Chapter 23: Clothes Worn Through

At dusk, the sun set in the west, the afterglow casting a splendid, colorful scene. It seemed as if the continuous rain of the past two days had bestowed a gift, filling the whole sky with gorgeous evening clouds. Strips of orange‑red, gold, and purple‑red intertwined, making one intoxicated and unable to extricate oneself.

Yan Xirou came to Zhou Hua's residence in the academy, bringing Xiao Cui to the door. She knocked and said:

"Master, disciple has arrived."

"Come, come, that's good."

"...."

As soon as Yan Xirou and Xiao Cui entered, their expressions changed instantly, their eyes vacant as they stared ahead.

At that moment, the room held not only Zhou Hua, but also an old man with white hair!

And they, all wore clothes worn through!

Zhou Hua chuckled: "Rou Er, it's time to start today's lesson."

"Yes, disciple will certainly apply myself!" Yan Xirou's eyes lit up, and she slowly stepped forward.

(This part omits 3000 words, a harmonious society, stay away from gambling and drugs)

Night.

Yan Xirou and Xiao Cui walked to the door, suddenly regaining their senses.

She covered her head, looking puzzled at what was behind.

"Xiao Cui, what did the master lecture today?"

"Eh, miss, you didn't listen again; the master spoke of the Great Learning's Way."

"The Way of the Great Learning? Did you take notes?"

"Mm!"

"Oh, then alright, let's go back."

I don't know why, each time these past few days I went to Master Zhou's residence, I suddenly lost consciousness—could it be that I'm just too tired?

Speaking of which, Xiao Cui also said she falls asleep halfway through each time, so it's no wonder I now feel feverish all over, as if my spirits are much fuller.

"Right, on the way we still need to buy some medicine and an old hen. Father caught a wind chill, to nourish him." Yan Xirou said.

Xiao Cui laughed: "Ah, even such a strong old master can fall ill. But miss, don't worry; his health is excellent, there won't be serious trouble."

"Mm, let's go home."

But at this moment.

The two people in the courtyard had already dressed; Zhou Hua clenched his fists, feeling his body gradually recovering, as if returning to his youth, very excited!

"Thank you, Brother Li; I never expected you to have dabbled in the immortal sect's methods, so that even we mortals can experience this rejuvenation technique of the immortals.... I am truly grateful."

The white‑haired old man chuckled: "Don't thank me; if thanks are due, thank Yan the boss for bearing such a fine daughter. I never imagined that when I came to visit you that day, I would see you committing acts worse than beasts."

Zhou Hua's face flushed with embarrassment as he took a deep breath: "This might just be what they call old in body but young at heart."

"I, Li Fengping, still don't know the temperament of this old friend of yours? Besides, Yan Xirou's whole body is smeared with a scented powder rouge from Qian Dao, the sort used by courtesans when receiving clients—do you know what I mean?"

The white‑haired old man before us is none other than Li Fengping, the chancellor of Lingshan Academy!

Yet I never imagined that these two scholars before me would commit such beastly deeds!

"Hmph, Yan the boss clearly intends to give his daughter to me—I certainly know that. But since the deed is done, I thought taking her as a concubine would be no problem. Fortunately I met Brother Li; otherwise I wouldn't have known that Yan Xirou actually possesses an immortal's physique fit for cultivation!"

"What immortal physique? It's merely merchandise to serve as a cauldron for those immortals. Fortunately, having encountered immortals in the capital and chanced upon this rumor, plus my family's inherited spiritual stone, I could set up the immortal formation that seizes others' primal yin to defy mundane aging and regain youth. But alas, I possess only that single piece of spiritual stone, and the formation's principles are unclear, incomplete; otherwise, if we two could drain Yan Xirou's primal yin, returning to youth would be a snap!" Li Fengping laughed.

Zhou Hua exclaimed in astonishment: "Does the Tide‑woman's Wind‑chant Physique really possess such wonder?"

"Otherwise why would the immortals prize it so? It is said that among a hundred thousand women, not necessarily one will have this physique; looking across the eight circuits of the southern lands, how many women could there be?" Li Fengping replied with a counter‑laugh.

"Oh, I've broadened my horizons."

"However, once Yan Xirou loses her purity, Yan the boss will surely notice and come knocking. What do you plan to do?"

"Nothing more than wanting me to lend my fame as a shield for him; it doesn't matter either way."

Li Fengping stroked his beard and laughed: "Yan Buji has official backing; why would he need your fame?"

Zhou Hua furrowed his brows: "Then what is he after?"

"Think about it: why would he go so far as to give away his daughter and money, even giving Zhao Jinzhong and them several hundred thousand taels of ready silver?"

Zhou Hua froze, then suddenly realized: "The Spring Literary Assembly?!"

Li Fengping nodded: "Exactly."

"But he's a merchant; why would he participate in the Spring Literary Assembly?"

"I don't know that; he will surely come, you might as well ask him."

"Brother Li, if he truly wants me to bring him to the Spring Literary Assembly, should I agree?"

"Of course you should; do you really want the whole city to know you used an aphrodisiac to bewitch Yan Xirou and bed her? Do you want to trouble the old man as well? Besides, since they've already gone this far, at worst you could openly marry her as a concubine." Li Fengping said indifferently.

In any case, the primal yin matter involves him as well; it's not that Zhou Hua alone knows Yan Xirou's virtues.

Zhou Hua nodded: "Alright, I understand."

The scene shifted.

Within the Yan residence.

At night, Yan Xirou carried a bowl of chicken soup over, standing at Yan Buji's door and shouting:

"Father, are you asleep?"

"Cough, Rou Er, father is a bit weary; what business do you have with me?"

"Father, I made you chicken soup; please have a taste."

Yan Buji, sitting on the bed, opened his eyes, drew a deep breath to regulate his qi and blood, and his complexion instantly turned deathly pale.

This is Yan Buji; he never makes a mistake in any detail.

If there were, it would surely be within his calculations.

Yan Buji walked over, pushed open the door and looked.

Huh?

Yan Xirou lost her virginity!

Good, good, good!!

It wasn't wasted that I spent so much to go to Gan Dao and secretly buy that perfume, and with Yan Xirou bringing flower cakes every day, sure enough, that old fogey couldn't restrain himself.

On the surface, Yan Buji looked at Yan Xirou with pity and said, "It's so late, you're still busy in the kitchen—thank you for your hard work."

"Not hard at all; it's only natural for my father."

"Hmm."

Yan Buji picked up the chicken soup and drank, then asked casually, "How is Mr. Zhou treating you at the academy?"

"It's great; he teaches me every day, though the homework he assigns is a bit much and hard to write." Yan Xirou said as if nothing were wrong, but her face showed no abnormality.

Huh?

Not right.

Rou Er's personality isn't the type that can bury things in her heart and act unaffected on the surface.

Furthermore, a woman's chastity is a major issue; if that old thing had forced Rou Er, even if he were mindful of my feelings, there would certainly be some indication.

Or perhaps it's not that old thing, but Rou Er with another man she fancies...

Thinking this, Yan Buji furrowed his brows: "Rou Er, I've warned you countless times not to trust those students at the academy—you haven't been improperly involved with anyone, have you?"

Yan Xirou widened her eyes, her face flushed, and she snapped angrily: "Father, what are you saying! I study diligently every day—I certainly wouldn't associate with those who value money over life!"

Yan Buji looked at her, then chuckled: "All right then; I was just overthinking as a father."

"Hmph, I'm going back to sleep now; Father, you should rest early too." Yan Xirou huffed, glanced at Yan Buji.

"Hmm."

It appears Rou Er isn't lying; given she hasn't associated with other men, the most contact she has is with that Zhou Hua—surely her gaze couldn't be that unique?

"There's a problem; I need to find time to investigate... This month probably won't work—I happen to have some inspiration and can't leave for now." Yan Buji thought, then closed the door.