Chapter 6: Miss Nan Arrives

The birds in the front forest stirred, and the morning light shone upon the eastern house.

Just like every other morning over the past three months.

As soon as the morning chirping of the birds began, Lu Jing had already gotten up.

Morning study naturally yields the best results.

After washing up, Lu Jing faced the morning light and continued his diligent reading.

"The Doctrine of the Mean," "The Encouragement of Learning," "The Holy Words," and "The Inquiry of Poetry"—these four classics, though already well-read by his original self, were not yet fully mastered.

In the eight to nine years of his original self’s life, he had read these four classics over a thousand times.

These four great Confucian classics of the Great Fu Dynasty, which have been highly esteemed by so many Confucian sages, naturally have their reasons.

For example, the one currently on the table is "The Holy Words."

"The Holy Words" is a compilation of the virtues of the Master, and it is the only classic whose author is still alive.

Even though the Master has not appeared in the world for forty-eight years, his status has not diminished but has become even more revered, like the North Star guiding countless scholars forward.

Even the Emperor of the Great Fu Dynasty once said: "The Master is now in heaven, studying for over forty years. When he returns, the snow will fall on earth, and knowledge will also fall on earth."

Because of this, Confucianism in the Great Fu Dynasty is the way of the court, incomparable to Daoism or Buddhism.

For all scholars, the path lies in Confucianism, and the core of Confucianism is found in these four classics.

This is why Lu Jing persists in reading.

"Now that I have fallen to a lowly status, many people think that reading is useless, but I believe that in this difficult situation, reading is precisely what is useful."

"If I do not read now, I will have nothing to do, and I will only complain about my fate, unable to change the current situation.

"If I focus on diligent study, first, it can help me calm my mind and cultivate my demeanor; second, it can accumulate knowledge, so that when an opportunity arises, I can seize it smoothly."

From the "Commentary on the Yi Jing": "A gentleman keeps his tools ready and waits for the right moment to act, what harm can there be?"

Lu Jing, having thoroughly studied the Yi Jing, naturally understands this principle.

In the morning, besides diligently reading, there was one more task added to his routine.

It was visualization!

The image of the Great Bright King of the Heavenly Flame, which had been imprinted in Lu Jing's mind in just one night, was now etched in his brain.

In the "function" section of the inner phase of the Eight Trigrams, there was now an additional entry: "The Great Bright King of the Heavenly Flame Visualization Technique."

As soon as he woke up in the morning, even before getting out of bed, Lu Jing sat cross-legged and visualized the Great Bright King of the Heavenly Flame.

The twelve breaths were extremely short, yet they left Lu Jing feeling very fatigued.

However, Lu Jing did not continue to sleep but got up, washed up, and had breakfast, then strolled in the courtyard for a moment.

When his mind and spirit had somewhat recovered, he returned to his room to read.

Lu Jing did not rush, often reading for a quarter of an hour and then resting for half a quarter to avoid overexerting himself and damaging his health.

Even so, with the help of the "Diligent and Hardworking" destiny trait, Lu Jing was more focused when reading and found it hard to feel tired.

After two hours, Lu Jing felt his breath becoming longer and his spirit more vibrant, just as it was when he woke up in the morning.

"Continue visualizing."

Lu Jing closed the "Holy Words" and closed his eyes to visualize the Great Bright King.

After twelve breaths, Lu Jing slowly opened his eyes.

"During the first visualization, I felt a significant improvement in my strength, physique, and spirit. However, subsequent visualizations made me realize that the Great Bright King Visualization Technique is not like a fierce fire, but rather like a gentle spring rain, nourishing silently."

After just three visualizations, Lu Jing could clearly feel the changes in his body.

However, he still knew nothing about cultivation.

"There are nine levels of martial arts in the world. What are these nine levels? I wonder when I will be able to enter the realm of martial arts."

People are always filled with longing and curiosity for the unknown.

Reading, Lu Jing had already done in his previous life.

But martial arts were a new and untried endeavor.

While Lu Jing was pondering this, Qingyue's voice came from outside the door: "Young Master, lunch is ready."

Hearing Qingyue's slow and gentle voice, Lu Jing felt a warmth in his heart.

After merging with his original self's soul last night, Lu Jing's mind was filled with many new memories.

Many of these memories were about Qingyue.

For example, just half a year ago, the second young master of the Lu family, Lu Feng, had asked Lu Jing for the beautiful and gentle Qingyue.

At that time, Lu Jing, having fallen to a lowly status, felt that all his hopes were shattered and had even considered giving Qingyue to Lu Feng.

After all, in Lu Feng's household, no one would come to humiliate her, and her daily life would be much better.

But in the end, Qingyue knelt before Lu Jing's mother's memorial tablet, stubbornly looking at Lu Jing with tears in her eyes, silently resisting.

Lu Jing, moved by her, did not send her away.

"Young Master, after noon, you still need to go to the Liuguang Waterside Pavilion to pay respects. Don't forget."

After a simple but warm lunch, Qingyue brought out a blue robe and helped Lu Jing change into it.

Lu Jing was already used to this and did not avoid Qingyue.

While helping Lu Jing change, Qingyue said, "This time, you can't be late. Last time, because you were sick and arrived half an hour late, Manager Liu deducted one tael from your monthly salary."

Lu Jing smiled and said, "It's just a way for Manager Liu to make money. Even if I don't go, the Old Dowager won't mind.

"After all, I am no longer considered a member of the Lu family now."

Hearing this, Qingyue's face showed a hint of worry: "Young Master, the Nan Family won't really want to break the agreement...?"

Before Qingyue could finish her sentence, a very light door opening sound reached Lu Jing's ears.

Before yesterday, Lu Jing would never have heard such a slight sound.

In just one night, Lu Jing had undergone a transformation, and his five senses had become much sharper.

"Someone is here."

Just as Lu Jing reminded Qingyue, a voice came from outside the door: "Is Young Master Jing here?"

Recognizing the voice, Qingyue said, "It's Jin Kui, the Old Dowager's attendant."

"She has never come to our courtyard before. I wonder what's going on?"

Qingyue's face showed confusion and tension.

Lu Jing, without reacting, tied his hair and stood up to open the door.

Outside the door stood a young girl, around sixteen or seventeen years old, with a beautiful face and a beauty mark above her right eyebrow, giving her a sharp and intelligent look.

She was dressed in a fine silk robe embroidered with gold, of the highest quality, which even some of the direct descendants of officials in the capital could not afford.

Compared to this girl, Lu Jing's clothes were far inferior.

Lu Jing naturally knew this girl.

She was the Old Dowager's chief attendant, named Jin Kui, who was very favored.

Her status in the household was unparalleled. Even other favored illegitimate young masters were not as important in the Old Dowager's eyes as Jin Kui.

"Young Master Jing."

To Lu Jing's surprise, Jin Kui, upon seeing him, bowed and smiled, without the usual lack of respect shown by other managers.

Lu Jing smiled at Jin Kui, not showing any signs of being flattered, and said, "Miss, since you have come to my humble abode, please come in for some tea and rest to avoid the midday heat."

Jin Kui, for some reason, looked at Lu Jing carefully before saying, "I appreciate Young Master Jing's kindness, but I must return to the pavilion to report. I can only thank you for your good intentions."

"Arrive later to pay respects and offer tea?" Lu Jing nodded in agreement, about to say something polite.

Suddenly, Jin Kui smiled and said, "It's been a few days, and Young Master Jing looks better and more distinguished. If Miss Nan sees you, she will surely be pleased."

"Moreover, today, the Old Dowager and Lady Zhong are discussing the examination of the clan's descendants. With the time still early, Young Master Jing can still read 'The Doctrine of the Mean.'"

...

After a few polite exchanges, Jin Kui left the room.

Qingyue, somewhat puzzled, said to Lu Jing, "Strange, why did the Old Dowager specially send Miss Jin Kui to deliver a message...?"

"It's a favor we owe her," Lu Jing said casually, closing the door. "Didn't she say it herself?

"Miss Nan has arrived."