Speaking of the youth’s appearance, it would be fitting to call it ‘magnificent’.
But even when Ruoxi was delicately beautiful, Shen Lian has an unconventionally graceful demeanor, they were still tacky compared to him.
The youth entered and introduced himself first. His surname was ‘Zhao’ and his name was one word, ‘Xiang’. He then asked for Shen Lian’s name. His words have an appeal to it, which causes others to unconsciously take a liking to him.
Shen Lian observed without the other knowing and he noticed that it had something to do with the purple Qi on him. That purple Qi, not visible to the normal person, permeated a kind of aura that could infect the person’s mind to make him feel closer to him.
To put into common saying, this was called the ‘kingly Qi’.
Since the beginning of time, many founding Emperors had similar auras. Even though it was obvious that they did not have any kind of heritage or inside information, people would still go lengths and beyond while rendering their services.
Shen Lian’s psyche cultivation experience was especially high, his heart and soul was acute and was exceptionally sensitive to this. It was obvious that there was no any devilry but its effect was similar to the Dao skills that were used to enchant people’s mind.
Like him, even when he understood the cause of it, but because he did not hold any prejudice towards the person, so there was an unexplained good feeling being developed.
He already determined that Zhao Xiang was a member of the royal family, that he was a hidden dragon in the deep.
It was just that compared to his initial encounter with Zhao Xiang, even though the purple Qi was not that healthy and vigorous, it was unusually stable, but then, it was drifting.
As though some unforeseen events had appeared on him.
Today, Zhao Xiang came and searched for Shen Lian to discuss about Dao. Dawei believed in Daoism but the Empress sided more towards Buddhism. That was due to personal preference and even political considerations.
However, now, besides the eight main schools of Buddhism, two more orders appeared, the first was called Jingtu, another was called Foxin.
The Foxin sect absorbed many of the abstruse aims of Daoism, it could even be said that it was Daoism wearing a Buddhism skin. It was unique of both Daoism and Buddhism and at the same time, the Foxin sect’s doctrine was an even better fit to the taste of the rich and powerful who believed in Daoism.
Zhao Xiang argued about the abstruse in an imposing manner. Nonetheless, Shen Lian was extensively learned, he spoke about Zen and too talked about the abstruse, widely quoting the many ancient philosophers. There were moments when he had a stroke of genius which scattered Zhao Xiang’s imposing manner that the other had accumulated.
This went on for three days. He would come every early morning and leave before noon.
This person still did not reveal his purpose but Shen Lian rather felt that Zhao Xiang was being really patient.
But today, the other would certainly say his request.
Perhaps, this would be his first patient in Shendu to save.
The imperial city was a profound land of vanity and karma. But when Shen Lian was studying the history books on earth, there was no lacking of enlightened connoisseur that had relations with kings and emperors.
There was Guang Chengzi who Huangdi asked about Dao, Zhang Liang who helped the Han Emperor, Liu Bang, Zhou Dian and Zhang Sanfeng even consecutively helped the two Ming Dynasty Emperors of the house of Zhu.
These so-called enlightened connoisseurs, by right, should take fame and fortune lightly but why would they get involved with these kinds of disputes, Shen Lian vaguely came to a realization.
The change of the Qi dynamic of the land follows the change of allegiance within the land of the country. To obey the emperor, to summit to destiny, it was a once in a lifetime experience to be able to oversee and comprehend the important switch of this world.
The Feng Shui tactical formation of Shendu was one of the highest quality of art like nature itself. The principles within the deep layers were incomprehensible, perhaps there would be another day when the Feng Shui tactical formation would have a serious implication on it. By then, it would be the key for him to be able to catch the meaning of nature and master the harmonious existence of the eight Qi.
It all came down to a chance to try since Zhao Xiang voluntarily came to him, Shen Lian would not mind playing the part of Zhang Liang.
Furthermore, there was half of a bloodline of the Zhao family in Ruoxi.
Even though he had this intention, he never showed.
Zhao Xiang borrowed Shen Lian’s Guqin to play. Even though he was a strapping fellow, the Qin sound was very elegant, his posture accentuates one of a noble.
It was just that Ruoxi did not think the sound was good, she also did not like Zhao Xiang.
But Zhao Xiang really like Ruoxi, he would bring many little gifts for Ruoxi whenever he came.
The Qin sound was a little confusing. Suddenly, one of the strings broke.
Zhao Xiang looked apologetically to Shen Lian, by right, Shen Lian should question the reason for Zhao Xing to be so confused and caused the string of the Guqin to break.
But Shen Lian’s answer did not go according to what Zhao Xiang had schemed.
The hot summer sun was blazing. Shen Lian’s yard was quite cooling and there was jade green Chinese wisteria on the yard’s wall that was pretty satisfying to look at. The land was overflowing with vigor that even Zhao Xiang felt the abnormality.
As a result, he felt more reassured that Shen Lian was the one who could help him.
Shen Lian smiled slightly and said, “It’s just a broken Guqin string, you don’t have to pay too much mind on it.”
Zhao Xiang was already prepared for Shen Lian’s questions, he would explain the facts to Shen Lian but he did not expect Shen Lian to not play along.
However, he saw the mischievousness being shown on Shen Lian’s facial expression, between his eyes. How could Zhao Xiang not know that Shen Lian was exceptionally smart and he already knew he had a favor to ask him right from the beginning?
“Qing Xia, truth to be told, I do have a favor to ask of you.” Zhao Xiang was also decisive, if he had asked for help directly, Shen Lian may also not have entertained him. At the same time, things had not taken for the worst yet.
Now that the situation had become desperate, it was sooner or later he had to make this decision.
Qing Xia was an alias Shen Lian came up for himself, it was to remember Mount Qing Xia.
“What is it?” Shen Lian asked directly.
“My father is ill with this strange illness. We had many famous doctors to stop by but they could not heal him. Furthermore, he is getting worse and worse by the day. I want to know whether you could heal him.” Zhao Xiang could not say what kind of illness it was. Shen Lian was a legend, to be able to boast about being able to ‘bring the dead to life’, he could only try his luck now since he had run out of options.
As a matter of fact, he already investigated Shen Lian but it was as though he had come out of thin air, there was no lead at all. Even though the Xuanming division had Shen Lian’s dossier sixteen years ago, it was already destroyed by Shen Lian.
There was no way for a person to not have an origin but when even he could not investigate Shen Lian’s origin, this only proved that Shen Lian was indeed extraordinary.
He had never seen Shen Lian’s medical skill before. He trusted Shen Lian’s character, of course, the more main reason was that no one could treat his father’s illness.
“After all, you are approaching this with a ‘last attempt to save a hopeless situation’ manner, was it important whether I could save him or not?” Shen Lian laughed, mercilessly exposing Zhao Xiang’s intention.
There was a slight awkwardness on Zhao Xiang’s facial expression as he said, “I am already at my wit’s end.”
Shen Lian followed, “I open this clinic with the sole purpose to treat illnesses. If you could bring your father to me, I would naturally treat him.”
“I’m afraid this cannot be the case. Can you come to my place? I am afraid that it would be difficult to persuade my father to come here.” Zhao Xiang had a melancholic look.
“An ordinary person would not be allowed to enter the insides of the palace but I also do not wish to go. You should go advise His Highness, the Crown Prince.” Shen Lian’s facial expression was serene but his words hit like a ton of bricks, he actually already knew Zhao Xiang’s identity.
It was not difficult for Shen Lian to find out a person’s identity within three days if he put his mind to it.
Zhao Xiang forced a smile and said, “I did not think that Qing Xia would already know about my identity. I cannot blame you though, with your intelligence, how could you not have figured it out?”
Even though he had thought of revealing his identity but he still did not expect Shen Lian to know about it. It was also rare that even when he found out, Shen Lian did not change his attitude towards him while interacting.
Even if he and his father were in a fearful situation, like being on thin ice, he was the descendant of the emperor, after all, even Kuhui would not easily turn him away.