The wedding was livestreamed by the sister, revealing his identity as a Taoist priest.

Tianyin Pavilion, behind the mountain.

Green bamboo stretches like a sea, and white mist hangs like gauze.

A narrow stone path winds its way out from the depths of the bamboo forest, ending at a secluded cave on the edge of a cliff.

Outside the cave, a young disciple strode over, his footsteps particularly clear in the silent mountain forest.

The sound of a zither emanated from inside the cave.

The disciple stopped in his tracks.

That was a song called "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate".

It should have been a cheerful tune from the Han Dynasty, when Sima Xiangru played the zither to express his love, carrying the brightness and exuberance of youth.

But the music coming from the cave at this moment sounded as if it had been soaked by rain.

Beneath the cheerful melody lies a suppressed sorrow.

A touch of nostalgia, a touch of sadness, and a touch of forced joy.

It's like someone trying their best to smile, but tears are already streaming down their face.

The disciple was stunned and dared not take another step forward.

"stop."

A cold female voice rang out from the side.

The disciple was startled and turned to look.

A maid in a long blue dress emerged from the side of the bamboo grove, her expression unfriendly.

What are you doing here?

The maid stared at him.

"No one is allowed to approach the young lady during her seclusion; that's the rule."

The disciple quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Reporting to Sister Qiuyue, it was the Pavilion Master who sent me!"

He explained quickly.

"Someone from Taiqing Palace has come. They say they want to retrieve the Nine Heavens Phoenix Melody Zither. The Pavilion Master asked me to inform Miss."

Qiuyue's face turned pale instantly.

Taiqing Palace.

The Phoenix's Cry in the Nine Heavens.

She subconsciously thought of the recent flood of trending topics.

Chen Shidu!

Send betrothal gifts!

Two sacred artifacts of Taoism have appeared in the world.

The fourth betrothal gift is about to be presented.

Qiuyue's fingers clenched her sleeve tightly, her nails almost piercing the fabric.

Celestial Master!

How could you do this!

She gritted her teeth, making a soft crunching sound.

"I see."

Her voice was very soft, but every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

"Go back and tell the master that I will speak to the young lady."

The disciple felt as if he had been granted a pardon and turned to run away.

Qiuyue stood still, looking in the direction of the cave.

The music continued.

The story of "Phoenix Seeking Its Mate" is nearing its end.

The ending, which should have been uplifting and inspiring, was now somber, like a sob.

Qiuyue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

Then she turned around and walked step by step toward the cave.

……

Inside the cave.

The light was dim, with only a few dim lamps flickering on the walls.

An ancient zither lies across the stone platform.

The instrument was jet black, and the Nine Heavens Black Iron strings gleamed with a cold light in the dim light.

Su Qingluan sat in front of the zither.

She wore a dark red Taoist robe, her long hair was casually tied up with a wooden hairpin, and a few strands of hair hung down in front of her forehead.

Her fingers flew across the strings, each note precise and accurate.

But those eyes were empty.

It's as if the soul of the person is no longer here.

The last note fell.

She pressed down with both hands, and the music stopped abruptly.

Silence enveloped the entire cave.

Su Qingluan did not move.

She lowered her head, her gaze falling on the piano, a hint of sweetness flashing in her eyes.

"elder brother."

Her voice was very soft, as if she were talking to herself.

"When Sima Xiangru played the piece 'The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate,' what were Zhuo Wenjun's feelings?"

The corners of her mouth curved into a smile.

"I didn't understand before, but I do now."

She raised her hand, her fingertips gently tracing the strings.

"It's probably like... knowing there's no future, but still being unable to resist wanting to hear him play the piano."

The strings vibrated, emitting a very faint hum.

Su Qingluan's smile froze.

Her gaze slowly fell silent, like a lamp extinguished by the wind.

"What a pity."

She withdrew her hand, leaned against the stone wall, and looked up at the cave ceiling.

"Sima Xiangru played the zither to propose marriage, but you play the zither... to cultivate your mind."

"From beginning to end, you've never treated me like anyone else."

She closed her eyes.

"Qingluan, you are my sister."

That phrase echoed in my mind again.

Like a knife, it will still hurt even after you've cut a thousand times.

"Knock knock".

A knock came at the door.

Su Qingluan opened her eyes, her voice returning to calm.

"Come in."

Qiuyue pushed open the door and entered.

She stood at the door, hesitated for two seconds, and finally spoke.

"Miss."

"explain."

"People from Taiqing Palace have arrived."

The autumn moon bowed its head.

"They said... they wanted to retrieve the Nine Heavens Phoenix Cry Zither."

Su Qingluan's finger stopped in mid-air.

She slowly turned her head and looked at Qiuyue.

Those usually bright and lively eyes were now icy cold.

"Taiqing Palace?"

Her voice was very soft.

"Here to pick up the instrument?"

Qiu Yue nodded, not daring to look up at her.

Su Qingluan stood up, walked to the zither, and placed her palm on the surface of the instrument.

"This instrument belongs to him."

Her voice became even softer.

"He started playing when he was thirteen and played for six years. I remember every single line on the instrument."

She looked up.

Why did Taiqing Palace want to take the zither?

Qiuyue bit her lip.

"The one who came was Elder Zifu, who said... the Celestial Master has important business and needs this zither."

Su Qingluan's brows furrowed immediately.

Important matters?

Chen Shidu's cultivation is extraordinary, and he is the best in thunder magic. What could he possibly need a guqin for?

Moreover, she had begged for half a year before she finally borrowed this zither from the Purple Mansion.

Those old men at Taiqing Palace would rather be worshipped than take advantage of you; why would they come to collect it willingly?

Not right.

Something is very wrong.

She stared at Qiuyue.

"Has anything happened at Taiqing Palace lately?"

Qiuyue's body stiffened.

"besides."

Su Qingluan took a step forward, her eyes sharp as knives.

"What is he doing?"

Qiuyue's head drooped even lower.

"I...I don't know."

"explain."

Su Qingluan's voice turned completely cold, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure.

"What exactly happened?"

Qiuyue trembled all over.

She had followed Su Qingluan for ten years and had never seen her mistress look at her like that before.

That look in his eyes was as if he could tear you apart at any moment.

"I……"

Qiuyue gritted her teeth, her eyes already red.

"Miss, I really don't know how to say this..."

"Just say it!"

Su Qingluan took a step in front of her and pressed her shoulders firmly with both hands.

"Akizuki, I'm asking you one last time."

Her voice was trembling.

"What on earth is he doing?"

Qiuyue's tears fell.

She closed her eyes, and spoke in a trembling voice, as if she had used all her strength.

"Celestial Master..."

"It seems the Celestial Master is... getting married."

boom.

The air in the entire cave seemed to freeze in that instant.

Su Qingluan released her grip.

She took a step back.

They took another step back.

His back slammed against the stone wall with a dull thud.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

My mind went completely blank.

marry?

Is Chen Shidu getting married?

Qiu Yue looked at her, her heart aching.

"Miss……"

"go out."

Su Qingluan's voice was very soft.

"Miss……"

"I told you to get out!"

A furious roar exploded inside the cave.

Qiuyue trembled and turned to run away as if fleeing.

The cave fell silent once more.

Su Qingluan stood still, motionless.

a long time.

She slowly turned around and looked at the guqin.

The zither is still there.

Quiet and peaceful, just like ten years ago.

She walked over, reached out her hand, and her fingertips touched the strings.

"elder brother."

Her voice was very soft, as soft as if she were in a dream.

"So you're finally... going to marry someone else."

The strings vibrated.

It let out a mournful cry.