Shen Ying was now a court-appointed Peach Blossom Immortal, and in time, she might become an existence beyond the reach of Duan Zhong and his companions.
With a rare bond of goodwill, they did not stand on ceremony. Leaving the Yin soldiers to guard outside the manor, they followed Lu Zheng inside, enjoyed a cup of tea, and accepted a wisp of Shen Ying’s incense offering, prompting profuse thanks from Duan Zhong and the others.
Soon after, a scout reported that the Night King at the end of the Yin-Yang Road had withdrawn his forces.
Not long after, the three city-patrolling envoys led their Yin soldiers back to the county town, tactfully leaving Lu Zheng behind.
“Young master~”
Shen Ying softened, leaning forward, her temple brushing against his. “Would you prefer to stay here, or go to the bedroom in the back courtyard?”
“Heh! I want it all!”
…
After discussing just how sweet peach blossom honey was, Lu Zheng held Shen Ying and asked, “If Duan Zhong hadn’t informed me this time, I wouldn’t have known you were facing enemies. You still can’t leave Peach Blossom Ridge. Can’t you notify me when I’m awake?”
“I can’t~” Shen Ying blinked, replying softly.
Lu Zheng pondered. “I wonder if Baiyun Temple has something like paper crane messaging. I’ll ask at the temple tomorrow.”
In the Great Jing Dynasty, mobile phones were useless. Peach Blossom Manor was over ten miles from Tonglin County, too far for ordinary walkie-talkies. With connections, a military-grade one might work.
But the key issue was…
Lu Zheng didn’t want to reveal overly technological items in this world.
It wasn’t that he distrusted Shen Ying, but this world was steeped in mysticism. The more people knew, the greater the risk of exposure.
If, by some mishap, the most powerful figures in this world discovered something not of their realm, Lu Zheng might face pursuit by the entire supernatural forces of the Great Jing Dynasty.
For example, if Lu Zheng could fly and showed it off in the modern world, wouldn’t the government elevate him to a strategic priority?
“I can’t use the Taoist paper crane messaging yet,” Shen Ying said faintly.
“Uh…”
“Young master, don’t worry about me. The incense at Peach Blossom Shrine is flourishing, and I possess the Nether Heart that the Night King painstakingly refined. Even if he comes himself, he can’t harm me.”
Lu Zheng frowned. “That’s the problem. You took his treasure and killed his soldiers. He’ll only target you more. How can I rest easy leaving you alone in Peach Blossom Forest?”
The Night King hid in the Nether Realm, and with Lu Zheng’s current strength, he was powerless against him. For now, the matter had to be set aside, but fortunately, a city god guarded this end of the Yin-Yang Road.
Shen Ying shook her head. “Young master, rest assured. I will only grow stronger. The *Peach Blossom* scripture resonates with me. My cultivation is advancing by leaps and bounds. In time, even the Night King may not be my match.”
As she spoke, her eyes grew more alluring, and naturally, they discussed the twelve ways to enjoy white peach buns.
…
The next morning, Lu Zheng ate two more white peach buns to fill his stomach before returning to the county town.
That evening, he was invited to the Liu family for dinner.
“Lu Lang,” Liu Qingyan said to Lu Zheng, “tomorrow is the ten-day rest. Shall we visit Sister Shen at Peach Blossom Ridge? I’ve been working at the clinic without a break for days and haven’t visited in a while. I wonder if Sister Shen will be upset.”
“Great idea!” Liu Qingquan clapped, laughing. “I want to eat peach blossom pastries. I heard they built a new Peach Blossom Shrine at the ridge. Let’s go pay our respects to the Peach Blossom Immortal!”
Liu Qingyan paused. “They built a new Peach Blossom Shrine at the ridge?”
She had been busy at Benevolent Heart Clinic and didn’t know the shrine had been completed over a month ago.
Liu Qingquan nodded carelessly. “Yes, yes! I heard the Peach Blossom Immortal inside is beautiful. Sister, let’s go pay our respects!”
Liu Qingyan’s breath grew lighter. She glanced at Lu Zheng. “Lu Lang, have you been to that Peach Blossom Shrine?”
Lu Zheng steadied himself, smiling calmly. “Been there? I wrote the *Peach Blossom* inscription for the shrine’s stele.”
“What?” Liu Qingyan gasped, her face paling. “Then…”
Before she could react, Lu Zheng said, “There’s something I need to tell you both. I should have said it earlier, but I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
Liu Qingyan and Old Master Liu exchanged a glance. She took a breath and asked softly, “What is it?”
“Well…” Lu Zheng hesitated. “The truth is, Lady Shen… she’s not human.”
The Liu family hall fell silent. Even Liu Qingquan shrank back, catching on.
“Ahem… don’t be afraid. Lady Shen is the Peach Blossom Immortal,” Lu Zheng said solemnly.
…
He hadn’t planned to reveal Shen Ying’s identity to the Liu family, especially not to Liu Qingyan.
But after the Peach Blossom Shrine was built, it was impossible to hide. With An Bo and Qian Bo as shrine keepers, and the Peach Blossom Immortal statue identical to Shen Ying, anyone would suspect something, especially in a world with supernatural elements.
So, when the shrine was under construction, Lu Zheng had discussed it with Shen Ying.
He thought Shen Ying might object, given her rare bond with Liu Qingyan, which made their interactions so natural.
But Shen Ying had no objections. Her exact words were, “I hit it off with Sister Qingyan. I doubt she’ll mind my identity. Honestly, I’m quite curious to see her expression when she learns who I am.”
Hearing this, Lu Zheng had said Liu Qingyan would surely be shocked.
…
As expected, when Lu Zheng revealed Shen Ying’s true nature, Liu Qingyan was indeed stunned.
“Sister Shen… she’s the Peach Blossom Immortal?”
“Mm.” Lu Zheng nodded.
“Did she ever mention… ahem…”
Seeing Lu Zheng’s calm gaze, Liu Qingyan steadied her racing heart and asked, “Lu Lang, how did you find out?”
“It was an accident, actually.”
Having aligned his story with Shen Ying, Lu Zheng recounted how he and Duan Chang from the Anomaly Suppression Division chased a scorpion spirit to Peach Blossom Forest, where Shen Ying intervened.
“Because Lady Shen rendered service to the court, the prefecture ordered the construction of the Peach Blossom Shrine. Since I knew her, I wrote the *Peach Blossom* inscription for the stele.”
“Oh.” Liu Qingyan nodded, still somewhat dazed.
“So the *Peach Blossom* poem was written by Lu Lang!” Lady Liu broke the silence, praising warmly. “I heard the poem was circulating in the county. I thought it was by a renowned scholar from the prefecture, but it was Lu Lang’s work!”
Drawing everyone’s attention, Lady Liu recited *Peach Blossom*.
“Good poem!” Old Master Liu slapped the table, raising his cup to clink with Lu Zheng.
Lu Zheng glanced nervously at Liu Qingyan, only to see her eyes shining with admiration, not a trace of jealousy.
Lu Zheng felt a little smug. The ancient world was truly wonderful!
“Actually, I should have told you sooner, but the timing wasn’t right. Since it came up today…” Lu Zheng smiled. “Lady Shen and Qingyan hit it off. You can continue as before.”
“Mm-hmm!” Liu Qingquan nodded eagerly.
Liu Qingyan gave a gentle smile, nodding lightly.
