Chapter 23: Serving Tea and Seeing Off Guests

  Qian Yiqun only felt a numbness on his scalp, and the habitual inferiority almost made him bow his head. But then he remembered the fox's words of proud and cold guidance, so he stepped forward with dignity and said: "I am Qian Yiqun, at your service, elder parents."

  "You're welcome." County Magistrate Chen's voice was cold and detached, but he didn't seem to mind.

  "Although you know each other, I still have to introduce myself," said Zhou Zhengqing with a smile. "We are not ordinary people, why be so formal? Brother Qian, this is Chen Xiangming, I'm sure you know him. His courtesy name is Lixinan, although he's your superior, there's no need to fear him. Do you know why his face is always so stern?"

  Is it because he's wearing a green hat?

  Qian Yiqun thought to himself, but he absolutely dared not say it out loud.

  "He was the 49th Jinshi of the Wuchen Academy, and was appointed as the main official of the Ministry of Revenue. He was originally in Huai'an collecting taxes, but somehow he was delegated to Wu County and became a parent official, hahaha." Zhou Zhengqing seemed to be saying something funny, completely unaware that Qian Yiqun had not found the humor in this sentence at all.

  Moreover, even if he knew, Qian Yiqun would never dare to laugh out loud.

  Not even on the job yet and already daring to mock superiors, isn't that being too arrogant?

  "I am thirty-nine years old," County Magistrate Chen's face grew even colder, "and it's not because I was demoted to guard Wu County, but because I've always had this cold and hard face."

  It turned out that the head of the Ministry of Revenue was demoted to county magistrate... Qian Yiqun only understood the joke before, being inexplicably demoted, and indeed provided a chance for others to gloat.

  Zhou Zhengqing smiled again, pointing to the scholar who was slightly nodding his head beside Chen Xiangming, and said: "This is Junyan, also known as Wen Jia Gongzi Yunhe, courtesy name Bowen."

  Qian Yiqun's body tensed up, and he thought to himself: This can't be someone coming to accuse me of a crime, can it? The methods used below can only follow official procedures, not private matters between wealthy families. If the Wen family really wants to investigate me, how would I be able to defend myself? However, looking at Zhou Zhengqing's expression, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would speak sweetly but hide a dagger in his heart; this young master Wen probably still hasn't received the news.

  "Qian Yiqun, styled Jiuyi, today I have the good fortune to meet three gentlemen, what a great honor, what a great honor." Qian Yiqun came up with a courtesy name for himself on the spot, so as not to lose face.

  The three of them only knew that Qian Yiqun was a humble servant, but unexpectedly he also had a courtesy name, which surprised them. Zhou Zhengqing asked straightforwardly, "Brother Qian, was this name given by your master or by an elder in your clan?"

  Wen Yun and Mo directly asked: "Brother Qian and Wu Jin's Qian family are relatives?"

  "My family's ancestral hall is in Xukou Town, but I've never heard of the Wu Jin Qian family." Qian Yiqun said, "This courtesy name... was indeed given by our family teacher."

  Zhou and Wen were both satisfied, and they all sat down. Chen Xiangming was the oldest and also the host, so he carefully said a single word: "Sit." Li Shifu saw that the three of them didn't introduce him at all, so he hastily said there were still mundane matters outside and bid farewell to leave.

  The servant came forward and changed the tea for Qian Yigun, presenting fragrant tea, then bowed and withdrew from the flower hall.

  Zhou Zhengqing spoke up first: "Yesterday, a friend of mine who is also my mentor and benefactor accidentally trespassed into Mr. Qian's residence and committed many offenses, please forgive him."

  "Is that Cangzhou's Dai Shiming?" Qian Yiqun thought for a moment, "I don't dare to have offended you, I just want to ask Brother Zhou, why did Mr. Dai come visiting in the middle of the night?"

  "This is it," Zhou Zhengqing gathered his thoughts, "Teacher Dai is a man who hates evil as if it were his personal enemy. Hearing that they are capturing adulterers, he thought of drawing his sword to assist."

  Drawing his sword was indeed swift, but as for assistance, there's no way to discuss it.

  Qian Yiqun thought to himself.

  "Later, he suddenly saw the licentious thief, who looked very similar to an enemy from years ago. So, in a fit of rage, he went to grab the person. It was just his temperament, so please don't take offense, Brother Qian."

  "So that's how it is." Qian Yiqun believed that Dai Shiming was an accidental encounter, and as for the "enemy family" behind him, it was just an excuse. It's possible that this young Zhou Wude was also kept in the dark.

  Qian Yiqun thought again: "The Hundred Beauties Picture" has been hidden for so long, it's possible that no one knows about it anymore. The senses of the aristocratic families may not be so keen after all, and there might have been some misunderstanding. However, even if it was a misunderstanding, Dai Shiming is still not someone to be trusted.

  "Ha ha, Teacher Dai has been in the world for a long time, with extensive knowledge and strong learning. In the future, you and I can interact with him more often, which will surely be very beneficial."

  "Jiuyi," Chen Xiang said, "You are ten years older than Qian Yiqun, and you're also a fellow jinshi and superior. Of course, I can address you by your given name. 'I am a disciple of the Zuihuayuan sect, whose school do you belong to? It's really regrettable that we've never met despite being in Wu County at the same time.'"

  Qian Yiqun was stunned for a moment, and his mind suddenly cleared up. No wonder Zhou Zhengqing would treat him as one of their own kind; it wasn't because he looked up to himself as a young and talented hero, but because they all practiced secret arts!

  "Respectful elderly parents..."

  "Hey! You're wrong here, how can you be so vulgar?" Zhou Zhengqing interrupted Qian Yiqun, dissatisfied.

  Qian Yiqun smiled awkwardly and said, "A humble person like me doesn't dare to be presumptuous... I don't dare hide it from you all, my master comes and goes without a trace, and in the three years I've been studying under him, I've only seen his physical form three or five times. As for matters of the Jianghu, my master never mentions them, it's really shameful."

  The three of them exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. Among the eccentric and bizarre personalities in Jianghu, there were countless people who couldn't be counted on one hand, but compared to those who would dunk their apprentices in a dung pit, Qian Yiqun's "Master" was absolutely normal.

  "In that case, we can't force you either." Wen Yun said with a gentle and understanding tone.

  Qian Yiqun's mouth twitched slightly, and he thought to himself: Are you kidding me? My point is that even if you interrogate me, I still wouldn't know!

  "But all the secret methods in the world come from the three schools of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Which school does Brother Qian belong to?" asked Zhou Zhengqing, "Can you demonstrate one or two?"

  Qian Yiqun thought that refusing again would be impolite, and these people obviously knew more about the so-called secret methods of Jianghu than Fox did. Without making any excuses, he took off his sword and swung it in the flower hall. The three of them stared with their mouths agape, speechless for a long time.

  Just as Chen Xiangming let out a sigh, Zhou Zhengqing spoke up and said: "Brother Qian is indeed a man of extraordinary talent."

  "How... dare I?" Qian Yiqun said humbly, but in his heart he thought: Is this Sword Emperor's technique difficult to practice?

  "Lianan brother, indeed there are stronger ones among the strong," Wen Yunhe smiled and said to Chen Xiangming, "You're not yet in your thirties and can already wield the sword with such mastery. I didn't expect that someone who's just barely out of their teenage years would also have such attainments."

  "May I ask... " Qian Yiqun originally didn't have much courtesy, bluntly interrupting to ask, "How is the cultivation sequence divided after all?"

  His question, however, stunned all three of them.

  The division of the order of practice has been different since ancient times, and there has never been a unified standard. The "Zhong Lü Chuandao Ji" clearly indicates the order of verification for practitioners, but it is not considered to have proposed a standard either.

  The "Fivefold Transcendence" theory of the fox spirit's "Divine Path", although it can be advanced step by step, is like a rebirth with each step forward due to individual differences in talent. Also, because this division is too broad, it cannot inspire later generations and has gradually been ignored by the world.

  "If we talk about the order of cultivation," Chen Xiangming's face showed a difficult expression, "everyone is different, and various scenes are hard to distinguish."

  "I have often verified the Confucian classics in sequence with the 'Great Learning'," said Wen Yun and Dao, "from investigating things to extending knowledge, making intentions sincere, rectifying the mind, cultivating oneself, regulating one's family, governing the state, and making one's virtues illustrious."

  Qian Yiqun thought for a moment and secretly said to himself: I don't understand the order of the Shi family and the Taoist school, so this analogy is useless. Fortunately, he knew about the "Five Tong" realm, and asked at once: "If it corresponds to 'Yao Bao Yi Shen Dao', how should it be divided?"

  Chen Xiangming was the most cultivated among the three, and after a moment's thought, he said: "The investigation of things can be said to have started with the Dao heart, which is no different from ordinary people. If it reaches the stage of knowing and being sincere, it can be felt by the sages of the past, and for the village witches, it can be considered a kind of mysterious connection. After rectifying one's mind, one can know that all things in the world are normal, and one can obtain the reward of connection. After cultivating one's body, heaven and man respond to each other, and one can obtain the connection of dependence. As for what is above this, it is not something that we can rashly speak of."

  Qian Yiqun silently remembered it in his heart, only to hear Zhou Zhengqing sigh: "We are among the rare talents of ordinary people, and we have also received guidance from a famous teacher. Until now, we have been hovering between sincerity and integrity. On the other hand, Brother Jiu Yi is not yet weak, how did he cultivate?"

  "What kind of illnesses have you treated before?" Wen Yunhe also asked as he walked up.

  Chen Xiangming, although self-conceited and motionless, was obviously very curious.

  "Classics have never been treated......" Qian Yiqun hesitated, "The master just let me start with the mysterious technique, and casually taught it."

  The three of them let out a unanimous "oh" and their leaning forward chests gradually leaned back. Qian Yiqun thought to himself: Was he being despised? Or was he just overthinking it? How did the atmosphere suddenly turn cold?

  Zhou Zhengqing probably also found that his group had gone too far, and made a conciliatory remark: "The practice of mystic arts is also a way to enter the Dao, never mind, never mind."

  This explanation is getting more and more absurd, after all, it's because Gongzi is too high-handed. He directly ordered the tea to be served: "In the future, you should also go out more often, I'm not alone in saying this, you and I are ultimately different from those ordinary people." The little servants waiting outside the flower hall saw this and shouted loudly: "See off the guest!"

  Qian Yiqun only then reacted, realizing that this was the legendary "serving tea to send off guests" courtesy. He hastily stood up and bowed, saying: "Your humble servant takes his leave." As he spoke, he also nodded his head in respect towards Zhou and Wen. Zhou Zhengqing returned half a bow, while Wen Yunhe merely nodded his head and pursed his lips, which was considered a return of the courtesy.

  Qian Yiqun walked out of the flower hall, and the identity problem that had been suppressed for a long time surged up again in his heart, involuntarily giving rise to resentment.

  "Qian Shizhong, has gained the county magistrate's favor, congratulations are in order!" Li Shiye slowly walked out from behind Qian Yigun, it turned out he was just outside the hall among the short trees and shrubs, seeing Qian Yigun come out with a resentful expression, only then did he come to help his master resolve the crisis.

  "Nephew pays respects to Uncle." Qian Yiqun hastily stepped forward and bowed.

  Li Hongfang reached out and supported Qian Yiqun, then smiled and said: "No need to be so polite in private. I just saw your father and he mentioned you."

  "Remembering Uncle's teachings, thinking of younger cousin."

  "We were just saying that you're a well-behaved child who's been taught good manners since young, but there's one thing that's not quite right." Li Hong furrowed his brow in mock seriousness.

  Qian Yiqun thought to himself: You've only been in Suzhou for two years, how can you talk as if you knew what I was like when I was a kid...

  "It's just too formal!" Li Hongfang saw that Guan Zi didn't sell it, so he had to laugh and say, "In today's world, who follows those empty conventions? Don't you see that even our county magistrate, a double jinshi, among all the scholars in the country, was able to take the top 42 places, isn't that impressive?"

  "That is...that is..."

  "Before you entered, the young master of the Zhang family in Muzi was driven away by a single sentence, and even the courtesy of serving tea and sending guests off was omitted." Li Hongfang sighed hypocritically, "These sons of heaven and saints' descendants are all like this, let alone us?"

  With a rich family son who was directly driven away as a comparison, Qian Yiqun felt much better in his heart. What made him even more at ease was that from this it could be seen that Chen Xiangming's relationship with the Zhang family was not close, and it seemed that the Wei girl case was mostly manipulated by the lower-ranking officials. This imperial scholar predecessor supervised below ineffectively, investigated cases unclearly, and adding a hat on top of his black official headgear was also considered a corresponding crime.

  But thinking of the beating his father had received, Qian Yiqun's anger flared up again, and he became even more determined to leave the world and seek immortality. But where in this vast world could one find an immortal? Which high monks and great virtuosos were still active during the Chongzhen era of the Ming dynasty?

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  Wujiang County

  A young nobleman in a silk shirt angrily threw the Jingdezhen teacup in his hand to the ground.

  The delicate tea cup suddenly turned into a mess of fallen plum blossoms.

  "Is that all it takes to kill me?" The young master's eyes narrowed, the muscles at the corners of his eyes twitching as he shouted.

  A young servant in a green robe stood at one corner of the hall, his eyes rolling around as he spoke with a sobbing tone: "Master, but he has already gone off with Third Master."

  "Damn it, Third Master! Damn it! Is Wen Yuandi a member of the Hengshan Wen family or not?!" The old man's temples bulged with rage as he swept the remaining tea set off the table.

  "Give me memory! Money! Leisure! Group!"