The sun was high in the sky.

As it turned out, sometimes sleeping for too long could also cause a sore back.

According to the doctor's explanation, this was a symptom of chronic lower back strain.

This condition did not only affect ordinary people, even the accomplished cultivator Lu Zheng had experienced it.

Basking in the sunlight, Lu Zheng stretched lazily as Shen Ying, having finished dressing, came out from the house and stood beside him.

Her eyes were like water, her cheeks blushing red, her figure as willow swaying in the breeze, gently linking her arm with Lu Zheng's, their soft bodies touching, an enticing sensation.

Xiaocui carried a basin of water, floating over from the front hall, "Young Master, please wash up."

"Allow me," Shen Ying took the basin from her, placed it on a stand in the courtyard, and assisted Lu Zheng in washing his face.

With a glance, Lu Zheng noticed over a dozen peach blossom petals floating in the basin, exuding a faint fragrance.

"The old peach tree has made progress, and many peach blossoms have grown anew, hence the fallen old ones, quite rich in spiritual energy. It's a pity to discard them, so I've collected them for other uses," Shen Ying said.

Lu Zheng nodded, cupped some water in his hands, and splashed it on his face. The fragrance filled the air, cooling and refreshing, invigorating his spirit.

"Comfortable," Lu Zheng remarked, "though it feels a bit wasteful."

For a cultivator, a dozen peach petals in the basin might be nothing, but for ordinary people, it was a supplement.

"It's not a waste if Lu Lang uses it." Shen Ying picked up a handkerchief, wiped Lu Zheng's face, then instructed Xiaocui to tidy up, and led Lu Zheng to the front hall of the manor.

Breakfast was already prepared.

It had to be said, Shen Ying truly lived up to her reputation as a lady from a distinguished family. Every time Lu Zheng visited Taohua Village, he felt the lavish comfort of a landowner's lifestyle, extraordinarily pleasant.

"Is there still incense qi from the Peach Mother Divine Mountain in the south?" Lu Zheng asked as he ate.

Shen Ying nodded, "There is, though not as much as before, while the incense qi from other places has become increasingly rich."

This indicated that "Peach Blossoms" was still spreading, and many places with peach groves and people continued to worship the Peach Blossom Fairy.

However...

Even though the Peach Mother Divine Mountain was no longer there, its people remained quite devout.

Yet, no matter how devout, they couldn't keep that Peach Mother Divine Tree; otherwise, where would I get to eat White Peach Buns and drink Peach Blossom Brew in the future?

Taking a deep breath of the food's aroma, Lu Zheng delighted in the fragrance!

...

After breakfast, Lu Zheng didn't leave the manor to return to town but accompanied Shen Ying for a stroll in the peach grove.

It seemed that the two hadn't spent time alone together for quite a while.

Shen Ying savored this moment, walking hand in hand with Lu Zheng in the peach grove. As they moved, the blooming peach blossoms on the trees around them became even more vivid.

Lu Zheng gently reached out, picked a peach blossom, looked at it briefly, and placed it gently in Shen Ying's hair.

With the peach blossom in her hair, contrasting with her golden jade peach blossom hairpin, Shen Ying appeared even more charming, adding a touch of allure.

Shen Ying felt herself melding into Lu Zheng's embrace.

Tilting her head slightly, she planted a soft kiss on Lu Zheng's cheek, suppressing the flutter in her heart; she pulled Lu Zheng along, quickly stepping out of the enchanted barrier Shen Ying had set.

Though summer was nearing its end, the weather was still pleasant, with the warm sun shining down. By mid-morning, many scholars and young maidens had already come to admire the spectacle of the peach grove.

"So early in the morning, and the peach grove is already lively?" Lu Zheng inquired.

They had just walked a short distance from the position of Taohua Village and were already in a relatively deep area of the Peach Blossom Forest. Even here, within view, Lu Zheng saw four or five groups of people strolling and taking in the scenery.

"The county exams just ended, and the scholars from surrounding towns and villages haven't left yet, so they visit the peach grove to admire the flowers in their free time," Shen Ying smiled and said, "Some wealthy young ladies also come in hopes of finding a kind suitor."

"So, quite a few have come to the Taohua Temple seeking partners?" Lu Zheng laughed, "Haven't you stolen the matchmakers' business then?"

Shen Ying chuckled, "I can't take away the matchmakers' business. Even if people fall for each other, a matchmaker is needed when they talk about marriage."

Together they walked towards the Taohua Temple, observing many men and women along the way. Some admired the flowers and scenery, some composed poetry, while others sat on the ground, drinking and discussing literature, or playing musical instruments.

...

"I tell you, I realized something was off about that woman from the start. What kind of woman appears on a wall late at night, and is that beautiful? She must be a ghost!"

"So I took it in stride, chatting casually with her, and the female ghost had no idea I had already seen through her."

"Hehe, Zhao Mou, knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, versed in ancient and modern lore, only had to share a few stories to capture the female ghost's attention."

"For a month afterward, she would come to chat with me every day, completely captivated by Zhao Mou, even offering herself to me."

"Hiss—"

"And then? What happened next?"

"I must say... tsk tsk... if you have the chance, you should try it."

"Feeling pity for the ghost, I showed her concern, but never expected her to harbor ill intentions, wanting to kill me and turn me into a ghost too."

"Wow!!!"

"And then? What happened next?"

"I sensed her ill intent, but out of consideration for our relationship, I advised her to cultivate diligently, and one day, after transforming into a human, we could live together."

"Alas, she was unwilling. Sigh, though she listened to my many wise teachings, she refused to progress alongside me."

"Not knowing that, during a stroll in the street, I encountered an expert who lent me a duster. I didn't wish to use it on her, but she insisted on killing me, eventually revealing ghost qi, which activated the duster, killing her on the spot."

"Hiss—"

"Oh my heavens!"

"And then? What happened next?"

"And then? Well, I returned the duster to the expert, who then departed leisurely."

Zhao Wenrong finished his story, leaving the five or six people around him in awe.

A young man looked at him with amazement, "Who knew Brother Zhao had such experiences."

Another young man looked at him with envy, "Truly impressive..."

"Was the female ghost pretty?" A girl with a refined appearance curiously asked.

Zhao Wenrong nodded, "Rare to behold in this world."

"Wow!"

"Did she become terrifying?" another girl asked.

Zhao Wenrong replied earnestly, "Her skin turned pale, blood-teared eyes, her long black hair extending over ten meters, swirling all around, nearly filling the entire room, her fingers' red nails extended nearly a meter, like ten sharp swords!"

The girls all gasped and looked at Zhao Wenrong with admiration in their eyes.

"Young Master Zhao is so brave!"

"Remarkable!"

Zhao Wenrong smiled humbly, "It's nothing. Zhao Mou has studied the classics for over ten years, with a clear conscience, naturally fearless."

"Wow!!!"

The girls' eyes glimmered with stars, filled with admiration as they looked at Zhao Wenrong.

Zhao Wenrong raised his eyebrows, then shook his head regretfully, "What a pity, without the female ghost, I wouldn't know with whom to chat late at night."

The girls exchanged excited glances, pausing before speaking, but they stayed silent.

Zhao Wenrong opened his folded fan, standing as straight as a pine, and raised his head, assuming a poised posture, "So, as I was saying..."

Halfway through his words, Zhao Wenrong found he couldn't continue.

For he suddenly noticed Lu Zheng standing not far away, under a peach tree, with a beautiful maiden in pink palace attire by his side. The two of them were holding hands, smiling, and listening with interest to... his storytelling... or bragging...