Chapter Five, the sun shines warmly at Lanting

Hey..." Uncle Bao said with a bitter smile, "Isn't this being anxious?" As he spoke, he gave a thumbs up and said, "Young master, your calculations are truly remarkable!"

"Hmm, the governor will not have such thoughts during this time." Lu Yun nodded in approval and said, "As expected of Lord Bao."

Lu Yun had already heard someone outside the door. He stood up and smiled at Lu Ying, saying, "Elder sister, you practice your calligraphy well; I will be back shortly."

I must speak frankly, my lord, you can match my seven-tenths strength to a standstill.

East Wing, Lu Yun's room

Lu Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief and wiped his hands clean with a piece of white silk.

There are thirty-seven of them. Lu Yun took a sip of the icy spring water, and her tone turned as cold as ice as she said: "Just the right amount to measure the gap between me and the Earth-level Master!"

Uncle Bao could not help but frown and said, "It is only the two of us, we are unable to capture him, young master!"

"Young Master..." Bao Shu gritted his teeth, wishing he could immediately practice with Lu Yun once more

Lu Yun looked at her sister's gloomy expression and thought, "How about we participate in the Qu Shui Liu Shang on the third day of the third month?"

Oh, so it is Liu Qianqian? Lu Yun secretly breathed a sigh of relief; this was his first attempt at testing his skills, and it was inevitable that he felt a bit uncertain.

Not bad. Lu Yun nodded, and the records in the black book surfaced in his mind

The White Ape Society, established during the Northern Dynasties, was renowned for accepting commissions to assassinate nobles and political figures, claiming that everyone had a price! After the founding of the Great Xuan, its activities shifted underground, and its fame gradually diminished. However, during the Incident at the Temple of Gratitude, the leader of the White Ape Society appeared alongside a Grand Master of the Celestial Rank, revealing their involvement in the assassination conspiracy against the late emperor

"You're lying..." Lu Ying wrinkled her nose but did not pursue the matter further. She gazed steadily at Lu Yun, who was quietly washing his brush, and after a long while, she gently sighed and said: "These days are very good, very good. Can it last forever, please?"

I will find someone to help..." Lu Yun said softly

Lu Yun knelt on the ivory-colored fine bamboo mat and poured a cup of spring water for Uncle Bao, saying: "Uncle Bao, it is rare to have a visitor during the day."

"Xiao Yun'er," Lu Ying said listlessly as she looked at Lu Yun, "you have been acting a bit strange lately..."

Alright, alright! Lu Ying covered her ears and said with a helpless expression: "The atmosphere is so gloomy..."

... ...

This was one of the assignments that Lu Xin assigned to the siblings before leaving home. Since the age of seven, they have been required to practice calligraphy in this manner every day. Lu Xin had a strict family education; regardless of how busy he was with official duties, he would check their homework daily and explain the principles to them. This routine has continued for nearly ten years.

"Deceiving people..." Lu Ying murmured softly.

In the tranquil breeze, with the chirping of birds, in a study shaded by flowers, a young boy and girl kneel before a low table, facing the "Lanting".

Lu Yun poured a bucket of cold water on the matter, saying: "The personnel of the Lu family estate cannot be moved"

Oh. Lu Yun apologetically touched his forehead and said: "Uncle Bao always has his reservations when dealing with me, so it cannot be considered a life-and-death struggle"

Lu Yunlin finished copying the calligraphy, set down his brush, and moved the paperweight aside to examine the characters he had just copied. After a moment of contemplation, he gently shook his head, seemingly not quite satisfied.

Great! Lu Ying was instantly invigorated, her mind entirely focused on the upcoming wine banquet the day after tomorrow. What kind of dress should she wear, and what kind of jewelry should she adorn herself with? What poems should she prepare, and more importantly—what kind of delicacies should she bring?

Lu Ying observed the two individuals acting furtively, and a thread of concern welled up in her autumn water-like eyes

Lu Yun could not help but cough, and finally could not restrain himself from reaching out to press her hand back onto the table, speaking earnestly and with great emphasis: "Focus..."

"The subordinate is also a Master of the Earth level..." Bao Shu said somewhat resentfully

It should be correct! Bao Shu said in a hoarse voice: "Today, those frivolous young men wanted to invite Liu Qianqian to celebrate the March Festival together, but they were informed that she had important matters to attend to that day and would not be able to accompany them"

Seeing his earnestness, Lu Ying had no choice but to focus and continue writing her letter. When she reached the part that read, 'Here there are lofty mountains and steep ridges, lush forests and tall bamboos; there are also clear streams and rushing waters, reflecting on both sides, inviting one to enjoy the flowing wine and winding waters...,' she suddenly slapped her forehead and exclaimed, 'The third day of the third month is just around the corner, the day for flowing wine along the winding waters!'

Lu Yunjing stared quietly at the water basin, and only after both pens had released all their ink did she cautiously use her finger to gently manipulate the bristles. After a while, she softly said: "There is nothing of the sort."

Father encouraged me, but I only grasped the form without understanding the essence. Lu Yun dodged his sister's attack and glanced at her brief calligraphy, saying: "Indeed, sister's writing is round and flowing, elegant and ethereal, possessing a unique style and a distinct presence."

Over there, Lu Ying was practicing calligraphy while keeping an eye on everything around her. Seeing Lu Yun's demeanor, she expressed her dissatisfaction by lightly tapping him with her brush and said, "Father has said that your calligraphy has already reached seventy percent of the level of Youjun. Are you intentionally trying to undermine me like this?"

"Young Master, you flatter me," Bao Shu said with a hint of a terrifying smile. "The subordinates have trained the death warriors for the Young Master, and they are finally ready to draw their swords!" After ten years of honing the sword, the time to unsheathe it has finally come, and he could not help but feel excited

Lu Yun smiled helplessly and continued to examine his calligraphy.

Moo... Lu Ying made a face, puffing her cheeks as she continued to practice calligraphy. After a while, she looked up towards the door, opened her mouth as if to speak, but then wore an expression that seemed to say, 'You won't let me talk'.

While Lu Yun was practicing calligraphy, he was completely absorbed, as if in a state of Zen. In contrast, Lu Ying seemed somewhat distracted, resting her chin on her hands, glancing at her brother writing for a while, then looking at the birds outside the window. Feeling truly bored, she finally picked up her brush and wrote a few characters on the paper

Therefore, it must not be for any other reason; it is to receive some remarkable dignitary!" After saying this, Uncle Bao summarized word by word: "At this moment in Yuhang City, the only ones who could have such an honor, apart from the prefect, are Xiahou Lei!

"Writing is also a form of cultivation, and the path of cultivation is endless..." Lu Yun said with a serious expression

In order to ensure that my health does not deteriorate, I can only exert fifty percent of my strength said Lu Yun You You

Lu Yun held the cleaned brush in his hand, waiting for the water to completely drip off before hanging it back on the brush rack. He nodded slightly and said, "Good"

"Hmm..." Lu Yun nodded, and then heard Uncle Bao continue: "The third day of the third month is a festival for talented scholars and beautiful women, a time for elegance and refinement. All the singing girls and dancers in Yuhang are gearing up to make a grand appearance on this day. However, Liu Qianqian has shut her doors to guests, and those frivolous young men refuse to give up, insisting on getting to the bottom of it. Yet, everyone on the pleasure boat remains tight-lipped..." Liu Qianqian has shut her doors to guests, and those frivolous young men refuse to give up, insisting on getting to the bottom of it. Yet, everyone on the pleasure boat remains tight-lipped...

On Bao Shu's fierce face, an incongruous look of resentment was reflected. "Does the young master have any other trump cards?"

"It is not two people," Lu Yun said with a slight shake of her head, "it is just me."

The fragrance of flowers and ink wafted through the study, accompanied by a faint, elusive scent reminiscent of a young girl, allowing Lu Yun to feel an immense sense of tranquility without the need to burn the calming incense

I do not have such high aspirations; I write however I feel happy. Lu Ying's lips curled up slightly in satisfaction as she glanced at Lu Yun and said, "But you, little brother, want to do everything to the best of your ability. Competing with the ancients is so exhausting."

Lu Ying nodded listlessly, her head nearly drooping onto the paper.

Ah! Bao Shu could not help but exclaim, "Young Master, do not be overconfident! Even if Xiahou Lei moves in the shadows, he will still have many skilled guards by his side. Moreover, he himself was ranked among the top thirty masters on the Earth-level list of the Investigation Bureau two years ago!"

After a considerable amount of time, the gunpowder smell in the room finally dissipated. Uncle Bao let out a bitter smile and said, "Young Master, even if your martial arts surpass mine, a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves"

"That is natural." Lu Yun nodded, raising his eyebrows as he said, "However, if the target is not Xiahou Ba, they should not refuse.

... ...

Uncle Bao was not so sad anymore, but he shook his head and said: "Although the White Ape Society claims that they can kill anyone in the world as long as the price is right, I doubt they have the courage to touch anyone from the Xiahou family..."

Lu Yun stepped out of the room and put on his shoes. Uncle Bao approached him with an excited expression, just about to speak, but was silenced by Lu Yun's gaze. Lu Yun gently closed the study door, signaling Uncle Bao to follow him back to the room to talk.

After sending off Uncle Bao, Lu Yun returned to the study, only to find Lu Ying resting her chin on one hand, lost in thought as she leaned over the table. The copybook in front of her remained in the same position as when Lu Yun had left.

"Apart from Uncle Bao, I have no other helpers." Lu Yun quickly comforted her emotionally unstable uncle, no longer keeping him in suspense, and said: "I am inviting the Baiyuan Society..."

Oh..." Bao Shu suddenly realized: "So it turns out that the young master wants to achieve two goals with one arrow"

"Sister, if you truly do not wish to write, then so be it." Lu Yun knelt beside Lu Ying, took the celadon water basin, and prepared to clean the two brushes.