Chapter 104: The White Snake Reappears in the Bai Mansion: A Fated Marriage for This Lifetime?

"With black hair, one knows not to study early; with white hair, one regrets reading too late..."

Dong Wenpei murmured as he read the Can Xue poem on the blackboard, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

"Good! What a 'with black hair, one knows not to study early; with white hair, one regrets reading too late'!"

He could not help but clap his hands in praise, both surprised and delighted.

Immediately, he changed his previous attitude and bowed to the young man before him.

"Based solely on this 'Can Xue', Young Master's name should be hung upon the plaque of our Anguo Mansion schoolhouse for all students to admire!"

"Doukou."

The young girl sitting in the back row, dressed in a pale purple dress, suddenly called out toward the window.

A young girl who looked like a maid hurried in from the back door.

The girl in the purple dress said, "Memorize this poem, go find a master, and have it mounted immediately to be hung outside the schoolhouse, above the main gate. Let all the students of our Anguo Mansion see it every day when they enter."

"Yes, Miss."

The maid named Doukou answered immediately and retreated respectfully.

The girl in the purple dress then stood up, bowed her head to the refined young man on the podium, and revealed a smile, saying, "Young Master Luo's talent is truly well-deserved. When I heard the teachers of your West Lake Academy mention it that day, I was a bit skeptical, but seeing you today, I know the words were not false. If Young Master Luo could come to teach at our Anguo Mansion schoolhouse, we would be endlessly grateful."

It turned out this girl was named Bai Qingtong, the daughter of the Third Mistress of Anguo Mansion.

She had been exceptionally clever since childhood, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even more skilled in poetry, for which she had long been famous; she was also a member of the Jia Family's Begonia Poetry Society.

During the Academy exchange that day, she had also been invited to attend and heard the name "Luo Zijun".

After all, the poem about the "February spring breeze being like scissors" mentioned by the West Lake Academy teacher, as well as that "Ode to the Lotus", had left a deep impression on her.

When the young man introduced himself at the door just now, she had immediately remembered.

However, she truly had not expected that such a talented scholar would suddenly come to their Anguo Mansion schoolhouse to apply as a teacher.

Dong Wenpei hurriedly introduced, "Zijun, this is the Third Miss."

Luo Zijun hurriedly bowed in greeting.

Bai Qingtong smiled and said, "Young Master Luo, please don't be so formal. If you are willing to stay and teach at our Anguo Mansion, just tell me if you need anything."

She then added, "By the way, where is Young Master Luo staying now? If it is convenient for you, you may stay in the mansion to be closer, which will make it easier to come to class. The mansion has plenty of maids and servants; you may command them as you please."

Luo Zijun hesitated for a moment, then bowed and said, "I am currently staying at Su Guo Fu with my sister and brother-in-law. However, if I could stay at your honorable mansion, that would naturally be best."

He had been worrying about his martial arts practice and the Medicine Bath, and he had not expected the problem to be solved so suddenly.

Bai Qingtong smiled and instructed toward the window, "Lan Er, go find Liang Guan Jia and have him immediately prepare a clean and quiet small courtyard for Young Master Luo. Also, help Young Master Luo make an identification plaque for the mansion."

The maid outside answered and immediately retreated.

Dong Wenpei's gaze turned to the two scholars standing in the corner, and he bowed apologetically, saying, "The two of you..."

Before he could finish, the middle-aged scholar bowed and sighed, "This Young Master Luo's talent is peerless; I am ashamed of my own inferiority."

Having said that, he shook his head and left.

The young scholar also gave a wry smile, bowed, and left on his own.

From then on, Luo Zijun became the youngest teacher at the Anguo Mansion schoolhouse.

Of course, he was also the most handsome.

And, he was also the most popular among the young nobles.

As he was leaving.

That Bai Third Miss smiled and joked, "It seems you are extremely skilled at writing poetry, Young Master. It is a pity you did not go to the Jia Mansion; if you had gone there, you would truly be like a fish in water."

Dong Wenpei also laughed, "The young masters and misses of the Jia Mansion all love poetry. Miss Tanchun there even founded a Begonia Poetry Society. If you have the chance, Zijun, you could go and try it out."

Bai Qingtong suddenly smiled again, "The Jia Mansion is currently building the Daguanyuan. Once it is built, they will likely invite us over to visit. If Young Master Luo has time then, you can come with us and, by the way, help me dampen the spirits of those girls, Tanchun and Daiyu."

Luo Zijun maintained a polite smile on his face.

He replied with a few casual words, then took his leave.

Once he had walked far away with Steward Zhang, the smile on his face gradually faded.

"Jia Mansion? Daguanyuan?"

It seems that the Imperial Concubine in the palace really is Jia Yuanchun.

It is just unclear whether the Jia Family here is already beginning to quietly decline at this time, just as he knows it to be.

The construction of the Daguanyuan exhausted the Jia Family's wealth.

If not for the family fortune brought by that Lin Guniang, it likely could not have been built at all.

Of course, these things had nothing to do with him.

He only cared about that servant of the Jia Family named Lai Da.

He remembered that before the Jia Family collapsed, that Lai Da had already left safely, and had even saved up a vast fortune, and his family had even built a rather luxurious Xiaoguanyuan.

It is estimated that his future days will be even better than those of the nobles in the Jia Family.

Hopefully so.

Hopefully the other party can live a long time and not fall too quickly.

"Zijun, you really saved face for this old man today. Tsk tsk, look at those young masters and misses, each one of them is completely won over by you. Even the Third Miss is full of praise for you and personally had someone prepare a residence and an identification plaque for you."

Walking on the road, Steward Zhang was beaming, his attitude toward him becoming increasingly intimate.

He then added, "Zijun, do you really want to move into Anguo Mansion? Shouldn't you go back and discuss it with your sister and brother-in-law?"

Luo Zijun said, "It is quite good to live here; it is more convenient for both reading and teaching."

Steward Zhang nodded and said with a smile, "It is all the same anyway; the two mansions are right across from each other. When you go back, I will apply for a Su Guo Fu identification plaque for you so you can go over to see your sister and brother-in-law at any time."

Luo Zijun thanked him, "Thank you, Uncle Zhang."

Steward Zhang said with a face full of smiles, "Why be so formal with me? We are family, we are family."

Although he was called a steward, in reality, at Su Guo Fu, he was just the lowest-ranking steward in charge of household chores, incomparable to other stewards.

However, he had really stolen the spotlight today by personally bringing the best tutor to the schoolhouse at the Eldest Master's estate.

Over the past few days, many scholars had come to vie for this position, but none had been able to satisfy Old Man Dong and Third Miss.

Who would have thought that the first person Zhang Qi brought over today would be selected? How could he not be happy?

If word of this got out, he would naturally have something to be proud of.

If the Second Master or the head steward found out, even if they didn't praise him personally, they would surely keep him in mind; when it came time for promotions, they would naturally think of how Zhang Qi knew how to judge talent and get things done.

"By the way, Zijun, you aren't married yet, are you? Do you have a girl you like?"

He suddenly thought that the youth before him was by no means a person of ordinary standing and would very likely become a Master of the Imperial Examination in the future, so he had to seize the time to take their relationship a step further.

As it happened, he still had a niece at home.

Although she was only twelve years old this year, they could still settle the engagement first.

Upon hearing this, Luo Zijun knew his intentions and politely declined: "I am not yet married, but I already have a girl I like."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Zhang Qi felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this, but he still smiled and said: "It's good that you do, it saves your sister and brother-in-law from worrying. But with Zijun's talent and appearance, you won't be short of girls who like you in the future."

As the two were talking, a crisp voice suddenly came from behind them.

"Luo Zijun!"

He heard the voice and knew who it was.

Although Luo Zijun very much wanted to leave quickly, he had already decided to stay at this estate, and it would be inevitable for him to have contact with this headstrong girl in the future.

He stopped his steps and turned to look.

A petite girl wearing a pink dress was standing behind him, blinking her large, dark eyes at him as she asked: "I heard you are going to stay here?"

Luo Zijun said: "Yes, it is more convenient for the schoolhouse."

He then asked: "Is the young lady called Luo Diudiu, or Fenfen?"

The girl gave a huff and said: "In the estate, I am naturally called Fenfen."

She then held flowers in one hand and gently lifted her pink skirt with the other, stood on her tiptoes, and spun around gracefully in front of him, saying with a dainty posture: "Does 'Fenfen' suit me better?"

Luo Zijun said: "Miss Fenfen, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."

Fenfen lowered her skirt and looked at him with some smugness: "Luo Zijun, why has your attitude toward me become so good now? Where is your original spirit?"

Luo Zijun replied: "Isn't Miss Fenfen the same?"

The smile on Fenfen's face faded slightly, and with a huff, she immediately resumed her arrogant tone: "You are walking right into a trap, do you know that? If I were to kick you now, would you dare to fight back?"

Luo Zijun said: "I would not."

Fenfen gave a smug laugh, but then heard him add: "I would only kick back, why would I fight back with my hands? A kick would naturally reach further."

Fenfen immediately put her hands on her hips: "Luo Zijun, do you want to try?"

Luo Zijun waved his hand and said: "Go play by yourself, I am going back to study."

After speaking, he turned and left.

Having walked only a few steps, he suddenly turned his head back and narrowed his eyes.

Just as Fenfen was about to follow him to launch a sneak attack, she shrank her neck upon being met with his gaze and said with a guilty look: "Luo Zijun, you are only one person, I am not afraid of you! I have many good sisters here; we will all go together and see who kicks better!"

Luo Zijun did not speak.

Fenfen immediately shouted toward the back: "Bai Bai! Qingqing! Come over and help me!"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than a petite figure in a white dress came running over, holding a large apple in both hands and eating it with "om-nom-nom" sounds.

At the same time, behind her, a petite figure in a green dress followed, holding a sword to her chest with a face as cold as frost.

That precious sword was already buried deep within the cleavage of her chest.

"Thwack!"

Who would have thought that just as she walked into the circular gate, she would suddenly trip and fall face-first onto the ground.

She then hurriedly scrambled up, her face covered in dirt, yet her pretty face remained taut and as cold as frost.

Luo Zijun was stunned to see the two of them.

After seeing him, Bai Bai also widened her eyes immediately, her cheeks puffed out by the apple in her mouth, her little red lips covered in glistening juice, wearing a dazed expression.

Qingqing was clearly also taken aback for a moment.

"Gulp..."

Bai Bai remained dazed for a few seconds, then hurriedly turned her back, swallowed the apple in her mouth with effort, wiped her mouth with her sleeve, and immediately turned back around, saying with a face full of surprise: "Brother Zijun, why are you here? Are... are you here to find me and Qingqing?"

Fenfen, who was to the side: "???"

Luo Zijun was equally full of question marks: "How are you all here?"

Bai Bai ran to his front, full of joy, and said: "That day, after Qingqing and I left, we didn't know where to go, so we walked and walked on the street and got lost. Luckily, Sister Fenfen saw us and picked us up."

She then added with a face full of happiness: "There is so much good food here, Bai Bai can't even finish it all." Looking at her youthful, pretty face and innocent appearance, Luo Zijun thought to himself: Is this the fate ordained by heaven, the destined connection? How could it be such a coincidence? Just after leaving, they had actually met again so soon.

However, this made him feel even more at ease.

His connection with the White Snake was not so easily severed.

He still held the initiative.

Since both the White Snake and the Green Snake were here, he would be even more at ease in the future; he no longer had to fear that this White Snake would leave forever, or lose heart completely and form a marriage with someone else.

"Mm, it's quite good here."

Luo Zijun nodded and said: "I am teaching at the schoolhouse here, so we can see each other often in the future."

"Ah, really?"

Bai Bai was immediately full of joy, then added with a hint of resentment: "I thought Brother Zijun regretted it and came specifically to find us."

"Wait, stop talking for a moment!"

Fenfen immediately wedged herself between the two, looking left and right, and said with a face full of astonishment: "You know each other?"

!

Bai Bai nodded and said, "Mm-hmm, we not only know Brother Zijun, we even almost got married!"

"Ah, married?"

Fenfen immediately opened her little mouth, her face full of disbelief.

Luo Zijun did not want to linger any longer, waving his hand as he said, "Miss Bai Bai, Miss Qingqing, I still have matters to attend to, see you next time."

Having said that, he walked away quickly.

Zhang Qi had already walked ahead and was waiting for him; seeing him catch up, he continued walking forward, his gaze toward him becoming increasingly respectful.

Bai Bai shouted from behind, "Brother Zijun, Bai Bai will wait for you to marry me, and Qingqing too."

Luo Zijun pretended not to hear and walked away quickly.

It seems some things are indeed destined by heaven; even if you try to avoid them, you cannot.

That he could come to the Bai Mansion was definitely an accident.

And it was a decision made suddenly in a rush.

Even if that White Snake were powerful, it would be impossible for her to calculate that while he was living perfectly well in the Outer City, he would suddenly come to the Bai Mansion, and that having originally lived in the Su Guo Fu, he would suddenly move into the Anguo Mansion, even closer to them.

This is fine too.

In the future, he can study and practice martial arts with more peace of mind.

As for these two snakes, they look silly and dim-witted, so they should be easy to fool.

Thinking along the way, he returned to the Su Guo Fu.

His sister and brother-in-law were in the courtyard, talking while waiting anxiously.

Seeing him return, they hurriedly asked how it went.

Before he could open his mouth, Zhang Qi began to describe with great excitement his brilliant performance at the school just now, as well as everyone's reactions.

"Zhengshan, you don't know, the moment Zijun opened his mouth, those little nobles in the school were all scrambling to raise their hands to answer questions, and they were so happy during the lesson..."

"The other two scholars, as soon as they finished listening to Zijun's lecture, left on their own, faces full of shame, without saying a word."

"Do you know? The Third Miss of the Duke's mansion, who has received praise from the imperial concubines in the palace, had an attitude toward Zijun today that was even more enthusiastic than toward that old Master Dong..."

Luo Zijun did not listen to him continue to boast; he entered the room and told Xiaohuan to pack their things.

The little maid blinked her large eyes and said, "Young Master, are we not living here anymore?"

Luo Zijun said, "Moving to another place, living in the mansion across the street."

He then whispered, "Not living with Sister, it will be quieter."

Xiaohuan was stunned for a moment, then her eyes suddenly brightened, as if she had thought of something; she hurriedly and actively packed their things, a shy and expectant blush unconsciously creeping onto her cheeks.

"Luo Zijun, you are actually running away from home!"

After a while.

That steward Zhang had left, and Luo Jiaorong immediately entered, saying with a straight face.

Luo Zijun said, "Living over there is more convenient."

Luo Jiaorong gave a cold snort, her expression one of having seen through him: "What is more convenient? Isn't it just that if you live over there, I can't control you anymore? You brat, what bad things are you trying to do behind your sister's back again?"

Xiaohuan blushed on the side.

Luo Zijun had no choice but to say, "I am taking Xiaohuan to live there; if I live with Sister and Brother-in-law, it is not very convenient."

Luo Jiaorong was stunned upon hearing this, took one look at the shy appearance of the little maid, and immediately understood; she rolled her eyes at him and said, "Sister is not an outsider, what is there to be embarrassed about? If you live over there and something happens, your brother-in-law and I won't be able to help you in time."

Luo Zijun said, "The Duke's mansion is heavily guarded, nothing will happen."

Li Zhengshan also came over and said, "Don't worry, there are more guards here than at the yamen, who would dare to come in? Zijun has also grown up, don't keep such a tight watch on him, give him some space."

Luo Jiaorong turned her head and glared at him, saying, "What, Li Zhengshan, do you want space too? Is it space to go drinking? Or space to go to the Brothel?"

"I'm going to tidy up the backyard!"

Li Zhengshan could not be bothered to bicker with her anymore, waved his hand, and left directly.

Luo Zijun said, "Sister, the two houses are just across the street, I can come back to see you and Brother-in-law at any time. If you have any matters, you can also come find me at any time."

Luo Jiaorong sighed and said, "Alright, Sister knows you have grown up, and there are some things I cannot control you in. Be careful living over there; it is a Duke's mansion, and there are many rules. When you encounter people and things, you must be patient; when living under someone else's roof, some grievances are unavoidable..."

Luo Zijun listened quietly and did not argue back.

Luo Jiaorong gave earnest and well-meaning advice for a long while before saying, "Alright, Sister won't say anymore; if I keep talking, you will get impatient again. I'm going to tidy up the room."

Luo Zijun looked at her somewhat weary back, paused, then turned his head to look at the little maid beside him and said, "Xiaohuan, first promise Young Master: from now on, no matter what Young Master does over there, you cannot tell Sister and Brother-in-law. If you cannot do this, Young Master will go live alone and not take you."

Upon hearing this, Xiaohuan immediately said anxiously, "Young Master, this servant promises you. This servant swears that if I ever snitch to the Master and Mistress in the future, this servant will..."

Luo Zijun covered her little mouth and said, "No need to swear, Young Master believes you."

At dusk.

Zhang Qi delivered the nameplates made by the two mansions.

After Luo Zijun finished dinner with his sister and brother-in-law, he took Xiaohuan and their bundles and went to the Anguo Mansion.

A maid was already waiting at the back gate to receive them.

"Young Master, this servant is named Zhiyuan, sent by the Third Miss to specifically serve Young Master. If Young Master has any needs in the mansion in the future, you may instruct this servant."

Zhiyuan was a young girl wearing a green dress; she looked about the same age as Xiaohuan, with a slim figure and quite a beautiful appearance. She spoke in a soft, gentle voice, was obedient and polite, and had the air of a young lady from a prominent family.

Only a noble family like the Duke's mansion could raise such a refined Young Maid.

Xiaohuan looked at her secretly, feeling somewhat inferior and nervous.

Zhiyuan gave her a kind smile and softly introduced some of the buildings and scenery they passed by.

"Young Master lives in the small courtyard in the south. Usually, besides being able to go to the school, you can also go to other places to play. However, there are some places you cannot go. For example, the Zhao Yang Yuan in the east, the Jing An Yuan in the west, and the Xue Yuan and Zui Hua Yuan in the north..."

"The martial arts field in the east and the cuju field in the west also cannot be visited at will..."

"On the first day of every month, you also cannot go to the Baihuayuan and Bai Hua Hu in the back, because on that day, the female relatives of the mansion all go to the lake to row boats..."

"That pavilion in Bai Hua Hu also cannot be visited..."

A bright smile hung on Zhiyuan's face, and her voice was gentle and pleasant; although she kept saying this place couldn't be visited and that place couldn't be visited, it did not make one feel repulsed.

After she finished speaking, Luo Zijun said politely, "Many thanks to Miss Zhiyuan for informing me; I will certainly keep it in mind."

Zhiyuan smiled slightly and said softly, "Young Master need not worry too much; if you accidentally walk the wrong way, it is no matter. In our manor, it is not that strict. The Master and the Mistresses treat us servants very well."

Luo Zijun nodded.

After walking for a while longer, they passed through a stone bridge and entered a wooded garden.

Zhiyuan pointed ahead and said, "Young Master Luo's small courtyard is there, named 'Junzi Residence'; it is a secluded place the Third Miss specially had people choose for you. When you read or write here, Young Master, you need not fear being disturbed. People rarely come to this wooded garden."

Soon, the three of them arrived at a small courtyard.

On both sides of the courtyard entrance were planted two clusters of lush, verdant bamboo, as well as several clusters of flowers.

A newly made Wooden Plaque hung above the entrance, with the three large characters "Junzi Residence" written on it.

"Luo Zijun, Junzi Residence..."

Luo Zijun looked at the name on the door and thought to himself: That Third Miss is certainly thoughtful.

Zhiyuan led the two of them into the small courtyard.

The courtyard was planted with some flowers, plants, and trees, and was kept clean and tidy; it was even somewhat larger than the front courtyard of the place where the two of them had lived before.

There were four rooms in total inside the house, among which the east and west rooms both had an outer room and an inner room, convenient for a maid to sleep in and serve at any time.

Zhiyuan then led the two of them to see the backyard.

The backyard was very large and even had a pavilion and a pond.

After they had finished looking at the inside and outside of the house, Zhiyuan then smiled and said, "Is Young Master Luo satisfied with this place?"

Luo Zijun said, "Very satisfied. Many thanks to Miss Zhiyuan; please also convey my thanks to the Third Miss on my behalf."

Zhiyuan smiled and said, "Young Master Luo, you are too kind. This servant lives right next door; if you have any need for me, Young Master, just call out in the courtyard, or you can have Xiaohuan come over to call me."

Luo Zijun nodded and thanked her again.

Zhiyuan smiled, and seeing that he had no other business, she took her leave.

After she left.

The master and servant walked around the inside and outside of the house again and were both very satisfied.

Xiaohuan said happily, "Young Master, this place is so big, it has everything, and Sister Zhiyuan seems very nice too."

Immediately, she snuck a glance at him and whispered, "She is also very pretty, and her skin is so fair."

Luo Zijun ruffled her hair and said, "Our Xiaohuan is also very pretty, and your skin is also very fair, especially your little feet."

Xiaohuan giggled, her small face slightly flushed.

"Young Master, this servant is going to check out the rooms."

Saying this, she happily ran off to the rooms.

Luo Zijun stood in the backyard, looked around, and then looked at the back door and the surrounding courtyard walls, thinking to himself: This is actually a good place to practice martial arts; it is secluded enough.

Just as he was thinking about this, a series of knocks suddenly came from the front.

Then, a familiar, loli-like voice rang out: "Luo Zijun! Open the door! Open the door quickly!"

Luo Zijun frowned and walked toward the front courtyard.

Although he had been mentally prepared that the girl would certainly not let him off easily, he had not expected that just after moving in, the other party would immediately come knocking.

Of course, he was not afraid of the other party doing anything out of line.

At worst, he would just return to Su Guo Fu.

(End of this chapter)