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墨書 Inktalez
It was a typical Chinese three-courtyard residence, with a meticulously trimmed garden in front, where a few wintersweet trees were still blooming.
Lin Mingchang adjusted the collar of his dark wool coat and leaned slightly forward, lowering his voice to a near whisper. "Remember our identities; we are deep enthusiasts of ancient musical instruments. Do not appear too professional, nor too unfamiliar."
Shen Tong nodded gently. She wore an indigo satin qipao, draped with a gray shawl, her hair simply pinned up with a jade hairpin, looking both understated and elegant. In her right hand, she held a small brown leather bag containing several "research notes" she had prepared on short notice.
The door was opened by a middle-aged butler dressed in a blue traditional Chinese jacket. Rather than a mere butler, he resembled more of a bodyguard, his physique even more robust than Lin Mingchang's.
He scrutinized the two visitors with sharp eyes. "May I ask who you are?"
"My surname is Lin, and this is Miss Shen. We are here to visit Mr. Mo; we made an appointment yesterday," Lin Mingchang replied with calm assurance, taking out a business card from his inner pocket and handing it over.
The butler glanced at the card and then sized up Lin Mingchang again. "Please follow me."
He turned and led them into the residence. Shen Tong followed closely behind, and just as they passed through the front courtyard, she suddenly felt an unsettling sensation wash over her, causing her to discreetly narrow her eyes.
The trio arrived at the second courtyard and entered a spacious and elegantly decorated hall adorned with several ancient paintings of musicians.
The atmosphere in the air was strikingly similar to the fluctuations of Death Qi that Shen Tong had sensed recently, yet it felt more restrained, as if suppressed by some force.
"Please wait here; Mr. Mo will be with you shortly," the butler said before exiting the hall.
After a brief moment, a warm voice came from a side door. "Interesting guests."
They turned to see an elderly man with graying temples walking towards them slowly. He wore a finely tailored deep blue long gown and had a lean face with an elegant demeanor, though his eyes were unusually deep-set.
"Mr. Mo." Lin Mingchang inclined his head slightly. "Thank you for taking the time to meet us."
"Mr. Lin is too polite." Mo Wen's gaze drifted past Lin Mingchang and landed on Shen Tong, where a fleeting glimmer of something unusual sparkled in his eyes. "This must be Miss Shen, whom you mentioned during our appointment? I hear she has unique insights into ancient musical instruments."
Shen Tong met Mo Wen's gaze directly and replied calmly, "I am flattered; I only have a modest understanding. I have heard that you possess an extensive collection and are particularly skilled in Konghou, so I took the liberty of coming to seek your guidance."
Mo Wen chuckled softly. "Miss Shen is being overly modest. Please follow me; I happen to have some collections to share with both of you."
He led them through the courtyard and up some steps to an independent small building in the backyard.
Pushing open the intricately carved wooden door revealed various ancient musical instruments on display, each meticulously maintained and exuding a faint scent of sandalwood.
"These are the fruits of my labor over many years." Mo Wen gently brushed his fingers across the strings of an ancient guqin, producing a subtle tremor of sound. "Music is the art that reaches directly to the soul; wouldn’t you agree, Miss Shen?"
Shen Tong nodded in agreement and feigned curiosity as she approached a small Konghou with an antiquated design, pretending to be an amateur as she asked, "Is this the legendary Konghou? It looks smaller than I imagined."
Mo Wen walked closer at a leisurely pace. "This is merely a replica; true ancient Konghous are much larger and have richer tones."
He paused for a moment, fixing his gaze on Shen Tong's eyes, and said, "To be honest, I have been dedicated to restoring a true 'Emperor's Konghou' in recent years. It is said to produce melodies capable of resonating with the Yoke of Hearts."
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