Zhao Rong thought that Miss Bifang looked quite interesting.

Well, except for stealing **.

By the way, can this thing be eaten?

He couldn't help laughing.

I remembered the slender girl in blue who just said seriously, "It looks delicious."

It's kind of cute.

However, it seems a bit miserable for Miss Bifang to follow Yu Huaijin, a guy with a stern face all day long, as her servant.

At this time, inside the Dongli Cottage.

After Zhao Rong improvised through the "Yi Lan Cao", he picked up a pen and added a stroke to the character "正" on the paper next to him.

He raised his eyes and glanced at Yu Huaijin, who was practicing calligraphy with a brush in her hand not far away, and Bifang, who was standing quietly and well-behaved behind her, with her hands behind her back.

It just happened to Zhao Rong.

This Miss Bifang was indeed stealing glances at him again, as if she was looking at a benefactor.

Zhao Rong put two fingers on his chin and smiled gently at her who was about to avoid his gaze.

Bifang was stunned for a moment, then she smiled happily.

She glanced at Yu Huaijin who was concentrating on writing in front of her, lowered her head and quietly took out a fiery red embroidered bag from her sleeve.

Bifang held the bulging embroidery bag in both hands, weighed it, felt the weight, and then her eyes narrowed into crescents.

She opened the bright red embroidered bag, put two fingers into it, rummaged through it, and then pinched out a small snack-like object.

Zhao Rong took a look and didn't know whether it was candied fruit or dried fruit.

Bifang lowered her head, put the snack into her mouth, and smacked her lips a few times greedily, but she swallowed very gently, trying not to make any noise.

During this time, her eyes were always fixed on Yu Huaijin's back, looking very cautious.

Zhao Rong put down his pen and smiled silently when he saw this. Why did eating a snack seem like a thief?

Senior Yu Huaijin Yu is indeed a bit strict, both to others and to himself.

But looking at this strange master and servant pair, both of them are thin and weak.

Bifang has a slender figure, while Yu Huaijin is even shorter, like a little girl, well, a little girl with a stern face.

Zhao Rong suddenly understood something.

I mourn even more for my brothers who might have to deal with Yu Huaijin in the future.

It seemed that he discovered Zhao Rong was watching.

Bifang restrained her greedy movements. She lowered her eyes to look at the food in the rust bag, then raised her eyes to look at Zhao Rong not far away.

Zhao Rong smiled and shook his head, declining politely. Unexpectedly, he was such a foodie, um, such a greedy one.

Bifang also laughed.

The slender girl smiled softly, smacked her lips, and reached her finger into the rust bag, trying to get some more snacks.

But she stopped moving the next second and stuffed the embroidered bag back into her sleeve in the blink of an eye.

She lowered her head meekly, glanced at Yu Huaijin who was looking at her with his head tilted, and calmed down.

Yu Huaijin turned his head, frowned slightly, and glanced at Zhao Rong.

Zhao Rong shrugged his shoulders at this somewhat strange master-servant pair, curled the corners of his mouth slightly, and continued practicing the piano and painting.

This time, Yu Huaijin's tutoring task was not as heavy as the last time.

After all, there is not enough time, and he should also know that a certain 'Mr. Zhao' is very busy.

The music and arts lessons ended from the evening until shortly after nightfall.

Yu Huaijin earnestly advised Zhao Rong not to slack off in his piano practice.

With his current level, it would be very difficult for him to get a normal result in the upcoming mid-month exam.

Zhao Rong looked calm and nodded in response.

Seeing this, Yu Huaijin sighed slightly, his expression somewhat worried.

He must be a little troubled by the addition of Zhao Rong and Fan Yushu to the mid-month exam results of Suixingtang.

Zhao Rong raised his eyelids and stopped talking nonsense.

Yu Huaijin hesitated for a while, then asked about the current progress of the calligraphy class at Ruxingtang.

She is very serious in every class, and the same is true for Zhao Rong's calligraphy class, but she is also confused by the situation.

Zhao Rong thought about it and answered truthfully, with his words being somewhat euphemistic.

He didn't know about other schools, but overall, compared with the Justice Hall of Zhao Rong, it was indeed inferior, and according to the current trend, the gap would probably get bigger and bigger.

Yu Huaijin frowned even more.

She saluted Zhao Rong and turned to leave.

But I saw that Zhao Rong was about to go out.

He whispered, "Where are you going, Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Rong answered casually: "Yilanxuan."

Yu Huaijin's face suddenly turned serious.

Not long.

Zhao Rong and the other two came to Yilanxuan together.

That’s right, there were three of them, including Yu Huaijin and her weak servant boy.

Yu Huaijin didn't say a word and just followed silently.

It seemed that he was very suspicious about the purpose of someone running to Yilanxuan late at night.

The corner of Zhao Rong's mouth twitched slightly. Why was he like guarding against thieves?

He shook his head and led the way into Yilanxuan to find Zhu Yourong.

After a busy whole day, it was now about 4:45 in the evening. There was still some time left, so Zhao Rong came to see how Zhu Yourong was doing in writing the word "Yong".

When they met this time, the two were no longer as casual as they were when they were together in private a few days ago.

Although still in Lanxuan's study.

But there were a few more pairs of eyes looking around.

Zhu Yourong also bound a certain scenery, wearing a green Confucian robe and with an indifferent expression.

Zhao Rong rolled up his sleeves and stood in front of the desk, watching her write.

His face was calm, and he would point his finger from time to time.

But the two of them always maintained a normal distance and had no other communication.

Yu Huaijin also lowered his head to write beside them under the pretext of practicing calligraphy, and looked up at them from time to time.

Jingzi was very happy about Bifang's arrival.

But when she saw that Zhao Rong had come with them, she became like her sister Yu, with a frown on her face, looking as if she was facing a formidable enemy.

At this moment, Jingzi also moved a small stool and sat next to the desk, her big black eyes wandering around Zhao Rong and Zhu Yourong.

Bifang was greedily eating snacks while stealing glances at Zhao Rong.

Even a fool could understand the meaning of such a tight defensive formation.

Zhao Rong was quite speechless and wanted to seriously tell them that there was no need to do so.

He and Zhu Yourong were currently close friends with similar interests, so the unexpected harmony they had gotten along with before was not what they thought.

However, Zhao Rong knew without even trying that explanation was useless.

I think so.

If a man and a woman are close friends, then there is nothing wrong with it. But between a man and a woman...

In general vernacular novels, it seems that this kind of situation will develop in the direction of a confidante and love growing over time.

Thinking of this, Zhao Rong understood the concerns of Yu Huaijin and Jingzi.

At the same time, he was a little shaken by his previous certainty that the pure friendship between him and Zhu Yourong would not deteriorate or become unnatural.

Maybe it's time to pay attention...

Zhao Rong stood quietly in front of the desk and looked up at Zhu Yourong who was writing quietly with his head down.

Her profile was calm and serious, and she didn't look at him.

There was no extra reaction to the presence of so many people watching in the study.

Zhu Yourong is still focused on the calligraphy she loves.

Zhao Rong suddenly felt that such a woman, even if her appearance, identity and temperament were not taken into account, was indeed extremely beautiful.

He looked genuinely appreciative.

For a woman like this, only the best man in the world can hold her hand.

Well, this young master is an exception.

Zhao Rong classified himself into a certain category without blushing or beating his heart.

He already has Qingjun and Xiaoxiao.

I had been avoiding Mr. Zhu because I wanted to avoid having affairs with other women.

But plans could not keep up with changes. The first time he skipped class, he was caught on the spot and was stopped by her.

Now I have agreed to teach Zhu Yourong calligraphy because I am inspired by her beliefs and experiences.

The two got along well and had a pleasant conversation.

However, Zhao Rong knew it, and he also knew that Zhu Yourong, who was the "first-class Confucian scholar", knew it as well.

It would be extremely dangerous for either of them, or both of them together, to try to get even one step closer.

There is a red line between the two.

This is the result of the invisible yet ever-present Confucian etiquette.

He is the student and she is the teacher.

Unless one can change one's identity, if one takes one step beyond that, one will end up standing on the opposite side of millions of Confucian scholars.

There is no need to state this explicitly, there is a tacit understanding between Zhao Rong and Zhu Yourong.

However, when Zhao Rong thought about their interactions over the past few days, it seemed that they were indeed too close.

So it’s no wonder that there are a few more pairs of bright eyes around now.

Perhaps there were really too few people who knew each other well in calligraphy, and the two of them hit it off right away and couldn't help themselves...

He is actually very confident in himself.

I won't take the initiative to take that step.

Many men, because of a strange look or a close gesture from a woman, can't help but narcissistically wonder if the woman is interested in them...

Zhao Rong understood this mentality very well because he felt the same way.

Before, Zhao Rong was still worried that Teacher Zhu's kindness towards him would change...

Now it seems...

In the quiet study, Zhao Rong looked at Teacher Zhu, who looked calm, but she didn't look at him any more.

Zhao Rong blinked.

I feel like my worries are unnecessary.

Alas, I was ‘poisoned’ by those weird novels and movies in my previous life…

So, this is the current situation of getting along.

Whenever Zhao Rong comes to see Teacher Zhu, Yu Huaijin and Jingzi will most likely be there to accompany him.

They each got what they needed.

He taught Teacher Zhu how to write and helped her teach calligraphy classes in two schools.

She helped Zhao Rong collect water from the Zhengguan Well to assist him in his practice.

The two of them would occasionally exchange calligraphy and have a great time chatting about the mountains and rivers.

Zhao Rong felt that this kind of relationship was pretty good.

And this is real life. It won't develop in the wrong direction as written in the books...

"Brother Zhao."

Yu Huaijin's voice suddenly sounded.

It broke the tranquility in the study.

Zhao Rong came back to his senses and found that he seemed to have been staring at Zhu Yourong for too long. Yu Huaijin was looking at him expressionlessly.

In addition, Jingzi and Bifang's eyes are also on him.

Zhao Rong coughed twice, slightly embarrassed.

Zhu Yourong, who was writing quietly, paused for a moment, raised his head and glanced at Zhao Rong calmly, then lowered his head to write again.

This went on for half an hour and the night gradually deepened.

During this period, Zhao Rong was somewhat surprised at Zhu Yourong's progress in calligraphy. She was indeed extremely talented.

Zhu Yourong could grasp the general essence of many brush strokes and techniques as long as he taught them once.

You may even understand something immediately and apply it to other situations.

The two of them were also polite and respectful in their conversation and interactions.

After a while, Zhao Rong looked out the window and said goodbye.

Zhu Yourong bowed and said softly, "Thank you, Ziyu, for your guidance."

Seeing this, Zhao Rong also returned the greeting respectfully, "Mr. Zhu, thank you for your courtesy."

Zhu Yourong smiled and shook her head, then agreed on the next time Zhao Rong would come for 'tea'.

Afterwards, she sent Jingzi to escort Zhao Rong out of Yilanxuan.

Not long after Zhao Rong and Jingzi left.

Yu Huaijin also said goodbye and left with Bifang.

Zhu Yourong stood quietly behind the desk and watched everyone leave.

She looked at the empty room and fell silent.

At a certain moment, Zhu Yourong frowned slightly, raised her hands to cover her chest, and then quickly walked behind the screen.

Quickly, she took off something that she hated but had to do and returned to her desk.

Freed from a layer of restraints, Zhu Yourong breathed a long sigh of relief.

She turned and glanced at the west window.

On the windowsill, there was a pot of pure white orchid swaying in the dark wind.

Sometimes it leans forward into the bright house, sometimes it falls back into the gray night.

Looking beyond the orchid, there is a dark scene in the distance.

In the distance, the buildings in those Confucian academies, which imitated the strict regulations and carved styles of the Zhongzhou Confucian Temple, were hidden in the night.

They are arranged in a horizontal row, like a high dark wall that connects to the sky.

It stood upright in Zhu Yourong's field of vision, filling her eyes. It was so dark that it also blocked out the distance.

Zhu Yourong walked quickly to the window, took the orchid outside the window, closed the window tightly, hugged the orchid, and turned her back.

The room was blindingly bright, the light silent.

Zhu Yourong lowered her head and looked at the orchid that was blooming alone in the flowerpot, enjoying its own fragrance.

She suddenly smiled.

Zhu Yourong chuckled, returned to the table, placed the flower pot on the table, spread out paper and ground ink, and continued to write.

Orchids, calligraphy, and this quiet study.

These are what she fought for.

She is already content.

Can't hope for anything else.

…

Inside the academy, in the southeast corner, there is a small path hidden in the woods.

It was pitch black.

There are two dark shadows walking.

There is no moon tonight.

Vaguely, two figures can be seen, one is thin and short, the other is slender and tall.

The short one walked in front.

The tall and thin one followed behind.

The two walked quietly and silently.

At a certain section of the dark path, there were few trees on the roadside, so the light from the brightly lit buildings outside shone into the woods, forming several slanting beams of light.

Dust floats in the pale yellow light.

At a certain moment, the two figures passed through these slanting beams of light one after another.

Like a flash of time, the two people's appearances could be clearly seen.

The man in front held his hands up and had a stern face.

The person behind was wearing blue clothes and holding a fiery red embroidered bag in her slender left hand.

In the dark.

"My young master."

The voice came from the slender girl at the back.

The old-fashioned girl in front was still walking quietly and silently.

Then, silence fell between the two again.

After a moment.

The slender girl suddenly said:

"My Lord, I want to eat him."

"no."

The prim girl's voice was calm, but her tone left no room for doubt.

"oh."

The slender girl responded softly and said no more. She just lowered her head and rummaged through the food bag for a while, but found it a bit boring, so she smacked her lips.

It looks delicious, and his last name is Zhao...

She likes it very much.