“Bad luck, let’s go!”
Knowing that He Xiuyuan was not a Cultivator at all, the Toad Demon immediately cursed and left.
With Steward Song’s words, it had already confirmed that He Xiuyuan could not be a Cultivator.
If He Xiuyuan were a Cultivator, how could he have pursued official honors before? Not to mention living in Peach Blossom Town.
Would such a Cultivator not Cultivate normally?
How could he live no differently from a Mortal?
Thinking that its pursuit all this way was nothing but a false alarm, it only felt incredibly unlucky.
.........
“You… may I ask, what is your relationship with Young Master He?”
Zhong Xiuyun listened to Steward Song’s words, hesitated for a moment, then suddenly asked.
Originally, she had wanted to ask Steward Song for some information about He Xiuyuan.
But now, hearing what Steward Song said, she felt that their relationship was not what she had imagined.
Steward Song did not understand what Zhong Xiuyun meant by her words. He did not conceal anything upon hearing her, only saying that he was from the Song family in Chang’an and had come this time to pick up He Xiuyuan to go to Chang’an to discuss a matter.
As for what matter, Steward Song naturally would not say.
After all, it concerned his Young Miss’s marriage, so he naturally would not easily speak of it to outsiders.
Zhong Xiuyun only realized this upon hearing this.
Her slightly wavering thoughts from before instantly firmed up at this moment.
She knew it; the scene she had witnessed with her own eyes before could not have been wrong.
Furthermore, what so many neighbors in Peach Blossom Town said coincided perfectly with what she knew, which only further confirmed the authenticity of the information she had!
Thinking this, Zhong Xiuyun smiled slightly at Steward Song, not intending to correct him.
Since the other party did not believe Young Master He and thought Young Master He was a charlatan, she did not need to bother explaining the matter.
“I see you are also from a good family; do not be deceived by him.”
Steward Song thought for a moment and added another sentence.
Zhong Xiuyun nodded upon hearing this but did not agree to anything.
At this moment, He Xiuyuan also walked back, carrying a pile of firewood, and then took some from the bundle of firewood he had brought back to share with Zhong Xiuyun, who was beside him.
Seeing this, Zhong Xiuyun immediately thanked He Xiuyuan.
By the time the distant sun set and the moon rose, bonfires had been lit all around the dilapidated temple.
Everyone ate something casually, then found a place to lie down and rest.
The next day.
He Xiuyuan opened his eyes upon hearing the sounds beside him. Seeing that the morning sun had already risen, he immediately packed up, ready to depart.
As He Xiuyuan set off, Zhong Xiuyun also prepared herself and followed He Xiuyuan’s carriage.
Both parties were heading to Chang’an, so traveling together was fine.
Along the way, Zhong Xiuyun constantly found topics to chat with He Xiuyuan, wanting to glean more information.
Meanwhile, Steward Song, who was driving the carriage, looked puzzled.
He had clearly told Zhong Xiuyun last night that He Xiuyuan was a deceptive charlatan.
Why, after telling her, did she still show no intention of listening?
Steward Song was utterly confused as he thought this.
He Xiuyuan, on the other hand, was quite helpless about this. He had been hoping to see if he could Cultivate a bit on the journey.
However, Zhong Xiuyun’s appearance forced him to chat with her, leaving him no way to Cultivate.
By mid-afternoon, a tall city appeared in front of them, with the words “Zhuangyuan Residence” written on its gate.
Upon seeing these three words, a hint of curiosity appeared in He Xiuyuan’s eyes.
Zhuangyuan Residence… he had read about this in a book before.
That Immortal Seeker who had previously helped the emperor had many experiences in the Zhuangyuan Residence.
He wondered if this Zhuangyuan Residence was as described by the other party.
“Zhuangyuan Residence has arrived. How about we rest here for the night today and then take a boat across Zhuangyuan Ferry tomorrow?”
Steward Song looked at the Zhuangyuan Ferry ahead and asked the two of them.
He Xiuyuan naturally agreed upon hearing this. Zhong Xiuyun, seeing that He Xiuyuan had agreed, also chimed in with her assent.
As the carriage slowly entered the Zhuangyuan Residence, the surrounding bustling sounds and prosperous sights immediately came into view.
At this moment, He Xiuyuan, looking at the coming and going pedestrians in the Zhuangyuan Residence and the continuous hawking, was momentarily dazzled.
Various rich aromas wafted through the air; some were from food, others seemed to be from spices.
After the carriage stopped at a riverside restaurant, Steward Song finally got out of the carriage.
He had already decided to stay here for a night.
He Xiuyuan and Zhong Xiuyun also got out of the carriage one after another and then walked up to the restaurant together.
“How about we eat something first? We’ve been traveling all day and haven’t had anything good to eat.”
Zhong Xiuyun blinked her eyes, seemingly looking at He Xiuyuan with a hint of pleading.
He Xiuyuan sniffed the fragrant aromas wafting from inside the restaurant and nodded lightly, “Then let’s eat something first.”
After speaking, He Xiuyuan had the waiter arrange a table.
It was not yet dinner time, but there were already many diners in the restaurant. Fortunately, there were still good tables available.
After He Xiuyuan and Zhong Xiuyun sat down, they initially wanted to ask Steward Song to join them.
However, the two of them, citing differences in status, found seats on the other side.
Seeing this, He Xiuyuan did not insist. After sitting down, he ordered a few signature dishes from the waiter.
Zhong Xiuyun noticed that He Xiuyuan seemed to be visiting for the first time. Seeing this, her mind stirred, and she remembered something.
“Young Master He must be visiting this place for the first time, correct?”
After thinking for a moment, Zhong Xiuyun tentatively asked.
He Xiuyuan looked up upon hearing this and nodded at Zhong Xiuyun’s question, “Indeed, it’s my first time.”
“Then, Young Master He, have you heard any rumors about this Zhuangyuan Residence?”
“Rumors?”
He Xiuyuan immediately became interested upon hearing this. “What rumors are they?”
Seeing He Xiuyuan’s interest, Zhong Xiuyun also recalled the rumors she had heard before.
At that time, she had only considered the folk rumors circulating in this area as mere tales and had not taken them seriously.
But now, after getting to know He Xiuyuan, she suddenly felt that those rumors might be true.
Thinking this, Zhong Xiuyun slowly began to recount the rumors she had heard among the common folk.
“I heard that many years ago, a madman came to the Zhuangyuan Residence. That madman was dressed in rags, looking like a beggar, but he held a whisk in his hand, appearing to be a Daoist.
“Although this person was as wild as a madman, he was quite… well, he should be said to be quite extraordinary.”
