Chapter 41

Outside the Qicao轩, the blue stone street was quiet, with strings of lanterns illuminating it as if it were daylight. Only an old couple was walking quietly. Chu Li stepped out of Qicao轩 with a smile, holding the tree root. He looked at Zhao Ying, who had a serious expression, and said with a smile, "Little Sister, don't listen to Zhou Yuting's nonsense." "Mm." Zhao Ying was unhappy. "He says whatever is hard to hear, there's no need to take it to heart!" Zhao Ying remained silent. "Zhou Yuting said those things just to upset me; it's my fault for involving you, Little Sister!" Zhao Ying still didn't speak. "He won't dare to talk nonsense in the future, I promise he'll behave every time we meet!" "Don't be angry, we've already taken revenge, we tricked them!" Zhao Ying gave him a look, "Master Brother, weren't you the one who got tricked? Five hundred taels!" "Hehe, those five hundred taels were worth it!" Chu Li stroked the tree root, which was as hard as iron, and praised, "This is a priceless treasure!" "Really?... What is it?" "Have you heard of the Heavenly Spirit Tree?" "Heavenly Spirit Tree...?" Zhao Ying frowned, thought for a moment, and slowly shook her head. Chu Li smiled, "You can look it up yourself." The Heavenly Spirit Tree emits a kind of aura that accelerates the growth of plants, making it a legendary priceless treasure. He never expected to encounter it here. As the tree ages, its acceleration effect increases. For precious herbs, time is the most important factor, and the existence of the Heavenly Spirit Tree is invaluable. "Gu Liting didn't recognize it?" Zhao Ying huffed, her impression of Gu Liting plummeted; he was just as bad as Zhou Yuting! Chu Li stroked the tree root and chuckled, "If he had recognized it, he wouldn't have given it up for ten thousand taels!" Zhao Ying looked Chu Li up and down, suddenly realizing that from the moment they entered Qicao轩, Master Brother had been plotting against Gu Liting. The first two tree roots were deliberately staged to mislead Gu Liting. Unknowingly, Gu Liting fell for the trap and gave up this treasure. "Master Brother, you're really cunning!" Chu Li smiled but didn't speak. "I saw Zhou Yuting scared to death, but he's not that timid, right?" "You don't know Zhou Gong's character," Chu Li shook his head and laughed, "He strictly forbids Zhou Yuting from getting close to women." "Why?" "Back then, Elder Zhou practiced the child's skill, but someone used a beauty trap to break his power. If he knew Zhou Yuting was keeping a woman, he would break his legs!" "There's such a thing..." "Zhou Yuting is arrogant and reckless outside, but in front of his father, he's like a mouse in front of a cat." Zhao Ying imagined Zhou Yuting's timid appearance and couldn't help but giggle. Chu Li smiled, "If you're still angry, how about giving him a beating?" Zhao Ying waved her hands, "There are rules in the mansion!... Master Brother, you can't do anything reckless!" Dealing with insults, she could just insult back. She had already harshly scolded Zhou Yuting, but physical violence was different. If Chu Li really did it, the third miss, who favored him, wouldn't be impartial. She widened her eyes and looked at Chu Li seriously. "Alright, alright, I won't beat him," Chu Li smiled. Chu Li was still not satisfied, so he entered two more shops selling flowers and plants but returned disappointed. The Heavenly Spirit Tree is a rare treasure, but it is hard to keep alive and grow. It needs the support of other trees, like the Black Green Tree, the Bright Mist Tree, and the Thorn Locust Tree, all three of which are essential. "Master Brother, it's getting late, let's go back!" Zhao Ying looked at the bright moon in the sky. Chu Li shook his head at the Heavenly Spirit Tree root, "I'll send you back to your residence." "I want to return to the mansion," Zhao Ying said softly. Chu Li looked at her face; her bright eyes turned away, avoiding his gaze. Without using the Great Mirror Wisdom, Chu Li knew that Zhou Yuting's words still had an effect, and Zhao Ying wanted to avoid suspicion. Though he was a novice in love, he knew not to rush things and to take it slowly. He smiled, "That's fine, let's go back together." "I plan to seclude myself to practice, so I won't be able to take care of the residence." "No problem, I'll ask Brother Li for help." "Mm." Zhao Ying's steps were slow and hesitant, her mind heavy with thoughts. Chu Li pretended not to notice, smiling and chatting with her about interesting stories and gossip from the mansion. Zhao Ying liked listening to these gossips. She responded absentmindedly, and the two slowly returned to the mansion, then parted ways. Chu Li returned to the East Garden by boat. — Su Ru came to Chu Li's small courtyard, knocked on the door, and Xue Ling came out, bowing, "Greetings, Chief Steward!" The apricot-yellow silk robe was particularly bright under the lamplight, making her look even more beautiful. "Has Chu Li returned to the East Garden?" "Yes," Xue Ling replied. Su Ru entered the courtyard, looking at the black soil and carefully walking around to the small pavilion where she sat down. "How is he to serve?" "…It's okay," Xue Ling hesitated. Su Ru turned to look at her. Xue Ling lowered her eyes, her expression solemn. Su Ru pointed at her, "It seems your old habit has returned, your eyes are on top of your head again, looking down on Chu Li, aren't you?" "Chief Steward…" Xue Ling smiled awkwardly. "I find it strange," Su Ru shook her head, "Why don't you take Chu Li seriously?" Xue Ling looked at her, then lowered her head, "He doesn't know martial arts, right?" "He doesn't know martial arts?!" Su Ru was stunned, then giggled. Xue Ling looked up, "Is that wrong?" "Giggle, who told you he doesn't know martial arts?" Su Ru couldn't stop laughing. Xue Ling was unnerved by Su Ru's laughter, "His eyes are dull, his limbs weak, and he has no internal strength, it's obvious he hasn't practiced martial arts!" As she spoke, she became more convinced of her judgment, "His temples are normal, even if he practices, his cultivation is limited!" "Xue Ling, this is the best joke I've heard, I must tell Miss!" Xue Ling panicked at the thought of telling Miss, as her arrogance had often led to scoldings from Miss. She quickly said, "Chief Steward, am I wrong?" Su Ru took two deep breaths to calm down, "Sigh…, let me tell you the truth, Chu Li is a先天 expert." "A先天 expert?!" Xue Ling was stunned, looking at her in surprise. Su Ru smiled, "Would I lie to you?" "But… but…" Xue Ling frowned, confused, "But he doesn't look like an expert at all, aren't先天 experts supposed to have sunken temples?" "Everyone's physique is different, the appearance isn't always accurate," Su Ru laughed lightly, "How do you feel now, can you still be arrogant?" Xue Ling lowered her head. She never expected him to be a先天 expert, such a young先天 expert, comparable to Miss. Miss had extraordinary talent, practiced the most advanced techniques, and had the resources of the mansion, so it wasn't surprising that she became a先天 expert at a young age. But Chu Li was just a guard. "You…" Su Ru pointed at her, "This arrogance will get you into trouble, has Chu Li scolded you?" "Chief Steward, no matter how arrogant I am, I will never forget my duties." "Hmph, he's very smart, he saw through your little tricks long ago and just didn't bother with you." Xue Ling lowered her head awkwardly. "Is he practicing a strange martial art?" "His posture is quite strange." "You mustn't practice it!" Su Ru pointed at her, "I wouldn't dare to practice it either!" "Yes." Xue Ling nodded reluctantly. Su Ru said solemnly, "Xue Ling, you chose the Taiyin Decree, you can't be greedy, this technique is the most energy-consuming." "Yes." Xue Ling replied solemnly. Su Ru was relieved, "You are his maid, serve him wholeheartedly, put away those thoughts, he is very important to Miss!... If you upset him, I won't protect you!" Xue Ling said helplessly, "Yes." "Alright, I'm leaving." Su Ru stood up, "Miss was worried about you, so she sent me to give you some advice, you really were confused!" Xue Ling lowered her head in shame. Su Ru waved and left the courtyard lightly. — The next morning, when Chu Li came to the small courtyard, he found Xue Ling much more helpful, unlike before, where she only did things when he told her. Using the Great Mirror Wisdom, Chu Li smiled, Miss's thoughts were indeed meticulous. Xue Ling served two exquisite dishes, "Master, these are two small dishes I made." "Hmm, not bad." Chu Li glanced at them, they were visually, aromatically, and tastefully appealing. Xue Ling then served a black jar, opened the seal, and a unique aroma wafted into his nose. He knew it was a Guangling brew over ten years old. This jar would cost at least ten taels of silver. "Master, please—!" Xue Ling filled a white jade cup and offered it to him with both hands. The golden wine, reflected in the smooth white jade, looked even more delicate and rich, enhancing its flavor. Chu Li took the white jade cup and smiled, "Xue Ling, what's going on?" "Master, I want you to guide me in my cultivation." Xue Ling looked at him directly, her eyes bright and spirited. "Taiyin Decree?" Chu Li gently swirled the white jade cup. Xue Ling stood straight and nodded lightly, "Yes." "Alright," Chu Li smiled, "But the price for my guidance is not low!" "Master, just say it!" Chu Li pointed to the table, "Four dishes and a soup for each meal, and a jar of good wine." "…No problem!" Xue Ling bit her lip and answered slowly and firmly. Chu Li looked at her with a smile, staring at her face without restraint, "Alright, I'll give you some advice… adjust your cultivation time, practice at midnight, and don't practice the Taiyin Decree during the day." Xue Ling's bright eyes blinked, looking at him in confusion. The Taiyin Decree was difficult to cultivate, progressing very slowly, requiring time to gradually improve. She practiced every moment she could, but practicing only at midnight would take ages to open her meridians! Chu Li didn't say more, drank the white jade cup in one go, and picked up the white jade chopsticks to start eating, looking very content. Xue Ling held the jar and refilled the white jade cup, half-believing and half-doubting.

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