“Zheng—zheng—”
In the summer peach grove, the blossoms never faded.
It must be said that in Shen Ying’s domain, these dozens of acres of peach trees had gained a touch of mystique. The peach blossoms bloomed from early spring until autumn before falling, yielding peach fruits.
The old peach tree of Peach Blossom Villa, however, bloomed year-round, fiery in winter, only bearing fruit every three years, cycling endlessly.
“Now the peaches from this old tree contain a faint spiritual aura, capable of curing ailments, strengthening the body, and prolonging life,” Shen Ying said, placing a piece on the chessboard. “And I can sense it’s still growing stronger.”
At that moment, Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan were playing chess under the tree, while Lu Zheng played the zither nearby to enhance the mood. Liu Qingquan, accompanied by Xiao Cui, was off playing in the peach grove.
“So, this old peach tree might transform further?” Liu Qingyan asked, surprised.
Shen Ying nodded with a smile, “I can feel its changes. With the blessing of the Peach Blossom Shrine’s incense, the fruit-bearing cycle might extend further, but the peaches it produces…”
“Will be even more extraordinary?” Liu Qingyan asked.
Shen Ying laughed, “When it bears fruit next, we’ll all try them and see what wonders they hold.”
“Sounds great!”
Being family, Liu Qingyan didn’t stand on ceremony.
“Lu Lang.”
Lu Zheng finished his tune, stilling the zither strings. Shen Ying turned and asked, “Qingyan mentioned that Monk Guangyue came looking for you again yesterday?”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Jiming Temple has been rebuilt, and he thinks he’s back in top form.”
Shen Ying chuckled, asking, “Did Lu Lang beat him black and blue again?”
“Snicker—”
Liu Qingyan giggled beside them, “Monk Guangyue fought with conventional methods, not expecting Lu Lang to have mastered the earth-travel technique. He got close and gave him a thorough thrashing.”
Every time Liu Qingyan pictured Lu Zheng swinging Guangyue by the legs, smashing him left and right, leaving the monk lying on the ground questioning life, she couldn’t help but laugh.
It was just too funny…
Lu Zheng blinked, thinking it was a pity Shen Ying hadn’t seen his hammer-swinging spectacle.
No matter, next time he’d spar with Guangyue at Peach Blossom Plain.
Hmm, Guangyue didn’t provide any destiny light this time, what a letdown!
Hopefully, he’d step up next time.
Shen Ying asked curiously, “Guangyue rebuilt the temple and still called it Jiming Temple?”
In theory, Jiming Temple was destroyed, and even if Guangyue rebuilt it on the same site, it would be a different temple. Besides, Guangyue was a disciple of Rizhao Temple.
“No,” Lu Zheng shook his head, “He said Jiming means ‘dawn crowing,’ so Jiming Temple is now Dari Temple. It’s a good name.”
“True, that makes sense,” Shen Ying placed another piece, her chess skills stronger than Liu Qingyan’s, so she played casually.
Liu Qingyan pondered for a while before responding with a move. Shen Ying continued, “The senior in the cave hasn’t returned?”
“No,” Lu Zheng shook his head. He’d visited the cave yesterday, and it remained unchanged.
“Well, for a great demon, time isn’t worth much,” Shen Ying nodded.
A being who could meditate over a chess game for thirty years wouldn’t find a decade-long visit excessive, right?
…
A day in the peach grove.
…
That evening, when Lu Zheng, Shen Ying, and Liu Qingyan returned home, they found Huangfu Xu at the Liu household.
“Cousin?”
Liu Qingyan asked, surprised, “Is something wrong at home?”
But as soon as she spoke, she realised her mistake, seeing Huangfu Xu’s beaming smile.
“Big Brother is getting married to a girl from the Xu family of Qingyao County. The matriarch sent me to invite Cousin’s family to the wedding.”
“Oh, Big Brother’s getting married?” Liu Qingyan asked with a smile, “The Xu girl, are they…”
“Also foxes,” Huangfu Xu said. “They live just outside Qingyao County. The family sets out on the second day to fetch the bride.”
“Ning’er’s getting married, we must go celebrate properly,” Madam Liu said, turning to Old Master Liu, “Close the clinic for a few days, let’s go together?”
Old Master Liu nodded eagerly, “Absolutely, absolutely!”
…
Huangfu Xu had come specifically to inform Liu Qingyan’s family. With a few days until the bride-fetching, he planned to return to Wanfu County with them and stayed at the Liu household.
Last time, he’d been anxious, and on the second night, a wolf demon attacked. After resolving it, he’d rushed back home, not lingering in Tonglin County.
This time, he was delivering joyful news, so before heading back to Wanfu County, he toured Tonglin County’s sights with Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng’s hospitality.
Well, he didn’t visit Spring Breeze Tower, but he went to Yuling Garden twice, enjoying operas not found in Wanfu County.
On the third day, Lu Zheng invited Liu Qingyan, her sister, and Huangfu Xu to ride in his carriage. Old Master Liu hired another, and the two carriages set off, one behind the other.
…
The journey was uneventful.
Lu Zheng’s previous trips between the counties involved chasing a wolf demon or sparring with Guangyue, never taking the official road.
This trip was leisurely, playing mahjong, sipping wine, admiring the scenery, and enjoying the breeze, arriving in Wanfu County at ease.
…
“Son-in-law!”
“Sister Qingyan!”
“Sister Shuang’er!”
“Auntie!”
“Uncle!”
Upon arriving at the Huangfu household, the entire family, except the matriarch, came out to greet them.
This time, Lu Zheng met the full Huangfu family.
The matriarch, one son and one daughter besides Madam Liu, the son being Huangfu Ru, whom Lu Zheng had met. The third generation consisted of two boys and two girls, all children of the eldest daughter, Huangfu Jing.
There were also four old servants, foxes who had gained sentience by chance and found shelter under the Huangfu roof.
Huangfu Ru and Huangfu Ning were familiar with Lu Zheng, but the younger Huangfu Shuang and Huangfu Lu were a bit shy.
Their wariness quickly melted under Liu Qingquan’s snack offensive.
When had the two young foxes ever tasted braised chicken cartilage? Lemon chicken feet? Spiced chicken gizzards?
Learning these were Lu Zheng’s exclusive snacks, their eyes soon sparkled when looking at him.
…
That evening, the family dined together, discussing the bride-fetching party.
Huangfu Ru had hired musicians and sedan bearers in the county, prepared horses and a bridal sedan, and planned to gather at Wanfu County’s east gate two days later to head to Qingyao County.
Originally, besides the groom Huangfu Ning, the elder Huangfu Jing would attend, with Huangfu Xu assisting.
But Liu Qingyan, noting Huangfu Xu was male and might not handle delicate matters well, volunteered to join.
Naturally, Lu Zheng decided to tag along for the excitement.
Having attended a river god’s wedding banquet before, now he’d experience a fox spirit’s bride-fetching.
In the modern world, he hadn’t even given a wedding gift, yet here he was, living it up in ancient times.
