Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 103 Poetic Charm
Lu Xingzhou asked with a smile, "Is it the green of red and green?"

Pei Chuyun gave a slight cold laugh, and instead of answering Xingyi, she used another word: "Zaoyi's Yi".

He thought to himself that this pretty boy, despite his elegant appearance as a young master from a noble family, was probably just a show-off, a strategist who only came up with some tricks, and had little education. He probably wouldn't even understand this phrase.

Lu Xingzhou tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said leisurely, "Fire dragons and embroidered robes, young lady, you come from an extraordinary background."

Pei Chuyun was stunned for a moment, and her expression changed slightly.

Lu Xingzhou also thought to himself that it seemed Ying Shuang and the others were quite right in guessing that he might come from a wealthy family. There are many obscure characters in cultivation scriptures, but this type is not common... What are these characters? They refer to the jade pads, pendants, and carved shapes and patterns, typical of the "culture" that only wealthy and powerful families would use.

Because of his limited mobility, he had been sitting in the Yama Palace every day for many years without a mobile phone or computer. He could only read books as a pastime outside of cultivation. Unconsciously, he read a lot of books and gained some understanding. Ordinary cultivators would never understand these useless things.

Could it really be the Pei family…? They're no less powerful than the Huo family. How could a young lady from the Pei family have fallen into the clutches of the Charming Maidens' Union Sect?

The thought flashed through his mind, and Lu Xingzhou smiled and said, "No matter whose daughter you are, you probably don't want anyone to know you're traveling alone, so I won't ask any further. Here, the ribs at this restaurant are quite good, please have some."

As she spoke, she actually took a new pair of chopsticks and picked up a piece of spare rib for Pei Chuyun, showing her thoughtfulness.

Suppressing her strange feelings, Pei Chuyun said in a low voice, "Thank you, young master."

Ah Nuo poked around in the bowl with her chopsticks, looking at her master strangely. "You're not really trying to pick up girls, are you...?"

But then Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "Miss Ayi, is there anywhere you'd like to visit after dinner? It's our first time here too, so we can go together."

Pei Chuyun said, "I've heard that Hongfa Temple in Menggui City is magnificent and attracts a lot of tourists. I'd like to go and see it."

"Okay, then let's go to Hongfa Temple."

Pei Chuyun lowered her head and ate.

The atmosphere during the meal was a little awkward.

Lu Xingzhou looked every bit the refined gentleman in the world. He had just met a beautiful woman while traveling and was trying to strike up a conversation with her. He appeared gentle and refined on the surface, but in reality, he was shamelessly trying to get close to her. Even the diners next to him were secretly cursing him as a scoundrel.

But this scoundrel is actually quite handsome, charming, and often utters a witty remark that makes the beauty giggle.

The diners felt extremely uncomfortable, as they didn't think they had the looks or the education.

In truth, Pei Chuyun didn't want to laugh at all. Even though some of the jokes Lu Xingzhou told were quite funny, all Pei Chuyun was thinking about was when it would end... Her laughter was all fake.

Eating face-to-face leaves no room for physical contact, making it impossible to secretly perform techniques.

That said, the previous time she fell into his lap while he performed the spell, he had consciously prevented it from happening beforehand. What about this time?

Pei Chuyun no longer dared to be as confident as before about whether Lu Xingzhou would recognize her this time. On the surface, their chance encounter from a thousand miles away, and the fact that he had invited her to dinner, shouldn't be linked to the demoness from the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect. However, having suffered so many losses, Pei Chuyun couldn't help but feel a little uneasy and decided to spend more time with him before making any decisions.

If he truly doesn't recognize me and genuinely mistakes me for a pretty girl he met on the street, then he'll really be in for a beating this time.

After finally finishing their meal, A'nuo pushed her master toward the so-called Hongfa Temple, while Pei Chuyun leisurely followed beside him, observing the bustling market. Her mood was much better than before.

Before, when I followed them, no matter how many times they stopped to buy things, I didn't dare to buy anything myself, afraid that I would lose them if I turned around. Now it doesn't matter anymore, I can look around openly and buy whatever I want.

There are even suckers who pay the bill.

Pei Chuyun paused in front of a bookstall, her slender hand gently stroking a collection of poems, lost in thought.

Lu Xingzhou glanced at it; it was just a collection of excerpts from modern poetry. He wondered what Pei Chuyun was thinking as she looked at it.

Logically speaking, the training of successors by the Charming Maidens' Union Sect should include poetry, songs, calligraphy, painting, music, chess, calligraphy and painting. These are essential tools for seducing noblemen and cultivating one's temperament. Therefore, Pei Chuyun should not have been unable to access these skills in the Charming Maidens' Union Sect. What could she possibly be so engrossed in?
"Does Miss Ayi like this?"

"Hmm." Pei Chuyun came back to her senses and smiled. "You left home without permission, huh? It's been a long time since I've seen any new works from these talented young men. I'd like to take a look."

Lu Xingzhou tossed a piece of silver to the stall owner: "Then I'll buy it."

Pei Chuyun thanked her, casually flipped through the book, and gave a half-smile.

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "What's wrong, young lady? Does she think my skills aren't up to par?"

"It's alright, anything that survives to this day has some merit." Pei Chuyun casually stuffed the poetry collection into her bosom: "I'll take a closer look when I rest, but going to Hongfa Temple with you is more important."

Lu Xingzhou turned to look at her walking figure and suddenly said, "If there are obstacles at home, you can use your own pseudonym to sign your name; you don't necessarily have to use your real name."

Pei Chuyun's heart skipped a beat. This man had such a discerning eye! He actually saw right through her desires at a glance.

Yes, it's not that she can't access poetry collections, but rather that she can't leave her own poems in them. Seeing others with poems inferior to hers still leaving their names in them is a bitter pill to swallow.

She gently shook her head: "It's meaningless. If no one knows it's me, then it's not me."

Lu Xingzhou laughed: "What do you mean no one knows? At least I know, and Anuo knows."

Pei Chuyun smiled and didn't argue. Lu Xingzhou knew that when literati used "pen name" as their signature, it was either because they were so famous that everyone knew who it was, or because famous people wanted to write some "unorthodox" stories and didn't want others to know, so they changed their pseudonym, like Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng.

If Pei Chuyun wanted to use a pseudonym, it would be closer to the latter scenario; she couldn't let people know who she was. However, while Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng didn't want people to know who he was, Pei Chuyun wanted people to know, but dared not, so even using a pseudonym was meaningless.

Lu Xingzhou didn't understand why they didn't dare... Logically speaking, creating a talented woman admired by the world, but in reality being a demoness from the Hehuan Sect, would be a very useful persona. Why doesn't the Hehuan Sect do that?

This likely involves some internal issues within the Charming Maidens' Joyful Union Sect, as well as Pei Chuyun's background, which raises some concerns.
That said, who would have thought this little vixen was actually a literary and artistic girl...

After thinking for a moment, he finally said, "What you can do now is not to tell anyone, but you may not be in the future. When the day comes that it can be revealed, the world will know that this name belongs to you, and you will see that you are as beautiful as a god... I am really looking forward to seeing that scene."

Pei Chuyun laughed and said, "Where did this celestial beauty come from? Young master, please don't make fun of me."

Lu Xingzhou casually replied, "In my heart, he is a celestial being."

These words were already extremely ambiguous, but Pei Chuyun was a little distracted and didn't pay much attention.

She couldn't help but have a slight interest in Lu Xingzhou's proposal. Should she just come up with a pseudonym first, and then see what happens when the truth is revealed someday?

She bit her lower lip and whispered, "If you were to choose a nickname, what would you call yourself?"

Lu Xingzhou blinked: "Madam."

"Pah!" Pei Chuyun angrily punched him: "You lecher!"

Ah Nuo was dumbfounded.

Master, what are you doing?

Jing Ge, who was secretly watching from a distance, was also dumbfounded.

Is this what you meant by secretly following you and eventually uncovering the demonic cultivator? You think you can rely on picking up girls all the way here?

"Clang!" The sound of the bell rang out, and Lu Xingzhou looked up to see the solemn Hongfa Temple standing before him.

The square outside the temple was teeming with visitors, and the incense was burning brightly. Buddhist chants could be heard everywhere, accompanied by the rhythmic ringing of bells. Despite the large crowd, the atmosphere was serene and solemn.

The bell is used to signal the departure of guests. The temple gates were wide open, and several senior monks escorted a middle-aged man out, all of them politely putting their palms together in a gesture of respect: "Please take care, sir."

The middle-aged man returned the Buddhist greeting: "Masters, you are too kind. Please stay a while. There is no need to see me off."

The whispers of the worshippers drifted into Lu Xingzhou's ears: "That's the Prefect..."

"Yes, everyone knows that the prefect is a devout Buddhist and is usually charitable and does many good deeds."

“Master Yuanhui is truly accomplished, which is why he is so respected by the prefect.”

"I must say, the incense at Hongfa Temple is extremely efficacious. I came here before to pray for a child, and my wife got pregnant that same month when I returned to my hometown. This time, I came specifically to fulfill my vow."

The pilgrim who was talking to him suddenly fell silent.

It existed that month, how could you find out?
It's probably been two months already... Instead of coming here to fulfill your vow, why don't you go and fulfill your vow next door in your hometown?

Pei Chuyun finally chuckled, and Lu Xingzhou laughed too: "Let's go in and pay our respects to the Buddha?"

Pei Chuyun's beautiful eyes flickered, and she deliberately asked, "Are you also seeking a child?"

Lu Xingzhou said softly, "I pray for a marriage."

Pei Chuyun's pretty face was flushed, and she was a little shy.

Ah Nuo clasped her hands together, looking somewhat troubled.

They're such good actors... How did they learn to blush so easily? Can you teach them?
As they spoke, the two passed by the prefect. A servant-like man came running up from outside the square, panting: "My lord, Prefect Huo has entered the city."

The prefect was somewhat surprised: "Huh? Didn't someone say before that it would arrive around the day after tomorrow? How come it's so fast?"

"He came incognito first," the attendant whispered. "It's said that someone was impersonating the Huo family here, and the news was relayed to Prefect Huo, so he came to check it out."

The prefect chuckled: "To come see someone impersonating you, you need to go incognito? I'm afraid it's not an imposter, but their seventh brother."

The attendant said, "It seems so. I heard that person was in a wheelchair..."

The words were abruptly cut off, and the attendant's gaze was fixed on the temple entrance.

A child was pushing a wheelchair into the temple. In the wheelchair sat a handsome man, accompanied by a beautiful young woman.

The prefect turned his head in the direction of his gaze, and suddenly smiled: "Interesting... Go and inform Prefect Huo that the person is here."

(End of this chapter)