Episode 25

  After Shi Yihua changed his name to Shigubing, he quietly hid in Fanjia Town and spent his days teaching. Occasionally, he would change his appearance and go to the Xianjia market to gather some information. He was afraid of revealing his whereabouts, so he would often take a detour of several thousand miles before returning. Teaching him was an extremely easy task. Among the students, there were also a few diligent learners who were not inferior to Jin Chuaner. They were good at poetry and prose, but had a stubborn temperament and were not good at getting along with people. He only got along well with Jin Chuaner, but often provoked her anger.

  At that time, because of poetry and literature, I annoyed Chang'er. That Jin Chang'er had not spoken to him for a long time either. Insufficient's grandfather was surprised and asked:

  "Isn't it true that you and Chang'er have always gotten along well? Why haven't the two of you been speaking to each other lately?"

  "That little girl got angry with a certain family too. A certain person gave the poem he had asked for to Miss Fang instead."

  "It's not enough, I see that this girl is no ordinary person! You'd better not provoke her. This girl will surely help you achieve your goals in the future."

  "Grandfather, a certain gentleman should not be protected by a little girl!"

  "Child, those who achieve great things must be good at judging the situation and taking advantage of opportunities! They should turn all favorable factors to their own use. It is absolutely not allowed to treat people with your own emotions! Moreover, fundamentally speaking, what's the difference between a little girl and an old grandfather?"

  "This... is something that people will look down on!"

  "What does it matter if you belittle or esteem? What connection is there with your pursuit of the Great Way?"

  "This..."

  "On the path of great righteousness, seeking orthodox results, and passing down the bloodline of our family's law, there is no right or wrong! No good or evil! Only direction! Can you understand?"

  "Grandfather, this worldly common people's grand theory seems different from this!"

  "That's a mortal misconception! I merely used it to hide and avoid calamity, how could it be true!"

  "Oh! Grandpa, let me think for a moment."

  Insufficient bowed his head and furrowed his brow, with a worried look on his face, and went out the door. Shi Yi watched as Insufficient's figure disappeared in the distance, letting out a long sigh:

  "For the sake of letting the child survive in this world, I can only teach him to be a bad person with a guilty conscience!"

  Alas, it's hard to speak with a choked voice.

  The moon is in the middle of the sky, and the stars are slightly dim. A gentle breeze blows through the pine forest, leaving only a faint rustling sound. In the pond among the trees, the water ripples slightly, and occasionally one or two stalks of reeds in the water lean gently to one side, swaying lightly, and the ripples spread outwards. Under the moonlight, the pine forest is serene and elegant, with a white misty veil covering the entire forest, pond, and study hall. On the small path in the pine forest, a young girl walks slowly and leisurely, her shadow moving with the wind, like a dream or an illusion. It is none other than Jin Chang'er. A young man by the pool gazes at her slender and beautiful figure, and cannot help but recite a poem:

  "Outdoor pine forest moon,"

  Shadows move naturally.

  Not the moon's movement

  When the heart is at peace, all things are calm.

  "Is it not enough for you, brother?"

  "Yes. Chang'er, someone will give this poem as a gift and write it on rice paper tomorrow."

  On the second day, Jin Chan'er went to the place where Bu Xu was staying. Bu Xu had already written his poem and left it on the desk. Jin Chan'er saw that Bu Xu was not there, so he stood by the desk and read the poem. He observed Bu Xu's calligraphy, which although a bit awkward in style, was still square and round in shape, with a hint of elegance. Before half a moment had passed, Bu Xu returned after fetching water.

  "Chang Er, you've come quite early. The book is fine too, take it away!"

  "Insufficient elder brother, was this poem composed by you extemporaneously last night?"

  "Yes! How come?"

  "What's wrong, where did the intestines go?"

  Jin Chan'er took out a piece of Xuan paper and left. Bu Xu looked at her and said:

  "Inexplicable!"

  He went on with his work as usual and then went to attend the early class.

  Jin Chan'er was happily walking along when suddenly a gentle and mysterious voice whispered:

  "Sister, why are you asking him if he's happy or not? Look at your excited face! Have you gone silly?"

  "Foolish girl, if he wrote it on the spur of the moment, then it must be because he saw me walking under the moonlight and wrote it for my sister! This is quite different from casually writing a poem to give to someone."

  "Sister, it was made for sister, don't pull me up, he doesn't even know I exist!"

  "Jiao Jiao, in sister's heart you are me, and I am you. He sends me poetry, to me it is as if he sent it to you!"

  "It can't be that sister wants to marry him, and Jiao Jiao also married him together!"

  "Oh dear! This little girl."

  The two of them then went off to their early class together, laughing and chatting.

  After morning lessons, the teacher came to teach classics and history, and suddenly asked Jin Chan'er:

  "How old is Chang'er this year?"

  "Master, I'm eighteen years old now."

  "Oh, I've been studying the classics and history with you for six years now. Your daughter's family didn't pass the imperial examination to become a scholar-official either. Your grandfather, Jin Dazhang, came to visit me the other day and said there was some family business that required your return home. I suppose this time you won't be coming back?"

  "Master, I will return to this place again!"

  "Not enough!"

  "Yes!"

  "You go with Chang'er to Gouzhen City to buy clothes and accessories, and come back. Chang'er, you are my apprentice, I'll give you a set of women's clothing as a gift!"

  "Master..."

  The old man waved his hand and went out the door. Jin Chan'er had expected this, but when her master said it, she couldn't help feeling a pang in her heart, and a reluctant emotion arose.

  "Sister, why is my heart so troubled! Is this the sorrow of parting in the mortal world?"

  "Sister......"

  Jin Chan'er only transmitted the spirit of this half-sentence, and suddenly a teardrop slid down from her beautiful eyes. She turned her head to look at Bu Xu, seeing his gloomy expression, but he pretended to be calm, Jin Chan'er didn't know! So she silently followed Bu Xu out the door towards that ancient city.

  "Not enough, brother!"

  "Hmm? What's up?"

  "I, I am......"

  "Sister! What are you going to say?! This is between us two, don't tell second brother......"

  "I know."

  "Insufficient elder brother, Chang'er likes white clothes!"

  "Okay, I'll buy white with you."

  "Not enough, brother, compose a poem."

  "Oh! Forget it, I'm not in the mood."

  The two of them quietly entered the ancient city of Guzhou.

  "I used to come to this ancient city."

  "What's wrong with you? You seem much older than before."

  "Has anyone ever come to this ancient city?"

  "You're a young lady from a wealthy family, what's so special about coming to this old city?"

  "Oh no! Insufficient brother, why are you always like this? Can't you just have a good conversation with people?"

  "Alright, let's go take a look at the dresses at the ladies' store!"

  They went through several shops together, and Bai Jiao's meticulous appearance surprised her greatly.

  "Sister, this little brat is so serious today, I've never seen him like that before!"

  Jin Chan'er didn't say a word, just smiled and looked at him with an air of elegance. She saw that he had picked out some clothes, so she went into the store to change out of her old outfit. A white dress as snowy as silk, pink ribbons, and golden hairpins adorned her head. Her high bun seemed to be floating above the dust, giving off an otherworldly aura. Jin Chan'er's slender figure was already stunning, but now she looked even more captivating, with a beauty that was simply breathtaking. In fact, if Jin Chan'er were to reveal her true divine form at this moment, it would likely cause all living beings in the mortal realm to go crazy! Her beauty was truly unmatched in the three realms. Even after transforming into a mortal body, she still exuded an elegant and refined aura. As he looked at her, he felt a sense of familiarity that lingered in his mind:

  "Where have I seen her before?"

  It seems like there's something in front of me that I'm about to grasp, but it's still unclear.

  "Insufficient brother, go back! Why does my heart feel strange!"

  "Okay! Hmm, why is a certain household also uneasy?"

  The two of them exchanged a glance, turned around and walked out of the women's shop, heading towards the outskirts of the city.