CHAPTER 237: CHAPTER 237: SUMMER TRIP TO THE PEACH GROVE

Early the next morning, Lin Wan started packing her rental apartment with Lu Zheng. Though there weren’t many things, they had to make three trips to move everything to the new home.

"It’s too big, hard to tidy up!" Lin Wan lamented.

Lu Zheng replied, "Get a housekeeper."

"No way!" Lin Wan immediately refused, "Can’t hire a housekeeper."

Lu Zheng blinked, thinking about the full cabinet of clothes in the bedroom, he nodded knowingly.

Seeing Lu Zheng had thought of it, Lin Wan pinched him hard.

Lu Zheng chuckled, hugged Lin Wan, "New home, let’s go eat!"

...

"When you’re free, you’ll come back, right."

"Yes, this is now our home, the old place has become a studio."

"Mm."

...

On Monday, Lin Wan went to work early, Lu Zheng traveled to ancient times.

"Lu Lang."

"Qingyan."

Liu Qingyan said, "Lu Lang, you’re just in time. Today, Hongxia and I were planning to go to Peach Blossom Plain and were about to find you."

"Going to Peach Blossom Plain?"

"Yes, Sister Shen came yesterday and accompanied us all day."

On the other side, Yan Hongxia’s gaze at Lu Zheng was somewhat odd.

Unexpectedly, Lu Zheng, who looked quite the gentleman, not only had a Fox Girl as a fiancée but also an Incense and Candle God as a close confidant.

Hmm, and he didn’t expect this guy to have such great skills, not only practicing Daoist Technique and Flying Sword but also having deep accomplishments in poetry.

But... it’s different from what’s written in the opera... womanizer! Bah!

"Alright." Lu Zheng nodded, "I’ll ask Old Huang to prepare the carriage. By the way, is Qing Quan not going?"

"Qing Quan hasn’t been diligent in the past two days. Yesterday, she couldn’t answer mother’s questions on her assignments and has to stay home to study today." Liu Qingyan couldn’t help but laugh, then added, "No need to prepare the carriage. The path is only ten miles, we can take the shortcut faster than a carriage."

"Uh..." Lu Zheng blinked, thought of Liu Qingquan’s worried expression doing her assignments, and decisively decided not to mind her, "Alright, let’s go!"

The group set out together, heading south of the city.

But just as they reached near Cong’an Square, Lu Zheng’s gaze sharpened, seeing an old monk slowly strolling along the street.

Is it him?

Not only did Lu Zheng stop, but Liu Qingyan and Yan Hongxia also paused together.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

With a chant of the Buddha’s name, the old monk had already approached the three, "The old monk wishes to ask for one Copper Coin, to cast Buddha’s Golden Body, praying for the benefactor’s blessings, wishing the benefactor eternal peace and joy, and to be ferried to Western Paradise in the next life."

Lu Zheng took out one Copper Coin and gently placed it in the old monk’s hand.

"Amitabha Buddha, many thanks for your kindness."

Then Liu Qingyan and Yan Hongxia each gave the old monk a Copper Coin as well.

The old monk accepted with gratitude and then continued his journey begging alms.

"Lu Lang?" Liu Qingyan asked quietly.

Lu Zheng explained, "I’ve seen this old monk once during my first visit to Yizhou Prefecture. He only asked for one Copper Coin, just like today. Duan Changzai also gave only one at the time, so I followed suit."

Yan Hongxia nodded, "Couldn’t gauge his depth, might be a high monk from some temple."

Lu Zheng glanced back, noticing the old monk had merged into the crowd.

...

It was just a minor episode, the world is vast, and meeting cultivators on the way isn’t anything new.

The three didn’t pay much attention, leaving the city soon for Peach Blossom Plain.

"Little Sister Qingyan, Miss Yan." Shen Ying welcomed them, "The weather is nice today. I’ve prepared some Peach Blossom Brew and pastry snacks; it’s a perfect time for a stroll in the Peach Grove."

"Really?" Yan Hongxia pursed her lips, glancing at the wooden box Xiaocui carried, feeling quite pleased.

Shen Ying gleefully glanced at the approaching Lu Zheng, "I also prepared a Yaoqin, just right for Lu Lang to entertain us."

"Did Sister Shen buy a Yaoqin?"

"It’s the one bought in the county a few days ago. It’s not as good as Lu Lang’s Phoenix Tail Zither in tone, but it’s still pleasing."

"That’s sufficient." Lu Zheng laughed proudly, "With my zither skills, it can make up for the sound quality deficit of this zither."

"Lu Lang is quite boastful."

"Then we’ll quietly await Lu Lang’s performance."

The group strolled leisurely in the Peach Grove, the weather clear and refreshing, and people heading to Taohua Temple for prayers were in constant flow. Due to "Peach Blossoms," the Peach Blossom Forest had also become a good spot for couples’ outings.

The Peach Blossom Forest, however, spanned a large area; though there were quite a few tourists, it didn’t have the crowded bustling atmosphere of modern times. Encountered tourists naturally kept their distance without mutual disturbance.

Without visiting Taohua Temple, they stopped at a secluded northeastern spot within the Peach Grove.

"It’s almost noon, let’s rest a bit." Shen Ying said, "Xiaocui, prepare."

"Sure!"

Xiaocui placed the wooden box down, first taking out a large floral cloth, spreading it on the ground, then extracting a porcelain bottle, wine cups, pastries wrapped in oiled paper, candies, etc.

"Sir, please!" Xiaocui smilingly took the zither box from her back, handed it to Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng accepted the zither box, took out the Yaoqin, placed it on the box, then sat cross-legged behind the zither, lightly strumming.

"Zheng—Zheng—"

Shen Ying asked, "How’s the sound?"

"Certainly not as good as the Phoenix Tail Zither." Lu Zheng nodded, "But adequate for entertainment, we’re not performing on stage."

Saying that, his hands continued playing a piece of "Yangchun Bai Xue."

Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying listened quietly, their eyes reflecting gentle light as they gazed at Lu Zheng.

Meanwhile, Yan Hongxia and Xiaocui... couldn’t stop their mouths...

"Sounds nice~"

"Mm, delicious, no, sounds nice." Yan Hongxia nodded, swallowed the remnants in her mouth, drank a cup of sweet brew, and then patted her chest, sincerely praised, "The playing is quite good."

"I really appreciate that!" Lu Zheng also nodded sincerely in thanks.

Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan couldn’t help but laugh, then noticed that half the food brought along had vanished after the piece finished.

Lately, Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan’s palates have become refined, spoiled by Lu Zheng. His audacity has grown, not only distributing materials from the Wolf Demon but also providing both families with plenty of spices and snacks.

Thus, even Taohua Village’s Peach Blossom pastries taste much better than a year ago.

"Hey, there’s still citrus?"

Seeing Xiaocui extract a few golden-yellow oranges from the wooden box, gently peel them, place them on a porcelain plate, and distribute them to the ladies one by one.

"Mm, delicious, much sweeter than wild citrus." Yan Hongxia’s eyes gleamed.

Lu Zheng nodded, yes, these were the most expensive oranges he bought at the high-end Huarun supermarket, costing twenty yuan per pound.

Shen Ying and Liu Qingyan each picked up a few orange segments, placed them in their mouths, lightly nibbling.

White clouds veiled the sun, a gentle breeze blowing, the ladies giggled charmingly, their attire fluttered in the wind, Lu Zheng felt relaxed, and another tune "High Mountain and Flowing Water" echoed beneath his fingers.