Chapter 153

Lu Fang hesitated, then finally said: "Would it be inconvenient for you? For example, do you have family here in the Western Regions?"

Fang Chun shook her head: "I'm an orphan; Princess Jin Hong took me in. I have no inconvenience, but… I'd really like to see Da Zhou."

Lu Fang raised an eyebrow slightly: "If you're willing, ask Princess Jin Hong if she'll let you go. If you're not, forget I said anything—I value your competence greatly."

"I'll ask the princess's opinion shortly."

Fang Chun gave her reply.

After delivering the person to Xiong Shi's home, Fang Chun hurried toward the imperial palace of the Buddha Capital, where Princess Jin Hong was watering flowers in a quiet garden.

The princess appeared to be twenty-three or twenty-four, with the distinct features of the Western Regions, exuding exotic charm—especially her pair of water-blue pupils, which were exceptionally beautiful.

Princesses of her age are usually betrothed.

But Princess Jin Hong was an exception; her intelligence and talent had earned the attention of Wu Zhi Half-Buddha, and the royal family treated her with great respect, granting her considerable influence.

A single word from her moved the trial grounds forward.

Even though some opposed, claiming it was too accommodating toward Lu Fang, she insisted—and ultimately, the Buddha Kingdom's royal family obeyed her.

She was like Wu Zhi Half-Buddha's proxy.

"Princess Jin Hong."

Fang Chun bowed respectfully.

Princess Jin Hong turned her head, recognized Fang Chun, paused slightly, then handed her watering can to a nearby maid and asked curiously:

"Why are you here? Isn't today when Lu Fang exits the trial grounds? You're not standing by his side—what are you doing here?"

Fang Chun first recounted how Lu Fang had rescued Zhao Qingzhu and Liu Yifeng from the special zone within the trial grounds.

Princess Jin Hong smiled: "No wonder he's called the Literary Crown Marquis—rescuing people from the Punishment Zone? I recall he's only a sixth-rank Confucian."

Fang Chun nodded: "He's now a sixth-rank, second-stage Confucian. Just now, he suddenly asked me if I'd like to go to Da Zhou with him, saying he values my competence."

"Oh?" Princess Jin Hong regarded Fang Chun with a faint, knowing smile. "So what's your answer? Oh, how foolish of me—you must be eager to go."

Fang Chun shook her head: "Whether I go or stay, I'm fine either way."

Princess Jin Hong laughed: "That's only because you don't understand this Literary Crown Marquis. If you knew his deeds, even if I tied you down, you'd still follow him to Da Zhou."

"Didn't I give you a Da Zhou literary work called 'Dream of the Red Chamber'? I remember you seemed to love it."

At this, Fang Chun smiled. She had always longed for Da Zhou, and after reading 'Dream of the Red Chamber,' her curiosity deepened.

What kind of place was this Da Zhou, called the Celestial Dynasty?

Princess Jin Hong smiled gently: "He wrote 'Dream of the Red Chamber.' I only learned this recently. Isn't that astonishing? I imagined him as an elder sage—he's far younger than I expected."

"He wrote 'Dream of the Red Chamber'?"

Fang Chun was startled.

Princess Jin Hong shook her head with amusement: "That's not the most astonishing part. Did you know? In just about a year, he wrote three other literary tales in succession."

"Each of these tales became universally known."

"Beyond that, this Literary Crown Marquis has repeatedly composed poems of Manifestation-grade power. Can you believe such a person exists?"

Fang Chun was stunned by Princess Jin Hong's words. After her brief contact with Lu Fang, she'd only thought him a noble of Da Zhou—she never imagined he was this legendary.

Now she understood why Lu Fang, so young, had been granted the title Literary Crown Marquis. Such a legendary figure was destined to shine wherever he went.

Princess Jin Hong feigned a sigh of distress: "Judging by your expression, you're very tempted to go with him. If you want to go, go. Honestly, if I were you, I'd go too."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Fang Chun bowed in gratitude.

Whether out of curiosity or something else, she truly wanted to go to Da Zhou—to learn more about this legendary man, Lu Fang.

Princess Jin Hong nodded: "If you go, and things don't go well, come back. My door will always be open to you."

…

In a courtyard within Xiong Shi's ancient castle.

"Are you alright?"

Lu Fang watched Lu Ling, whose eyes were swollen from crying after speaking with her biological parents, and moved forward with concern.

"Thank you, brother."

Lu Ling instinctively hugged Lu Fang, then quickly realized her parents stood nearby—she jerked away as if shocked, her face blazing red, eyes lowered to her toes, too shy to look up.

Liu Yifeng cleared his throat twice and looked at Lu Fang: "We truly owe you. By the way, have you married yet? You don't seem very old…"

Lu Fang chuckled: "Not yet. I'm twenty-one."

Zhao Qingzhu nodded approvingly:

"Twenty-one and already a Literary Crown Marquis through your own efforts—remarkably talented. You risked your life entering the Punishment Zone for Ling'er, even though I warned you repeatedly how dangerous it was, and still you came for her."

"You must care for her deeply. Do you see her as a sister?"

As her parents, they were quite favorable toward Lu Fang. They could see Lu Ling's affection for him—if the two could become a couple, it would be perfect.

Since they were elders, it was better to speak plainly.

Even if neither meant anything romantic, it didn't matter—as long as they didn't waste each other's time. Earlier, in the room, she'd asked her daughter Ling'er what she felt.

Though Lu Ling hadn't spoken outright, only blushed and fidgeted, Zhao Qingzhu understood enough to ask this.

Lu Fang froze. He'd always treated Lu Ling as a sister. After learning her identity, he'd been too focused on cultivation to think further. Now, suddenly asked by Liu Yifeng and Zhao Qingzhu, he stammered, unable to answer.

Did he like Lu Ling?

What nonsense!

He'd risked his life for her—he couldn't possibly be indifferent.

But marriage? He'd never considered it. In this moment, he unexpectedly thought of Li Yu.

Hmm… could he have both?

Both women were vital to him. He didn't want to lose either. Yes—he liked them both.

After composing himself, Lu Fang said seriously: "Before I knew Ling'er's true identity, I treated her as a sister. At that time, I fell for another woman."

Lu Ling's expression darkened slightly: "Is it Sister Li Yu?"