I, who disguised myself as a woman, turned out to be a queen! ?

Chapter 1209 Old Man, Taoist, Scholar
Yan Shu walked through the streets dressed in plain clothes.

Growing up in a village family with no land, she worked as a tenant farmer for a wealthy family in the village. Her father died early, and her mother raised her single-handedly through hardship. She knows the bitterness and joy of her life and how hard-won her journey has been.

There were simply too many martial arts practitioners in the capital, but perhaps all the students who came to the capital to participate in the imperial examinations knew that the examinations were approaching, so they were all studying in their respective residences.

Under this special imperial examination, there is a high probability that one will be appointed to an official position immediately, so one cannot be careless. Therefore, although there are scholars on the streets, there are far fewer than those who are from the martial arts world.

Pure scholars like Yan Shu are even rarer.

Walking among the people of the martial arts world, Yan Shu stood out from the crowd.

Many people in the martial arts world turned to look at this scholar. They had seen many scholars, but Yan Shu gave them a different feeling.

It seems to be the true meaning of 'Confucianism'.

Yan Shu passed by the wine shop, took out a few copper coins from his sleeve, bought a pot of ordinary sake, and continued on his way.

Even though it was a day off, Yan Shu still had his own things to do.

On one occasion when he happened to pass by, Yan Shu saw an old man setting up a chess stall. Yan Shu was quite knowledgeable about chess, so he also thought about how to break the deadlock.

But unexpectedly...
Fiasco.

The old gentleman looked very slovenly and was not a scholar. His speech was also quite rough. However, Yan Shu only had to chat with the old gentleman for a few words before the old gentleman revealed a lot of wisdom in his words.

Although Yan Shu loved reading, he never read books in a rote manner. He remembered the principles in books, but he remembered the principles in life even more.

The old man's wisdom was not found in books, but was found in every aspect of life.

After that, whenever Yan Shu had free time, he would frequently visit. Sometimes he was too embarrassed to go because he was short of money, but whenever he had spare money, he would definitely buy wine and go.

However, in recent days, Yan Shu discovered that the old man was often drinking with other old men from the martial arts world.

If he saw her, Yan Shu would bow from afar and then wait quietly without disturbing her. Sometimes he would wait until she arrived, and sometimes he would ask someone to deliver the wine to her before turning away.

The same is true today.

Upon reaching the entrance of the market street, Yan Shu saw the old gentleman sitting in front of the chess manual, with no guests around, and immediately walked over.

The wine that Luo Changfeng was drinking was the Hundred Flowers Wine sent by Yun Yun, the newly promoted master of the Jade Sword Sect. It was extremely expensive, and Luo Changfeng usually couldn't bear to drink it.

He didn't have much of a relationship with the Jade Sword Sect; at most, he had fought with the current sect leader twice.

The reason he sent the newly promoted expert to deliver the wine was entirely out of consideration for his own apprentice.

This made Luo Changfeng cross his legs and start showing off. He's getting old, and he's really benefited from his disciple's good fortune.
Just as he was about to take a sip of wine, Luo Changfeng opened one eye and saw the scholar who often came by. He couldn't help but smile, "Lord Yan, have you found some free time today?"

Yan Shu bowed and placed the wine on the low table: "I have some free time today."

Luo Changfeng picked up the sake and smelled it; it was far inferior to Baihua Niang.

But Luo Changfeng put the Hundred Flowers Wine aside and took a sip of clear wine. This wine was cheap, and it was very astringent when it first tasted, but the aftereffects were very satisfying!
Luo Changfeng looked at Yan Shu with a cheerful expression: "You call yourself my student here? You're trying to shorten my lifespan. I can't be the teacher of the top scholar."

Yan Shu hurriedly bowed and said, "A teacher is one who has attained enlightenment. I have benefited greatly from your words after careful consideration."

Luo Changfeng waved his hand and laughed, "What kind of logic is that? You've just lived a few decades longer than me. When you reach my age, with your knowledge, you'll be able to talk a lot more than I can."

Luo Changfeng brought the wine to his lips and looked at the scholar in front of him. To be honest, he was quite pleasing to the eye!
On the street, a scholar is easily recognizable by the presence of a book in hand or a folding fan. But this man, standing here without holding or doing anything, is clearly a scholar.

With flawless features, gentle and refined manners, and delicate appearance, one could tell without a word that he was a scholar diligently studying.

but
In fact, many young people have come to Luo Changfeng's place, but they all know that there is a master of the Empress here, so they come eagerly to curry favor with him.

Although they were all driven away.

But this one...
That's something I genuinely didn't know.

Those with ulterior motives were driven away by hidden agents; the fact that this scholar kept coming meant he was truly unaware of the situation. In fact, Yan Shu had never spoken of Luo Changfeng's matter to anyone.

Seeing that the old gentleman had asked him to sit down, Yan Shu bowed and sat down. However, seemingly afraid of disturbing others, Yan Shu moved the small stool around. Although it was not spacious and uncomfortable to sit on, he didn't mind.

Luo Changfeng saw this but didn't say much. He just looked at Yan Shu and said, "Everyone says Enke is coming, and he'll be so busy. Do you still have time?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Shu smiled and said, "No one has assigned me any tasks. I am only responsible for managing the Hanlin Academy's inner library."

He stopped there, not saying anything more about the imperial court.

Yan Shu continued, "Old sir, the reason I've come today is actually to ask you a question."

Just as Yan Shu finished speaking, Luo Changfeng waved his hand, turned around and shouted, and immediately someone brought out a chair.

Subsequently
Yan Shu saw an old Taoist priest walk over silently.

Seeing the old Taoist priest and Master Luo getting along so well, Yan Shu immediately stood up and said, "Sir, I will come again another day."

Old Master Luo scolded, "What are you doing! Standing at the entrance of the market again? And you have doubts? This guy is more capable than me."

Upon hearing this, the old celestial master smiled and looked at Yan Shu, whose talent was understated; what a refined and upright scholar in a blue robe.

The old Taoist master laughed and said, "It's just that I've come at the wrong time. Young master, this only adds to the embarrassment."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shu immediately bowed and said, "Master, I am unworthy of the title 'Master.' As for feeling embarrassed, I have no such intention. I am just afraid of disturbing your gathering with the old master."

Luo Changfeng laughed and said, "Sit down, there's no trouble at all. Besides, there's a generational difference between me and this person, and I'm quite trembling when I speak. It's good that you're here, so I can speak with confidence."

The old celestial master glanced at Luo Changfeng, then shook his head with a smile.

Luo Changfeng chuckled. Without his martial arts skills and shackles, Luo Changfeng was more composed than before. Respect was in his heart, not on his face, so he was very casual in front of the Old Celestial Master.

As for facing Li Yunxian, he was afraid and dared not.

Luo Changfeng handed the wine to the old master, saying, "Weren't we supposed to be discussing matters?"

The old master said, "The goal has been achieved, and your disciple happened to come by, which makes things even more successful. You should be able to hear about it in the next day or two."

Luo Changfeng didn't ask any more questions and looked at Yan Shu: "Today, Lord Yan asked me what he wanted to talk about. Don't say anything like 'questions,' just say that this person has lived longer than me and knows more than me."

This title, "Old Celestial Master," and the identity of this scholar, are indeed just as rumored.

Yan Shu paused for a moment, then bowed and sat down. Without any hesitation, he looked at the two elderly people before him and said, "I heard you mention before, sir, that you gave up everything when you were young, and now you are all alone, yet you regret it. I will think about it when I get back."

When Yan Shu said this, the old celestial master grabbed Yan Shu's wrist: "How could someone with such an honest and upright character dare to mislead a beautiful woman, is that right?"

Yan Shu's expression froze for a moment, then he looked at the old Celestial Master: "Daoist Master?"

The old Taoist priest smiled and said, "This is just my wild guess, but it seems that Lord Yan is troubled by love."

Yan Shu lowered his eyes, sighed, and said, "Yes. I have books and country in my heart. I didn't think about these things before, but some things have happened recently and I have to make a choice."

The old celestial master smiled and said, “The deer cry out, eating the wild apples. My heart is filled with longing, for the green collar of your robe. If one’s thoughts are pure, how similar is the love between men and women to seeking the Tao in the mountains. But even saints cannot achieve pure thoughts, hence the descent of the gentleman in the twilight of the poem ‘Guanju’, open and natural, and the hazy longing in the poem ‘Zijin’.”

At this point, the old master looked at Yan Shu and said, "Since you already have the answer in your heart, then do it. What does it mean to be incorruptible? A breeze rises from the tip of a blade of grass. Ride the wind and the wind will follow you. How can you mislead a beautiful woman? Besides, that girl seems to come from a very well-off family."

Yan Shu looked at the old Celestial Master, hesitated for a moment, then nodded gently: "Excellent."

The old master patted Yan Shu on the shoulder: "She has gold in her sleeve, enough to nourish a gentle breeze."

Luo Changfeng almost choked on his wine. Wow! No wonder he's called the Old Master. His fallacies are so absurd that I almost thought they were profound truths!

Even on Yan Shu's side
……

P.S.: Stop here, more tomorrow.
(End of this chapter)