue Shufan immediately opened WeChat and typed rapidly: 「Yes, she’s the aunt of Zhong Yang who had a marriage alliance with Second Master Duan.」
「She and Second Master Duan were transferred from abroad and are not developing in the Capital, but have taken up posts in Shanghai. Did you meet them?」
「Those young masters and ladies say that Zhong Yang’s aunt is a top beauty, they praise her to the skies. How was she, was she really beautiful?」
Next chapter is under review
