At Haoqi Tower.
Jiang Lüzhong sat by the desk, holding a cup of tea served by an attendant. He blew on it gently, took a sip, and sighed with appreciation:
“I remember having tea here at Duke Wei’s place last year. It was so refreshing, leaving a lingering fragrance on my lips and teeth for three hours.”
Wei Yuan, standing with his back turned as he searched for books on the shelf, replied nonchalantly: “That was tribute tea from the palace. Only three jin are produced every three years. Even His Majesty rarely indulges in it.”
No wonder… Jiang Lüzhong had a sudden realization. Curiously, he asked: “Such an extraordinary tea, where is it produced?”
“It’s produced in the capital.”
“There’s such fine tea in the capital? I’ve never heard of it.”
“Grown by a woman. As long as she’s in the capital, the tea is considered produced here,” Wei Yuan’s voice was gentle and mellow.
Jiang Lüzhong nodded, not inquiring further. Though the tea was excellent, he was a martial man who didn’t particularly care for tea. He had come to Haoqi Tower today with a clear purpose.
“I heard something from Ning Yan today. There’s a reason why he’s so popular among the courtesans at the Imperial Entertainment Bureau,” Jiang Lüzhong said.
Wei Yuan chuckled, “Beautiful women love poetry, especially those in the pleasure quarters.”
“It’s not just that,” Jiang Lüzhong shook his head. “Besides poetry, there are two other secrets: ‘deep talk in shallow acquaintance’ and ‘all the way, can you or can’t you?’ I’ve pondered over these for a long time but gained no insight… Of course, I’m not saying I want to become that kind of person. I’m purely curious.
“Duke Wei is learned and talented, knowledgeable in all matters. That’s why I’ve come to seek your guidance. With your wisdom, you must surely understand.”
As he finished speaking, Jiang Lüzhong saw Duke Wei turn around and gaze at him intently.
After staring for several seconds, Wei Yuan looked away and said casually: “Lüzhong, you’ve been with me for nearly ten years, haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Over these ten years, you’ve been diligent and conscientious in your duties. I’ve seen it all and am quite pleased.” Wei Yuan pulled out a book and said:
“Alright, I need to continue reading. You may go now.”
Jiang Lüzhong left, feeling somewhat bewildered, and returned to his own office.
He had barely sat down when a clerk came in, bowing as he spoke: “Constable Jiang, Duke Wei has instructions.”
Didn’t he just send me away… Jiang Lüzhong asked, “What is it?”
“Duke Wei said that since Constable Jiang is so diligent and conscientious, he should continue to maintain this standard. For the next month, all night watch duties are assigned to you.”
The clerk paused, then continued: “Duke Wei also said he hopes Constable Jiang will pack up and move into the yamen. Don’t go home for now.”
“???”
Is this how you treat a diligent and conscientious subordinate? Is this even human? Staying up all night for a month means I not only can’t visit the Imperial Entertainment Bureau, but I can’t even touch a woman for a whole month?!
Jiang Lüzhong was stunned.
…
Xu Qi’an waited for a full hour, an entire sixty minutes.
Fortunately, he hadn’t drunk too much water before coming, otherwise it would have been embarrassing… The sun isn’t harsh enough to highlight my sense of desolation… He waited patiently, neither complaining nor urging.
However, Xu Qi’an noticed that every quarter hour, a palace maid would furtively peek out from the courtyard towards the entrance.
Xu Qi’an pretended not to notice.
The sunshine was brilliant, and the spring breeze warm. After the arrival of spring, the back garden of Shaoyin Court began to awaken, gradually revealing its charming and alluring side.
Second Princess Lin’an, with her peach blossom eyes and a coquettish demeanor similar to Xu Qi’an’s, sat pouting in the pavilion, instructing two of her maids to play Five-in-a-Row.
After playing many games, she began to enjoy teaching others to play.
The two palace maids had no enjoyment in the game at all but dared not disobey the irritated Second Princess.
“Princess, Sir Xu is still waiting outside,” a young palace maid reported periodically.
Lin’an gave a dignified “Mm” and said nothing more.
The young maid retreated.
After another quarter hour, she went to check again. Seeing Xu Qi’an still there, she felt somewhat moved.
Our princess is always throwing tantrums. Isn’t this just driving away fine gentlemen like Sir Xu to Princess Huaiqing… As the thought flashed through her mind, she saw Sir Xu suddenly sway and collapse straight to the ground, unconscious.
“Oh no…”
The young maid panicked and rushed over to check on him. She saw Xu Qi’an’s face had turned pale, his brows tightly furrowed in pain.
“Sir Xu, Sir Xu?” The young maid shook him anxiously, looking as if she might cry at any moment.
Xu Qi’an “slowly” regained consciousness. He clutched his chest, coughed a few times, and waved his hand, saying: “It’s nothing, I’m fine. I was just injured too severely in the recent battle. Standing for too long caused my wounds to flare up again. I’ll be alright after a short rest.”
The young maid felt both distressed and moved. She advised, “Sir Xu, you should go back for now. The Second Princess is still angry and won’t see you.”
“The Princess is angry?”
Xu Qi’an was shocked and asked, “What happened to Her Highness? Who was foolish enough to upset her?”
The young maid was at a loss for words, thinking to herself that the one who angered the Princess was none other than you.
She said in a low voice, “The guards at Shaoyin Court saw Sir Xu enter the palace and go to Dexin Court.”
Xu Qi’an fell silent.
Seeing that he did not explain, the young maid felt somewhat disappointed. She advised, “Sir Xu, please go back. Come again when Her Highness has calmed down.”
With that, she left Xu Qi’an and hurried into the courtyard.
She rushed to the pavilion in the inner courtyard and reported urgently, “Your Highness, Sir Xu just fainted.”
Lin’an jerked her head up, expressions of surprise and concern flashing across her face before she suppressed them. She said calmly, “Fainted?”
“Sir Xu said he stood for too long, and the injuries from yesterday’s battle flared up again,” the young maid said, keeping her head lowered.
“I didn’t ask him to wait… You two idiots can’t even play a game of chess properly.”
Lin’an scolded irritably, then turned to the young maid and said, “If he hasn’t left, invite him in.”
…
Xu Qi’an was led to a side hall where he drank some hot tea. After waiting for a long time, he finally saw that red-clad figure enter. Her round face and delicate features were set in a cold expression, those coquettish eyes forcibly made to look indifferent.
“Didn’t I say I wasn’t receiving visitors? Why did you let him in?”
Lin’an’s poorly disguised reprimand fell flat. Her gaze then settled on Xu Qi’an, looking him over before seemingly relaxing. She ordered:
“Sir Xu has exerted himself for the court. I won’t let your injuries go untreated. Hong’er, bring in the items.”
The tall palace maid whom Xu Qi’an had once slapped on the bottom withdrew, and shortly returned with some court servants, carrying medicinal herbs and pills.
“These medicines and pills are from the Imperial Dispensary. Sir Xu, please take them with you,” Lin’an said primly.
“It took Her Highness much pleading before His Majesty reluctantly parted with them,” Hong’er added.
“Who asked you to speak!” Lin’an’s delicate brows furrowed as she took a deep breath. “Hong’er, see the guest out.”
Xu Qi’an didn’t leave.
After a moment of standoff, the thick-skinned Xu Qi’an said, “I’ve studied Five-in-a-Row for a long time and developed a set of secret strategies. I’m unbeatable. Does Your Highness dare to challenge me?”
Lin’an took the bait and nodded in agreement.
So the maids were instructed to bring a board and pieces, and she and Xu Qi’an engaged in three hundred rounds of fierce battle in the hall. Xu Qi’an lost all three games and had to admit defeat.
“Your Highness is truly brilliant. This humble official is in awe,” Xu Qi’an seized the opportunity to flatter her.
Lin’an raised her chin slightly and gave a dignified “Mm,” but then remembered he was an ungrateful white-eyed wolf and snorted:
“The game is over. I won’t keep Sir Xu any longer.”
“Don’t rush. I’ve thought of a new way to play. If Your Highness is interested, I can teach you,” Xu Qi’an’s tactics were as obvious as an old sow wearing a bra.
The quiet Shaoyin Court suddenly became lively. Lin’an directed the court guards to chop wood, while Xu Qi’an cut the felled wood into sections.
“You, go fetch some dye… You, go get some carving knives…”
After instructing the guards, she began directing the palace maids, the corners of her eyes and brows filled with smiles, full of enthusiasm.
The two palace maids left to carry out their orders, chatting as they walked:
“Not long ago, Her Highness was so angry she was smashing cups, her eyes red with fury… This Sir Xu has skill. He didn’t even say anything nice, yet Her Highness has already forgiven him.”
“Her Highness was just having a tantrum, she doesn’t hate Sir Xu. Let me tell you, if he had left, that’s when Her Highness would have truly been heartbroken.”
“Ahem!”
A man’s deep cough sounded from behind them. The two palace maids were startled, jumping like frightened deer. They turned to look and saw it was Xu Qi’an.
“Sir Xu is too much, frightening us poor maids,” Hong’er complained.
Xu Qi’an exchanged a few flirtatious words with the two pretty palace maids, then got to the point:
“Let me ask you something. Those pills are priceless. When did Her Highness prepare them?”
“Those pills are for His Majesty’s personal use, to nourish his vitality. It’s said that one batch only produces twenty-four pills, and only one in twenty-four batches is successful. Yesterday, Her Highness pestered His Majesty for so long that he finally gave in and rewarded her with one pill,” Ge’er said.
“Then she immediately sent someone to invite you this morning, Sir Xu. Who would have thought…” the other maid added.
“Off you go!”
Xu Qi’an slapped their bottoms, sending the two maids scurrying away.
He returned nonchalantly to his task, working on carving the sections of wood into flat shapes and then engraving them.
During the process, Lin’an also helped with the carving. Though she had studied both literature and martial arts without excelling in either, her foundations were solid enough.
Carving the wood into flat shapes wasn’t a problem for her.
Before they knew it, the sun had moved westward, and Xu Qi’an’s new game was ready – Chinese chess!
Looking at the two sets of Chinese chess pieces that she and the dog slave had made with their own hands, Lin’an’s face broke into a genuine smile. At that moment, all the flowers lost their color; there was only the coquettish smile of the beauty in his eyes.
“It’s getting late. I’ll explain the rules to Your Highness, and then I should leave the palace,” Xu Qi’an said, dismissing the palace maids.
Lin’an glanced at the sun, her smile gradually fading. She gave a soft “Mm.”
Xu Qi’an earnestly explained the rules of Chinese chess, but Lin’an listened distractedly. She had to admit that when she initially insisted on roping in Xu Qi’an, it was purely to snatch something from Huaiqing.
But gradually, she grew to like this dog slave more and more. She found various ways to give him money, and treated him wholeheartedly, never expecting him to do anything for her. As long as he could spare some time to come and play with her, Lin’an was happy.
But there had always been a thorn in her heart – Xu Qi’an still maintained an “improper” relationship with Huaiqing.
He had promised to serve her and break away from Huaiqing, yet he still associated with Huaiqing in private. Wasn’t that an improper relationship?
She pretended not to see it, once, twice, three times… Until today, when she finally exploded. To obtain the pills, she had endured her father’s scolding and anger, shamelessly persisting. The next day, she sent someone to invite Xu Qi’an, waiting happily.
What she received was a single sentence from the guard: He went to Dexin Court.
For a moment, Lin’an felt utterly humiliated. She felt that she had been shamelessly clinging on, while Xu Qi’an didn’t take her seriously at all. No, he was treating her like a fool.
She was so upset she wanted to cry.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, Xu Qi’an let out a long sigh and said softly, “Your Highness, I did go to Dexin Court first earlier.”
Lin’an’s face immediately fell. She turned away, saying, “I don’t know anything about Dexin Court. You came straight to see me after entering the palace.”
“No, I did go to see Princess Huaiqing first.”
“Xu Qi’an!”
Lin’an shouted, turning back to face him with reddened eyes. Did he have to expose even her self-deception? Couldn’t he consider her feelings at all?
Xu Qi’an sighed deeply again. His gaze drifted to the sun hanging in the west, his eyes becoming profound as if hiding countless stories and life experiences.
Word by word, he slowly said, “Your Highness, have you ever heard a saying?”
Lin’an remained silent.
“In life, you will encounter many sights and meet many people, but the choice you ultimately make is what your heart truly desires.”
Lin’an was taken aback, staring at him in a daze.
“Today, when Your Highness and Princess Huaiqing both invited me, I went to see Princess Huaiqing without any hesitation. Why? It’s not because she holds a higher place in my heart than Your Highness.”
Xu Qi’an stood up, his expression somewhat agitated: “If I had come to Shaoyin Court first, I would surely have been unable to stay long, having to excuse myself after just a few words to go to Dexin Court to see her. Hah, could I ignore Princess Huaiqing’s invitation?
“But if I went to Dexin Court first, I could stay here with Your Highness until the palace gates close. Isn’t it obvious who holds more weight in my heart between Your Highness and Huaiqing?”
Lin’an’s gaze gradually softened, her expression changing from cold to gentle.
Xu Qi’an sat down again, gazing deeply at Lin’an with the same profound look he had when watching the sunset. He said softly, “Because I know what Your Highness needs is companionship.”
These words touched the softest part of Lin’an’s heart. Yes, she was lonely and solitary.
After her elder brother the Crown Prince was confined, her mother spent all day crying to her, instilling in her the idea that the Empress had sinister intentions. Her siblings’ attitudes had also grown increasingly cold.
Her father was still her father, but Lin’an was no longer the Lin’an of before. At least she realized that her father doted on her simply because she was harmless.
A princess with a charming exterior and proud demeanor, but inside lived a lonely, solitary girl.
Xu Qi’an glanced around, making sure the dismissed palace maids were not nearby, then boldly took Lin’an’s soft hand, speaking sincerely:
“Your Highness, I will always be by your side.”
The warmth from the back of her hand felt almost scalding. Lin’an’s cheeks flushed red, and it felt as if a warm current had melted in her heart.
Time slipped away quietly. Xu Qi’an held her hand without letting go, an ambiguous atmosphere fermenting and brewing between them.
“Your Highness, it’s getting late. I should go back now. If you want to see me every day, you can move to the Lin’an Residence. You don’t have to stay in the palace,” Xu Qi’an said in a low voice.
…
In the glow of the setting sun, Xu Qi’an led his little mare, clip-clopping through the imperial city.
“Little more, based on my years of experience in courting women, being able to hold Lin’an’s hand this time means I might be able to embrace her next time… Girls, you see, need to be pursued. If you don’t pursue her, she won’t be yours.
“I once heard a joke where a scoundrel said to his girlfriend: ‘Your parents are good to you because you’re their daughter, but only I am truly good to you because I genuinely love and care for you.’
“Though it’s a twisted logic, I think even twisted logic is still logic. Lin’an is good to me simply because she wants to be, without much ulterior motive or benefit involved. Of course, the latter might be the world of adults.
“Although she’s a bit foolish, a pretty vase, this vase has emptied herself to be good to you.
“If we’re talking about who’s most suitable to be a wife, it’s still Chu Caiwei. Her rice is the most delicious and has the least side effects to eat. Lin’an and Huaiqing are too dangerous.
“Actually, given my current position, I don’t have many requirements for women. I just hope they can be strict in being faithful to me.”
At this point, the little mare nudged him with her head and snorted twice.
“You want me to have requirements for you too?”
Xu Qi’an thought for a moment and said, “For you, well, don’t underestimate small eels!”
…
At the Prince’s Mansion, Wang Zhenwen, having returned from his duties, finished his evening meal and went to his study to review memorials as usual. At his age, women had become dispensable.
Perhaps stimulated by Emperor Yuanjing’s white hair turning black, the court officials were all abstaining from female company and focusing on maintaining their health.
However, Emperor Yuanjing had the guidance of the Human Realm in cultivation and had pills refined for him by the Human Realm – treatment the court officials couldn’t enjoy.
Wang Simu brought in a nourishing beauty soup, then used the excuse of tidying the desk to peek at her father’s memorials and annotations. Sometimes she even brazenly asked questions here and there.
“I heard from the servants that the top scholar from Cloud Deer Academy attended today’s literary gathering?” Wang Zhenwen asked.
“Yes, and he got into a conflict with Minister Sun’s niece.”
Wang Simu recounted the events of the day to her father in detail, then snorted:
“Father, I thought that Scholar Xu was talented, so I invited him. Who knew he would be so emotional and unable to endure, just a mediocre talent? Father, you should teach him a lesson, to vent anger for sister Yan’er.”
The Prime Minister Wang saw things less superficially. He mused, “Scholars from Cloud Deer Academy follow the Confucian cultivation system. Their character shouldn’t be too bad.
“To be able to achieve top scholar status as a student from Cloud Deer Academy is indeed a rare talent. As for the conflicts between you young people, they’re not worth mentioning.”
Miss Wang’s lips curled, and she immediately said, “It seems the daughter’s thoughts align with the father’s. Does father think there’s a possibility of recruiting him?”
“Recruit him? Why should we recruit him? Even if he’s talented, there’s no absolute necessity for him. It would be unwise to offend the officials from the Imperial Academy for his sake. Besides, your father is the Prime Minister, a role model for civil officials,” Prime Minister Wang shook his head.
“It’s precisely because you’re the role model for civil officials that if you take the lead in recruiting him, there would be the least resistance. Daughter thinks that if we could bring him under our wing, we could both strike a blow to Cloud Deer Academy’s arrogance and gain a capable subordinate. It would be a win-win situation.”
Miss Wang put on an air of “I’m analyzing the situation for the father’s benefit.”
“Without special reasons, recruiting this person would do more harm than good,” Wang Zhenwen shook his head.
Miss Wang wanted to say a few more words, but a glance from her father immediately dispelled the thought.
She knew when to stop.
Without special reasons… Perfect, I also need to observe him for a while longer… Wang Simu thought happily.
…
At the Health Hall in the South City.
In the firewood shed, the golden light slowly faded. Monk Jinchen soothed the “black dog,” letting him fall into sweet dreams.
“Amitabha!”
The middle-aged monk with thick earlobes, his face full of compassion, said solemnly, “It’s a miracle this child has survived until now.”
“The diviners from the Astronomical Bureau have treated his illness. It was, it was through Sir Xu’s connections,” Heng Yuan said beside him.
“In these years of wandering through the mortal world, I’ve seen countless joys and sorrows. All living beings suffer. I often wonder, why with thousands of Buddha lamps, we still can’t illuminate the layers of darkness in the world.
“It wasn’t until yesterday when I realized the Mahayana Buddhism that I understood pursuing ranks, pursuing the fruits of Arhats and Bodhisattvas, is self-liberation, it’s Hinayana. Liberating all sentient beings is Mahayana Buddhism. If everyone had compassion in their hearts, would the world still need Buddha lamps? No, it wouldn’t.”
Monk Jinchen sighed.
Heng Yuan nodded, pressing his palms together: “Sir Xu is truly a godlike person.”
Monk Jinchen pressed his palms together: “He is a born Buddha’s son, a generous gift from heaven to Buddhism. This poor monk believes that one day, he will surely achieve great enlightenment and enter monkhood.”
“This poor monk eagerly awaits that day,” Heng Yuan’s heart burned with enthusiasm.
Monk Jinchen nodded, then continued, “This child’s constitution is weak, and his mind is damaged. He can’t recover to normal in the short term. He can’t withstand the hardships of travel. This poor monk’s suggestion is to send him to Qinglong Temple. As for you, it’s time for you to journey west.
“You also know that after the eighth rank comes the third rank, which is called Vajra. If you don’t cultivate the Vajra Divine Skill, you’ll never be able to become a Vajra.”
Heng Yuan hesitated for a long time, then slowly shook his head: “Just now, Master Uncle, you said that self-liberation is Hinayana, and liberating all beings is Mahayana.”
Jinchen was stunned, bowing his head in shame with palms pressed together: “What the Grand Master said is correct. You indeed have more wisdom. Very well, very well.”
Although he had realized Mahayana Buddhism, self-liberation had been his habitual thinking for decades, and not easily changed.
This is the difference between sudden enlightenment and not having sudden enlightenment. The Arhat who Relieves Suffering had sudden enlightenment, so he wouldn’t have such habitual thinking anymore.
“Tomorrow, the Grand Master will take us back to the Western Regions,” Monk Jinchen said.
“So soon? Aren’t we going to investigate the matter of the evil beings?”
“The evil beings have been free for months. There’s no rush. The Grand Master wants to return to the Western Regions first to spread Mahayana Buddhism,” Monk Jinchen explained.
After seeing off Monk Jinchen, just as Heng Yuan was about to turn around, he suddenly saw an old Taoist standing in the darkness of the courtyard, smiling at him.
“Taoist Jin Lian?”
…
At the Xu Residence.
Only a corner of the setting sun remained in the west, not yet fully set, the red twilight gloriously colorful.
Xu Qi’an rode his little mare back to the mansion, tossed the reins to the servant at the gate, and entered the compound. His timing was perfect, just in time for the evening meal.
At the dinner table, Xu Xinnian talked about attending the literary gathering today, briefly mentioning that Lingyu hadn’t been pushed into the pool.
“What? Lingyu fell into the water?”
Xu Qi’an examined his sister closely, showing concern: “How are you feeling? Any headache or fever? Will you catch a cold?”
Xu Lingyu spoke softly: “No, don’t worry, big brother. I took some medicine after returning home. I won’t catch a cold.”
“What happened?” Xu Qi’an waited for Second Young Master Xu: “How did you look after your sister? She even fell into the water at a literary gathering. What use are you?”
Second Young Master Xu glanced at Xu Lingyu, who quickly said: “It’s not the second brother’s fault. He can’t keep an eye on me all the time, and after I fell in, my second brother rescued me immediately.
“The person who pushed me in was the niece of the Minister of Justice. She has already apologized and compensated.”
The niece of the Minister of Justice… Xu Qi’an’s eyebrows raised, and he sneered: “Fine, I’ll send someone to stake out the Sun mansion later. When his niece comes out, we’ll drive a carriage into her and kill her.”
Then, he looked at Lingyu with a guilty expression: “Sister, it’s my fault for involving you.”
Xu Lingyu puffed her cheeks, displeased: “What are you saying, big brother? We’re family, don’t be so distant.”
What a good sister!
…
After dinner, Xu Qi’an began his long journey of cultivation, practicing breath control, visualization, comprehending the heart sword, nurturing intent, and comprehending the Vajra Invincible Divine Skill.
This gave him a feeling of being back in his student days, with a heavy course load.
Suddenly, clouds and mist appeared before his eyes. He saw layers of mist and entered the world of Monk Shenshu.
Passing through the mist, he came to a dilapidated temple and saw the handsome monk sitting cross-legged.
Monk Shenshu looked at him with gentle eyes and said, “I am about to enter a deep sleep and won’t be able to awaken for a short period, so I won’t be able to look after your life and death. I’ll give you another drop of my essence blood for you to cultivate the Vajra Invincible.”
His blood can be used to cultivate Vajra Invincible. Xu Qi’an was surprised.
Monk Shenshu smiled and said, “You should understand what my indestructible body is based on. This skill is difficult and slow to cultivate for others, but for you, you can reach a profound level in a short time. This way, you’ll have enough ability to protect yourself.”
With that, he flicked out a drop of essence blood, which struck Xu Qi’an’s brow.
Immediately after, he was ejected from the misty world and opened his eyes in his room.
“Crack crack crack…”
Amidst the popping sounds from his body, muscles, and veins bulged on the surface of his skin, then they all took on a golden hue, gleaming brightly in the candlelight.
A big “Holy shit!” flashed through Xu Qi’an’s mind.
The Vajra Divine Skill had already reached a significant level. Now, if he were to fight Monk Jinsi hand-to-hand, it wasn’t certain who would win.
Of course, this couldn’t be exposed to the Buddhist sect.
Xu Qi’an dispersed the Vajra Invincible, and sat at the table, holding a teacup, lost in thought.
Monk Shenshu is from the Buddhist sect, an immortal-like existence… So, he must have also cultivated Vajra Invincible, and the Supervising Censor agreed to the Buddhist sect’s challenge, specifically naming me to represent the Astronomical Bureau…
Why is the Supervising Censor paving the way for me? And doing it so obviously? No, why do I feel like he’s raising me like a leek…
At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door.
“Who is it?”
Xu Qi’an got up and opened the door. In the night stood an old Taoist priest with graying hair, holding a whisk, smiling.
Behind him were the blue-robed swordsman Chu Yuanzhen and the tall and sturdy Lu Zhishen.
“You…”
Xu Qi’an was stunned. Why had they suddenly come to his home?
“A young friend of mine is in trouble. I’d like to ask for Sir Xu’s help,” Taoist Jin Lian said.