The Song Dynasty was the king for thirteen years before he knew that he was Tianlong.

Chapter 435: Making trouble
"Young Master Zhao..." Upon hearing this, Mo Chou's cheeks flushed even more, as if colorful clouds were rising, making her incomparably beautiful.

"Young master, you are truly talented. These three poems in the Qingping Tune style are exquisite in every word and masterpieces, destined to be passed down through generations. I am deeply honored to have them named after you. Thank you so much for your gift of poetry!"

As she spoke, Yingying performed a graceful curtsy, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Zhao Ti, her gaze like the undulating waves of spring.

“Miss Mochou, there’s no need for such formality. As the saying goes, a fine sword is given to a hero, and rouge to a beautiful woman. Only a good poem can be worthy of a peerless beauty like Miss Mochou.” Zhao Ti smiled at her. He had already done what he was told, and she was indeed as beautiful as a flower, so it wasn’t entirely against his conscience.

Mo Xun had recovered his senses by now. He rolled his eyes to the side and thought to himself, "What are you two doing exchanging glances?"
There are still two people in the house, didn't you see? Doesn't Young Master Fuyao's face turn as black as ink?
Brother Zhao, have you forgotten about Miss Luofu so quickly? You even denied that you only accepted my sister's invitation because of her beauty that day, but now you've shown your true colors?

“Young Master…” Mo Chou blinked her bright eyes, which sparkled, and looked at Zhao Ti, saying, “Young Master is extremely talented, and you can compose poems at every turn. I admire you so much. I really don’t know how to thank you for writing these three beautiful poems for me.”

Zhao Ti waved his hand: "It was just a small favor, there's no need for thanks. Not to mention that Miss Mochou and I hit it off immediately, even for Brother Mo's sake, there's no need for thanks."

Mo Xun's eyes widened upon hearing this. "You only remember me now? Perhaps you two hit it off immediately? What does this have to do with me? I invited you but you wouldn't come, I asked you to compose a poem but you wouldn't, and now you've finished yours and mention me? Brother Zhao, you're becoming more and more hypocritical!"

Zhao Ti then looked at Young Master Fuyao and smiled wryly: "Young Master Yuwen, what do you think of my three poems? Can they compare to the 'Song of Mo Chou'?"

Young Master Fuyao's face turned purple, and after a long while he said, "What use is it to only know how to write poetry? Don't you know that a scholar is useless? Only those who are proficient in both literature and martial arts can be considered outstanding. Martial arts can bring peace and stability to the country. What use is it to only know how to write poetry? Can it protect the borders and deter all directions?"

Zhao Ti said, "Literature is literature, and martial arts are martial arts. Today, we are discussing poetry and literature in this tea and fragrant pavilion, not martial arts. Does Young Master Yuwen think that this kind of setting and place is suitable for discussing martial arts?"

"You!" Young Master Fuyao's face immediately turned from purple to ashen. He snorted heavily, then looked at Mochou hurriedly and said, "Miss Mochou, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"

After saying this, without waiting for Mo Chou's reply, he flicked his sleeves, turned around and walked out the door, disappearing without a trace in a moment.

Zhao Ti shook his head and glanced at Mo Chou. Mo Chou looked outside for a few moments and said, "Young Master Fuyao has a rather impatient temperament. Please don't take offense, Young Master Zhao. By the way, I heard from my younger brother that you haven't practiced martial arts?"

Zhao Ti said, "Studying takes a lot of time and requires concentration; it's hard to be distracted by two things at once."

Although it's hard to get distracted, I managed to multitask, but I can't tell you that.

“What you say makes sense, young master. To do something to the extreme, one must be completely focused and devoted to it. Young master’s poetry is unparalleled, so you must be completely absorbed in it and have no time to do anything else,” Mo Chou said thoughtfully.

Zhao Ti laughed and said, "That's right. Human strength has its limits. It's already extremely difficult to do one thing to the best of one's ability, let alone two, both of which are major matters related to the Dao."

"Young master, let me brew you some more tea." Mo Chou looked at Zhao Ti, her eyes shining with a unique light, and said softly.

“Why bother Miss Mochou? Since we’re here at the tea garden, just have the people there brew it,” Zhao Ti said, shaking his head.

"Young master, if you don't mind my delicate hands preparing the tea, please let me do it." Mo Chou slightly rolled up her sleeves, revealing her fair wrists and slender, jade-like fingers. She picked up the teapot and said with a smile.

Seeing this, Zhao Ti withdrew his gaze and said, "Then I'll trouble Miss Mochou."

Mo Chou said softly, "Don't mention being tired. It is my pleasure to brew tea for you, young master. If... I could add fragrance to your sleeves, lay out paper and grind ink for you, I would be even more fortunate."

"A beautiful woman adding fragrance to one's sleeves?" Zhao Ti blinked, his expression shifting slightly. Just as he was about to speak, a gleaming green sword flashed through his mind—Zhuge Qingqing's Qing Shuang Sword. He immediately twitched his lips and scratched his head.

Mo Xun was dumbfounded when he saw this. What are you two doing? I'm still standing here. Not only are you exchanging glances, but now you're actually acting like lovers?
"Please wait a moment, young master, the tea will be ready in a moment..." Mo Xunxia blushed and turned her slender waist to start brewing the tea.

Zhao Ti sat down, drank the remaining tea on the table, and suddenly looked at Mo Xun beside him: "Brother Mo, what are you doing? Why do you have such an expression?"

"What? What!" Mo Xun stood up abruptly, angrily saying, "I... I can't stay here any longer, I'm leaving."

Zhao Ti asked in bewilderment, "Brother Mo, what makes you say that? Where are you going?"

Mo Xun said, "I'm going to find Miss Luofu and have a talk with her."

Zhao Ti asked in confusion, "Why does Mo Xun suddenly want to talk to Miss Luo Fu?"

Mo Xun said, "Let me tell you about Brother Zhao!"

Zhao Ti asked curiously, "What is there for me to say?"

Mo Xun retorted angrily, "What else is there to say? Doesn't Brother Zhao realize his own ignorance?"

"What do you know?" Zhao Ti frowned. "Could it be that I wrote a poem for Miss Mochou? But that's what Brother Mo has always wanted. Why are you spreading rumors and gossiping now?"

"Brother Zhao, you also know that this is trouble?" Mo Xun clicked his tongue and said, "If Brother Zhao hadn't stirred up trouble, how would I have had the chance to do this? Isn't it all Brother Zhao's own doing? Are you still pretending not to know?"

"I don't know what Brother Mo is talking about..." Zhao Ti said, "You're the one who wanted me to write lyrics for Miss Mochou, and you're the one who'll go around spreading rumors after I finish writing them. Miss Luofu probably won't care that I wrote lyrics for Miss Mochou, so Brother Mo, what else do you want to say?"

"Me? Was I talking about words?" Mo Xun's face twitched. "I was talking about words, I was talking about words... Never mind, I'll go and say them now. Brother Zhao, you just wait. I don't believe you won't be in a mess by then."

After saying that, he stood up and stormed out.

Zhao Ti shook his head: "I believe Miss Luo Fu will not believe what Brother Mo is saying. As the saying goes, those who spread rumors are themselves rumors. Brother Mo, if you want to go, then go."

"You..." Mo Xun paused upon hearing this, then said indignantly, "I'll go and say it. I have to get it off my chest, even if it means becoming a gossip!"

As Zhao Ti watched him walk out the door with a resolute look on his face, a line of poetry suddenly popped into his mind: "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, the hero departs, never to return." It was truly inexplicable. Where did this poem come from? What was wrong with the other person?

He looked puzzled and thought for a few moments. At that moment, Mo Chou finished brewing the tea and brought it to the table. She looked at him and said, "Young master, the tea is ready. Let me pour it for you." Zhao Ti said, "Miss Mo Chou, I can do it myself. There's no need for you to do everything yourself."

"Please call me instead. You have gifted me three masterpieces, and I have not yet expressed my gratitude. What is it of me to brew and serve you tea?"

Helpless, Zhao Ti had no choice but to ask the other party to pour more than half a cup of tea. Tea is not meant to be poured to the brim; as the saying goes, a full cup of wine is half a cup of tea. Pouring tea to the brim is considered impolite.

He swirled the teacup a few times to let the steam dissipate evenly, then picked it up and took a small sip. Just as he was about to speak, Mochou said, "May I ask if you, sir, is the relationship between you and Miss Luofu particularly special?"

"Why does Miss Mochou ask such a question?" Zhao Ti was taken aback, thinking to himself, "You already know it's presumptuous, so why do you still ask such a question?"

“Previously, I saw that you were wearing the jade pendant given to you by Miss Luofu. Although you said it was just for ordinary friends, I couldn’t help but have some suspicions. Just now, my younger brother lost his composure and said he was going to see Miss Luofu. I couldn’t help but wonder if you and Miss Luofu have a special relationship. Is it because you were unhappy that you wrote a poem for me? And did my younger brother misunderstand something, which is why he went there in anger?”

"This... really?" Zhao Ti pondered for a moment. The poem he wrote for Luo Fu was actually a topic for the Yujiang Poetry Gathering, and it wasn't really written specifically for her. It was just to meet the topic of the poetry gathering. The jade pendant that Luo Fu gave him was an apology for being startled and kidnapped by Zhuge Qingqing in the middle of the poetry gathering. There was no special relationship between them, and there was nothing unusual about it.

"I am merely a friend of Miss Luofu, nothing more. Brother Mo has been misunderstanding things, so please let it go," Zhao Ti said. The more he explained, the more confusing things became, so he didn't want to elaborate and simply brushed it off.

Mo Chou smiled upon hearing this: "There are two variations of ancient ci poems that I am not quite clear about. I would appreciate it if you could enlighten me, sir."

Zhao Ti said, "Miss Mochou, please speak."

Mo Chou poured Zhao Ti another cup of tea and then said, "One of the variations of the ci poem 'Wang Hai Chao,' the opening stanza..."

The two discussed poetry and lyrics, and before they knew it, a long time had passed. Outside, the sun was setting, and evening was approaching.

Feeling the orange-yellow light streaming in through the window, Zhao Ti said, "Miss Mochou, it's getting late, I must go back now."

Mo Chou nodded, her eyelashes fluttering: "This humble woman will see you off, young master."

Zhao Ti stood up, and the two walked outside. Once outside the tea and water pavilion, Zhao Ti looked around: "Miss Mo Chou's carriage..."

Mo Chou smiled and said, "It should be my younger brother who took it. I will walk back, and it will be good for me to travel with you for a while."

Zhao Ti smiled slightly: "Very well, then Miss Mochou may come along."

As they talked, the two headed west together. Dongcheng was not close to Chunyu Street. The two walked slowly along the main road to the Yujiang River and continued along the river.

By this time, the setting sun's rays had turned red and yellow, and the surrounding evening glow reflected in the sky, making the river surface shimmer with light. The scenery was so beautiful that words could hardly describe it.

The two walked and talked for quite a while before arriving at the Jade Belt Bridge. Zhao Ti cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Miss Mochou. I will take my leave now."

Mo Chou gazed at him, her eyes shimmering with gentle waves, and her tone revealed a hint of reluctance as she said, "I don't know why, but I feel an instant connection with you, sir. I wonder when we will be able to drink tea and discuss poetry and literature together again?"

Zhao Ti was quite surprised to hear this. Had they become fast friends at first sight? Perhaps it was because he had written three poems for the other person, and the other person was grateful and wanted to express their thanks. However, he did not need any thanks or gifts, but he could not simply refuse.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Let's wait for an opportunity. I've been quite busy with my studies lately, and I heard from Brother Mo that Miss Mochou came to Yuzhou to handle a very important matter. Let's talk about it after Miss Mochou has finished her business."

Mo Chou nodded: "Alright, since my younger brother has told you about that important matter, please try not to go out at night recently, and even during the day... it's best not to go towards Yuling Lake in the southwest of the city during the day."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ti glanced at her. Jade Spirit Lake in the Southwest City? It seems that the place where the treasure was found is indeed nearby, otherwise Mo Chou wouldn't have given such instructions.

Mo Chou then smiled apologetically and said, "Young master does not know martial arts and has no power to protect himself. However, that important matter is extremely dangerous and will inevitably involve swords and chaotic conflicts. That is why I said this. I hope you will not mind."

"No, no." Zhao Ti shook his head. The other party meant well, afraid that he might accidentally get involved in trouble, or even be hurt while passing by, and suffer an undeserved disaster. He should be grateful: "Thank you for informing me, Miss Mochou. I will remember it."

Mo Chou said, "Then please go back, young master. I'm going to my younger brother's house too."

Zhao Ti bowed again, then turned and walked towards Chunyu Street. After a moment, he stepped into it and then into Xinghua Lane. At this moment, a crow landed from the sky and landed steadily on his shoulder.

"It seems my brother is about to have a stroke of good luck with women," a crow's voice reached his ears.

"What romantic luck?" Zhao Ti asked, stunned.

“Brother, don’t play dumb. You’re well-read, do you really need me to explain these three words to you?” the crow said.

Zhao Ti paused for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Brother Ya, what kind of joke are you making on me? Why are you like Brother Mo, making wild guesses about untrue things?"

The crow said, “I don’t see anything wrong with it. Although I have few human friends, I have traveled to various countries on the continent and in the sea over the years. I can say that I have eaten more salt than you have eaten rice. How could I not see it? Whether it is that girl Zhuge Qingqing, that girl Luo Fu, or this Miss Mo Chou today, they all have feelings for you. I just don’t know if you are really dull-witted or pretending not to know.”

"They're all interesting?" Zhao Ti looked surprised and pondered, "I really didn't see it. It's not that I'm pretending not to know. I noticed something about Miss Zhuge, but I really didn't notice anything about Miss Luofu and Miss Mochou..."

“Brother, you… sigh.” The crow shook its head on Zhao Ti’s shoulder, stretched out its wings and wiped its long beak, making a helpless expression.

Zhao Ti was puzzled, but seeing that they were about to reach the door, he didn't want to talk about it anymore, so he changed the subject and said, "Brother Crow, I haven't asked you in a long time if you can transform into human form. I've read in stories that powerful beings among the demons can transform into humans. Can you do that too, Brother Crow?"

Upon hearing this, the crow said, "I haven't explained it to you yet, my brother. Of course I can transform into human form, but there are demon-identifying bells hanging in the central towers of the ninety-nine cities of the Great Qian. Once a demon transforms into human form and enters the city, the bell will ring out loudly, which can be heard in all directions to locate and search for its origin and intentions. I find it troublesome to explain at that time, so I travel in my true form."

"I see." Zhao Ti suddenly realized. By then, he had reached his own front door and could faintly hear the sounds of chickens and dogs running around inside.

(End of this chapter)