(It satisfies some private, proud creature in his heart, to see his gift for this notoriously difficult instrument appreciated by others. Jin Guangyao watches Shen Yuan's expression once his friend's eyes have closed, and if he decides to indulge a little in demonstrating his prowess at the an technique, drawing out a vibrato from the plucked notes as the fingers of his opposite hand glide across the strings, well, let him have this, okay, just let him show off a little.)

"How should this humble one address the esteemed Xiu Ya, should he have cause to speak with her?" Leaving aside the fact that he can, apparently, now speak to someone else's spiritual weapon because, sure, fine, he can accept that--but a spiritual tool is something to be revered and respected, and he would not wish to be rude. He lets his eyes drop from Shen Yuan's serene featured back to the guqin and fans his fingertips across the strings, relishing the lush sound of the harmonics filling the air around them.