Chapter 37

As Liang Xiao had anticipated, Huan Jun flatly refused to meet, saying he would not see her!

Upon receiving the reply, Liu Ling did not seem surprised. She got out of the carriage, walked to the door, and glanced at Liang Xiao, her eyes brightening.

"Months have passed, and Liang Jun has made even greater progress. This is truly commendable."

"I dare not accept such praise," Liang Xiao replied, also sizing up Liu Ling. She was still wrapped tightly in her white clothing, the collar reaching up to her ears. "Liu Jun has traveled the world, broadening her horizons and bearing a demeanor much different from months ago."

"Hehe..." Liu Ling chuckled softly and blinked. "I am but a humble person. Hearing of Huan Jun's great name, I have come from afar. I wonder what I have done wrong that Huan Jun refuses to meet me. I hope Liang Jun can provide some guidance."

Liang Xiao shook his head. "My teacher is a man of high virtue, and I dare not speculate on his thoughts. Liu Jun's good intentions are appreciated by my teacher. Please return, Liu Jun." Liang Xiao pointed to the rising sun and smiled. "The weather is getting hot. Liu Jun should find a quiet place to avoid the sun."

Liu Ling was not convinced. After a moment's thought, she raised her eyebrows. "Can I at least pay my respects to your mother? I have come a long way and would like to ask for a drink of water."

Liang Xiao knew Liu Ling would not give up easily and would find a reason to stay. The Liang family had received her gifts and could not turn her away like Huan Jun. Liang Xiao closed the door again and went to report to his mother.

Seeing the door slam shut, Liu Ling touched her nose.

Hu Lai was furious, looking indignant. He shouted, "What an impolite brute, to treat a distinguished guest like this. Liu Jun, please step aside, let me break down this door..."

"Shut up!" Lei Bei barked. Though his voice was not loud, it immediately brought Hu Lai back to his senses. Hu Lai's face turned red, and he retreated, mumbling.

The onlookers from Qingyunli burst into laughter. One of them said, "The Hu family is indeed domineering. If someone refuses to see them, they threaten to break down the door. Is this a visit or a rent collection?"

"Indeed, seeing or not seeing is their choice. How can they be so arrogant? Even the king of Jiangdu would not be so impolite."

"Tsk tsk, the Hu family is not known for being good people. Those who associate with them can't be good either. Even if it were me, I wouldn't want to see them."

Hu Lai, hearing this, knew he had provoked the crowd again. He could not react, so he had to endure it in silence, secretly noting down those who had spoken, planning to deal with them later. Seeing his eyes darting around, the people of Qingyunli became even more enthusiastic. Liu Ling frowned and subtly moved her body. Feng Ji sighed and poked Hu Lai's waist, signaling him to wait outside.

Hu Lai walked away, dejected. The front door opened, and Liang Xiao's smiling face appeared. He bowed to Liu Ling and invited her in. Lei Bei followed closely behind, and several attendants carried the gifts inside, while the others waited outside. It was fortunate that Hu Lai was not there, or he would have faced more ridicule. Those who couldn't even enter the gate had no right to compete with the young scholar Liang Xiao of Qingyunli.

Liang Xiao led Liu Ling to the main hall, then went to the back garden to pick a plate of grapes, washed them in well water, and brought them to the hall.

"I heard Liu Jun is thirsty. Please try a few grapes to quench your thirst."

"Can... these be eaten?" Liu Ling was surprised.

"Of course, and they taste very good." Liang Xiao picked one, put it in his mouth, and spat out the skin and seeds. He then realized the question. "Has Liu Jun seen this fruit before?"

"Yes, I have. It is said to have been brought by merchants from the South Sea. My family has a few plants, but they are only for ornamental purposes, and I have never heard of them being edible." Liu Ling extended her delicate fingers, picked a grape, and mimicked Liang Xiao, spitting out the skin and seeds. She couldn't help but praise, "Indeed, they are very sweet. Guangling is near the sea, so these grapes must have been brought by the merchants as well?"

Liang Xiao suddenly understood. He knew where these grapes came from. The mouth of the Yangtze River was near Guangling, and occasionally, fair-haired, blue-eyed merchants appeared, possibly bringing grape seeds. However, they were few in number and were only used as ornamental plants, without knowing their true purpose.

This was quite normal. When tomatoes were first introduced to China, they were also used as ornamental plants.

Perhaps because of this, it wasn't until Zhang Qian brought wine from the Western Regions that the Han people learned that grapes could be eaten. The cultural center of this era was in Guanzhong, and areas south of the Yangtze River were considered barbarian regions. Jiangdu and Huainan were on the frontier and did not have the cultural advantages of later times.

"Perhaps so," Liang Xiao said ambiguously, smiling.

Liu Ling's eyes twinkled, and she said, "I am indeed ignorant. Although my family has a few grape plants, I have never seen this variety. Could Liang Jun show me, to broaden my horizons?"

Liang Xiao glanced at his mother. Liu Ling clearly wanted to see Huan Jun but was using a roundabout strategy to find a breakthrough through him.

Liang Miao nodded imperceptibly. "Xiao'er, Liu Jun is well-versed and knowledgeable. Our family is poor, and it is rare to have something that catches Liu Jun's eye. We should not be stingy."

Liang Xiao smiled inwardly and led Liu Ling to the back garden. Lei Bei, holding his sword, stood far away on the veranda. Liu Ling followed Liang Xiao to the wooden pavilion and, upon seeing the swing, her eyes lit up. "Liang Xiao is indeed refined, even setting up a swing in the courtyard."

Liang Xiao was taken aback for a moment before he reacted. In the Han dynasty, swings were indeed called "qianqiu," just like many people named their children "Yan Nian" or "Wan Sui," which were names wishing for longevity and good fortune.

"Just a way to pass the time and relax," Liang Xiao replied.

Liu Ling reached out and picked a bunch of grapes. Liang Xiao quickly went to the well, fetched a bucket of water, and placed it in the pavilion for Liu Ling to wash the grapes. Liu Ling washed them in the well water, gently flicked off the water droplets, and put a grape in her mouth, smiling at Liang Xiao.

"May I ask, what does Liang Xiao think about during his leisure time?"

Liang Xiao smiled slightly. So it begins.

"I am just a country bumpkin, favored by Huan Jun, and have just entered the world of archery. What else could I think about besides how to understand Huan Jun's teachings and practice archery to serve the country?"

"May I ask what principles Liang Jun has learned from archery?"

"Actually... I already told you that day."

Liu Ling's eyes twinkled. "To aim at the swan, not the pheasant?"

Liang Xiao said solemnly, "Yes, to practice archery, one must be focused. Those with divided attention often do not achieve their goals. This applies to both life and learning."

Liu Ling looked thoughtful, her brows slightly furrowed, and her gaze towards Liang Xiao became more cautious. She was extremely intelligent and could not miss the warning in Liang Xiao's words. But she was puzzled. Does Liang Xiao know my true identity? Otherwise, his words seem out of place.

Liu Ling then felt relieved. Huan Jun's refusal to meet must be due to lingering resentment over past events. As his disciple, Liang Xiao might have heard about those events and known her purpose, which was quite normal.

"Huan Jun is wise, and Liang Jun is intelligent. It is truly a pity for such fine talents to be buried in the countryside."

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