The most melodramatic rebirth in history

Chapter 60 Fog
"Autumn's heart is like the sea, rising and falling like the tide, but the soul of autumn cannot be summoned. The sparse tulips are on my arm, and the ancient jade pendant hangs gracefully at my waist."

As soon as I reached the second floor, a sweet voice came from behind the beaded curtain, carrying a hint of sorrow and regret, which made me feel sorry for her.

"Young lady, what troubles you?" A deep, warm voice rang out, and Zhang Yi turned in surprise to look at the man in black beside her.

"This humble woman is filled with worry, like the waves crashing against the shore; a sorrowful feeling surges into my heart like a tide…!" The veiled beauty behind the beaded curtain turned to stare at Feng Ling, her beautiful eyes trembling slightly.

"This aura... it feels so familiar!"

Feng Ling raised an eyebrow slightly, secretly wondering who this woman was.

Unexpectedly, a string melody suddenly rose into the air, elusive, winding, and melodious.

Soaring to the top of Miaoyin Pavilion, then drifting down to the foot of Jiuyou, sometimes high-pitched and rapid, sometimes with lingering echoes.

That was the familiar sound of the guzheng.

It is gentle and ethereal, seemingly about to burst forth yet about to retract, but at the moment of its return, it suddenly becomes powerful and resonant, with its own rhythm and cadence.

Its powerful and moving power lasts for three days, permeating every pore and flowing into people's hearts.

"The autumn wind sweeps away the fallen leaves, my loved ones have passed away, where will that jade-like soul drift to?" The woman did not move, but reached out from behind the beaded curtain and pointed to the window.

"Wow, it smells so good!" A bunch of tulips on her wrist quietly emitted a slightly intoxicating fragrance, and a dozen souls were gently stirred by the fragrance.

"Miss Miaoshuang, you may begin!"

In front of the twenty-three young women, the beautiful woman glanced at the eight people beside her, then turned her head and spoke gently to remind them.

"Hmm, good! Old lady."

The beautiful woman behind the beaded curtain parted her lips slightly and nodded in response to Madam Xu, then raised an eyebrow and looked at the group of people with different emotions.

"Seven people with grass growing on their heads, guess a word? Stop thinking, guess a word?" A sweet and melodious voice slowly came out from her cherry-like mouth.

"Please write your answers on paper," Miao Xuan said with a charming smile, leading several young women to distribute writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones to everyone. She waited quietly until everyone had finished writing before organizing and sending them over.

"The answer is: flower; the answer is: heart!"

After taking the calligraphy scrolls from the group, the woman glanced at them briefly, announced the results, and then whispered something in Miaoxuan's ear.

"Flower... heart!?"

Zhang Yi's body trembled slightly, his brows furrowed as he muttered to himself, seemingly absent-minded, his pupils filled with confusion and bewilderment.

"Could it be that there's something wrong with him?"

Feng Ling noticed Zhang Yi's unusual behavior and couldn't help but feel suspicious, thinking to himself, "Could it be that he knows the inside story of the Sun family's troubles? Or perhaps, he is the mastermind behind it all?"

For Feng Ling, drawing inferences from one instance to another is an easy task. He analyzes matters objectively and fairly, without letting personal feelings influence the outcome.

Even if Zhang Yi left a very good impression on Feng Ling, he would still take it into account when faced with suspicion of murder.

From the moment he met Sun Yuyang, Feng Ling appeared silent, but in reality, he was quietly pondering the ins and outs of the matter, and finally came to a conclusion: Sun Yunshan died a violent death!
"Sigh!" Feng Ling sighed, thinking to himself: I still need to investigate the specific situation in secret. I believe that with my current cultivation level, entering and leaving the Sun residence is no different from strolling in my own backyard.

Those who answer incorrectly or leave blank papers will be eliminated immediately; those who answer one question correctly can stay and continue.

Just as Feng Ling and the others were lost in thought, Miao Xuan stepped forward and announced the list of five people to be eliminated.

Immediately afterwards, she exchanged a glance with Madam Xu, who immediately understood and nodded slightly.

"Although it's a pity, it's not a wasted trip! My Miaoyin Pavilion will immediately arrange a banquet, with five talented women skilled in music playing the zither to toast the guests. Please wait patiently downstairs!"

"It would be impolite to refuse, so we thank Madam Xu in advance. Let's go downstairs and have a drink!"

The group clasped their hands in thanks, then turned and went downstairs together. Although they were feeling down, the thought of how they had made it to the finals made them feel better.

Having managed to find a loophole, and still receiving such hospitality, with several beautiful women accompanying him for drinks, he was already quite satisfied.

"Now it's time for the final quiz, and the rules are as follows:"
Those who guess both questions correctly must grant Miss Miaoshuang's three requests, provided it doesn't violate morality; otherwise, Miss Miaoshuang will grant them three requests!

"Any of you three disagree?"

After watching the five people go downstairs, Madam Xu turned to look at Feng Ling, Zhang Yi, and Wang Tiezhu.

"These rules are a bit strange, but I don't care!"

"It's nothing, no problem!"

Wang Tiezhu scratched his head and smiled sheepishly, while Zhang Yi waved his hand and spoke gently; both of them gave positive responses.

"Let's begin!"

Unfortunately, Feng Ling went even further, impatiently urging him on, and he solemnly awaited the question.

Feng Ling, however, had an urgent matter to attend to, an urgent matter that arose at the moment of "the sun and moon shining together".

"Okay! Let's continue."

Madam Xu smiled at the group and then nodded to the beautiful figure behind the beaded curtain.

After understanding, Miaoshuang gently parted her lips again: "Night after night, guess a word? One side is red, the other side is green; one side fears the wind, the other side fears the rain, guess a word?"

"hiss!"

The three of them gasped simultaneously, realizing that the difficulty had increased by a significant amount!

Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Yi looked at each other in dismay, clearly shocked because they were worried about how to solve the problem. However, Feng Ling's situation was different from theirs.

Because Feng Ling's shock stemmed from the answer he received after solving the problem!
After a while, the three of them were preoccupied with their own thoughts and dawdled for a long time before finally picking up their brushes and writing large characters in a flowing and elegant style.

"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Miss Miaoxuan!"

Feng, Ling, and the other two simultaneously put down their brushes, informed Miao Xuan, and handed over the calligraphy scrolls.

"The answer is: Many, the answer is: Autumn!" After looking at the three sheets of paper in her hand, Miao Shuang announced the answers and whispered them to Miao Xuan again. "Flirtatious and Autumnal!" Feng Ling muttered softly to himself, so much so that even Zhang Yi, who was closest to him, did not notice.

Duoqiu means "a time of many troubles". The initial guess of the word "hao" was already a subtle reminder to those who were interested that this riddle was about the affairs of a wealthy family. Now, the phrase "the death of relatives and the souls of the dead have no way to return" all indicate that this refers to the Sun family of the city lord's mansion!

Countless thoughts flashed through Feng Ling's mind, and finally he sighed softly, "Who exactly is this woman?"

"Congratulations, Feng Ling! You've won the championship in this final round by answering three questions correctly." Miao Xuan quickly walked up to Feng Ling and handed him a co-branded gold card in front of Zhang Yi and the others.

At this moment, Zhang Yi and Wang Tiezhu came to their senses and stepped forward to offer their congratulations. Zhang Yi no longer cared much about the money, but Wang Tiezhu's eyes burned with envy.

"Congratulations, Young Master Feng, on becoming a distinguished guest of my Miaoyin Pavilion!" Madam Xu also stepped forward with a smile to offer her congratulations, and then handed over the purple-gold VIP card in her hand.

"Wow! Congratulations, brother!"

Zhang Yi couldn't help but gasp, unable to contain his excitement any longer. He looked at Feng Ling with envy and offered his congratulations.

Congratulations!

Although Wang Tiezhu was very puzzled and had no idea what the Purple Gold VIP Card was for, it didn't stop him from stepping forward and pretending to follow the others.

"Thank you both! Thank you, Brother Zhang Yi and Brother Wang!"

Feng Ling clasped his hands in a fist and smiled slightly, then generously raised an eyebrow and accepted the two valuable pure gold cards.

"Luckily, we didn't get too close before!"

Seeing Zhang Yi nod and turn around, Feng Ling's heart stirred.

When he addressed Zhang Yi as "elder brother," he always included his full name, partly out of politeness, and partly to maintain a degree of appropriate distance.

Hypocritical!

This was the hint of negative emotion Feng Ling caught in Zhang Yi's gloomy gaze the moment Zhang Yi saw him receive the Purple Gold Card, went up to congratulate him, and turned away.

"Let me see what's so special about it?" After Madam Xu and Miao Xuan nodded and left, Feng Ling carefully examined the object in his hand.

"The power of ghosts and gods cannot detect the properties of this material?" Feng Ling was slightly taken aback, frowning as he looked at the purple-gold VIP card in his hand, which had "Miaoyin Pavilion" engraved on the front and "S" engraved on the back.

“Young City Lord, you were right and wrong both times. There is no need to promise or agree to any conditions!” Madam Xu bowed respectfully to Zhang Yi and announced the attached conditions according to the rules.

"Hmph! If it weren't for the fact that you're the young city lord, I would have kicked you out long ago. Why would I waste my breath on you!"

Seeing Zhang Yi nod calmly with a gloomy expression, showing no intention of leaving, Madam Xu couldn't help but feel a little angry and inwardly grumble.

"Wang Tiezhu, you only got one question right the first time, and got them all wrong the second time. According to the rules, you have three valid conditions that you can propose to Miss Miaoshuang or my Miaoyin Pavilion!" Suppressing her anger, Madam Xu smiled and looked at the honest and kind-hearted Wang Tiezhu.

It could be said that Wang Tiezhu brought her the most surprises.

According to the intelligence gathered by Miaoyin Pavilion, Wang Tiezhu comes from a poor family and has only an eighty-year-old mother who is suffering from illness.

In such circumstances, even though Wang Tiezhu was hardworking and traveled around to earn money, he still couldn't make ends meet.

As for studying in a private room, it was an even more distant and unattainable dream for him.

Yet this seemingly rough and unrefined man single-handedly made it to the finals of the lantern riddle guessing competition!
"Hehe, I don't have too many requests. I just ask that Miaoyin Pavilion can send its most beautiful lady to cure my mother's illness, so that she can enjoy a healthy old age!"

Wang Tiezhu appeared carefree, but tears welled up in his eyes uncontrollably.

Even though he tried his best to control his emotions, his eyes still reddened and his brows were wet.

"Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important! This person's filial piety is commendable and rare!" Feng Ling thought to himself with admiration.

Immediately, he became sorrowful and murmured sadly, "It's such a pity that I don't know my parents' names, where they are, or where they will go after they die. That damned Heaven, whether in this life or the last, won't even give me a single chance to fulfill my filial duty..."

As he thought of this, the image of a kind and amiable old Taoist priest appeared in his mind.

Feng Ling seemed to understand something, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart as she murmured, "That's right! I also have a kind...master!"

Once his thoughts were clear, a knot in Feng Ling's heart was finally untied silently, leaving him feeling exceptionally relaxed both physically and mentally.

"This... I'm afraid it will be difficult to handle!"

When Madam Xu heard Wang Tiezhu say this, she was surprised again. How did he know that the Miaoyin Pavilion's mental cultivation method had the effect of relieving the suffering of the poor and needy?

"I beg Madam Xu to consider his filial piety and send someone to save his life. That would be a great act of merit!"

Seeing Wang Tiezhu looking dejected and dejected, Feng Ling couldn't help but step forward and beg for his life.

"Alas...Young Master Feng, you are unaware of this!"

“A few days ago, our head musician of the Miaoyin branch was temporarily transferred. This young lady and I are now like sisters. Although her music is no less than that of the head musician, I’m not sure if she can cure illnesses!”

Upon hearing this, Madam Xu sighed helplessly, Feng Ling and Zhang Yi showed knowing expressions, while Wang Tiezhu looked even more dejected.

However, the group subconsciously overlooked an important piece of information—the Wonderful Sound Branch Pavilion!
"It's better than..."

Just as Feng Ling was about to volunteer and say "I'll treat him" to Wang Tiezhu, a sweet female voice came from behind the beaded curtain.

As the saying goes: A man does not easily shed tears, but his blood washes the mountains and rivers, and his white bones are covered by grass; his heart remains as iron until death.

Undeterred by dust and grime, my loyal heart shines brightly in the azure sky!

Waiting for the red pavilion and green waters to reappear in the painting, summoning the slender moon, the clear sounds of the empty valley, and the peach blossom water. But always, rain and wind batter, and the drifting clouds scatter. How lamentable!

"Mrs. Xu, I can cure this, both mentally and surgically. I'll take this case!"

Upon hearing this, everyone was overjoyed. Zhang Yi glanced at Wang Tiezhu with a glint in his eyes, while Feng Ling swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

"Phew!" Madam Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

She had just gone through a fierce internal struggle over whether or not to break her promise and play the piano again to treat patients.

*sobs*
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(End of this chapter)