Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 149 I am Lu Nuonuo

Huo Heng looked at the pig's head and felt like dying.

Whether he pays the debt or not, the outcome won't be much better if he defaults. Regardless of whether he says it or not, he's already lost this bet in everyone's hearts. Tomorrow, the whole capital will be buzzing with the love story between Young Master Huo and a roasted pig's head, with embellishments and descriptions of how passionately he professed his "I love you."

People are particularly interested in spreading such gossip, like Miss Sheng sitting over there with her eyes shining.

To refute with "I didn't, I'm not paying my debts"? The reputation of defaulting on debts isn't exactly appealing either.

This embarrassment was merely a personal joke for him, so it was alright. Huo Heng knew what the real mockery hidden in people's eyes was.

—Lu Xingzhou is Huo Shang, originally from the Huo family!

Unlike the Pei family, a prestigious family with a thousand-year history, the Huo family had only risen to prominence a few generations ago and was considered "crude and boorish." They desperately needed some cultural honors to embellish their image and cultivate an air of sophistication. As a result, none of their descendants made any progress. The eldest brother, Huo Qi, and Huo Heng both entered the Imperial Academy through imperial favor, but they achieved nothing academically. The whole family always tried to project an image of composure, but they inadvertently revealed their shallowness and frivolity at every turn.

This point has always been heavily discriminated against by families like the Pei family.

This time, the top scholar finally came from their own family, which would make their reputation sound much better. But what did they do?
This top scholar doesn't recognize the Huo family at all; he claims to be surnamed Lu!
It was rightfully the Huo family's property, yet it slipped through their fingers like sand...

He could even hear people whispering: "The Huo family is really ridiculous. A whole family of spoiled brats. They finally have one who can put on a good show, but they've turned against each other."

"I wonder if Grand Tutor Huo and Marquis Huo are kicking themselves for mistaking a pearl for a fish eye."

"Lu Xingzhou's performance is sure to keep him in the limelight. Every time he makes a splash, it's like a slap in the face to the Huo family. I think the Huo family will be the source of all the fun this year..."

"Shh, be quiet. Huo Heng's cultivation level isn't low. Don't let them hear us."

"Not low? He was hovering at the bottom of the rookie rankings for the past two years, and now he's past the age limit and off the list... On the other hand, their seventh brother, who turned against them, dared to kill the number one rookie. Compared to him, how can he say his cultivation isn't low? They're not even in the same league..."

"Hey, now that you mention it, the top two alchemist rookies already entered the Alchemy Academy last year. Xuanqing Daoist, who was outside, was considered number one, but he was 'slain' by Lu Xingzhou this time. That old Lu is a veritable number one killer..."

“Young Master Huo? Young Master Huo?” Pei Chuyun’s voice echoed again: “It’s time to fulfill the bet.”

Huo Heng had never found that delicate, sweet voice so disgusting before, and angrily flung his sleeve: "That's not what we're betting on, it doesn't count!"

After saying that, he stormed off amidst countless mocking glances, unable to stay any longer.

Behind them came Pei Yu's finishing blow: "The Huo family's gambling ethics are known today... It's alright, Brother Huo. We are very moved by Brother Huo and Pighead's love, and we will tell everyone..."

Huo Heng was furious and quickly disappeared down the stairs, followed by a burst of laughter. The other young masters and ladies who were on good terms with the Huo family blushed and remained silent.

It's so embarrassing.

Pei Yu was in a great mood, leisurely sipping his tea as he looked at his newly found adopted sister with incredibly kind eyes.

Having suddenly gained a younger sister, even though she wouldn't be able to compete for the family fortune, Pei Yu couldn't help but feel a little resentful. It's only natural for a legitimate son to look at his illegitimate daughter. Moreover, his father, for some unknown reason, had gotten into a mess, disregarding public opinion and causing the Pei family to be the subject of gossip, which amplified his initial resentment.

As a result, when they confronted the enemy, they showed what it meant to be family. It felt so good to have a brother and sister working together! Pei Yu, who had lacked siblings and playmates since childhood, felt that it was really good to have a younger sister.

In addition, Pei Chuyun has been quite impressive to the Pei family these days. Except for losing her composure a bit when she encountered Lu Xingzhou, becoming as spoiled as Sheng Yuanyao, such as when she tried to squeeze around below to find Lu Xingzhou, only to be dragged up by Pei Yu... Otherwise, she is truly impeccably beautiful and elegant, and unexpectedly talented in literature. The day before yesterday, she went to the garden with the young ladies from other families to compose poems, and her short poem was the best among them, while her flute playing amazed everyone.

When the news reached his home, he was extremely pleased, and Pei Qingyan drank a few more cups of wine in his joy.

Aside from Huo Heng and his adversaries who still stubbornly insist she's "a village girl found outside," who in the entire capital truly sees her as a village girl? Countless young masters are infatuated with her, losing their appetite and sleep. Now, even the voices calling her the most beautiful woman in the capital are quite loud.

With her beauty, temperament, talent, and family background all being top-notch, the combined effect is terrifying. A storm known as the "Pei Family Daughter" is sweeping through the capital these days.

Of course, there are many beautiful young ladies in the capital, so it's hard to find someone who is universally recognized as the best. For example, there are some voices that say Miss Sheng is no less beautiful than Miss Pei... There have always been many people who like the heroic and dashing type, and Sheng Yuanyao looks especially good in her official uniform.

Pei Yu glanced at them and saw that the two were leaning against the railing side by side, looking down as if they were looking for someone. At first glance, they were indeed a sight to behold, each with their own unique charm.

Pei Yu knew who they were looking for. As for Lu Xingzhou... it was strange. Where was he at this time?
Also, who is Lu Nuonuo...?

While people upstairs were mocking Huo Heng, those downstairs were talking about something else entirely. They were discussing the two dark horses who had won the top two prizes, especially the inexplicably talented Lu Nuonuo.

"Lu Xingzhou is one thing, he's at least a well-known figure, but who is this Lu Nuonuo? Has anyone ever heard of her?"

“I haven’t heard of it!”

"Look at the scores on this list, it's terrifying! Perfect scores in written exams, diagnosis, prescriptions, and alchemy!"

"Lu Xingzhou also got full marks, plus an extra point, because he provided a solution for the blood ulcer disease, which was a great achievement, so he was the top scholar."

"This year's results are terrifying, two perfect scores. It's rare to even see one like that before, right?"

"These two have pulled ahead of Xuanqing by a huge margin. What an accident, what a dark horse? Their strength is not even in the same league!" "According to this logic, Lu Nuonuo, the second-place finisher, is no less capable than the top-ranked finisher. She's completely unknown. If you want to poach her, hurry up and do it."

The general public was just observing and discussing the situation, while the various factions trying to recruit others were sweating profusely.

Someone found Xuan Qing, who was drinking alone, and discovered that he was now a member of the Huo family. He Hui and Chen Yu, both of whom had performed exceptionally well, were also being groomed by their respective factions. Everyone knew that Lu Xingzhou belonged to the Tianxing Sword Sect, so poaching him would be a bit troublesome. However, it seemed that Lu Nuonuo, whose origins were unknown, was someone they could try to recruit.

Sheng Qingfeng immediately ordered his subordinates to raise their voices and shout, "Who is Lu Nuonuo? Our Deputy Chief Sheng of the Demon Suppression Division invites you!"

Others were not to be outdone and joined in, shouting, "Which one of you is Lu Nuonuo? Greetings, Head of the Xie family!"

"Why bother with those families? Come to our Northern Army!"

“Our Qizhen Pavilion is willing to offer an annual salary of one thousand taels of silver to invite Mr. Lu Nuonuo to take charge.”

A group of people shouted for a long time, but their voices were so mixed together that they were almost inaudible.

On a street corner far away, a little girl with a lollipop in her mouth was pushing a wheelchair and cautiously walking this way. Hearing the noise of the crowd, she hesitated and asked a passerby, "Who were they calling again?"

A passerby said, "Lu Nuonuo is the second-place scholar in this year's imperial examination at the Dan Academy."

The little girl looked completely bewildered: "Why are they looking for me?"

"They're looking for... um?" The passerby paused for a moment, then as if by some kind of magic, the voices began to fall silent from this side, all the way to the center, and the entire place fell silent.

Everyone turned their heads, their eyes fixed on the little girl.

The little girl was wearing a Taoist robe... Her face was round and chubby, her eyes were big and bright, and she had a lollipop in her mouth with the stick sticking out. She looked so adorable with her bewildered expression.

The only connection that might be made to "alchemist" is perhaps that small Taoist robe...

And Lu Xingzhou, sitting in the wheelchair she was pushing.

"You..." someone asked cautiously, "Who do you say you are?"

The little girl took out a lollipop and said clearly, "I am Lu Nuonuo."

"May I ask what your relationship is with Young Master Lu Xingzhou?"

"It's my master."

The entire room was completely silent; everyone seemed to have a lollipop in their mouth and their minds were blank.

Many people have seen Lu Xingzhou with a servant boy who helps push his wheelchair, but even Sheng Qingfeng never imagined that this boy was Lu Nuonuo.

You're telling me that the runner-up in the Jinkedan Academy is a child?
Or is he Lu Xingzhou's apprentice, with the master and apprentice ranking in the top two?
Has the world gone mad?
Could it be just a coincidence that they share the same name?

In the utter silence, Sheng Yuanyao jumped down from the upper floor, rushed to A'nuo, picked her up, and gave her a fierce kiss on the cheek: "A'nuo, why are you taking the exam too?"

"I don't know. They gave me a test paper, asked me to cure illnesses, and told me to refine elixirs. I thought other families didn't need these things for their children, isn't this just bullying?"

A group of people suddenly realized, as if they had just woken up from a dream, that it was real!
A crowd surged forward: "Little girl, come here, we'll give you ten pounds of candy every day!"

Sheng Qingfeng's chest swelled considerably as he led his men to block their path: "Please return, everyone. Didn't you see that Miss Lu has already reached an agreement with our Demon Suppression Division's Chief Sheng?"

Everyone: "?"

Look at the way she's hugging and kissing my cheek. Has she reached an agreement with the head of your Demon Suppression Division, or does your Miss Sheng want to be someone's stepmother?

So this is what Lao Sheng is really like!

Suddenly remembering something, Sheng Yuanyao grabbed A'nuo and ran off in a flash: "I almost forgot, my money, my manor, here I come!"

Lu Xingzhou was dumbfounded: "My child..."

In a flash, Pei Yu and his sister stood before him, smiling broadly at Sheng Qingfeng, saying, "Vice-Commander Sheng, since your daughter has taken the second-place scholar, how about we leave the top scholar to the Pei family for a chat?"

Sheng Qingfeng was confident and very polite: "Please, both of you."

Do you think I don't want to find the top scholar?
They belong to a princess, how can we poach them? Is the Pei family so great?

Yuan Yao is so clever; she's so close to A Nuo... I heard that when this Pei girl was Lu Xingzhou's maid, she fought with A Nuo every day.

What is foresight?
(End of this chapter)