Chapter 523 Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

In reality, she had once responded to Zuo Qiuyu’s inquiry regarding the music score for the green stringed instrument, albeit not formally.

Since this was the case, it would be better for her to make things clear now.

Lowering her head, Lin Mengya pondered for a moment before finally speaking up in a solemn tone.

“To be honest with you, Elder Chang, actually the original copy of the music score for the green stringed instrument had been destroyed by my mother by accident.”

Lin Mengya said with embarrassment. As she expected, both Chang Tianhua and Zuo Qiuyu looked disappointed.

She supposed these two were the only people in the Pavilion of Herbs who were sincere regarding studying the music score of the green stringed instrument.

“Years ago, I did hear something like that, but I did not witness it with my own eyes. I suppose my mother was also helpless with regard to this matter. Although the music score for the green stringed instrument had been destroyed, my mother managed to make a copy and bound it. If Elder Chang doesn’t mind, could you work with us to present the content of the music score for the green stringed instrument before the people of the world once again?”

Chang Tianhua and Zuo Qiuyu’s emotions were like a roller coaster ride because of what Lin Mengya said.

In their eyes, more importantly, the music score for the green stringed instrument was an out-of-print medical book that could save many people.

Now that they heard Lin Mengya said that the music score for the green stringed instrument would be bestowed upon the world, they were so elated like they were kids.

“Alright, alright. I’m truly grateful that Your Highness did not shun me because of my old age, but is granting me the hope of seeing the music score for the green stringed instrument brought to the world one day. I’m at your service.”

There were tears in Chang Tianhua’s eyes. He did not expect that he would get to see the copy of the music score for the green stringed instrument in his life.

It was all because Lin Mengya had bestowed the chance on him. If not for Lin Mengya, all he could do in this life was hold on to this wishful hope.

Seeing the tears flowing from the aged eyes of Elder Chang, who was even his father’s senior in terms of age, Lin Mengya immediately realized that she had found the right person.

“Please don’t say that, Elder Chang. You’re our elder, who is prestigious and highly respected. I’m doing this because it could benefit and edify the general public.”

Lin Mengya quickly responded humbly. Nevertheless, her move had surely won over Chang Tianhua to join forces with them.

Chang Tianhua had been all emotional at that moment. After hearing Lin Mengya’s promise and reassurance, he thanked her profusely and went home.

Suddenly, the atmosphere became a little oppressive when she could not tell what was on Long Tianyu and Zuo Qiuyu’s mind.

This surprised Lin Mengya.

“What’s with the both of you? Why are you keeping so quiet?”

Lin Mengya could not help but feel apologetic towards Long Tianyu and Zuo Qiuyu for keeping them in the dark, which she should not have done.

Although the matter regarding the music score for the green stringed instrument was very important, she felt that it would be better for it to be passed down to benefit the general public than to allow the book to create a bloody storm within the Pavilion of Herbs.

At this moment, however, the expressions of the two men’s faces were changing. It was difficult to tell what they were thinking.

“I’m alright, but you should not have kept this from me, my dear cousin.”

Zuo Qiuyu forced a smile. He could not help but feel somewhat that it was a pity.

After all, the content of the music score for the green stringed instrument was extremely complicated. There was no way it could be completely preserved no matter how hard his aunt and cousin tried.

However, he would have definitely felt much better if he had known that Lin Mengya’s scanning system would not miss even one stroke.

“I didn’t intend to keep you in the dark, but I wasn’t aware of how important this book was to you before. After I understood its importance, I felt that it would bring trouble upon us. I admit that I’ve made a mistake regarding this matter.”

Zuo Qiuyu was naturally open-minded and optimistic. He quickly straightened out his thinking after a few minutes of being awkward.

The expression on his face seemed to say that a heavy burden had fallen off his shoulder. After all, he had not disappointed his master by failing to fulfill his instructions.

“You’re right, it’s a medical book after all. It shouldn’t be entangled with man’s desire and power. Am I not right, Long Tianyu?”

Zuo Qiuyu seemed to implicate something in his expression.

However, it passed so quickly that Lin Mengya did not detect it.

There was a moment Long Tianyu held a listless gaze, but it also disappeared quickly.

“You’re right. It would be a meritorious service to society if the music score for the green stringed instrument was revealed to the people.”

Looking relaxed, Long Tianyu gazed at Lin Mengya with a look of approval.

Lin Mengya’s confidence was boosted by his commendation. It appeared that she had done the right thing.

“Your Highness, I’ve brought back the item you requested.”

At this moment, Yu An’s voice sounded. Lin Mengya, Long Tianyu and Zuo Qiuyu saw Yu An carrying a large piece of ice in his hands.

Although the ice was sitting on top of a few layers of clothes, Yu An’s hands were red from the cold.

“Put it down quickly! Be careful not to get frost-bitten.”

They were surprised to find that this guy was so good.

It ought to have taken him much effort to carry such a large piece of ice.

“Heh heh, it’s nothing. I’ve made sure that those people saw what I was doing, according to how you’ve instructed me. I believe there will be a great commotion in the cold storage before nightfall.”

Yu An spoke in a low voice with a smile on his face.

This princess of theirs was an expert in playing tricks on people. Now those people would be very busy.

Long Tianyu’s eyes were filled with puzzlement as he gazed at the large piece of ice.

What game was this witty little lady play now?

“Mengya, you…”

Gently, Lin Mengya covered her lips with her small hand.

Since they had been plotted against, they had to retaliate and get back at them, right?

While the block of ice was spreading the cold, the hearts of these people in strife was more chilling than the ice.

Before the sky became dark, the candidates who had received instructions for the first round of the competition began gathering at the inner courts of the Pavilion of Herbs.

In name, this was a process to select the next Chief Elder. In reality, apart from the few prospective candidates, the rest were really serving as props.

Since Zuo Qiuyu managed to open the box with an abstruse secret, he had been included as one of the competitors.

They were being locked up once again because of Du Zhong and their every movement was being scrutinized. For this reason, this had become the most carefree place within the Pavilion of Herbs.

At this moment, Lin Mengya was leaning back on the cushion on her bed, looking at the scenery in the courtyard as she chatted with Long Tianyu while eating melon seeds.

“I observed that you didn’t eat much for dinner. Is it because your body had not fully recovered?”

Lin Mengya cast a concerned look at Long Tianyu.

The effects of the drug had come on again in the afternoon. Long Tianyu had managed to endure through it with much effort, but his face had lost its colors.

Nevertheless, Lin Mengya knew that during the time she deliberately excused herself from his presence, Long Tianyu had thrown up many times.

While his energy had not been drained, he looked weak and exhausted.

“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired.”

When had Long Tianyu ever complained that he was tired in the past?

Lin Mengya leaned gently into Long Tianyu’s arms and wore a sweet smile on her face.

“Soon, we’ll be able to go home. What do you say? Have Snow and the baby tiger forgotten us? Also, my elder brother must be very anxious. I haven’t written to him and Father recently.”

Long Tianyu found Lin Mengya’s gentle and demure voice very comforting.

This woman might be full of bizarre ideas but there was a ruthless side to her. However, either way, he found her captivating.

He wondered if he had been indebted to her in their previous life.

“No way. Both Snow and the baby tiger are very intelligent. I gathered from the messenger that the two have been guarding your courtyard so tightly that no one could enter.”

His deep voice resonated as he spoke of their family matters.

Lin Mengya half-closed her eyes as if she were a little kitten being stroked and comforted.

It was a rare moment of heart-warming intimacy but like always, it was being interrupted.

Long Tianyu perked up his ears. He had already detected that there was an intruder in the courtyard, whose footsteps did not sound like one of them.

No, in fact, there was more than one intruder.

“There’s someone there, did you lure someone in?”

Long Tianyu’s first reaction was to go out to check out the situation.

However, Lin Mengya reached out to hold on to him and gave him a naughty grin.

Long Tianyu immediately got what she was trying to say. It was no wonder that she had been so listless since nightfall. So this was the most exciting part of the show.

“Of course. Otherwise, Yu An’s effort would have gone to waste. Why else would he carry around such a large block of ice while going around in the Pavilion of Herbs?”

Lin Mengya’s lips were curled up into a sly but attractive smile.

Just a moment ago, she was still like an obedient little girl. But now, she had turned into a cunning fox trying to play tricks on others.

Long Tianyu could not help but steal a light kiss on her lips.

“You… Forget it, Long Tianyu. Do me a favor by checking out how many people had stolen into the courtyard, will you?”

Lin Mengya tried to keep calm, but her shifty eyes had betrayed her embarrassment when Long Tianyu stole a kiss.

It was just too bad that there was a pressing serious matter. She had to let this go.

“There are five people at the entrance and three in the courtyard and they are heading towards the living room.”

Long Tianyu listened intently for a while, then he immediately had a grasp of the situation outside.

These scums of the literati might have attained a high level of medical skills, sadly they were all useless scums who knew little martial arts.

While they thought they were very quiet, Long Tianyu could hear their every move.

“So little? Forget it, anyways the most exciting part of the show is coming up in a while.”

Lin Mengya pouted in protest.

Thereafter, she tiptoed over to the window and hid below it. She had deliberately not lit the lamp but relied on the moonlight so that it would appear as if they had retired for the day.

She put the black cloth sack with two holes punched out for her eyes that she had prepared in the afternoon secretly, over her head.

Lin Mengya stuck out half of her head above the window sill without any inhibition and spied on the movement of those intruders in the dark.

Under the moon, the shadows of the figures sneaked into the living room.

It did not take long before they began to hear the sound of inhaling coming from within.

Long Tianyu, who was hiding behind the window did not need to look to know what was happening. He found Lin Mengya wearing the sack on her head especially amusing.

Soon, the sound of people inhaling was being suppressed. Thereafter, a dark figure slipped out. As they had expected, the number of people increased once again.