I Have A Dual World Seal

Chapter 1160: Chapter 1159: Bitter Tea House

At that time, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan went to Tonglin County for shopping and visited a zither shop, intending to buy a zither. However, after witnessing Si Lingxi’s zither, the Dragon Sound, which the shopkeeper regarded as a treasure, was not impressive to Lu Zheng.

Meanwhile, Lu Zheng learned of a name, Master Zither Maker Ouyang Kui from Zhongjing.

He thought of visiting this zither maker during his next trip to Zhongjing to commission a zither for himself. However, subsequent events made him almost forget about it until he happened to see a Phoenix Tail Zither for sale.

Thus, Lu Zheng brought up the matter.

"And there’s Wan too." Liu Qingyan couldn’t help but chuckle, "We promised Wan that when we reach Zhongjing, we’d bring her over."

It was already the third day since everyone returned from Chixiao Temple, yet the trip to Blue Star to fetch Lin Wan hadn’t happened.

Lu Zheng blinked, "No rush, she’s at work. Tomorrow is the weekend; we’ll pick her up then."

Shen Ying laughed upon hearing this, "You can travel across districts, so it’s up to you."

"But where does Master Ouyang Kui live?" Lu Zheng rubbed his chin.

"Someone who knows is here." Si Lingxi said softly, looking back.

Everyone turned to see Jing Qianyu approaching rapidly, accompanied by a maid and two guards.

"Young Master Lu! Ladies!"

Jing Qianyu greeted from a distance and quickly reached them, "Old Huang mentioned you have returned and are shopping at Guangde Square. Since I’m free, I thought I’d join in the fun."

"You’ve come at the right time; we have something to ask you!" Shen Ying said with a smile.

"What is it?" Jing Qianyu asked with her large eyes blinking.

These were top experts brought home by Jing Gaoqi, so Jing Qianyu wouldn’t dare to neglect them. Upon hearing of their return, she tidied up and came to find them.

Besides, during their initial chat the day before, except for Si Lingxi who seemed a bit aloof, Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying were friendly. She didn’t mind accompanying them for shopping.

Shen Ying asked, "Is there a Master Zither Maker known as Ouyang Kui in Zhongjing?"

"Master Ouyang?" Jing Qianyu’s eyes twitched, and she nodded firmly, "Yes, Master Ouyang is reputed to be the greatest zither maker of the past two hundred years."

"Wow, the best zither maker of two hundred years?" Lu Zheng clicked his tongue, "But why two hundred years? Is there any story from two hundred years ago?"

Jing Qianyu was taken aback by the question. She had only heard of his title indicating Ouyang Kui’s exceptional zither-making skills. Why two hundred years and not one hundred or three hundred? She hadn’t thought it through; she didn’t know either!

The point is to know that Ouyang Kui is particularly skilled; why focus on such peculiar details?

Jing Qianyu didn’t answer, and Lu Zheng wasn’t bothered. He simply asked, "Do you know where Master Ouyang lives? I’d like him to make a zither for me."

"I do." Jing Qianyu nodded instinctively, then immediately realized, looking a bit troubled, "But commissioning him for a zither is somewhat... challenging."

"Oh, how so?" Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.

"Since Master Ouyang rose to fame, in the past fifty years, he’s crafted only nine zithers himself."

Jing Qianyu explained earnestly, "Master Ouyang crafts zithers based on the person and does not craft zithers unless for a zither grandmaster. Twenty years ago, one of His Majesty’s beloved consorts loved the zither and wanted Master Ouyang to craft one for her, but he still refused her, unmoved."

"I see." Lu Zheng nodded, "So to have Master Ouyang craft a zither, one must prove their zither skills?"

"Exactly..."

Jing Qianyu worried that Lu Zheng might be displeased, quickly explaining, "It’s said Master Ouyang is also an Abnormal Person. Once the Director of the Observatory invited him for tea, requesting a zither, yet he was refused."

"So impressive?" Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. Although he hadn’t met the Director of the Observatory, he had heard of him being more powerful.

"Yes!" Jing Qianyu nodded repeatedly, "Though Master Ouyang doesn’t craft zithers himself, he widely accepts disciples at Zhongjing. Some disciples have mastered the craft, rivaling other master zither makers in Zhongjing. Mr. Gao Shan’s Jade Fei’s Zither is actually by his primary disciple, Master Liu Yi.

If Young Master Lu is interested, I can introduce Master Liu Yi on your behalf.

Oh, by the way, Mr. Gao Shan is the brother-in-law of Marquis Jingyuan, Pingdong Daoist, and the owner of Yu Fei Qin Society at Zhongjing. His zither skill is also highly regarded."

"How does Master Liu Yi compare to Master Ouyang?"

"He’s supposedly slightly inferior." Jing Qianyu answered honestly, "It’s said that Mr. Gao Shan once hoped for Master Ouyang to craft a zither, even played a song specifically for him. Unfortunately, he was declined, leaving Liu Yi to take over."

Jing Qianyu continued, "Master Liu Yi is already highly skilled, and together with two other true disciples of Master Ouyang, they are known as the Three Heroes of Ku Men, their reputation comparable to Scholar Liu Zhai and Shimen Mountain Man. The latter two are renowned zither makers, with each Yaoqin priced in the tens of thousands."

"So expensive!" Liu Qingyan exclaimed.

One thousand coins make one thousand coins. Ordinary people might not earn ten thousand coins in a lifetime. The Phoenix Tail Zither Lu Zheng bought is considered a fine zither in Yizhou Prefecture, yet it costs under thirty thousand coins.

"Got it." Lu Zheng nodded, "If Master Ouyang can truly craft a good zither, not only playing a song, playing several songs is no issue."

A true zither maker crafts based on the player. To suit the player’s habits, not only do they listen to them play, but they also measure their height, arm span, hand length, finger spacing, and so on.

"Huh?"

Hearing Lu Zheng’s words, Jing Qianyu was dumbfounded again. Didn’t they hear anything I said?

Seeing Jing Qianyu’s cute yet puzzled face, Shen Ying chuckled, patting the girl’s shoulder, "Don’t worry. After hearing Lu Lang’s zither, Ouyang Ku will make the right choice."

Jing Qianyu could only nod awkwardly, not daring to say more. She couldn’t tell them that many zither players seeking Ouyang Ku all thought similarly before facing his rejection.

"Where does Master Ouyang live?" Lu Zheng asked Jing Qianyu.

"Bitter Tea House at Rejuvenation Square."

"Sounds like a tea house."

"Master Ouyang loves bitter tea, and since his name includes ’Ku’, he named his residence Bitter Tea House." Jing Qianyu explained.

So the group left Guangde Square and arrived at Rejuvenation Square, quickly finding a quieter street leading to Bitter Tea House.

"Lingwu Royal Mansion’s Jing Qianyu requests to see Master Ouyang."

"Please wait a moment." The attendant at the door looked at Jing Qianyu’s group, entered for a while, and then returned, "Honored guests, the owner invites you in."