Chapter 11: Emotions Mirror the Weather—A Moment of Tranquility for the Little Immortal

Chapter 11: Emotions and the Moment—A Little Immortal in Idleness

Three days later.

At the Prince Fu’s residence.

In the courtyard of the second building marked “Heaven,” the osmanthus trees were in bloom, their pale yellow petals drifting gently down, filling the air with a subtle, fragrant scent.

The autumn breeze was brisk and refreshing. With nothing pressing to do, Yu Xian, inspired by the literati of old, added a splash of color to the quiet afternoon—red sleeves brushed against ink as he practiced calligraphy at a stone table beneath the tree.

When he finally set down the brush, the attendant Yulan carefully read aloud, hesitating slightly over the characters.

“Emotions match the moment, idleness turns one into a little immortal.”

“How does this verse sound?” Yu Xian asked confidently.

This phrase was something he had pondered over for a long time before borrowing it—it was just a single line, but it perfectly captured his current state of mind.

Nothing to do, nothing to worry about—like a carefree immortal.

Especially after receiving a remittance of ten thousand taels from the Sun family’s pharmacy, on top of the earlier gifts, his funds could comfortably last him a year or two at this rate.

Zhou Bai truly was a man of honor; after Yu Xian’s intercession and the inability to find any evidence against the Sun family’s pharmacy, the authorities quickly let their massive ship sail on.

Though the favor was turned into cash, the family made it clear that no future pleas would be entertained.

Yu Xian was a sensible man—having taken the money, he consciously severed ties with Chief Constable Zhou.

He soon pushed the matter from his mind, instead looking forward with some anticipation to the invitation extended by Miss Caidie of the Lixiu Pavilion before her departure.

After all, he was someone who most enjoyed things for free.

Recalling that night’s charm of Miss Caidie, along with the exquisite skills honed under a renowned master’s guidance, Yu Xian felt somewhat unsatisfied, admitting that her expertise was truly professional and that he had learned much.

Yulan, overhearing her master’s question, lowered her head in thought before shyly responding:

“Master, it is indeed a fine phrase, but as for this handwriting, I am but ignorant and unlearned. I do not know which calligraphy master’s style you are imitating. It looks like dragons flying and phoenixes dancing, unique and distinctive.”

Yu Xian’s smile suddenly stiffened—this struck a nerve.

In his previous life, he couldn’t even write well with a pen; teachers often criticized his handwriting as chaotic scribbles resembling claws.

In this life, he owed his literacy and education to the memories he inherited through transmigration; otherwise, he would be nearly illiterate.

As for brush calligraphy...

Being barely legible was already an achievement of his utmost effort.

But who was Yu Xian? A man who proudly did his business with his face turned outward.

He stood calmly, hands behind his back, maintaining an air of casual pride.

“This script was created by my late master, the Master Confusion,” he said. “It emphasizes the spirit over form. Few have seen it, and many cannot even recognize the characters. That you can identify it at a glance shows you have a sharp mind.”

“Really?” Yulan giggled, pleased by the compliment, though soon her expression turned rueful.

“Master must be flattering me. Otherwise, how come after practicing Changchun Gong for so long, I still feel nothing of that so-called spiritual energy? My legs go numb every day.”

Yulan pouted in a coquettish tone.

Yu Xian replied unhurriedly, “This is a slow art. First, you must learn to meditate and not be disturbed by external things. Then, within three to five years, you may begin to sense it if your aptitude is good.”

In the mortal realm, spiritual energy was sparse, making Qi cultivation extremely difficult. Yulan was no genius, so it was almost impossible for her to break through on her own.

He planned to have her temper her mind for two months, mastering the methods and insights of the practice.

By the time he reached the late Qi cultivation stage, aided by spiritual stones and guided by his spiritual awareness, he could help Yulan sense the spiritual energy.

After a few more years of cultivation, she should be able to break through to the first layer of Qi.

His main interest was to observe whether her cultivation would enhance the effects of dual cultivation.

“How come Sister Yi already feels the spiritual energy?” Yulan, emboldened, no longer blindly obeyed and voiced her own thoughts.

Chen Yi, her contemporary and newcomer to the household, was instead regarded as an elder sister.

Yulan felt Chen Yi was of noble descent, despite her family’s demise, whereas she came from a lowly background, sold to a tooth trade shop, and only entered the Prince’s residence by a stroke of luck.

A deep-rooted sense of inferiority gnawed at her.

“She…” Yu Xian pondered, “is different from us.”

There were those called geniuses.

Born with abilities far beyond ordinary people, the limits others spent a lifetime reaching were as trivial to them as eating and drinking.

Chen Yi was close to such a genius.

This girl, whose fate was beyond her control, had sensed spiritual energy after less than a month of practicing Changchun Gong.

If he were willing to give her the two spiritual stones in his possession, she might break through to the Qi cultivation realm within two months.

But he wouldn’t.

Chen Yi was indeed gifted, but to him, her talent held no immediate value.

Did he expect to send her into the immortal cultivation world, hoping she would prosper and later support him?

That was less practical than spending more nights with her now.

Not to mention the risk she might perish midway, wasting his investment. Even if she truly became a lofty immortal, she might see him not as a benefactor but as a past shame, an insult to her pure and lofty reputation.

Of course, she might also remember his kindness and repay him a thousandfold.

But he wouldn’t gamble on human nature.

Still, he would not suppress Chen Yi intentionally.

If she could break through on her own in the mortal realm, he would aid her, revealing the truth of the immortal world and guiding her toward her future.

After all, they had already shared intimate moments.

“Oh.”

Yulan nodded, half understanding, admiring but not probing further. She was no fool and clearly sensed her master’s mood darkening.

“Sigh, suddenly, I have no more desire to write.”

Yu Xian sighed, stroking the paper, and a clear flame flickered to life, consuming the rice paper instantly into a swirl of flying ashes, which the wind scattered and buried in the soil.

“Master, did I say something wrong?” Yulan’s voice trembled as she addressed him more humbly, calling herself a servant again.

For her, Yu Xian’s mood was paramount.

He had given her so many beautiful dreams; she was already utterly enamored with this man.

“I told you, you are mine now—not anyone’s slave or servant. Even to me, you must not call yourself servant anymore. If you do again, I will…” Yu Xian pinched her chin gently, lifting it with a teasing smile.

“Administer family discipline.”

“You will always be my master,” Yulan boldly retorted, cheeks flushed, eyes soft as water, nervously twisting the edge of her garment, clearly understanding what family discipline implied.

“You little thing, looks like I really have to punish you today.”

Hearing her dare talk back, Yu Xian’s hand slid down her smooth neck, growing more rough in gesture.

Just as the air grew tense, barely a spark away from igniting a blazing fire,

A clear voice suddenly called from outside the courtyard.

“Is Yu Gongfeng home? I am Ding Le of the Chang Le Sword Sect, uninvited but hoping to see Yu Gongfeng.”

Yu Xian stopped, annoyed.

“Damn, he really knows how to pick a time. Ding Le, what a ridiculous name—sounds like some petty nobody.”

“Don’t mind him, let’s continue,” Yulan urged, though she dared not proceed, her gaze flickering toward the door.

Though they had done many scandalous things, it was always behind closed doors, never under others’ eyes.

She adjusted her breathing and offered, “Master, shall I go greet him?”

“No need.”

Yu Xian withdrew his hand disinterestedly and called out:

“Whoever it is, come in.”

(End of chapter)