Chapter 843 Zhao Ying

Zhang Chengxuan drank two glasses of wine and slowly pondered how to answer the question.

He had intended to dodge the question, but with three pairs of eyes staring intently at him, he felt that he should give a serious answer to avoid being constantly speculated about.

"If I say no, I am a person who is easily moved by emotions. I have traveled all over the country and met many people who are unforgettable after just a fleeting glance. If I say yes, I will eventually let go. From being eager to being calm, five years is the limit."

He picked up the wine jug and steadily filled the wine glass, the crisp aroma of the wine swirling around his nose.

“I am indeed patient enough. My experiences in my youth made it hard for me to trust others, yet I also felt that everyone was good. In my view, love will eventually fade away and is easily broken. Humans eat grains and other foods, so desires are natural, but the Taoist practice I cultivate requires abstaining from desires and guarding the mind. I could guard it when I was in my twenties, let alone now.”

He looked at Huineng with a deep gaze, "In this respect, I am indeed better than the monk."

Huineng's ears turned red. Master Han glanced at Lord Zhao, then lowered his eyes and remained silent for a moment.

“Hmm, I wouldn’t believe it if someone else said it, but I do if Zhang Chengxuan says it.” Master Han raised his cup. “Why talk about such mundane things? Let’s go to the courtyard to admire the moon later and exchange some pointers. That would be much more interesting.”

Zhang Chengxuan always wore a faint smile, just like his gentle and mild nature. Like the silent and desolate Loess Plateau, whose barren surface can turn lush and green when summer arrives, creating a picturesque landscape.

"In that case, I wonder if I might have the honor of receiving guidance from Master Han?" Master Zhang asked humbly. "I have recently encountered some problems that I cannot overcome, and I do not know who to ask for help."

Master Han narrowed his eyes slightly and carefully examined him.

"Then you've come to the right person."

As he spoke, Master Han stood up straight, casually pressed two acupoints on Zhang Chengxuan, slid two fingers along his meridians, and with his other hand, he turned the tide, injecting a powerful force into his body.

Zhang Chengxuan held his breath, and a surge of energy shot straight up from his dantian.

Master Zhang quickly turned his body around and slapped him hard on the back.

"Pfft~"

He spat out a mouthful of blood, which landed on the ground.

In an instant, it felt as if the huge boulder on my back had disappeared, and I felt completely relaxed.

"Alright, you'll be able to break through tomorrow."

Master Zhang felt two light pats on his shoulder, and then saw a small boat floating in Master Han's hand.

"Flying boat?"

“That’s right,” Master Han said, holding the object out to him. “Come to the capital often to drink with us. It’s good that you’ve lost your master. Many years ago, I obtained some cultivation methods from a fallen old Taoist priest, but I haven’t had a chance to use them. Now it seems that you are the perfect candidate.”

Master Zhang was flattered and overwhelmed, saying, "I am unworthy of such an honor..."

Master Han stuffed it directly into his hand, saying, "Don't be so polite. I have conditions. I'll tell you when the time is right."

"Okay, then I'll accept it."

Master Han smiled with satisfaction. "I brought those children to see the lanterns during the Lantern Festival. With this flying boat, it will be more convenient to handle any situation."

Master Zhang expressed his gratitude sincerely, saying, "Thank you for your generous gift, Master."

Huineng, watching the three Taoist priests getting along harmoniously, felt a pang of envy.

Why is it that in his memory, it was either chanting scriptures, observing precepts, or meditating, and he rarely played around with his fellow disciples?

Other fellow disciples could be forgiven for their mischief and mistakes, but he was the only one who could not. If he did anything out of line, he would be punished by his master by kneeling and copying scriptures.

It seems he was born without the right to make mistakes.

He was the most talented Buddhist disciple in everyone's eyes, the next great monk who was the focus of everyone's attention, and his debates on Buddhist scriptures far surpassed those of his other disciples.

However, that memory showed him his ugliest side.

His spiritual path encountered its greatest challenge.

Upon his return to Beijing, he may not only be forced to kneel and copy scriptures as punishment, but also be confined to his home for several months.

Sometimes he wondered if they had all misjudged him, and if someone like him would never become a holy monk.

...

Early in the morning, Song Chunxue, with the appearance of someone in her twenties, left the Xie residence under the alias Feiyan.

Back at the Zhao residence, she meditated intently inside.

Before parting, she made a pact with Xie Zheng that since they were both busy, it would be better not to see each other too often.

The world changes in an instant, and who knows what changes the future may bring? They should all strive to cultivate themselves.

Although Lord Xie was unwilling to do so.

But Song Chunxue knew that Lord Xie was extremely busy after arriving in the capital.

Ever since Xie Zheng learned that the country would not fall in the next few years, he was like a man possessed, writing furiously at his desk all night long.

After she got up early, Xie Zheng had already gone to the morning court session.

Liu Chunshu, who was waiting outside the house, reluctantly saw him off at the gate, and sighed several times, as if he was the saddest person after Lord Xie and Taoist Song parted ways.

However, she did not see the two Taoist priests for half a day after returning to the Zhao residence.

She then continued meditating.

From dawn to noon, after lunch, the work continued until dusk...

A girl came in through the door.

"I am Zhao Ying, the daughter of Lord Zhao, and I would like to have a talk with you." The girl outside the door had a clear and lovely voice, and she seemed to be a clever and generous young lady.

After some hesitation, Song Chunxue put on the mask that Master Han had given her.

I'll consult my senior brother before deciding whether to reveal my true self to her.

"Wow, it's so beautiful!"

The girl in the red cotton-padded jacket standing at the door had two small buns in her hair. She tilted her head and smiled at her, her big eyes sparkling like grapes.

Song Chunxue smiled and stood aside, "Actually, it's not as pretty as it looks."

“I know, but not everyone looks good in this mask,” the little girl said without any shyness, walking straight to the chair and sitting down, scrutinizing Song Chunxue. “I heard my father…”

"That's all nonsense from Daoist Han, don't take it seriously." Song Chunxue subconsciously took out a packet of dried apricots from her storage ring and poured it into a dish on the table. "Want to try some?"

"Thank you, Auntie."

The little girl happily grabbed a piece of candy and put it in her mouth. "You really know how to coax children. We are actually very easy to please. Give us a piece of candy and we will be very easy to talk to."

Song Chunxue couldn't help but chuckle, and then took out a bag of crispy candies and handed it to her, "Why do you call me aunt?"

"You are Lord Zhao's daughter?" She had never heard her senior brother mention it before.

“That’s right, the adopted eighth child,” the little girl whispered in Song Chunxue’s ear, “My father’s seven children have all gotten married, and now only I can stay by his side. He values ​​me a lot, and he punishes and scolds me as he should without hesitation.”

ah?

She was completely unaware of her senior brother's family situation, although she vaguely remembered him saying that he had seven children by the age of twenty-seven...

"That means he really treats you like his own daughter. If you spoil your daughter too much, she'll suffer when she grows up. He must love you a lot in other ways; you can tell just from your name."

The little girl smiled broadly, "Yes, they gave me a courtesy name when I was little, calling me Ziqiao, but I like the name Zhao Ying."