Chapter 68: Scholar Xiang Ling

Chapter 68: Scholar Xiang Ling

After a brief respite, Meng Yuan stood up and headed to the training ground.

He chatted with Hu Qian and the others for a while before resuming his practice of the Gale Blade Technique.

As evening approached, Meng Yuan made his way towards the Intoxicating Moon Tower.

"Meng Gongzi, your charm remains unchanged after several days," said Nie Qingqing, her eyes filled with a touch of coquettishness, captivating him.

"Sister, you and I are not outsiders, and I'm not some young master. Please, stop addressing me like that," Meng Yuan said.

Nie Qingqing smiled and nodded.

"How have you been these past few days? I've been thinking about you constantly," Meng Yuan said as he took out a small, round river stone, "I saw a green stone by the river, and it reminded me of your beautiful name, so I picked it up."

Nie Qingqing took the stone, surprised to see her name on it. She smiled and said, "You're so thoughtful."

"Thoughtful my ass! He's just trying to save money!" Nie Yanian suddenly appeared, pinching Nie Qingqing's forehead, "Grow up!"

Nie Qingqing put away the green stone, ignoring him completely, and walked away.

"You're making me furious!" Nie Yanian was furious, and he pinched Meng Yuan, "Just spend some money!"

Meng Yuan didn't dare to argue.

The two of them went upstairs together, entering a private room. Soon, their colleagues arrived one by one. Meng Yuan listened to them chatting about tales from the jianghu.

After more than an hour, the gathering finally dispersed. No one suggested going to the Flower Street, as they were all around the same age as Nie Yanian, and each had their own families.

Meng Yuan stayed behind, pulling Nie Yanian aside to ask about the Hundred Herbs Pill.

"This thing was distributed by the Demon Quelling Office, and Qingming Grass isn't that precious. But it's valuable to us martial practitioners, and usually, no one is willing to let it go. But if you really want to buy it, it's not impossible. A pill is usually around twenty to thirty taels of silver, sometimes even doubling in price, depending on the market for Qingming Grass." Nie Yanian smiled, "Do you have any ideas?"

"So expensive?" Meng Yuan was used to being poor.

"It's not that precious if you use it to open your energy points or as a precaution. Besides, practicing martial arts requires spending money!" Nie Yanian laughed, "Do you have any plans?"

"I'm curious," Meng Yuan asked.

Nie Yanian thought for a moment, then nodded at Meng Yuan, "Wait, and I'll tell you."

He was about to take a step forward but turned back, "What's wrong with spending money on my girl?"

"Every time I come, I see her wearing a green jade hairpin. I'll go buy one tomorrow," Meng Yuan smiled.

"That's more like it!" Nie Yanian pulled Meng Yuan again, "Remember to bring your maid over to meet her."

Meng Yuan nodded in agreement.

Returning to the training ground with a slight buzz from the wine, Meng Yuan practiced the Gale Blade Technique several times and guided Hu Qian. Only then did he return home.

Jiang Tang had prepared hot water and a hangover soup. Meng Yuan chatted with her for a while, bathed, and fell into a peaceful sleep.

After a refreshing sleep, he felt refreshed and energized.

Following breakfast, Meng Yuan went to the training ground to give some instructions. Then, he slung his blade over his shoulder, carried his bow and arrows, and tucked a few boiled eggs into his clothes. He also brought along some poetry books and a book on cutting words. Only then did he set off for Mu Zhuang, reminiscing about the bitter and sweet memories.

The sound of horse hooves clopping, they left the city and headed west. Upon reaching Mu Zhuang, Sun Zhuangtou seemed a bit uncomfortable.

"There's really not much to see. I know you have a big craving, but you've got to wait for a while. The longer ones haven't been gelded yet," Sun Zhuangtou said helplessly.

"I just wanted to take a look around..." Meng Yuan patiently explained, then took out some loose silver to pay for the care of his horse. He chatted with Zhao Datou for a while before leaving the estate.

At the foot of the mountain, they waited until the sun was at its peak at noon before they saw a figure carrying a small bundle approaching from afar.

The figure had a brown back and a white belly, carrying a small floral bundle, muttering to themselves, and walking with intermittent stops, as if deep in thought, making them appear even more foolish.

Just as they were about to approach, Xiang Ling finally noticed Meng Yuan.

"Little Castration Smith!" She hurriedly quickened her pace, running up to him in a few strides, and leaning close, said, "You changed clothes? Who made your new shoes? The stitching is terrible!"

Stop nitpicking! Meng Yuan smiled and asked, "What were you muttering about on the road?"

"Oh," Xiang Ling sighed at the mention of it, "The old master assigned homework, and I was reciting it. I saw a few butterflies earlier, and I played with them for a while, then completely forgot about my homework! My wet nurse said that indulging in play will lead to a loss of ambition. It's true!"

She patted her small bundle, looking even more dejected, her small stature and large eyes filled with helplessness and worry. "Little Castration Smith, if only studying could be as easy as stealing dumplings."

"Did you steal someone's dumplings?" Meng Yuan asked with a smile.

"Don't slander me!" Xiang Ling immediately defended herself, "I drove away all the mice in his grain storehouse!" She spread her arms to demonstrate, "His family is wealthy, and the storehouse is huge! I went to collect my wages, not to steal! Little Castration Smith, how can studying be considered stealing?"

Who was talking about stealing dumplings just now? Meng Yuan didn't call her out and instead asked, "Then what were you muttering about on the road?"

"Oh." Xiang Ling sighed again, "The old master assigned homework, and I was reciting it. I saw a few butterflies earlier, and I played with them for a while, then completely forgot my homework! My wet nurse said that indulging in play will lead to a loss of focus. It's true!"

She patted her small bundle, looking even more dejected, her small stature and large eyes filled with helplessness and worry. "Little Castration Smith, if only studying could be as easy as stealing dumplings."

"Did you steal someone's dumplings?" Meng Yuan asked with a smile.

"I didn't steal anything!" Xiang Ling quickly denied, "I helped him get rid of the mice in his grain storehouse!" She demonstrated with her arms, "His family is wealthy, and the storehouse is huge! I went to collect my wages, not to steal! Little Castration Smith, how can studying be considered stealing?"

Meng Yuan didn't pursue the topic further and instead asked, "Then what were you muttering about on the road?"

"Oh." Xiang Ling sighed, "The old master assigned a difficult poem to memorize, and I was reciting it. I saw a few butterflies earlier, and I played with them for a while, then completely forgot my homework! My wet nurse said that indulging in play will lead to a loss of focus. It's true!"

She patted her small bundle, looking dejected, her small frame and big eyes filled with helplessness and worry. "Little Castration Smith, if only studying could be as easy as stealing dumplings."

"Did you steal dumplings?" Meng Yuan asked with a smile.

"I didn't steal anything!" Xiang Ling quickly defended herself, "I helped him with a mouse problem! His grain storehouse is huge, and I worked hard! I went to collect my wages, not to steal! Little Castration Smith, how can studying be considered stealing?"

Meng Yuan didn't press the issue and instead asked about her muttering.

"Oh." Xiang Ling sighed, "I was reciting a poem assigned by the old master. It's so difficult to memorize! I saw butterflies and played, then forgot my homework. My wet nurse is right; play distracts from studies."

She patted her bundle, looking dejected. "If only studying were as easy as stealing dumplings."

"You didn't steal dumplings, did you?" Meng Yuan smiled.

"No way!" Xiang Ling defended herself, "I helped with a mouse problem! His storehouse is huge, and I worked hard! I earned my wages, not stole! Studying isn't stealing, Little Castration Smith!"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end