On the painted barge, carved railings and painted buildings. Several layers of light gauze, the curtain of the city. With the evening wind blowing. In the center of the layered curtains. Pan Yu lies on the painted rug, resting her head on Cai Feng's knee. She falls into deep thought. She can die for him. But as long as she is still alive. She cannot abandon her own responsibilities.

  That night she had a clear feeling. That thing that made her dream with longing was so close to her. Close enough to be reached with just one sentence. But it couldn't be.

  Cai Feng's slender fingers gently massaged Pan Yu's head, "Pan Lang, in a few more days it will be the Huakui competition. Should I participate or not?"

  The Huajuan Competition is a kind of competition held by the people in the brothels at the beginning of each year. This Huajuan Competition originated from Qinhuai and later was imitated all over the country. Hangzhou also has it. In times of peace and prosperity, people always think of ways to have fun.

  Cai Feng was the flower queen of last year. He had long since stopped entertaining guests on this day, but he was waiting for good news from Pan Yu. However, Pan Yu kept putting off the matter of redeeming herself. She couldn't help feeling anxious in her heart, but she didn't dare to speak clearly about it. So she used the flower queen competition as an excuse to probe Pan Yu's intentions.

  "Go ahead and participate if you want to," said Pan Yuxiao. Cai Feng couldn't help but feel a wave of disappointment. If Pan Yuxiao really had intentions towards him, then he should have considered her off-limits by now.

  Pan Yu saw her disappointment, smiled and patted her cheek. "In a few more days, I will be leaving Hangzhou. At that time, I will ransom you." Cai Feng couldn't help but reveal an extremely beautiful smile.

  Pan Yu's mind wandered for a moment, but it wasn't because of that smile. Such an intelligent and beautiful woman was rare among the men he had met. Few had the bearing and wisdom to surpass hers. But because she was a woman, her fate could only be tied to his own. No matter how much talent and intelligence she possessed, it could only be hidden deep within the inner chambers.

  Thinking of this, Pan Yu asked: "Feng Er, do you regret it?"

  Cai Feng asked strangely: "Regret what?"

  Pan Yu said: "Once in the Wang's mansion, there will be no more freedom as now, and it will not be possible to roam around West Lake as freely. But instead, one can only be confined to that small courtyard, unable to casually go out of the door!"

  Cai Feng stroked her hair and said, "I don't have the ambitions of you men. I've never thought about traveling or having fun. What I want is to have my own courtyard, quietly, without anyone disturbing me. Reading books and playing the zither can make my days pass by. If there's someone waiting for me, that would be even better..." These were her true feelings. People saw her dancing elegantly at banquets, but they didn't know she only wanted to face the world with a simple heart in her family life.

  "Is this really what you want, daughter?" Pan Yu was taken aback:

  "Of course not, it's just Cai Feng's intention! Hong Xiu Auntie's intention, Qing Luan sister's intention, all the girls' intentions are different, probably the only common one is to find a loving man to marry!"

  Pan Yu thought of the oath made on that painted wall again. Love each other, never part ways. Although there were so many twists and turns, until death they really fulfilled these eight words. Maybe Meng Xiang was wrong!

  Xu Xian attended the funeral of Master Yuan Kong. The ritual of sending off the deceased into the Buddhist pagoda was performed. Fa Hai became the new abbot in a grand ceremony. Xu Xian then decided to leave. He learned the basics of the "Lin Zi Jue" and the "Ming Wang Yin", but still needed more time to master them. After all, he had only been practicing for less than ten years. To have achieved what he had so far was already a rapid progress.

  Back to the Imperial Academy. It was already after noon. Pan Yu had not returned yet. Xu Xian lay on the bed, feeling a bit sleepy as the warm sunlight shone in at an angle.

  "Xu Xian! Xu Xian!" Suddenly a loud shout awakened him from his dream, accompanied by the sound of drums and knocking on the door.

  Xu Xian woke up with a start to the sound of a familiar voice. He opened the door to see a small, puffed-up face and a pair of angry eyes staring at him.

  Xu Xian suddenly remembered. The identity of this little girl "is you! Little sister!" Imagine her terrifying appearance in the water as a huge monster. But she became human and is so cute. However, how did she find herself?

  The little girl saw the master and shouted "Xu Xian, you scoundrel!" Earlier, she had already startled many people. At this moment, even more people came over to see what was going on.

  The gatekeeper said: "Miss Gongzi came. She said she was looking for you. So I brought her over."

  Xu Xian said, "Just say it. What's with the beastly gaze? Take a look around. They're all looking at me like that." Ning Cai Chen sighed, "Han Wen, since you've done something like this, you should take responsibility. Although this girl is a bit young, there are many cases of early marriage in the village. You were wrong to deceive her family with wine."

  Xu Xian was taken aback. He closed the door with a bang and glared at her, saying: "Speak up! What's going on? What do you mean I cheated you? Did I cheat you out of money? You can't even afford to eat a bun. Or did I cheat you out of love? Whether it's your current scrawny appearance or the 10-odd meters long one, neither interests me."

  The little girl didn't say a word, pounced on and bit.

  Xu Xian slightly sneered. He held the unmoving Ming Wang seal. And stretched out his hand to press down on her head. No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't get close. As for "dragon swimming in water", what about being on land? Although her strength was astonishing, it wasn't enough to overcome Xu Xian who held the unmoving Ming Wang seal. The little girl's eyes were misty with tears. A golden light flashed across her face. With a choked voice, she said: "You deceived me. And still dare to bully me. I...I should have eaten you in the water." Pouting, her small chest heaved up and down. She was about to transform into her true form and fight Xu Xian to the death. Xu Xian was helpless. If things continued like this, he would truly become a beast. He asked: "What's going on? Tell me!"

  The little girl thought for a moment and said with an air of infinite grievance, "One pig is missing!"

  "What's meant by 'one less pig'?"

  "You think you can get away with it!"

  "Not at all, oh. Are you talking about the pig I gave you yesterday? How can it be less, did you count wrong?"

  The little girl said confidently: "I counted one by one, including you. And that woman who was hugging and kissing you in the water. There are clearly nineteen people."

  Xu Xian was shocked. This matter had actually been seen by her. But thinking about Long's strength and perception in the water, it was also normal. He could only instruct her not to say anything. "The nineteen people were not wrong. I also gave you nineteen pigs. And that woman's affair..."

  "Don't tell anyone."

  The little girl said, "It's not nineteen heads, it's eighteen. And that woman. I'm telling you. Don't try to cheat me." Then she raised her voice and said, "Xu Xian and the woman are in the water..." She didn't finish what she was saying. Xu Xian had already covered her mouth and picked her up. She struggled desperately in Xu Xian's arms, making indistinct "wailing" sounds.

  Xu Xian's strong and powerful body surprisingly felt unable to hold her, fortunately he had foreseen this. He picked her up. Otherwise, if she had gained momentum on the ground, it would have been impossible to control her. A commotion was heard outside the door, followed by a knock. Ning Caichen's serious and anxious voice came in "Han Wen ah, you're with another woman... Ah, it's not right. You can't bully people!"

  Xu Xian helplessly said, "Ning Ge, I don't have it. You're just making a scene!" Knowing that there was a large crowd of onlookers outside waiting to see the gossip inside, some unusual sounds came from within. His own image would be ruined anyway.

  He whispered in a low voice to the little girl in his arms, "Don't cry out loud. I'll put you down." The little girl's big black eyes stared back at him with stubbornness and indignation.

  Xu Xian said: "If you agree, just nod."

  The little girl nodded obediently.

  Xu Xian saw that she was not struggling. He gently put her down and slowly released his hand from covering her mouth. "Xu Xian is a big pervert!" the little girl shouted in her loudest voice.

  Xu Xian slapped his forehead in pain "Damn it"

  A suspicious noise came from inside the house. It didn't calm down until after a long time.

  Xu Xian sat on the bed, exhausted. There were a few scratch marks on his hands and face. The little girl was panting and sitting on one side. Her white shirt and hair were somewhat disheveled.

  "Alright, let's get to the bottom of this. I did give you nineteen pigs, you miscalculated yourself! If you want to eat, I can treat you again, no problem. Don't go around making false accusations!"

  The little girl insisted: "I didn't calculate wrong."

  Xu Xian thought so too. Admitting defeat wasn't wrong. The number of pigs shouldn't be wrong either. That means there was a problem during transportation. But looking at that old man, he doesn't seem like that kind of person. And there were other people around too. It just doesn't make sense. Watching him do this... it's really baffling.

  Xu Xian could only say: "Alright, let's go to the lake and take a look. Is it that the person who transported the pigs had a problem? Indeed, one head of garlic is missing. I'll definitely make up for it...". Although he wanted to buy her another head of garlic again. But things still need to be clarified. Otherwise, wouldn't he become a swindler?

  The little girl nodded vigorously: "Good!" Then thought for a moment and said: "Lose one head, compensate with two heads!"

  Xu Xian weakly said "Okay."

  Little girl asked: "Four heads"

  Xu Xian casually said: "Alright."

  Little girl got a sweet head and said: "Ten heads!"

  Xu Xian angrily said: "Let's have another great battle of 300 rounds!"

  The little girl said disdainfully, "Really petty, just four heads and that's it!" As for the battle with Xu Xian for 300 rounds, she was a bit afraid. Xu Xian said, "Let's go! To the lake." Suddenly remembered something. "Wait."

  The little girl narrowed her eyes and said: "Do you want to back out?"

  Xu Xian was too lazy to deal with her. Went to find a comb. First, he had to help her tidy up a bit. Otherwise, once they went out, it would be even harder to explain. En. Now it's already hard to explain.

  The little girl guarded herself: "What do you want?"

  "Alright!" Xuxian combed her little head. The little girl lowered her head, a bit shy, so much that Xuxian asked for her name. Without saying "Why should I tell you?" or "Only if you give me a stone pig can I tell you!", she softly replied: "Aoluo."

  "Alright, let's take a look." Xian handed over the copper mirror to her. It was a lovely pair of twin tails that suited her age perfectly. Accompanying her adorable face and doll-like big eyes, she really had a bit of an anime character feel to her.

  "Really ugly."

  Xu Xian sighed and said, "You, you!" But he didn't get angry at her reckless words. To be exact, there was no way to get angry with her. Thinking about this little girl's father being such a generous hero, yet she had been left unloved and sent to the West Lake by her heartless grandfather. The deep water seemed to have a fixed flavor that wasn't easy to bear!

  She then squatted down and helped her tidy up her clothes. Finally, she said with satisfaction: "Now you look much more spirited."

  Xu Xian himself didn't have any issues when he arrived. It was just that the scars on his face wouldn't disappear so easily. He could only put down his hair tie, letting his long hair hang down, which also helped to cover up a bit. And it made him look more elegant too.

  Xu Xian opened the door. Several people who were carefully stopping fell into the room.

  Xu Xian didn't bother to pay attention to them. He took Aoluo and walked out onto the bustling streets. The sound of carriages and horses filled the air, already showing signs of spring. From the Imperial Academy to the West Lake, it was originally a very short distance. But the two of them walked for a good while, about the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Whenever they saw something like sugar-coated hawthorn or kites on the road, Aoluo would stop to watch. Xu Xian couldn't resist the little girl's eager gaze. Although he didn't say a single pleading word, along the way, he bought over ten strings of sugar-coated hawthorn. This kid ate at an alarming rate! He had never seen anyone devour sugar-coated hawthorn like a wolf or tiger before, let alone other things.

  If it weren't for Xu Xian having gotten a lot of silver from Jin Wanli, just supporting her would have gone bankrupt. Walking all the way to the lake, Ao Li had magnanimously decided to forgive Xu Xian's deception. Now following Xu Xian was more about freeloading and getting free food and drink.

  But circled around West Lake for a big circle. Didn't see the old man from yesterday either. Instead, saw a familiar painted boat slowly approaching.

  Pan Yu saw what seemed to be Xu Xian on the shore from afar while on the painting boat. She rowed past with a stroke of the oar, their eyes met, and they were both delighted in their hearts. However, each had their own concerns.

  Pan Yufa asked: "Hanwen didn't you go to Lingyin Temple? Hmm. This child isn't from that day."

  He hadn't finished speaking when Ao Li loudly said, "Aren't you the one who was with Xu Xian in the lake that day... wu wu!" and was again covered by Xu Xian's hand.

  Xu Xian comforted Ao Li while saying to Pan Yu, "I just came down from Fei Lai Peak. I'll tell you about this child's matter tonight. You go take care of your business!"

  Pan Yu's lips parted. A faint voice sounded in Xu Xian's ear: "Are you so unwilling to be with me?"

  Xu Xian looked at her expression, but she turned around and spoke to Tong Cai Feng. Sighing in her heart, what do you want me to do?

  "Brother, you're here!" Qing Luan stood elegantly at the bow of the boat, seeing Xu Xian's joyful face. However, he took a glance at Pan Yu beside him, fearing that he might have offended his future master and thus had really sent himself to his brother.

  Several women all focused their attention on Xu Xian. Seeing him with his hair scattered, the meaning of being elegant and carefree became even more intense. It really had a bit of an immortal's demeanor. In their hearts, they all felt that Xu Xian was truly quick to change.

  Xu Xian had just arrived at the strange atmosphere. At this time, Ao Li beside him muttered: "Pervert!" which made him even more embarrassed.

  Xu Xian said to Cai Feng: "Miss Cai Feng, you and Qing Luan can go first! I'll take a stroll around the lake with Ming Yu."

  Cai Feng saw Pan Yu didn't refuse, so she said: "Then we'll leave first. Mr. Xu and Mr. Pan are still here. Be careful on the road." After saying that, she bowed and ordered the boatman to set off. Qing Luan waved goodbye to Xu Xian.

  Xu Xian's expression was strange as he said: "Pan Lang?"

  Pan Yu seemed uncertain, as if she was seeing off the departing boat. But Xu Xian could tell that she was staring blankly at the sparkling lake surface. Even her dazed expression was extraordinary and beautiful. The stunning Xu Xian waved his hand in front of her and said, "Let's go, Mingyu."

  "Ah! Where's he going?"

  Xu Xian helplessly said: "Just now you insisted on following me."

  "If you don't like it, I can leave. The painting boat hasn't gone far yet..."

  Xu Xian stretched out his hand to grab hers, stopping her from saying anything else. He looked straight into her eyes, but what made him disappointed was that Pan Yu froze for a moment before turning her head away and pulling her hand back, saying "Let's go!"

  Can't understand the strange language between adults. Aori, who feels ignored, loudly expresses her dissatisfaction "Hey! We're going to find someone!"

  Xu Xian would never hide anything from Pan Yu. He told her everything that had happened and said "That's it!"

  "Pan Yu anxiously asked, 'Can you guarantee she won't reveal my affairs?'"

  If she were an ordinary person, she would naturally have a way to make her never speak out. But it's different with a dragon.

  "Don't worry! She promised me."

  "I didn't!"

  Xu Xian suddenly felt a headache. Pan Yu stood up in front of her and said, "Let's make a bet. If Hanwen really loses to you, I'll owe you a stone. But if not, you have to promise the master won't tell anyone about this!"

  "Great!" exclaimed Ao Li happily.

  Pan Yu said to Xu Xian, "That day we were together. Indeed, there were nineteen pigs. And every time the small boat sailed, it used almost the same amount of time. The boatman didn't seem like a person who would cheat you. Besides, if he wanted to hide them, he wouldn't just hide one pig."

  "What's going on?" Xunna muttered.

  Pan Yudao said: "Although some are impossible. But it seems that the problem lies with one person, and that is her." He pointed to Ao Li beside him.

  Ao Li's discontent was evident, but Xu Xian held Pan Yu back and said, "It should be provable."

  Xu Xian said: "Time has passed and circumstances have changed. How can we prove it?"

  Pan Yu didn't answer Xu Xian, but instead turned to Ao Li and said: "I have a question. Do you dare to answer?"

  "What's wrong with you? Go ahead and ask!"

  "Okay. Then I'll ask you. Four plus four plus three plus two plus three plus three equals how many?"

  Xu Xian vaguely remembered. That was the number of pigs transported that day. He couldn't help but admire his own ability to remember, which required careful attention. Er Pan Yu was truly someone who never forgot what he saw.

  Aoli muttered to herself in a low voice, then gestured with her fingers. She looked very cautious. The two ponytails swayed back and forth, making her look even more adorable. Finally, she smiled confidently and said, "You lost! The answer is eighteen. Right or not?"

  Xu Xian was speechless for a moment. He understood the reason behind it. It turned out that this child could only understand simple arithmetic, one by one. More complex addition and subtraction problems were beyond his comprehension. Family education is indeed very important!

  Pang Yu sneered, "Wrong. It's nineteen. Can't even get the number right. Still coming to bother us? Hurry up and make a vow!" Pang Yu really had no good impression of Ao Li from the start. He was rude from the beginning, then almost drowned himself with water, and now he's bothering Xu Xian again. It's hard not to speak coldly.

  Ao Li refused to admit defeat "Obviously it's eighteen, you're the one who made a mistake!"

  Pan Yuhao said bluntly, "Extremely foolish. You're really pretending to be a dragon clan, go count the leaves on the trees one by one and you'll understand..." She had been accumulating frustration over the past two days and couldn't vent it out on Cai Feng. Nor could she tell Xu Xian about it. Now that she had found an opportunity, she brought up the law. With Xu Xian by her side, she wasn't afraid of any dragon's might.

  Xu Xian advised: "Mingyu, she is still a child."

  "What's wrong with the kid? Go take a look at the kids on the street. Which one can't even count this much? They're just begging for food on the street. Even if they can't read, they can still count how many copper coins they've begged for in a day!"

  Xu Xian was at a loss for words against Pan Yu, who seemed to have eaten some kind of stimulant. But then he heard Ao Li's trembling voice beside him: "You... you just wait." Xu Xian turned his head and saw that her eyes were red-rimmed. Her small body was shaking with indignation and anger, she had never been scolded like this since childhood. She wished she could swallow Pan Yu whole. But she gritted her teeth and searched for a leaf on the side to calm herself down.

  Xu Xian patted her shoulder. "Alright, I'll give you ten pigs instead. But you also have to swear not to tell anyone about Ming Yu."

  "Mind your own business," said Ao Lian, without lifting his head. He arranged the leaves one by one, then counted out three, four... and put the counted leaves together, counting them again one by one.

  Xu Xian couldn't bear to look. Pan Yu just stood aside, arms crossed, sneering coldly. Between them, Ao Li's slender fingers guided the last one. Her face turned pale. She muttered: "Nineteen. Nineteen."

  Xu Xian looked pitiful. Just as he was about to comfort her, Pan Yu said, "Understood? It's clear that you're ignorant and incompetent. Yet you still want to bother Han Wen with your nonsense. You think you can just eat and drink as you please? Who do you think you are?! No wonder your grandfather didn't want you!"

  Yet, there's a hint of resentment in my words. Why do you get to do whatever you want? You throw a tantrum and wait for Xu Xian to comfort you. Why have I been forced into this situation since childhood? Even liking someone has to go this far.

  Pan Yu's words were like needles, each one piercing. Ao Li crouched on the ground, her small body trembling like a bean sprout. She wanted to retort but had nothing to say. Her nose twitched repeatedly. Her eyeballs rolled in their sockets. She was just enduring, not wanting to lose to Pan Yu.

  Xu Xian sighed and said: "Ming Yu ah!" Then he quickly squatted down to comfort Ao Li: "Don't cry, don't cry! I'll treat you to a candied hawthorn."

  It's okay, don't worry. Just as she was comforted, Ao Li suddenly shouted in a crying tone: "You're all bullying me!" and then burst into loud wails. Big tears rolled down her small face as she cried uncontrollably. Xu Xian looked at her with a pang of heartache, hugged her tightly, patted her thin back gently, and comforted her softly.

  Ao Li cried and made a scene, struggling nonstop. She grabbed onto Xu Xian, wiping her snot and tears all over him. Xu Xian was taken aback, sensing the water spirit's power slowly gathering in the air.

  There were a few clouds in the sky. They gradually gathered together. It suddenly started raining... The rain got heavier and heavier. It gradually became a torrential downpour. People on the West Lake shore hurried to take shelter.

  Xu Xian himself was not afraid. The Ao Li in his arms was even more like a fish in water. Cried even harder. Pan Yu, however, did not cover up either. Raised her head to gaze at the sky filled with dark clouds.

  Rainwater slid down from his face. Black hair clung to his pale cheeks. It looked even more desolate.

  Xu Xian felt a pang in his heart. He pulled her hand to find a place to take shelter from the rain. But she was hugging Ao Li.

  Both big and small things are giving me a splitting headache! I don't know what to do!

  In the rain. Looking for a wine house. Under the corridor, there are not many people avoiding the rain. Seeing Xu Xian's rain-repelling appearance, they were all surprised. Xu Xian directly asked the shopkeeper for a room on the second floor and went upstairs.

  The sound of rain outside is loud and clear. The spring thunder rumbles.

  The crying in the room gradually stopped. Only sobbing remained. Xu Xian put her on a wooden bench and found a towel to help Pan Yu wipe her hair, which was completely soaked. She couldn't take a bath here after all. Pan Yu forced a smile and took over the towel to do it herself. Xu Xian simply hugged her tightly instead.

  Xu Xian's body shone with golden light, bringing warmth and heat. Pan Yuhua also felt a warmth in her heart, unsure if it was due to the hug or the radiance. The misty air rose up, and the dampness dissipated.

  Xu Xian said softly to Pan Yu in his arms: "I have something to talk to you about tonight!"