Chapter 8: Means

There is always a glimmer of hope

She made a small mark on this pot of flowers, which others would not be able to notice

Sigh... Li Yue lazily squatted down, drawing on the ground with a stick of grass: "Sometimes I feel quite unwilling, wishing I could become a guard!"

Hmph, it's about the same." Li Yue said with a pout.

Chu Li shook his head and smiled, these are merely trivial matters, as long as he holds onto the thick leg of the Third Miss, his future will surely be bright

Even if one were to master unparalleled martial arts, it would still be impossible to obtain a beauty like Chief Steward Su

Chu Li sat in the moonlight orchid garden, beside him a green sprout emerged from the soil, and the Epiphyllum flower had already bloomed

Su Ru took out a silk handkerchief from Luo Xiu, inside which was wrapped a seed, and handed it to Chu Li, saying: "This is the seed that the young lady sent you; do your best to make it grow."

Chu Li smiled and said, "This meal won't cost less than ten taels of silver, will it?"

Chu Li looked up at him

His narrow, bright eyes seemed to penetrate through Chu Li.

"Six taels is enough!" Li Yue said with a smile, "Food and dishes are not expensive, but wine is costly, one tael per jar!"

The moonlight orchid was cultivated by Brother Gu!" Zhou Yuting exclaimed as he slammed his wine cup down.

On the morning of the second day, Su Ru appeared in a flowing apricot-yellow silk robe, accompanied by a faint and delicate fragrance

Gu Litong sat down without any hesitation and stretched out his hand: "Waiter, bring two more sets of chopsticks and bowls!"

Zhou Yuting picked up the wine jar, filled glasses for herself and Gu Litong, and set it down heavily. The two clinked their glasses, clearly considering themselves the hosts

Meng Qinglin waved his hand and said, "Xiao Chu, I feel ashamed. You need to wait a moment before entering the medicine garden."

Chu Li smiled and said, "What does Brother Zhou mean?"

After a brief contemplation, Chu Li's thoughts raced through his memory palace: "The ageless dream flower?"

If it cannot grow, then it is better to honestly serve the flowers

Chu Li also sighed inwardly, realizing that Su Ru, at such a young age, possessed such intricate thoughts, which should not be underestimated. One must not be arrogant, thinking that having great wisdom and insight allows one to act without restraint.

Chu Li smiled

Chu Li shook his head

If one's skills are inferior to others, then just accept it. Why put on a long face? It's not like we're asking him for moonlight orchids! Li Yueyue said, growing more and more indignant, her voice rising.

In this way...楚离 nodded slightly

Zhou Yuting, what nonsense are you talking about!" Li Yueteng stood up, his eyes wide with anger: "Yueguanglan was cultivated by Gu Litong?"

Zhou Yuting! The chubby youth declared proudly

Haha, Xiao Chu, I am here to share some good news!" He patted Chu Li's shoulder and laughed, saying, "This time it is truly a moment of pride; you should have seen Gu Li Tong's face!

One must remain vigilant

"Who saw it?" Zhou Yuting waved her hand dismissively and said, "Lying on your behalf, they have such audacity!"

Chu Li looked at him and said, "Is this brother ... ... ?"

Su Ru waved her hand, signaling Chu Li not to be overly polite. She stared at the cold star grass for a long time, then looked up and asked Chu Li: "Chu Li, is this really that pot?"

"... ... It's nothing." Li Yue snorted

Chu Li was taken aback: "So it is Brother Zhou."

... ...

Chu Li smiled and said, "Brother Li, have you lost your soul?"

He naturally would not disclose Xiao Qi's decision, as it brings nothing but harm and no benefit.

Oh, isn't this the renowned Young Master Chu! Suddenly, a voice shouted, as two individuals stood before their table

Chu Li smiled and said, "In fact, there is nothing wrong with comparing; it is through mutual learning that we can gain benefits."

Chu Li filled his wine cup to the brim and raised it, saying: "Come, having heard such an interesting joke, it is time to have a drink!"

The new moonlight orchid has adapted to the soil here. Gu Litong cultivated a few plants using it, insisting that it is his own research, which is indeed quite troublesome

Even Zhuo Feiyang is not regarded by Chief Steward Su, are you more handsome than him and stronger in martial arts

We receive fifty taels a month, and there are also rewards to consider

Two individuals are seated by the window on the second floor, gazing down at the bustling street below, filled with a constant flow of vehicles and lively noise, giving rise to a sense of serene contentment as if they alone are awake amidst the intoxication of the crowd

I am afraid you might do something foolish; once emotions cloud your judgment, you could do anything!

Su Ru scrutinized Chu Li and suddenly chuckled: "Chu Li, it seems you truly possess some skills"

He understands that Meng Qinglin's incitement is aimed at winning over Gu Litong once again, thereby eliminating the obstacles to entering the medicinal garden

The quality of the Cold Star Grass is average, not classified as a spiritual herb, and its purity of spiritual energy is comparable to that of a willow tree. He is multitasking, with one hand touching the Moonlight Orchid and the other gently caressing the Cold Star Grass

Li Yue shook his head and said, "This Gu Litong is truly excessive"

It can be understood. Meng Qinglin chuckled and said, "Xiao Chu, you have been promoted again, to the eighth rank!"

Li Yueyi, filled with exuberance, chuckled and said: "Brother, this is how it should be. Life ought to be like this. We earn such high wages, so why not come out and enjoy it?"

Chu Li is indeed not clear about the price

Meng Qinglin was overjoyed: "Xiao Li arrived at just the right moment, and Gu Litong, covered in dust and dirt, was returning from Baicao Courtyard, and they bumped into each other!"

Chu Li is also someone who enjoys life, indulging in fine wine, exquisite food, and beautiful women. He drinks the best wine and seeks the most beautiful women. His standards are high; to enjoy life, one must have the best. One must first possess status, power, and martial skills before one can truly talk about enjoyment

Chu Li said: "Jealousy is inevitable; you must have been seen giving flowers to someone else, right?"

The young lady may reuse this Chu Li, and she will return to conduct a thorough investigation, having a clear understanding of the circumstances following Chu Li's entry into the residence

Chu Li nodded slightly

Chu Li looked at him

I just admire your boldness!" Meng Qinglin laughed heartily as he patted him on the shoulder, saying: "If you are unconvinced, come and prove it until you are convinced both in heart and mind!

Meng Qinglin said: "You need to be careful, Gu Litong, he is determined to find fault with you, and he will definitely be dissatisfied!"

Sigh... I really don't know which man is worthy of Chief Steward Su

Chu Li was taken aback, glancing at Zhou Yuting and then at Gu Litong, before breaking into a smile

The tall, thin man said coldly: "Li Yue!"

Yingxian Tower is located in the southern part of Chongming City, not far from the South Gate. The tall building reaches the sky, and its sign flutters in the wind, visible from the entire Chongming City

Meng Qinglin sighed, "The folks in the West Garden are blocking us as if they have gone mad; it will take some time before we see results, so do not be anxious."

In the following month, Chu Li did not step out of the East Garden.

I am Chu Li, Brother Gu, it is a pleasure to meet you!" Chu Li assessed Gu Litong; this was their first meeting. Gu Litong's martial arts skills were impressive, qualifying him as a Ninth-Rank Guardian.

Thank you, Elder Meng!" Chu Li clasped his fists.

Zhou Yuting put down her wine glass and looked at him with a playful expression: "Chu Li, tell the truth, did you really grow the Moonlight Orchid yourself?"

"Yes," Chu Li said in a deep voice

"Nonsense!" Li Yue's face flushed with anger: "Zhou Yuting, how shameless can you be? The Moonlight Orchid was sent by me, and many people witnessed it. Don't even think about denying it!"

Chu Li smiled and said, "Is it not enough to say that I am lucky?"

However, Miss San did not greet them again, and at noon she floated away, leaving only a lingering fragrance, which left Chu Li feeling inexplicably lost.

He warmly approached, and the two came before Chu Li

Chu Li cast a glance at the two young men. One was tall and slender, with narrow eyes that glared arrogantly at the two, while beside him stood a chubby young man, his round face taut.

"Only by winning can one truly showcase their abilities!" Meng Qinglin remarked with a smile, "If the opponent is too weak, winning loses its appeal!"

I am going to find Elder Meng Li Yue could no longer sit still, and he stood up abruptly, striding away with large steps

Li Yue looked at him

Here it comes

Indeed, well-versed! Su Ru nodded in appreciation: "That's the one!"

That is indeed the case

The cold star grass receives the moonlight and the spirit of the orchid, and in just one night, it becomes vibrant and lush, overflowing with greenery, reminiscent of the freshness and vitality after a light rain

"It's up to you." Su Ru smiled brightly as she pointed at the seed, "If you can really make it sprout and grow, then you truly have the ability!"

Meng Qinglin quickly came over with Li Yue, his face glowing with joy, and Chu Li rose to greet him

Li Yuehong exclaimed loudly with a flushed face: "Don't talk nonsense!"

Have you heard of Tanmenghua?

Yet in their hearts, it was entirely different; ambition burned fiercely, growing ever more intense. Xiao Qi, Su Ru, Zhao Ying, each desired to attain their own goals, so as not to have lived in this world in vain

Fang Han smiled silently

What kind of seed?

Four jars of green leaves are opened, the aroma of wine wafts through the air, and ten dishes, each exquisite in color, fragrance, and taste, are laid out on the table, as the two individuals drink and chat.

Li Yue wore an expression of anger, yet was restrained from erupting by Chu Li's glance

What else did he say

He knows that this is a critical moment; if the dream flower truly grows, Chu Li will be able to gain the young lady's favor and there is no need to entangle himself with Gu Li Tong

Chu Li was sitting in the moonlight orchid garden practicing his skills, while Li Yue had been waiting by the lakeside under the willow tree, eagerly anticipating, and finally, he waited for Su Ru.

Li Yue sat down on the ground with a thud, cursing resentfully, "This Gu Litong is truly a petty person!"

... ...

Chu Li frowned slightly, his demeanor indicating that he did not regard himself highly, and the visitor was not here with good intentions

Chu Li frowned and said: "The Dream Flower is said to grow at the peak of the clouds, the environment is likely..."

Gu Litong, are you following me?!

Laugh! Gu Litong sneered, "You're not a beautiful woman, why would I follow you! ... ... Is it Chu Li?"

"That is not something we should be concerned about, let's get to work!" Chu Li sighed

Gu Litong!" Li Yue shouted.

As Fang was about to speak the name, Chu Li interrupted him, saying, "Brother Li, forget it!"

Okay, I will give it a try

"Your mouth!" Li Yue pointed at him and said irritably, "I can't even have a pleasant dream without you pouring cold water on me!"

Li Yue shook his head: "Gu Litong is still very powerful."

"Not bad, it was grown by Brother Gu!" Zhou Yuting took a sip of wine and nodded with great composure: "Chu Li stole Brother Gu's technique; such a person is utterly unworthy to stay in the Duke's residence"

Everyone in the West Garden is present, and we encountered two more on the way. Are you afraid they won't acknowledge it?" Li Yue's expression turned serious: "Greed for oneself?"

Li Yue was taken aback for a moment, but quickly reacted and chuckled, saying: "Yes, yes, but this joke is really not funny at all"

Li Yue said: "You haven't seen it, his nose is not a nose and his face is not a face, it looks as if he is owed ten thousand taels!"

Zhou Yuting, an eighth-rank guard, is the son of the Zhou family who serves in the Martial Arts Hall, possessing extensive and deep connections

The spiritual energy of the Moonlight Orchid is circulating through the Small Washing Meridian Technique, dispersing a trace of it into the Cold Star Grass.

As the lights began to glow, Chu Li was pulled by Li Yue out of the East Garden to welcome the Immortal Pavilion. With the promotion to the eighth rank, how could one not celebrate

"Unbelievable..." Su Ru could hardly believe it. She reached out to touch the cold star grass, and only then did she believe: "It really is!"

Wake up!" Chu Li shook his head: "That is not the kind of woman we can imagine!"

Fond of reading and possessing extensive knowledge, Chu Li stands out in the Duke's Guard, where nearly everyone is focused on cultivating martial arts, believing that having more knowledge is inferior to having stronger skills. Chu Li's thoughts are markedly different from those of others

Li Yue also felt listless and lacked energy

Chu Li smiled and said, "Brother Li has just sent a moonlight orchid, but Gu Litong did not look pleased."

"Are you Chu Li?" The chubby young man looked Chu Li up and down and said, "You've made quite a name for yourself!"

Chu Li smiled quietly without saying a word

On that evening, as the setting sun cast its slanting rays, the eastern garden was rendered increasingly resplendent. Li Yue returned from the western garden after delivering a pot of moonlight orchids, his face filled with indignation.

Li Yue was being attentive, offering to help return the Cold Star Grass, but Su Ru decisively declined and gracefully departed. Li Yue stood under the willow tree, gazing for a long time; even after the small boat had disappeared from sight, he was still reluctant to withdraw his gaze.