Chapter 184 Nianjun admits that he was looked down upon

The city of Fucheng is a confluence of seven rivers, a prosperous and thriving place. It was mid-October, the temperature was freezing, and the first snowflakes were faintly visible in the sky. Winter came very early to Fucheng, and pedestrians on the streets were already wearing thick coats.

Stepping out of Zhenxiang Tower, a cold wind blew. It was past noon, and the sun was blocked by clouds, making the chill even more intense. Li Xian saw that Hong Chengbing and the other two were shivering and not dressed warmly enough. So he gave each of them ten taels of silver, telling them to buy a thick coat before the snow fell.

The three were extremely grateful.

He walked back to the mansion. Soon after, Li Xiaofan saw Gu Nianjun and greeted her loudly.

Gu Nianjun walked gracefully towards them and said, "Little Fan, my brother."

Li Xiaofan walked over quickly, "Sister Gu, what brings you here? Are you here for dinner too?"

He stepped aside and introduced, "This is my brother, Li Xian."

"Li Xian?" Gu Nianjun looked over, slightly surprised. She nodded slightly but did not greet him. She said, "Little Fan, your master is calling you."

"Master called me?" Li Xiaofan was taken aback.

The group returned together, winding through several streets before arriving back at the gate of the mansion. Li Xiaofan said, "Brother, why don't you come with me to see Master?"

Li Xian knew that Xiao Fan's master, Fu Haoran, was an extremely powerful figure, and even his wife had to show him some respect. He thought to himself, "Such a person is not someone I can associate with right now. If it were any other time, I would never want to meet him; it would cause too much trouble. But Xiao Fan is my younger brother, and if I could meet him, I could better understand Xiao Fan's life."

He readily agreed.

Li Xiaofan was overjoyed. Gu Nianjun said, "Little brother Xiaofan, your master has summoned you, probably to tell you something important. It would be inappropriate for your brother to go as well."

"Why don't you go see Senior Haoran first, and I'll accompany your brother to stroll around the mansion?"

"Ah!" Li Xiaofan exclaimed in surprise. He glanced at Li Xianshi and said with a smile, "Alright, Sister Gu, please accompany my brother for a walk."

"You two must take good care of yourselves."

He then ran into the mansion with Hong Chengbing, Liu Shu, and Lu Xuan, turned several corners, and disappeared.

Deep within the mansion.

A three-story pavilion stands in the courtyard, with purple bamboo planted in front. The plaque above reads "Haoran Pavilion," the characters written in a vigorous and clear style.

This clearly demonstrates that the person who writes is highly accomplished in literature and art. Moreover, they are upright and incorruptible, a truly upright and honorable person.

Fu Haoran, a "celestial official descended to earth," was watering flowers in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, he knew Xiao Fan had returned and said, "Xiao Fan, you're back?"

"Master," Li Xiaofan bowed respectfully and asked, "Did you summon me for something?"

“I transmitted the scriptures to you a couple of days ago; recite them to me,” Fu Haoran said.

"Good." Li Xiaofan had a photographic memory and an exceptionally strong memory. He could recite it fluently, and he understood the difficult parts very thoroughly. Fu Haoran nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction and affection, and stroked his beard, saying, "Not bad, not bad, good boy, you are really good."

"Thank you for the compliment, Master," Li Xiaofan said happily.

"You were just discharged from the hospital. Was it your brother who contacted you?" Fu Haoran asked.

Li Xiaofan picked up the watering can and skillfully helped water the flowers, saying, "Yes, my brother came to see me specifically. I was just about to introduce him to Master."

"No need," Fu Haoran said. "Xiao Fan, I've mentioned the study abroad program to you before. Are you ready?"

“Study tours…” Li Xiaofan’s eyes brightened: “We scholars see the world and all living beings. But aren’t study tours scheduled for after the New Year?”

"It's earlier than planned, this afternoon," Fu Haoran said.

"Hmm!" Li Xiaofan exclaimed, "But my brother just arrived! Master, I must go see him!" He dropped the watering can and hurriedly ran out. Fu Haoran picked up the watering can, patted off the dirt, and laughed, "This child."

Not long after, Li Xiaofan returned dejectedly, but the prince was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes were slightly red. It was a rare meeting, yet they didn't even have a proper farewell.

Fu Haoran approached and said earnestly, "Xiao Fan, the purpose of traveling and studying is to temper your mind. Knowledge gained from books is ultimately superficial; only by truly experiencing life in the world can you integrate and master your knowledge. I have lofty ambitions, but I have nowhere to put them to use. You have a bright future ahead of you, and being free from constraints will allow you to go even further."

...

...

On the other hand...

Gu Nianjun's smile vanished, and she said, "Brother Li, please come with me. Let's take a stroll around the mansion."

She walked ahead. Li Xian followed, taking several steps, but couldn't catch up. He realized that no matter how fast or slow he walked, whether he accelerated or decelerated, Gu Nianjun was always half a body length ahead of him.

Li Xian guessed that with so many classmates in the academy, it would be easy for men and women to misunderstand each other if they walked side by side. Gu Nianjun's concerns were perfectly normal, so he stopped chasing and slowed down.

Observing her steps, her gait was elegant and unhurried, yet somehow she was always a step ahead of everyone else. He couldn't understand why, and couldn't help but sigh, "This city is truly full of hidden talents. This woman is just walking normally, but she is actually using extremely advanced lightness skills. Even if I try my best to catch up with her, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch her."

"Xiao Fan said she came from a very powerful background, and it seems he wasn't lying. That kid is precocious for his age; he actually wants to help me find a wife."

After walking for a while, they entered the mansion. Li Xian said, "Xiao Fan told me that he was very fortunate to have Miss Gu take care of him when he arrived at the mansion. On behalf of Xiao Fan, I would like to express my sincere gratitude."

Gu Nianjun was elegant, her hair flowing as she walked, and said softly, "Xiao Fan is intelligent and capable of seizing fortune, and his loyalty is evident. He is eager to learn and occasionally comes to ask for advice, and his manners are impeccable. How could I not teach him?"

"Seeing that Xiao Fan has such good teachers and friends like you, I feel relieved," Li Xian said with a smile. His pace slowed as he gazed towards the green willows and lake within the mansion.

Li Xian suddenly asked, "Miss Gu seems to dislike me?"

"We've just met, so how can we talk about liking or disliking each other?" Gu Nianjun said calmly.

They came to a long corridor, where there were few pedestrians. Tall trees lined both sides, and flowerbeds were in full bloom, filling the air with fragrance. Gu Nianjun said again, "When my younger brother Xiao Fan asks me for advice, he always mentions you."

"Today's first meeting is different from what I expected."

"Oh?" Li Xian asked, "What's different?"

"From Xiao Fan's words, you are described as simple and honest by nature, similar to Xiao Fan in character, with a pure heart. Even if you don't have Xiao Fan's talent and learning, you are still a very good person," Gu Nianjun said, turning around.

Li Xian laughed and said, "Then I have disappointed Miss Gu?"

“As I just said, since it’s our first meeting, how can there be any disappointment?” Gu Nianjun shook her head and said, “Xiao Fan is still young and doesn’t know that people can change. Even brothers can have one who does evil and the other who does good. He spent a year cultivating in the academy, while you spent a year training outside. The things you’ve experienced and the people you’ve met are different. It’s only natural that you’ve changed.”

Her words carried a derogatory connotation. She first described Li Xian as sincere and simple, then mentioned his change. This implied that Li Xian was no longer sincere or simple, and was far removed from Li Xiaofan.

Li Xian naturally understood.

Gu Nianjun said, "Your name is Li Xian, so Wan Run must be the one you injured?"

"You also know about this?" Li Xian asked.

"The scholars of the academy are well-versed in a wide range of subjects, including theories of governance, music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, medicine, divination, and more. Wan Run was seriously injured and fell unconscious, his flesh and blood riddled with broken porcelain pieces, a horrifying sight. Soon after, he was brought to the academy by the people. Those skilled in medicine there treated his condition and promoted the spirit of medicine."

"That's how I learned it."

Gu Nianjun said.

Li Xian understood: "So that's how it is."

Gu Nianjun asked, "But why did you have to hurt someone so badly over a mere verbal dispute? Aren't you afraid that one day someone will treat you with the same ruthlessness? You've acted so cruelly."

Li Xian was open-minded and knew that Gu Nianjun disliked him and even had a prejudice against him, but he spoke calmly without arguing or explaining: "Since you think I am ruthless, then what is Miss Gu's intention in traveling with me?"

Gu Nianjun said, "You are ruthless, named Li Xian, and have the strength to severely injure Wan Run. You must be the evil lieutenant Qing Ning?"

"That's right." Li Xian asked, "Does Miss Gu also believe those rumors? Is it because of the rumors that you have a prejudice against me?"

"Whether you believe it or not, what difference does it make?" Gu Nianjun shook her head and smiled. "I'm not interested in your affairs. Whether you're ruthless or domineering, I'm only traveling with you for Xiao Fan's sake."

"Xiao Fan has lofty aspirations and is talented and virtuous. He was born into a humble family and suffered ostracism in the academy. Senior Fu Haoran and I both saw this and did not offer any help, which was a test of his character and a way to temper his conduct. He has always done very well. Although he is young, he is determined and ambitious and has never wavered."

"Such a pure heart is easily corrupted. Ordinary people or things are naturally difficult to influence him, but those close to him are precisely the most likely to taint this rare pure heart."

"Because of Xiao Fan, I have investigated you. Whether the rumors are true or false, we have no personal relationship, but there is no doubt that you are already entangled in a lot of grudges and entanglements."

"You were ruthless before, which shows that even if the rumors are not entirely true, they are not entirely false either. You and Xiao Fan are brothers, and for that reason, it is not appropriate for you to have any more contact with Xiao Fan."

That's all I have to say; I've gotten straight to the point.

Li Xian frowned, thinking, "This woman is arrogant and looks down on me, but she thinks highly of Xiao Fan." She said calmly, "Miss Gu, I am very happy that you are thinking of Xiao Fan. But you are underestimating me."

"I do have many entanglements, but I will never involve Xiao Fan."

Gu Nianjun said, "I don't care what you do. But I've made my point clear. If you're unhappy, whether you're angry or furious, you can hit me if you want."

"Goodbye!" Li Xian was too lazy to say anything more.

Gu Nianjun said, "There is one more thing I need to make clear to you. Since you came to this prefecture, there have been many entanglements and undercurrents. Senior Fu Haoran is already aware of this and plans to take Xiao Fan away from this situation, leave the prefecture, travel around and learn from him."

"If we part today, and if we are unlucky, the mountains and rivers may separate us, and this may be the last time we see each other."

Li Xian stopped and said coldly, "You're doing this for Xiao Fan's own good, taking him on a study tour. If Xiao Fan is willing, I won't object. Why deceive him like this, making even a proper farewell an obstacle?"

Gu Nianjun remained silent.

Li Xian was annoyed that Gu Nianjun had acted on his own initiative and underestimated him. Although she didn't say it explicitly, her words conveyed a sense of wariness and suspicion. It was as if she would seize any opportunity to curry favor with Xiao Fan and Fu Haoran.

But then he thought again, this trip to the prefectural city was bound to be fraught with unpredictable changes. It would be a good place for Xiao Fan to leave the prefectural city. He was a man of deep thoughts, and he did not show his emotions. He said, "Miss Gu, you have told me a lot just now. In fact, in the end, you just look down on me, Li Xian."

"So what if I am?" Gu Nianjun said arrogantly, "Do you expect me to think highly of you?"

“If you were a true hero, I would look at you with new respect in the future. But right now, you are mired in trouble and can’t even take care of yourself.”

Li Xian smiled and said frankly, "It's alright. Although you look down on me, I still want to thank you on behalf of Xiao Fan. Let's call it even for today. Farewell!"

He turned and left, showing great composure and magnanimity.

Gu Nianjun was taken aback, her expression showing surprise.

(End of this chapter)