Chapter 2 will teach you what etiquette is...
yesterday
The morning light was blinding, and Yao Jin was awakened again by the chirping of birds. Feeling irritable, she simply put on her clothes and went out for a walk to clear her head.
When I passed by the Muchi River and saw the gurgling water, I took off my shoes and socks to soak my feet and calm the fire in my heart.
The cool pool water soothes the dryness without you even realizing it.
But suddenly a shout came from behind, accompanied by the sound of trampling grass, "Madam..."
"How could you act so recklessly?"
That's how the world is. Even in the cultivation world, a young girl's feet are extremely private, and no one but her husband can see them.
Yao Jin, being a modern person, didn't think much of it. When she heard the reprimand, she thought he was making a fuss over nothing. "Doesn't the young Daoist wash his feet?"
Perhaps because she was still feeling irritable, or perhaps because she couldn't stand seeing Xiao Daojun being so overly polite, Yao Jin burst out laughing on the spot.
Her eyes sparkled, and she covered her lips with her sleeve to tease him, "Could it be that Little Daoist's Dao heart is unstable, so he sees everything as dirty?" After saying that, she nonchalantly lifted her foot up.
The calm water surface was suddenly impacted, creating ripples.
The splashing water did not impair the original function of the pool. The surface of the pool not only reflected the girl's delicate figure, but also the snake tail trailing behind her!
Meng Ji's gaze lingered on the water's surface for a moment, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of a slender leg bone.
The clear pool water flowed upstream as the girl lifted herself up, with a few drops sliding down her knees and leaving a shimmering trail.
Even without looking, one can imagine the spring scenery hidden within.
Not to mention her fair skin, which was even more dazzling than the first snow.
And those feet were even more eye-catching.
Small, like a lotus seedpod.
It's pinkish, like a water chestnut.
Even though this was his wife, a burning desire surged up from the back of his neck. He immediately took two steps back and shouted, "Absurd!"
The wide sleeves of her Taoist robe fluttered, creating a sharp gust of wind that scattered the reflections gathered on the pond's surface. Meng Ji looked at her and said, "This is improper."
After a moment of silence, he remembered that this was his wife, so he lowered his voice and said, "There are fixed times for morning and evening baths. If you really want to bathe, you can do so at Wugou Pavilion in the evening."
Taoism emphasizes cultivating one's inner energy and self-discipline, and that one should do what is appropriate for the time of day in accordance with the changing seasons.
This is the path that Mengji has always cultivated.
"Really, this is so boring," Yao Jin thought, but her gaze did not miss the ears that were so red they were almost bleeding.
She slowly withdrew her foot and stepped onto the grass. "At night?"
"It's so dark at night, I can't see anything."
"What if your eyes get hurt?"
They both understood what was unclear. Yao Jin would never forget the way Meng Ji stubbornly got up to relight the lamp when the red candles burned out on their wedding night—that was the same story she was using.
Meng Ji: "..."
The air fell silent. Suddenly, shouts from the disciples came from afar: "Sect Leader! Sect Leader!"
Mount Buzhou is the largest sect in the immortal realm. In this era, demons roam freely, and all the disciples take it upon themselves to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path.
Today's morning lesson was for the sect leader to explain the weaknesses of demons, so that if they encountered demons during their future adventures down the mountain, they could better kill them with a single blow.
This is much more interesting than practicing those exercises that are repeated hundreds of times, and it's a hundred times better than listening to the drowsy "Book of Rites".
Therefore, these disciples could not contain their excitement and even disregarded the break between classes, forming a group to ask their master to return to continue the lesson.
"Sect Leader..." The voice trailed off as the disciples who had come to find him were so shocked by what they saw that they could hardly speak.
Shake the gold and peek out to take a look.
Everyone gasped. "My God, what a beautiful woman! She's like a mountain spirit descended to earth."
A sigh escaped their lips, but it was no wonder that the disciples were in such a predicament. None of them had ever been down the mountain before, so how could they withstand Yao Jin's audacious actions?
For a moment, some people looked away, while others followed their instincts. But the most conspicuous among them were the leaders, whose eyes were glazed over, just like the dissolute playboys of the mortal world, making them inexplicably repulsive.
Meng Ji glanced at those gazes out of the corner of his eye and took a step forward.
The wide Taoist robe perfectly blocked all view, and at the same time, a handkerchief slowly floated down, covering her fair little feet.
The reflections on the riverbank were also obscured. Meng Ji glanced at them, then addressed the disciples, "It seems you have all completed the assignments given in the classroom, and done them very well."
“Since that’s the case, and everyone has nothing else to do,” Meng Ji casually pointed out a few of his leading disciples, “Chi Yi, Qingfeng, and Xiao Yang, the three of you will translate the entire ‘Book of Rites’ tonight, and write a 10,000-word reflection on the twelfth chapter of Confucius’ ‘Book of Rites’ about Yan Yuan. Submit it by Chenshi tomorrow.”
The Book of Rites is extremely obscure; it deals with ancient rituals.
The twelfth chapter of Yan Yuan's Book discusses the four things a gentleman should not do: do not look at what is improper, do not listen to what is improper, do not speak what is improper, and do not do what is improper.
This is teaching them not to look at their teacher's wife!
Those who were trying to figure it out immediately understood, while those who hadn't seen it felt a pang of sympathy.
However, Chi Yi and the other two, who had taken a few more glances, looked pale and sickly.
The Commentary on the Book of Rites is lengthy and obscure. Wouldn't translating the whole thing require working through the night? Not to mention the ten thousand words of personal reflections.
"Master, could you reduce the amount? I'm not good at writing, and I really can't understand these ancient books!" Chi was at his wit's end. After pleading, he muttered to himself, "Besides, these things have nothing to do with exorcising demons. Why bother learning this nonsense?"
Chi Yi's words reflected the sentiments of many, but Qingfeng and the other two were so frightened that they tugged at his sleeves, signaling him to stop talking.
As a Nascent Soul Realm sect leader, Meng Ji could not hide these movements of his disciples from him at all.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his expression calm. "Chi Yi, tell me, what's the difference between a human and a demon?"
When Chi Yi was called upon, he answered without hesitation: "Demons are treacherous, selfish, bloodthirsty, and indiscriminate in killing. Therefore, demons should be killed."
"Then what is the difference between humans and demons?"
Chi Yi: "This, naturally, is something that people can control themselves?"
Meng Ji looked at him and pointed out the key point: "A gentleman should have self-discipline in the world. Only in this way can he restrain himself and distinguish between humans and demons."
Chi Yi immediately replied, "Yes, Sect Leader."
The disciples accepted the instruction and replied, "Yes, Sect Leader."
Meng Ji nodded, then turned around, looking down at Yao Jin with a seductive tone that he himself was unaware of, "Get dressed."
Being seen by one's husband can be considered a form of fun.
If others see it, it's all for nothing.
Yao Jin would never do anything that would put her at a disadvantage. She was already planning to put on her shoes and socks, but Xiao Daojun's words made her pause.
She kicked the handkerchief away, stood up barefoot, and said, "Why bother wearing anything? Why don't you carry me back, little Daoist?"
"Anyway, you'll have to take these shoes off sooner or later." This seemingly casual remark was whispered in Meng Ji's ear, but it was also spoken while standing on the banks of the Mu Chi River.
Meng Ji lowered his gaze, focusing on the water's surface, watching the snake's tail suddenly emerge from the water—the snake's tail curled upwards, looking extremely smug.
Those warm, long eyes instantly shifted, their dark pupils appearing as if they were immersed in a wine jar, extremely deep and intense. The blackness was so intense, the whiteness so intense, that it possessed a sharpness reminiscent of a sword being drawn from its sheath.
"Little Daoist, why aren't you saying anything? You were quite eloquent last night!" Yao Jin followed his gaze to the edge of the pond, but only saw the crystal-clear lake surface, and she immediately lost interest.
"What an idiot! What's so interesting about this pool? I'm standing right here talking to you, can't you even look at me?"
After he spoke, the surroundings became even quieter.
Yao Jin had never cultivated and was unaware that among cultivators, low-level cultivators had absolutely no privacy in front of high-level cultivators.
Which of the disciples present today lacks cultivation, and whose cultivation is not higher than that of Yao Jin, a mere mortal?
However, although the disciples heard it, they dared not speak.
For a time, some looked up at the sky and down at the ground, while others scratched their heads in frustration.
But no one showed the slightest intention of leaving.
Just kidding, this is gossip, and it's even the sect leader's gossip.
Who's willing to leave?
Hearing the outrageous remarks, Meng Ji pursed his lips for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward and scooped the person up in his arms.
He squatted down with the person in his arms, picked up the shoes and socks scattered on the ground, and then walked towards the Wugou Pavilion.
Yao Jin found the up-and-down motion quite fun, so he hooked his arm around Meng Ji's neck, "Little Daoist..."
"Silence." Meng Ji interrupted, tightening his grip on the restless girl. At the same time, his Taoist robe instantly teleported onto Yao Jin, completely covering the girl from head to toe.
Meng Ji's Taoist robe was no ordinary item; it was forged from the highest virtue, like water, making it impervious to swords and spears, and unaffected by water or fire.
Wearing a Taoist robe not only serves to defend against external enemies, but also to prevent being spied on.
Yao Jin's view was suddenly blocked, and she bit her lip in frustration. The gray Taoist robe was wide and flowing, carrying a cool, woody fragrance. She didn't find it offensive.
I just felt like I was being put in a difficult position, and my subconscious instinct was to argue back.
But just as she grabbed the Taoist robe, she caught a glimpse of the lines that flashed across the skin of the young Taoist priest's chest beneath his inner garment.
It looks like... snake print.
Yao Jin's breath hitched for a second. She blinked lightly, but all she could see was a smooth chest.
Huh, what's going on?
Unlike the graceful and slender figure of Yao Jin, the weight in his arms was as light as a feather. Meng Ji unconsciously tightened his grip and silently carried the person towards Wugou Pavilion.
—"That concludes today's lessons."
The disciples were disappointed, not because they were truly eager to learn, but because they regretted not being able to see their master's gossip a little longer.
"They're gone, they're gone."
"Wow, I never expected my master and mistress to be so loving."
"Wow, seeing this makes me want a Daoist partner too. I'd be willing to hug such a beautiful woman until my legs cramp up."
As everyone was about to leave, Meng Ji's gentle voice suddenly rang out from the small space, "The homework assigned to Chi Yi and the others will be done tonight for everyone."
"In addition, the number of pools will be doubled."
If you double the word count, that's 20,000!
The one who was just being the most lively suddenly started wailing.
The others also realized what was happening and started pulling at each other, saying, "Let's go, let's go! If you don't leave, you'll be punished even more severely."
Silent journey
Back in Wugou Pavilion, Yao Jin had barely touched the bed when she quickly darted to the innermost part of the room. She pulled the soft, gold-embroidered quilt over herself, saying, "Don't come any closer."
Looking again at the brightly lit sky, "It's daytime..."
She'd never done anything so exciting before, even in broad daylight.
Meng Ji: ...
He looked at the fluffy head and closed his eyes slightly.
The Wugou Pavilion has a long-standing rule that if the sect leader and his wife are in the same room, no servants are allowed to attend to them.
Therefore, the room was extremely quiet at this moment.
In the silence, Yao Jin felt a strange sense of unease.
But what is she panicking about?
Yao Jin would never admit that she might have been frightened by Xiao Daojun.
Suddenly, a very faint electric current came through—a crackling sound, intermittent.
The current wasn't as strong as usual; instead, it felt like a light ant bite, causing a tingling, numb sensation, and a burning feeling wherever it passed.
It seems to hurt more than before?
But thank God!
Yao Jin had never longed for this electric sensation before. She lowered her eyes and looked at her palm without making a sound. There were two words written on it: "Behave yourself."
Shaking Gold: ...
How to behave properly? Should we lie flat and not move, or lie like a corpse?
Give me a reply!
After hesitating for a long time, Yao Jin finally reached out her hand tremblingly. She pulled back the covers. Bearing the burden of her fate, she slowly lay down, appearing resigned to her fate, sprawled on the bed. "...Be gentle."
At the end of her sentence, she closed her eyes, like a delicate flower about to be destroyed in a storm.
These words made Meng Ji's brow twitch. He looked at the bright blue sky outside and then at Yao Jin lying sprawled out, and for a moment he was so angry that he laughed. "Such a lack of manners, it seems that Madam still hasn't learned enough about etiquette."
Having said that, he turned and left.
The door of Wugou Pavilion was slammed against the wall with a muffled thud, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, and the white wall coverings crumbled away.
—“The punishment is to copy the 352nd precept of Buzhou Mountain one thousand times.”
"No food until you finish copying."
Yao Jin raised an eyebrow, glanced at the other person's back, and snorted coldly, a hint of anger rising within him.
That's quite bold of them, daring to slam the door.
Yao Jin didn't think she was wrong about Xiao Daojun's punishment of copying, but she didn't eat dinner that evening.
She didn't really take Meng Ji's words to heart, and she felt that she seemed to have gained some weight.
Um…
You should eat less.
night
Yao Jin was taking small sips of her drink when suddenly a figure appeared, startling her.
Meng Ji, holding the tray with both hands, asked, "Who gave you permission to eat?"
Yao Jin: "I didn't eat anything, I just drank water."
She is very self-disciplined; when she says she'll eat less, she really means she won't eat at all.
However, it's still the bowl that creates the illusion; who would have thought that someone would leave their teacup unused and use a bowl to drink water?
Meng Ji paused, then concealed the magic mirror in his sleeve, saying, "One should not speak while eating or sleeping."
The Demon-Revealing Mirror can reveal the true form of demons, and even the most skilled at hiding cannot conceal it—this mirror was given to Meng Ji so that he could see tonight whether his wife was truly a demon.
Although the lady was only possessed by a demon, the method of forcing the demon out of her body was too complicated and far less convenient than killing her with a single blow.
Meng Ji thought of his personality and lowered his eyes slightly.
"What are you doing here? You didn't just come to see if I've eaten, did you?" Yao Jin asked Xiao Daojun, who seemed to be in a daze, and guessed his intentions.
From a top-down angle, it's easy to see the girl's pointed chin and slender shoulder bones, like a growing flower bud, just the right time to absorb nutrients.
Meng Ji sighed softly and knelt down beside Yao Jin.
He bent his upper body straight, lifted the tray with his index finger and thumb, and took out the white porcelain dish in the middle. Then, with his lips slightly pursed, he silently pushed the dish in front of Yao Jin.
A short while later, he pushed the plate a little further in, just the right distance to easily shake the gold and take it out. "Madam, please have some."
"Oh, is this osmanthus pastry?" Yao Jin looked at the contents of the plate and feigned surprise, "So you're letting me eat again?"
Of all the pastries, Yao Jin's favorite is osmanthus pastry.
Osmanthus cake is easy to make, but making it flaky is more difficult. It requires kneading and rolling the dough layer by layer to make the dough flaky, then frying and cooking it.
These days, even big stores mostly sell cakes, and it's rare to find pastries.
"Well, pastries aren't exactly a proper meal. It's fine to have some." Meng Ji's words seemed to be addressed to his wife, but also to himself.
"Where did you buy this pastry? Why is it so ugly?" The osmanthus pastry wasn't actually ugly, it was just not refined enough. Yao Jin only said it casually because she saw that Meng Ji was going to keep going on and on and her head was a little sore.
"..." Meng Ji paused slightly, his wide Taoist robe concealing the blisters on his hands and feet. "Madam loves to eat this, and now that we have it, isn't that good?"
"It's alright, I suppose," Yao Jin muttered. She was a picky eater and usually didn't like food that wasn't very well-shaped. Besides, for some reason, the smell of this pastry made her feel a little uncomfortable today.
"I don't want to..." She was about to refuse when suddenly, a powerful electric current exploded within her body! A sharp, piercing pain shot through her. Caught off guard, Yao Jin immediately let out a muffled groan.
Meng Ji quickly reached out and supported Yao Jin, who was about to collapse. "What's wrong, Madam?"
"It's nothing..." Yao Jin pretended to be fine, a hint of tears welling up in her eyes, "I accidentally bit my tongue."
I'm going to die!
What happened now?!
Yao Jin covered her mouth as she looked at the small words that appeared on her palm: "Praise him."
What to praise?
How to praise?
What's so great about a plate of cakes? Are you suggesting we praise his hard work, that he, a grown man, carried such heavy cakes here?
Yao Jin was in a dilemma, feeling that praising either option would go against her conscience. But the electric current was spreading, from her limbs to her torso, from crackling to hissing. It was as if if she didn't do as she was told, it would shock her heart in the next second!
The smaller text reappeared—"Praise him, or you'll be struck by lightning!"
Shaking Gold: ...
She could only look at the plate of osmanthus pastries placed in front of her again, but for some reason, the pastries that were originally just average now looked incredibly ugly.
Yao Jin was so upset that he couldn't open his mouth at all.
The impatient one, seeing that Yao Jin didn't speak, immediately went for a low-intensity burst—a series of crackling and squeaking noises.
In the blink of an eye, Yao Jin's soft, silky hair exploded.
Her hair!
Yao Jin screamed in her heart!
Before he could even get angry, lightning and thunder suddenly appeared in the sky, and the phenomenon changed abruptly.
Dozens of bolts of lightning converged above the Immaculate Pavilion, as thick as coiled snakes, emitting bursts of thunder as they exploded before one's eyes.
At the same time, tiny print appeared in the palm of his hand—[Praise him, praise how delicious his poisoned pastries are.]
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