Mixed in the heavens, merits and virtues become immortals

Chapter 457 Princess Huaiqing

Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian stared blankly at Gu Qing. At this moment, their personas crumbled, and their straight backs slumped under the gaze of Li Ru and Xu Lingyue.

"Gu Qing, why didn't you say so sooner?"

Xu Pingzhi asked in a hoarse voice.

"what?"

Gu Qing said in surprise, "You didn't even ask." It's as if you wouldn't have done it if you had told them earlier.

Xu Pingzhi felt a lump in his throat.

In fact, the group led by the Vice Minister of Revenue had never given up on targeting Xu Qi'an. When Xu Qi'an sent Li Ru and Xu Lingyue to Yunlu Academy, someone tried to attack them on their way home, but the watchmen in the shadows scared them away. The watchmen were also targeting the group led by the Vice Minister of Revenue, but Gu Qing's mention at Yunlu Academy eliminated them from the game.

Overall, this is a good result.

Xu Qi'an was not affected at all. He stood tall and, when he saw Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian in front of his aunt, he would shake his head and stamp his feet, looking ashamed to be associated with them.

"Gu Qing, thank you."

Xu Qi'an expressed his gratitude.

You should thank us.

Gu Qing accepted it calmly, while Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian looked bitter.

Originally, Gu Qing was a live-in son-in-law when he entered the Xu family, but after this incident, Gu Qing's status as a live-in son-in-law rose sharply, while the status of Xu Pingzhi and Xu Xinnian fell sharply.

As for Li Ru getting a divorce, that's impossible. After finding out that Xu Pingzhi was out drinking and carousing, the two of them had a bit of a fuss, but life had to go on as usual. It's just that in the future, she would have to be more careful with Xu Pingzhi's money and valuables.

"Brother Qing, you can't go to the brothel anymore."

Xu Lingyue held Gu Qing's hand and whispered, "The women in there are not good people."

Gu Qing opened her mouth to speak, but Xu Qi'an, who was next to her, immediately changed the subject, looked at Gu Qing, and asked, "We haven't asked you yet, which great Confucian scholar you studied under at Yunlu Academy?"

Xu Xinnian also looked over curiously.

Gu Qing shook his head and said, "I didn't become an apprentice."

"You haven't taken on a master?"

Xu Qi'an asked curiously, "How could that be? Would Yunlu Academy refuse to accept you?"

Gu Qing shook his head, looking very confused, and said, "I don't know what happened. At first, we fought until we were bleeding, and when I was about to kneel down to become their disciple, they all ran away in fear. In the end, they took me to the statue, but the statue wouldn't let me kneel down. So an old man said that I should just study at Yunlu Academy and that they couldn't be my masters."

They won't even let you kneel on the statues...

That statue is of a Confucian sage.

Xu Qi'an looked at Gu Qing and felt that Xu Lingyue had really caught a big fish. He just didn't know what Gu Qing's identity was. What if he ended up with seventeen relics returning to their original form, leaving Xu Lingyue to live out her days alone...

"Let me go to Yunlu Academy with you tomorrow."

Xu Qi'an said that Gu Qing would be his protector from now on, and Xu Qi'an needed to know more about her.

Gu Qing naturally agreed. Everyone at Yunlu Academy was silenced, so even if Xu Qi'an wanted to investigate, he wouldn't find anything... Besides, he couldn't copy the four lines from Hengqu anymore; the shackles had already been broken by Gu Qing...

Yunlu Academy.

The academy's dean, Zhao Shouzheng, was playing a game of chess with Princess Huaiqing. Halfway through the game, Princess Huaiqing raised her icy eyes slightly and said softly, "Dean, your chess moves today are lively, but you've lost your composure."

"Just trying out new matchups."

The headmaster of Yunlu Academy, Zhao Shou, was dressed in coarse linen clothes with his hair casually draped over his shoulders. Princess Huaiqing looked him over and felt that Zhao Shou, who seemed casual in the past, seemed to carry a heavy burden in his heart. But now, he was carefree and unrestrained, exuding a kind of "non-attachment" from head to toe.

Not bound by the Dharma, not bound by emptiness, the mind and body remain.

It's simply unbelievable that such a state could exist in the headmaster of Yunlu Academy.

"This is indeed a new approach to the game."

Princess Huaiqing looked at the chessboard before her and said, "But the Dean seems to have a rather superficial understanding of it." Huaiqing placed a piece on the chessboard, blocking Zhao Shou's move.

Seeing this, Zhao Shou conceded defeat, saying, "Indeed, I am not proficient enough." His words showed that he was not attached to winning or losing.

Princess Huaiqing gave Zhao Shou a deep look and asked, "Dean, what is the background of this Gu Qing?"

The only person who could cause such a drastic change in Zhao Shou was Gu Qing, who exuded righteous energy in the capital a few days ago. It is said that Gu Qing had only read one book of sages and the righteous energy he was emitting was already continuous. This ninth-rank Confucian scholar suppressed several ninth-rank martial artists at the same time and even knocked away an eighth-rank one.

For this one person, several great Confucian scholars of the "Fourth Grade Gentleman Realm" at Yunlu Academy fought tooth and nail, and also threw out a lot of evidence of the Zhou family's crimes in order to win Gu Qing's favor.

Princess Huaiqing was wise and insightful. She studied military strategy, governance, planning, and literary composition. She could recite the classics of the sages by heart. She did all this because she had great ambitions and wanted to change many things.

With such a broad mind, Gu Qing, who was capable of changing Yunlu Academy, naturally came into her view.

"He."

Zhao Shou casually said, "It's because of the pure and innocent heart that resonates with the heart of a sage, which is why one learns everything so quickly."

To be in harmony with the heart of a sage.

These words carry immense weight.

Princess Huaiqing's eyes flickered slightly, then quickly dimmed as she asked, "The Dean has accepted him as a disciple?"

Zhao Shou remained silent.

Yunlu Academy, Library.

Princess Huaiqing glanced around and immediately recognized Gu Qing. She walked over and sat down in front of Gu Qing. Gu Qing's skin was as smooth as jade, and her aura was radiant. She seemed to be glowing. Even turning the pages of a book was interesting to watch. When Gu Qing closed the book after turning the pages, there was a hint of surprise on her face, as if she was amazed by the woman in front of her.

Huaiqing smiled, put the books on the table aside, placed the chessboard he had prepared earlier on the table, and said, "Let's play a game."

Gu Qing seemed puzzled, but readily agreed, taking the chess piece and casually placing it on the chessboard.

"Zhao Shou's chess style indeed originated from him."

Huaiqing thought to himself, "This is exactly the same strategy Zhao Shou used before." Huaiqing held the chess pieces and began to play against Gu Qing step by step.

She learned the way of Go from Wei Yuan, the leader of the night watchmen, and was very knowledgeable in the opening moves. However, as the pieces were being played, she felt that although she was clearly setting up the moves, Gu Qing's moves were beyond the scope of the opening moves. He did not compete with her in terms of the opening moves, but instead played step by step. Huaiqing's game became more and more difficult, and eventually he was on the verge of defeat.

Having studied chess for many years, Huaiqing rarely lost so easily. Upon careful review of the game, it seemed that the defeat was closely related to every single piece.

"We'll come again."

Huaiqing cleaned the chessboard, wanting to play another game with Gu Qing.

Even though Huaiqing was careful and thoughtful, he still failed in the end. Huaiqing looked up at Gu Qing's face and watched them play chess. He didn't feel any intellectual entanglement between them. He just felt that his opponent was not on the same page as him. No matter what layout you have, once your opponent develops, it's all over.

"I heard from your dean that in just a few days, the righteous energy you've accumulated is already comparable to that of a fourth-grade gentleman?"

Princess Huaiqing asked tentatively.

Gu Qing thought about it seriously for a moment and said, "Not that little."

Not that little?

Princess Huaiqing was secretly alarmed. After the Battle of Shanhai, the power of the Great Feng Dynasty declined day by day. Princess Huaiqing had great ambitions and wanted to reverse the current situation. She had countless plans in mind, but seeing Gu Qing's strategy and thinking about the speed at which Gu Qing's righteous energy was accumulating, Princess Huaiqing had a different idea.

...Could it be that there's no need for countless schemes, and that as long as one stays by Gu Qing's side and helps Gu Qing become stronger, everything can be changed?

In that instant, Princess Huaiqing seemed to grasp Zhao Shou's thoughts.

Zhao Shou has staked everything on Gu Qing.

Having grasped this point, Princess Huaiqing saw Gu Qing as even more different. Just as she was about to speak to test him, a Jinwu Guard stepped forward to report. After giving permission, Huaiqing saw two men walking side by side, who were Xu Qi'an and Xu Xinnian.

The two of them followed Gu Qing to Yunlu Academy. After some probing, Yunlu Academy remained tight-lipped about Gu Qing's situation. Even so, Xu Qi'an keenly sensed the changes within Yunlu Academy.

Inside Yunlu Academy is a Temple of the Second Sage, which enshrines the Second Sage. It also embodies the ideological conflict between Yunlu Academy and the Imperial Academy. Normally, Confucian scholars could go there, but it was closed after Gu Qing went up the mountain.

In Xu Qi'an's mind, this was naturally due to Gu Qing's influence.

"Gu Qing, I have to say goodbye to you."

Xu Qi'an had sharp eyes. When he saw Princess Huaiqing's noble face, he was shocked. He was afraid that his precious treasure would be stolen. So he came to see her. He said that he was saying goodbye, but he was actually trying to sow discord between Huaiqing and his wife. He said, "Is there anything you want to give to Lingyue? I can hand it to you."

The deliberate mention of Xu Lingyue here is to remind this beautiful woman, who exudes nobility.

Gu Qing reached into his pocket and patted himself down, then handed over the money pouch, saying, "This is all I have."

"That won't do."

As Xu Qi'an spoke, he casually put away the money pouch and said in a serious tone, "Do you think my sister is short of money? The clothes you're wearing were bought for you by my sister. What she lacks is a token of her affection. Aren't you skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting? Why don't you paint a picture for Lingyue?"

Princess Huaiqing silently raised her eyes, a smile playing on her lips. She knew Xu Qi'an, Xu Xinnian, and she also knew why Xu Qi'an was doing this.

"OK then."

The library contained writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Gu Qing took out some paper, laid it on the table, ground the ink, and then, with a brush in his hand, he sketched a figure under Princess Huaiqing's astonished gaze. As the details were added, Xu Lingyue's charming and graceful demeanor emerged. With each stroke of the brush, more details were revealed, and the painting before her seemed to have incorporated Xu Lingyue into it, making her so lively and vivid that she almost seemed to step out of the painting.

Seeing this painting almost tells you what kind of person Xu Lingyue is.

Princess Huaiqing was sitting idly, but after the painting was completed, she couldn't help but stand up and examine it closely. Even though she was a princess and had seen all kinds of precious paintings, this was the first time she had ever seen one painted to this degree.

No painting master throughout history can compare to Gu Qing's paintings.

"Give this painting to Lingyue."

Gu Qing stretched out his hand, and his righteous energy swept across the scroll. The ink that was still wet dried instantly. This layer of righteous energy was like a coating on the scroll, protecting it from being stained.

"You always manage to come up with something new."

Looking at Gu Qing's calligraphy, Xu Qi'an recalled that when Xu Lingyue brought Gu Qing to her door, she said she wanted to make a living with calligraphy. Now it seems that even if Gu Qing doesn't enter Yunlu Academy, his calligraphy skills alone are enough to allow Xu Lingyue to live a comfortable life.

Xu Xinnian stroked his chin, wanting to try and show off his skills, but Gu Qing's painting was too impressive, making it impossible for him to fake it.

"Then I'll head down the mountain first."

After putting away the scroll, Xu Qi'an leaned close to Gu Qing's ear and said, "When you come down the mountain another day, I'll invite you to listen to a performance of 'The Case of Chen Shimei'."

What is the case of Chen Shimei?

Gu Qing asked innocently.

"You'll know when the time comes!"

Xu Qi'an patted Gu Qing's shoulder, pretending to be mysterious... Actually, Xu Qi'an deliberately brought up Xu Lingyue for a bit of his own selfish reasons. The girl in front of him was obviously a noblewoman. If Gu Qing couldn't get a piece of his wife's money, would he, Xu Qi'an, with his talent for poetry, also have a chance?

Of course, Xu Qi'an's idea wasn't strong; his main concern was breaking up Gu Qing.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing looked enlightened and asked innocently, "Do we have to queue for this too?"

Xu Qi'an's expression changed instantly.

What is queuing?

Princess Huaiqing asked curiously.

"If you want to buy abalone inside the brothel..."

Gu Qing, relying on her innocent persona, spoke freely in front of Huai Qing. However, halfway through her sentence, she caused Huai Qing's expression to change drastically, and Xu Qi'an, who was standing next to her, trembled and almost ran away.

Gu Qing's character is very stable, but Xu Qi'an's character in front of Huai Qing is not so stable.

"enough!"

Huaiqing stopped Gu Qing from speaking, staring intently at Gu Qing with her icy gaze, and asked, "You went?"

Gu Qing nodded matter-of-factly and said, "I'm still in line with Miss Fu Xiang."

Huaiqing stood up with a hint of indignation. Looking at Gu Qing's innocent appearance, he suppressed the anger that inexplicably arose in his heart and asked, "What were you doing in there?"

"Get in line."

Gu Qing said, "As for what he did, you should ask Ning Yan; he went in."

Xu Qi'an did it too!

Huaiqing raised his eyes and glanced at the person, a half-smile on his face.

I didn't do it...

Xu Qi'an wanted to explain, but he felt that his image in front of this noble lady was completely ruined, and he couldn't keep this noble lady's fish.

When Xu Xinnian said goodbye, Xu Qi'an felt a little regretful, after all, he was also a playboy.

Princess Huaiqing ignored Xu Qi'an and focused her gaze on Gu Qing, asking softly, "Could you paint a picture for me?"

Do you want to draw too?

Gu Qing, with an innocent and childlike demeanor, readily complied.

(End of this chapter)