Chapter 10: The Young Man's Demeanor, Lying Like a Tiger, Rising Like a Dragon

In the early autumn noon, the sun still could not completely dispel the scorching heat of summer.

A gentle breeze blew, easily bringing a touch of coolness.

Shengzi, holding a box of extremely precious peach blossom pastries, came to the small courtyard of Lu Jing with Lu Yi.

This small courtyard, located in the west wing of the Shenxiao Earl's residence, was much quieter and more modest compared to the courtyards of other Lu family members.

There was only one pine tree at the entrance.

However, this pine tree, unlike other trees that were gradually withering, still had shiny leaves, standing majestically like a tower.

Shengzi and Lu Yi were clearly not interested in this pine tree.

Lu Yi actually had some reservations about Shengzi's plan to give the precious and delicious peach blossom pastries to Lu Jing.

Given that these peach blossom pastries were originally given to Shengzi by the old matriarch Ning, she did not want to say anything.

But she still muttered, "These peach blossom pastries are so precious, isn't it a waste to give them to Lu Jing..."

Shengzi was clearly not bothered by Lu Yi's complaints and instead looked around the small courtyard.

The gate of the small courtyard was not tightly closed.

From a distance, through the gaps in the paulownia screen used to hide the view, Shengzi could clearly see the scene inside the courtyard.

The small courtyard was planted with many flowers and plants, which had been transplanted from somewhere else, and a maid was tending to them.

These flowers and plants, though not valuable, were well-maintained and thriving, even in late autumn, with some still in full bloom, bringing a touch of warmth to the old courtyard.

In the not-so-large courtyard, there were also stone tables and benches, which could be seen everywhere in the west wing.

"Is Lu Jing practicing calligraphy?"

Shengzi saw Lu Jing's figure by the stone table and felt curious.

Lu Yi, however, suddenly chuckled and said, "I see Father always bathes and changes clothes before writing, focusing his mind and ensuring the desk is spotless."

"But this Lu Jing, on the other hand, actually eats while writing."

As Lu Yi said, next to a piece of rough paper, there was a plate of ordinary green vegetables.

Lu Jing would write a few characters, then pass the brush to his left hand, pick up the chopsticks, and eat a few bites, looking very casual.

Shengzi did not mind this.

Even though her father had taught her to have a reverent attitude towards learning, she had her own purpose for coming here, and it was not her place to judge others' actions.

"Lu Yi, I have a request for your third brother today. Don't be disrespectful and anger him."

Lu Yi was slightly stunned, her eyes filled with confusion.

Shengzi had a request for Lu Jing?

The Sheng family held immense power in Taixuan City.

Shengzi's father was the Deputy Minister of the Taishu Pavilion, a key figure in the court, whose influence could be described as commanding the winds and the rains.

For someone of Shengzi's status to have a request for Lu Jing?

"What can Lu Jing do for you? Sister Sheng, why don't you tell me the reason, and I'll think of a way to help?"

Shengzi shook her head. "Many things are hard to come by, and if they were easily found, they wouldn't be precious."

Lu Yi seemed to understand but not fully. Her two ponytails still swayed behind her head. She regained her composure and lifted her chin. "Since that's the case, Sister Sheng, why don't you entrust this matter to me? I always have a say in the household."

"Sister Sheng, just tell me what you want from Lu Jing, and I'll talk to him. He won't dare refuse."

Lu Yi's eyes sparkled with a hint of cunning.

Shengzi frowned, her face, which was already full of spirit, showing a hint of displeasure.

"Lu Yi," Shengzi said seriously, "Yesterday, Lady Zhong tested your third brother, and I observed his every move. His demeanor is extraordinary, and he exudes a sharpness."

"I think that although he is not favored in the Lu family, he is not a weak and easily bullied youth."

"Moreover, he is your elder brother, and your domineering attitude towards him might not be appropriate."

Lu Yi was clearly taken aback by Shengzi's serious words.

Shengzi did not give her a chance to speak, walking towards the courtyard and saying to Lu Yi, "Once inside, don't speak."

Lu Yi regained her composure, her eyes clearly showing some defiance, but she did not want to contradict Shengzi, so she could only follow her dejectedly.

The two arrived at the gate, and Lu Jing was still engrossed in his calligraphy.

The slightly faded brush moved skillfully on the rough paper, creating a sense of joy.

"Master, there are visitors at the gate."

Qingyue, who was tending to the flowers, saw Shengzi and Lu Yi and quickly brushed the dust off her hands and stood up.

At this moment, Lu Jing had just finished the last stroke of his poem.

He took a long breath, put down the brush, and then looked towards the gate.

The gate was open, and Lu Jing had already noticed the visitors.

However, he had just finished the last line of his poem, and the cursive script he practiced in his previous life, as taught by the "Grass Saint Zhang Xu," emphasized continuous writing without stopping, so he did not pause.

"Qingyue, make tea."

Lu Jing called out, and Qingyue bowed to the visitors from a distance before walking into the inner room to make tea.

"Lu Yi, bring the guest in."

Lu Jing nodded at Lu Yi, speaking naturally.

Shengzi was momentarily speechless.

Lu Jing's tone was calm, yet it carried a subtle air of authority.

Lu Yi was similarly taken aback. She opened her mouth but could not think of what to say.

In the Lu family, Lu Yi and her third cousin had never interacted.

Even during their playful childhood years, she and the other siblings had drawn a line with Lu Jing, at most laughing at him when he was bullied.

But what Lu Yi did not expect was that Lu Jing's "sister" sounded so natural, and his tone carried a sense of entitlement.

It was as if... in the Lu family, Lu Jing was indeed a respected elder brother.

"This Lu Jing is strange... who is his sister?"

Lu Yi pouted, about to say something.

Shengzi suddenly stepped forward and said to Lu Yi, "Lu Yi, you are the host. Why don't you introduce us?"

Lu Yi immediately deflated, reluctantly saying, "Lu Jing, this is Sister Shengzi from the Sheng family at the end of Changning Street."

"Shengzi?" Lu Jing's expression did not change as he invited the two girls into the house.

In his mind, he was speculating.

"Originally, I thought the red-clothed girl with Lu Yi was not Nan Heyu. Did Miss Nan come to the residence yesterday?"

"What is Sister Shengzi here for?"

At this moment, Shengzi was not wearing a light veil.

She was tall, with skin as smooth as congealed fat, bright teeth, and a green whip coiled around her waist, making her look very pleasing to the eye.

Unlike other girls of her age, Shengzi exuded a sharpness, and her brows did not show any weakness, but rather a hint of spirit.

"Ah... did you write this, Master Jing?"

While Lu Jing was thinking, Shengzi and Lu Yi had already walked to the stone table. They had intended to walk past the table and into the house.

However, as they passed the table, Shengzi caught a glimpse of the rough paper on which Lu Jing was writing.

On the paper were a few lines of text.

Although the ink occasionally wavered, upon closer inspection, the strokes were like a tiger lying down and a dragon rising.

Shengzi did not understand calligraphy, but she felt that the ink on the paper had a natural and stunning beauty.

However, what truly caught her attention were the words themselves.

【Those who praise me are my enemies, those who criticize me are my teachers.

When you meet a hero, present your sword; do not recite poetry to those without talent.

Among three people walking together, there must be one who can be my teacher.

Choose the good qualities and follow them; choose the bad qualities and correct them.】

The four short lines made Shengzi's eyes widen as she carefully pondered their deeper meaning.

In a moment, a few breaths passed.

Shengzi was still muttering, "When you meet a hero, present your sword; do not recite poetry to those without talent."

"Meeting a hero, one should present a sword; do not recite poetry to those without talent."

These four lines seemed to be filled with life's wisdom and a romantic and free-spirited sense of chivalry.

Shengzi, who loved martial arts and was naturally free-spirited, found them particularly appealing.

"Seeing these four lines today makes this visit worthwhile."

Shengzi's eyes were bright, and she felt a bit regretful: "Such profound truths, I only see them today, which is a regret."

"Lu Jing writing these four lines also represents his mindset, which is rational yet free-spirited, with a respect for virtuous heroes."

"Moreover, this calligraphy is extraordinary..."

As Shengzi's thoughts swirled, she noticed the plate of green vegetables on the table.

The paper and brush used for practice were also very cheap.

"This brush has been used for a long time, the handle is faded and slightly bent. The paper used for practice is not the expensive Hezhou paper from the Northern Luo region, or even Liu Xuan paper, but just ordinary paper used by common people for reading."

"And that plate of green vegetables..."

Shengzi sighed. These paper and vegetables, when placed in an ordinary household, would not be particularly noteworthy.

But this was the Nine Lakes Lu family, and the father of the young man before her was the young and famous Shenxiao General Lu Shenyan, once known as the first hero of the Nine Lakes.

With these identities, Shengzi finally understood how difficult Lu Jing's situation was.

"Miss Sheng... Miss Shengzi?"

"Sister Sheng!"

Lu Jing and Lu Yi's calls brought Shengzi back to her senses.

Lu Jing remained composed, but Lu Yi was puzzled.

Sister Sheng... what's wrong with her?

"It was just a moment of distraction."

Shengzi was very natural, showing no embarrassment.

She turned to look at Lu Jing's eyes and suddenly smiled. "Seeing these four lines today, I find them very appealing."

"I hope to ask Master Jing for this piece of calligraphy, and if possible, please indicate the source. I will certainly repay you in the future."

Shengzi spoke confidently, asking for the rough paper.

Lu Jing was in a dilemma.

"Indicate the source? Does this world have the 'Zengguang Xianwen'?"

Lu Yi, seeing Lu Jing's hesitation, was speechless. "Lu Jing, it's just a piece of paper. Are you really so reluctant? If you are, I have plenty of high-quality Hezhou paper..."

Lu Yi's initially arrogant words gradually lost their confidence, and her voice became softer.

Because at some point, Lu Jing had slightly turned his head, his expression unchanged, but his eyes fixed on Lu Yi's.

At this moment, Lu Yi, for some reason, could not maintain her pride, arrogance, and domineering attitude.

Her voice became softer and softer until she finished speaking and lowered her head.

Lu Jing smiled and said to Shengzi, "It's not that I'm reluctant to give up a piece of rough paper... but the source..."

He paused, shook his head, picked up the brush, and carefully dipped it in ink.

On the left side, he wrote...

"From the 'Zengguang Xianwen'."