"It is no trouble," he assures her. "I am not disturbed, and am glad to show you." Given how carefully she is examining the instrument, he adds, "This is my guqin. The choice of instrument is left to the musician, in large part. My brother plays the xiao, and Wei Ying the dizi."

Also remembering how upset, how angry Harrow had been that she had not noticed the effect, and wishing to avoid a repeat of that experience, Lan Wangji explains, "I will play first without using spiritual energy, then will repeat the melody while putting spiritual energy into the music. You should be able to discern a difference."

He sets his fingers to the strings and begins Tranquility.