In the next few days, Linqin exited her home with a veiled hat, covering her features were ever she went.  When she visited the homes of the customers to speak upon the customer’s order, she still did not take her veiled hat off.  Which caused a bigger stir between the nobility.

There were rumors that the Zither Master was scared and didn’t want others to see her.  While other rumors stated that she was too beautiful, like a fairy, and didn’t want to show herself to others.  When her past rumors of her beauty was brought up, more people leaned towards her being beautiful.

When she went to talk to the fourth personal custom order, it so happened to be the Shen Estate.  Lady Shen also played the zither when she was young. However as she grew up, she stopped playing, but she liked to collect them.  

Linqin, along with two maids and Kei came out of her estate.  Instead to getting on to the carriage to be dropped off next door, she decided to walk there instead.  The people on the street saw the strangeness in her actions and wondered who exactly was she.

The guards stopped her and her group before the gates and Kei handed the guard Linqin’s store talisman.  

“Tell Lady Shen, the zither Master is here for her personal custom order.”  Kei told the guard.

The guard looked at the talisman before handing it over and sending another guard to send the message.  A few minutes later the guard runs back and with a few words, Linqin and her group is let in.

The Shen estate was three times larger than her estate, but Linqin didn’t mind, she didn’t have to worry so much about the upkeep of her property and it was only for her small family.  

They followed the servant to one of the many courtyards and waited in the receiving room as tea was quickly served to her.  Linqin looked around the nicely decorated room before looking out the window to enjoy the view.

Time passed however Linqin didn’t mind as the tea she was given was quite tasty.  By her third teacup, Lady Shen arrived with hurried footsteps as if she had been running.  

“Please forgive me for my lateness.”  Lady Shen said as her eyes landed on Linqin’s completely veiled face.  “I did not expect my guests would stay for so long and did not receive you at the time we agreed upon.  It was not my intentions to slight you.”

“There is nothing to apologize for.”  Linqin told Lady Shen. “I have enjoyed your tea and had not realize the time.”  

Lady Shen pulled out her fan and began to fan her face, to cool her body heat down she drank cold tea.  

“If you like the tea, I’ll send some home with you.”  Lady Shen told her. “And should you need some more in the future, do not hesitate to ask, we can gift you more.”  

“Thank you, Lady Shen.”  Linqin told her.

Linqin let Lady Shen catch her breath first before getting down to business.  They spoke about Lady Shen’s favorite flowers, poetry, and paintings to get a sense of her likes and dislikes.  They then spoke upon her favorite colors, clothing designs and jewelry.

After two hours, Linqin got a sense of Lady Shen’s preference.  

“May I trouble Lady Shen with some paper and ink.”  Linqin asked.

“Of course.”  Lady Shen said as she ordered one of her servants to get the items requested.  

The paper and ink was quickly delivered and as the ink stone was being prepared by one of Linqin’s servants, Linqin folded her sleeves back.  Linqin then began to draw a zither with intricate designs and from different angles so Lady Shen could see how the zither would look like.

“Wonderful!”  Lady Shen said as she held the first piece of paper in her hand.  “Beautiful.”

The second piece of paper was a drawing of the back of the zither with a detailed list of what materials Linqin would use.  

“Very good.”  Lady Shen complemented once again as she nodded her head.  “Zither Master, you are truly as talented as they say you are.”  

“Lady Shen praises too much.”  

“It is Zither Master that is too humble.”  

“Then I hope my drawing is to your liking before I begin making it.”  

“Of course!  It’s perfect!”  Lady Shen told her as General Shen and Weisheng came to the receiving room.   

“What is perfect?”  General Shen asked as his eyes fell on the woman wearing the hat veil.  The woman’s features underneath the hat veil could hardly be seen, but she something about her looked familiar.  Weisheng followed his father inside of the room and he was completely speechless. 

“Look, husband.  The Zither Master has created this masterpiece personally for me.”  Lady Shen told him.

General Shen looked down at the drawings and nodded his head.  

“Looks good.”  General Shen said as he sat next to his wife.  “As long as you like it, it doesn’t matter how much it cost.”  

“You spoil me so much.”  Lady Shen said as she lovingly bumped into him.  

“Husband, this is the Zither Master everyone has been talking about.  Zither Master, this is…”

“I know who he is.”  Linqin said as she cut Lady Shen off.  “We had the pleasure to meet one another three years ago.  You’re husband saved my life.”

“What?  Husband, why didn’t you tell me you know the Zither Master.”  

“I am sorry, Zither Master, but I do not remember when we could have met.  Three years ago, I was fighting at the border, how could we have had a chance to meet?”  General Shen asked as he scratched his head in confusion.

“May we be left alone for a moment?”  Linqin requested.

“Clear the room.  Make sure no one is near.”  General Shen ordered.

Every servant cleared the room, leaving the four of them alone.  When the door closed, Linqin took down her veiled hat and uncovered her face.  

“Linqin!?!  You’re the famous Zither Master?!?”  General Shen said in surprise.

“Long time no see, General Shen.”  Linqin said as she stood up and bowed to him.  

“Husband?”  Lady Shen asked with a questioning look.  

“She....she is Li Na.”  General Shen told them.

Lady Shen’s eyes opened wide in surprise and she nodded her head in understanding.  Her and her husband held nothing from each other and knew who the young woman in front of her was.  Her heart immediately began to feel pain for Li Na’s past as she quickly looked up to stop herself from crying.  

“Please stand up and sit.  I told you long ago, that you do not have to bow to me any longer.”  General Shen told her.

“Yes, but I must honor my elders when they are present.”  Linqin told him as she sat down.

“How is your family?  Did you accomplish what you set out to do?”  General Shen asked.

“Of course.”  Linqin told him truthfully.  “It took two years, but Mother and Sister is finally free from their slave bonds.  They can now live well as I make a living for us.”

“That is good.  I am glad your family is once again reunited.  I can finally meet your Father in the afterlife with my head held up high.”  

“For what you have done for me, General Shen, you and your family are my benefactors.  And that is why, the zither that Lady Shen has ordered, will not need to be paid for. I will gift it to Lady Shen, for it is all I can do for you, to pay you back.”  

“Nonsense!  We will pay for your work!”  General Shen began to argue. “It is only right!  You are working so hard for your Mother and Sister.  It is only right that we pay for the zither that you will make for my wife.”    

“Even if you give me the money, I will not accept it.  You have already done so much for me. Please let me do this little thing for your family.”  Linqin told them. “Besides, as the Zither Master, I have been able to save a lot of money and make more money in the future.”  

“Dear child.”  Lady Shen said as she sighed.  “If this is what you want, then we’ll give in to you on this, but you must join us for dinner.”  

“Very well.”  Linqin agreed to Lady Shen’s request.  

Before the servants came back, Linqin pulled out a see through silk mask to cover the bottom half of her face.  Once the mask was on, the servants came back with fresh tea, while they cleared the table and set the table with food.  

“What have you been doing since the last time I saw you.”  General Shen asked.

Linqin smiled bitterly and told them of her struggles and her journey to success.  Once she finished they could hardly believe her words.

“Now you live next door to us?”  Lady Shen asked.

“I do.”  Linqin told them. “It was a fortuitous event that caused me to buy the home next to yours.  And as your new neighbor, please take care of me.”

“Of course!  Of course!” Lady Shen told her.  “Whenever you want to come over, just send us a calling card and you’ll always  be welcomed.”

“Thank you, Lady Shen.”  Linqin said as she bowed her head.  

After dinner was served, they asked about Linqin’s family and plans for the future.  When they heard that she didn’t plan on getting married and to take care of her mother, Lady Shen and General Shen frowned at the thought of the sweet lady in front of them not having someone by her side.  

“Your mother and I are good friends.  Please let her know that I have missed her company and that I would like to visit her sometime.”  Lady Shen said. “Please tell her to accept the calling card and let her know that my home is always open to her as well.”  

“Of course.”  Linqin said as she set her chopsticks down.