Notes on Longevity

Chapter 45 Xiaoshuang takes the opportunity to confide her feelings, and Ping'an hears the sound and recalls her father and teacher.

"Thank you for your help." Ping An bowed to Yang You'an, who was standing at the door.

Yang Youan nodded somewhat awkwardly. He didn't know why Ping An was always so polite. When he was with him, he would bow after just a few words. He didn't understand. Was it because Taoists had such rules?
Actually, that's not the case. After watching Yang Youan leave with the food box, Ping An silently recited the Qingjing Jing (Classic of Purity and Tranquility) and then began studying the Tao Te Ching again.

The reason Ping An is so polite is primarily due to his master. Besides teaching him Taoist methods on the road, Qing Xuanzi also emphasizes etiquette in his daily instruction, instilling politeness in conversations and the importance of returning courtesy when someone bows or helps one…

"Is it that strange?" Xie Xiaoshuang was surprised and puzzled by Yang Youan's overly polite behavior as he listened to Yang Youan talk about being in Ping An's room.

“I used to often accompany my father to visit the Taoist priests at Zouma Temple or burn incense in front of the hall. I saw that although those Taoist priests were polite, they were not this outrageous. On the contrary, they did not seem to care much about etiquette.”

"I don't know, and I've never been to a Taoist temple." Yang Youan frowned, completely puzzled. Then, looking at Xie Xiaoshuang sitting opposite him with a melancholy expression, he said, "Do you know what I learned from Master Ping'an just now?"

"What's wrong?" Xie Xiaoshuang blinked, looking at Yang Youan with a puzzled expression, and asked curiously.

“There really are gods in this world.” Yang Youan’s eyes were firm, especially when he spoke of the word “gods,” his eyes shone brightly, as if the gods who could ride the clouds and have boundless magical powers were right in front of him.

Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes lit up when she heard this, "Really? What did Master Ping An say?"

Yang Youan looked at Xie Xiaoshuang somewhat awkwardly, because Ping An hadn't directly said that there were immortals in this world. "Master Ping An said that he and his master have been searching for immortals..."

"And then?" Xie Xiaoshuang looked at Yang Youan with curiosity and anticipation.

"No...that's all?" Yang Youan's voice clearly lacked confidence.

"That's all? Didn't Master Ping'an say there are immortals in this world?" Xie Xiaoshuang was puzzled by Yang You'an's words. Didn't he tell her that Master Ping'an said there are immortals in this world? How come that's all?
“That’s not important,” Yang Youan suddenly stood up and said to Xie Xiaoshuang with a smile, “Although Master Ping’an and the others didn’t find the immortals, it at least proves that they really exist in this world. Otherwise, why would they have gone to look for immortals?”

“You’re overthinking it. The idea of ​​immortals is so vague and unreal, how could it be…” Xie Xiaoshuang was only halfway through her sentence when Yang Youan interrupted her.

"How do you explain that monster?" Yang Youan stared at Xie Xiaoshuang with a hint of smugness.

Xie Xiaoshuang was also taken aback when she heard this. She felt that what Yang Youan said made sense, but she didn't have any words to refute Yang Youan.

But upon closer reflection, it seems to make sense. If something can cultivate into a human form, then perhaps there really are immortals in this world.

"So what if there are immortals? It has nothing to do with you." Xie Xiaoshuang pouted and muttered.

Seeing this, Yang Youan immediately went to Xie Xiaoshuang's side, gently rested his chin on her shoulder, and said to her, "Are you angry?"

"No." Xie Xiaoshuang turned her head away, avoiding looking at Yang Youan's face. Although she said no, she was already a little angry.

"I just knew there were gods in this world, and I got a little excited. I didn't mean to," Yang Youan explained softly with a smile.

Xie Xiaoshuang turned around, glanced at Yang Youan, and suddenly smiled, patting his face lightly with her hand: "I know. I'm not angry."

"Really?" Yang Youan saw Xiaoshuang smile, but he frowned, somewhat disbelieving.

"Really." Xie Xiaoshuang nodded with a smile.

"Let me tell you, I'm not really interested in the talk of immortals. I'm just curious. Right now, all I want to do is focus on my studies, pass the provincial examination, and then become the top scholar so I can come and marry you in style."

Yang Youan rested his head on Xie Xiaoshuang's shoulder, staring into her eyes as he spoke with deep affection.

"But how can you convince me that you can become the top scorer?" Xie Xiaoshuang frowned, feigning concern, and questioned Yang Youan.

Yang Youan smiled at Xie Xiaoshuang, then slowly raised his head. Looking at the falling snowflakes outside the door, he said solemnly, "This snow is my witness. If I fail to become the top scholar this time, may I be struck by lightning and suffer a terrible fate… um…" "No, I was just joking." Xie Xiaoshuang's heart tightened upon hearing Yang Youan's words. She quickly stood up, hurriedly covered his mouth, and nervously explained to him, afraid he would say something else entirely.

"Don't worry," Yang Youan raised his hand and slowly removed Xie Xiaoshuang's hand from his mouth. "This time I will definitely be the top scholar. When that time comes, I will wear the red robes of a top scholar, ride a fine horse, and come to marry you in great style."

"Aren't you afraid of what others will say?" Xie Xiaoshuang lowered her head, her body twisting shyly.

"What are you gossiping about?" Yang Youan placed his hands on Xie Xiaoshuang's arms. "Who I marry is my business. Why should others gossip?"

“But, throughout history, many top scholars in the imperial examinations were betrothed by the emperor. What if His Majesty also betroths you?” Xie Xiaoshuang’s voice was tinged with sadness. She had finally found an opportunity to express the thing that had been troubling her for so long.

"Then I don't want the top scholar title," Yang Youan said loudly, startling many people in the garden.

Hearing the noise, they all came out to see what was going on, only to find two people standing opposite each other in the room.

"Then you are disobeying the imperial decree. What if His Majesty gets angry and takes it out on us?" Xie Xiaoshuang asked worriedly, looking up at him.

“We still have Brother Li, don’t we? We can just ask him to help us out when the time comes,” Yang Youan said with a smile.

Xie Xiaoshuang chuckled, blinking her bright, watery eyes. "Really? Is he that powerful? He can even persuade His Majesty?"

“That’s right, Brother Li saved His Majesty’s life.” Yang Youan raised an eyebrow as he spoke, “But whether His Majesty will listen to me or not, I don’t know.”

"But don't worry, I, Yang Youan, will only love you in this life. Even if His Majesty forces me to marry, I will not marry anyone else. Even if His Majesty gets really angry, I will take everyone to find Brother Li. At that time, we will stop performing opera and wander the world with Brother Li."

"That sounds nice." Xie Xiaoshuang reached out and gently stroked Yang Youan's nose. "With so many of us, how will we survive if we stop performing opera?"

“Then let’s go with Brother Li, and wander the world while performing operas.”

"That's too tiring."

"Then what do you think we should do?"

"Why don't you just marry him?"

"Impossible, it has to be you..."

The people outside felt uncomfortable watching the two of them being all lovey-dovey inside, their skin crawling with goosebumps. One of them couldn't help but mutter:

"Why are these two acting all lovey-dovey again?"

"Isn't this normal?"

"I've suddenly changed my mind about this marriage. Can the troupe leader cancel it?"

"How about you go and ask?"

"I'm not going."

Ping An was in her room, holding a scripture in her hands. Her eyes, which were gradually regaining their brightness, looked at the snow-covered backyard. She listened to the chattering voices in the yard and recalled the scene when she and her master passed by a Taoist temple and discussed scriptures with the elders there. They each held their own opinions and refused to give in, arguing so loudly that it was almost unbearable.

(End of this chapter)