"Ah Fan, what are you thinking about so intently?"
A gentle whisper rippled through the quiet chamber, carrying the familiar fragrance of grass and trees.
At some point, Lan Yin had quietly appeared at Yang Fan's side. She leaned over slightly and rested her cheek against his shoulder, her soft body nestling against him without reserve.
Yang Fan slipped an arm around her slender waist and gently rested his chin atop her head. The tension in his mind, wound tight from contemplation, eased.
"I was wondering what might move Tang Yuehua of Moonlight Pavilion. The Clear Sky Sect stands behind her, so perhaps she has a way to obtain Sinking Silver."
"Yuehua?"
At the familiar name, a gentle ripple stirred in Lan Yin's eyes. She tilted her head up slightly and gazed at Yang Fan, her eyes as clear as water.
"If it's for Yuehua, I might have an idea."
A warm smile curved Lan Yin's lips. She reached out a jade-white finger and lightly tapped Yang Fan's chest.
"Still, you'd better gather up those storybooks you told me about before, along with the lyrics and tunes you used to hum on a whim. She likes elegant and unusual things best."
Hearing this, Yang Fan reached out and pinched Lan Yin's soft cheek, saying indulgently, "I never thought the little amusements I casually shared with you would turn into stepping-stones to open the door."
Lan Yin let him knead her cheek, her eyes curving into crescents as she urged him softly, "Hurry and get them ready. Sister Yuehua has very discerning taste. If you only bring ordinary things, I'm afraid they won't catch her eye."
Yang Fan smiled and nodded. He settled Lan Yin on the soft couch to rest, then turned back to his desk, spread out fine rice paper, ground his ink, and picked up his brush.
The chamber's lamps burned all night.
Yang Fan selected several stories of talented scholars and beautiful maidens, unheard of in this world, from his memories and transcribed them.
To suit her tastes, he also picked out several Song lyrics with profound imagery and tender longing, carefully copying them onto specially made plain paper.
As for the musical scores, he decided not to make a fool of himself. He hadn't studied music in his previous life. With his powerful spiritual strength, he could recall poems and novels, but trying to reconstruct sheet music was asking too much.
After an unknown amount of time, Yang Fan finally put down his brush.
He tied the thick stack of manuscripts with a ribbon, then took a translucent jade pendant from his Space Soul Tool.
It was a rare item he had bought during the Legend of the Dragon King era. Inside it was a Soul Guidance Array that gathered spiritual energy, and its surface was carved with a lifelike peony. It suited Tang Yuehua's elegant, noble temperament perfectly.
Its craftsmanship would have been considered top-notch even two thousand years later, let alone in this era.
"It's time to go."
Yang Fan straightened his robes and waved to Lan Yin, who had kept him company all night.
Lan Yin smiled and nodded, returning to Yang Fan's Sea of Consciousness.
Only after A Wu and Ye Rou had arrived and opened for business did Yang Fan leave. He vaguely heard Ye Rou teasing him, saying that her boss had been neglecting his duties these past few days.
Mornings in Heaven Dou City were always accompanied by a faint mist.
Before Moonlight Pavilion, several slender bamboo plants swayed gently in the morning breeze, lending the place an even more tranquil and refined air.
Yang Fan straightened his collar and stepped forward to knock on the vermilion wooden door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
The crisp sound of his knocks rang out particularly clearly in the quiet morning.
Before long, a maid in a plain-colored long dress opened the door. She paused when she saw Yang Fan, then asked gently, "May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Yang Fan, the proprietor of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion. I've come to visit the master of Moonlight Pavilion today. I have an elegant item I'd like to invite her to appraise."
Yang Fan smiled faintly and handed her a gilt-edged calling card.
The maid took it, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. Clearly, she had heard of this young proprietor, whose reputation had recently risen in Heaven Dou City.
Daring not to keep him waiting, she quickly stepped aside. "So you're Pavilion Master Yang. Please wait a moment. I'll inform my mistress right away."
A moment later, the maid hurried back, her expression respectful. "Pavilion Master Yang, my mistress is waiting in the music room on the second floor. Please follow me."
Yang Fan exchanged a glance with Lan Yin, then followed the maid along a quiet path paved with bluestone to the music room on the second floor.
As the door opened, melodious music flowed out like water.
The music room was furnished with exquisite taste. Several ink paintings hung on the walls, and a small incense burner sat on the table, wisps of smoke curling upward and lending the room a refined charm.
By the window, a woman in a pale blue dress sat before an ancient zither. Her features were beautiful and refined, and her manner gentle and noble.
Hearing footsteps, she paused her fingers and let the music fade before slowly turning around.
"Pavilion Master Yang, your distinguished presence brings honor to Moonlight Pavilion."
Tang Yuehua rose to her feet and gave a slight curtsy. Her voice was soft and pleasant, like an oriole emerging from the valley.
Yang Fan returned her greeting. "Mistress of Moonlight Pavilion, you're too kind. I've long heard that you're well versed in music and have refined taste. I hope you'll forgive my presumptuous visit."
As he spoke, he took the carefully arranged manuscripts and the Peony Jade Pendant from his sleeve and placed them on the table with both hands.
"I heard that you enjoy collecting curious tales and lyrics. I'm no great scholar, but I happened upon a few rare volumes left by those who came before. I've brought them for you to look over."
Tang Yuehua's gaze fell upon the stack of manuscripts, and a spark of curiosity appeared in her previously calm eyes. She reached out her slender hand and gently turned over the top sheet of rice paper.
She needed only one glance for her eyes to light up.
"'Ten years, living and dead, we've been worlds apart. I do not think of you, yet I cannot forget...'"
She softly read the lines on the page, her voice tinged with undisguised wonder.
"What beautiful words! Every line bleeds sorrow; every phrase breaks the heart!"
She eagerly continued turning through the pages, becoming more engrossed with each one. She even forgot about the jade pendant beside her.
Yang Fan stood to one side, a confident smile on his lips. He knew he had made the right move.
After a long while, Tang Yuehua finally closed the manuscripts, reluctant to part with them. She looked up at Yang Fan, gratitude and admiration in her eyes. "Pavilion Master Yang, these manuscripts are truly priceless! I can hardly bear to put them down. May I ask what you'd like in return?"
Yang Fan smiled faintly, knowing it was time to get to the point.
"I'm not asking for anything in return."
He spoke calmly. "I merely heard that Moonlight Pavilion has deep connections. I'm in urgent need of a metal called Sinking Silver. If you could point me in the right direction, these manuscripts can be a small token of my appreciation."
At this, Tang Yuehua considered his words in silence.
This young man was not only talented but also shrewd. He had managed to find his way here and brought a gift so perfectly suited to her tastes. Clearly, he had made thorough preparations.
"Sinking Silver..."
As she looked at Yang Fan, she couldn't understand why, but his bearing felt somewhat familiar. He seemed a little like... Ah Yin?
Her lips parted as she weighed her thoughts, then she spoke slowly. "This material is indeed rare... However, there happen to be a few pieces in Moonlight Pavilion's inner storehouse. If you're sincere, I can make the decision to spare you one."
Yang Fan was overjoyed, but kept his expression calm as he cupped his hands. "Then I thank you, Lady Yuehua, for your generosity!"
Tang Yuehua smiled and carefully put the stack of manuscripts away. "There's no need to thank me just yet, Pavilion Master Yang. I have a small request of my own."
"Please, go ahead."
For the sake of the Sinking Silver, Yang Fan was happy to agree as long as the request wasn't unreasonable.
"I hope that, if you come across any new stories or lyrics in the future, you'll bring them to me to share as soon as possible."
Anticipation shone in Tang Yuehua's eyes. She had struggled alone in Heaven Dou City, and these poems and stories were the only things that could soothe her somewhat lonely heart.
"I truly love these stories. As for the Sinking Silver, how about sending someone to collect it tomorrow at noon?"
Yang Fan replied respectfully, "Then I thank you, Lady Yuehua. I'll come by in person tomorrow."
The two of them chatted for a while longer about the poems and stories on the table. When it grew late, Tang Yuehua finally rose to see Yang Fan off and let him leave.