A reddish face.
Zhou Shijie wanted to accompany, but also wanted to dominate among peers. So he went ahead and used his Lightweight Skill to chase after them. Gu Nianjun and Li Xiaofan walked down the mountain, chatting and laughing along the way, the atmosphere relaxed and carefree.
Gu Nianjun said, "Xiaofan, how do you view today’s event?" Li Xiaofan replied, "Sister Gu, what event are you referring to?"
Gu Nianjun said, "That incense offering. Yue Kai is narrow-minded and not soone worth befriending. Are you upset with him, Xiaofan?"
Li Xiaofan said, "Why be upset? I haven’t given him a second thought." Gu Nianjun said, "He secretly tripped you." Li Xiaofan laughed and said, "Sister Gu, I’ve fallen plenty of tis since childhood, what’s another fall?"
Gu Nianjun laughed and said, "Indeed, Xiaofan has the heart of a child, not easily swayed by external matters. To speak of today’s event, it boils down to being sowhat negligent towards you. I was only thinking about helping you make good friends and ignored the underpinning rift, such forced actions are counterproductive."
Li Xiaofan said, "Sister Gu, you’re actually right. Since I’m out learning, I should experience all sorts of things. Whether it’s making friends or foes, it’s better than just skimming the surface."
Gu Nianjun laughed and said, "At this rate, in a few years Xiaofan’s wisdom will surpass mine." Thinking to herself, "Xiaofan indeed is capable of thoroughly reading the ’Crimson Heart Sutra’. I’ve been taught by renowned teachers since childhood and still struggle with it. Whenever I read halfway, I feel dizzy and my eyes blur. Yet Xiaofan can recite it backwards, showing his sincere and resilient heart, unmatched by ordinary people."
"In this world... perhaps only his brother can influence him. Other matters, other people... just like earlier, have no effect on him."
Gu Nianjun said, "Though Yue Kai is narrow-minded, among the great talents, there are indeed so worth befriending. Given the circumstances at that ti, even if Yue Kai bullied you, I couldn’t harshly teach him a lesson. But that person stepped in, helping dispel so anger."
Li Xiaofan said, "Who could it be?" Gu Nianjun laughed and said, "I don’t know yet, but if I learn their identity, naturally I’ll invite them for a detailed conversation."
Li Xiaofan’s eyes curved with amusent, teasingly saying, "Sister Gu seems to be moved?" Gu Nianjun said, "I haven’t even seen his appearance, how could I be moved? But I do find his manner a bit unrestrained and rare."
The two quickened their pace down the mountain.
Li Xian followed the commoners downhill, leisurely and content. Displays of strength, establishing friendships, and such matters didn’t interest him. He quietly observed Li Xiaofan and Gu Nianjun, seeing them walk together, muttering:
"No matter how flawed Gu Nianjun may be, no matter how displeased I find her, there’s still one aspect of hers that’s rather decent."
Following along the path downhill. When they were several miles from Cui Zhu Residence, Gu Nianjun said, "Zhou Shijie is arranging a talent feast, Xiaofan, are you going?"
Li Xiaofan shook his head and said, "Tonight I wasted a day, I should return and study." Gu Nianjun knew of the estrangent between Li Xiaofan and the outstanding talents, so she didn’t say much, instructing Li Xiaofan to return, as she participated in the banquet.
Li Xiaofan folded his hands in his sleeves, bowing his head as he walked quickly. Suddenly feeling a tap on his shoulder, he looked back and imdiately said gladly, "Brother!"
Li Xian made a shushing gesture and said, "Best not to make a fuss." Li Xiaofan lowered his voice and said, "Brother, was it you..."
Li Xian laughed and said, "Well, getting smarter by the day. Co on, they have their grand banquet, we brotherly fellows have our little feast."
Li Xian found a small shop by the street, ordering so plain porridge, bean curd with salty vegetables... Li Xiaofan remarked, "That stick of incense costs over a hundred taels, hundreds of taels. Yet this whole table of side dishes totals only a little over twenty Wen Coins."
Li Xian said, "Indeed." He took the opportunity to ask Li Xiaofan about his recent circumstances.
Li Xiaofan said, "I’ve been following my master traveling and studying, directly out of Qiong Heavenly Mansion, and these years wandered all around, living a beggar-like life. Occasionally, it’s been feast or famine. But I’ve gained quite a lot."
"And my fortune is stable, my master says, has entered for the ’Mansion Exam’. If I succeed, it’ll be a big step forward, securing a thread of fortune."
Li Xian pondered and said, "You’ve set yourself on the right path, naturally I support you as your brother." Li Xiaofan said, "Let’s not talk about this now, brother, here, take this."
From his bosom, he took out a cloth bag. Li Xian was greatly surprised and opened it. Inside were several letters, the handwriting was graceful.
Li Xiaofan said, "During my travels, I’ve helped you find potential sisters-in-law, all with remarkable character and backgrounds. Brother, if you have the ti, or pass by their area, you can et them with the letters. A man’s ambition is broad, and it is best for our Li Family to spread wide across the land."
Li Xian was both amused and annoyed, thinking, "Your brother’s got a tangled ss of romantic debts, and you’re adding to the chaos." He said, "This isn’t urgent."
Li Xiaofan said, "Actually... Sister Gu would be the best fit. Alas, there’s no such fate."
Li Xian earnestly said, "Xiaofan, you’ve pledged not to marry, having a lifelong ambition to fulfill. As your brother, I support your decision wholeheartedly, though I am ashad to say that I, as your elder, have little to offer to assist you."
Suddenly recollecting, "Xiaofan travels all around, inevitably taking ships and boats, I have a Book of ’Kan Niu Vessel thod’, which I can give him to study, might be of so minor use. I’ve morized the contents but still need to comprehend them."
Continuing, he said, "Xiaofan, here’s a book, take it and have a look."
Li Xiaofan took the "Kan Niu Vessel thod", examined it, and exclaid, "The Left Hand Sutra? Brother... how did you acquire this?"
Li Xian said, "The Left Hand Sutra?" Li Xiaofan said, "Its original na is ’Left Hand Squeeze River True Sutra’, authored by Zhang Zhizong. He’s a figure of unmatched style, even my master holds him in high regard."
"After various upheavals, the Left Hand Squeeze River True Sutra was lost, leaving only nurous handwritten copies and miscellaneous texts. This Kan Niu Vessel thod... upon seeing its writing, appears to be one such copy."
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