Shen Qingmang asked Su Miaoran many more questions about Chaohua Palace. She answered all the questions she could, and for those she couldn't answer, she simply said they were related to the sect's secrets. So she collected a lot of first-hand information.
Su Miaoran felt a little thirsty, and after drinking several cups of flower dew, she said apologetically, "Miaoran is a little tired today. Can we talk again another day?"
"Sorry." Shen Qingmang put away the notebook. "I was having such a great time talking to you that I forgot about everything else and missed the time. Miaoran, go get some rest. I'm leaving too."
"Qingmang, please sit down for a moment." Su Miaoran stood up and walked back. After a while, she returned with a jar of wine. "It seems you really enjoyed it just now. This is our Chaohua Palace specialty wine, called 'Chunlouduan'. If you don't have enough, I have more."
"What I just drank was actually wine?" Shen Qingmang smacked his lips. "It was sweet, I didn't taste anything at all. I thought it was flower dew."
"This is a good wine." Su Miaoran handed it to her. "It has an endless flavor and a long aftertaste."
Shen Qingmang put the wine into his sleeve and couldn't help but lower his head to sniff his clothes, only to smell a faint floral scent.
After she left Jinghua Palace, another cultivator came to escort her back. He was a handsome young man in red. Shen Qingmang asked them, "Is there anything beautiful to see at night in Chaohua Palace?"
She couldn't smell any alcohol on her body, but just in case, she should walk around a bit to get rid of the smell. Otherwise, if her disciples smelled it, it would have a bad influence.
The young man in red said, "Master Qiongju, have you ever heard of 'Fragrant Terrace and Evening Blooms'? It is a magnificent spectacle in our Chaohua Palace."
“I’ve never heard of it.”
"How about we take the real person to see it?"
"Thank you both for your help." Shen Qingmang said with a smile.
The two young men looked at each other. The young man in white was still walking in front, but the young man in red slowed down and walked side by side with her.
"Does the real person like Chaohua Palace?"
"I like it. Even the grass and trees in Chaohua Palace are so cute."
"It's truly an honor for us."
"You're welcome. I haven't asked your name yet."
"My name is Mingzhuo, you can call me Azhuo."
Shen Qingmang frowned slightly. She was not used to anyone calling themselves a "slave", although she knew that this was a very common self-proclaimed term in ancient times and did not carry any class connotation.
The lamplighter in front also spoke. "My name is Qingxiao."
"Sorry, I forgot to ask you just now." Shen Qingmang said.
The young man in white smiled. "It's just that the dawn is too quiet. It's not your fault."
"You are truly a kind-hearted person." Ming Zhuo tilted his head to look at her. "I have long heard of the name of Master Qiongju, a beauty on par with our Palace Master. I used to think she was as cold and aloof as jade, but now that I have met her, I realize you are as warm and gentle as the morning sun."
No one would be unhappy to hear the beautiful boy's praise. Shen Qingmang covered his lips and chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Mingzhuo, you are too kind."
"We're here." Qingxiao said.
Shen Qingmang looked up and saw roses of various colors blooming one after another, appearing hazy and beautiful under the moonlight. The air was filled with the fragrance of tea and roses, blending together and cleansing his soul.
"So this is 'Fangtai Xirui'..." She said in amazement. "It's absolutely beautiful."
There was a pavilion not far away. Shen Qingmang went over and sat down, and invited the two young men to sit with him. Qingxiao placed the lampstand in a corner of the pavilion. Mingzhuo rested his chin on his hand and looked at the roses, saying, "It's a beautiful day, but there's no good wine."
Shen Qingmang smiled and said, "It's better for children not to drink alcohol."
Ming Zhuo chuckled. "How old does the master think we are?"
"Hmm?" Shen Qingmang raised an eyebrow. "Seventeen or eighteen?"
"I am one hundred and two years old this year. Qingxiao is still young, eighty-one."
Shen Qingmang blushed. "Sorry, sorry, I was abrupt."
She had been in seclusion for too long and had forgotten that in the world of immortal cultivation, age could not be judged by facial features, and subconsciously thought that they were all teenagers.
She pulled out a wine jar from her sleeve and a few glass cups. "This is the 'Spring Leak Short' gift from Palace Master Miaoran. I'm offering this to you two, thank you for your guidance."
Qingxiao gently flicked the wick, causing the light to flicker. Mingzhuo curved his lips, his voice even softer. "'Chunlouduan' is a fine wine. Qingxiao and I are only lucky enough to taste it during the New Year. Are you really willing to give it away?"
"Why would I be reluctant to part with my possessions?" Shen Qingmang poured three glasses of wine. "You can enjoy it to your heart's content today."
The two young men drank the wine in their glasses with elegant manners. Shen Qingmang rubbed his brows, but couldn't help himself and said, "Can I ask you a few questions?"
"Of course." Mingzhuo leaned forward, his tone tender. "I will tell you everything I know."
"That's great." Shen Qingmang pulled out his notebook again. "I asked Palace Master Miaoran about the cultivation methods of Chaohua Palace. She said that men and women have different emphases. So, I'd like to ask what methods male practitioners generally choose?"
Mingzhuo leaned back and looked at Qingxiao. "This... Qingxiao, why don't you answer first?"
Qingxiao frowned. "Why does the Master ask such a question?"
"Ah, is it inconvenient to answer? I understand, it's a private question. Then let me ask something less private." Shen Qingmang said, twirling his pen: "Given your current experience, to what extent do you understand 'love'? Palace Master Miaoran said that practitioners in Chaohua Palace often experience sudden enlightenment. Have you ever experienced this?"
Ming Zhuo wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed dryly, "My skills are not very advanced and I haven't gained a deep understanding of them yet. I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Sect Master Qiongju."
Qingxiao shook his head. "I haven't had any epiphany yet. As for my understanding of 'love'... I believe love is the most unpredictable thing in the world, with no rules to follow."
"Yes, there's a saying in my hometown: 'Love originates from nowhere, yet it's ever-deepening.' I also find the origin of love difficult to study, and I'm really putting this in a difficult position for you. I have a few more questions..."
Her conversation grew more intense, question after question popping up in her mind. The two young men across from her, however, were becoming increasingly uneasy. Ming Zhuo poured himself a few glasses of wine, pinched his brow, and finally, leaned over the table to beg for mercy. "I'm sorry, Sect Master. I'm afraid I'm going to waste your fine wine. You've reminded me of Master's testing for no reason. It's truly... unbearable to look back on."
"Ah, sorry, sorry." Shen Qingmang said, "I don't know why I have such a strong desire for knowledge tonight."
Qingxiao said, "You are indeed a good master. I heard that you were recruiting many disciples, but I misunderstood that this was a move to gain fame. I hope you will forgive me."
"Is this incident such a big sensation?" Shen Qingmang felt his face flush, and he held his hands to his face. "I'm just good at teaching. Being a teacher gives me a sense of accomplishment."
"It must be a blessing to be your apprentice." Qingxiao stood up and raised his glass. "I toast you."
Shen Qingmang also stood up, raised his glass and clinked it with his, and when the other party raised his head to drink, he suddenly realized something.
She knew the source of this familiar feeling, it was...
"Master didn't come home late at night. Was he enjoying the flowers and drinking with others?"
The three of them looked towards the source of the sound at the same time. The young man standing alone under the moonlight was like a Udumbara in the middle of the night, cold and charming.
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