#102 - Don't die

As the woman in front of him gradually walked away, leaving behind the words "Coward," Lu Xiaoliu scratched the back of his head.

He really wanted to argue on behalf of his Big Brother Xiao.

But Lu Xiaoliu also felt that what his Sister-in-law said didn't seem to be wrong.

But then again, Lu Xiaoliu also felt that his Big Brother Xiao hadn't done anything wrong.

"As expected, talking about feelings is even harder than studying. Big Brother Xiao is really having a tough time..."

Lu Xiaoliu sighed and continued digging for bamboo shoots.

After digging half a basket, Lu Xiaoliu felt it was about enough, so he carried the bamboo basket back.

Returning to his courtyard, Lu Xiaoliu took down a piece of cured meat from the rope on the eaves, chopped some firewood, started a fire, and steamed a small pot of rice.

Although Lu Xiaoliu had already reached a state where he could abstain from grains.

Lu Xiaoliu, like most cultivators, was still used to eating.

After all, how could a habit developed over decades be changed so easily?

If you don't eat for a day, even if your stomach isn't hungry, you'll still feel a pang of hunger in your heart.

Soon, the aroma of stir-fried cured meat with bamboo shoots and rice wafted from the courtyard.

"Cough, cough, cough."

Just as Lu Xiaoliu was holding his rice bowl, sitting in the courtyard, about to enjoy a delicious lunch, a coughing sound came from outside the courtyard.

Lu Xiaoliu shivered and stood up abruptly.

Lu Xiaoliu turned around, bowed respectfully to the old gentleman behind him, his forehead sweating, and his expression looking somewhat embarrassed: "Dean, what wind has blown you here?"

Qi Zhengju, the Dean of White Deer Academy, smiled: "It was the fragrant aroma of your food that blew me here. You have quite the audacity, stealing my cured meat the year before last, picking up my chicken eggs last year, and digging up my bamboo shoots this year."

Qi Zhengju glanced at the food on the stone table in the courtyard: "Oh, you've even cooked it all. Have you been waiting three years for this meal?"

"That's not it," Lu Xiaoliu smiled. "Isn't this just a coincidence? How about you have some, Dean?"

Qi Zhengju didn't answer, but looked at the fence blocking his way.

Lu Xiaoliu immediately understood and quickly stepped forward to open the fence: "Please come in, Dean."

"Well, that's more like it." Qi Zhengju walked to the table and sat down. Lu Xiaoliu quickly filled a bowl of rice for the Dean.

The Dean of White Deer Academy took a bite of the stir-fried bamboo shoots with meat, then ate some stir-fried chili with eggs, smacked his lips: "Your cooking skills are not bad."

"You flatter me, Dean. I'm glad you like it." Lu Xiaoliu didn't stand on ceremony and sat next to the Dean, scooping up the food.

Eat in silence.

The two of them stopped talking and just ate their meal.

Soon, the food was swept away like a whirlwind.

When only the last piece of cured meat was left, Qi Zhengju and Lu Xiaoliu's chopsticks both landed on it.

Qi Zhengju glanced at Lu Xiaoliu.

Lu Xiaoliu smiled and reluctantly withdrew his chopsticks.

Qi Zhengju contentedly picked up the last piece of cured meat and ate it, patted his belly with satisfaction, and took a sip of tea: "Do you know why I'm looking for you?"

Lu Xiaoliu looked at the Dean: "Dean, you wouldn't have come all this way just for a meal, would you?"

"Am I the kind of person who casually visits students' homes?" Qi Zhengju tapped Lu Xiaoliu's head with the other end of his chopsticks.

Lu Xiaoliu felt a little aggrieved and muttered: "Anyway, the ingredients are all yours. You have the final say."

"What did you say?" Qi Zhengju asked.

Lu Xiaoliu quickly shook his head: "Nothing, nothing."

Qi Zhengju picked up a bamboo toothpick and picked at his teeth: "There's something I need you to do."

"Me?" Lu Xiaoliu pointed at himself.

"That's right, you." Qi Zhengju rolled his eyes at Lu Xiaoliu, "I need you to go to the Wu Kingdom."

"Wu Kingdom? What for?" Lu Xiaoliu asked suspiciously.

"Xu Ming of the Wu Kingdom, have you heard of him?" Qi Zhengju said.

"I've heard of him. That famous genius of the Wu Kingdom. I've read the poem he wrote. It's really not simple for him to write such a timeless verse at such a young age." Lu Xiaoliu nodded. "And I heard that he recently achieved the Triple Crown in the imperial examinations."

Qi Zhengju nodded: "Go and see him, examine him, see if he meets our academy's standards. If he's suitable and willing, invite him to the academy."

Lu Xiaoliu asked suspiciously: "Is that all?"

"And there's also Xiao Mochi." Qi Zhengju said calmly, "Go and persuade him not to die so easily."

"..." Lu Xiaoliu frowned, stood up, bowed deeply to the Dean of the academy, "Yes, I understand."

In the Wu Kingdom's capital, at the Prime Minister's residence, Xiao Mochi stood with his hands behind his back, outside the Prime Minister's study.

The study door was not closed.

Inside the study, an old gentleman was holding a writing brush, writing a memorial to the Emperor.

It was raining heavily outside. Large raindrops fell on the bluestone-paved courtyard, creating layers of ripples.

Under the eaves of the study, the raindrops were like notes dancing on the strings of a zither, large and small pearls falling on a jade plate, like a distant ancient melody played on a zither.

The lanterns on both sides of the eaves swayed in the rain, setting off the blue bricks and black tiles. The ancient bridge not far from the study was faintly visible in the rain, and maids and servants on the bridge were holding oiled paper umbrellas, walking in a hurry.

The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and the faint scent of flowers, mixed with the freshness of rainwater.

For scholars, they generally like rainy days.

Xiao Mochi was the same.

Xiao Mochi liked to listen to the sound of rain and then empty his mind. For Xiao Mochi, this was the best way to relax.

But now, Xiao Mochi's heart was somewhat cluttered.

But no matter what, Xiao Mochi had never doubted his decision.

"It's finished." Prime Minister Fang walked out, handed the memorial to Xiao Mochi, "Do you want to take a look?"

Xiao Mochi shook his head: "There's no need. Thank you, Prime Minister."

Fang Ling didn't stand on ceremony, put away the memorial, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the pouring rain outside the study: "Tomorrow, I will present this memorial, requesting to resign and return to my hometown. Mochi, don't forget what you promised me.

If you forget, I won't let you go."

Xiao Mochi nodded: "Junior understands. Please rest assured, Prime Minister."

"No, you actually don't know."

Fang Ling sighed, patted Xiao Mochi's shoulder, and walked into the study.

"Xiao Mochi, although we have many different political ideas, I admire you very much.

You, don't die."

...

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[Strive, strive, strive to update two chapters every day this month, no longer just one...

I can only say try my best... but there shouldn't be any problems, because there's full attendance this month...]