Xiaoyaoshanjun

Chapter 98 Discussion
As soon as Tian Buli arrived at the gate of the Princess's Mansion, someone walked out quickly from the door.

"My dear, you are here. My Lord has told me to wait for you here since yesterday. Please come in. I have sent someone to inform my wife that my Lord is busy outside today and will be back soon."

The princess's mansion is not small. In addition to the mansion, there are some businesses outside. The two masters and mistresses have big things to do, so the small things are left to the stewards below.

Tian Buli didn't know this man, and a male servant came out from the mansion to lead the horse, so he handed the reins to the man.

Tian Buli entered through the main gate, and the horse went to the stable through another door.

Because the male owner was not at home, Tian Buli went to the guest room where he had stayed the night before and waited.

There are many rules in the mansion of a wealthy family. Tian Buli did not go into the bedroom, but meditated and rested on the couch in the main hall.

Soon I heard footsteps, and when I opened my eyes I saw Lan He wearing blue clothes.

Lan He walked in with a smile, stood beside him and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. My young master looks more handsome and steady."

Tian Buli also smiled, "Please sit down, I feel calm, but when did you talk about handsomeness?"

Lan He sat down and joked with him, "I think it looks a lot better than last year! It must be that I was thinking about it during the day and dreaming about it at night. I feel happy after seeing it."

Tian Buli smiled and said, "It's only been a few months since we last met, how could there be such a big change?"

"The changes are huge!" Lan He stretched out his hands and counted, "My dear husband, you are going to be a father this year. This is a happy news."

"I'll take the exam this month, and I'll probably be a scholar next month. This is my second happiness."

"Third, it's only the beginning of spring this year, maybe there will be more happy events in the future!"

Tian Buli discovered that the people in the Princess's Mansion did not care about Hu Yuwei.

Although the Hu family has become prosperous now, Hu Yuwei has won the first prize consecutively and has gone to the capital to take the exam.

But even if he became the top scorer in the imperial examination, it would have nothing to do with the Princess's Mansion.

If he had not met Qi Daozon on the street, Qi Daozon would have been just a casual acquaintance with Hu Yuwei, whether he was a scholar or the number one scholar.

If it was an ordinary old top scholar or an average-looking top scholar, Qi Daozon would not even pay attention to him.

The two chatted for more than an hour, and soon the maid came in from outside.

"My dear husband, the master is back. He has prepared a banquet in the hall and invites you to come over."

Only then did Tian Buli realize that Qi Daozon had not returned. The princess was afraid that he would be bored alone, so she sent Lan He to talk to him and cheer him up.

Lan He stood up and said, "My Lord must have been waiting for a while, my dear husband, let's go over."

"Okay." Tian Buli stood up and went to the banquet together.

There are both male and female servants in the mansion, but there are more female servants in the backyard. The place where Tian Buli lives is the house prepared for the old lady in the past, so naturally it is where there are more female relatives.

The layout of wealthy families’ houses is very particular.

Different people go through different doors and take different paths, and they basically won't meet each other.

Those who raise horses and deliver vegetables are definitely not allowed to enter the inner courtyard.

The women in the inner courtyard would basically not encounter the guards in the front courtyard.

Where guests stay, they will not see dirty places such as kitchens, servants' rooms, and livestock rooms.

Tian Buli followed the path his family took, passed through three corridors and arrived at the main hall.

After entering, they found that there were not only the princess and her husband, but also six other people.

The princess and her husband sat in the main seat, with four seats on each side.

On the left is a young man dressed like a nobleman, and a middle-aged scholar who is a few years older.

There were two monks, one big and one small. The big one was in his fifties or sixties, and the small one was in his teens.

On the right are two middle-aged Taoist priests of similar age, both in their thirties or forties.

Tian Buli secretly thought it was troublesome and he really didn't like joining in this kind of fun.

This princess and Qi Daozon obviously treated him as a retainer. They usually gave him good food and drink, paid money to women, and summoned them to make things look more presentable when needed.

It should be noted that the friendships of those who practice Taoism are different from those of ordinary people. Each time they are used, they are gone, but there is no such thing as favoritism.

But when he thought about how he had received a lot of benefits from the Princess's Mansion in the past six months, he had no choice but to follow in and raised his hand to salute.

"Master Qi, the princess."

Qi Dao Zong smiled and said, "No need to be polite, please take a seat and I will introduce these people to you."

Tian Buli walked over to the Taoist priest and sat down, and found that everyone else was looking at him.

Qi Daozon first introduced two well-dressed literati.

"This is the fifth son of the Prince of Wuzhou. You can just call him the Fifth Young Master."

"This is Yuanshan hermit, a man of great learning and talent, famous for his poetry and political commentary."

"This is Master Guang Wen of Mingxin Temple, and next to him is his disciple, Master Xiu Ming."

"The two people beside you are Taoist priests Fufeng and Fuyun from the Qingjing Temple."

Qi Daozong said again: "Everyone, this is the Tian Buli I mentioned. He has a deep fortune and is making rapid progress."

Tian Buli said politely, "Master Qiqi, you are too polite. I am just a little boy student, and I have not officially registered in the Taoist sect. Whether in terms of knowledge or Taoism, I am no different from ordinary people. You are too kind."

Seeing this, the Fifth Young Master on the opposite side said directly: "What is true cannot be false, and what is false cannot be true. I heard that you studied under the master of Liuyun Peak of Yanxia Mountain. I wonder what Taoism you learned?"

Tian Buli said calmly: "Learning Taoism is not an easy thing. You have to do odd jobs for a few years to build up your physical strength. For example, I have to fetch water, chop wood and cook every day. If I go to Yanxia Mountain to study Taoism after passing the imperial examination, I will have to continue doing odd jobs for a few years before I can be taught." After hearing this, the Fifth Young Master looked at Qi Dao Zong.

Qi Daozon had obviously introduced Tian Buli in advance, and the content of the introduction was different from what Tian Buli said himself.

Princess Hanjiang said to Tian Buli: "According to your aptitude, you will definitely be able to learn the skills within three to five years."

"You are too polite, Princess." Tian Buli was still very polite.

It’s not that we are unwilling to give face, it’s that these people think too highly of themselves.

This kind of thing of being supported by others to move forward is not suitable for Tian Buli.

Qi Dao Zong and Princess Han Jiang could see that Tian Buli didn't like crowds.

I knew about this kind of thing before, but after knowing him for so long, seeing him still be the same, I couldn't help but be angry that this guy didn't give me face.

It was just to let him meet some noble people, which was obviously to help him pave the way and make more good friends, but it seemed like it was harming him.

Master Guangwen on the opposite side looked at the young man and smiled, "Since you haven't gone to Yanxia Mountain to learn Taoism yet, you are not considered a disciple of Yanxia Mountain. If you want to learn some skills, I can also teach you some Buddhist skills so that you won't be delayed from going to Yanxia Mountain to seek Taoism in the future."

Tian Buli is not a child and will not be fooled by this kind-looking old monk.

You say it has no impact, but when it does impact you, what can you do to the other party?
Tian Buli replied, "Master, I will definitely remember your kindness. If your disciples want to learn some skills like fetching water and chopping wood in the future, just look for me!"

The others showed surprised expressions, and a few of them curled up their lips slightly and watched the next development with a smile.

Master Guangwen's face became serious. "The young donor is quite eloquent. He never loses the upper hand when talking to people regardless of their seniority. You should know that you should not be too straightforward, otherwise it will be difficult to be a good person."

Tian Buli smiled and said, "If something is too hard, it will break easily. If a bow is too full, it will break easily. This is a principle that even a child can understand. The master must understand it."

"I wonder if the master can understand one thing: the one who teases first is the cheap one." Tian Buli looked at Guangwen, saying that this monk was cheap!

Master Guangwen said angrily, "Little donor, you are going too far. Don't think I won't teach you a lesson just because you are in this mansion!"

Qi Dao Zong quickly appeased the two men, "Master, calm down, and Tian Xiao brother should also restrain himself. Master, you are a profound Buddhist. You are not in the city, so you don't know the master's reputation."

Tian Buli shook his head, "Master Qi, the master is a Buddha, and I am a Taoist. The master took the initiative to debate with me. Whether we win or lose, we are seeking advice from each other. If you get angry after hearing a few words like this, how can you be considered a master? From now on, we can just fight in the arena like those martial arts halls outside the city. What's the point of discussing the law?"

The Fifth Young Master laughed and said, "What kind of argument are you making? I think you are just arguing! You are here as a guest at the Princess's mansion, and arguing here is clearly a disrespect to the Princess!"

Tian Buli looked at Princess Hanjiang.

"The princess has always been fascinated by the practice of Taoism and is also a person who seeks immortality. Since she invited us here, she must want to make good friends with us."

"Practicing is not like treating someone to a meal. I have never met this monk before, but I have been entertained by the princess before. Monk Guangwen took the initiative to ask me for advice. I said a few words to him, and he remembered them. You all also remembered them. How is this rude?"

Tian Buli reached out his hand and picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of venison and dipped it in the sauce dish.

"Since you don't like it, I'll just eat."

A piece of high-quality venison with both fat and lean meat was put into the mouth.

At this time, Tian Buli's mouth was full of venison, so he had no room to speak.

Princess Hanjiang thought carefully about Tian Buli's words, and saw him eating meat by himself.

Taoist Fu Feng smiled and said, "Master, are you angry?"

Master Guangwen calmly performed a one-handed Buddhist salute, "Amitabha, how can this humble monk compete with a junior?"

Tian Buli ate meat quietly and ignored what he said.

Qi Dao Zong also reached out and picked up the chopsticks, "Everyone, let's start eating together."

Everyone started to eat a few bites symbolically.

Mr. Yuanshan stroked his beard and looked at Tian Buli.

The others were also waiting for Tian Buli to finish eating the piece of meat.

Soon, seeing that it was almost done, Mr. Yuanshan began to ask.

"Master Tian, ​​I have seen many Taoist teachings and talked with many Buddhist and Taoist monks. I think Master Tian is a person who is unwilling to suffer losses. I would like to ask Master Tian if you know what it means to be too rigid and easily broken. Please teach me!"

Master Guangwen smiled and said, "Do you understand the truth you just said?"

You say that being too rigid will lead to failure, but you refuse to give in. What kind of logic is this?
The Fifth Master said calmly, "I don't think he understands anything, otherwise he would be able to explain it."

Tian Buli swallowed the minced meat in his throat and took a sip of the wine beside him.

Princess Hanjiang saw that everyone was targeting Tian Buli. Although she also felt that Tian Buli was asking for trouble, she still wanted to help stabilize the banquet.

"Mr. Tian has only been practicing for a little over a year, and hasn't had time to read all kinds of books yet."

Tian Buli stood up, and several people nearby looked at him with interest, waiting to see how he would deal with the situation.

Tian Buli glanced at the old monk, then looked at Qi Dao Zong and Princess Hanjiang.

"In the art of trading, the strong are easily broken, and only the most yin and soft can dominate the world."

“Nothing in the world is as soft and weak as water, yet nothing is as good as water.”

"Water is good for all things without fighting, and it does what everyone hates, so it is almost the Tao."

Tian Buli clasped his hands together and said, "I came to the banquet mainly to repay the kindness I received before. Now we have eaten meat, drunk wine, and talked about Taoism. I will take the examination for the scholar in a few days, and I have to go back to study. Goodbye!"

Tian Buli didn't wait for anyone else to say anything and just walked away.

(End of this chapter)