Chapter 62: Spring Excursion

Chapter 62: Spring Excursion

True Energy emerged from the Energy Core, coursing through the meridians, and descended towards the Pineal Palace's Energy Point.

First stimulating, then grinding, slowly eroding.

In this manner, an unknown amount of time passed, and the True Energy gradually dissipated, finally opening the Energy Point within the neck's bones and tendons.

The energy gushed out, flowing freely without hindrance.

Meng Yuan felt a surge of fatigue, and his stomach growled with unbearable hunger, even more exhausting than the powerful impact he experienced when opening the Lower Thirty-Three Heavens.

Taking a few deep breaths, he finally opened his eyes.

Outside the window, evening had arrived.

Meng Yuan clearly remembered entering meditation at midnight, never expecting that opening the Energy Points would take so long, even longer than when he first opened the Pineal Palace.

"No wonder I'm so tired; it's because it took so much time. It seems I'm quite skilled in prolonged battles and hardships! Of course, I'm also swift in quick battles!"

Meng Yuan sighed, and the aroma of stewed meat made his hunger even more unbearable. He stood up and opened the door.

The house was lively that night, with Jiang Laobai, Jiang Tang, and Hu Qian all present.

"Brother," Jiang Tang said, seeing Meng Yuan emerge. She was initially delighted but then blushed, unable to meet his gaze, her usual lively spirit gone.

Jiang Tang had accompanied Hu Qian to meet her mother earlier that day. Although she had a rough idea of what to expect, she still learned a lot.

Moreover, Hu Qian's mother had once been the Empress Consort's wet nurse and shared many stories about raising children. Jiang Tang listened intently, blushing and almost taking notes.

Meng Yuan glanced at Hu Qian, who seemed more talkative than usual, likely due to her familiarity with the others.

"Let's eat," Meng Yuan said as he sat down.

After consuming the stewed mutton, Meng Yuan felt his strength returning.

However, upon further contemplation, the growth of his Essence Fire remained painfully slow.

Attending to the Empress Consort was a top priority, but nurturing his Essence Fire couldn't be neglected.

Meng Yuan, a composed gentleman, ate his meal while contemplating how to focus his willpower and connect the idea of guarding the Empress Consort with nurturing his Essence Fire.

Jiang Tang also remained silent, eating quietly with a flushed face, occasionally stealing glances at Meng Yuan.

Jiang Laobai was even more cautious, knowing Hu Qian's unique identity, so he, too, stayed silent.

Hu Qian, usually reserved, became quite talkative once she was comfortable. But seeing that everyone else was quiet, she also closed her mouth.

After the meal, Meng Yuan escorted Hu Qian back and practiced the Gale Blade Technique and Feather Dance Technique in the courtyard to warm up. Then, he stopped his cultivation and didn't continue training to open Energy Points.

Such matters required a gradual and measured approach; it was best to take it easy after opening a new Energy Point.

Meng Yuan went to Jiang Tang's room and found her diligently practicing calligraphy and reading. He refrained from nagging her and instead picked up the newly purchased poetry anthology to read.

Xiang Ling wanted to learn poetry, and with her pure heart, who knew if she might become a true talent one day? Therefore, Meng Yuan decided to study it first to stay one step ahead of her.

After a restful night's sleep and a morning meal, Meng Yuan went to the training ground to instruct the others and then practiced the Gale Blade Technique and Feather Dance Technique several times. When midday arrived without a sign of Nie Shi, Meng Yuan decided to enter seclusion to open another Energy Point.

He endured another night of cultivation, and by noon the next day, he had successfully opened another Energy Point. With this, three Energy Points in the Central Thirty-Three Heavens had been opened.

Meng Yuan rested for a day, and it was time for the Empress Consort to venture out.

Meng Yuan rose early that day, boiled hot water, vigorously scrubbed his body, washed his hair with soapberry, and changed into new clothes given by Nie Yanian.

Jiang Tang, granted a day off by Xiang Ling, happily braided Meng Yuan's hair.

After getting ready, Meng Yuan slung his sword over his shoulder and carried a longbow.

Soon, Nie Yanian arrived, frowning upon seeing Meng Yuan's neat appearance.

"Did Meng Scholar pass the imperial examinations with top honors? You didn't even tell me! I'll bring you a gift!" Nie Yanian complained as he dragged Meng Yuan outside.

They didn't head to the Tranquil Garden where the Empress Consort resided but instead went to the stable to fetch horses and waited outside a side gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Five people were already there, mostly in their forties, all bodyguards of the Empress Consort.

Nie Yanian led Meng Yuan forward with a smile, introducing him to the others, ensuring he became familiar with his new colleagues.

Not long after, two more people emerged, surprisingly, it was Du Gu Kang and Wang Laoshou.

Du Gu Kang was mounted on a white horse, with a jade covering his forehead, but his entire body seemed listless. Although he was dressed as a noble young master, he lacked any trace of nobility.

There were no servants or attendants, and the only guest was Wang Laoshou. Clearly, Du Gu Kang was brought here against his will.

"Teacher Nie, Teacher Zhang, Teacher Liu, and Little Teacher Meng," Wang Laoshou, a respectable man, smiled and bowed to Nie Yanian and the others.

"I find Little Teacher Meng familiar," Du Gu Kang looked at Meng Yuan.

"I'm accompanying the Empress Consort on an outing for the first time," Meng Yuan replied truthfully.

After waiting for a while longer, a carriage emerged, driven by a woman. Two other women, each with a sword at their side, rode on horses, one on each side of the carriage.

Apart from them, there was no one else."

"Let's go," Nie Yanian instructed. He, along with Meng Yuan and another guard, took the lead, followed by Du Gu Kang, and then the Empress Consort's carriage, with the remaining four guards bringing up the rear.

Generally speaking, when noble ladies go on spring excursions, they invite companions of appropriate age, hold poetry gatherings or elegant assemblies, offer incense, and pray for the well-being of their family elders.

However, the Empress Consort had just one carriage and showed no interest in putting on a show. There were no other noblewomen accompanying her.

As they moved forward, Nie Yanian noticed Meng Yuan's confusion and whispered with a smile, "The Empress Consort doesn't like to show off or disturb the common folk. You'll get used to it."

"Just the few of us, are we really safe?" Meng Yuan turned back and glanced at the drowsy Du Gu Kang, thinking that if there were any bandits, he would first ensure the Empress Consort's safety, and as for the Crown Prince, well, that would be dealt with later.

"Rest assured," Nie Yanian said with great confidence.

With that, Meng Yuan didn't ask any further questions.

The group exited through the south gate of the city and soon reached the Canglang River.

It was already late spring, and the river was wide and full, with countless boats sailing back and forth. As they gazed upon the river, they couldn't help but feel a sense of openness and freedom.

"I'm feeling inspired to compose a poem! Let's go!" Du Gu Kang suddenly became energetic, urging his horse forward, passing Meng Yuan and the others. Wang Laoshou quickly followed.

"Follow your poetic friend," Nie Yanian smiled.

Meng Yuan immediately patted the rump of his red horse and caught up with Du Gu Kang.

Du Gu Kang reached the riverbank, and his horse came to a stop. He took out a folding fan and began to fan himself while gazing at the wide river, seemingly composing a poem.

Meng Yuan didn't rush him and waited patiently for Du Gu Kang to finish his poem.

After a while, Du Gu Kang finally managed to compose a poem. He recited: "By the river, I gaze into the distance, the river flows towards the horizon, I scoop a ladle of river water, to bring home and cherish slowly."

As soon as the poem ended, Wang Laoshou began praising it, but as the only guest today, the atmosphere was somewhat lacking.

Meng Yuan had seen Du Gu Kang compose poems three times before, once observing clouds, another observing martial arts, and this time, observing the river.

These three folk poems were not fit for formal occasions, but they lacked any malicious or arrogant tone. Through his poems, one could see that the Crown Prince was indeed a person without ill intentions.

Moreover, although this river-observing poem was of the usual standard, Meng Yuan carefully savored it and found that the beginning, development, turn, and conclusion were well-crafted, and it even had a certain flavor.

Especially the last two lines. Taking just a ladle of water home to appreciate the river showed a sense of contentment and non-competition. It also seemed to align with certain teachings of Buddhism and Taoism.

"The Crown Prince didn't bring the entire Canglang River home but took only a ladle, proving he is an honest person," Meng Yuan admired in his heart.

After Du Gu Kang finished, Meng Yuan moved closer to Nie Yanian.

"Teacher Nie, where exactly is the Empress Consort going for her spring excursion?" Meng Yuan asked curiously.

"What spring excursion?" Nie Yanian laughed, lifting his chin and pointing forward, "Just ahead, to the temple on that mountain!"

Meng Yuan looked ahead and saw a small mountain by the river.

When they had previously passed by this place to exorcise the demon at the pharmacy, it was still early spring, and the trees were not lush. Even then, several dilapidated temples could be seen.

But now, the trees were lush and dense, revealing only a corner of the temple.

At that moment, Meng Yuan remembered that Xiang Ling had mentioned her wet nurse being infatuated with a Taoist priest here, completely smitten with him.

"Once we arrive, I'll take you to meet the Empress Consort," Nie Yanian said solemnly, "Don't embarrass me."

Meng Yuan nodded, thinking that he would finally get a chance to meet the Taoist priest.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end