Chapter 81 part 2

 He had gone to see Master Yi to verify the matter.

Unfortunately, Master Yi had returned home, and the shopkeeper at Hanmo Pavilion was unaware of his identity as the renowned scholar "Qingyuan Jun."

Thinking of Master Yi... Lu Lizhi eventually steeled himself and, guided by Shopkeeper Ning, went to the Yi residence.

The Yi family home was an ordinary brick-and-tile house in the prefectural city, complete with a small courtyard; as dusk fell, wisps of cooking smoke curled into the air, carrying the appetizing aroma of a meal being prepared.

Lu Lizhi assumed Master Yi would still be at the prefectural academy and hadn't returned yet.

To his surprise, the person who opened the door was a young man in his twenties. "Lu Lizhi? What brings you here?"

Lu Lizhi recognized him—it was Master Yi’s son, Yi Shuyun, who also studied at the prefectural academy and had earned his *xiucai* degree a couple of years prior.

Standing behind him, Jiang Baiye thought to himself, *Great, another one.* He immediately stepped up beside Lu Lizhi and said with a beaming smile, "We’ve come to see Master Yi."

"And you are?"

Jiang Baiye gritted his teeth as he smiled. "Lu Lizhi’s closest friend."

"A pleasure. I am his fellow disciple, Yi Shuyun."

Jiang Baiye thought, *Fellow disciple, my foot—I have no desire to know you.* As they spoke, the conversation drew attention from inside the house. "Who is it?"

Lu Lizhi’s heart skipped a beat; was this a case of his worst fears coming true? Master Yi walked out and looked quite surprised to see Lu Lizhi. "Lu Lizhi, do you need something?"

His tone grew stern before he even realized it. "Do you want to ask for leave again? Aren't you supposed to be seeking medical treatment? What are you doing wandering around outside at this hour? And who are these two?"

Master Yi’s rapid-fire questioning even startled his own son, Yi Shuyun; when had his father ever been this harsh?

After all, this was Lu Lizhi—the student with the best academic record. In just a short time, he had nearly caught up to students who had studied there years before him; even Yi Shuyun would have treated him with kid gloves!

Jiang Baiye and Shopkeeper Ning exchanged glances, both sensing Lu Lizhi’s sudden tension. It was like the feeling of a primary school student skipping class to play outside, only to run straight into their homeroom teacher...

So, Lizhi (Qingyuan Jun) was actually afraid of his teacher.

Just then, a hand slapped Master Yi sharply on the head.

"You rascal, what do you think you're doing?" An angry shout shattered the stern atmosphere Master Yi had created.

Lu Lizhi blinked instantly; his posture relaxed, his expression softened, and his eyes brightened as he looked at the elderly Master Yi who had appeared behind the younger Master Yi. "Ouch! Dad, what are you doing?" Master Yi—a grown man—rubbed his head, looking rather embarrassed. "My student is right here."

"Student? You have the nerve to talk about students? How dare you treat Qing... treat a guest who’s come to visit like that! What did your student do wrong? You started scolding him right at the doorway without a shred of propriety—I ought to thrash you!" Old Master Yi was truly agitated; he immediately grabbed the broom from behind the door.

Yi Shuyun’s jaw dropped once again; since when had his grandfather become so hot-tempered?

Master Yi cried out in protest, "Dad! What are you doing? Ouch—easy, take it easy! Don't I have any dignity left?"

Jiang Baiye and Shopkeeper Ning couldn't help but chuckle. Lu Lizhi acted as if he didn't quite grasp the situation, though he was secretly delighted; he had fully expected that getting caught like this meant he’d be punished by Master Yi with latrine-cleaning duty back home.

To his surprise, Old Master Yi grabbed him by the ear and hauled him right in front of himself. "Hurry up and apologize to your student! Honestly—do I have to teach you how to behave every single day?"

Lu Lizhi hurriedly shook his head and stepped aside; naturally, he couldn't accept such a gesture.

Master Yi was completely baffled as to what had gotten into his father.

But when he saw his father eagerly invite Lu Lizhi into the house and sit down with Shopkeeper Ning to discuss the *Qingyuan Jun* storybooks, he narrowed his eyes. A realization dawned on him, leaving him utterly shocked! In recent months, the earnings generated by the storybooks penned by "Qingyuan Jun" far exceeded the savings his family had painstakingly accumulated over the years; this not only eased the financial burden of Shuyun’s studies but also ensured there would be funds to grease the wheels of influence once he eventually traveled to the capital.

Most importantly, his father was no longer viewed merely as a wandering performer scraping by to make a living; instead, he was gradually being elevated to a revered status, commanding great renown and prestige.

Naturally, Master Yi and Yi Shuyun were direct beneficiaries of this shift.

If Lu Lizhi was truly *that* person... then he could finally understand why his father had reacted so intensely.

Jiang Baiye and Yi Shuyun sat facing each other, locking eyes. Unlike others who might be eager to chat, the two of them simply gazed at one another, remaining silent for a long time. Yi Shuyun took a sip of tea to mask his awkwardness but ended up choking on it, making the situation even more embarrassing. After a moment, he spoke in a flustered tone, "Brother Jiang, do you have some sort of issue with me?"

Jiang Baiye withdrew his stern, piercing gaze. "No. It’s just that Lizhi has a rather aloof nature; I imagine he isn't very close with you?"

Yi Shuyun completely missed the subtext. "Not at all. Junior Brother Lu is gentle and friendly; everyone enjoys his company. He excels in his studies and possesses extraordinary insight—his essays are frequently circulated and admired, and there’s always a queue of people waiting to seek his guidance. I was fortunate enough to receive a pointer or two from him, and I benefited immensely!"

Jiang Baiye couldn't stand that tone of awestruck admiration—especially since Yi Shuyun kept glancing at Lu Lizhi while speaking, as if to say, "Look at him! Just look at him!"

Lu Lizhi did indeed glance over, wondering to himself: *When exactly did I offer him guidance?*

These senior students—particularly the group led by Yi Shuyun—were the top scholars of the prefectural academy. They were virtually guaranteed to pass the provincial examinations next year; they certainly didn't need *him* to tutor them.

"It went like this: at first, I was a bit skeptical, so I disguised myself and tagged along behind the others seeking his advice. I seized the chance to ask a few questions, and to my surprise, Junior Brother offered such profound insights that it truly opened my eyes!"

Afraid he wouldn't believe it, Yi Shuyun even went to fetch a sheet of paper containing notes he had written down back then. Seeing the way the man carefully unfolded and refolded the paper—treasuring it as if it were a precious gem—Jiang Baiye’s smile deepened. "It really is something."

"Right? Junior Brother Lu’s handwriting is vigorous and powerful—a rare sight indeed!" Yi Shuyun lavished praise upon it, completely oblivious to the looming danger.

Lu Lizhi: "..." He had a bad feeling about this.

Urged warmly by the Yi family, the three of them stayed for a sumptuous dinner; putting other matters aside, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Master Yi even made a special trip to speak with the people at Hanmo Pavilion.

In the past, Hanmo Pavilion had treated him as a mere subordinate, but now they viewed him as their pillar of strength; naturally, they had no reason to object.

The next day, they rose early and oversaw the meticulous arrangement of the venue.

After returning that night, Jiang Baiye didn't blame Lu Lizhi. After all, what could he say? It wasn't Lizhi's fault that he was so talented. If Jiang Baiye were petty enough to hold that against him and stifle his potential, he would never be able to forgive himself.

It was a pity, though; while he was competent in many areas and possessed a good memory, he lacked literary flair and had no aptitude for the written arts—let alone reaching the heights Lizhi had attained. The idea of ​​truly resonating with Lizhi on an intellectual level felt like a pipe dream.

Since he couldn't capture Lizhi’s soul, he would simply have to seduce him physically.

Upon returning to their temporary new home, Jiang Baiye first brewed Lu Lizhi’s medicinal decoction and prepared hot water for his herbal bath. Mother He had already tidied up a room for Lu Lizhi; she had specifically arranged a separate chamber for him, ensuring he wouldn't be sharing quarters with Jiang Baiye. He had worried his lad might act recklessly or behave improperly.

Yet, contrary to expectations—even though the saying goes that a brief separation makes a reunion feel like a honeymoon—Jiang Baiye remained remarkably self-restrained, staying in his own room and settling down to sleep quite properly.

Lu Lizhi, who had been waiting in his own room for Jiang to come over but saw no sign of him, was left wondering: "Huh?"

So, he took the initiative and went to find him.

He knocked on the door with a reserved air.

"He must be asleep; he can't hear it."

If Lu Lizhi could speak, he would surely have coaxed him with a few words—Jiang Baiye was easily swayed by such things—but alas, he was mute, so he simply continued to knock.

Patiently and gently.

To Jiang Baiye, the sound of the knocking was like the enchanting song of a mermaid, intoxicating and mesmerizing; it was only when he finally got up to open the door that he remembered his original plan.

"Go back and get some sleep early; you must be exhausted after the long journey today."

Lu Lizhi gazed at the candlelight. Jiang Baiye was standing in the doorway, casting a tall silhouette against the door; Lu Lizhi lightly touched the image, tracing its outlines with his fingers.

"It's so hot..."

The silhouette began to shift as Jiang Baiye slowly unfastened his clothes, letting them fall one by one to reveal his superb physique.

Even through the shadow, the powerful curves and lines of his muscles—well-defined without being exaggerated—were clearly visible.

Without even trying, Jiang Baiye exuded an irresistible masculine allure. Lu Lizhi lowered his gaze, then slowly raised it again, fixing a steady, intent stare upon that body, now nearly stripped bare. The very next moment, the door was yanked open from the inside.

An aura of virile masculinity washed over him; the man stood bracing himself against the doorframe, clad only in a pair of under-trousers that hung loosely on his hips. "Not going back?"

Lu Lizhi pressed himself close.

That night, Jiang Baiye held him as they slept until dawn.

Lu Lizhi’s passion erupted in the early morning; while Jiang Baiye was still deep in dreams, Lu Lizhi slipped under the covers to savor him.

After the flurry of activity, he watched Jiang Baiye’s disheveled, undone state before leisurely dressing and taking his leave.

Breakfast was prepared by Mother Jiang. After eating, Lu Lizhi went alone to the He household to invite Master Pang to a storytelling session as a gesture of gratitude.

"Not going; I have no interest in that sort of thing," Master Pang declared. Yet, once Lu Lizhi had left, he casually asked others, "What is this storytelling about? Is it actually worth watching?"

That question opened the floodgates of conversation. Upon hearing the details, Master Pang was struck by a single thought: *Oh no—is it too late to change my mind?*

Back at the Jiang home, Mother Jiang gazed at Jiang Baiye’s tightly shut door. "Why hasn't he gotten up yet? He’s skipping breakfast, too—could he be sick?"

When Jiang Dazhu finally knocked on the door, Jiang Baiye’s voice sounded hoarse; he coughed a few times before managing to speak somewhat normally. "I’m going to sleep a little longer."

He wanted to savor the lingering sensations a while longer...

*Hiss...* He still wanted more. Lu Lizhi spent a long while with He-shi, sketching floral patterns and drafting exploded-view designs for furniture. His demeanor was calm and composed; who would have guessed that, just that morning, he had engaged in such a wild, uninhibited act?

He knew nothing of the mechanics—he had glanced at that single page in the book stolen from Jiang Baiye but never looked at it again; all his experience came solely from Jiang Baiye.

Yet, guided by instinct, he had done things that were intensely arousing for both of them, and the psychological satisfaction Lu Lizhi felt was soaring to unprecedented heights.

It was as if he could effortlessly hold everything about the other man in the palm of his hand.

He could make him live, make him die, or drive him to the brink of ecstasy and agony.

When Jiang Baiye arrived, he appeared utterly composed. "What are you two up to?"

He-shi smiled brightly. "Look at this embroidery—doesn't it look better and better? From now on, leave all the floral patterns for your clothes to me; I guarantee you'll be satisfied!"

Jiang Baiye glanced over, his arm resting casually—almost inadvertently—on the back of Lu Lizhi’s chair as he spoke in a relaxed tone: "It looks good."

He said nothing more; clearly, his mind was elsewhere.

His arm remained draped there, effectively encircling Lu Lizhi. He didn't pull it back, instead tapping his fingers lightly against the chair’s backrest, his presence enveloping Lu Lizhi completely.

Lu Lizhi picked up his teacup and sipped slowly; his long, clean fingers, set against the lustrous, jade-like porcelain, looked even more exquisite and alluring than the cup itself. Sensing the man’s gaze upon him, the two maintained a composed, serious air—despite having shared the most intimate of acts.

Yet, in the occasional glance that met, there flowed an undercurrent of profound, ambiguous intensity—something known only to the two of them.

It was just like the look Jiang Baiye was giving him now—an aggressive, hungry intensity that seemed to say he wanted to devour him whole...

The two of them set out early that morning. In addition to the friends from the yamen whom Jiang Baiye had invited the day before, the Yi father and son had also expressed an interest in joining the outing the previous night.

Lu Lizhi had invited them, asking Jiang Baiye to sound out Cheng Ping and the others on the matter.

Jiang Baiye didn't even need to ask; knowing his friends were easygoing, he agreed on their behalf right away—even though he personally couldn't stand Yi Shuyun.

However, as soon as the two of them stepped into the carriage, they spotted a chubby figure huddled inside.

"Hehe, this carriage is nice and warm," Pang Dafu said, touching the interior here and there to distract them.

The three of them headed to the bustling "Golden District" of Xuanhe Prefecture. The Hanmo Pavilion teahouse was a newly erected, multi-story structure featuring traditional architectural styling—upturned eaves, carved beams, and painted pillars—and it was already teeming with customers.

Cheng Ping and the others were already waiting there, brimming with excitement; they didn't mind at all when Jiang Baiye mentioned that a few extra people would be joining them. He waved his hand and said, "It’s such a lively scene! With an opportunity like this, everyone wants to at least catch a listen."

The atmosphere was just like that of modern fans attending a concert; there was an innate sense of familiarity and camaraderie among like-minded enthusiasts.

Everyone else felt the same way; one could even see people who had traveled from out of town.

They came in twos, threes, or larger groups—some by carriage—arriving either to listen to the storytelling or to rush in and book tickets for future sessions.

Amidst the bustle, Jiang Baiye held Lu Lizhi’s hand, and they ran straight into Master Yi (Yi Shuyun), who was approaching them.

Yet, no one noticed their sleeves brushing together or the way their fingers were lightly interlaced.

Then, Master Yi came out personally to welcome them, which gave everyone quite a start.

However, since Lu Lizhi’s party was large—including Master Yi’s own children and grandchildren—and given that Master Yi and the Hanmo Pavilion proprietor had previously welcomed high-ranking officials who commanded great awe, the onlookers didn't speculate too much after their initial surprise.

The group made their way through smoothly, enjoying the ease of it all.

Not far away, however, Dong Daying was being jostled and crushed in the crowd. He scowled, wanting to shout a string of curses, but the memory of what happened to previous troublemakers—combined with the realization that he wouldn't be able to get in to hear the storytelling anyway—forced him to swallow his words and keep quiet. He was known for his impatient nature, yet today he had shown unprecedented persistence.

When his backside finally made contact with the chair in the teahouse, he was so overcome with emotion he nearly shed a tear of joy.

Just as he was about to boast to those around him about how he had secured such a prime seat, he glanced up—and caught sight of a figure that had no business being there!

"Jiang Baiye!?"

His voice cracked as he shouted the name. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, for right behind him, he saw the figure of Master Pang!

"Damn it, why are they here? And heading up to the second floor?" Dong Yingying nearly lost control as he rushed toward them, only to be blocked at the foot of the stairs by the bouncers stationed there.

"Sir, please stop right there!"

While the Hanmo Pavilion restaurant imposed no such strict prohibitions, everyone who frequented this teahouse had tacitly accepted a shared rule: do not disturb the distinguished guests on the second floor.

Regardless of wealth or status, anyone who gained access to the second floor was entitled to the privilege of not being disturbed by others.

This privilege might not seem like a big deal on its own, but the sense of superiority conferred by the tiered seating system drove many to bid astronomical prices for the private booths on the second floor.

Just as they were stopping Dong Ying, another group of people approached.

A stir rippled through the crowd.

"Dean Lu of Mingli Academy!"

"And Lu Qinghong..." Although the speculation linking Lu Qinghong to the identity of "Qingyuan Jun" had quieted down in recent months...

...many who had witnessed the earlier events remained convinced of the connection. However, out of respect for Qingyuan Jun—and influenced by hints Lu Qinghong himself had dropped—...

...people had refrained from making a public fuss, preferring to let him keep a low profile; many claimed this was the only way Qingyuan Jun could write his stories in peace.

Of course, part of it was simply that Lu Qinghong lacked the nerve to truly broadcast the claim, fearing the real Qingyuan Jun might step forward and expose him.

Yet, this approach also aligned with the wishes of those close to him—specifically, his grandfather.

At this moment, Lu Changsheng—the Seventh Master of the Jiangyi Lu family's collateral branch—began to understand why his grandson had, in a moment of rash impulse, tacitly accepted the identity of Qingyuan Jun.

Even if the speculation was merely conjecture, the way people looked at him was enough to make one feel intoxicated with pride.

Once again, Lu Qinghong found himself unable to resist the allure; his heart trembled with the thrill of it. Even a schemer as calculating as Old Master Lu Qi found it hard to keep his composure; the benefits he foresaw in acquiring the title of "Lord Qingyuan" far surpassed anything his grandson could have imagined!

For one thing, the widespread renown of "Lord Qingyuan" had already caught the attention of the main clan in Jiangyi Prefecture.

Gaining the main clan's recognition and returning to Jiangyi—that mecca of literature—was something Lu Changsheng had racked his brains to achieve his entire life!

It was only when the two of them sat down by the wide-open window that the whirlwind of thoughts in their minds began to settle.

Meanwhile, Jiang Baiye was enjoying himself thoroughly with plenty of food and drink.

Although the teahouse served only fine tea and snacks rather than full meals or alcohol, Master Pang and Cheng Ping—with a surprising show of tacit understanding—produced an array of edibles from the various bundles they had brought along and spread them out on the table. “These are specialties from our family: rice cakes, cylindrical sticky rice dumplings, and chilled rice jelly.”

“And these were made by our cook: fried chicken drumsticks and wings; braised duck tongues, necks, and collarbones; pickled-pepper chicken feet; and beef jerky.”

The Yi father and son, who hadn't brought a thing, were left speechless: “……”

Jiang, the cook, was equally dumbfounded: “……”

Old Master Pang certainly knew how to boss people around; he called over the waiter who was serving tea and said, “Go on, give these a quick re-fry.”

Then, they proceeded to feast right there on the braised snacks, cold dishes, and jerky.

Everyone else swallowed hard as the aroma wafted over. Old Master Pang—who had forced his way into the group—uncharacteristically didn't hoard the food: “If you want to eat, go ahead.”

After a token show of polite hesitation, everyone eagerly reached for the food; in the blink of an eye, the plates were wiped clean.

Old Master Pang, who had been trying to act the dignified elder, was left dumbfounded. He had no choice but to turn to the snacks Cheng Ping and his group had brought. Fortunately, those were still warm, and Hanmo Pavilion offered a wide variety of tea snacks.

Poria cakes, pea flour cakes, Mozi pastries, jujube paste balls, hawthorn treats... and even fruits shipped in from afar at great expense—they had ordered them all.

While the rest of the crowd waited anxiously for the show to begin, murmuring about the plot, this group was happily stuffing themselves without a care in the world. At that moment, Master Yi’s sharp eyes caught sight of the student—whom he held to strict standards, fearing the boy might grow complacent due to his natural talent—standing incredibly close to that man from earlier.

The two seemed to have eyes only for each other; they were sharing quiet laughter and communicating effortlessly, despite the fact that one of them could not speak.

Something was amiss.

Yi Shuyun, gnawing on a fried chicken leg and completely disregarding his own decorum, muttered, "What... what is Father looking at? Why hasn't the storytelling started yet? I’ve never heard the old man perform here before."

Nearby, Cheng Ping and the others exchanged glances, as if to say: "Is that the *fulang* that kid Bai Ye mentioned before?"

"If that’s not him, I’ll write my name—Yuan Erhu—backwards!"

"Such a handsome, refined scholar... it’s a pity he can’t speak."

"Shh, don't bring that up; if he could speak, he probably wouldn't be with Bai Ye."

They silently exchanged these thoughts, resolving not to show any odd reaction to his inability to speak. At the same time, they couldn't help but feel that such an exceptional young man must have ended up in the humble position of a *fulang* precisely because of his muteness.

Just then, a sound finally emerged from the stage below. Large earthenware jars had been arranged around the platform to amplify sound, and skilled craftsmen had constructed dry wells beneath it, giving the voices on stage an acoustic resonance similar to that of a vast, empty cavern. The voice was deep and resonant, clearly audible even across the entire second-floor gallery that encircled the hall.

Jiang Baiye and his companions occupied a private box directly facing the stage, offering a perfect, unobstructed view of the storyteller’s every vivid expression.

Dong Daying considered his own seat a good one, yet he was situated on the ground floor—directly beneath Jiang Baiye’s box—forcing him to crane his neck slightly upward to see the stage.

Next to him, Lu Changsheng felt a twinge of annoyance at the awkward, angled view; after all, his primary reason for coming wasn't to listen to storytelling, but to find out... exactly who "Qingyuan-jun" was.

Master Yi took the stage himself for the opening session. After briefly recapping the backstory, he launched into the third chapter of *Luan Hua Zhan* (Slashing Through the Scattering Blossoms).

It was only then that Cheng Ping and the others realized, in a daze, that they had truly come inside to listen to storytelling—and were seated in the best spot in the house!

Master Yi, performing on the stage below, seemed to be telling the tale specifically for them; the burly men found themselves moved to tears. It wasn't just the story itself—gripping and deeply touching—but the realization of a wish they had once thought impossible.

Even Pang Dafu, who usually had no interest in storytelling, found himself captivated, his hand slowing unconsciously as he ate.

He had seen plenty of the capital, yet this small Xuanhe Prefecture held so many things he found fascinating—things that made him reluctant to leave.

What was he to do? Although *Slashing Through a Myriad Blossoms* was the most niche story in Master Yi’s repertoire, it had the power to stir the deepest, most hidden thoughts within the audience.

Consequently, during the subsequent sessions—even though the storyteller had changed to Master Yi’s apprentice, a green youth of only fourteen or fifteen with a distinctively different style—the audience remained fully immersed in the tale, never once losing the spell of the performance.

Lu Lizhi paid special attention to the young man, noticing the stark contrast between his demeanor on and off stage.

Off stage, he was reserved, shy, and sparing with his words; yet the moment he stepped onto the stage, he radiated confidence. His voice rang out clear and strong, his expressions were vivid and engaging, and his gestures were perfectly timed and executed.

His pacing, tone, technique, and emotional delivery were all nothing short of masterful.

Lu Lizhi felt a brief moment of reverie, recalling Master Yi’s words: this boy was a natural talent destined for the art of storytelling.

It was certainly true.

He felt reassured; the earnings would likely be substantial, meaning Master Yi wouldn't have to work himself to exhaustion anymore.

Just then, Master Yi attempted to make his way over to them unnoticed.

However, it was merely an attempt.

Many people had been keeping an eye on his movements—Lu Changsheng, for instance, who had been waiting for him all along...