Volume 1 Chapter 36 Breaking Ground and Starting Work, Strange Occurrences (2)

  Lin Chun was sipping tea, but secretly observing the expressions and colors of everyone around her. Seeing the expressions and performances of these two women, she didn't make a sound, continuing to lower her head and drink tea. After finishing a cup of tea, Lin Chun raised her head, scanning the crowd with a glance, seeing among them a young man wearing a green shirt, holding a paper fan, looking at herself with eyes full of admiration. Lin Chun was slightly surprised, earlier when she walked into the courtyard, it seemed that she hadn't seen such a refined and elegant man like jade. Lin Chun furrowed her brow, wondering if it was because she didn't observe carefully enough or if this person was hiding well.

  This young man was none other than Yu Xinle, also known as the Eleventh Dark Guard. He was the Mr. Yu that Qian Dage and Anhe had found for Da Tou and Er Ya. When Lin Chun saw him, she furrowed her brow in confusion. With a "whooshing" sound, he opened his paper fan and walked out of the crowd, shaking it. "Miss Lin, my surname is Yu, my name is Xinle, I am 26 years old this year, and I was a double scholar in the third year of the Zhao Yang era. I have some talent in literature and martial arts, but I have no relatives at home, so I wandered here and happened to meet Master Qian Fu Yuan, who was recruiting teachers, so I came to apply for the position. Just now, I was hiding among the crowd, and when I saw that Miss Lin's actions and words were all measured and dignified, I couldn't help but admire her. I hope that in the future, at your house, I can receive more care from you." After finishing speaking, Yu Xinle bowed to Lin Chun.

  Lin Chun's heart was surprised, but she was very satisfied with Mr. Yu in front of her. His eyes were clear and bright, his body was elegant and refined, and he was the only one in his family who was a scholar-official. Moreover, his ability to hide just now had proven his skills, and it was evident that he was not an ordinary person. Although Lin Chun had never practiced martial arts herself, she could easily spot someone with such exceptional abilities. The fact that she hadn't noticed earlier only showed that Mr. Yu was skilled at hiding himself. Now, seeing him bow to her with respect, it was clear that he held women in high esteem, not caring about the ancient prejudices against them, and even appreciating capable women. Such a gentleman was exactly what Lin Chun's family wanted! However, Lin Chun's situation was not ordinary, and she didn't want to act rashly. "Oh, I see," she said, "so Mr. Yu has excellent martial arts skills. But where is he from? How did he end up wandering here and applying for the position of teacher at our Thousand Blessings Academy?"

  "Hehe, Miss Lin is indeed cautious when it comes to choosing a husband for her family. However, please don't think too much, Miss Lin. My own family suffered a disaster and I was the only one left. It was thanks to the help of good friends that I managed to escape with my life. Although the disaster has passed, I don't want to return to my hometown again, also to avoid recalling sad memories. So, I've been wandering around various cities and towns in Tianyang, experiencing the coldness and warmth of human relationships, and gaining a lot of experience. I've also heard about your family's affairs. A few days ago, I happened to be in Qingxi Town and saw Mr. Qian wanting to find a gentleman. I had met the young master of Qianfu Yuan a few years ago, so through introduction... Mr. Qian is also very understanding of my family's situation, so you can rest assured, Miss Lin. Now, I just want to find a peaceful place to settle down and spend the rest of my life in comfort. I've heard that your family lives in a mountainous area, surrounded by lush trees and fragrant flowers. If I were to be chosen as the gentleman for your family, I would consider it a wonderful opportunity to find a peaceful haven.

  Yu Xinle's heart ached as he thought about his family's past. During his time as a bodyguard, what he saw and heard about the Lin family also filled him with sorrow. Now that he could finally leave the Qian family, if he could become a gentleman in the Lin family and spend the rest of his life in peace, even marrying a simple country girl and living together for the rest of their lives, it would be a perfect ending to his life."

  Lin Chun saw Mr. Yu's words and couldn't help but feel a sense of loss and melancholy, it didn't seem fake, thinking of Qian Dashi, and the conditions he had previously set for Qian Dashi, Qian Dashi must have also taken them to heart, this Mr. Yu was also a lonely wanderer, but he still wanted to test him before feeling at ease, "So that's how it is, I've already seen Mr. Yu's martial arts skills, as for more, I'll see in the future, but this literary talent, I wonder if..."

  "Miss Lin, what questions do you have? Since I've come to apply for the position of your husband, I'll naturally answer any questions you may have!"

  "Oh, so, Mr. Yu doesn't think his masculine dignity has been compromised?" Lin Chun's eyes were fixed tightly on Yu Xinle, not missing the slightest change in his face and eyes.

  Yu Xinle's face first showed surprise and confusion, but then slowly calmed down, becoming serene, and finally even curled up a smile at the corner of his mouth. "Miss Lin, I understand what you're thinking in your heart. However, as Yu Mou has been wandering outside for many years, he has seen countless women, among whom there are those with shallow knowledge and malicious intentions, but also those who are elegant, intelligent, simple, and lovely. Some talented women's literary talent and abilities are not inferior to ours. What dignity do I have that would make them lose face? Miss Lin is still young and can support a family, take care of her younger siblings, it can be seen that she is also a capable and responsible woman. What am I worried about, afraid that Miss Lin will damage my dignity?"

  "Mr. Yu is indeed different from the ordinary, stubborn and unenlightened elderly people, with advanced ideas and profound knowledge. Lin Chun has learned a lot from him. Since that's the case, I'd like to ask Mr. Yu to interpret the main idea of a poem, which will also be the future life picture of my family, the Lins. I hope Mr. Yu will think carefully and answer meticulously."

  "Good, Miss Lin, recite a poem!" Yu Xinle was shocked in her heart, thinking that Lin Chun would only ask simple questions, but she didn't expect her to be able to compose poems as well. She wondered what kind of extraordinary woman Lin's mother was, not only skilled in those novel and peculiar jewelry designs, but also proficient in poetry, no wonder she could teach such a daughter.

  "In the peach blossom village, there's a peach blossom hut,

  Under the peach blossom hut, lives a peach blossom fairy;

  The peach blossom fairy plants peach trees and picks peaches to sell for wine money.

  Awake, I sit in front of flowers; drunk, I sleep under flowers;

  Half awake, half drunk, day after day, year after year.

  I wish to die among flowers and wine, not to bow down before carriages and horses;

  The affairs of the wealthy are but dust and dirt, while the poor have only their cups of wine and branches of flowers.

  If we compare wealth and poverty, one is in heaven, the other on earth;

  But if we compare the humble with the proud, they rush about, while I am at leisure.

  Others laugh at me for being too eccentric,

  I laugh at them for not seeing through things;

  Not having seen the graves of the heroes of the Five Tombs,

  Without flowers and wine, I would be a farmer."

  After listening to this, Yu Xinle felt a wave of emotion. His own family had fallen into a miserable situation because of the affairs of the powerful and noble. If his elders at home could also have such a heart, then... Looking at himself, he would rather humble himself in darkness for many years than be willing to get involved in those intrigues and struggles. Now, if he could become a teacher at the Lin family, wouldn't he also be able to achieve a life of carefree mountains and rivers, drunk and asleep among flowers? Yu Xinle silently recited the poem that Lin Chun had read aloud, his heart growing hotter with each passing moment, his face involuntarily showing excitement, his eyes shining brightly. Looking at Lin Chun, he was somewhat excited and couldn't speak, only feeling an extraordinary sense of generosity and pride in his heart.

  Lin Chun saw Mr. Yu like this and knew that he had already understood the meaning of the poem he recited, not contending for power and profit, not seeking to be rich and supreme in the world, only wishing to live a peaceful life, carefree and self-sufficient, drunk with wine among flowers, without worries or troubles.

  Although An and several others had been standing on one side, after listening to Lin Chun's poem, they were also very excited and yearned for it in their hearts. They became more polite, stood on one side, waiting for Lin Chun's questions, hoping that they could be chosen by Lin Chun and achieve their ideal of free and easy life in the future.