Food Fairy Lord

Chapter 681 Current Situation
"This is really rare. How come Mr. Pei has time today?"

If you don't leave the Daming Palace, you won't know that spring is everywhere in the city. The willow leaves are already as tender and curved as babies' little fingers. Qi Zhaohua put down his pen, put on a long coat, and strolled with the young man in the morning spring light. The drizzle had just stopped, and his mouth and nose were fresh.

"We can't keep busy forever." Pei Ye looked at Liu Se, "Is Master Xu in the museum?"

"My benefactor said a few days ago that he might be away for a while in the next few days. I saw a note handed over this morning, so he should be leaving." Qi Zhaohua said, "It's nothing, actually. There aren't many things in the museum that my benefactor needs to worry about. I've been handling them all in the past few months."

"You don't know where she went, aren't you worried?"

Qi Zhaohua was slightly startled: "My benefactor is not always in the museum. After all, she is too busy to be in two places..."

She glanced at the young man hesitantly and said, "Anyway, His Highness Jinyang can be in the palace... He is also the backbone of the palace."

The woman was obviously a little surprised, as if she had not expected that the boy still did not know the identities of the master of Xiu Wen Hall and the master of Zhu Jing Hall, but she did not know whether she should reveal it or not.

Pei Ye nodded: "Indeed, it would be nice to have a backbone...but I want to come to find Xu Chuo."

"Hmm." Qi Zhaohua was slightly bewildered. "If Young Master Pei really has something urgent, you can ask Her Highness Jinyang... She may know where the benefactor is."

Pei Ye smiled: "Okay."

For a moment, I couldn't help but have an illusion that everyone in this world knew that the person in Xiuwen Hall and the person in Zhujing Hall was the same person, but I was the only one who firmly believed that they were two.

Although Qi Zhaohua didn't quite understand, he also skipped the topic and said with a smile: "Since it is Master Pei who invited us, I think everyone has time. Fang Jidao stays at Tianliyuan every day, and Shang Lang and Xing Zhi also come to see me after work on weekdays. I think they all have time - Master Pei, who else do you want to invite?"

"I haven't seen many people for at least three months." Pei Ye thought, "The two I live with have been longer, as have Chang Sun, Cui Zhaoye, Xie Chuantang... They've all been quite a while."

"That's easy. Let me think. If they are far away, we can pass a note to them. If they are nearby, we can go find them one by one." Qi Zhaohua smiled, "Wait for me to find someone to prepare a car."

"No need, I drove here."

"That's great. I thought Master Pei only used other people's cars, but it turns out he can drive, too."

"I have to drive."

"Huh? Why?"

"If you don't drive, you'll be easily caught." Pei Ye brought her to the side of the cart, put his hand on the shaft, and called out, "You can get on too."

Qi Zhaohua was puzzled: "Can't I sit in the car?"

"There's someone in the car, you probably don't want to go with him."

Qi Zhaohua smiled and said, "Who? New friends? Master Pei's words are so rude. Why would I not want to sit with him?"

She was naturally well-educated and polite. She smiled as she lifted the curtain and got on the car. Then she stepped in. The half of her body that was exposed suddenly froze: "Ah——!!"

Pei Ye used his sword to support her so that she would not fall to the ground. Several scholars in front of Xiuwen Hall looked at him in shock. It was obvious that it was the first time for everyone to see the gentle and calm Master Qi making such a noise.

Qi Zhaohua stood firmly on the ground, straightened the curtain, climbed up the shaft with a pale face and without saying a word, and sat next to Pei Ye.

Pei Ye shook the reins lightly and looked ahead: "So, I said you don't want to go with him."

Qi Zhaohua glared at him fiercely, still not satisfied, so he raised his hand and punched him hard on the arm.

A person can be without eyes, nose, mouth, or even hair. Qi Zhaohua was well prepared before going in - she had seen all kinds of ugly people.

But it can't be without a head.

"Young Master Pei, could you please send him to where he should go first, and then come and have dinner with us weak scholars?" Qi Zhaohua looked straight ahead.

Pei Ye smiled: "I still have to write a case file before I can hand it in, no hurry. It's okay, don't make any noise for a while, let's let Brother Fang sit in the back. He is now the successor of Zhezi of Tianliyuan, and he must have sufficient Qi training skills."

Fang Jidao's Qi-cultivation skills were indeed very good. After he was frightened and fell out of the car - Pei Ye did not hold out his sword to stop him this time, but sat in front of the car and laughed - he neither glared at Pei Ye nor punched him, but just sighed. Seeing that there was no place for him on the shaft, he lifted the curtain and got in, and really walked with the headless male corpse all the way, which made Pei Ye look back at him several times with concern.

"Brother Pei, is this man dead?" After a long time, Fang Jidao poked his head out and asked.

Pei Ye looked back at him, this time really worried: "Brother Fang, don't scare me."

"Alas, no." Fang Jidao waved his hand and sighed, "I have recently learned a lot about cultivation. It turns out that life and death are often not a dividing line, but a journey. Some people die, but a part of them is still alive. For example, there is a place called 'Mind Realm' in the world. Brother Pei, do you have it?"

"Yes, Brother Fang, you have it too. People who don't have it are called stupid."

"Oh."

This time the banquet was still held in the Zhaixing Tower. This time, the place was indeed completely different from the first time he came here. Pei Ye stood on the ninth floor and looked at this majestic city. He knew where every direction was at a glance. He had been to many places and left quite deep memories in some of them.

Shang Lang and Xing Zhi handed over a note and resigned and came here soon.

Yan Feiqing and Yang Zhenbing were called by Pei Ye himself. They hadn't been to Tang Sanjian's yard for three or four months. When they came in, there was not even a word of welcome. Yan Feiqing looked up and glanced at him, and Yang Zhenbing glanced at him twice - the second glance fell on his shoulder.

"Where's the kitten?"

"The Star-Picking Tower is released."

That's why the two generals were invited to Zhaixing Tower - Yan Feiqing came along because if Yang Zhenbing left, there would be no one to provide him with his three meals a day.

Jiang Yiner, Cui Zhaoye and Changsun Jue arrived with great joy.

"Long time no see, Brother Shi." Jiang Yin'er sat down beside him, looked at him and smiled, but seemed to not know what to say for a moment.

"Long time no see, Yin'er. You have been in the Sword Academy for more than four months, right? How is your sword training going? Are there any difficulties?"

"It's fine. Sister Ning and Sister Zuoqiu treat me very well."

"I have been so busy these days that I haven't had time to take care of you. I really failed to live up to the trust of Master Ying Dao."

"Oh, I'm not a child anymore. I can't always rely on my brother to feed me." Jiang Yin'er smiled, "Brother, if you need help, remember to call me."

"There's nothing we can do for you. They're just special errands. Just focus on practicing your sword skills. And remember to protect yourself in the capital."

"Brother Shi, have you finished your work now? Are you going out?"

"Ah... I have to leave Beijing again..."

Jiang Yin'er opened her eyes wide and was about to ask again, but Cui Zhaoye had already put his arms around her neck and leaned over her shoulder: "Young Master Pei, you didn't participate in these sword meetings after the New Year, and we are all bored watching you."

"Is that so... I didn't know there were many sword clubs."

"Because in the past two months, more and more masters from all over the world have arrived in Beijing. There are sword competitions everywhere in Shenjing. At the beginning, they were all small and flourished everywhere. Later, the Five Surnames and the First-Class Sects began to lead one after another, and there were seven in total. Those young people who have only heard of their reputations for a long time got to know each other here. It's a pity that Young Master Pei didn't go." Cui Zhaoye listed them all. "The two largest competitions are still the Longhu Sword Competition with the largest number of people and the longest duration, and the Jingzhe Sword Competition with the highest level. The Longhu Sword Competition has been held for more than half a month and has not yet ended, and the Jingzhe Sword Competition was just two days ago. - And only Yang Zhenbing went." Cui Zhaoye said: "The limelight of our Shenjing swordsmen is about to be overshadowed."

"Really? Who are the masters?" Pei Ye said, then turned around and shouted, "Yang Zhenbing, what place did you win in the Jingzhe Sword Collection?"

"Second." Yang Zhenbing didn't look up. He sat quietly in the corner, making eye contact with the black cat working at the desk.

"That's not Yang Zhenchuan's fault. The champion is the sixth on the Duck Ranking, [Young Master] Qun Fei." Cui Zhaoye said, "The swordsmen from Tianshan have arrived - I don't know why they came so early this year - they are really good at using swords."

"Many of the leading sects have arrived, and many have come to the Sword Academy to pay us a visit." The girl's bright eyes drooped a little. "I wanted to say something harsh on behalf of the Sword Master of Shenjing, but Master Pei is not around, so I don't have the confidence."

Pei Ye hesitated for a moment: "Come to think of it... I can actually be considered a Northwest swordsman, and I have only been in Shenjing for a short time..."

Cui Zhaoye opened his eyes wide as if he had been betrayed.

“…But he became famous in Shenjing after all.”

Cui Zhaoye was now somewhat satisfied. "Anyway, since December last year, you, Young Master Pei, have been at the peak of your fame. After the New Year, these people arrived in Beijing and heard about your name everywhere, but you never showed up... It's inevitable that we have some hardship."

Pei Ye didn't understand why they would suffer if he didn't show up - he had long forgotten about the club and just smiled: "I will watch the Yulin exam with you, and I will definitely participate in the Shenjing Martial Arts Exam."

"Well, Mr. Pei, no matter how much others don't believe in you, we will always support you!" Cui Zhaoye said seriously.

Pei Ye was even more puzzled and touched his head: "Well, thank you very much."

He turned his head and saw Chang Sun Jue was already beside him. She sat upright and could not get a word in front of Cui Zhaoye. She should know the fewest people here. Pei Ye was afraid that she would feel left out, so he smiled and said, "Classmate Chang Sun, long time no see."

"Long time no see, classmate Pei." Chang Sun Jue bowed, "You have been so busy these days that I can hardly see you."

"So as soon as I have some free time, I will invite you to meet me - the last time we met was during the Chinese New Year."

"Yes, I have a lot of schoolwork these days. Then, will Pei return to the Imperial College to study in the future?"

Cui Zhaoye interrupted: "When Master Pei is free, of course he should practice sword first, don't interfere."

Chang Sun Jue thought about it and agreed, but still whispered: "But studying is also very important. Classmate Pei has made a lot of progress in his studies before."

Pei Ye also recalled the relaxing time in the Sword Academy and the Imperial College during those days, and he missed it a little: "When this busy period is over, I will go back to school."

"Then I'll wait for classmate Pei!"

Everyone was present, and the food and wine were quickly served. The leisurely banquet had no main point, and was nothing more than casual chats about recent events. Unfortunately, there was not much to say about Pei Ye's recent events, and the Daming Palace was not a place where one would have much to talk about once they entered.

So I drink alone most of the time.

The three girls, Changsun Jue, Cui Zhaoye and Jiang Yin'er, naturally got along well with each other. Yan Feiqing and Yang Zhenbing were like two decorations. Xing Zhi and Shang Lang came at the right time. Pei Ye made an appointment with them to go to the Fairy Terrace together in a while. Fang Jidao usually looked up and thought.

At the end of the banquet, Jiang Yiner stood up, pulled Qi Zhaohua's sleeve, and pointed at Pei Ye's back as he left the table and leaned against the railing. Qi Zhaohua smiled, shook his head, and pointed at her.

Jiang Yin'er hesitated for a moment, picked up a glass of wine, and walked carefully to the boy from behind.

"Brother Shi, do you feel that spring wine and autumn wine do taste different?" Jiang Yin'er said seriously, "I think they are much sweeter."

"...Really? I don't drink often." Pei Ye lowered his head and shook the wine, as if he came back to his senses, and smiled at the girl, "Why, are you done eating?"

"I've finished eating." Jiang Yin'er tilted her head to look at him, "Brother Shi, things in the palace are not going well. We don't know what you are doing, but I just asked Ms. Qi, and she said that the news she received was that Brother Shi was the first to do so."

"I'm doing something big." Pei Ye really missed this girl after not seeing her for a long time. He smiled and said, "A big thing is made up of many small things and several medium things. I probably did two medium things."

"The big thing that Brother Shi mentioned must be a real big thing."

"It's really a big stall. I was just thinking about it." Pei Ye smiled, "Many people are involved, and I am just one of them."

"After another two years... a little more than a year, Master said I can travel the world." Jiang Yin'er said seriously, "Then I can help Brother Shi."

"You will definitely be awesome by then."

Jiang Yin'er felt a little embarrassed, but she was Fairy Jiang and normally didn't show childish behavior.

"I'm not unhappy. I'm just thinking that I've been in the palace for so long, and I don't know what's going on outside. Has Yong Ji left the capital a long time ago?"

"He left Beijing a long time ago." Jiang Yin'er had been keeping an eye on the things that the boy would care about, "But he will be getting married in a few days, so he will come back."

"Well, I know that."

"In fact, many people have left the capital. There has been no major event in the capital these days. They are all the prelude to the Feather Scale Test." Jiang Yin'er said, "There is only one thing that is more important than the Feather Scale Test... Wait until the end of spring, the children of this generation will have to undergo the Lin Blood Test."

These words pulled Pei Ye's thoughts back to the capital. He turned around and asked, "Is this more important than the Feather Scale Test?"

"Of course, the Feather Scale Test is conducted every three years, but the Kirin Blood Test is only conducted once for a new emperor." Jiang Yin'er also looked at the palace from afar, "When the last Kirin child is six years old, all the true blood heirs will be selected in front of the Kirin Saint, and the position of the crown prince will be determined by this."

"Does everyone admit this?"

"Of course." Jiang Yin'er looked at him in surprise. "Who among the people of the Tang Dynasty would not acknowledge that Qilin was chosen by God? Today, the saint saved the Tang Dynasty from danger. Legend has it that he was chosen by Qilin when he was a teenager."

"Well."

"What Qilin chooses is the unquestionable orthodoxy of the Tang Dynasty. Even if he chooses the little princess who is just six years old, she will be the future master of the Tang Dynasty." Jiang Yin'er said, "I think this is also a way to stabilize the country's destiny - the successor is determined in advance and cannot be changed, eliminating the possibility of other heirs and giving people time to join his command. When the replacement is made, there will be fewer waves."

"So that's how it is." Pei Ye suddenly remembered again what Li Xizhou said about going to get the "Mirage Dragon's True Blood" and was slightly stunned.

"Before, everyone tended to believe that the Fourth Prince was the chosen one." Jiang Yin'er said, "But now that he lost to Brother Shi in the sword bet, the support has faded a lot."

"I hit him like a wooden stake."

"Hahaha."

Pei Ye and Jiang Yin'er stood side by side. Although most of the things they had experienced needed to be kept confidential, the encounter with Grandpa Yue's afterimage was something that could be shared with this girl alone. Until the banquet was over, the two of them still had endless things to say in front of the railing.

However, time waits for no one. The jealous Cui Zhaoye finally hugged Jiang Yin'er and dragged her away, scolding her and other members of the club to keep their distance from Pei Ye, but the girl insisted that she had never joined.

After having enough wine and food, Pei Ye drove Xing Zhi and Shang Lang to the west of Shenjing City under their instructions. After so many errands since entering the capital, this was Pei Ye's first visit to the Immortal Terrace. He did have a lot of questions to ask the Terrace Master.

Before leaving, the friends were quite surprised - this banquet was entirely funded by Mr. Pei's generous donation.

(End of this chapter)