Chapter 38

Xu Weixiong is not only a mountain for the fallen princess Jiang Ni of Western Chu, but even for a good-natured and uncompetitive maid like Hongshu, the mention of the Second Lady Xu Weixiong's return by the Young Master caused a wave of annoyance. However, she concealed this frustration well. If it came to acting, she seemed even more skilled than Xu Fengnian, who used fresh human blood as rouge. The Young Master, inheriting the great cultivation of the Yellow Court, had a keen sensitivity to the flow of qi in Buddhism and Daoism, and a mysterious perception of ordinary experts, akin to what his young uncle called "a feather does not add, a fly does not land." Yet, he still did not detect that Hongshu was not just a plump koi that needed feeding. The inner world of the mansion was vast, with all sorts of strange and mysterious aspects, and even the Young Master, who had lived on Cool Mountain since his youth, dared not claim to have seen everything. At least the nine floors of the Listening Pavilion and the two underground levels had no entrance found, and he and his second sister had tried in vain to climb and knock on the walls in their youth. Xu Xiao was happy to see his children busy at home, rather than causing trouble outside. The second daughter Xu Weixiong was skilled in overt strategies, while the eldest son Xu Fengnian was full of cunning. Whenever these two schemed together, even the Grand Marshal was shaken.

Xu Fengnian planned to have dinner with the little girl Dongxi and the little monk Nanbei. On the way, he continuously drew circles with his hands, and the servants found it amusing, though they couldn't discern the significance. They all praised the Young Master for his martial arts prowess. If Xu Fengnian encountered a maid with good looks and a graceful figure, he would often take advantage. Hongshu, following behind, was indifferent. A little maid daring to be jealous and competitive might be beaten to death by a fierce master in a noble household.

Hongshu wasn't so foolish as to be arrogant because of favor. She neither wanted nor dared to. To say something that no one would dare to speak, the seemingly affectionate Young Master was actually the most unfeeling. This, the close attendants in the Wutong Courtyard, like Luyi, probably hadn't noticed.

But this didn't mean Hongshu didn't genuinely love the Young Master. On the contrary, such a master could make a proud and ambitious maid like Hongshu, who was no less than Qingniao, devote herself wholeheartedly.

Xu Fengnian, unaware of Hongshu's complex thoughts, smiled softly and said, "This set of 108 formless techniques, which the Cow-Riding One found from some corner, is quite interesting. It requires a deep sinking of the waist, walking in the Nine Palaces, and the interplay of Yin and Yang in form and intention. The gestures and qi flow naturally. Each circle is significant, forming an endless loop, cycling endlessly, with a myriad of phenomena. It's very suitable for nurturing internal strength, but unfortunately, it can't be directly applied to battlefield combat. If you like it, I can teach you."

Hongshu quickened her pace, her impressive chest pressing against the Young Master's arm, her eyes misty with emotion. "Then, Young Master, you must teach me hand in hand."

Xu Fengnian didn't turn his head, but nudged her with his elbow, causing her chest to tremble, and a wave of charm spread. Sensing this, he teased, "I can draw 108 circles on you."

Hongshu, naturally alluring, but with a tone of resentment, said, "I know you're just talking."

Xu Fengnian didn't argue, and asked casually, "What do you think about Mount Lantao?"

Hongshu thought seriously and whispered, "I think the dual cultivation is a ruse, and the real goal is to make the White and Yellow Sects enemies of the Northern Liang Iron Cavalry."

Xu Fengnian nodded and smiled, "You hit the nail on the head. The capital has long been wary of the uncontrolled Western Region Esoteric Sect, but lacked a good reason to act. If the Red Sect can be an insider, it's not impossible for our Northern Liang Iron Cavalry to be used as pawns again. As for dual cultivation leading to enlightenment, I've checked the secret records, and it's only a rumor that has spread in recent years, not to be taken seriously, especially after my coming-of-age ceremony, when it became particularly intense. This shows that I'm a hot commodity, even the Esoteric Sect's female Dharma King is drooling over me. As for the grandmaster in the capital, who occupies the largest chessboard in the world, among the 67 temple names and posthumous titles, he only values two: 'Gao' (high), meaning as vast as the sky, and 'Wu' (martial), meaning the greatest military achievements, hoping to be called Emperor Gao Wu for eternity, almost to the point of obsession."

Hongshu's face turned pale, "Young Master, speak softer."

Xu Fengnian laughed, "No worries, I dare to say it, but no one else dares to listen. Let's not talk about this. Hongshu, how is the little girl's eyebrow painting?"

Hongshu visibly relaxed, "I've only taught her the small mountain and snail black styles so far. She's learning quite fast."

Xu Fengnian laughed, "If she wants to learn, she learns quickly. Old Huang taught her to roast fish, meat, and sweet potatoes, and she learned faster than I did. If she doesn't want to learn, like weaving straw shoes or fishing, she won't learn in a hundred years."

Hongshu, seeing the Young Master with a clear and different expression, was lost in thought. Even after living together, she rarely saw such a Young Master.

She, originally named Hongshe, bit her thin lips and smiled, a natural beauty and enchantress.

The Grand Marshal Xu Xiao once joked that this little girl could win favor in the palace.

After removing half a pound of powder, the little girl learned to apply a suitable light makeup from Hongshu, and indeed looked more beautiful, but to Xu Fengnian, the plain-faced little girl was more appealing.

The little monk, while reciting scriptures,偷看了几眼，傻笑着。

Xu Fengnian为这个小和尚所在寺庙的香火感到担忧。

Hongshu没有资格上桌进食，Xu Fengnian也不是那种溺爱丫鬟女婢就离经叛道的主子。他和小和尚小丫头一起吃着清淡却美味的斋饭，问道：“李姑娘，什么时候回家，要过年了。”

小丫头瞪大眼睛，受伤道：“徐凤年，你要赶人了？！”

Xu Fengnian哑然道：“哪里，我不是怕你爹娘担心嘛。”

小丫头理直气壮道：“遇见你的时候，你还说这辈子饿死都不回家呢。”

Xu Fengnian笑道：“气话气话。”

一直低头吃饭的小和尚抬头插嘴道：“东西，咱们真得回寺里了。”

小丫头怒道：“闭嘴。”

这口头禅是她跟世子殿下学的。

小和尚狠狠扒了两口米饭，腮帮鼓鼓。

小丫头红着脸道：“徐凤年，红薯姐姐下午教我画眉，听着比那贡品绿燕支还要金贵呀，这钱等我回家再补给你。”

Xu Fengnian装模作样点点头，忍住笑意道：“好的，江湖上确实没听过有欠钱不还的女侠。”

小丫头就喜欢这类言辞，得意道：“那是。”

小和尚心直口快，一颗小光头靠近青梅竹马多少年便相思爱慕多少年的小丫头，忧心忡忡道：“东西，我好像听师娘说过你脸上这螺黛，死贵了，有个诗人还写过百金獭髓换得半两娥绿，要是真还钱，估计师父的托钵就要空了。”

小丫头惊讶啊了一声，顿时愁眉不展，饭菜没那么香了。

Xu Fengnian看在眼中，也不出声安慰。

小丫头是眨眼阴雨心情眨眼后便是阳光普照的性格，吃过饭，这欠钱的烦心事就被丢到一边，拉着红薯姐姐继续去房内拜师学艺。在家里爹娘吝啬，舍不得给她买胭脂，笨南北舍得倒是很舍得，却没钱，都放出狠话说只要等他得道成佛，烧出几颗舍利子，就可以让她拿去换无数胭脂了，结果换来她的一顿拳头饱揍。Xu Fengnian不太懂少女情怀，就不去房中掺和，看到小和尚脱下袈裟，拿着水桶木板蹲在院中清洗，显然是在小丫头家里的寺庙做惯了牛马，动作娴熟。Xu Fengnian蹲在边上，看着青绿袈裟上的一枚白润象牙圆钩，笑而不语。

小和尚紧张道：“殿下，这袈裟可不能当东西的脂粉钱送你，我会被师父打死的。”

Xu Fengnian笑道：“放心，我不要你的袈裟。你穿着很好。”

小和尚还是有些警惕。

Xu Fengnian问道：“我记得方丈曾是道教术语，人心方寸，天心方丈，是道门十方丛林的领袖称号。怎的变成你们佛门的了？”

小和尚搓洗着袈裟，他是认死理的朴拙性子，没听出世子殿下言语里的调侃，一本正经回答道：“论方丈二字出处，《维摩诘经》比《本命篇》早了一百年，再说了，师父告诉我寺里的大方丈，虽然只是住在一丈见方的小卧室，却能容三千小世界和三千狮子林。你听听，比道教什么人心天心要厉害太多。我师父与人辩论就没输过，哦，就只是输给师娘。”

Xu Fengnian无语道：“你们佛门是厉害，你师父更厉害。”

Xu Fengnian看到青鸟站在院门口，起身走过去。

青鸟肃杀道：“据悉二郡主脱离了大队伍，单骑而来，那两拨江湖人蠢蠢欲动，准备往城外去。”

Xu Fengnian摘下腰间玉坠，丢给青鸟，眯眼道：“这群人急着投胎？你去带上凤字营两百骑，别忘了持弩，给我射杀干净了。”

青鸟转身离去。

Xu Fengnian站在门口。

门外杀机四伏，门内却是一片祥和。

小和尚将洗好的袈裟晾好，望向房内，“又是一个天晴的好日子。李子，师父说我没悟性，你也说我笨，咱们寺里两个禅，我都不修。你便是我的禅，秀色可参。”