Chapter 126: First Meeting, Gentle Persuasion to Marry into the Family; Senior Sister Angrily Storms the Bookstore

Chujian Bookstore.

After Xiao Lan saw Luo Zijun enter, she hurriedly notified the floor above.

Then, Bi'er came down with a "clatter, clatter, clatter."

When Luo Zijun saw her, he teased her on purpose: "What's wrong? Too much talking, and you were chased down by your young lady?"

"Hmph!"

The little girl huffed, ignored him, pouted her little lips, and went into the back room on the first floor.

Luo Zijun smiled and went straight upstairs.

The second floor.

Liu Chujian had changed into a moon-white dress and was holding a teapot, pouring tea for him at the table. Seeing him come up, she looked at him with soft eyes and smiled: "Brother Zijun, I heard from Bi'er that you are planning to sell her off, is that true?"

This "Brother Zijun" instantly made Luo Zijun's heart melt.

"I was just scaring that girl, who told her to talk so much."

Fearing the teapot might burn her, Luo Zijun hurriedly went over, took the teapot from her hands, and placed it on the table.

Then he asked: "Chujian, has anyone come looking for you these past few days?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Chujian immediately knew what he was going to ask and said softly: "Someone came this morning. It was a woman from the Jia Family, asking about those three books. She also asked me if I knew who Jun Chujian was."

Luo Zijun's expression tightened, and he said: "They really did come looking."

Watching the look on his face, Liu Chujian hurriedly said: "Brother Zijun, I didn't tell her that Jun Chujian is you. I knew I couldn't hide it, so I admitted that I was the one who published the books. It just so happens that my name and the words 'Chujian Bookstore' are good proof."

Luo Zijun asked: "Do you know the name of that Jia Family woman?"

Liu Chujian said: "She didn't say. The woman looked to be in her twenties, followed by maidservants, nannies, and guards; she seemed to be someone of high status in the Jia Family. She said the Noble Consort wanted to know who wrote the books, and that they were just asking and had no other intentions, telling me not to be afraid."

Luo Zijun was silent for a moment, then held her small hand and said: "Chujian, come, let's go sit over there, I have something to tell you."

In the current situation, he had to tell this young girl about the matter of his enemies in the Jia Family.

At the very least, he had to let her have some precautions.

Liu Chujian gave a soft "Mm," and obediently let him lead her to the chair to sit down.

Luo Zijun sat down beside her, gently stroking her soft, boneless little hand, and said: "Every time I come here, I take many detours, coming through the alley in the back. Do you know the reason?"

Liu Chujian hesitated for a moment, lowered her head, bit her pink lip lightly, and whispered: "Bi'er said... said you were afraid, afraid of being seen by that childhood sweetheart of yours..."

Luo Zijun: "..."

"Don't listen to that girl's nonsense."

Luo Zijun prepared to get straight to the point, but the young girl beside him suddenly raised her head and asked softly: "Brother Zijun, then are you... afraid?"

"I... of course I'm not afraid!"

Luo Zijun sneered and said: "Why would I be afraid of her? She's just a little girl. I, a dignified man, would be afraid of her? Chujian, you don't know, that girl has been bullied by me since she was small. Every time she was bullied to tears, and when I was little, I even made her put on my shoes, kneel down and lick my shoes and socks, and made her wash my clothes. If she dared to resist, I would give her a sound beating, making her wail. So from childhood to now, only she has been afraid of me; how could I possibly be afraid of her?"

Liu Chujian blinked her eyes, stared at him, and said: "Brother Zijun, why do you look a bit guilty? I just asked casually, and you said so much all at once; it seems a bit... like you're trying to cover something up."

"Is it?"

Luo Zijun also blinked his eyes and said with a frank face: "Why would I feel guilty? I just think it's necessary to explain to you, lest you think that I, a dignified man, can be manipulated by any woman."

Liu Chujian pursed her lips and smiled: "Why can't a dignified man be manipulated by a woman? Does Brother Zijun think it's shameful?"

Luo Zijun said: "Let's not talk about her, I have serious business to tell you."

Liu Chujian nodded, said nothing more, and opened her charming, moving eyes, listening quietly.

Luo Zijun said: "Every time I come here and take a detour, it's because I'm afraid of being followed by enemies. My enemies are in the Jia Mansion; it's the head steward of the Jia Mansion, named Lai Da..."

He told her everything, one by one, about the vengeance for his parents, his sister being beaten until she miscarried, and how he himself was almost beaten to death.

The young girl before him had already shared intimacy with him, so he naturally would not treat her as an outsider anymore.

Liu Chujian listened quietly, and when she heard the cruel methods the other party used to harm his family, her face turned pale.

After Luo Zijun finished speaking, he looked at her with worried eyes and said: "So, now that the Jia Mansion knows about your relationship with me, I'm afraid that person might do something to you. It's dangerous to stay in this bookstore; I think you should stay in the mansion for now and not go out."

After listening, Liu Chujian pondered for a while and said softly: "Brother Zijun, this is the Inner City. Even if that person is bold, they wouldn't dare to come to the shop and hurt people so easily. Also, there is a wooden plaque posted at the entrance of this bookstore with the emblem of the Lin'an Junwangfu on it. This bookstore doesn't just belong to Chujian alone; it also belongs to the Luli Junzhu of the Lin'an Junwangfu. Not to mention a servant of the Jia Mansion, even the master of the Jia Family wouldn't dare to send people to cause trouble."

"Oh?"

Luo Zijun was full of surprise: "Luli Junzhu?"

Liu Chujian nodded and said: "Chujian's relationship with that County Princess was quite good back then. After returning to the Inner City, I met her again. She knew my family's situation and took the initiative to help me open this bookstore. If it weren't for the resources of the Junwang Fu, how could Chujian, a weak woman, sell books in the Inner City? After all, other bookstores all have backgrounds with officials or noble families."

Luo Zijun realized: "So that's how it is."

Liu Chujian looked at him with soft eyes and said: "So, Brother Zijun doesn't need to worry about me; Brother Zijun should be careful yourself."

Luo Zijun nodded and said: "I have always been very careful."

After saying this, he suddenly felt his cheeks burning.

He had indeed always been very careful.

However, he had only left the city twice, and both times he was ravaged by the same female flower-thief; he didn't know if his luck was just too bad or if he was cursed with misfortune.

Liu Chujian said softly: "Does Brother Zijun want to take revenge?"

Luo Zijun did not hide it and said: "Of course. The vengeance for my parents, the vengeance for my sister, and my own vengeance—of course I must take it."

Liu Chujian pondered for a moment and said: "With Brother Zijun's current strength, it is certainly not possible. Brother Zijun must find a way to improve your status and position to have a chance."

Luo Zijun said: "I know."

Liu Chujian added: "The imperial examination is one path, but it takes too long, and who knows what might happen along the way. So, Brother Zijun must take other paths."

Luo Zijun looked at her and said: "Chujian, what path do you think I should take?"

A light flickered in Liu Chujian's eyes, and she whispered: "Brother Zijun is so talented; the books you write are liked even by that Noble Consort of the Jia Family, and those noble ladies of the Jia Family must like them too. Moreover, Brother Zijun is so handsome; girls will surely like you when they see you. So..."

Luo Zijun said: "So what?"

Liu Chujian's eyes held a smile as she said: "So, Brother Zijun can find a way to become a noble of the Jia Mansion and become the master of that enemy. If that happens, it will be easy to take revenge."

Luo Zijun immediately said: "I will not marry any young lady of the Jia Family."

Liu Chujian asked in confusion, "Why is that?"

Luo Zijun looked at her with a strange expression: "Chujian, do you... do you not like me?"

Liu Chujian was startled, then immediately giggled: "What are you saying, Brother Zijun? You've already held me, kissed me, and bitten me; how could I possibly not like you?"

"Then you..." "Brother Zijun..."

Liu Chujian looked at him with soft eyes and said: "I already said, even if I only act as your secret confidante, that is enough. Brother Zijun's revenge is important, and your future is also important. My family has fallen on hard times, and I cannot help you, so I hope Brother Zijun can marry the young lady of the Jia Family to fulfill your wishes."

Luo Zijun stared at her blankly. Seeing that she was still trying to persuade him, he reached out and pinched her delicate cheek, saying, "Enough, don't say any more."

Liu Chujian blinked her charming, moving eyes and obediently stopped talking.

"I have said it before, I cannot possibly marry any young lady from the Jia Family."

Luo Zijun said very firmly.

Liu Chujian looked at him with gentle eyes and said softly: "But last night, that young lady of the Jia Family said in public that Brother Zijun is the son-in-law the master of the Jia Family has taken a fancy to."

Luo Zijun said: "Today, that young lady of the Jia Family asked the young lady of the Bai Family to inquire about my opinion. I refused directly; there will be no future."

Liu Chujian was silent for a moment, then her eyes suddenly brightened and she said: "If Brother Zijun doesn't like the Jia Family, there is actually another choice. That young lady of the Bai Family yesterday also took the initiative to speak up for Brother Zijun. I saw her; that young lady of the Bai Family is very beautiful and has a very tall, slender figure. You could find a way to win her over. If Brother Zijun becomes the son-in-law of the Bai Family, you naturally won't have to fear those servants of the Jia Mansion."

Luo Zijun was speechless: "Chujian, why are you always trying every possible way to cuckold yourself?"

Liu Chujian asked in confusion: "What is 'cuckold yourself'?"

!

Luo Zijun shrugged helplessly and said: "Forget it, let's not talk about this. Even if I want revenge, I could never sell my own body. Besides, that young lady of the Bai Family might not necessarily look favorably upon me. Young ladies of such status generally look for someone of equal social standing. Although I have talent, whether I can pass the imperial examinations in the future is still an unknown."

Liu Chujian pondered for a moment and said: "Actually, Brother Zijun could also marry into the family. If Brother Zijun were to marry into the family, they would likely be willing."

Luo Zijun: "..."

Seeing his expression, Liu Chujian felt embarrassed and hurriedly said: "I was just joking, Brother Zijun, don't be angry. If you marry into a family, I fear you would be looked down upon and mocked by many in the future. With Brother Zijun's abilities, you naturally don't need to do that."

Luo Zijun glanced at the sky outside the window, stood up, and said: "Alright, I won't talk with you anymore, I have to go back to cultivate."

"Cultivate?"

Liu Chujian was startled upon hearing this: "Isn't it studying?"

Luo Zijun said: "It is studying, but I need to cultivate the art of calming the heart and spirit first to be able to focus on reading."

Liu Chujian asked curiously: "How do you cultivate it?"

Luo Zijun said with a straight face: "Want to learn? Listen well: close your eyes and recite silently in your heart, 'I am silly Chujian, I am silly Chujian'... that's all."

Liu Chujian giggled, pouted her little mouth, and hummed softly: "Brother Zijun just loves to tease people."

"Alright, I'm off."

Luo Zijun reached out to ruffle her hair and turned to say goodbye.

Liu Chujian was reluctant to let him go. She wanted to tell him to stay here and study, but then she thought he might have others to accompany, so she held it back.

She followed him downstairs, saw him to the door, and waved: "Brother Zijun, be careful on the road."

Luo Zijun looked back and said: "Go back, you be careful too."

After saying this, he walked away quickly.

Liu Chujian stood at the door for a while longer. Only after his back disappeared around the street corner in the distance did she sigh inaudibly, turn around, and return to the shop.

Not long after she went upstairs, a cold figure suddenly appeared in the alley outside the shop.

"Zijun... brother..."

Her pretty face was frosty, her eyes narrowed, and after glancing at the name of the bookstore, she suddenly stepped forward and walked into the shop.

Xiao Lan was sitting at the counter. Seeing a customer enter, she hurriedly stood up to greet her.

After seeing the newcomer's face clearly, she was startled and thought to herself: What a beautiful girl; could she be a fairy descending to earth?

She hurriedly stepped forward and said: "This young lady, what book would you like to buy?"

As she asked, she secretly sized up the girl before her, almost unable to tear her eyes away.

However, the girl who looked like a fairy was cold and aloof; she did not even look at her, and naturally did not speak to her.

After wandering around the bookshelves on the first floor, she kept her pretty face cold and walked straight toward the stairs.

Seeing this, Xiao Lan hurriedly said: "This young lady, our books are all on the first floor. The second floor is a place for resting; there are no books for sale."

The cold girl acted as if she hadn't heard and continued upstairs.

Xiao Lan hurriedly chased after her, following as she said: "This young lady, you cannot go up there. Please come down, okay?"

At this moment, Bi'er suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs and said with a cold face: "This guest, the upstairs is not a place for selling books. Please go down."

Ever since Young Master Luo started coming here, the upstairs was no longer prepared for others to come up.

Seeing that the other party was still continuing to climb, she was just about to step forward to intercept her when the girl suddenly raised her head. Her beautiful eyes merely gave her a cold look, which suddenly made her heart tremble and freeze in place, as if falling into an ice cellar, her whole body turning cold.

At this time, Liu Chujian, having heard the noise, also walked over from in front of the bookshelves holding a book, a look of confusion on her face as she looked toward the stairs.

Just then, a cold figure in a plain white dress walked up the stairs and looked at her.

The moment Liu Chujian saw the other party's face clearly and met her cold gaze, her heart suddenly trembled.

Almost in that very instant, she seemed to know the other party's identity.

It sounds magical, but it was indeed so.

The girl before her had a tall, slender figure, snow-white skin, and a face that was pure yet carried a hint of allure. Her entire temperament was cold and elegant, like a pure and transcendent lotus on an iceberg, unstained by dust, yet also like a delicate flower blooming under the morning dew—beautiful and moving.

It was her first time seeing a woman who combined such beauty and temperament—poetic and picturesque, elegant and noble, yet alluring and charming—a woman who was quite contradictory, yet looked extremely harmonious and beautiful.

She truly looked like someone who had walked out of a painting.

Liu Chujian stared, dumbfounded, her heart thumping rapidly—not out of fear, but because she felt it was incredible.

But at the same time, she also felt it was only right.

For a man as outstanding as him, besides such a peerless beauty, who else could be a match for him?

No wonder, no wonder he held those noble young ladies of the Jia Family in such disdain.

As she was sizing up the other party, the other party was also sizing her up.

The room suddenly fell into a long silence and stillness.

When Bi'er regained her senses and was about to stop the young girl before her, Liu Chujian spoke softly: "Bi'er, Xiao Lan, you two go down first. Without my orders, you are not allowed to come up."

Bi'er was stunned for a moment, and after taking one more look at the cold and strange young girl before her, she had no choice but to go downstairs with Xiao Lan.

The second floor returned to silence once more.

After another moment of silence.

Liu Chujian suddenly lowered her head, bent at the waist, and performed a graceful bow to the young girl before her, her brows lowered and eyes submissive, her demeanor gentle as she softly called out: "Older sister."

(End of chapter)