Chapter One, The Woman Pursues the Man, Iron Cloth Shirt

After studying for half an hour, I found no mechanisms; the only notable feature was the character "相" engraved on it. I pondered for a long time but could not help but personally ask him why he chose to give me the dagger

He sat up, quickly regaining the dignified and graceful appearance of a master, looked at me with affection, and asked with concern: "Xiao Mo, were you bitten by a dog?"

Little Bag's expression was one of pain: "Miss, actually, that..."

To speak frankly, at this moment I have forgotten my purpose, and before me lies only a painting: a mass of deep green, a white long robe, a dark wine pot, and a red cherry

On a spring night, with a gentle breeze and a bright moon, it is indeed a perfect time for enjoying flowers under the moonlight. I walked alone to the door of Yunzhou, and I could indeed smell the aroma of wine, the West Wind Strong, which was my master's favorite. This wine was purchased by me for my master; true to its name, it is strong and spicy, and just the scent makes me feel dizzy. It seems he is deeply hurt, which is why he would indulge in such self-destructive behavior, and I was suddenly filled with a sense of guilt.

I am wielding a sword, sweating profusely, and casually asking: "How has the tone changed?"

His troubled and pained expression immediately came to my mind, sigh! It seems that he is drowning his sorrows in alcohol

Last night, I was so moved that I ran to my master's room and chatted with him until he yawned and tears streamed down his face. When I saw that my master was tired, I intended to warm his feet, but instead, I frightened him so much that his face turned pale and he lost all drowsiness. Compared to my master, Jiang Chen is truly heartless; on such an important day, he didn't show me any sign of acknowledgment.

This painting, vibrant in color and balanced in tone, conveys a sense of movement within stillness. The figure depicted has slightly squinted starry eyes, exuding a leisurely and comfortable demeanor, embodying an indescribable charm and elegance that captivates the viewer's attention.

Thus, after I changed my name to Yunmo, I began to follow Senior Brother Yunzhou and started calling him "brother." At first, he twitched his lips and turned to leave. Later, after I called him dozens of times in a day, he became numb to it and accepted it as a matter of course. This truly exemplifies the saying that where there is a will, there is a way

I nodded quickly: "Yes. Brother, please do not take it to heart, just consider it my nonsense."

I sighed as I looked at the sharp dagger in my hand, glinting in the sunlight, truly a chilling sight, capable of cutting through the air, clearly a fine object. However, giving such an item to a girl, to borrow a phrase from Brother Jiang, is indeed lacking in sentiment. Although I am pleased that he gave me a gift, I am somewhat disappointed that it is this kind of object. After all, I am a girl; even though I spend my days mingling with a group of senior brothers and my temperament is somewhat bold, I cannot be completely regarded as a man. Receiving such a fierce item is quite disheartening; how wonderful it would be if it were rouge or hairpins instead. After all, I am a girl; even though I spend my days mingling with a group of senior brothers and my temperament is somewhat bold, I cannot be completely regarded as a man. Receiving such a fierce item is quite disheartening; how wonderful it would be if it were rouge or hairpins instead.

I pushed the door open, and Yun Zhou was sitting at the table

Upon taking office, the master immediately demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities and a determination to select talent without constraints. He disregarded the length of time individuals had been in the door and their qualifications, opting instead for a grand competition where the winner would be appointed as the chief disciple. Regardless of age, everyone was required to respect him as the second-in-command of the Xiaoyao Sect, with the first being the master himself.

The master is lying on a wicker chair by the stream, dozing off. However, he never admits that he is dozing; he always emphasizes that he is practicing his skills and cultivating his energy

It was only then that I realized how close I was to his face, close enough to see myself in his eyes. His pupils were particularly dark, so deep that one could not see the bottom, and of course, it was even more impossible to discern his thoughts

I rolled my eyes at him: "But you are not Wang Wei."

I can't help but feel that his complexion seems to be coated with an invisible layer of powder, as if his eyelashes fluttered a couple of times. Perhaps I am too excited, and my vision is blurred

"Iron Rooster." I have been bantering back and forth with Jiang Chen for a few years, and I have also learned some of his skills.

This birthday was particularly lively, as Master had Chef Zhang from the kitchen prepare many delicious dishes for me. All the senior brothers gave me gifts, but what I looked forward to the most was Yunzhou's gift, because he has never given me anything before. I wonder what it could be

He said lightly: "This is a dagger, but it is the masterpiece of the renowned master of the Jingcheng Jingwu Association. I give it to you for self-defense"

I did not want to go against my master's wishes, so I decided to secretly dispose of it behind my master's back. Thus, I casually placed the bundle on the table, not even wanting to glance at it.

I mustered my courage and said: "Well, I was just casually mentioning it to Master, and I didn't mean to force you into agreeing, so please don't be upset, brother. As for that matter, just consider that I never brought it up."

I nodded awkwardly. In fact, I felt quite anxious, unsure whether Yunzhou would agree. However, he has always shown great respect for his master, so he should not refuse his master's matchmaking.

I can only ask Xiao Hebao: "Am I more attractive than Senior Brother Yunzhao?"

Little pouch mysteriously said: "I always feel that when he calls you, he is not calling Mo Mo, but Mo Mo!"

Are you pretending to be confused? Yesterday, the master specifically informed everyone that today is my coming-of-age ceremony, and everyone is expected to give me gifts

As soon as I returned to the room, I saw my master walking in with a bundle in hand. A sense of unease washed over me, and I furrowed my brow.

The master saw that I remained silent, and thus rubbed his forehead helplessly and said: "Then you choose for yourself, after all, you have no father or mother, and I do not know what your surname is"

I was truly moved, and thus I couldn't help but add, "You are just like my mother." This is merely a metaphor, as it is said that mothers are the ones who think the most carefully for their children.

Master, this name is quite difficult to pronounce, it has a homophonic quality! Just thinking about how Jiang Chen has been "touching" me for a long time makes the little spark in my heart jump around wildly.

I arrived at the door of Yunzhou and knocked on the door

The master leaned back, exerting effort to pull out his arm, and coughed twice, saying: "Xiao Mo, the meaning of 'ji ji' is that one is of marriageable age."

Yun Zhou has never given me a gift. However, not giving one is better than being perfunctory

You say he speaks unclearly, but when he argues with others, his words flow like a continuous river, each phrase is exquisite and unique, full of charm and leaving a lasting impression. After a long while, you finally realize that he was actually scolding you

I am deeply moved, such a great master is rare in this world

You speak

I feel a bit unwilling to accept this, carefully studying and pondering under the light, wondering if this dagger holds any secrets within it, such as a treasure map, martial arts manual, or a small note

The small pouch swayed in front of me seven times. At first, I did not pay attention, but later I noticed that her expression was somewhat strange, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, her eyes brimming with tears.

He was indeed dozing off, and when I shouted at him, he was startled and almost rolled off the old rocking chair

I have sixteen senior brothers, ten senior uncles, and one master, along with the miscellaneous servants, making a total of seventy-two male members in the Xiaoyao Sect. Xiaoheshou and I are the only two females. Xiaoheshou is my maid, two years younger than I am. I have no female elders above me and no close friends below me, so I have to explore many things on my own, which inevitably leads to some dullness.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, as if he had been choked by the herbal tea, and after coughing twice, he said: "I cannot afford it"

He slightly furrowed his brows and said, "Are you just speaking casually?"

Jiang Chen put a cherry in his mouth, sat up straight, and smiled at me: "Touch, what are you daydreaming about? Could it be that you are so captivated by my gaze?"

I have decided to attend a trial session.

The master immediately brightened his eyes and said, "Then you shall take my surname."

In the evening, I lay in bed flipping through an old storybook, but in reality, I absorbed nothing at all.

He stared and said, "What is it?"

Three years ago, my senior brothers went down the mountain to celebrate the birthday of the Wudang sect leader, and I accompanied them. At the foot of the mountain, I encountered a young girl being pursued by a villain. I intervened to save her; that was my first act of chivalry. In truth, I relied on my senior brothers. The moment that villain saw the imposing figures of my senior brothers behind me, he fled before I even drew my sword.

I turned back to look at him, and his gaze had returned to its usual coldness, his expression seemed quite serious as well. I felt that he did not appear to be drunk at this moment

I approached mysteriously and asked, "Brother, is there a treasure map or martial arts manual inside?" I no longer have any hope for the little note.

The green shade concealed, the light and shadow intermingled, Jiang Chen lay half-reclined on the tree fork, dozens of red cherries spread across the collar of his white shirt. ... In one hand, he held a small wine flask, and in the other, a cherry, as he tilted the flask slightly, a fine stream of liquid flowed gently over the red cherry ...

Yunzhou is so beautiful, yet it is actually referred to as cow dung? I threw off the quilt and jumped out of bed, rushing to the dressing table to look in the mirror. It was dark, and the candlelight was dim, making it truly difficult to see clearly

The master grasped my arm and sighed, saying: "Xiao Mo, perhaps your family has their unavoidable reasons. Forget it, don't throw a tantrum, just keep it."

I exclaimed through gritted teeth, "I was bitten by Jiang Chen!"

The little pouch lowered its head and after a while murmured: "Miss, you are indeed beautiful, but Young Master Yun is even more handsome"

Yun Zhou raised his head to look at me, then lowered his eyelids to gaze at the book in his hands, his brows slightly furrowing before relaxing again

I looked up and searched around in the orchard

I happily stepped out of the room in Yunzhou, feeling that the experience of celebrating a birthday is truly delightful. Unfortunately, it only comes once a year

This is a strange gift that I receive every year. On my birthday, I always find this bundle outside the mountain gate, and the contents have remained unchanged for fifteen years. In fact, every time I see this, I feel quite unhappy; it serves as a reminder that I am a person who has been abandoned. Since I have been abandoned, why must there be this pretense of sending something every year?

She hesitantly said in a low voice: "Miss, may I also change my name?"

Yes

I received a cloth bag, and upon opening it, I found a small vest, in a light white color, with a pearlescent sheen. Holding it in my hand, it felt weightless, and a subtle coolness seeped into my palm.

His voice was as light as a feather, gently carried by the wind to my ear, and it took me a while to react, as if he was saying, "Am I good-looking?"

"Xiao Mo, you really lack romantic sensibility and charm," he said, curling his lips as he left in a carefree manner. After taking three steps, he turned back and cast a disdainful glance at me

Hmm? I have received the sword, and I furrowed my brows in thought. However, I have always been rather careless and truly did not pay much attention to it.

Master, with a radiant expression, said: "Mo Mo, what a wonderful name! It is both elegant and unique, far more pleasing than names like Cuihua or Taohong. What I take the most pride in is having given you this name. I have extensively studied Tang poetry and Song lyrics, and at last, I have found an opportunity to put my knowledge to use"

The master inhaled sharply, his lips curling: "Girl, do you know that this golden silkworm jade silk garment is made from a rare snow silkworm, and it takes seven years of silk accumulation to weave a vest like this? Yet you are asking for a whole piece!"

I cautiously asked, "Brother, why did you give me a dagger?"

I carefully stored the dagger, as it is a work of the Master Engraver, and is of considerable value

I was choked to the point of being speechless. Although he has a cool demeanor, he is generally a peaceful person who never speaks harshly or utters a hurtful word. Today, however, he has reproached me so severely, which shows how deeply he has been hurt. I truly feel a heavy sense of guilt. In the face of his handsome and refined countenance, I am filled with shame. In a moment of confusion, I actually thought of reaching out to someone as celestial as him. I immediately decided that in the future, when the opportunity arises, I will act as a matchmaker for Yunzhou and find a girl as ethereal as a fairy to match him.

The master, seeing that I did not take the burden, had no choice but to place it on my desk

I have heard that I changed my name, and the little pouch is also eager to come find me

I took two steps forward, lifted the bundle, and walked straight out the door

My master often says that I am naive and dull, that there is a string missing in my mind. In fact, this cannot be blamed on me

Well, since you have no father or mother, I, your master, can only take care of you. As the saying goes, "The fertile water does not flow to the fields of outsiders." In our Xiaoyao Sect, we may not have much, but we have plenty of male disciples. With sixteen senior brothers, you can choose whichever one you like, and I will support your decision.

I put down the book and asked her, "Is there something wrong?"

Together with my senior brothers and uncles, I developed a rather carefree disposition. Therefore, at first, I did not notice the sinister intentions of that fellow Jiang Chen, until one day, Xiao Hepao reminded me: "Miss, why do I feel that every time I hear Young Master Jiang call your name, there seems to be a slight change in tone? He is from the capital, and one would expect him not to have any regional accent or the like."

"Come in." Yun Zhou's voice was particularly melodious, resembling the stream at night and the morning breeze in the mountains

Your origins are quite mysterious! I went out for a walk early in the morning and suddenly found a bundle on the grass. I thought I had stumbled upon a windfall, and with great delight, I opened it. You let out a cry, and I nearly fainted from the shock.

There is something to see; inside are one hundred taels of silver notes, four pieces of clothing for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and a safety gold lock, it cannot be wrong

What it is called does not matter; after all, I absolutely refuse to have the surname Mo

I tidied up my clothes and planned to visit Brother Yun to offer my condolences

I threw it

I asked softly: "How did Yunzhou respond to his master, do you know?"

Miss, I heard that today the master is arranging a marriage for you

I had a sudden inspiration and joyfully said, "I shall be called Yunmo from now on"

I blurted out: "Master, no need to choose, I think Brother Yunzhou is the best."

Master, why did you give me this name? I do not like it

I am so frustrated that I feel like vomiting blood

Because you are my last closed-door disciple

Yun Zhou glanced and said lightly: "It seems to have been used."

The master’s chief disciple is named Yun Zhou, and he is my idol. I have always thought that the surname Yun sounds pleasant and has a poetic quality. Brother Yun looks as if he were an immortal, and sharing the same surname means that I can call him brother from now on, which brings us closer together. I happily ran to inform every senior brother that I have changed my name, and from now on, if anyone calls me Mo Mo, I will be upset

I gritted my teeth and inhaled sharply, truly wanting to slap that infamous stinky shoe sole of Master Zhang from the kitchen onto his handsome face, leaving a long eggplant mark with a "smack" sound

What would you like to be called

I stuck out my tongue and chuckled, saying: "Master, I am just not well-informed."

I took a deep breath, pushed open the door, looked at Yunzhou, and softly called out, "Brother"

Master Shijing has a fair and elegant appearance. Due to his youth, he became the leader, and thus often wears dark-colored garments in an attempt to appear more mature. However, the more he wears black, the more his fair complexion stands out, making this elegant title even more fitting. Alas, every advantage comes with its disadvantages

It took me half a day to realize, and I hoarsely said: "Are you saying that they are calling me cow dung?"

That box of blush, I have kept it hidden away. Every time I think of Jiang Chen, one word comes to mind: stingy

What is wrong with my surname? Why should it be Mo? I do not have any aversion to the character 'Mo' itself, but when it is combined with 'Mo', I find it quite unpleasant

Therefore, he is definitely doing it on purpose; just look at how devilishly he smiles. I must go find my master to report this, and while I'm at it, I will strongly request a name change.

"Xiao Mo, you are the real stingy one! That year on my birthday, I didn't give you a gift, but you gave me one?" Ever since I changed my name to Yun Mo, he no longer calls me "Mo Mo," but he also refuses to call me "Yun Mo," instead just following Master and calling me "Xiao Mo."

The little pouch was happily persuaded by me. It seems that the name I chose is quite impressive, even better than my master's. My master, Shi Jing, is the ninth leader of the Xiaoyao Sect, and in his youth, he was known in the martial world as the Jade-faced Young Master. When I first heard about it, I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. Jiang Chen stood beside me, grinning slyly: "Touch, are you thinking of the Jade-faced Fox?"

I maintain a serious expression and firmly deny.

The master rubbed his brow and said helplessly, "Alright, I will go and talk to him."

I never dreamed that he would give me a dagger

Little Bag quickly raised her head and said: "Miss, you are indeed beautiful, and Young Master Yun is truly exceptional. It's not just his appearance, but also his background. That's why he is just a little bit better than you, just a little bit."

At this moment, I understand the feelings of my master, because the name "Little Pouch" was given to her by me

I happily watched my master depart into the distance, this birthday is truly wonderful

The master took out a small cloth pouch from his bosom and handed it to me

Do not say that, Jiang Chen is your senior brother

Yes

In fact, I later regretted it very much. I could have just been called Yunmo, so why did I have to call him Brother Yunzhou?

He cast a cold glance at me and said, "You are not a child anymore; at the age of fifteen, how can you treat such an important matter so frivolously? It is truly impressive."

Brother Yunzhou emerged in this manner. During that tumultuous grand competition among all the disciples, he triumphed over all the senior brothers, becoming the most valued chief disciple of the master. As for me, I am the master's closed-door disciple, and I believe this is fate

I never wear the clothes inside, I treat the gold lock as silver notes, buying wine for my master, purchasing the most expensive and finest wine, and when spending, I do not feel a bit of pain. This year, I have decided to throw it away

I swallowed, and suddenly heard a gentle sound of flowing water behind me

I also disdainfully glanced at him. Indeed, he sends gifts every year, such as leaves, wildflowers, and sparrows. The most expensive and grand occasion was a box of rouge. I joyfully flaunted my very first box of rouge everywhere. In the carefree realm, there are only men, and it was the first time I had seen such a thing, making me so happy that I was practically bubbling over.

I was quite disappointed, so I reminded him, "Well, didn't you hear what the master mentioned to everyone yesterday?"

Little Bag timidly said: "I heard that Young Master Yun neither spoke well nor poorly, and is alone in his room drinking wine."

I immediately felt dizzy, as if stars were dancing before my eyes, and smoke was billowing from my seven orifices. Upon closer inspection, his smile was neither a nose nor eyes; it was truly both ambiguous and flirtatious

The little pouch said she had nowhere to go, so the master decided to let me take her in as a maid, but in fact, it was to keep me company

The master paused for a moment and said: "He is indeed quite good, however, you must understand that a relationship should be based on mutual affection. While the master allows you to choose, you should also consider the feelings of the other party; compatibility in social status is also very important.

This is strange, so I continued to ask: "What do they mean by saying that fresh flowers are inserted into cow dung?"

The master handed me the bundle: "This is to be delivered outside the mountain gate, just like in previous years"

Brother Yunzhou is more handsome than our master, but he does not show his emotions, so I often do not know what he is thinking. On the other hand, Brother Jiang Chen's emotions are too apparent, which also often leaves me confused about his thoughts. Therefore, in all matters, moderation is key; too much or too little can be detrimental.

The master called out busily: "Xiao Mo, what are you doing?"

He let out a barely audible low hum, relaxed his hand, and said coldly: "It is better to be more serious in the future; these matters cannot be casually mentioned and then casually retracted."

The cherry trees in the garden are all over a hundred years old, with lush branches and leaves, standing tall and flourishing. In the beautiful month of April, the spring scenery is just right, and the sunlight shines down from above, casting its rays on the branches and leaves. On the same branch, three or four shades of green appear, ranging from deep to light, either rich emerald or pale jade, creating a stunning sight. The small, round cherries are as red as agate, delicately and charmingly hanging from the treetops.

I turned around and was stunned

I nodded anxiously: "Yes, yes."

His brows twitched slightly as he lifted his eyelids to look at me

I was taken aback: "Self-defense?"

Yunzhou is indeed generous; when he does not act, it is as if he is holding back, but when he does take action, it is astonishing

I was both happy and moved, half-squatting down, looking up and saying: "Brother, you are truly too good to me, thinking of everything so thoughtfully and meticulously"

Everyone is saying that you and Young Master Yun are like a fresh flower inserted into cow dung

I immediately broke into a smile: "Master, is this a gift for me?"

He is indeed called "Momo"

The master stared with wide eyes and said seriously: "Your name is Mo Mo!"

This garment can withstand the severe cold in winter and provides a refreshing coolness when worn in summer

Master, I am going to change my name anyway

"Little Bag, you might as well change your name to Little Stutterer." This girl used to speak very fluently, but what happened today? It seems as if she bit her tongue.

I expressed my dissatisfaction: "Brother Jiang, do tree leaves count as a gift?"

In the blink of an eye, I have reached my fifteenth birthday, a day I have been looking forward to for an entire year. Since there are sixteen senior brothers in the Xiaoyao Sect, if each of them were to give me a gift, heh heh, just thinking about it makes my eyes squint with joy

I looked at the bundle and dryly said: "It seems they still remember my birthday very well." As I spoke, my eyes and teeth inexplicably felt a wave of sourness simultaneously.

"Master, you are truly kind to me." I said joyfully as I hugged Master's arm and shook it vigorously a couple of times

I hurriedly finished speaking and quickly turned to leave

I ran forward in a huff and shouted, "Master!"

He stared with wide eyes: "Is that an ordinary leaf? It has a poem by Wang Wei written on it."

With a sound of "pa," the beautiful ambiance, picturesque scene, and pleasant mood were instantly shattered by his utterance of "momo," scattering them to the clouds beyond the ninth heaven, leaving nothing behind

I angrily reported: "He told me to touch!"

I looked at the little pouch and the raised pinky finger, nodding in understanding. Yunzhou's father is the Commander of Fujian, a high-ranking official of the second grade, a governor of the region. He is a pillar of the court, having defended the coastal areas for many years and rendered extraordinary service to the court. In the future, it is possible that the Emperor, on a whim, might arrange a marriage for Yunzhou, bestowing upon him a princess or a noble lady. As for me? My origins are unknown, I am penniless, and there is a nice saying about being as light as a swallow, but unfortunately, I am a bit plump, which renders it useless.

A pot of azaleas in full bloom stands before the window, vibrant and fiery, further accentuating his clean, elegant, and transcendent appearance in white attire

The master is named Shi Jing, and as I silently pondered, I immediately dismissed it. Stone mill? It is even worse than Mo Mo!

Aren't you going to take a look?

His gaze returned to the book, and after a while, he said: "Beautiful girls always need to be more cautious."

He raised his eyes to look at me, his expression slightly surprised; however, it seemed that he was not as pained as I had imagined. It appears that men are indeed different from women. When I am unhappy with Xiaohubao, my lips pucker as if I could hang a gourd from them. Yet his expression remained as usual, only that his face, tinged with the effects of alcohol, appeared even more handsome than usual, and his gaze was veiled in a layer of mist, concealing a captivating softness and depth.

I am utterly captivated and cannot help but exclaim: "Master, the fabric of this vest is truly exquisite. Why not gift me a whole outfit? I like it so much."

I looked at him seriously and said, "Brother Jiang, it would actually be more appropriate for you to have the surname Tie."

Xiao Mo, what are you so happy about? I can't even see your eyes.

I immediately opened my eyes wide and turned around to see Jiang Chen strolling over with his hands behind his back, looking relaxed and carefree. I thought he must be hiding a gift for me in his hands, but to my surprise, when I looked behind him, there was nothing at all.

I arrived at the cherry orchard with my sword in hand, and at this moment, Jiang Chen must be taking advantage of Master dozing by the creek to sneak some cherries.

It is often said that there is a thin veil between a woman pursuing a man, but it seems that in my case, it is more like an iron shirt.

I frowned, feeling quite dissatisfied. My master often appears to be wise yet foolish, choosing to feign ignorance rather than be clear-headed. As his close disciple, I know him too well; look, he is pretending to be confused again, intending to muddle through. Never mind, I will just state my purpose directly.

The little pouch's head drooped even lower, as it vigorously tugged at the corner of its garment

He slightly furrowed his brows again, picked up the teacup, and took a sip of the cool tea

I looked at the small pouch and sighed, saying: "What a wonderful name 'small pouch'! When hungry, there are eggs to eat; when out of money, there is silver to spend in the pouch. How meaningful it is! Why don't you like it?"

Suddenly, my wrist was tightened as he grabbed hold of it

The small pouch cast a resentful glance at me, then lowered its head to pick at the corner of its garment

I feel a strong connection with him

Why