The little girl's voice was surprisingly so. If he were to enter now, this tune would probably be lost.
In the study.
Qin Qiejian's clear, brilliant voice, harmonizing with Huo Rou's powerful zither music, sang, "Iron horses, golden spears, cold in night's attire, the drumming sounds, warm the fires, who for the realm draws their sword with resolute desire..."
With lyrics, everything painted a picture.
In the blood-red setting sun, memories also faded.
No one could recall that the arrogant king of the battlefield did not initially love swords, nor did he favor slaughter.
Tears welled up in Huo Rou's eyes. As Qin Qiejian sang, she seemed to return to her most carefree childhood, a time when she never thought of holding a gun, nor did she ever like to resort to force.
After the victory, the melody turned tender, tinged with a hint of longing. Qin Qiejian sang, "As the wild geese call, it is said letters are hard to send... For whom are the snows between her brows left, for whom are they lightly swept."
The strings were lightly plucked, Huo Rou's fingers trembled, and the zither's melody intimately entwined with the heart.
The "Mom and Dad" she wanted to cry out would never be answered. Huo Rou gently closed her eyes, swallowing the bitterness and loneliness in her heart.
In this world, who has not walked alone?
Qin Ningyi heard the distinctly rich sense of loneliness in the zither music and saw the fleeting tears in Huo Rou's eyes. Kanshuwu.net
He who hears the tune understands its meaning. He did not want her to continue playing.
He took two steps forward, intending to stop her, when he heard Huo Rou's zither music swell. The sorrow of love and suffering swept away, and she remained the invincible king on the battlefield.
Huo Rou's gaze grew even firmer.
The song ended.
He came to Huo Rou's side, took her hand, and brought her out of the joys and sorrows of the music.
Huo Rou turned to look at Qin Ningyi's relaxed and handsome face. In the lyrics, the king lost his love for the sake of the realm. Fortunately, she still had him by her side.
"Beautiful lyrics, beautiful music!" Liu Yuxiu patted Qin Qiejian's hand. "Of your songs, this one is the most emotionally rich."
She then looked at Huo Rou, "Little Rou, this rendition is even better, and it carries more sadness."
The mood of this piece reminded her of the trials she and Grandpa Qin had gone through years ago. Her own "king" had almost looked back alone.
"Indeed!" An An also saw the fleeting tears in Huo Rou's eyes while she was playing. He looked somewhat reproachfully at Qin Qiejian, "Uncle, how could you play such a sad song on Grandma's birthday?"
Blamed by An An, Qin Qiejian immediately admitted his fault, "Grandma, it was my fault. I didn't realize the song would end up being so sorrowful..."
He hadn't intended to get so invested, but Huo Rou's zither music was simply too commanding. He involuntarily found himself on the battlefield depicted in the lyrics, becoming a king for the country and its people, experiencing the sorrow and frustration of losing one's love while remaining true to one's original intention.
Huo Rou shook her head and stood up, going to An An's side to gently rub his little head. "It's my fault that the music is a little too mournful..."
"The music is wonderful!" a loud, resonant voice came from the doorway.
Upon hearing this voice, Grandma Liu's face instantly bloomed with a smile.
Su Nianzhu pursed her lips, her expression carefully controlled.
Qin Qiejian immediately straightened up, while Qin Ningyi looked over with a smile.
Huo Rou found the voice vaguely familiar. She frowned, searching her mind for the source of this familiarity.
An elderly man with white hair but determined eyes entered.
Huo Rou secretly observed him. He was still in his military uniform. Upon entering, his first glance fell upon Grandma Liu. This must be Qin Ningyi's grandfather, Qin Han.
Hearing Grandpa Qin's immediate affirmation of the music, Grandma Liu was also delighted. "Old Qin, you think it's good too?"
"Little Rou wrote it!"
Hearing Grandma Liu's pride and boasting, Qin Grandpa clearly considered this young woman as one of their own. "Yes."
He admitted the music suited his taste. As for this person...
His sharp eyes swept over Huo Rou.
His gaze was indeed piercing. Su Nianzhu was startled and quickly pulled An An in front of her.
Qin Ningyi calmly stepped in front of Huo Rou, met Qin Han's gaze, and smiled as he called out, "Grandpa, you're back?"
Qin Han watched Qin Ningyi's subconscious protective gesture and his lips twitched.