Chapter 7

In the thatched cottage, a small crack opened in the door.

Just like a cripple, one would never use their own limp as an excuse; a person who is inherently dull-witted would never expose their own shortcomings. If they were to speak of it, wouldn't that just lead to embarrassment and anger?

When it comes to Xiqiwen, one must mention Tianfeng

Loving others is called benevolence, while treating those who are different as equals is called greatness

She stood up, leaned her head out halfway, knocked on the door, and, feigning bravado, tentatively called out: "Sir, the thatched cottage is flooding, and it seems it will soon set the Qingfeng Grass Hall on fire. Hurry and put out the fire!"

She smiled as she wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Mother, Ying'er has not been obedient

The dust that once covered her eyes has all faded away

not obedient at all

Yu Wei felt puzzled; not only did the young lady's complexion appear quite poor today, but the young master also seemed a bit strange.

Just as he was turning around in anger and about to leave, the young girl, who seemed to be asleep underwater, suddenly stood up from the water and hugged Hu Tu from behind. Her voice carried a sincere tone as she softly said: "Hu Tu, thank you"

The night dew is profound, the blades of grass seem unable to bear the weight,凝成晶莹, suddenly dripping at the corner of his eye, resembling clear tears

She had just stepped into the inn, yet it seemed as though she had exhausted all her energy. She no longer had the strength to take another step, and her whole body stumbled forward, on the verge of falling and injuring herself.

What is referred to as secular, and what is referred to as good, is not to be called the flatterer... The voice is resonant and piercing, like a sharp blade, penetrating through all darkness

"Ah, young master, young master, where are you going? The young lady just requested a bucket of hot water, so she must still be bathing. You cannot go in..." Yu Wei's voice was cut off as a green lotus seed was shot over, striking his mute point.

To be my student, one must be intelligent, perceptive, and diligent. If one cannot meet even the slightest of my standards in these three aspects, I kindly ask the young lady to leave on her own accord

In the main hall, the solemn elder extended three fingers, his voice dropping heavily without regard for whether the young woman in green below understood him, and continued: "This spirit, there is no other interpretation, it means 'cleverness'. As the saying goes, a master leads you to the door, but the cultivation depends on the individual. The young lady should understand this."

Liu Ying picked a fruit and held it in her mouth, feeling its sweetness and deliciousness, an indescribable fragrance. She casually struck up a conversation with the neighbors, "Auntie, Mr. Shen stays in the thatched cottage all day long; doesn't he ever go out to buy some food and supplies?"

"Young lady, please have some jujubes; they were just harvested yesterday." The hospitable villager offered a small scoop filled with plump, juicy fresh jujubes.

This old man is indeed interesting

The old man recited the words above, going through them once, and then had Liu Ying recite them once as well. After that, he read them again in the Xiqiu accent and had Liu Ying read them once more.

Liu Ying stared blankly at the clean and beautiful face before him, noticing the opponent's narrow and sharp phoenix eyes, which resembled the cold pool cascading down the mountain stream under the sunlight. The thick eyelashes were like dense tree canopies, obscuring the tranquil chill within the cold pool, revealing a piercing snow-like brilliance, so clear and beautiful, yet so distant.

Inside the door, the childish whispers of a young boy could be heard, "Master, you avoid others every day, yet you still crave the scripts they speak of. Aren't you tired of it all?"

Although the old man of the thatched cottage was not invited out, the young girl became quite familiar with the neighbors. Outside the thatched cottage lived simple and kind villagers, who were completely straightforward. Even without the old man of the thatched cottage, Liu Ying was still happy to interact with them

After a long while, I finally heard his faint voice, as if responding to himself, and also as if responding to Yu Wei, "The master is too tired, let him rest for a night, and he will be fine tomorrow. Regardless of whether she has grown wings, I can help her soar, and I can also cut off her wings. In the end, she is still mine..."

The child, resembling a little adult, spoke with utmost seriousness and let out a long sigh, "I already know what you, my lord, want to say; you have mentioned it many times before. However, since you do not wish to get involved in disputes, it would be best to sever ties early, go on a journey, visit friends, and make it so that she cannot find you. Why must you remain in the thatched cottage?"

The young girl in the green shirt laughed heartily, and whenever a passerby on the night road encountered her, they would look at her in surprise and hurriedly walk past. She seemed oblivious, swaying as she made her way through the alleys and over the market, until she finally arrived at the inn.

It was just after the hour of the Rooster and before the hour of the Dog, and the empty streets were gradually closing down as the shops on both sides began to shut their doors. At the street corner hung bright red lanterns, their thin paper resembling painted skin, emitting an eerie cold light that barely illuminated a path of blue stone.

In my memories, my mother always appears so young and beautiful

The thatched cottage has its own fire, I sing my own song, it matters not

Gazing at Gaogang Mountain, the flowing water murmurs softly, coiling around the stone of the trapped dragon

Ying'er should not be confused about safety, Ying'er must know and understand!

The poor little creature still wanted to ask something, but suddenly Hu Tu stood up and headed towards the guest room where Liu Ying was staying without looking back

As the last pen was thrown into the fire pit, the old man of the grass hall wore a faint smile of satisfaction. However, Liu Ying was already drenched in sweat. The young girl's bright forehead was glistening, her bangs awkwardly hanging over her eyelids, still dripping with cold sweat. On the pure white paper, at the wrist, large blotches of ink had spread.

What is propriety and what is not? Nonsense about etiquette, righteousness, integrity, and honor

Liu Ying, having been turned away too many times, did not lose heart, coming day after day, waiting day after day

When Liu Ying walked out of the Qingfeng Caotang, she felt as if she had been pulled out of water. She had finally completed all the Xiqiu texts, without missing a single word or making any mistakes

A flash of swift wind, a corner of a blue robe caught my eye

The pale and lonely wrist gently pushed the door

Later... the voice gradually faded, seemingly not intending to speak outside, and went straight home to talk instead

The gaze of Hu Tu sparked instantaneously with brilliance

Liu Yingsi pondered for a long time, unable to find an answer, and could not help but tentatively ask in a low voice: "If the teacher intends to teach the Hundred Family Surnames, the students would naturally be very pleased, but why is there still a fire basin being brought out?"

Many times, even she does not know what he is really thinking

Liu Ying, filled with unexpressed emotions, gazed at the tightly closed door with a pair of deep, lustrous eyes. Within those eyes were traces of sadness, joy, sorrow, and melancholy. The shadows of years of confusion dissipated from those eyes, resembling the ethereal glow of the moonlight in the sky, flowing with a gentle radiance in the night, breaking through the clouds and piercing the sun, evoking a sense of awe in those who beheld it

No one responded to him

This eccentric old man does not care whether she has learned or not; he teaches quickly and throws the wooden blocks even faster. If the Three Character Classic, Thousand Character Classic, and Hundred Family Surnames he teaches were no different from the current children's reading materials in Dongxia, Liu Ying would not be so embarrassed by the old man.

Feigning madness and foolishness, this tactic is indeed employed to perfection

From another perspective, the old man aims to adopt such a formidable demeanor, "I, an old man, fear not the fire, nor do I believe in its existence. Why do I sing? It signifies my leisure and my contentment"

"Sir..." she wished to express her gratitude. The elderly man waved his sleeve, clearly signaling the dismissal of guests

Did you not say there was a fire? Let that fire burn.

The repeated mention of the person's name evokes memories of them, culminating in a sense of loss and the rhetorical question, "How come it's you?" The intention of not wanting to see you is crystal clear

Such a close person, he is her only disciple, yet she will never know what he is truly plotting

He is going out, which means he will be gone for several days. If he doesn't go out, he will be cooped up in that dilapidated straw hut, without even a shadow in sight. He usually never speaks to us, very peculiar indeed

The more comfortable it becomes, the more I feel the pain in my heart

Yinger encountered Xiqiuwen, and thus she was able to clearly and thoroughly understand the culture of Xiqiu. Finally... finally, she could comprehend what trouble you and your father had gotten into, which led to the loss of innocent lives...

You said, if a liger were to grow wings, would it be able to break the chains that confine it, soaring freely in the sky?

On the ground, countless sheets of paper are scattered about, densely covered with writing

He casually handed over a literacy token

At that time and in that place, when Xiao Liu Ying spoke those words, it was evident that being low-key is the highest form of ostentation. Perhaps at that moment, the young Xiao Liu Ying did not realize this, but the innate pride within the young girl should not be underestimated

The speaker may be indifferent, but the listener is attentive

Non-action is referred to as Heaven, while non-verbal expression is referred to as Virtue

She still remembers her mother gently stroking her forehead, with a tone that was so filled with despair, warning her word by word: "Good Ying'er, my obedient daughter, if you are well-behaved, you must never touch Xi Qiu Wen, not even a little. All I want is for you to be safe and sound, that is enough..."

Liu Ying merely smiled without speaking, having recently become accustomed to being turned away at mealtimes three times a day.

"Our second young master is not just any servant. Miss, you have legs; can't you walk by yourself?" After waiting foolishly for so long, Yu Wei was already filled with pent-up frustration. The little one wanted to grumble a bit more, to voice a complaint, but then she caught sight of Hu Tu's cold and piercing gaze, silently fixed on her, exceptionally sharp.

The night of Tianfeng is enveloped in a solitary silence, exuding an air of desolation and coldness

The wooden door knocked out a rhythm of one long and two short beats

In just four short hours, she completed the study of all the Western Qiu texts with remarkable speed and comprehension

The aunt returning from washing clothes next door laughed and called out in a loud voice, "Miss Liu, it's been so many days, and you still haven't given up?"

It is fortunate that she usually does not act coy, as Hu Tu was surprisingly deceived.

The old man was caught off guard, and in a flurry of movement, a sharp sound of "thud" echoed as he accidentally bumped into something. Suddenly, the slightly ajar door creaked open wide with a loud noise.

The meaning is clear and unmistakable

The fish shrank back, hurriedly swallowing its words

The weakness that once made her indecisive and hesitant has gradually dissipated

She still remembers that day when her mother had a small white flower pinned in her hair, looking at her with tears in her eyes

Cannot forget, nor dare to forget

A day's study, a day's diligence

In view, it is the beautiful face of Hu Tu Qing Mei

Thank you, auntie

You may see, the wild snow sinks and obscures, the shadow lingers in the small courtyard

As the sounds of water and the rustling of clothing gradually settled, the room became eerily quiet

On the street, the slender and delicate woman in a green shirt, with her long hair cascading down, had her sweat long dried by the cold wind. However, the strands of hair that fell at her temples were still damp in clumps. Despite her clearly disheveled appearance, the young woman's eyes sparkled, dark and lustrous, resembling two pieces of obsidian immersed in mercury, exuding an indescribable brilliance and charm

Those matters obstructed her heart, causing her eyes to shine with an unspeakable sharpness, like blades.

Liu Ying was taken aback, awkwardly wiping the droplets of water from his cheek

When Liu Ying finished reading the last character, he flicked his wrist and, without a second thought, tossed the written slip into the fire basin. A spark flashed, and the intact slip was instantly reduced to ashes

"Look at this sweet little mouth, hehe, it's nothing, nothing!" The aunt who was picking vegetables laughed so hard that she couldn't close her mouth, looking at the delicate young girl from side to side, clicking her tongue in admiration, "Such a peculiar old man actually has such a handsome and sensible niece from afar, what great fortune..."

As Yu Wei accompanied Hu Tu, they sent Liu Ying back to his room and arranged everything properly. However, once back in the room, the little one could no longer contain his curiosity and couldn't help but sneak a glance at the guest room where Liu Ying was staying. Then he looked at his own master, who was calm and unhurried, and softly called out: "Young Master..."

Caught, even life must be sacrificed

Knock knock knock

Hu Tu's cold and sharp voice pierced through the air, "Do you want to bury yourself?"

Master, how can I make you think of only me?

Liu Ying longed to laugh heartily at the sky, but in the end, only a single crystal tear fell. She hastily wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and her laughter, clear and bright, revealed an eerie madness.

Old child, old child, indeed it is true

The voice faded between the lips and teeth, leaving no further words. The little lion turned to look back, and to his surprise, Liu Ying had actually fallen drunk in the wooden barrel, peacefully asleep. He gazed at her quietly, and suddenly felt a sense of defeat, a few strands of unspeakable bitterness rising in his heart

Hu Tu twirled the teacup in his hand, watching the glimmer of light flowing on its surface, reflecting in his eyes

She was immersed in her own thoughts, completely unaware of the elegant and cool figure standing in the corner, who had been quietly and silently watching her. Whether she was a cocoon or a butterfly, he had always been silently guarding her

Three years have passed since they last met, no, it should start even earlier, from the moment she got to know him. What she thought she understood, what her eyes had seen, could it truly represent the most authentic form of Hu Tu? At this moment, Liu Ying felt an indescribable sense of confusion. This brooding youth seemed to have hidden nothing from her, yet it was only now that she realized she had never truly seen through him.

Miss Liu, do not pay attention to that strange old man. You must be thirsty, come to your aunt's house for a drink of water. The story you told me last time was very interesting, please tell me what happened next...

My lord, I have been captivated by her script...

"What are you thinking about, Master? Why are you looking at me like that?" Hu Tu's voice was as clear and pleasant as ever

Water splashes everywhere

This statement is delivered in a peculiar tone, leaving no one to respond. Such contradictory words can raise one's ire. Yet, the young girl outside the door remains utterly respectful, showing not a trace of impatience on her face

In my opinion, my lord, you are not captivated by the play, but rather you are simply idle and looking for something to occupy your time

The mere thought of this slight possibility sent a shiver through the little lion's heart, and a glimmer of cold light burst forth from its eyes

The sound is becoming increasingly faint

The girl seems to still be asleep, her lips gently coming together, as she delicately chews on this name. After a long while, she appears to awaken from her dream, pushing him away with one hand, and with a sense of loss, she says: "Hu Tu, so it is you... how could it be you..."

In the final segment, the sound was barely audible, even the fish were indistinct, and nothing was clearly heard

The old man shook out a yellowed fortune slip from his sleeve, his smile more cunning than that of a fox, "Today, we will teach the Hundred Family Surnames"

Liu Ying suddenly experienced a strange feeling, realizing that she had never truly understood this sinister young man

However, even in the realm of Tianfeng, finding someone more proficient in Xiqiu literature than the Old Man of Caotang is akin to a fool's dream. Those well-versed in Xiqiu literature are indeed few and far between; even if there are a handful of exceptional scholars, most are elusive, like a dragon that is seen only by its head. Liu Ying had a hard time locating the remnants of the Qingfeng Caotang, and just as he was so close to Xiqiu literature, who would have thought that this eccentric old man of Caotang, despite his advanced age and considerable knowledge, also had quite a temper.

Her soft and gentle voice, merely savoring these sentences lightly between her teeth, made her feel exceptionally joyful

On the table, a plate of incense is burning, releasing a faint yet rich fragrance.

Liu Ying listened, and the corners of his mouth twitched

The little fish gently rubbed its smoky and astringent nose, leaned in a bit closer, and was just about to call out again when it heard Hu Tu's voice, which sounded like a thunderclap, lightly thrown down, startling it quite a bit.

Inside the door, a soft, aged voice emerged, singing in a long, drawn-out tone

Liu Ying pressed her lips tightly, yet a playful smile lifted the corners of her eyes

Thank you for your covert assistance in helping me escape from the Ning Wang residence

The disciples have been accepted, but the teachings are unlike any other

Confucius

Those past events, which I forced myself to forget, surge forth like waves, overwhelming me

The door of the dark-colored entrance creaked open with a "creak".

Hu Tu was momentarily distracted, his expression darkening as he tightly grasped her hand and said sternly: "Why can't it be me? Look at what you've become, reeking of alcohol! You actually got completely drunk; you promised me you wouldn't drink like this anymore, have you forgotten?"

The woman in green outside the thatched cottage had delicate features, and her smile was as warm as a spring breeze, bringing genuine joy to those who beheld her. An elderly lady set down the freshly picked vegetable leaves, brought out a small stool from the house, dusted off the dirt on it, and kindly offered it, saying, "Please have a seat; you never know how long you might have to wait."

Liu Ying sniffed her own arm, her delicate little face breaking into a faint smile. She extended her finger and waved it in front of Hu Tu, saying: "Impressive... you can even smell that I have been drinking... could it be, could it be..." At this point, she surprisingly fell silent for a long time without continuing her thought.

The door remained closed, and an old, sharp, hoarse voice came from within, forcefully throwing out the words, "Don't knock anymore, there is no one here. Even if you break down the door, you won't hear a sound. Whoever is outside, just go wherever you came from."

Thank you for three years of hard work, for finding the heavenly seal for me

When the old man said this, Liu Ying did not think deeply at all

The purpose of the written sign is known to Liu Ying. Now, looking at this neatly bound stack of written signs, her eyes suddenly sparkled like fireworks, shining brightly. The corners of the sign are intricate, and at first glance, it gives a sense of dragons soaring and phoenixes dancing, extremely magnificent.

"The term 'broad' refers to the absence of boundaries, while 'wealthy' signifies the presence of myriad differences"

Nonsense

The old man was short and thin, with long white eyebrows and a face resembling the peel of an orange, displaying a look of difficulty. "How can I avoid it? I know what she is seeking advice on; it is none other than Xi Qiu Wen! If I get caught..."

This is not a scene from a historical novel. Emperor Liu invited the sleeping dragon three times but to no avail, and the reckless Zhang Fei set a fire, burning down the thatched cottage and forcing Zhuge Liang, the sleeping dragon, to emerge. Liu Ying did not say that the water had flowed away; she wanted to learn from Zhang Fei! The old man used opera to tell her that he not only did not believe in the fire, but even if such a fire truly existed, he knew where it originated from.

A series of three sentences.

Hutu, Hutu

Liu Ying did not resist Hu Tu's closeness; she merely pressed her lips together, smiled, and for the first time, affectionately buried her head in the broad chest of the young man. She did not want him to see the glimmer of tears in the corners of her eyes, and her voice, tinged with a faint hoarseness, gently emerged.

On this clear morning, it is stillーー

Outside the door stood a graceful young lady with a bright smile, who, with her sleeves gathered, performed a deep bow, saying, "The student has met the esteemed teacher and pays my respects to you." This bow, a full prostration to the ground, honored the elderly scholar and fulfilled the student's duty.

Thank you

She submerged her head in the water, only to feel the overwhelming rush of water surging up, drowning her nose and ears. The strong smell of the water was so intense that it nearly choked her, when suddenly a pair of long, powerful hands lifted her entire body out of the water

Liu Ying chewed on a sweet date, and with a sudden shift in thought, he was struck by a playful impulse

A tremendous joy piled up layer upon layer in her heart, expanding her soul to the point of utmost satisfaction; yet, what flooded her heart was an indescribable sense of melancholy and pain

He has never engaged with the world, yet he possesses an intimate knowledge of the current royal family and even the previous dynasties

Inviting the wind and visiting the hidden, the time at the cold gate is three.

The wooden tub, in a natural wood color, was filled with warm water, and the steam rose, enveloping the entire room in a milky white mist. Liu Ying comfortably immersed in the water felt the fatigue of the day gradually dissipate without her even realizing it

Emperor Liu, how could he fear the cold winds that sweep through the remnants of winter

Mother, can you see from above? Your daughter has found it, she has finally found it

"Second Young Master, please take me back to the room"

She was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, unable to help but murmur softly, "Didn’t you just say there was no one? Even if I break down the door, there should be no response. I haven’t even knocked yet..." As soon as her words fell, the cottage was suddenly silent as a grave

The old man of Caotang grinned, laughing lightly as if the wind and clouds were gentle. "Little girl, I have already explained to you beforehand that this spirit means just that. In a moment of misunderstanding, not a single one of these written characters will remain. You must be well-read and have a good memory, remembering not only the pronunciations but also clearly recalling the correct forms of writing."

Yu Wei did not understand why the young master suddenly asked such a question. Hesitant, he stammered a couple of times, "Uh, I don't really know... However, young master, it is like this... That, have you noticed that the young lady seems a bit... a bit strange today..."

Even if it means sacrificing everything, at least it is clear and unequivocal

Liu Ying has finally fulfilled his wish

From "Three Hundred Poems" to "The Four Books and Five Classics", the old man of the thatched cottage taught everything verbatim, without omitting a single word

Liu Ying possesses her own arrogance. She once said to Hu Tu, "I am not very smart, nor do I like intelligent students. I especially dislike students who are smarter than I am." The words convey an unspoken pride.

The little lion frowned, clearly pricked by the term "mother." He said, "Master, it is I." His voice was somewhat heavy, forcefully thrown out.

These four time periods are equivalent to ten years of hard study for a student in the Western Hills

His evaluation of Princess Shuning is remarkably precise - greatly favored, yet without power

How can one let go without having invited the gentleman out

The young man, he spoke with reluctance, as our master sought the Buddha's Zen in the snow... This is sung in the piece "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage to Invite the Sleeping Dragon." Although the singer's voice was hoarse, the performance conveyed a unique charm.

The doubts that lingered in his heart suddenly surfaced in his mind. What if tigers and lions were to sprout wings? Would they leave him?

Do you remember the time of the Hibiscus Banquet

She hiccupped several times and suddenly uttered three words, "... ... dog nose"

She said she is not smart, can this be believed

The old man clapped his hands, his eyes sparkling brightly, "This is what I just mentioned about the spirit. Young lady, regardless of whether the fire is in the brazier or not, first take a good look at this, the Hundred Family Surnames of Xiqiu is written like this ... ... "

Liu Ying found it amusing, as she naturally detected the underlying meaning. She thought that according to the old man's temperament, after finishing this line, he would surely fall silent again. To her surprise, he actually sang a whole section and then began to hum another part.

Liu Ying was still pondering the pronunciation of those characters when he suddenly witnessed such a scene, and his mind went blank. He immediately became anxious: "Sir! How could you have thrown the character sign into the fire..."

The old man of the thatched cottage never expected such a turn of events outside the door, and was momentarily taken aback. Despite his immense dissatisfaction, having received such a grand gift, he had no choice but to compose himself and act appropriately. Well! He had to admit defeat.

She has never taken the initiative to get close to herself

The sound disperses in the air, fleeting in an instant

He truly wanted to knock on her head to see what was really inside it

She cradled Hutu's face with one hand, her sharp, intense gaze suddenly suffused with a faint haze, and the words that escaped her lips were unexpectedly "Mother".

Hu Tu ... ... Liu Ying opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something more, but ultimately did not utter another word

Therefore, nowadays, the old man of Caotang says "clever," but Liu Ying does not take it seriously

Breaking free from the cocoon to become a butterfly is but a fleeting moment, yet she has waited far too long for this day

The tune of Kunqu opera is played, with a few variations in pitch, completely disregarding Liu Ying's words

The little lion suddenly stiffened all over, hearing his own voice slightly disordered. Straining his voice, he asked: "What do you thank me for?"

The neighbor lady just now warmly invited me

The voice was so soft, yet it still allowed Hu Tu to hear it clearly, causing the little lion's eyes to suddenly fill with a chilling glare

Master, as long as you are pleased, that is all that matters

This girl did not give Hu Tu the chance to lose his temper, she waved away the young man's hand, her voice sounding as if she had been crying, somewhat hoarse, yet more so displaying the delicate demeanor of a young girl, "Go away, can't you see I am cleansing myself? Leave."

Until she was led into the thatched cottage, upon seeing the thick smoke rising from the firewood in the fire pit, which was missing edges and corners, a sudden sense of foreboding swept through her mind

Why should one take a brazier? This is a good question!

In Liu Ying's memory, he cannot forget a gentle and kind face

Indeed, he is a very difficult character

When Liu Ying returned from the thatched cottage, he was in a state of utter disarray

Hu Tu waited for her for half a day, and finally could not help but ask: "How is it?"