Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 409 The Cat Who Stole Fish
"Oh? Miss Lu." After dinner, Pei Yu took his wife for a walk in their back garden and saw A Nuo squatting in the passageway between the garden and Pei Chuyun's boudoir, playing with mud.

He couldn't help but ask curiously, "Where is your master?"

Good heavens, would that couple really abandon their child outside and hide away without any shame?
Ah Nuo looked up at them, confused: "Are you going to the garden?"

"Yes, just taking a walk. Is your master inside?"

“My master and Miss Pei were walking hand in hand inside, and they kicked me out.”

Pei Yu and his wife exchanged a knowing smile.

It makes sense when you think about it. Young couples enjoying their time together under the moon and flowers, they don't want a big lantern following them around.

Holding hands and strolling in the garden sounded quite innocent, and at least there were people around outside, so nothing more was likely to happen, which put Pei Yu at ease.

Thinking about it, he decided not to go for a walk himself, lest he be ungrateful. Pei Yu then pulled his wife in a different direction: "Come on, let's go for a walk over to the pond."

His wife responded softly, as if the young couple's romantic moment over there had stirred something within them, making them wonder how they could be more intimate.

Ah Nuo turned her head and watched the two of them leave, her little face pouting.

Ah Nuo has sacrificed so much for this family. She's not just a lantern bearer, but also a lookout and a hindrance.

Those two weren't holding hands in the garden at all; there wasn't a trace of them in the garden. They were already in Pei Chuyun's boudoir, rolling around in bed making love.

At this moment, in Pei Chuyun's courtyard, the maids had long been driven far away so that they could not hear the faint panting coming from the small building.

The maids thought she was a pure, virtuous, and talented young lady, skilled in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. At this moment, she was kneeling on the bed, letting the man hold her two delicate arms...

The serene screen, shrouded in mist and flowing water, reflected the figures of the two, their figures as light as a dream amidst the drifting blossoms.

From being threatened with having his legs broken and being kicked out, to the Prime Minister personally staying here to "stroll" and even entering the young lady's boudoir, Lu Xingzhou's psychological experience was quite eventful.

Pei Chuyun was even more full of energy.

"You...how did you become so much stronger..." Her voice was broken and incoherent.

Of course not. The Holy Lance, which can break through the Dragon Emperor's defenses and has been baptized by dragon blood, is nothing like what it used to be...

Furthermore, with the addition of the Yin-Yang Ultimate Skill, which incorporates elements of the Great Joy and Bliss Sutra, can it still be the same old, straightforward Yin-Yang rotation technique...?

Pei Chuyun realized that there was no need to talk about whether or not she would use the Charming Maiden Mystic Art. Even if she used it at full power, she would most likely suffer a backlash.

If this thing backfires, it will become Star Fury.

Although it seems that things are not much different now... Before, we could still have some initiative and go back and forth, but now he can live or die as he pleases, completely at our mercy with no power to resist.

Of course, the experience was also several times better than before, the kind that makes people addicted and crave it.

He became so engrossed in activating the internal energy techniques within his body, engaging in dual cultivation, that he was completely unaware of it, only focused on the pleasure...

If we don't chase those maids away, how can we control the volume of our voices...?

When the attack finally erupted, Pei Chuyun's eyes rolled back, and she almost fainted. She lay there, her body twitching slightly, her consciousness blurred.

The dignified Holy Maiden of the Joyful Union never imagined that she would be treated like this one day, even as she practiced martial arts since childhood.

Lu Xingzhou gently covered her from behind and kissed her cheek from the side: "What's wrong, little kitten?"

Pei Chuyun gradually regained her senses: "This is your Charming Man Technique?"

"Hmm, Your Excellency, would you like to offer your comments?"

"I can't get evaluated, I'm going to die." Pei Chuyun barely managed to turn over and hugged his neck: "How did you do that?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "I'll teach you? I don't know if it will conflict with your Charming Maiden Mystic Art... In theory, my Yin-Yang Ultimate Intent is compatible."

“Try it…” Pei Chuyun looked inside her head, and her eyes suddenly widened.

The last time I broke through to the middle stage of the third rank was through dual cultivation with Lu Xingzhou. It hasn't been long since then, and after another dual cultivation session, I've reached the upper stage of the third rank.

What the hell is this? Forget about dual cultivation techniques, even the art of absorbing yin and yang isn't this effective! If everyone's doing this, what's the point of other people's hard work in cultivation?
Even the Holy Maiden of Joyful Union was slightly flustered: "Hey, hey, hey, how come it's so fast? Won't this cause our foundation to become unstable?"

"No, and the first time was the most effective, so it slowed down afterward."

"This is our first time, isn't it?"

"...This is your first time using this technique," Lu Xingzhou whispered in his ear, "Want to try it a second time?"

Pei Chuyun stared wide-eyed as she noticed the murder weapon was starting to stir again.

"People will die." Pei Chuyun gritted her teeth and pushed him away. "Fine, at worst, I won't hog you anymore, okay..."

“Emmm…” Lu Xingzhou felt a bit tragic.

Even if Pei Chuyun didn't hog him, he wouldn't have a chance to do anything... Although he and his teacher went to the Star Gazing Platform yesterday, that was still a crooked and unorthodox method. To this day, only Pei Chuyun can travel by boat on waterways... The other one is far away in the Demon Capital.

I never expected that the little demon girl, whom I thought was the most resilient, would be so easily defeated. It seems that the Great Joy and Bliss Sutra is too overpowered. The little demon girl needs to learn it before she can be a worthy opponent.
Seeing his tragic appearance, Pei Chuyun bit her lower lip, gave him a resentful glance, and slowly shrank down.

Lu Xingzhou sighed and lay down without moving.

Of course, they didn't stay overnight. After a long time of fussing, Lu Xingzhou, dressed impeccably, left the attic again.

Miss Pei didn't even bother to watch them leave from the balcony; she simply disappeared. The maids and servants couldn't help but wonder if they themselves were really that good...

A'nuozi slipped away to the side and ran off with her master from behind, grabbing a large pile of pastries she'd taken from the Pei family and eating them, seemingly turning her grief into appetite. Lu Xingzhou glanced at her and couldn't help but laugh at her little face: "Weren't you quite proactive in helping with lookouts at the Imperial Academy before?"

"Hmph." Ah Nuo ignored him.

Lu Xingzhou felt that although A Nuo seemed to be the one who didn't get along with Pei Chuyun the most, she actually seemed to be the one who got along best with Pei Chuyun.

The best friendships are those that involve playful banter and teasing.

"Today, Instructor Meng said, 'You go to the yamen on weekdays, what am I supposed to do at home? I have nothing to do.'" A'nuo muttered while munching on a pastry.

Lu Xingzhou said, "You cultivate at home, refine pills... no, don't you really think your cultivation is important?"

Ah Nuo muttered, "I didn't feel anything."

Lu Xingzhou said, "So even with all your good fortune, you still couldn't defeat Chu Yun in the end."

Ah Nuo: “?”

"Who said I can't beat her?" Ah Nuo roared. "That was at her house, so I went easy on her! Come back tomorrow and see if I can't kick her to death!"

"Alright, alright." Lu Xingzhou picked her up again, and the master and disciple swayed back to their Lu residence.

Ah Nuo put her hands on her hips.

No matter what kind of stepmother she is, she can't live in the Lu family mansion. The one who can live in the Lu family mansion is still me, Lu Nuonuo.

Look at how the servants are shouting!

"The master is back?"

"Miss."

"Miss, the pig you entrusted to us, we've washed it until it's all clean and tender, would you like to go and take a look?"

"Miss, as you instructed, we have built a kennel for the pig in the outer room of your house."

Hehe, Miss.

Ah Nuo jumped off Lu Xingzhou's arms, swaying back and forth with her hands behind her back: "Take this young lady to see the pigs."

…………

The next day, when they met Secretary Pei at the main guest office, the two exchanged a glance, both feeling a little strange.

The well-dressed officials, in their proper superior-subordinate relationship, bowed slightly in public and said, "Good morning, sir."

The contrast with last night's passionate embrace was so stark, it felt like a dream.

Lu Xingzhou nodded slightly in a serious manner: "Good morning, Registrar Pei."

Then, noticing the stack of materials Pei Chuyun was holding, he quickly recalled the stack of manuscripts she used to carry around all the time at the Imperial Academy, and found it quite amusing: "So you've stuck with this look, haven't you?"

Pei Chuyun said, "These are all the performance reports from various departments. They showed them to you; I didn't write them."

"Just give it to me directly, why hand it all to you?"

Pei Chuyun said matter-of-factly, "Of course, anything someone hands to you has to go through this registrar first. Otherwise, what if some little slut sneaks a note inside?"

Lu Xingzhou looked around at the clerks who were actually working but slacking off, and gritted his teeth: "Come to my office with me."

Pei Chuyun followed him inside, carrying the manuscript. Soon the office door closed, and she could no longer read it.

Inside, Registrar Pei was pinned against the door by the physician, still clutching his manuscript with unwavering eyes: "Even if you bribe me with a kiss, I will not give up this job."

Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and took a bite.

The unyielding clerk tactfully yielded to his request.

There was a knock on the door, then the light knocking turned into a loud thumping.

The two people kissing against the door seemed to feel an earthquake. Pei Chuyun almost dropped the manuscript, and the work report that the other person had worked so hard to write almost fell to the ground.

Pei Chuyun was furious and turned to open the door: "Who's so blind..."

Before he could finish speaking, he saw Sheng Yuanyao standing there with a grin, looking at the ceiling with her head tilted to the side, as if she had no idea what she had just done.

Pei Chuyun was so angry she wanted to hit someone: "Aren't you the security guard for the entire Ministry of Rites? What are you doing running around to this mere department all day? Don't we have jobs? Why are we wasting our time talking nonsense with you!"

"Oh, what a coincidence! There really is something going on." Sheng Yuanyao said with a smile, "Huo Zhang brought some people outside, saying they are merchants from the Southeast Sea. They heard that you are planning to start a maritime trade, so they specially asked Huo Zhang to come to your door. I stopped them, and they came specifically to ask if you would like to see them."

Pei Chuyun really wanted to complain. "You're a general, not a security guard. When did it become your job to announce things like this? You're just doing this on purpose. Normally, no one would stop Huo Zhang from bringing his men in. You're really good at using this as an excuse."

Of course, she knew Lu Xingzhou would definitely see her. She knew very well what everyone had talked about at the dinner table last night. And now, just one night later, Huo Zhang and the maritime merchant had come knocking on her door...

Thinking of this, Pei Chuyun glanced at Sheng Yuanyao with disdain, still grinning foolishly, "I've already finished eating."

Sheng Yuanyao had no idea what this guy's eyes meant, but seeing Lu Xingzhou's slightly surprised look, she asked curiously, "Don't want to see me? Then I'll go and kick him out."

"No need." Lu Xingzhou's surprise was only due to not expecting such a coincidence. He quickly came to his senses after being asked by Sheng Yuanyao and smiled slightly: "Please invite them in for a chat."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: It's past midnight, please vote with your monthly tickets!
(End of this chapter)