Chapter 424: There Is No Return! (1/2)
Cui Mansion. Splas.h.i.+ng Ink pavilion.
The Grandfather of the Cui family, Cui Xichen, was teaching the smaller grandchildren of the family to write, practicing calligraphy Master Huang Tingjian's 'Flower adornment flow'. Master scholar Huang's writing style was strangely thin and stiff, and extremely straight, which was suitable for teaching the young.
“Kid, keep your shoulders straight. Even when tired one cannot lower your body, or else will lose your spirit. The same with writing, when you lower your body, the words will lose their spirit.”
“Nannan, this stroke should be a little longer, you're a girl, your strength is not enough and your imposing manner is lacking, so you will have to go down the graceful and beautiful style——”
“This word 'Buddha' is not written well, write another 100 today——”
“Master.”
A middle-aged housekeeper stood at the door of the Splas.h.i.+ng ink court, smiling respectfully.
“Come in and talk.” Cui Xichen knew that there must be a reason for him to come at this time.
“I have cold air on me, I don't want to bring it in, lest the little masters and Miss catch a cold——” The smile on the housekeeper's face widened, watching the little children sitting at the desk writing with the same doting expression as looking at his sons. Every one of them smiled at him, and a few also nodded to him. The children of prestigious families tend to be better behaved at certain situations.
Cui Xichen nodded, turned to warn the little demons to not slack off and that he will be back to check on their work in a moment before he came out and closed the door behind him.
“What is the matter?” Cui Xichen asked.
The housekeeper whispered a few words into Cui Xichen's ear. The expression on Cui Xichen's face immediately turned strange, saying, “That old man really came out?””
“Master, I have asked someone in particular to ask, it is true. It's something that a lot of people saw with their own eyes.” The housekeeper said confidently. “It is said that Old immortal also launched a sword strike with his divine thought at the Lu family's doorway. The Lu family's Lu Qingming mistakenly entered the sword barrier, and failed to block it successfully. But in the end that old man of the Lu family repeatedly threw out several punches and exploded the sword qi. Otherwise, the consequences would have been even more serious.”
“It's really getting more and more interesting.” Cui Xichen grinned, and then asked, “His majesty is at the Lu mansion?” ”
“Yes. It is said that His Majesty had no idea that Old immortal would come. He was also greatly surprised.”
“Old Immortal of Still water sword school challenged Li Muyang in front of His Majesty, challenged an ignorant youngster——” Cui Xichen still had a playful smile on his face, muttering, “Interesting. It really is interesting.”
“Do we need to——do something more?” asked the housekeeper, referring to something.
“Must not.” Cui Xichen sternly reminded. “A lion and tiger are fighting, how do we make them bite each other more fiercely?”？”
“Beat a drum to encourage them?”
“No, don't do anything. Quietly, let them bite without disturbance. If someone startled them, they will have a third enemy in their eyes. At that time, their anger will be indefinite and not merciless enough. They may be unable to keep tearing to the end of the battle and their fight may not last to the end.”
“Understood.” The housekeeper bowed his head.
“So, without my orders, do not act.”
“Yes. Master.”
Cui Xichen, gazing at the whirling snow in the garden, gently sighed, “this winter there really is a lot of snow compared to the past.”
“——” The housekeeper did not know why Master suddenly sighed like that, did not answer, and just stood next to him with a smiling face.
In a small courtyard separated by a wall, Cui Xiaoxin was standing there motionless with a Snow swallow in her arms.
It was a baby Snow swallow, its body was fluffy with feathers, but its wings were lacking strength and the ability to fly at the moment.
Standing there waiting until the sound on the other side of the wall had disappeared, and the sound of footsteps had gradually gone far away, Cui Xiaoxin finally breathed out a long sigh, looking extremely distressed.
She put the baby Snow swallow into the arms of Liulu, and told her to put the little swallow into the nest. “How is it?” she asked, pulling Taohong over, “have you found out?”
“I have found it clearly.” Taohong replied, gasping for breaths: “Today is the 60th birthday of the Grandfather of the Lu family, Lu Xingkong, I heard that even His Majesty has gone to offer birthday congratulations, and many of the ministers are also there——”
“That's not what I'm asking.” said Cui Xiaoxin, in an anxious voice.
“Yes, yes, yes” Taohong nodded. “I heard that the Still water sword school went to the Lu mansion today to deliver a written challenge. Their Still water sword school's Old immortal wants to challenge the Lu family's guest, Young master Muyang——I can't believe it, Miss s.h.i.+nian's driver is Young master Muyang. Miss, how could we not know?”
“It is you who did not know.” Cui Xiaoxin said with a serious expression.
“Ah?” Taohong gasped. “Miss——Miss already knew at the time?” “
“Prepare the carriage.”
“Miss, where are we going?”
“To celebrate Grandfather Lu's birthday.”
“Miss don't.” Taohong attempted to dissuade her. “Master is in the house today, and none of the Young masters have gone, Miss will be scolded if you went.”
“They are them, I am me. s.h.i.+nian and I are close friends, it is her Grandfather's birthday, it is only right that I pay a visit.”
“Miss——”
“Prepare the carriage.”
“Yes. Miss.”