65.2.31

  It was a peaceful night, and Chen Jianchen was woken up by the clear and melodious chirping of birds on the second morning. It was a rare thing to hear birds singing in the middle of winter. He lifted his head and looked out the window, only to see a strange bird perched on the branches of a spotted bamboo plant outside.

  This bird is the size of a fist, with emerald green feathers on its body, and an extremely long tail that is almost as long as its body. On top of its head, there is a cluster of red feathers, like a flame. Above its two small eyes, it has a pair of thin white eyebrows that resemble painted eyebrows. What a beautiful little bird!

  Chen Jianchen couldn't help but take a few more glances, for he had never seen such a bird before and didn't even know its name.

  Hush!

  That little bird very humanely called out to Chen Jian twice, flapped its wings and flew away with a whoosh.

  Chen Jianchen got out of bed and washed up. Lu Xiyue in the west wing also got up early, and when he saw him, he smiled brightly.

  The morning sky is cold and stern, with a hint of chill in the air. With each breath, a puff of white mist appears and disappears.

  After washing up, Huangfu's servant came to call them over for breakfast.

  The breakfast at the Huangfu family was extremely rich, with various pastries, rice, porridge, and six delicate small dishes.

  Cai Yi, of course, had breakfast with Huang Fu Yuan Wai; while Lu Xi Yue was in the inner hall, having breakfast with Huang Fu Yuan Wai's daughter, Huang Fu Jiao Na.

  After dinner, Chen Jianchen took out a letter and asked Huangfu to send someone to deliver it to Wang Fu at the Binlai Guest House in Suzhou, and also bring back his book box and luggage.

  Huang Pu immediately sent a clever servant to send a message, and then took Chen Jianchen to his daughter's private study. This place would become the special place where Chen Jianchen taught Jiaona.

  This study is quite spacious and tidy, spotless. It doesn't look like the study of a spoiled girl.

  Facing Chen Jianchen's confusion, Huangfu Yanwai coughed and said: "Although this is the young lady's study, she rarely comes here."

  No wonder.

  Chen Jianchen was taken aback and looked around with his hands behind his back.

  After a while, the maid Xiaojing came to report: "Master, after Miss had breakfast, she will go out for exercise, so she went mountain climbing."

  Yi Hu Zhuang is located at the foot of Dongshan Mountain, and it's not far from Dongshan. Climbing the mountain is quite convenient.

  It's not so simple to go mountain climbing just because it's the Dragon Boat Festival.

  Upon hearing this, Huangfu's face sank and he shouted: "What nonsense! Hurry up and call her back! Do you want the master to wait for a long time? You truly have no respect for your elders."

  Chen Jianchen sneered in his heart: This Jiana is quite a character, not seeing the person, but hearing her name first, then seeing her actions. Next time, won't she have to hear her voice first? This clearly wants to give him a warning, making him know it's difficult and retreat. Wherever it's cool, wherever you stay.

  After Xiaojun left, Huangfu Yuanwai stomped his foot and said to Chen Jianchen: "Liu Xian, you see this... Alas, it's all because of my poor teaching."

  Chen Jianchen chuckled: "No need to get angry, I've been mentally prepared for this."

  Huang Pu said, "Liu Xian is indeed a straightforward person, and I didn't misjudge him. Today, I have another important matter to attend to, so I must leave the manor. When my daughter returns, let Liu Xian instruct her as he sees fit, without worrying about my face." Chen Jianchen hastily replied, "Sir, please attend to your business, I will handle things properly here."

  Having said that, Huangfu's official bowed and left the study.

  Chen Jianchen sat in the study, casually taking a book from the shelf to read. After reading over ten pages, Xiao Ju returned and said with her head down: "Mr. Liu Xian, Miss said she didn't have enough fun, so she won't be back for now. She asked you not to wait anymore, and come to the study again in the afternoon."

  Chen Jianchen raised an eyebrow, and as for this result, it was also within his expectations. He casually said, "I know." Then he didn't speak again, continuing to read his book.

  His calm reaction made Xiaojie stunned, she thought Chen Jianchen would be furious. After all, students not respecting their teachers is a taboo for many masters, and it's unacceptable to offend them. It seems that this young master is more steady and dignified than ordinary old masters, hmm, I should tell Miss about this situation first.

  Xiao Ju bid farewell and left, rushing straight to the back mountain.

  Chen Jianchen's mouth curled up in a cold smile... In his eyes, Joana's actions were no more than the mischievous pranks of a spoiled child, just a small disturbance that couldn't disturb his mind.

  After reading more than thirty pages of the book, Chen Jianchen put the book back in its original position, walked out of the study and did not return to the east wing of the courtyard, but instead prepared to take a walk around to see the layout of Hu Zhuang.

  Roughly estimated, the Zhuangzi covers an area of nearly over ten mu, with several entrances and exits, divided into several courtyards, where winding corridors and artificial hills and streams can be seen everywhere, arranged very delicately.

  If you don't know the way, you'll get lost in it.

  Chen Jianchen didn't dare go too far either, just wandering around nearby and admiring the scenery.

  Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

  Just then, Chen Jian heard the cry of the beautiful strange bird again. He looked up and saw that it was perched on top of a fake mountain, looking down at the lake below like a mirror, using its sharp beak to preen its feathers in front of the "mirror".

  A very interesting little bird.

  Chen Jianchen was so absorbed that he suddenly heard a pleasant and sweet laughter coming from the other side of the wall, as if a young woman was passing by.

  He wanted to hear more clearly, but the other party gradually moved away, just as the ancient poem said "People outside the wall, beautiful people laughing inside the wall".

  Joanna?

  Maybe...

  Chen Jianchen stood still for a long time without moving.

  Hush!

  The bird's chirping grew louder, and it was the yellow bird flying over, circling above his head, fluttering its wings several times before finally flying away with a joyful cry.

  Chen Jianchen returned to the east wing of the courtyard and saw Lu Xiyue standing in the yard admiring the bamboo, so he cleared his throat and said, "Miss Lu is so elegant."

  Lu Xi Yao bowed and said, "Actually, sir, you don't have to be so polite, just call me Xi Yao directly."

  "Haha, fine, let's skip the formalities, if we can avoid it, then so be it, it's more straightforward that way."

  Listening to him say this, Lu Xi's heart couldn't help but ripple with Chen Jianchen's words, clearly revealing his unconventional personality.

  "Xiao Jue," Chen Jianchen suddenly asked, "have you ever seen Miss Yao Na before?"

  "Long time no see! What's up?"

  She was having breakfast with Joanna in the inner hall.

  "Hey, what does she look like?"

  Lu Xi was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing and said: "Miss Huangfu is about the same age as me, with a beautiful appearance and nothing to pick on. She's quite amusing and very lively... how should I put it? I think she's still quite pleasant to be around. Hmm, didn't you agree to become Miss Huangfu's teacher, but I didn't see her just now?"

  "No, she went mountain climbing."

  "Ah, climbing mountains at this time?"

  Lu Xi suddenly understood the crux of the matter and frowned: "Miss Huangfu is being quite reckless."

  She was clearly standing on Chen Jianchen's side.

  Chen Jianchen smiled: "Just a child's nature, I'll go back to my room and prepare, after all, classes are starting this afternoon."

  "Alright."

  Back in the room, what Chen Jianchen said was preparation, that is, practicing calligraphy and reading books are all skills that need to be practiced consistently, only then can they be refined to perfection, and further progress can be made.

  Once the intermediate process is interrupted and slowed down, it's a bit difficult to pick up again.

  In the study, the four treasures of the study were all top-notch materials, and it could be said that Chen Jianchen had never used such high-end goods before. For a scholar, the four treasures of the study were his weapons, and whether they were good or not, whether they felt right in his hand or not, made a big difference. So, with a fine wolf hair brush, rich ink, and writing on smooth rice paper, Chen Jianchen was in top form, and wrote several pieces that had a great feel to them, all of which could be hung on the wall of a teahouse for sale.

  Time slipped away unnoticed, and before he knew it, the little maid came knocking on the door, saying that Joana was already waiting for him in the study.

  Is it finally coming?

  Chen Jianchen smiled slightly: He knew that because of Huangfu's relationship, Jiaona couldn't keep making a fuss like this and would have to meet with him eventually.

  But this meeting is not a romantic tryst, but rather a head-on confrontation filled with gunpowder.

  "Let's see what kind of tricks you can play and what means you will resort to?"

  Chen Jianchen hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and followed Xiaojue out.

  The opposite Lu Xi Yue also heard the movement and came out to see him off, seemingly worried, wanting to speak but stopping several times.

  Arriving at the study, Xiao Ju stood still and said: "Mr. Chen, Miss is inside."

  "Hmm..."

  Chen Jianchen walked in calmly and fearlessly, pushing open the door. Xiao Juan apparently had received instructions to stay outside and did not follow him in.

  The room was well-lit, and Chen Jianchen saw a fashionably dressed girl leaning on the desk, listlessly playing with a brush.

  The girl was not very old, about the same age as Lu Xi Yue. She had a melon-seed-shaped face, with eyebrows and eyes that were like paintings, bright and white teeth, and a beautiful appearance. Especially her big eyes, which were extremely lively, and every glance was full of cunning meaning.

  "Oh, sir you've arrived, Zhōu nǎ has met sir!"

  The girl stood up, her stature was high, almost reaching Chen Jianchen's chin.

  He took a glance at her, and his first impression was not bad. She seemed to be quite well-behaved and didn't appear to have any evil intentions. Was this a case of courtesy before arms?

  Chen Jianchen remained expressionless and said, "You must be Princess Huangfu. No need for formalities, please take a seat."

  Jianna didn't sit down immediately but respectfully said: "Father has instructed me that when a teacher and student meet for the first time, the student must offer tea as a sign of respect."

  As she spoke, she left the desk and went to the long table next to it to make tea, bringing a cup for Chen Jianchen to drink. Her gait was measured and demure, wearing a cheongsam with a divided skirt. But just then, Chen Jianchen clearly saw that under Jiaona's skirt, a tail had fluffily emerged, moving up and down with her steps, mysterious and beautiful.

  A fiery red tail, shining brightly like fire