Chapter 36

When Chen Changsheng returned to the National Teaching Academy, he was drenched in alcohol, his eyes half-closed, and his steps unsteady. He had long forgotten about the Qingteng Banquet, completely dismissing it from his mind.

The library was dark, and without him, the National Teaching Academy was as desolate as usual. He walked to the lakeside, where the surroundings were silent and empty. Only the stars floated in the clear water, and the shadows of the trees on the opposite bank were indistinct in the night. The warm breeze of late spring brushed his face.

He stood on a stone by the lake, looking up at the stars in the night sky for a long time, then gazed at the stars in the water for an equally long time. Then, he closed his eyes and stood silently for a long time. Suddenly, he shouted some foul words at the water.

He always gave the impression of being calm and quiet, with a maturity that surpassed his age. Such an emotional outburst was extremely rare. Tonight, under the influence of alcohol, he found himself exhausted, so he simply sat down on the grass by the lake, fell back, and began to daydream.

The library was pitch black, and he did not go there to read or cleanse his marrow with starlight. He just lay on the grass, daydreaming, not thinking at all. This was the first time in years, especially since that night when he was ten, that he had allowed himself such indulgence, such a waste of time.

After an unknown amount of time, he opened his eyes and found himself still lying on the grass. The grass blades he touched were damp with dew, and his cheeks were slightly moist. The distant horizon was faintly illuminated by the morning light, indicating it was around five o'clock. Even after drinking and wanting to indulge, he still woke up on time. The strict and somewhat rigid routines and methods of dealing with things had become deeply ingrained in him, almost instinctive, which made him feel quite helpless.

Habits are powerful things, and even cleansing the marrow couldn't wash them away. Chen Changsheng returned to the small building and used a wet towel to wash his face by the water bucket, thinking about various things. His peripheral vision caught the tightly closed new door on the old wall, and for some reason, he felt a sense of anticipation.

The heavens do not always answer prayers, but they did today. With a creak, the wooden door opened, and the little girl hopped over the threshold like she was stepping on stones, then skipped to his side, her black pigtails swinging adorably.

Luoluo looked at him happily and said, "Hey, Mr. Chen, isn't it convenient?"

The little girl was smiling broadly, but she was actually very nervous, afraid that Chen Changsheng would run away like he did yesterday.

Chen Changsheng did not run. It was unclear whether it was because he was not naked in the wooden bucket today, or because he was still drunk from last night, or because he had given up resistance after being pestered by the little girl, or perhaps because he actually wanted to see her.

After leaving the National Teaching Academy, they bought two bowls of wontons. He handed one bowl without chili to the little girl and then walked towards the library. The little girl, holding the bowl of wontons, followed him with quick steps, extremely excited.

After breakfast, Chen Changsheng began to read, finding his target on the shelves with great familiarity. He sat on the floor, reading silently and intently, comparing the more primitive texts with the three thousand Daoist scriptures he had seen in the old temple in Xining Town. He called this method comparative research.

Reading is a very tedious task, and watching someone read is even more boring. Chen Changsheng read quietly and did not speak. At first, Luoluo was very interested and followed him, looking at the books. After a while, she found many of them incomprehensible and began to feel bored. She thought getting up early was not a good thing, and drowsiness, like ants under a tree, kept overwhelming her, making her head feel heavier and heavier...

After an unknown amount of time, Chen Changsheng came out of his deep reading and meditation, feeling a weight and numbness in his right arm. He immediately remembered the scene when he woke up after meditating and cleansing his marrow last night. Turning his head, he saw that the little girl was indeed hugging his arm and sleeping.

Her hand was not actually wrapped around his right arm but was lightly holding his sleeve. She was not leaning on his shoulder but on his upper arm due to her small size. This position was not very comfortable, but she was sleeping soundly and sweetly.

Chen Changsheng looked at the little girl's relaxed and innocent face and smiled.

To be able to sleep so soundly and sweetly meant she was very relaxed. She was so relaxed because she trusted him. Being completely trusted by someone felt very good, especially for him, who was silently moving forward in the capital.

Suddenly, a shadow fell on the little girl's face.

Most people prefer darkness when sleeping, not light. But the little girl was clearly different. The shadow made her frown and wrinkle her nose, and she grumbled in dissatisfaction, possibly about to wake up.

Chen Changsheng liked watching the little girl sleep and was naturally unhappy about being disturbed. He looked towards the library entrance and subconsciously raised his eyebrows.

The person standing at the library entrance was Shuang'er. For some reason, her face was cold, and her gaze was extremely cold.

...

Shuang'er's mood was very bad today because the white crane had returned from the distant south again, bringing another letter from the young lady.

The young lady was not one of those idiots who had been brainwashed by books on female virtues and morals. The Great Zhou Dynasty had never had those ridiculous requirements for women in the south. She was very clear about this, so she did not understand why the young lady cared about that shameless young man.

Although there was a marriage contract, it would eventually be torn up. Why did the young lady care about that guy? Well, in the letter, the young lady only said she wanted to know the young man's recent situation, which could be considered concern... but why did she want to know?

Shuang'er actually knew that the young lady just did not want the young man to become dust in the rivers of the capital because of the marriage contract, so she asked her to inquire.

She obediently inquired and learned that Chen Changsheng was now the only student in the National Teaching Academy for many years. From the attitude of the old master and the lady, although the young man had no future, at least his life was safe. Following the young lady's instructions in the letter, she came to the National Teaching Academy today to ask if he needed any help, such as money or supplies. However, when she entered the library, she saw this scene!

Who was that little girl? Why was she hugging that guy? Was this reading? The National Teaching Academy might be dilapidated, but it was still a place for education! This guy was actually hugging a little girl in the library! What a disgrace!

Seeing this scene, Shuang'er was furious—You have a marriage contract with the young lady! Although the contract is not valid, it has not been annulled yet, so your identity is still the young lady's fiancé! Why would the young lady care about your safety from so far away and even ask the palace's important figures to protect your life? Although the young lady does not like you, she still takes good care of you, but you are flirting with other little girls! Truly a pair of adulterers!

Shuang'er wanted to say these four words but, seeing the little girl's innocent and beautiful appearance, she could not bear to. Instead, she glared at Chen Changsheng and shouted, "Pervert!"

After saying these two words, she had no interest in asking about Chen Changsheng's recent situation. She flicked her sleeve and angrily turned to leave.

The National Teaching Academy was quiet and empty, and the grass by the lake was lush and inviting. Shuang'er, however, was in a bad mood and became increasingly unhappy as she walked.

Back at the Eastern Imperial General's Mansion, she began writing a letter to the young lady, detailing the things she had learned, especially the scene she saw today. Although she did not exaggerate, the criticism in her words was evident.

The white crane left the capital and flew towards the distant Southern Holy Maiden Peak.

In the evening, the setting sun illuminated the strange flowers and plants on the cliff. The white crane landed on the cliffside, and the young lady reached out to untie the letter, looking at it for a long time in silence.

The white crane brought a brush, dipped it in the right amount of ink, and gently placed it in her hand.

The young lady held the brush, looked at the white paper, and sighed for a long time. She scratched her head with the brush tip and looked at the white crane, troubled, saying, "I really don't know what to write. According to your previous description... that little Taoist shouldn't be that kind of person."

The white crane could not speak and could not help her, so it gently touched her wrist with its neck, urging her to write.

...

...

Pervert? Chen Changsheng heard the two words Shuang'er said before she turned and left. He knew she must have misunderstood something, but he did not care and would not chase out of the library to explain. The marriage contract with the Eastern Imperial General's Mansion had not been torn up, but after doing so many despicable things there, he thought the other party did not even have the right to misunderstand him, let alone the right to be angry. However, for some reason, he felt a bit angry.

Luoluo woke up, rubbed her eyes, and, smelling the lingering scent of powder in the air, asked curiously, "Mr. Chen, who came just now?"

Chen Changsheng said, "A maid from the Eastern Imperial General's Mansion."

Hearing the words "Eastern Imperial General's Mansion," Luoluo's expression changed slightly. She was about to say something when she suddenly stopped and looked out of the library.

Two men approached the library.

One of them walked into the library with his hands behind his back, uninvited, looking extremely arrogant.

He was wearing the exclusive attire of a teacher from the Heavenly Dao College.

Chen Changsheng noticed that this person's expression was extremely cold, and his gaze towards him was extremely unfriendly.

"Ridiculous!"

The teacher from the Heavenly Dao College glanced at Chen Changsheng and turned away, as if looking at him for a moment more would dirty his eyes, showing extreme disdain.

He looked at the person beside him and scolded sternly, "The National Teaching Academy is already in ruins. What right does it have to be listed among the six Qingteng Colleges? As for this person... a failure who couldn't even cleanse his marrow, what right does he have to attend the Qingteng Banquet!"