In the warm spring of March, with gentle breezes and bright sunshine, the refugee crisis had long passed. Most of the Chu people who had fled had returned to their homeland, while some chose to remain in the Ziyun Mountains.

In the mountains and fields, young disciples of Jinghu Academy are busy cultivating the land, ensuring the academy's food supply is self-sufficient; in the martial arts arena, a group of teenagers are practicing their boxing, each punch swift and powerful; in the newly built workshop, Zhao Qing'er and a group of young girls are weaving cloth, chatting and laughing; in the classroom, Linglong is teaching children to read and write with a stern face, the sound of their reading filling the air.

...

evening.

Smoke curls from chimneys in the mountains.

Little Dumpling and Purple Moon arrived at Mirror Lake Academy.

The younger generation greeted them warmly.

Ziyue wore a loose gray-blue Taoist robe. She was tall and had her hair tied in a high ponytail. Xiaotuanzi wore a red waist-length ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She was petite and had long hair that was loose.

The little dumpling walked briskly, urging, "Ziyue, hurry up, or there won't be any food."

"I'm not hungry, you go first."

Ziyue now lives on dew and doesn't eat grains; she mainly came here to visit her parents.

"Little Red Hair".

A hearty laugh rang out behind me.

The little girl tilted her head, watching the handsome scholar in an elegant robe walk towards her. She put her hands on her hips and said angrily, "Chu Peiran, how dare you address the Great Protector of Longhu Temple like that? You're going to get what's coming to you today."

Chu Peiran took out a roast duck wrapped in oil paper from his wide sleeves and joked with a smile, "I specially brought you roast duck from the capital, but it really makes me feel bad."

"Thank you, Brother Pig!"

A fiery red blur flashed by, and the little dumpling left carrying the roast duck. She ran to a wooden house near Mirror Lake Academy and said with a bright smile, "Grandpa, this is roast duck from the capital. You haven't had it for many years. Come and try it."

...

Zi Yue smiled and bowed, saying, "Brother Chu, thank you so much."

Chu Peiran smiled and waved his hand, "It was nothing, little fairy, don't worry about it. Zifeng is very smart, our dean likes him very much and has already taken him as his last disciple."

Jinghu Academy is far inferior to Daxia Academy, so Ziyue asked Chu Peiran to send her younger brother to Daxia Academy, where he could receive a better education.

Zi Yue chuckled and said, "Brother Chu, you said you were going to travel far away with your sword. I thought you wouldn't come back."

“Traveling alone with a sword is too boring.” Chu Peiran paused, then couldn’t help but laugh out loud. “I’m going back to Mirror Lake Academy to invite Miss Zhao to come with me.”

Zi Yue quickly understood Chu Peiran's thoughts. With a smile in her eyes, she said softly, "Miss Zhao is kind-hearted, gentle and considerate. She has helped many elderly, weak, sick and disabled people in need, and even devoted her youth to Jinghu Academy. I hope Miss Zhao can have a happy and fulfilling life."

"I just don't know if Miss Zhao will agree." Chu Peiran was a little nervous. She had originally wanted to ask the little dumpling for help, but who knew that she would take the food and run away.

Chu Peiran looked at Ziyue, "Little fairy, could you help me ask Miss Zhao how she feels?"

"no problem."

Ziyue readily agreed.

...

As Zhao Qing'er was tidying up her weaving tools in the workshop, Zi Yue's light footsteps brought a gentle breeze. She said crisply, "Miss Zhao, Brother Chu has just returned. He's waiting for you by Mirror Lake. It seems he has something to discuss with you."

"Young Master Chu is looking for me?"

Zhao Qing'er didn't delay. She put down her work and quickly arrived at Mirror Lake.

Mirror Lake, its waters are calm and still.

Zhao Qing'er, dressed in simple clothes, smoothed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled, "Young Master Chu, I heard from Little Fairy that you were looking for me. May I ask what brings you here?"

Zi Yue didn't explain the situation to Zhao Qing'er. Chu Peiran coughed, clenching his fist, "Miss Zhao, I'm planning to travel far away with my sword. Would you like to come with me for a walk?"

Zhao Qing'er was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then shook her head repeatedly, "No, no, Young Master Chu, I can't go with you."

Chu Peiran said seriously, "Miss Zhao, you are not a cultivator. How many decades do you have? While you are still young, why don't you come with me to see the outside world?"

Hearing this, Zhao Qing'er wavered. She had never traveled far in her life. Although she had longed for the outside world, she was reluctant to leave. "Young Master Chu, what will happen to the little ones at Mirror Lake Academy if I leave?"

"Don't worry, I'm here."

Linglong, dressed in pristine white, walked to Zhao Qing'er's side. "Qing'er, you've worked so hard for so many years, everyone wants you to rest. I think Mr. Chu's idea is good."

"Yeah yeah."

Ziyue walked over with a smile.

Chu Peiran cast grateful glances at them.

Zhao Qing'er pursed her lips, somewhat embarrassed, "Young Master Chu, aren't you afraid people will misunderstand?"

"I'm not afraid."

"We are good friends."

Chu Peiran said solemnly, "Miss Zhao, I will send you back anytime you wish."

"Um."

Zhao Qing'er smiled, pursing her lips.

"Yay!"

Ziyue clapped her hands happily.

Three days later, Zhao Qing'er left with Chu Peiran, and Linglong became the new acting dean of Jinghu Academy. The real dean, Qin Luo, had not yet returned. All the younger generation knew that he founded Jinghu Academy, and everyone admired him.

...

Huaxi Village.

The sky was clear and the breeze was gentle.

Hua Ying has been taking care of Qin Luo at home recently. Today, the weather was warm and sunny, so she pushed Qin Luo in a wheelchair and took him away from the farmhouse. The old white dog was lying in the yard guarding the house.

On the wisteria-covered bridge, a gentle breeze caressed my face, and purple petals drifted down one after another. The shadowy flowers seemed to be singing a song, and suddenly exclaimed, "Spring has arrived, and it's the season of renewal once again."

"Qin Luo, open your eyes and look at this vibrant scene where everything is thriving, okay?"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!