I truly didn’t expect that the Yuan Sheng Sect would be divided into two branches, with so many twists and turns.
Originally, the plan was to guard against the Yuan Sheng Sect’s sorcerers, setting up an ambush to capture someone and claim a reward from the Zhen Yi Division. Instead, it led to Du Yueyao taking a master.
As for whether Du Yueyao would have any reservations about joining the Yuan Sheng Sect, which is registered in Da Jing, neither Lu Zheng nor Fan Boyu cared much about it.
Du Yueyao would never turn against Da Jing just because she joined the Yuan Sheng Sect. The original branch of the sect now focuses on passing down its teachings, not on old grudges with the Central Plains.
Who knows, perhaps through Du Yueyao’s mediation, the two sides might even reconcile one day?
After their conversation, the sun had risen in the east. Madam Liu, smiling, brought out braised meat, pickled vegetables, rice porridge, and steamed buns. Everyone finished their discussion, just in time to eat.
After the meal, Fan Boyu told Du Yueyao to pack up and return to her own home. He also went back to the inn to gather his belongings, moving into Du Yueyao’s courtyard to make it easier to teach her daily.
Du Yueyao wanted to return the jade plaque containing two old ghosts to Lu Zheng, but he waved it off, saying he no longer needed it and that she should keep it for protection.
To put it plainly, it was a precaution against Fan Boyu. If Fan Boyu harboured ill intentions, the two old ghosts could at least hold him off for a while, alerting Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan’s family, who lived in the same alley.
Du Yueyao reluctantly packed her clothes and belongings, returning to her home with a sulky expression. But soon after, she came back cheerfully, joining Liu Qingyan to help图
System: assist at the Ren Xin Tang clinic.
Half a day later, Fan Boyu returned to Du’s residence from the inn, only to find the house completely empty, feeling as if a mythical beast had just galloped over his head.
So, the pursuit of immortality is less appealing than working at a clinic?
Unbelievable…
However, such a mindset greatly pleased Fan Boyu. Combined with Du Yueyao’s merits and talent, a position as a holy maiden was surely hers.
…
As the sky brightened, Yuan Jing returned to Baiyun Temple.
Shen Ying, however, did not go back to Peach Blossom Forest. She waved off the eighteen celestial maidens to return on their own, then dragged Lu Zheng to Leping Tower.
They didn’t return home at noon, instead dining at Mingyue Tower. In the afternoon, they went to Yuling Garden to listen to some opera, enjoying the pleasure of strolling about.
When they returned home in the evening, naturally, there was another round of tender affection.
The next day, Lu Zheng visited the Zhen Yi Division in Yi Zhou, discussing the matter with Chu Jin. As expected, the Yuan Sheng Sect was registered with the division. Chu Jin not only had no objections to Du Yueyao’s apprenticeship but eagerly hoped she would progress smoothly, cultivating her way to becoming the chief holy maiden or even sect leader.
At that point, the new sect could be eradicated, the original teachings preserved, and the Yuan Sheng Sect might once again become a reputable orthodox sect in the Central Plains.
…
Over the next few days, Fan Boyu settled in at Du’s residence, instructing Du Yueyao.
Du Yueyao practiced at home in the mornings, went to Ren Xin Tang clinic after meals, and continued her training under Fan Boyu’s guidance in the evenings until the moon was high in the sky, only then resting.
Her schedule was packed and intense. Du Yueyao finally experienced the bittersweet life of learning with both pain and joy.
“That’s right, at seventeen or eighteen, it’s the perfect age to study diligently. The more you learn now, the better your future will be,” Lu Zheng remarked from a moral high ground, before leisurely heading to Cong’an Lane after passing by Ren Xin Tang.
Du Yueyao, “…”
…
When the Wang family sent over a few more hens, Elder Wang brought his daughter, Wang Xiaowan, to pay a visit.
“After half a month of recovery, my daughter’s health has improved, so we’ve come to visit,” Elder Wang said at the door, bowing respectfully.
“Greetings, Young Master Lu!” Wang Xiaowan wore a pink silk dress adorned with a hundred flowers, a red jade hairpin in her hair, and a bracelet with small bells, finally showing the lively spirit of a girl her age.
“Greetings, Elder Wang, Miss Wang, please come in!” Lu Zheng smiled, inviting them into the courtyard.
“Young Master Lu, just call me Xiaowan,” Wang Xiaowan said, curtsying as she entered. “I plan to go up the mountain tomorrow to become an apprentice. If all goes well, I’ll be calling you Senior Brother in the future.”
“Very well,” Lu Zheng nodded with a smile, then asked Aunt Liu to prepare food.
He led Elder Wang and Wang Xiaowan to the front hall to sit, while Uncle Li served tea and guided the Wang family’s servants to rest in a side courtyard.
“Where is Madam?” Wang Xiaowan asked charmingly, her face full of curiosity. “I haven’t yet paid my respects to her.”
“Oh, she’s usually at Ren Xin Tang seeing patients, only resting every ten days or so,” Lu Zheng explained.
“Ren Xin Tang? Could it be the remarkably skilled Doctor Xiao Liu?” Elder Wang asked. “But isn’t she still…”
Lu Zheng nodded. “We haven’t held the wedding yet. The Liu family lives next door.”
Elder Wang and Wang Xiaowan could only nod.
Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. Lu Zheng already referred to Liu Qingyan as his wife, yet they hadn’t expected the couple hadn’t formally married!
Wang Xiaowan smiled. “Had I known Miss Liu was your wife, I’d have gone to Ren Xin Tang for treatment. You’re no ordinary man, so Miss Liu’s medical skills must be exceptional.”
“Her skills surpass mine,” Lu Zheng admitted with a nod. “But you were only affected by corpse poison, leaving you physically weak. Simple recovery was enough, no advanced skills needed, or I’d have treated you on the spot.”
Wang Xiaowan nodded repeatedly.
After a brief chat, Aunt Liu finished preparing the meal just as Liu Qingcuan’s voice called from the door.
“Brother-in-law, are you home? Mother made roast chicken today. Want to join me to bring lunch to Sister and eat together?”
Uncle Li opened the door for Liu Qingcuan, who skipped around the screen wall and spotted Elder Wang and Wang Xiaowan.
“Huh? Who are you?”
“They’re Elder Wang and Miss Wang Xiaowan. The roast chicken you made today comes from the hens of their family’s farm.”
“Oh? Thank you so much! Your hens have such tender meat, so delicious!”
“You’re too kind, Miss Liu. A few chickens are hardly a worthy gift,” Elder Wang said with a smile.
Just then, Aunt Liu emerged from the outer kitchen. “Young Master, lunch is ready. Will you eat here or take it with you?”
Wang Xiaowan’s eyes lit up. “I’d love to meet Miss Liu. Shall we have lunch together?”
The Wang father and daughter helped Lu Zheng out of a bind, so he had no objections. He asked Aunt Liu to pack the food in a lunchbox, then joined Liu Qingcuan and the Wangs to head to Ren Xin Tang for lunch.
…
Upon arriving at Ren Xin Tang, they saw Li Hanyu talking with Liu Qingyan, while the River God’s wife was acting as a physician, attending to a patient.
“Greetings, Madam, greetings, Sister-in-law!”
After paying his respects, Lu Zheng looked curiously at Li Hanyu. “Where’s Brother Zhu?”
