Hearing this stance, Yu Qing instantly felt relieved. Originally, the three senior brothers in the sect already disliked him. If even the junior uncle master disciple treated him this way, his life would become very difficult. Otherwise, how could he have handed over a hundred thousand taels of silver at once? Of course, there was also an element of compensation for the poison testing.
In short, he was overjoyed now, grinning like a fox that had stolen a chicken. With a beaming smile, he put his arm around Chong’er shoulder and shook it vigorously. I knew Chong’er would not let me down. Did you not even consider what kind of friendship we have?
Chong’er lowered his head and giggled foolishly.
By the way, since your master told you about the matters in the temple, you must also know about my trip to the capital to take the exam in your place?
Yu Qing suddenly remembered and asked.
Chong’er nodded. I know. Young master is not Shi Heng, but the person who achieved those results is still you! His upward gaze was still filled with admiration.
Hmm. Yu Qing raised his hand to stroke his small moustache, cheerfully brushing past the question. It was a coincidence, a coincidence. It was all thanks to you leaking the exam questions. Go on, go check your room. Prepare whatever you are missing.
Anyone listening would understand that the junior uncle master still had not told Chong’er how exactly such excellent results were achieved. Just as he kept it hidden from the three senior brothers, matters involving the true disciple remained confidential.
The room was indeed missing a few things. Yu Qing called for Sun Ping and asked her to accompany Chong’er out for a stroll, giving Chong’er a chance to see Youjiaobu.
After they returned from their purchases, the noise of moving things disturbed Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie.
The two discovered that Chong’er was actually going to live with Yu Qing, and immediately took offence. They pulled Chong’er aside to warn him, inevitably unleashing a string of bad remarks about Yu Qing.
The two did not notice that as they spoke, Chong’er lips gradually pursed. He grew somewhat displeased, feeling that these two senior brothers were not very nice.
Especially when it came to the matter of Yu Qing being greedy for money, Chong’er strongly disagreed. He remembered that when Xu Fei had initially handed him over to Yu Qing, Xu Fei had also accused Yu Qing of being greedy.
However, after hearing the widely praised story of the third place scholar scattering his wealth to save disaster victims, leaving himself penniless and unable to enter the city, Chong’er had been moved to tears. Only then did he realise Xu Fei words were untrue. He did not expect that these two senior brothers also harboured ill intentions.
He knew all too well how good Yu Qing was. Even when he was still a lowly servant, he had experienced Yu Qing meticulous care.
Fearing he would not eat well, Yu Qing secretly brought him delicious food.
Fearing he would not sleep well, Yu Qing arranged a better place for him to rest.
Fearing he would be too exhausted from travelling, Yu Qing arranged a carriage for him to ride.
When he encountered danger, it was also Yu Qing who risked everything to rescue him, even carrying him on his back to flee through deep forests and old mountains, bringing him safely out of the ancient tombs and wastelands. Otherwise, how would he have his life today?
How could someone who treated a servant so well possibly be a bad person?
When Xu Fei said Yu Qing only cared about money, he had wavered. But after hearing the story of the scholar saving the victims, he regretted it. How could he doubt the character of Young Master Shiheng? Had his conscience been eaten by dogs?
Just now, Yu Qing had voluntarily given him a hundred thousand taels. Could such a person be greedy and ungrateful?
In any case, the more Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie spoke, the more displeased Chong’er became.
Ultimately, the two failed to stop Chong’er from moving into Yu Qing residence.
…
Watching Chong’er carry his things into Yu Qing courtyard, the two stood speechless for quite a while, feeling their warnings had been in vain.
Has this boy gone mad? He used you for poison testing! People say you forget the pain once the wound heals, but the scar is still right there!
Nan Zhu ranted indignantly.
Mu Aotie said, He is still young and thinks he is the sect leader. Time will reveal a person true nature, he will understand eventually.
Sect leader? Nan Zhu pondered this thoughtfully.
That night, Chong’er also began consuming the spiritual peaches to cultivate…
The next day, another person cloaked in a hood arrived outside Miaoqing Hall. At a glance, it was clearly a woman. After Sun Ping welcomed her inside, she watched her walk to the counter.
What may this honoured guest require?
Tie Miaoqing asked politely from behind the counter.
The visitor raised both hands, lifted the hood, and revealed a clear and graceful face. She smiled. Ye Diandian from Xiaoxianlou in Xiyuefang has come to visit. May I ask if the third place scholar is present?
The visitor was indeed the proprietress of Xiaoxianlou.
Tie Miaoqing was slightly startled, then nodded repeatedly. He is here, he is here. Please follow me.
There was no need to announce her arrival. Yu Qing had given special instructions that she could be brought straight in upon arrival.
Smiling, Ye Diandian followed her into the back courtyard. She looked around along the way and noted that the environment was indeed excellent. Securing a shop of this calibre in Youjiaobu was no easy feat.
After bringing her to the reception hall, Tie Miaoqing invited her to sit for a moment, then hurried off to find Yu Qing.
Shortly after, Yu Qing arrived with quick strides. Upon seeing Ye Diandian sitting calmly, he laughed heartily. Proprietress, it has been three years since we last met, and you have grown even more beautiful.
He was truly pleased. That a single letter could bring her here meant she acknowledged his contribution to the rise of Xiaoxianlou.
Ye Diandian hurried to stand and also smiled. It is all thanks to your blessings, Third Place Scholar. Thinking back to those years, you were unmatched in the capital and renowned across the world. Seeing you again today, you are even more spirited, excelling in both literary and martial pursuits.
Noticing Tie Miaoqing was still there, Yu Qing immediately introduced them. Come, this is Tie Miaoqing, the proprietress of Miaoqing Hall. This is Ye Diandian, the proprietress of Xiaoxianlou in Xiyuefang.
Tie Miaoqing quickly removed her gauze hat to reveal her true face and paid her respects. I have long admired your reputation. It is a great honour to finally meet you today.
Ye Diandian examined her features, glanced at Yu Qing with slight curiosity, and seemed to understand why he had settled here. She smiled gently. Lady Tie is truly a peerless beauty, very lovely.
The two women exchanged polite pleasantries. Since Tie Miaoqing still had to mind the counter, she excused herself first.
Chong’er then appeared, still acting like a servant, and brought out tea to serve the guest.
No one had ordered him to do so. It was simply something he had grown accustomed to doing around Yu Qing, and Yu Qing did not mind it at all.
After host and guest were seated, Yu Qing smiled and asked. How is Brother Lin Chengdao?
Ye Diandian replied, I certainly would not treat him poorly. Before leaving the capital, I had already met with him. I passed on your greetings and informed him that I was coming to see you. He also asked me to convey his regards to you. Upon receiving your letter, Third Place Scholar, I left the capital almost immediately. I travelled overseas first, then rode a flying steed here. I wonder what instructions you have for summoning me so suddenly?
Yu Qing smiled. You might as well guess why I sought you out.
Ye Diandian smiled gently. I have always kept an eye on your situation, Third Place Scholar, and know a little about it. I heard you recently acquired something from Xiao Yunjian, and it seems you have attracted some trouble again. I cannot afford to offend factions like the Chilan Pavilion or Jilu Mountain. That you thought of me at this time is likely related to my background in Quhe Mountain, is it not? Is it something from Xiao Yunjian that you wish to show me?
Yu Qing asked, Then do you want to see it?
Ye Diandian replied, Since I am already here, I naturally wish to broaden my horizons.
Please. Yu Qing immediately stood up to invite her.
Ye Diandian did not stand on ceremony. She untied her cloak, revealing a purple dress, and followed him outside.
Chong’er followed curiously.
He did not take her anywhere else. Yu Qing brought his guest directly to the peach tree planted in the courtyard and pointed at it. This is the spiritual peach tree. It has not been long since it was transplanted here.
Ye Diandian said oh, and began to pace slowly, circling the peach tree and examining it from top to bottom.
Shortly after, Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie also heard the news and gathered nearby to see what was going on. They did not recognise the woman, nor did they know who she was.
After Ye Diandian finished her circuit, Yu Qing also brought over a spiritual peach.
Ye Diandian seemed to enter a different state of mind. She reached out directly to take the peach, turned it over to inspect it, then broke it open. After examining the flesh, she shook her head. It is truly a pity. After speaking, she casually tossed the fruit beneath the peach tree.
Chong’er hurried over and picked it up again.
Ye Diandian glanced at him in surprise.
Chong’er lowered his head in embarrassment. He simply felt it was a pity to waste such a fine thing, and thought it could still be eaten after washing.
Ye Diandian reached out again, snapped off a small branch, and held it. She examined the cross section, tore the leaves, peeled the bark, and observed it carefully. After quite a while, she turned back and asked. What does the Third Place Scholar wish to know?
Can this peach tree still be kept alive after being removed from Xiao Yunjian?
Keeping it alive is certainly not a problem.
Can you tell when it will bloom and bear fruit?
It should bloom soon. Despite being handled roughly by you, this tree still thrives vigorously. It clearly has accumulated a large amount of spiritual energy. Judging by the state of its branches and leaves, as long as it is given a suitable environment with sufficient sunlight, it should bloom in about a year. As for when it will bear fruit and when the fruit will ripen, that still requires observation. After all, it is no ordinary plant.
I have learned from you. As expected of a spiritual botanist, you understand it at a glance.
Does the Third Place Scholar intend to cultivate it?
You also know I have recently attracted some trouble, and the goods cannot be sold. I cannot just let them go to waste.
What good would cultivation do? I have observed that this is not a simple infection by evil qi, but the result of long term symbiosis with it. The tree itself has already become an evil entity. In other words, it is like us humans. The food we normally consume contains certain substances harmful to the body, but our bodies possess mechanisms to eliminate them.
The survival environment of this tree is the same. Unconsciously, it absorbs not only the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but also evil qi that we cannot detect. It has now grown accustomed to the evil qi. It no longer expels the absorbed evil qi, but instead stores it within its body. Therefore, any spiritual peaches it produces later will still be like the one just now. Solving this problem will likely not be easy. At least, I have no solution at present.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie exchanged a glance. It seemed a true expert had indeed arrived.
Yu Qing smiled. It does not matter whether the evil qi is eliminated or not. Look, the spiritual peaches I am selling now already contain evil qi. I do not care if the evil qi can be removed. I only care whether this shop can maintain its supply.
Ye Diandian nodded, understanding his meaning. She pondered and said, If that is the case, then it does not matter. However, growing spiritual peaches that large and full of so much spiritual energy again is not as simple as you think. It must first absorb sufficient spiritual energy. Setting up a spirit gathering array is unavoidable.
Yu Qing asked, Does the proprietress know how to set up a spirit gathering array?
Ye Diandian replied, That is my old trade, I have not forgotten it.
Yu Qing gaze instantly grew eager, and he asked immediately. Roughly how much would it cost to set up a spirit gathering array?
Ye Diandian answered, That depends on how large an area you wish to cover, and how many array materials are required before I can calculate it.
Yu Qing immediately pointed to the peach trees. There are currently about two hundred and twenty peach trees of this size. How much do you estimate it would cost?
Ye Diandian fell silent for a moment, occasionally counting on her fingers. Finally, she gave her answer, Three hundred million should be about enough.