Qingqiu is right, Jing Zhe is indeed very hateful.

But sometimes you can't blame him. You can't just let this persimmon harm the young girl, can you?

But problems arose. He had too many enemies and the assassins were too strong. A simpleton like him couldn't protect him at all. If it weren't for Qingqiu's help on both occasions, he would have been dead long ago.

The main reason he harbored hostility towards Qingqiu was because of the three thousand taels of silver he had been "extorted" from.

But compared to saving a life, the money seemed unimportant.

So Jing Zhe decided to forgive her…

So he laughed and said, "Don't be like that, fairy! Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. If you see me in danger, you should still save me! Otherwise, you won't be able to get over this hurdle in your heart, will you?"

Qingqiu nodded earnestly, mimicking Jing Zhe's manner.

"Then I'll pretend I didn't see it in the future."

"..."

It seems that even a fairy can be difficult to deal with when she's angry!

"Fairy Maiden, I was wrong. You saved my life, and I have no way to repay you except by offering myself to you... no, I mean I can only be your disciple and serve you well in the future!"

Jing Zhe was very open-minded. Since Qingyun Sect was so powerful that even the royal family couldn't do anything about them, and especially since Qingqiu often traveled around to train and wouldn't stay in Jingzhou all the time, why not become a disciple in name only? That way, even if they caused trouble in the future, they would have a powerful backer.

Qingqiu glanced at him a few times, then shook her head and said, "You're too weak."

"Only a weakling would want to join the Qingyun Sect! If I were as powerful as the Fairy Maiden, what would I need to learn at the Qingyun Sect?"

Qingqiu thought for a moment, then nodded, "You're right, but I still can't accept you as my apprentice."

"Why?"

"Because I don't need you to serve me."

In fact, the Qingyun Sect is not a place that just anyone can join. It requires an examination of a person's aptitude. Only those with exceptional martial arts talent have the possibility of entering. Otherwise, the whole world would be filled with Qingyun Sect disciples.

Looking at Jing Zhe, let's put aside whether he has the aptitude for the time being. Just based on his current age, he has long missed the best time to learn martial arts. How could he possibly be allowed to start a training program?

But Qingqiu didn't want to discourage him any further, so she changed her excuse.

Then, changing the subject, she said, "By the way, that poem from earlier... did you think of it beforehand? Did you write it especially for me?"

Jing Zhe didn't answer, but instead asked, "You like it?"

Qingqiu nodded, and quite unusually, an embarrassed expression appeared on her face. She then explained, "Although people in the sect don't study poetry, if we could have a poem that people could remember after reading it, I think everyone would be happy!"

"That's easy! Just think of a poem and I'll write one! And I can not only write for you, but also for other people in your sect!"

Upon hearing this, Qingqiu's expression changed slightly, but Jing Zhe did not notice and continued to speak excitedly.

"One poem per person, is it alright for me to join your sect?"

"Being a disciple outside the main hall or a disciple under a formal name should be fine, right?"

"My lyrics are very good, you just heard them!"

"If I can't be a disciple, does your sect have any kind of token that makes seeing the token mean that the person is there in person? You could consider giving me one!"

"Hey, what kind of look is that?"

"Hey, hey, don't go! We can still talk this over!"

"..."

Staring at Qingqiu's departing figure, he muttered:

"This Taoist nun won't even give us a plaque, she's so stingy!"

"Young chieftain, even I wouldn't give it to him."

"roll!"

...

When Jing Zhe returned to the Zhang family home, the Zhang couple were already asleep. Only Zhang Xiaoyu was waiting for them, and she visibly breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them return.

Because it was late, she took Jing Zhe back to his residence and then went home.

Nothing was said that night.

The next morning, at the breakfast table.

After taking a nap, Zhang Xuexian was noticeably more awake, and his conversation with Jing Zhe became more normal.

"Ah Kun, shall we start making strong liquor today?"

Jing Zhe took a sip of porridge, then nodded and said, "Okay, the equipment is already installed. We just need to find someone to process it. If it's hard to find someone, we can pay them more."

He glanced at Zhang Xuexian, then added with concern, "Uncle, let's make this clear beforehand: we can find someone, but please don't look for them through Zhang's winery!"

Jing Zhe gestured with his lip, naturally referring to Zhang's Winery after it had been acquired by Su Xinping.

The shop assistants there had worked for Zhang Xuexian for so many years, and it's understandable that they would seek refuge with Su Xinping for a living. However, their behavior of mocking and ridiculing the Zhang family reveals their true character.

Seemingly having experienced this firsthand, Zhang Xuexian spat and sneered, "Looking for them? Hah!"

It seems that Zhang Xuexian was also heartbroken by them. He told Jing Zhe that when the Zhang family's winery was first sold, several of his most loyal confidants preferred to return to the countryside rather than continue working at the winery. He planned to call them back.

Jing Zhe nodded in agreement.

"Ah Kun, when are we finally going to start selling hard liquor?"

"It'll be soon. At the Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering in three days, the reputation of our liquor will resound throughout the capital. Everyone, from commoners to princes and ministers, will know about it. At that time, the liquor will be in short supply!"

These words stirred Zhang Xuexian's blood, but he still asked with great curiosity, "How can we make this strong liquor famous throughout Jingzhou?"

"Uncle, think about it, if someone writes a poem for our liquor and wins first place at the Mid-Autumn Festival Poetry Competition, how could our liquor not become famous?"

With anticipation in his eyes, Zhang Xuexian nodded, but immediately raised another question.

"But... how can we get Young Master Song to write a poem about strong liquor?"

Although Zhang Xuexian was a businessman, influenced by Emperor An's love of poetry, he knew a little about the affairs of the scholarly circle.

Looking around, among the younger generation in Jingzhou, the most talented person is none other than Song Jimao, the son of Grand Scholar Song. Moreover, he has declared that he will participate in this Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering. If he doesn't win first place, who can?

"It wasn't him who wrote poetry about strong liquor, it was me!"

Jing Zhe shook his head, then said with unusual confidence.

"you?"

Not only Zhang Xuexian, but even Madam Zhang and Zhang Xiaoyu looked at him with surprise.

"What, Uncle, don't you believe I can win first place in the poetry competition?"

"hehe…"

Zhang Xuexian did not answer directly, but instead gave a polite but elegant "hehe".

"It seems Uncle really doesn't believe me! If I told you I beat Song Jimao in writing lyrics last night, would you believe me?"

"hehe…"

"It's true! If you don't believe me, your uncle will go out and ask around later! Last night at Wuxian Garden, I casually wrote a poem and utterly defeated Song Jimao, Chen Jiannan, and a bunch of other talented men!"

After saying this, Zhang Xuexian took Jing Zhe's hand and said excitedly, "I never thought I could see a reflection of my younger self in you!"

"Oh? Uncle had such poetic talent when he was young?"

Jing Zhe looked at the chubby Zhang Xuexian and asked curiously.

"no."

Zhang Xuexian waved his hand and said solemnly, "I mean, you can brag just as much as I did when I was young!"

"..."

————