The senior disciples felt as if they were being stabbed repeatedly, and they cried even louder, "Uncle-Master! You said it would cost two coins for a fortune telling... and five coins for a feng shui consultation... We listened to you, and we almost starved to death..."
"Listen to this! The Imperial Advisor told them to charge two coins for a fortune telling and five coins for a feng shui consultation, but they're charging a hundred taels for a single session at their stall! It's infuriating to compare yourself to others! You might as well just rob someone!"
After being stabbed a few more times, the senior disciples felt even more pain in their hearts and cried even louder, "Uncle-Master, you can't abandon us..."
They weren't unaware that the Imperial Preceptor had come to the capital, but since they hadn't met him, they hadn't immediately connected him with their sect. Later, upon hearing that the Imperial Preceptor was the new master of Guigu Mountain, they wrote back to Guigu Mountain to confirm that their uncle, who had just graduated two months prior, was indeed the new master.
Although they dare not call themselves disciples of Guigu Mountain, who can stop them from seeking refuge at the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion?
Now we have food, drink, and a place to stay, and who knows, maybe even a future! It's better to rely on my martial uncle than on the Crown Prince of Xuan!
Although the senior brother didn't feel guilty about calling out "ancestor" that day, it was more legitimate to cling to the uncle who had tricked his fellow disciples.
So they gathered here early in the morning.
Recalling their uncle's previous deception, their murderous intent intensified.
Unexpectedly, he was silenced by a few words from these enthusiastic people, leaving him feeling wronged.
Just then, the door creaked open.
The "all-powerful" and "savior of the suffering" national advisor, Wu Wang, appeared, expressionless.
The eldest disciple exclaimed with delight, "Uncle-Master!"
The seventh senior brother said suspiciously, "No, he's not my uncle."
The third senior brother asked with surprise and doubt, "Are you Uncle-Master Wuwang?"
Wu Wang glanced at them expressionlessly, then said, "Come in."
As soon as he finished speaking, the group was overjoyed. "It's Martial Uncle! Come in quickly!"
The door was quickly closed in the next instant.
The common people were completely confused by this series of twists and turns. "What does this mean? Is he really my martial uncle?"
"Ahhh, who cares if he's their martial uncle or not! I've met the Imperial Advisor!"
"Ah, how handsome! The Imperial Advisor is so handsome!" someone exclaimed.
"Oh dear, why did I forget to thank him?! I heard that thanking the young county princess after receiving her favor can bring good fortune, and I came here to thank the Imperial Advisor! I want to share in her good luck!"
"Please, please open the door again... We want to worship the Imperial Advisor!"
Su Youran, who was standing behind and witnessed the whole thing, twitched her lips wildly: ...
...
Three days later, the Imperial Preceptor's residence was forced to open for business.
Who forced him to do that?
Naturally, it was those seven disciples and nephews.
Having a dark past of deceiving them, in order to avoid damaging his reputation and ruining his public image, Wu Wang had no choice but to place these seven unworthy disciples in the Imperial Preceptor's mansion.
Fortunately, the mansion the emperor gave him was large enough that it didn't seem like a problem to have seven more people living there.
It's just that... these seven unworthy disciples are always clamoring to make money to make a living.
Making money is a good thing.
Although Wu Wang received the salary of a national advisor, he needed to save money to get married, so he couldn't just use it to support them for free.
Let them do as they please.
But if these seven people could earn money on their own, they wouldn't be in such a miserable state!
So the seven fellow disciples came up with a plan.
They set up stalls directly in front of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
In order to avoid fighting among themselves, the seven people further refined their division of labor.
The seven people lined up in a row: fortune teller, matchmaker, divination expert, dream interpreter, feng shui master, elixir practitioner, and witch doctor.
Standard fee: 100 yuan per visit.
At first, Wu Wang firmly disagreed. If the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion was forced to operate, what would become of his dignity?
Just then, Su Youran was also standing nearby and quietly made a "two" gesture to her senior brother.
So the eldest brother threw a tantrum, resorting to threats and inducements. On one hand, he frantically brought up old grievances, saying that his uncle was immoral and had deceived them, deeply betraying their feelings. On the other hand, he gestured to Wuwang, saying that for every successful transaction, he would give his uncle two taels of silver as a tribute.
Wu Wang lowered his head, seemingly deep in thought.
Only Su Youran sighed inwardly, realizing that her master's expression clearly meant that this person was obviously madly in love!
Sure enough, after a moment, Wu Wang tearfully agreed, saying with great difficulty, "For the sake of your master, I, your uncle, have no choice but to agree!"
The senior disciples celebrated their success.
Su Youran sighed. The "two" she mentioned meant 20%, but she didn't expect that her senior brother, who was so stingy, would only give her two taels of silver!
What was even more unexpected was that Master Wuwang actually agreed!
She and her brother exchanged a glance, and the same conclusion came to mind: Master must be terrified of poverty.
As a disciple who graduated from Guigu Mountain and Wu Wang's rightful disciple, Su Youchen became the chief and only disciple of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion.
What about Wen Yuanbai?
He was a member of the royal family and could not become a disciple of Guigu Mountain. He had only secretly become Wuwang's disciple, just like Su Youran. Therefore, neither of them could announce to the outside world that they were Wuwang's disciples.
So, when the gates of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion opened, the seven fellow disciples filed out carrying their own signboards, and then lined up in front of the gate, shocking all the people who were waiting in front of the Imperial Preceptor's mansion.
Su Youran and Su Youchen covered their faces and emerged from the side gate.
Especially Su Youchen.
He was a legitimate disciple of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion.
But nowadays, really, no one should ask him what his relationship is with these seven people.
If you ask, it's okay if you don't know or don't recognize the person.
...
Two months later, these seven senior brothers became famous throughout the capital city.
As a result, the Imperial Preceptor's residence also became a bustling place.
Of course, only the front half is the territory of the seven senior brothers, while the back half is Wuwang's territory, and strangers should not approach.
On this day, Su Youran went to find her master and saw her seven senior brothers spinning around like tops in the front hall.
Usually, when she saw them, there were always one or two missing. Sometimes they were out doing feng shui consultations, and sometimes they were exorcising evil spirits. But today, seeing all seven of them at the same time reminded her of the seven gourd brothers she had seen in her later life, and she immediately burst into laughter.
Just then, a voice rang out, "What's so funny?"
She turned around, beaming, "Senior Brother!"
Wen Yuanbai walked in unhurriedly. "Here to hand in your homework?"
Su Youran's face immediately fell. "Senior brother! You and Master are the most annoying! I don't like writing, so why do you always make me practice calligraphy every day?"
Wen Yuanbai suddenly burst into laughter, "You refused to practice when your senior brother told you to. Now that Master is back, let's see if you'll still practice!"
Su Youran gritted her teeth, "I'll practice! Of course I'll practice!"
Having said that, she suddenly struck with lightning speed, aiming straight for Wen Yuanbai's heart.
What my master taught me, practicing martial arts is of course also practice!
Wen Yuanbai quickly dodged to the side, then lightly touched the ground with his toes and sped towards the back hall.
"Hahaha—" The boy's hearty laughter faded into the distance.
This was followed by Su Youran's silvery laughter.
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