nucmednet Chapter 408 Gu Wenlin's First Glimpse of Talent
Chapter 408 Gu Wenlin's First Glimpse of Talent
The wheels relentlessly crushed the last clump of withered camel thorns, making a crisp snapping sound, as if the desert were protesting against them one last time. Princess Wen's fingertips involuntarily tightened around the tassels of the carriage curtain, as if she could grasp a familiar feeling in doing so.
Just three days ago, she could still see the faint silhouettes of the dark green mountains on the horizon, the direction of her familiar hometown. But now, all that remained before her was an endless expanse of golden sand, gleaming blindingly under the scorching sun, evoking a sense of boundless desolation and loneliness.
She gazed silently at the scenery outside the carriage through the crack in the window. A thin layer of sand had covered the eldest son, Gu Wenhua's, dark brocade robe, making the once-glorious fabric appear somewhat dull. The jade pendant at his waist tapped lightly against the saddle with the horse's movements, producing a soft, tinkling sound that was remarkably clear in the silent desert.
"Mother, look!" The voice of the second son, Gu Wenye, suddenly came from outside the carriage, clear and excited, typical of a young man. Princess Wenqin quickly looked up and followed the direction he was pointing.
Wen Ye reined in his horse, and the fine sand kicked up by his steed transformed into a golden mist in the sunlight, dreamlike and ethereal. His figure appeared exceptionally agile against this golden backdrop. He pointed into the distance and shouted, "Beacon tower!"
Princess Wen gazed into the distance and indeed saw a yellowish-brown beacon tower standing in the desert, like a solitary tower. At the top of the beacon, a tattered flag fluttered in the wind, as if telling of its former glory and present desolation.
This beacon tower was the boundary marker between the Great Xia and the Western Regions. Its appearance signified that they had officially entered the borders of the Shule Kingdom. Princess Wen gently touched her chest, feeling the gilded amulet hidden beneath her clothes—a gift from Empress Dowager Ye Qingchen before their departure, engraved with dense Sanskrit mantras.
Suddenly, a sandstorm arose.
"Protect the Princess!" The commander of the vanguard battalion's shout was torn to shreds by the wind. Princess Wenqin was pressed against the carriage wall by her maid, her ears filled with the rustling sound of sand and gravel hitting the carriage, like thousands of tiny fingernails scratching at the wooden planks. She held her breath, smelling the scent of camel hair and sandalwood—a sachet commonly used by merchants from the Western Regions, which the envoy from Shule had secretly slipped into her bag that morning.
As the sandstorm subsided and the carriage curtain was lifted, Gu Wenlin's back, sword in hand, came into view. This usually aloof Prince Lin, his robes billowing, sand clinging to his dark hair, danced like a silver streak amidst the swirling yellow sand. His sword tip held up half a tattered prayer flag, its faded lotus pattern unfurling in the wind, like a fleeting moment of beauty blooming in the desert.
"Please look, Your Highness." Gu Wenlin sheathed his sword and pointed it to the horizon.
As twilight descended, the outline of a city emerged from the sand and mist. Towering domed buildings, bathed in the rosy glow of the sunset, had stained-glass spires that refracted a rainbow of light, resembling a legendary glass wonderland. Princess Wen suddenly recalled a passage from palace records: "The capital of the Western Regions is called 'Yuezhi City,' its walls shaped like a crescent moon, and its palaces adorned with jewels."
What was even more breathtaking was the sudden burst of light at the city gates. Hundreds of sheepskin lanterns lit up one after another along the city wall, their orange glow spreading in the twilight like stars fallen to earth. As the convoy drew closer, Princess Wen finally made out the reliefs above the city gates—a coiled winged dragon holding a crescent moon in its mouth, its scales inlaid with tiny turquoise stones that gleamed softly in the lamplight.
"Creak—" The heavy city gates slowly opened, and a warm breeze carrying the aromas of frankincense, myrrh, and roasted meat wafted out. The leading minister from the Western Regions, dressed in a long robe embroidered with peacock feathers in gold thread, the agate beads hanging from his chest jingling softly with his bow: "Honored guests from Great Xia have traveled a long way. Yuezhi City has prepared a welcome banquet; please proceed to the royal palace."
Princess Wen, aided by her maid, alighted from the carriage. The moment her embroidered shoes touched the ground, the clear sound of copper bells rang out. Looking up, she saw a troupe of dancers approaching, their movements rhythmic. They wore pointed hats adorned with silver bells, their bare feet treading on the fine sand, each twirl sending up shimmering golden light. The lead woman had skin as white as snow, and her eyes, outlined with indigo paint like butterflies poised for flight, held the starlight of the entire desert within their deep brown pupils.
Gu Wenye unconsciously took a half step forward, but was pulled back by Gu Wenhua. This usually composed young master also held his breath slightly, his gaze following the silver chains swaying at the waists of the dancers. Gu Wenlin, on the other hand, remained calm, but his fingers, which were stroking the hilt of his sword, paused for a moment—he had clearly glimpsed a short blade hidden in the sleeve of one of the dancers as they passed by.
After passing through three archways, the group finally arrived at the palace's forecourt. In the central fountain, nine white jade camels raised their heads to the sky, spouting water that drew shimmering arcs in the night air. The surrounding pillars were entwined with vine-like gold ornaments, each leaf inlaid with rubies, which, illuminated by candlelight, resembled solidified flames.
"Please have some tea, everyone." The maidservant kneeled on the Persian carpet, pouring amber liquid from the silver spout, which shimmered with a honey-colored luster in the moonlight. Princess Wen took a small sip, her tongue first tasting a slight bitterness, followed by a strange aftertaste, as if a clear spring was flowing in her throat.
Just then, music suddenly began. Twelve men knelt in a corner, their instruments strangely shaped: some like crescent moons, others like inverted water ladles. As the strings were plucked, ethereal melodies echoed through the courtyard. In a trance, Princess Wen seemed to see the yellow sand transform into blue waves, and the camel bells into fishermen's songs.
“These are our unique Western Region instruments, the 'Konghou' and 'Huobusi',” the Western Region Prime Minister explained with a smile, his eyes crinkling with laughter. “I’ve heard that everyone in Great Xia is a master of the zither, unparalleled in the capital. Would you do me the honor of playing a duet?”
Upon hearing this, the courtyard fell silent. Princess Wen frowned slightly—she knew, of course, that this seemingly warm invitation was actually a test of Great Xia by the Western Regions kingdoms. Turning to look at Gu Wenlin, she saw that Prince Lin had already risen, the jade pendant at his waist reflecting a cold light in the candlelight: "Your Highness, Aunt, your journey has been arduous; perhaps I should do it for you."
As Gu Wenlin approached the musicians, Princess Wen noticed his deliberately slowed pace—a "probing step" taught to him by his master when he was young, seemingly casual but actually allowing him to detect any unusual movement on the ground. When he took Huo Busi from the zither, his fingertips lightly touched the strings, and all those present who understood music were startled—this seemingly simple act of testing the strings subtly hinted at the opening notes of "Ambush from Ten Sides."
When the music resumed, the air was filled with the clash of swords and the thunder of horses. Gu Wenlin's powerful and sharp playing clashed with the ethereal melodies of the Western Region musicians, creating a wondrous synergy. Princess Wen, gazing at Prince Lin's tall and imposing figure, suddenly recalled the image of him at eight years old, when he first wielded a sword in the Imperial Garden. Back then, the boy could barely grip the hilt, yet now, in a foreign land, he could use music as a sword, intimidating his enemies. This child was far more skilled than her son!
As the music ended, thunderous applause filled the courtyard. The Prime Minister of the Western Regions clapped his hands and laughed, "Prince Lin truly lives up to his reputation! I wonder if the other princes of Great Xia possess such talent?" Before he could finish speaking, Gu Wenye couldn't contain himself any longer and leaped onto the stone table in the center of the courtyard: "Though I am not skilled in music, I can certainly add to the merriment with a sword dance!"
Just then, a melodious flute tune suddenly drifted from the depths of the palace. The sound was clear and ethereal, as if it came from the clouds, yet seemed to linger in one's ears. Gu Wenye's sword strike paused, and everyone looked in the direction of the sound. They saw a woman in white leaning against a carved archway, a jade flute in her hand gleaming with a warm luster. She wore a silver laurel wreath in her hair, her deep brown eyes sparkling with laughter, and the vermilion birthmark between her brows standing out prominently in the night.
"Greetings, distinguished guest of Great Xia." The woman set down her jade flute, the silver bells tinkling as she bowed. "I am Princess Ayina, the Third Princess of the Western Regions. Hearing of your arrival from afar, I have come to pay my respects." As she rose, her gaze swept over Gu Wenlin, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. "Prince Lin's 'Fire-Bu-Si' is played with even more wildness than the musicians of our Shule."
Gu Wenlin replied calmly, "Your Highness flatters me; I am merely showing off my limited skills before an expert."
Ayina chuckled softly, tapping the ground lightly with her jade flute. "I just came to check on things. My brother is already waiting for all the distinguished guests." As she spoke, she deliberately glanced at Gu Wenlin; this young man was simply too outstanding!