That evening, at the Lu residence.
Lu Zheng personally prepared a meal to entertain Tu Yuya and Tu Yuqing.
Besides the Liu family and Du Yueyao, Lu Zheng had also informed Shen Ying, so Shen Ying and Si Lingxi arrived as well.
When they learned that the woman in the grand red palace gown was none other than the lord of Phoenix Mountain in the Southern Border, Tu Yuya and Tu Yuqing, like everyone else, fell into their usual state of shock.
Lu Zheng: (◔◡◔)
Truly, having an elder in the house was like having a treasure. Lu Zheng even hoped Si Lingxi would stay permanently. When friends came, she added prestige. When enemies came, it was even better. Take the ghost that had blocked their path before: a great figure with a thousand years of cultivation, yet it had perished without even leaving its name.
He could also harvest a wave of light of destiny. Simply perfect!
“So there was such an incident back then. I was probably in seclusion at the time and knew nothing of it,” Si Lingxi said, shaking her head.
She lived in the Southern Border and had never particularly studied the conflicts between the Central Plains and the Northern Domain. Though she had seen through Liu Qingyan’s origins, she had paid it no mind.
After all, in the present age, there were very few people or matters that warranted her special attention.
When the topic turned to the Tu sisters inviting Liu Qingyan to visit Tushan for New Year, Si Lingxi nodded. “The timing works out.”
She meant her own invitation for Lu Zheng and the others to visit Phoenix Mountain in October. There were still two months until New Year, so there would be no conflict.
Tu Yuya and Tu Yuqing rose and gave a slight curtsy in thanks, but this year and next were not particularly special occasions. They did not dare presume to invite Si Lingxi themselves. That would be far too presumptuous.
“Will you return home during this time, or stay here?” Liu Qingyan asked.
“Of course we will stay!” Tu Yuya said as though it were obvious. “I will first pass on the Tushan Scripture to you. Our line of nine-tailed heavenly foxes should still cultivate this foundational method.”
At these words, Liu Qingquan’s eyes lit up. She quickly raised her hand. “Can I cultivate it too?”
Tu Yuqing patted her little head. “You also carry heavenly fox blood. Of course you can!”
“Hee hee, wonderful! The Heavenly Demon Nine Transformations Blood Refining Method is so difficult!” Liu Qingquan laughed happily. “Changing to another will be much better!”
“Er…”
Tu Yuqing was momentarily stunned, then blinked and said, “Actually, the Tushan Scripture is quite difficult too…”
Liu Qingyan could not resist flicking Liu Qingquan on the forehead. “That is because you are lazy!”
Old Man Liu immediately asked, “Can my wife cultivate it?”
Lady Liu waved her hands repeatedly. “I do not need it!”
Tu Yuqing shook her head. “It is not that we refuse to teach her. The Tushan Scripture is most effective for the heavenly fox line. It offers little benefit to ordinary fox kin. I have here the Jade Fox Reflection Heart Method, the daily cultivation technique for other foxes in Tushan. I can teach it to Madam.”
“There is really no need. I feel my current Illuminating Moon Scripture is quite good,” Lady Liu said.
Tu Yuya smiled. “The Illuminating Moon Scripture draws on moonlight for cultivation. It is certainly excellent and suitable for most demon kin. But Madam could cultivate the Jade Fox Reflection Heart Method alongside it to refine the spirit. It would still be very helpful.”
“Would that cause any problems?” Lady Liu asked.
“Of course not,” Tu Yuqing laughed.
Lady Liu relaxed and smiled softly. “That is good, then.”
…
That very night, Tu Yuya and Tu Yuqing stayed at the Liu home and transmitted the Tushan Scripture to Old Man Liu, Liu Qingyan, and the Liu Qingquan sisters.
Early the next morning, Liu Qingyan unusually did not go to Renxin Hall for consultations. Instead, she took Tu Yuya and Tu Yuqing shopping.
Lu Zheng set out for Peach Blossom Mound.
“Hm?”
As soon as he left the house, Lu Zheng noticed many more scholars in the city.
“Is the county examination today?”
“Indeed,” replied Auntie Li, who sold steamed buns not far from the alley entrance. “Scholars have been arriving in the city for the past couple of days, gathering with friends. It has been quite lively.”
“Ah, I see!” Lu Zheng understood. His attention had probably been on the Tu sisters at the time, so he had not noticed. Now that he thought about it, there did seem to be more scholars on the streets than usual.
“Zhu Yushan…”
Lu Zheng could not help wanting to go to Yizhou Prefecture again, but he had told Shen Ying yesterday that he would visit Peach Blossom Mound. Naturally, he could not stand up Shen Ying and Si Lingxi over a little curiosity.
So he nodded, bought a few buns from Auntie Li’s stall, and ate them as he walked against the flow of people out of the city. Soon he arrived at Peach Blossom Mound.
“Lu Lang is here!”
At Peach Blossom Manor, Xiao Cui had already prepared tea under the old peach tree in the front courtyard, set out snacks, and laid out the mahjong tiles. She was just waiting for Lu Zheng.
Today’s activity: playing mahjong!
According to Si Lingxi, though mahjong was far simpler than Go, four players pitting wits and courage against each other made it much livelier. It involved both skill and luck in good measure and was rather enjoyable.
Such praise from a thousand-year-old great demon. One wondered whether the inventor of mahjong in the Hua Kingdom would feel blue smoke rising from their ancestral grave.
No divine sense, no remembering hidden tiles. After the tiles were washed with a clatter, they built the walls and began!
“Will Qingyan go to Renxin Hall today?” Shen Ying asked. “Eight Bamboo.”
“Two Dots,” Lu Zheng said, shaking his head. “She is not going. She took the Tu sisters to Yuling Garden.”
“Pong!” Si Lingxi revealed two Two Dots, her eyes flashing. “Two Characters.”
Xiao Cui had nothing to claim and could only draw from the wall.
“How rare,” Shen Ying could not help smiling. “Qingyan is breaking her routine for once.”
Lu Zheng smiled too. “Mainly because Renxin Hall has few patients lately. Uncle Liu can manage perfectly well on his own.”
“South Wind.” Si Lingxi played a tile and looked at Lu Zheng. “Any new pieces recently?”
The corner of Lu Zheng’s mouth twitched. He shook his head with a wry smile. “No. How could it be that easy!”
Si Lingxi raised an eyebrow, her tone mild. “You are just lazy.”
Lu Zheng, “…”
