A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 123

The sound of reciting poems rose and fell from Changle Pavilion, each person reciting poetry in a melodious and pleasant manner.

As the event drew to a close, Xiang He and Zhu Nan walked over.

The noblewoman Du Wenxiu glanced at Xiang He, her eyes gleaming slightly. "Why don't you join Miss Xiang in composing poems? Young Master He has already matched quite a few."

Xiang He sat down directly next to He Suian. "I don't know how."

Such frankness left Du Wenxiu speechless.

Seeing her speechless expression, Xiang He simply lowered her eyes and ate her pastries, occasionally glancing at these people, each of whom was extremely knowledgeable.

He Yuncheng sat opposite him, exchanging pleasantries with He Suian.

Princess Qin Fuhua and Shen Zhuoci simply nodded, occasionally offering a few words of praise.

A group of self-proclaimed poets gathered together, sipping tea and reciting poetry—it was incredibly pleasant.

Xiang He didn't like this atmosphere; she preferred to go out more and broaden her horizons.

With that thought in mind, Xiang He tugged at He Sui'an's sleeve under the table, "Let's go back."

He Suian glanced sideways and nodded, then stood up and bowed, saying, "It's late, please forgive our rudeness, we'll head home now."

Shen Zhuoci quickly stood up, "The battle is not over yet!"

"I concede defeat and beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

Having said all that, Shen Zhuoci couldn't say anything more. He simply took a wine cup from the side, poured a cup of warm wine, and handed it to him, saying, "It's rare to have such a wonderful night, Brother He, bottoms up!"

The one carrying the jade plate was the princess's maid. She lowered her head. He Sui'an noticed Xiang He out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that she remained calm, he took the cup, clinked glasses with her, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Brother He is so generous! The imperial examination is in three days. I wish you all the best in passing!"

"I am honored by Your Highness's words."

The two left side by side. Shen Zhuoci was still watching them. Qin Fuhua smiled and said, "Brother Shen thinks highly of Young Master He?"

Why not just say he's confident of success?

Shen Zhuoci sat down again and waved his hand to signal that they should continue their poetry recitation.

He Sui'an just left out the last couplet, and everyone is still thinking about how to match it with the next line.

Qin Fuhua's eyes flashed, and he finally understood what Brother Shen meant.

Leaving a pair of questions aside is irrelevant to winning or losing, but those present still have to think hard and barely manage to answer. How can such talent not succeed?

What bothered her even more was the girl beside He Sui'an. If she was just a friend, she would take care of her in every way and be obedient to her in everything. If she was someone he loved, she would be too polite...

These two are really hard to understand.

"Don't think about it. If Brother He passes the imperial examination, he will stay in the capital."

Qin Fuhua cleared his mind of distractions, picked up the warm tea on the table, took a sip, and said, "That's true."

The two weren't speaking loudly, but He Yuncheng and Yuan Qingqiu were sitting right next to them, and their whispers could be heard. It seemed that this year's imperial examination would be quite interesting.

Yuan Qingqiu picked up the teacup with her slender hand. "Princess, let's not talk about others, everyone is still talking."

"Yes, yes, we should hear who wins and who loses in the end."

While Fang was reciting poetry and making merry, Xiang He and He Sui'an were already on their way home.

"What happened to that maid?"

Xiang He walked with her arms swaying. "I still can't see clearly, but that face doesn't look real. She was especially afraid of me getting close."

"Has she figured out who you are? Could you be in danger?"

Xiang He blew a stray hair away from her forehead, her eyes reflecting the lanterns of the long street. "She'll be afraid of me once she sees who I am. She'll probably come looking for me first. There won't be any danger. Just be careful."

Even if they dare to come knocking, we won't easily harm them.

I could sense her panic just by passing by her.

Xiang He brushed a stray strand of hair aside. "By the way, what's Shen Zhuoci like? He seems to be intentionally getting close to us. What could his purpose be?"

"The heir of the Marquis of Changning's mansion is said to be cynical and irreverent, but it seems that this is not the case today."

Upon hearing this, Xiang He nodded in realization, "Oh, pretending to be weak to catch a tiger."

People who grow up in Beijing are never easy to deal with; they are all shrewd and calculating.

Simply sitting there, one would be subjected to many strange looks; if one were to befriend any powerful or influential person, one would be the subject of much speculation and be falsely accused.

"They have too many tricks up their sleeves..."

Xiang He suddenly sighed, while He Sui'an sneered helplessly, "If you don't like it, there won't be a next time."

"Not at all. It's quite entertaining to watch these two-faced people put on an act."

Life in the capital is boring, so watching these entertaining things is a good way to pass the time.

Seeing her walking so leisurely, He Sui'an felt much more relaxed. "Won't that maidservant, who is following the princess, plot against her?"

"I don't think so. The princess looks very well, and nothing has happened to her recently."

The two stopped talking and quietly walked through the main street into the alley, then through several twists and turns to Zhao Alley, at the end of which was an arched wall.

Xing Ji went over and opened the door. Inside, there was a pebble path with lush green grass on both sides.

In the stillness of the night, isolated from the few neighbors, it is truly a peaceful place to stay amidst the hustle and bustle.

Xiang He flicked his wrist and waved the large umbrella, "The four ghosts come out to receive incense offerings."

Four figures appeared, standing respectfully to the side, and greeted Xing Ji and Zhu Nan.

She walked to the base of a large tree, took out incense and candles from her cloth bag, and lit them. "These next few days, you will keep watch. If there is any disturbance, wake me up."

"Yes."

The four of them drifted together, the smoke from burning incense and candles filling the air with a comforting aroma.

Zhu Nan brought over two chairs, and the two sat in the empty courtyard. Xiang He took out the palm mirror and gently stroked its surface with her fingers.

Are you two coming out?

Before any response was received, two plumes of white mist had already drifted out.

After regaining her balance, Jinghua Shuiyue stretched her body and said, "Daoist Master, why have you kept me waiting for so long?"

With a hint of playful complaint in her voice, Xiang He leaned back in her chair and looked at the two of them, saying, "I'm worried you two will say something inappropriate, so don't call me Taoist Master anymore."

“That won’t do…” Jinghua squatted down to the side. “Is there something you’re taboo about, Daoist Master?”

"Just call her 'Miss' like they do. Who knows, you might suddenly show up one day. Don't let it slip."

"Yes, Taoist priest."

Xiang He's gaze swept over the two beautiful young women. "Have you two made progress in your cultivation recently?"

Shuiyue immediately beamed with joy, "Thanks to you, Miss, we listened to you chanting scriptures every night. We followed the Heart Sutra to cultivate and have actually improved a lot."

"That shows you two are dedicated. Do me a favor tonight."

Upon hearing that there was something to do, Mirror Flower Water Moon immediately straightened his back, and even the four ghosts floated over.

"What are your orders, young lady?"

Xiang He sat up straight, her fingertips tracing the ribs of the umbrella. "The Four Ghosts are guarding this courtyard. Mirror Flower Water Moon, go around and investigate, and sense any unusual demonic energy."

Upon hearing the word "demonic," Shuiyue's expression changed drastically. "What if it's a fierce one..."

"Don't worry, you won't find it easily. We're just going to see if there are any monsters in the capital. I promised the mountain god I would help him find a monster, but I haven't seen any along the way. The capital is so big, I wonder if that monster has come here."

I love bustling places; what city can compare to the prosperity of the capital?

The two demons and four ghosts obeyed and left. Only then did He Sui'an speak, "Mountain God?"

“There are spirits in the mountains, and many of them will become gods after a hundred years of cultivation,” Xiang He said, getting up and stretching his shoulders. “I’m going to wash up now, and I should be able to get a good night’s sleep tonight.”