Zhao Rong pulled Qingjun behind him and faced Tao Yuanran.

The words that the familiar old man with a Nanhua scarf in the pavilion just said to Qingjun were also meant for him to hear.

Just now, Qingjun and the others had their backs to Zhao Rong and were listening attentively.

He was not found for a while.

However, Tao Yuanran was facing towards Zhao Rong.

Although Zhao Rong was standing a little far away.

But as he gradually heard Tao Yuanran say some deliberately harsh words like "Ritual is the root of chaos".

Zhao Rong was already certain in his heart that Tao Yuanran had seen him.

However, Zhao Rong listened in silence for a while.

Because he wanted to know what stage Taoism in this world had reached.

What is the current mainstream doctrine of the Taoist school at the Jixia Academy, the center of the Hundred Schools of Thought?

Regarding this point, because Wangquezhou is very far away, the news is not very fast.

However, Zhao Rong soon figured out the situation, especially when Tao Yuanran's remarks about "the saint and the thief" came out.

As for the criticism of the Confucian scholars that the old man in the pavilion had said before, if it was said to him, then it seemed that there was another purpose...

In the open space outside the pavilion, Zhao Rong suddenly bowed and said with a smile: "I am Zhao Ziyu."

Tao Yuanran also smiled, stood up, and, just like he had done half a year ago, performed the solemn ancient ritual of the Jixia Academy to the young Confucian scholar in front of him.

"My name is Tao Yuanran."

But the next second, Zhao Rong smiled, "Fellow Daoist Tao just said that 'etiquette' is the source of trouble. Why are you now so rigid in following such an ancient etiquette? Aren't you also being constrained?"

Tao Yuanran had a calm expression.

"Little Taoist Zhao, do you really not know? This is an ancient etiquette that is not necessary when meeting a Taoist friend you recognize at the Jixia Academy."

"I follow the rules of etiquette as I please, without any restraint, and in accordance with nature. But your Confucianism forces people to follow the rules and observe etiquette no matter when and where. This is imposed on everyone in the world, and I certainly don't agree with it."

Zhao Rong nodded, "Brother Tao is still as charming as ever, still as eloquent and sharp as ever."

Tao Yuanran: "Little Taoist friend is the same, still so sharp and aggressive."

Zhao Rong waved his hand and said:

"I don't deserve it, but there are some inappropriate things in what Daoist Brother Tao just said to my wife."

"In that debate on 'action and inaction', I held the view of inaction, so I did say the words of inaction that you just repeated."

He paused, closed his eyes slightly and said:

"But Zhao didn't say a word about the relationship between the saint and the thief. What came after that was all Tao Daoyou's remarks. Well, it's better to make this clear so as not to cause misunderstandings."

Zhao Rong looked at the students in the open space around him and emphasized it.

He is now a Confucian scholar at Linlu Academy. Regarding the "Tao dispute", regardless of his specific views, at least he must have a clear attitude and stand firm.

Zhao Rong didn't know whether Tao Yuanran did it intentionally or unintentionally, but he had currently offended a conservative woman who was in menopause and had not yet married.

Be careful with your words and actions to avoid rumors, as three people can make a tiger.

Tao Yuanran remained calm and nodded.

"Fellow Daoist Tao, we didn't expect to meet again so soon after we last met in Zhongnan."

Tao Yuanran nodded and said, "Young Taoist friend, are you studying in Linlu Academy now? Who is your teacher?"

Zhao Rong answered casually, "I am still studying at the Mochi Academy and have not yet become a disciple of the masters of the academy."

Tao Yuanran smiled, stroked his beard and said nothing.

Zhao Rong didn't think much about it and bowed, "Your Excellency is still teaching. I am sorry for interrupting you. Bye."

He turned to Qingjun and Qian'er and said, "Sit down first. If you have any questions, we can discuss them in private later. I'll wait for you outside."

Zhao Rong patted his sleeves, smiled at the students around him, and was about to leave.

Seeing this, Tao Yuanran raised his eyebrows and raised his hand to persuade him to stop.

"My dear Taoist friend, please stay. I am not in a hurry to attend the Xiaoyao Mansion class. You can take it another day. You... you just said 'Pu Nangui Yi'? What do you think?"

Zhao Rong waved his hand, "I don't have any profound ideas, I just said it casually, don't take it to heart. A teacher's job is to impart knowledge and answer questions, please continue, the students are still waiting."

Tao Yuanran did not look at the students in the open space.

The beads in the old man's hand stopped flowing, and he shook his head:

"We have covered everything that needs to be covered in today's class. Now they can just go back and think about it on their own."

"Speaking of which, Young Taoist Zhao seems to have a different view on 'The Saint and the Thief'. Could you enlighten me? How about we have another casual chat? Last time, I was preoccupied with the affairs of my ancestors, so I didn't enjoy the conversation with Young Taoist Zhao very much."

Students: "..."

Liu Kongyi bit her silver teeth lightly, looking at Zhao Rong who was repeatedly tried to stay by Mr. Tao, not knowing what she was thinking.

At a certain moment, he seemed to feel the dangerous gaze of a little girl.

She turned her head and smiled sweetly at Zhao Qianer.

Zhao Qian'er narrowed her eyes and suddenly glanced at the lady next to her. She saw that Zhao Lingfei did not look at Liu Kongyi, but looked at Rong'er's back with gentle eyes.

The little girl's expression suddenly changed, and her eyes calmly turned away, no longer looking at Liu Kongyi.

The latter chuckled and nodded, then looked away as if nothing had happened.

There was a brief exchange of blows between the two women, which no one saw.

At this moment, Zhao Rong felt that every second of hesitation between his wife and Qingtan was more proof of his intellectual deficiency.

Without even thinking, he said:

"Saints and great thieves are matters for wise men and great monks like you to ponder. I am not well-educated and dare not comment on them."

Zhao Rong frowned and said:

"On the contrary, when I first met you, you were Daoist friend Tao. I thought you were a hermit who was detached from the world and wanted to keep himself clean. You practiced your sect's purity and inaction."

"But now it seems that you are serving as the Taoist master of the Four Palaces of Taiqing, and are actively promoting your school's ideas. Aren't you also doing something 'active'?"

The old man in the pavilion was silent for a while, his eyes showing contemplation.

"I'm sorry to have made you laugh, little Taoist friend. In fact, in the past, except for representing the Louguan Taoist sect and debating in the Jixia Academy, I rarely 'spoke' or argued with others."

"Even when I was young and at the height of my glory as a gentleman, I was calm and composed, and left the world leisurely."

"Over the years, in the face of this turbulent world and the ever-changing situation on the mountain, I have been silent most of the time. When I saw my fellow disciples or fellow Taoists entering the secular world, I also laughed at them for wasting their time."

"However, as I grow older, my hair and beard turn white. Although I have always been a hermit and live a leisurely life, I feel that my shoulders are getting heavier."

"After thinking about it, I ask myself, although I have been free and easy for most of my life, but... there are still too many people in this world who are uncomfortable, confused, stupid, or misled, trapped in this worldly quagmire."

"It seems that my cultivation is still not good enough. I cannot distinguish between the inner and the outer, distinguish between honor and disgrace, and reach the state of no self, no merit, and no fame like the predecessors of our sect."

At this time, Tao Yuanran turned his head and looked around.

The old man's eyes swept across the faces of the students sitting cross-legged in the open space, one by one, and finally fell on Zhao Rong's face, who was listening attentively.

"I have been silent for most of my life. After thinking for a while, I have something to say to the world, especially to you young people, because it is you young people who decide the future trend of Xuanhuang cultivation world and whether the world is good or bad."

"The elders in the Taoist sect don't care and live in seclusion, but I do care and don't want to remain silent any longer. I have a responsibility to show the way to you young descendants."

Tao Yuanran lowered his head, patted his sleeves, and said calmly, "This is the burden on my shoulders. I can't let you be misled by the wrong theories of other philosophers, especially the Confucianists who have done so many things and made so many mistakes!"

The old man slowly raised his head and looked at everyone:

"This time, I am not here to be a tinker like a Confucian scholar, mending the world and setting rules and regulations for you, not doing these futile things. I just don't want to remain silent any longer, so I took the position of the Taoist scholar in Taiqing Mansion and told you what I have been holding in my heart for all these years."

Tao Yuanran looked straight at Zhao Rong.

Zhao Rong was filled with awe when he heard this.

Although Tao Yuanran always denounced the Confucians for "doing something", he himself couldn't help but stand up and "do something".

Although the reason given by the old man was that as a senior, he wanted to impart the Taoist thoughts to the younger generation so that they would not be "cheated" by other schools of thought.

The old man himself felt the same way.

However, the final result was... he still entered the world and deviated from the Taoist philosophy of having no desires and being free and at ease.

Tao Yuanran tried his best to give a reasonable explanation for the responsibility on his shoulders without violating the understanding of the great principles in his heart.

Even if he is not as accomplished as a Confucian scholar like Lin Wenruo, it is another kind of "achievement".

One Confucian, one Tao.

The paths are different, even diametrically opposed.

But the original intention is good, and everyone wants to make the world a little better, even if it's just a little bit.

Zhao Rong even felt that this seemed to be the original intention of Taoism, to do nothing in order to do everything.

This is not a passive way of avoiding the world; it is clearly the most active way of participating in the world...

Therefore, Zhao Rong felt that he was worthy of respect.

He nodded seriously.

"I understand, but I am the opposite of you. You are an old man, you should stop being silent and talk about the world. But I am still young and inexperienced... I should start to be silent and talk less. A certain teacher wants me to listen more and think more."

"So today, not only do I worry about disturbing you and the others in class, but I really have nothing to say. Let's just forget about the casual conversation today."

"good."

Tao Yuanran pondered for a moment and nodded:

"However, some truths become clearer the more you argue about them. You can't keep them in your heart and think behind closed doors. When we are free some other day, we can discuss it privately. Don't worry, my friend. Our private conversations will never be heard by a third person without permission."

Zhao Rong hesitated for a moment, glanced at the solemn expression of the old man in the pavilion, and after a moment, he nodded.

Seeing this pair of gentlemen's friendship regardless of age difference, the students who were watching nearby looked at each other in silence.

Tao Yuanran clapped his hands and smiled, then suddenly turned around and said to Concubine Zhao Ling:

"Miss Zhao, although the pure purple energy in your hair has been refined, it is not the orthodox method of our Taoism after all. It is just barely in line with it."

He glanced at the purple ribbon between Concubine Zhao Ling's black hair and said with a smile:

"You can obtain this purple air from the east, which is only available to the gentlemen of our Taoist sect. It also has the wonderful word 'purity'. It can be said that you are destined to be with our Taoist sect. I have a spell here that can make the purple air from the east have infinite uses. You will know it after using it. I will give it to you as a gift. You can use it to refine the purple air again. When you cast the golden elixir in the future, it will be no problem to temper it into a purple elixir."

Before Tao Yuanran finished speaking, there was a burst of exclamations from the audience.

A ray of purple air from the east, coupled with the Taoist's exclusive purple air secret formula...

Among the crowd, except for a few who were cold and indifferent, most of the students looked at Zhao Lingfei with some envy.

But then, some students in the prefecture couldn't help but look at the young Confucian scholar in green robe in front of Concubine Zhao Lingfei with complicated eyes.

In the last row, Liu Kongyi narrowed her beautiful eyes and looked at Zhao Rong's back, wondering what she was thinking.

At this moment, when Concubine Zhao Ling heard this, under the envious gazes of everyone, her cold and pretty face couldn't help but turn a little red.

Just like the charming rouge applied on the wedding day, fresh and charming.

Concubine Zhao Ling lowered her eyes and bit her lip.

There is no way she has any affinity with Taoism.

This purple air coming from the east was casually given to her by someone, and it was clear that Mr. Tao at this moment gave her this Taoist spell because of that someone.

but……

After hearing this, Concubine Zhao Ling did not react. Instead, she lowered her head and thought for a while, then looked up at her husband with a questioning look in her eyes.

Zhao Rong said sternly, "A gift from an elder cannot be refused. Qingjun, accept it. This is a gift from the elder."

He winked quickly at the lady.

Hurry up, hurry up, you bastard, if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity, you will be missed.

Zhao Lingfei: “…”

The couple's expressions are very expressive.

Zhao Rong: Silly girl, he is a cultivator in the Nascent Soul stage, there is no need to be polite to him. If you don’t accept him, wouldn’t you be looking down on fellow Daoist Tao?

Concubine Zhao Ling glared at him: You, you are stupid.

Afterwards, she seemed to be amused by her husband's improper behavior.

After Zhao Lingfei looked at him, she smiled like a flower.

She said in a clear voice, "Yeah."

Tao Yuanran nodded with satisfaction.

Then, he raised the index finger of his right hand, which was holding the beads, slightly.

In an instant, the only purple bead on the wooden bead exploded into a ball of deep purple mist.

Inside the solitary pavilion, it feels like entering a fairyland.

The thick fog spread towards Concubine Zhao Lingfei.

The latter raised her bare hands, bent her fingers behind her shoulders, and lightly flicked the purple forging belt.

Immediately, the purple ribbon also burst into a cloud of purple mist, but the color was not as deep as the purple mist that Tao Yuanran's beads turned into.

Qingjing lingered cutely between Concubine Zhao Lingfei's black hair for a moment, and the next second, it seemed to have received the thoughts from its owner and floated forward happily.

Soon, two streams of purple air coming from the east touched each other in the air.

The tranquility suddenly churned, and at the same time, it seemed to be dyed by a deep purple mist, and the purple color of the mist became deeper and darker!

Concubine Zhao Ling frowned slightly, then relaxed in an instant because she felt the pure joy.

Moreover, as the two purple auras came into contact and dyed each other, a mysterious ancient character gradually emerged in her heart.

Concubine Zhao Ling concentrated and memorized it silently, her pink lips murmured silently, "Qian Kun... Purple Qi Jue..."

Everyone in the open space outside the pavilion silently looked at the woman with a pair of beautiful autumn eyes shrouded in purple air.

She lowered her eyes, her lips moved slightly, as if she was muttering something silently. After a while, the girl with autumn eyes smiled brilliantly, brighter than the midday autumn sun that was falling on her shoulders. It was just... just like when she came to her senses and reached out to hold a man's hand without thinking.

This brilliant smile seemed to be blooming all for him, just for him to see.

In the open space, among the students with different expressions, some men who usually pretended to be indifferent couldn't help but dim their eyes...

Zhao Rong gently patted his wife's hand, and she finally reacted and thanked Tao Yuanran sincerely.

The old man in the pavilion waved his hand.

Zhao Rong let out a sigh of relief, and seeing that everything was fine, he bowed and left.

Zhao Rong felt that everyone's attention seemed to be on him, especially that Fairy Liu...

If he stayed any longer, the classes in the open space in the bamboo forest could not be conducted normally.

Zhao Rong turned around and was about to leave, but Tao Yuanran suddenly stopped him and asked a strange question about the thief. Zhao Rong was no longer in the mood to answer, so he shook his head and left. Behind him, the old man was silent...

About an incense stick of time later, all the students from the mansion dispersed in the open space in the bamboo forest, and the students from the mansion came out one after another from the gate of Xiaoyao Mansion.

Outside the mansion, Zhao Rong, who was sitting in the sun with his hands folded while thinking about the affairs of Dali, came to his senses and looked up.

Inside the door, the figures of Zhao Lingfei and Zhao Qianer have already appeared.

They paused for a moment, looking outside, and soon they started walking towards him again...