Chapter 44: Reading with Heart

Jiang Ni was unwilling to study, but in Wutong Garden, a multitude of charming maidservants vied to read classics aloud for His Royal Highness. Hong Shu, with her alluring voice, was tasked by Xu Fengnian to read martial arts scriptures from the Guanyin Temple in the Southern Sea. Lü Yi, whose voice was more youthful and ethereal, was responsible for reciting oral formulas and secret manuals, such as those related to sword-walking techniques. Huang Gua, the most spirited and lively yet still possessing a grand presence, was assigned the most unorthodox texts from the martial arts library. Qing Niao, being the most pure and upright, was suited for Daoist treasures like the "Scripture of Inner Scenery of Great Peace," which contained profound heavenly mysteries.

"Those who seek to become Human Immortals must accumulate ninety good deeds. Those who seek to become Earth Immortals must accumulate three hundred good deeds. Those who seek to become Celestial Immortals must accumulate one thousand three hundred good deeds."

Today, Qing Niao was reading from the "Tai Xuan Induction Chapter." Unlike before, Xu Fengnian was not resting his head on Hong Shu's lap or playing with Lü Yi's fingers. Instead, he sat upright and poised by the window, Spring Thunder unsheathed, as his finger glided along its blade. Having attained the Great Yellow Court of Daoism, Xu Fengnian's instincts were now wonderfully profound.

For instance, simply listening to Qing Niao read "Tai Xuan," Xu Fengnian felt his saliva flow like a waterfall, surging through his throat and into his dantian, as his true qi circulated. His head felt as if it were steaming, and his limbs and bones felt warm and harmonious. Particularly, the mark between his eyebrows, resembling an inverted red date, faintly shifted from red to purple, displaying the grand phenomenon of "Purple Qi from the East," characteristic of a Celestial Master from Longhu Mountain.

The Great Yellow Court is called "Great" because this supreme embryonic breathing method differs from ordinary Daoist internal cultivation techniques. Instead, it achieves the three Yellow Courts in one continuous breath, stemming from the Daoist foundational text "Laozi" and its concept of "One Qi transforming into Three Pure Ones."

The Great Yellow Court is a profoundly subtle cultivation method. Perhaps because Wang Chonglou, the Grandmaster of Wudang, did not want His Royal Highness to squander his cultivation, he entrusted the ox-rider with two instructions. Xu Fengnian opened his eyes and chuckled, "Grandmaster Wang said the Great Yellow Court is like living water. If I cannot refine and master it for my own use within ten years, it will eventually vanish. I don't think he's trying to scare me. The other thing is that the old master feared I might be led into a treasure mountain without knowing how to pick out the treasures, so he specifically explained the Great Yellow Court's 'Six Heavenly Pavilions,' which are its six realms. This is quite similar to the six floors of the Tide-Listening Pavilion. Now, White Fox Face is about to reach the third floor, while I've only just stepped onto the first."

Qing Niao put down the "Tai Xuan" bamboo slips and asked, "How many apertures has Your Highness opened?"

Xu Fengnian, who was gradually growing familiar with the feel of Spring Thunder, sheathed the blade. He pointed to his glabella and chuckled, "For the Great Yellow Court, opening apertures isn't difficult. The challenge is retaining this 'Three Pure Qi.' The more apertures opened, the more is lost. If I slack off even for a day, I'll be unable to replenish what's spent. This Wudang Grandmaster is harsh on himself, but even harsher on me."

Qing Niao paused for a moment and smiled without speaking.

Xu Fengnian took a wisp of Qing Niao's dark hair and silently recited, "From the Jade Pond's clear water, lotus blossoms arise. A body in harmony knows no illness, nor withers. When form and spirit guard each other, one becomes an undying immortal, able to step directly onto the Heavenly Gate."

Qing Niao asked, puzzled, "Your Highness, which book is this prophecy from?"

Xu Fengnian stroked her smooth dark hair and self-mockingly replied, "Can't I just make up a few lines?"

Qing Niao looked vibrant.

The second-rank maid Huang Gua was lurking suspiciously by the door. She seemed quite reluctant to enter, which was unusual.

Xu Fengnian chided with a laugh, "Are you planning to stand there all day?"

Huang Gua reluctantly entered the room and whispered, "Your Highness, that maid, Jiang, is in the courtyard. Should this servant chase her away?"

Xu Fengnian said, a mix of amusement and exasperation, "Let her in. Don't think I don't know that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, you took it upon yourself to stop Yu Youwei from picking osmanthus flowers. That wasn't fair. How is it that I heard you're the one in Wutong Garden who loves her osmanthus cakes the most? You can eat a whole food box in one go! I'm telling you, how did you gain several pounds this winter? Was it all from eating osmanthus cakes? If you get any fatter, you'll have to replace all your old clothes."

Huang Gua's face flushed crimson.

Xu Fengnian waved his hand, and the clever maidservant, feeling wronged, went out to bring Jiang Ni in.

Qing Niao left on her own accord.

Xu Fengnian looked at Jiang Ni, and Jiang Ni looked at Xu Fengnian.

Neither would concede. It was a test of who had more patience.

Only when Xu Fengnian calmly picked up the scroll of bamboo slips, the "Tai Xuan Induction Chapter," did Jiang Ni finally say fiercely, "Does that deal you mentioned still stand?"

Xu Fengnian didn't pretend to be foolish. He replied straightforwardly, "It stands."

Jiang Ni showed no awareness of being in a position to ask for favors. She named her price: "Two copper coins per character, then I'll read for you."

Xu Fengnian firmly stated, "No room for negotiation. One copper coin per character."

Jiang Ni said calmly and deliberately, "Two copper coins!"

Xu Fengnian looked at her and shook his head, "One."

Jiang Ni turned and walked away.

Xu Fengnian smiled faintly, "One coin per character means you can read more every day, and still manage to bankrupt me."

Jiang Ni, who had reached the doorstep, hesitated.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "This 'Tai Xuan Induction Chapter' I have is about six thousand characters long. If you finish reading it, I'll pay you seven *guan* of money. How about that?"

Jiang Ni turned around and returned to the room. The deal had finally not fallen through. However, she stood with a cold expression in the farthest corner from His Royal Highness, extending her hand.

How could Xu Fengnian not know her stubborn temper? He tossed the "Tai Xuan" to her.

Jiang Ni took the bamboo slips, whose connecting cords were severely worn between the bamboo pieces. It was clearly a treasure that would be cherished even if casually placed in any Daoist temple. She grew even more indignant. This antique, at least several centuries old, was being casually tossed around? What if it fell apart?! Since he was so extravagant, how could he still haggle with her over one or two copper coins?!

Xu Fengnian probably guessed Jiang Ni's thoughts. He said, smiling, "Feeling bad for it? It's always been mine, so I can use it however I please. But if it needs to leave my hands, then I'll be very calculating."

One copper coin.

Xu Fengnian looked out the window and smiled.

Perhaps only Old Huang and the young girl understood the subtle fun in this.

Jiang Ni began to recite the scripture. Her voice was somewhat stiff, and her pauses between sentences were awkward.

Xu Fengnian didn't mind this. He admitted to having no particular talent, except for his memory, which had never failed him. Why would he spend money to have Jiang Ni read this "Tai Xuan" and other martial arts manuals in the future?

Jiang Ni would never understand.

Nor did she want to understand. She simply hoped to read some advanced martial arts, secretly memorize them, and practice in secret, so that one day, when she became self-taught and proficient, she could plunge the divine talisman into His Royal Highness's chest.

Xu Fengnian finally snapped back to reality. He changed to a more relaxed posture, listening to Jiang Ni's voice and watching the young woman standing in the corner, holding the bamboo slips and reading intently.

Her gaze was no longer like stagnant water in an old well; it had gained some vitality.

Why was she reading so diligently? Would Xu Fengnian, with his mind full of schemes, not know?

As for why he wanted her to read diligently, perhaps only Grand Marshal Xu Xiao knew.

That day, after walking out of the mourning hall, Xu Xiao had quipped, "If Jiang Ni were to kill you by chance in the future, she would likely commit suicide. Without you as her enemy, her life would seem meaningless. But if she knew she could never kill you, her continued existence would be no different from being dead."

Xu Fengnian softly said, "You misread the character 'fan' (幡)."

Jiang Ni paused for a moment and reread the sentence.

Xu Fengnian chuckled, "That sentence doesn't count towards the payment."

Jiang Ni didn't argue. She simply continued reading with a heavier emphasis.

Xu Fengnian composed himself. He closed his eyes and breathed in sync with the rhythm of the words, long and steady.

Seeing her pause, Xu Fengnian opened his eyes. He thought for a moment, suppressed a laugh, and prompted, "Hui Nu (wrath)."

Jiang Ni, not recognizing the character "hui," blushed slightly.

Xu Fengnian said sternly, "Ten copper coins deducted."

Jiang Ni let out a cold scoff. Likely feeling she was in the wrong, she didn't argue.

Unexpectedly, she didn't recognize six or seven characters in a row next. In the blink of an eye, sixty or seventy copper coins were deducted. Jiang Ni, whose mouth was now dry and tongue parched, first felt her eyes sting, then, upon hearing Xu Fengnian's emotionless "Ten coins deducted," she suddenly burst into tears.