In Jixiang County lived a man named Li Sheng, whose mastery of the zither was profound. Once, passing through the eastern suburbs, he chanced upon a group of laborers digging earth, who had unearthed an ancient guqin. Li Sheng, instantly captivated, bought it for a pittance. Back home, upon cleaning the instrument, it emitted a strange, brilliant light that illuminated his entire room. Tuning and playing it, the music that emerged was pure and intense; he was overcome with joy, feeling as if he had acquired a priceless treasure. He carefully wrapped the guqin in a silk pouch and hid it in a secret chamber, refusing to show it to anyone.

The County Magistrate Cheng, whose passion for the zither bordered on obsession, had recently taken office. He prepared a formal invitation and visited Li Sheng’s residence. Li Sheng cherished tranquility and rarely socialized; the Magistrate’s unsolicited visit struck him as a great kindness, and he wholeheartedly sought his acquaintance. They exchanged banquets, discussed poetry and wine as friends, and through repeated visits, they gradually grew intimate.

Magistrate Cheng possessed an utterly refined demeanor, his discourse elegant and free-flowing. Li Sheng admired his literary talent and found himself visiting frequently. Thus, they dined and drank together day after day, time slipping by unnoticed until a full year had elapsed.

One day, Magistrate Cheng hosted a banquet for Li Sheng at his own home. On the wooden table in the main hall rested a wooden qin. Li Sheng’s eyes lit up upon seeing it; he picked it up, handling it with deep affection, unable to put it down. Magistrate Cheng inquired, "Could it be, Brother Li, that you too are a devotee of the Way of the Qin?" Li Sheng laughed, "The instrument of the qin is, in fact, my life’s greatest passion."

Cheng remarked, "I see. Though we have been acquainted for a hundred days, I have never witnessed Brother Li perform. Would you favor me with a piece?" As he spoke, he had incense lit and strings tuned, urging Li Sheng with great earnestness. Li Sheng gladly consented, immediately settling his mind and concentrating his spirit, then displayed his virtuosity on the instrument. Cheng listened intently, praising him: "A supreme master! Such skill on the qin is truly unparalleled. I confess I feel a sudden itch in my fingers and wish to play a piece myself. Please forgive any clumsy errors." With a lighthearted remark, he took up the qin and played a piece called Yufeng Qu (Ode to Controlling the Wind). The sound was piercingly clear, possessing an air of transcendent purity.

Li Sheng was utterly captivated and praised him from the bottom of his heart: "Your Excellency possesses immense talent! Please forgive my presumption, but I humbly beg you to accept me as your student and impart your zither skills. I would be eternally grateful." Cheng replied, "We are friends through poetry and discourse, equals in our interactions. Do not mention taking a student again. As for our skills, we can certainly spar with each other and study together."

From then on, the two men bonded over the qin, their friendship deepening considerably.

Another year turned. Li Sheng had thoroughly absorbed all the essential teachings from Magistrate Cheng. Yet, every time Cheng visited, Li Sheng would only present an ordinary fine qin for their acquaintance; the ancient guqin he treasured so deeply was never revealed. One evening, after sharing wine, Cheng mentioned, "I recently composed a new piece; I wonder if Brother Li would be interested in hearing it?" He tuned a string, waved his hand, and played a section of Xiang Fei Diao (Lament of the Xiang River Goddess). The music was mournful and poignant, bringing tears to the listener's eyes.

Li Sheng was entranced, praising it repeatedly.

Cheng sighed, "The melody is fine, but I regret the lack of a superior instrument. If I possessed a truly excellent guqin, this Xiang Fei Diao could be played even better." Unaware of any hidden motive, Li Sheng laughed heartily, "What a coincidence! I happen to possess an ancient guqin myself. Having met a true connoisseur, how could I dare keep it secret?" With that, he retired to his chamber and brought forth the guqin, placing it upon the table.

The ancient instrument was still wrapped in its silk pouch, its divine aura subdued, its light hidden. Cheng reached out, carefully untied the pouch, and took out the guqin. He delicately dusted it off, rested it on the table, and began to play. The music that flowed was enchanting, simultaneously firm and yielding, indescribably beautiful.

Li Sheng listened closely, tapping the rhythm with his hand, his expression rapturous.

Cheng remarked, "My technique is clumsy, unworthy of such a fine instrument. To be frank, Brother Li, my own wife is also skilled with the qin. If my dear spouse were to play it, it would finally achieve perfection."

Li Sheng was both surprised and delighted, asking, "Could it be that Madam Cheng also plays?"

Cheng replied, "More than just plays—she has mastered it. That piece just now was taught to me by my wife."

Li Sheng sighed, "It is only a pity that men and women must remain separate; I have no opportunity to call upon her."

Cheng said, "Our friendship is intimate; there is no need for such formalities. If you genuinely wish to hear her play, bring your guqin tomorrow when you visit. I shall endeavor to persuade my wife to play a piece for you from behind the screen." Li Sheng nodded profusely in agreement.

The next day, Li Sheng duly arrived with his qin. Cheng arranged a feast, and they drank heartily together.

During the meal, Li Sheng presented the ancient guqin and implored Cheng to arrange the music. Cheng took the instrument and went inside, then quickly reappeared. Soon, footsteps sounded, and a graceful lady emerged, appearing to be in her early twenties. She bowed from behind the screen, her fragrance wafting over.

Presently, melodious qin music drifted from behind the curtain—an unknown piece, but upon careful listening, Li Sheng felt his heart stirred and his very soul transported. When the piece ended, Cheng raised his cup to urge him to drink. The music started again, this time a piece called Xian Qing Zhi Fu (Ode to Leisurely Sentiment). Li Sheng was intoxicated and utterly besotted, downing several bowls of fine wine until he felt drowsy. Realizing that staying longer would surely lead to a loss of composure, he resolved to leave and requested his guqin back.

Cheng said, "Brother Li is quite drunk now. Carrying a qin while intoxicated could lead to accidental damage. Why not leave the guqin here for safekeeping and retrieve it tomorrow? By then, my wife can showcase her talents and play to her heart’s content. How about that?" Li Sheng, suspecting nothing, nodded and agreed.

The following day, Li Sheng returned as promised. When he looked, the courtyard gate was shut tight, the courtyard silent, and there was no sign of Magistrate Cheng. He inquired of the old gatekeeper, who replied, "Around the fifth watch, the Master took his family and departed hastily. We don't know where they went; he said he would return in three days."

Three days later, Li Sheng visited again, but there was still no trace of Cheng. The entire household was filled with suspicion. They went to investigate Cheng's living quarters; inside, only the beds remained. The antique calligraphy, paintings, gold, silver, and fine furnishings were all gone. They reported the matter to the County Magistrate, who appeared equally baffled, truly unaware why his subordinate had departed without notice.

Li Sheng lost his instrument without cause and neglected both eating and sleeping. He remembered Cheng once mentioning he was a native of Jing-Chu, so Li Sheng traveled a thousand li toward the Chu territories to seek news of Cheng’s whereabouts. The local populace informed him: "There is no one named Cheng here, but three years ago, a Daoist lived here who was skilled in the art of gold transmutation. He vanished inexplicably later, apparently having bought his official post as the County Magistrate of Jixiang."

Li Sheng suddenly understood: there was no doubt that the Daoist was Magistrate Cheng. The reason he had bought his office was entirely for that ancient guqin. He had endured three years, stringing Li Sheng along with feigned friendship, which was truly despicable.