I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 61 Thick and Strong Acquired Qi

At this time, in the main hall, apart from a few palace maids and a deacon, there were only Princess Linglong behind the gauze curtain and Chen Zhian in the hall.

Princess Linglong opened her lips slightly and recited slowly: "The clouds are like clothes and the flowers are like my face. The spring breeze blows through the threshold and the dew is gorgeous. If we hadn't met on the top of the Jade Mountain, we would have met under the moon on the Jade Terrace."

Princess Linglong recited the poem in a voice that sounded like a thousand pearls, and she brought out nine-tenths of the elegance of the poem.

"It uses clouds to describe clothes, and flowers to describe beauty... It praises a woman's appearance, but it is not flattering, and it is full of elegance... I used to like poetry, but I have never seen poetry like this."

Princess Linglong seemed to really like this poem. When she recited it, the sadness in her brow almost disappeared, leaving only the association with the poem.

The fairy on the top of the Jade Mountain, the goddess under the moon on the Yaotai!

Who in this world can write such a poem?
Is there any other beauty in this world who can deserve the praise in this poem?
The reason why Chen Zhian inscribed this poem on the painting was actually to attract the attention of the nobles who were viewing the painting.

Now that I think about it, the reason why he was summoned from Sunan Prefecture to Xuantianjing in such a hurry was probably because of this poem.

"Princess, this poem... was discovered by me by accident. It was signed by Li Bai, also known by his pen name Taibai. I have also looked it up in many ancient books, but I still cannot find the source of this person."

Chen Zhian lowered his head and answered.

He would not dare to easily claim that such a poem was written by him, otherwise once it became famous, it would be a shocking reputation.

Even in Chen Zhian's memories of his previous life, he seemed to be a dilettante and had written some imitations of ancient poems, but compared with Li Bai's poems... No, how can they be compared?

If he really wanted to claim credit for the poem of the Immortal Poet, and if he were asked to compose a poem on the spot, he would be exposed one day.

Now that he has become famous, he can still refuse if ordinary people ask him to write a poem. But if it is reported to the emperor and a real big shot asks him to write a poem, if he cannot do it, he will only bring trouble to himself.

He was full of thoughts.

Princess Linglong asked again: "Are there any other poems?"

Chen Zhian shook his head.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this answer, Princess Linglong fell silent and remained silent for a long time.

After a long time, Princess Linglong let out a long sigh.

The world is a vast ocean, and it is normal that there are a few pearls left behind.

But when Princess Linglong saw this poem, she could no longer appreciate other people's poems about beauty. She just felt that they were boring.

It was as if she had already cultivated the [True Explanation of the Bright Moon Glaze], and when she looked at the cultivation methods of absorbing and spitting out moonlight in the world, she felt that none of them were worthy of her attention.

Princess Linglong was a sentimental person to begin with, and she was very worried about this marriage. She had been a little excited in the past few days, mostly because of this poem and this special colorful portrait.

One of the main reasons is because of this poem.

She thought that by summoning Chen Zhian from Sunan Prefecture, she would be able to find more poems like this, but she never expected that the result was not satisfactory.

So she waved her hand and said, "In that case, you can leave. If you need anything, please talk to Shukui."

Chen Zhian bowed and took his leave.

When I reached the door, I suddenly heard Princess Linglong sighing.

This sigh was filled with desolation and sadness, as if he was exhausted.

"Princess Linglong is in a strange state. Is it a good thing or a bad thing for me?"

Chen Zhian narrowed his eyes, a light flashed in his mind, and he suddenly turned around and said, "Princess, the poem is gone, but there are a few remaining words. If you like it, I will write it down."

-

The moonlight has already filled the streets, and the roof of the Qingke Inn is carrying the silver moonlight, the light and outline are clearly visible.

Originally, tonight should have been a quiet night, especially since Qingjiang Inn was located on a remote street and one had to have a threshold of two or three meters to stay in the hotel.

But today, no matter it is day or night, there are always many people waiting in front of Qingjiang Inn.

The shopkeeper would occasionally poke his head out to take a quick look, then retract his head again, for fear that one more look would displease these nobles.

Si Yao had never waited for anyone for so long.

Originally, the restaurant opposite Qingke Inn was about to close. The middle-aged scholar just said a few words to the restaurant owner, and the owner never mentioned closing again. He just came over from time to time to pour tea for the three people personally.

"Miss, I really can't understand. It's just a painter. There are plenty of painters in Xuan Tianjing and even in the whole Dayu. Why would so many carriages from the mansions be waiting here?"

The maid Qingxue lowered her head and played with the cups on the table out of boredom.

Miss Si was quite tolerant of this maid who grew up with her, and even took the initiative to explain: "Many ladies in Xuantianjing have never practiced cultivation, nor do they have to handle family business like men in the family, nor do they need to go to court. They always have to find something to do at home every day so that they can socialize with other ladies."

She looked at the Qingke Inn from afar: "When there is social interaction, there is competition. A few days ago, the old lady went to Princess Shangqiu's Cuiwei Palace in person. I heard that Princess Linglong also came that day.

Princess Linglong has always been the fashion leader in Xuantianjing and even the entire Dayu.

She wore a long dress with hundreds of flowers, and the ladies went to buy the flowers. A few days ago, she attended a banquet at the residence of the wife of Zuodu Yushi, wearing a plain hairpin in her hair. Haven't you noticed that several ladies in the residence have also started to wear plain hairpins these days?"

"In terms of beauty and fashion, whoever is closer to Princess Linglong will often receive more envious looks, and can also speak louder when socializing with other ladies... The painter of Sunan Mansion attracted so many carriages from big mansions, probably because of the banquet in Cuiwei Palace where Princess Linglong was also present."

Si Yao explained.

The maid Qingxue finally understood and sighed, "To be recognized by Princess Linglong, this painter must be quite talented."

The master and the servant were talking when the middle-aged scholar came back with a helpless look on his face. He said, "Miss, the shopkeeper just came out and said that the guest's luggage had been taken away at some point, and the door of the room was wide open. It seems that he is no longer staying in this Qingke Inn."

The corners of Qingxue's mouth twitched.

Si Yao frowned and looked down at the carriages that were dispersing.

"Tomorrow I will ask Princess Shang Qiu privately to find out where the painter has gone."

The middle-aged scholar nodded gently and said, "Miss, please don't feel annoyed. The old lady is quite upset about the matter of Li Yinxi's marriage to the Li family. Now that she has taken the initiative to bring up something to entertain you, you should pay more attention to it, which is also filial piety."

"This painter named Chen... he is the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and the attendant of Xia Yuan Pavilion. I have also invited him to paint for the old lady." Si Yao stood up and left the restaurant.

After Chen Zhian left the palace, he did not go to Qingjiang Inn again.

His less valuable luggage had been taken to Fusang Street by Princess Shang Qiu's men.

With Xuantian Palace as the center, eight streets and thirty-two alleys radiate out in an orderly manner.

Fossan Street is one of the main streets.

The house that Princess Shang Qiu lent to Chen Zhian for temporary residence was on this main street.

Chen Zhian followed a few eunuchs and stewards out of the palace and came to Fusang Street. He entered the small courtyard not far from Xuantian Palace, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

This yard is indeed not big, it is just a yard with two entrances.

But there are pink walls and black tiles, arranged in an orderly manner, and there are bluestone paved paths winding through them. On both sides of the paths, there are lush grass and flowers, and there are rugged rockery, some standing and some lying.

The clear spring under the rockery gurgles around from time to time, and its sound is like the sound of rings hitting each other, crisp and pleasant to the ear.

There are also winding corridors, pavilions and carved railings.

It is indeed a wonderful yard.

Chen Zhian instantly developed a favorable impression of Princess Shang Qiu.

He was not a celebrity, and even if Princess Shang Qiu spent a fortune on horse bones, she probably wouldn't be able to buy his head.

Thinking about it this way, the reason why the princess gave him such a nice courtyard to live in was probably because he was troubled by Wei Lingyu, and Princess Shang Qiu made compensation for him.

"This princess doesn't act like a princess."

Chen Zhian thought this in his mind and went into the East Hall again.

Although the East Hall cannot be described as luxurious, it is spacious and elegant.

"Mr. Chen, you can stay here. I will send two maids over tomorrow and ask them to buy some food. They will serve you on weekdays. This small courtyard is elegant and quiet. You can study your painting skills here."

The deacon had a smile on his face and spoke very politely.

Chen Zhian took out two taels of gold from his sleeves, handed it to the steward quietly, and said with a smile: "I am not a young master, so it would be inconvenient to have someone serving me. I don't want a maid. The steward can ask someone to buy some fruits and vegetables every few days."

The steward took the gold tacitly and spoke more politely: "Mr. Chen, you are too modest. It is the time of the imperial court. Anyone who can be called a court painter is considered a great talent.

Our Dayu was founded on the foundation of culture and military power. Although painting is not a special talent, several generations of saints in our Dayu have highly regarded it.

If a saint thinks highly of you, then you are stronger than anyone else by any other background.

Well, Mr. Chen doesn't allow anyone to bother him, so the maid doesn't need to come. If you need anything in the future, just inform the gatekeeper at the front of Foshan Street."

It’s a high-class neighborhood, and there are security guards on the streets.

Chen Zhian smiled and sent the deacon out.

He returned to the yard and looked around. The sound of the gurgling spring rang in his ears. He carefully visited the yard with the sound of the spring. He couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "This yard, I'm afraid it costs thousands of taels of silver every year just to take care of it."

After sighing for a while, Chen Zhian did not forget his business. He looked up at the sky. At this time, the moon was high in the sky, and the bright moon covered the flowers and plants in the garden, which was beautiful.

But Chen Zhian was not looking at the moonlight.

"It is the time of the year, but it is not yet midnight. If I go to visit the senior that Old Huang Liang mentioned, would that be rude?"

Chen Zhian pondered for a few moments, and the map of Jade Capital in the sky slowly opened in his mind. His consciousness sank into it, and he saw that in Kunlun Lake, the acquired Qi was absorbing and exhaling the Kunlun spiritual energy.

After more than ten days of nourishment, this acquired energy has actually grown by one third its size in Kunlun Lake.

It’s a pity that in the last few days, the time was getting slower and slower, almost to no length, and Chen Zhian felt more and more tired these days.

The quantity and grade of medicinal herbs grown in Kunlun Lake are directly proportional to the strength of his cultivation.

The acquired Qi will not grow any more, which means that with Chen Zhian's current level of cultivation, this is already the limit to which the acquired Qi can grow.

But Chen Zhian was already quite satisfied.

"My acquired energy was originally thick and strong, and now it has grown by one third, almost as big as the two acquired energies that Si Hougui and Jiang Taiping snatched away combined."

“If I can make pills out of this acquired energy, I will definitely be able to break through the third level of the White Jade Cicada Shell Chapter and enter the Divine Accumulation Realm. I can even go a long way in the Divine Accumulation Realm.

If we don’t use it now, it will be a waste.”

When he thought of this, he withdrew his consciousness from the Heavenly Jade Capital Map, took out the white stone that carried the acquired energy and put it into the Chenglu Ring, then stood up decisively.

"Let's go to that Baliang Street and take a look. If the lights are out, come back."

Thinking this, Chen Zhian walked out of the yard and out of Fosang Street.

He walked for a while, and when he looked up, he saw a street sign.

"Jiuguan Street?" Chen Zhian looked inside and indeed saw a huge sycamore tree vaguely. Its crown blocked out the sun and it was quite lush.

"Is this the residence of the old man I met today by the Huanglong River?"

“It’s not easy to live here.”

Chen Zhian sighed and continued on his way. He asked two old men along the way and learned that Balian Street was not in the Imperial City, but in East City.

Fortunately, it is not in a remote place in East City, and is not far from the imperial city where Chen Zhian is.

But even though it wasn't too far, it still took Chen Zhian half an hour to walk there.

It was almost midnight when Chen Zhian saw the street plaque of Balian Street.

This street sells mostly antiques, calligraphy and paintings, as well as some exotic trinkets. As midnight approaches, most shops are closed, but there are still a few shops open.

I guess the owners of these shops also live on this Balian Street on weekdays.

Chen Zhian stepped into Balian Street, walked around, looked at many signs along the way, and finally found his destination at the end of Balian Street.

"[Xi Ren Ju]."

Chen Zhian breathed a sigh of relief. Since the store was still there, the boss should still be there too.

He walked closer and saw a middle-aged man sleeping on a recliner with a purple clay teapot in his hand just inside the threshold of the residence.

The recliner was swaying, but the middle-aged man seemed to be sleeping very soundly and leisurely.

Chen Zhian coughed, but the middle-aged man did not respond.

He thought about it and knocked on the door again, but the middle-aged man still didn't respond.

Chen Zhian frowned and said loudly: "Shopkeeper, it's time to sell things."

The middle-aged man suddenly opened his eyes and the tea in the purple clay teapot in his hand spilled out: "Someone, someone."

He stood up hastily and looked at Chen Zhian: "A customer is here? I have some old treasures in my shop, most of which are from Daxi. There are Daxi tobacco pipes, fragrant tea cups, several kinds of Daxi-specific spices, and many Daxi antiques. Take a look and see what the customer wants."

This middle-aged man was tall, with a square face, and looked dignified. But at this moment, his face was full of smiles, and his eyes were slightly narrowed, making him look like a mercenary businessman.

Chen Zhian smiled and said, "I'm here to look for someone. His name is... Qu Junhui."

The middle-aged man's expression changed, and he frowned as he looked at Chen Zhian: "How did you know this man's name? And why are you looking for him?"

Chen Zhian thought for a moment and said, "This name was told to me by a senior. I can only tell him what it is about when I meet him."

The middle-aged man raised his eyebrows, stuck his head out of the door, looked around, and then closed the door.

He coughed and said, "I am Qu Junhui. Who told you my name? What do you want to see me for?"

Chen Zhian looked at him suspiciously.

The middle-aged man stared at Chen Zhian without changing his expression.

After more than ten breaths, Chen Zhian suddenly said, "A senior asked me to find Qu Junhui and ask him to... make an elixir for me."

The middle-aged man frowned suddenly and said, "I haven't made alchemy for thirty years. No more than five people in Xuantianjing know that I have practiced alchemy.

Who is your predecessor?"

After hearing this, Chen Zhian finally believed that this person was the one that Lao Huang Liang asked him to find.

But this person looks a little too young.

Baliang Street, Xirenju, Qu Junhui, thirty years...

With so much information intertwined, Chen Zhian finally said, "That senior only told me to tell you that he has marks on his feet and was once a saddle scout."

Qu Junhui was stunned, his pupils slightly contracted, and he looked at Chen Zhian carefully: "Who are you to him?"

Chen Zhian was about to answer.

The middle-aged man suddenly waved his hand and said, "Forget it, if you can tell that there are lines on the feet and that you are a saddle scout, then you are already included in the agreement.

Come, tell me, what kind of elixir do you want to practice?"

Chen Zhian moved his mind slightly and took out the white stone that carried the acquired energy from the Chenglu Ring.

The middle-aged man took a deep breath.

"Where did you get this acquired energy?"

"Why is it so thick?"

(End of this chapter)