Scholar Che sighed, “Brother Zhou, you also know that in my current state, I can’t do anything. To get some money, I can only find alternative ways. In the Flying Flower House, I know some customers like this Dark Incense for enhancing their mood. So when someone sells it, I… do you understand?”

Lu Changxuan suddenly understood – so Che Jiaming was helping people sell this to earn some profit margin.

At the same time, he also understood that their first meeting was probably somewhat intentional on Scholar Che’s part, with the purpose of peddling this Dark Incense.

Saying this, Scholar Che took out two more pieces from his sleeve and solemnly placed them in Lu Changxuan’s hand: “Brother Zhou, now I only have this ability left. Please don’t disdain it.”

Lu Changxuan took them in his hand.

Scholar Che said: “This is a good thing, Brother Zhou. Over these years I’ve ruined my body – dizziness, chest tightness, blurred vision, tinnitus… After taking this, it actually got better. Originally, it not only enhances mood but also has very good medicinal effects. You should know that now I can occasionally write letters and couplets for people to earn some money. Brother Zhou, it saved me.”

As he spoke, he took out a pipe, put the pill inside, lit it, and began smoking.

After one puff, his expression became very comfortable. While smoking, he slowly chanted: “Its fragrance is aromatic, its taste clear and sweet… spirits refreshed, mind clear and sharp, then the chest suddenly opens, interest doubles. After a long time the bones and joints feel soft, both eyes grow weary, at this time one reclines on high pillows, all thoughts disappear, only feeling dream-like confusion, soul floating freely – truly an ultimate paradise!”

In just a moment, he finished smoking, became spirited, laughed several times, turned and fetched brush, ink, paper and inkstone, then picked up the brush like a flying dragon and dancing phoenix.

Lu Changxuan looked and saw Che Jiaming was painting peonies. He splashed ink with heavy brushstrokes, making simple outlines. In an instant, a full and vivid peony painting appeared before his eyes.

“Excellent painting!”

Lu Changxuan couldn’t help but clap in admiration, feeling regretful. Whether in calligraphy, painting, or literature, Che Jiaming’s works were all superior quality – in some areas, even he himself fell short.

Che Jiaming threw down his brush and sighed deeply: “How is this good? If you had seen Ju’er’s paintings… Sigh! Those are hands meant for holding a paintbrush, not for holding needles and mending clothes… It’s all my fault, all my fault…”

Saying this, Che Jiaming took out several paintings, saying they were Ju’er’s works.

This was an autumn chrysanthemum painting with poetry on it.

“For whom do the yellow chrysanthemums by the eastern hedge bloom fragrant, not learning from the crowd of flowers to follow the bright sun. Waiting until wrapped in autumn frost’s colors, willingly dwelling alone to be a solitary fragrance.” (Note: Unable to compose poetry, plagiarizing Shi Zhu’s work. Please forgive this embarrassment.)

An image of proud and noble character leaped from the paper.

Lu Changxuan secretly sighed – this Ju’er…

What Ju’er saw when she came in was exactly this scene. Probably knowing what her brother had said, her expression was somewhat dim, yet she apologetically said to Lu Changxuan: “Big Brother probably remembered again that I used to know poetry, calligraphy, music and painting, but now have to do mending and washing. Ups and downs are just like this. Brother Zhou, please don’t take offense.”

Lu Changxuan felt even more that this girl was undeserving of her fate, deeply pitying her talents.

Yet Ju’er remained neither humble nor arrogant throughout, without a trace of resentment or complaint.

In a few days, his suspension for reflection somehow became known to his family through some gossip, and Old Madam Lu wept and wailed while Qin Feifei was desolate and forlorn. Coming home just made him upset, so he had even less inclination to stay at home.

Especially Qin Feifei, with tears in her eyes: “Husband, it’s all my fault, all my fault!”

In the past, if Qin Feifei had been so pitiful, Lu Changxuan would have already embraced her and comforted her well. But now, he only felt she was like dodder flower, clinging to his body and making him unable to breathe.

Leaving the residence, he walked aimlessly for a while, then his steps unconsciously headed toward the Che family.

As expected, Ju’er was still mending clothes. From the entrance, he could see her graceful silhouette sitting in a chair.

Her posture was straight. Even when doing something like mending, she was very serious, yet her hands moved swiftly. Such ordinary work, when done by her, actually had an inexplicable beauty.

Ju’er didn’t know Lu Changxuan had come. After doing needlework for a while, she used her hand to hammer her shoulder, looked up, and only then discovered Lu Changxuan.

A smile flashed in her eyes – though enthusiastic, it wasn’t flattering.

“Brother Zhou has come. Big Brother is writing. Please follow me.”

Arriving at Che Jiaming’s bedroom, he indeed saw him painting. Because the family was poor and had no study, Che Jiaming always read and wrote in his own bedroom.

Knowing someone had entered, Che Jiaming didn’t look up, only concentrated on painting.

Lu Changxuan didn’t disturb him either, quietly watching from the side.

This was a plum blossom painting – a branch of wintersweet, gracefully curved, with several plum blossoms already blooming at the branch tips. Two mountain birds seemed attracted by something outside the painting, looking around attentively. Fine brushstrokes outlined the flowers and branches with elegant coloring. The mountain birds were carved in detail with true expressions. The composition was sparse, bright, and generous.

Well painted.

Only after finishing did Che Jiaming put down his brush, look up, and say: “Ju’er, add that poem you wrote yesterday.”

He explained to Lu Changxuan: “We siblings often did this in the past – I would paint and she would inscribe. Or she would paint and I would inscribe. Previously, Second Brother also joined us, but since he went to the shop, he rarely does this with us anymore.”

Ju’er smiled gently without declining, took the brush and raised her wrist. Between flowing dragon and dancing phoenix strokes, she inscribed a poem.

“How can the secluded valley bear yet another northern branch, year after year knowing its flowers bloom late. Do you know its noble standard and exceptional charm? It’s precisely during times of layered ice and accumulated snow.” (Note: Unable to compose poetry, plagiarizing Lin Hejing’s work. Please forgive this embarrassment.)

Lu Changxuan was simply stunned, and respect for Ju’er arose spontaneously.

Quick literary thinking and noble character!

To maintain such temperament in adversity was truly admirable!

Thinking of his own sister Changju, Lu Changxuan only felt his sister compared to Ju’er was like heaven and earth.

After Ju’er left, Che Jiaming sighed: “Ju’er has been implicated by me. Otherwise, she would definitely be able to marry into a good family! Now… sigh…”

Lu Changxuan’s heart stirred.

The next day, after getting up and estimating the time, Lu Changxuan unhesitatingly bought some wine and dishes and went to the Che family.

Ju’er, as usual, took what Lu Changxuan brought along with their own provisions and prepared several small dishes for the two of them to drink wine and discuss literature.

Ju’er didn’t talk much, but every frown and smile showed gentleness and talent.

Lu Changxuan felt joyful inside. Even though the Che family was very poor, staying there made him feel peaceful.

Today, he had just returned from the Che family. All along the way, his mind was still filled with the intelligent and beautiful Ju’er, and his mood was much more cheerful.

But unexpectedly, the residence was in complete chaos, with no peace.

At this moment, touching the pills in his sleeve, Lu Changxuan’s mind conjured Ju’er’s face bright as autumn water, her demeanor as light as chrysanthemums, noble and self-loving, unstained by worldly dust.

Originally he had thought Qin Feifei was talented and more beautiful than flowers.

Now it seemed – how could she compare to even half of Ju’er?

Hinting for her to return to her natal family to persuade Qin Shuying to give their business some opportunity – she couldn’t accomplish it.

It was just Qin Yaoyao’s little matter – how big a deal was it? Yet she lost her composure and acted like a madwoman!

Especially how she had caused Qin Yaoyao’s death – though he had tacitly consented, he still harbored misgivings about her viciousness. How could this compare to Ju’er’s clean hands!