The aunt and niece were discussing the timbre. As the three siblings of the Lu family were not very proficient, they just sat aside and listened.
Lu Wanning's mind was entirely focused on the inscription on the jade screen. She would meet the Empress Dowager at the New Year's Eve palace banquet and present the jade screen at that time. There were only a few days left, yet she hadn't even found someone to inscribe it.
Her second elder brother, Lu Hanniun, looked like a martial artist at first glance. His calligraphy was probably not very good. As for her elder brother, Lu Hanchi, although he was well - versed in both literature and martial arts, he had been taught by the prince. His calligraphy was likely to be as vigorous as the prince's, which might not be suitable.
Whose calligraphy was both elegant and not overly forceful?
Lu Hanchi didn't know what his younger sister was thinking. Seeing her staring intently and excitedly at their mother and He Nanfeng playing the musical instruments, he thought she was very interested. He remembered that when she was young, she only liked practicing martial arts and had no interest in musical instruments or chess. Could it be that she had finally developed an interest as she grew up?
"Do you want to have a try, Ning'er?"
Just as the princess and He Nanfeng finished a piece and were discussing it, they heard Lu Hanchi's voice and both turned around. The princess knew her daughter's temperament and didn't expose her in front of others.
But He Nanfeng suddenly laughed, stood up, and nodded to Lu Wanning. "Does cousin also have a study of music? What's your opinion on the piece 'Falling Flowers on Flowing Water' that I just played with aunt?"
Lu Wanning quickly stood up and waved her hands awkwardly. "No, about that just now, I..."
He Nanfeng seemed to remember something and asked, "By the way, I haven't asked cousin yet. Do you like the gift I gave you last time?"
Before Lu Wanning could fully think, the words blurted out of her mouth. "I like it very much. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, cousin. I..."
The smile in He Nanfeng's eyes deepened. "Aunt's flute playing was extremely wonderful when she was young. I thought cousin would be just as good. I wonder if cousin would be willing to take out the jade flute and play a duet with me?"
Lu Wanning was completely stunned. Not only did she not know how to play the flute, but even if she did, where could she get a flute?
The princess didn't know that her daughter had given away the jade flute. She thought her daughter was embarrassed because she was not good at music and quickly tried to smooth things over. "Speaking of flute playing, it reminds me of the time when I was young, playing the zither and flute with my close friends. Ning'er, go get the jade flute. I'll play a duet with your cousin."
He Nanfeng had already sat down, looking like he was getting ready.
With her head down, Lu Wanning had no choice but to answer honestly. "Well... Mom, I... I gave the flute away."
The princess was shocked. "Gave it away? You gave away the gift your cousin gave you?"
Not daring to raise her head, Lu Wanning slowly walked forward and bowed to He Nanfeng. "Cousin, it's my fault. Since I'm not good at music, I thought the jade flute was extraordinary. It would be a waste in my hands. If I gave it to someone who was destined for it, it could be put to better use. Please forgive me."
He Nanfeng didn't expect Lu Wanning to be so sincere. He just stood up to avoid her bow.
The princess asked again, "Who did you give the jade flute to?"
Lu Wanning half - opened her mouth. She had given it to the Prince of Yu, but how could she say that? And how could she explain the "destined person"? Would the princess think that she had feelings for Sheng Jinyu?
Fortunately, He Nanfeng spoke up. "Aunt, cousin, it doesn't matter. It was my oversight. I didn't know cousin was not good at music and gave an inappropriate gift. If cousin gave it to someone who can play the flute, that's where the jade flute belongs."
Hearing her cousin's words to smooth things over, Lu Wanning looked at him gratefully. What a nice guy her cousin was! He didn't blame her for giving away the jade flute and even helped her out. He was really a good person!
When seeing her nephew again, the princess was in an extremely good mood. He Nanfeng was also very considerate. He accompanied the princess for an entire afternoon. When the princess showed signs of fatigue, he finally got up to say goodbye.
The princess reluctantly held He Nanfeng's hand, and her eyes couldn't help but turn red. "Nanfeng, I'm your aunt. If there's anything in the future, you must tell aunt, okay?"
He Nanfeng smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry, aunt. I know."
The princess still held his hand and felt the calluses on his palm. Her eyes got even redder. "Nanfeng, you've suffered. You're so young, yet you have calluses on your hands?"
He Nanfeng relaxed his eyebrows slightly. "Aunt, what are you saying? If we're talking about calluses, I'm not even half as good as my two cousins."
"They're military generals. Why are you comparing yourself with them?"
This remark was really partial, but He Nanfeng's face was full of warmth.
When they reached the courtyard, they saw Lu Wanning sitting on the swing, dangling her legs and in a daze.
He Nanfeng felt a bit guilty for having teased her earlier, so he walked over and pushed the swing for her.
Lu Wanning was startled. When she saw it was him, she quickly jumped off the swing and bowed. "Cousin."
He Nanfeng asked, "Cousin has been in a daze for so long. Do you have something on your mind? You might as well tell me. Maybe I can help you figure it out."
Lu Wanning didn't intend to hide it from him. She just asked indirectly. "Cousin, what's your relationship with Miss Shi from your family?"
He Nanfeng frowned. He also knew about the conflicts between Lu Wanning, Fu Rongxuan, and Shi Aohan. He wondered if Lu Wanning still had feelings for Fu Rongxuan.
"Although Miss Shi lives in the He family, she's not really a member of the He family. It's inconvenient for me to meet her privately."
When he mentioned the word "live in", He Nanfeng felt a bit bitter. Thinking about it, in the He family, he wasn't sure whether it was Miss Shi who was living in or if it was himself.
Lu Wanning thought that in the original book, there was no mention of He Nanfeng being a sycophant to Shi Aohan. Calculating it, he should indeed be unfamiliar with her.
Only then did she tell him everything. "It's like this. A few days ago, I picked out a gift for the Empress Dowager, but it needs an inscription on it... My calligraphy is not suitable."
He Nanfeng didn't ask her why it was not suitable. He just carefully inquired about what kind of person's calligraphy was needed.
Lu Wanning calculated. "It has to be someone the Empress Dowager likes. The calligraphy can't be too rigid. But the calligraphy of my father and elder brothers is too forceful and lacks softness. For a while, I don't know who to ask."
He Nanfeng thought for a moment and said, "His Highness the Prince of Yu is excellent at painting. His calligraphy is unique and not like that of ordinary men. If cousin is willing, you can ask him for help."
Lu Wanning's eyes lit up. Sheng Jinyu? If she could ask Sheng Jinyu for help, wouldn't she be getting closer to him?
"That's great. The Prince of Yu is also the Empress Dowager's grandson. Thank you, cousin!"
He Nanfeng squinted his eyes and watched Lu Wanning's back. His eyes flashed slightly. This girl first gave away the jade flute and got so excited when mentioning Jinyu. Could it be...
After Lu Wanning returned to her room, she was puzzled. How did He Nanfeng know what the Prince of Yu's calligraphy was like? Were they very familiar? Logically speaking, shouldn't the Crown Prince, who was his cousin, be closer to him?
However, it was hard to say. This He Nanfeng was just briefly mentioned in the original book. She didn't know his habits or hobbies, nor which side he was on. She might as well consider him neutral for now. Anyway, he had helped her a great deal today.