At this moment, amidst the fragrance of incense, accompanied by the tinkling of ornaments, a tall and graceful figure appeared outside the South Study, immediately catching sight of Zhang Jian.
Her beautiful eyes lit up as she spoke.
"Is that Scholar Zhang Jian I see ahead?"
"If you're referring to Zhang Jian, then indeed it is me!"
Zhang Jian set aside the Cave Scripture in his hands and slightly lifted his head to look at the extraordinarily beautiful woman before him. He had some suspicions in his heart.
Dong Jue Daoist looked Zhang Jian up and down, increasingly surprised the more she observed.
In her view, Zhang Jian appeared completely ordinary, showing no signs of anything unusual.
Yet she had heard from Master Jingming that Zhang Jian was not only imbued with Vast Righteous Qi but was also a cultivator proficient in magic.
"Could it be because he possesses a concealing Dharma artifact, or perhaps his Dao practice has reached an exceptionally high level?"
The blue-robed woman's mind was filled with various thoughts, but she still cupped her fists and said.
"Dong Jue from Dong Shen Temple greets Scholar Zhang. I've come specially today to express my gratitude for Scholar Zhang's grace of ten characters!"
Her demeanor was heroic and spirited, looking more like a pure-hearted heroine of Jianghu than a cultivator.
Zhang Jian also cupped his fists in response.
"So it's Senior Dong Jue? There's no need for such formality, as this matter was merely a transaction between me and Master Jingming, with neither of us owing the other anything!"
Still, Zhang Jian was a bit surprised.
Although he didn't know much about the structure within Dong Shen Temple, he did know that the Dong generation of disciples were the first generation of ancestors in Dong Shen Temple, with only seven members, famously known as the Seven Sons of Cave God.
The Jing generation and the He generation came afterwards.
Dong Jue Daoist's eyes flickered. She certainly didn't want to leave things at mutually owing nothing with Zhang Jian.
If they owed each other nothing, how could they continue their relationship and seek more calligraphy pieces?
After reaching the Yin Spirit Realm, cultivators often had to face harassment from the Outer Heaven Demons.
To strengthen their Yin Spirit, Yin Spirit Venerables often had to venture out with their Yin Spirit, which was extremely dangerous. But if they could acquire a few calligraphy pieces to fortify their residences, they could avoid being infiltrated by the Outer Heaven Demons.
"The grace of enlightenment is greater than the sky!"
Dong Jue Daoist initially thought to refer to herself as 'this palace', but thought better of it, as it would create distance. Instead, she smiled and said.
"Sister will remember it in her heart. At Dong Shen Temple, we believe in repaying grace. Should you ever need anything, just send a letter to Dong Shen Temple, and I will respond to whatever you ask for!!"
With a charming smile, Dong Jue Daoist looked at Zhang Jian.
At the same time, she pondered how to continue closing the gap with this rare 'young talent'.
She already had an outline in her mind.
"Uh..." Seeing that the Yin Spirit Elder from Dong Shen Temple seemed determined to 'repay', Zhang Jian couldn't help but chuckle and said.
"Very well then!"
Hearing this, Dong Jue Daoist's face blossomed into a radiant smile. As she lightly wiped her hand, several bamboo slips appeared in the void.
The books already showed the passage of time, and she pushed the bamboo slips in front of Zhang Jian.
"I heard Brother Zhang is fond of various classics, so I've collected three Confucian classics for you, which might benefit your studies!"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes lit up, and with a mere glance, his heart was filled with joy.
He recognized them; the three Confucian classics before him had quite the pedigree.
Jade Saint's Notes from the Grass Hall, Zhou Yi, Spring and Autumn Theory.
These three ancient texts, the Jade Saint's Notes from the Grass Hall and Spring and Autumn Theory, were rumored to be from the hand of the Yu Saint, containing some articles left before the Yu Saint attained sainthood, making them valuable lost originals with significant reference value.
Zhou Yi, inherited from ancient saints, though not a proper cultivation technique, elucidates the divine mysteries of Heaven and Earth, which would greatly benefit him.
Zhang Jian did not hesitate to accept these three Confucian classics.
...
After leaving the Sports and Arts College, Dong Jue Daoist went to the Ciren Hall where the Empress Dowager resided, located in the Palace of the Imperial Harem.
Before practicing, Dong Jue Daoist had a secular identity—she was the youngest sister of the Grand Ancestor of Daqian, given name Wei Jue, maintaining close ties with the Daqian Royal Family.
Meanwhile, Zhang Jian, after getting off work in the evening, hurried back to the Champion Scholar's Mansion.
He and Qi Yuhua had just moved into the Champion Scholar's Mansion and there were still many small matters requiring attention.
At this time, Qi Yuhua, following Bai Liying, was also pregnant. Naturally, Zhang Jian could not allow Qi Yuhua to exert herself.
He had to manage things personally.
In the simple courtyard, Qi Yuhua watched Zhang Jian bustling about and personally went to the small kitchen to prepare some simple dishes, both meat and vegetable, not many in variety but very tasty.
"Husband, do you know that Sister Yuxian has been missing for several days?"
Seated at the stone table in the courtyard, with her beautiful eyes fixed on Zhang Jian, Qi Yuhua couldn't help but say.
"Uncle and the Eldest Princess are very worried about Sister Yuxian!"
"For this reason, they've been skipping meals lately!"
Zhang Jian paused for a moment but did not slow down eating. He merely said.
"How could Sister Yuxian disappear without a trace?"
He had anticipated this.
Sure enough, Qi Yuhua continued, "I've heard that before Sister Yuxian disappeared, someone from outside the domain appeared around the Prince Consort's Mansion. Uncle has been running between Dong Shen Temple, inside and out, trying to gather information!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian smiled and said, "It seems Sister Yuxian has encountered some celestial destiny!"
Qi Yuhua, having personally visited the Dragon Palace and knowing Zhang Jian was a cultivator, was aware of some secrets. Thus, she nodded.
"Hopefully, it's a celestial destiny, rather than some crooked path!"
Qi Yuhua still felt worried, and her beautiful eyes settled on Zhang Jian.
"Husband, with your vast abilities, do you know the truth of this matter?"
Zhang Jian chuckled upon hearing this.
"I did hear Sister Yuxian mention it a couple of times. I'm sure she's already made up her mind!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuhua couldn't help but pout slightly.
"I didn't expect you to be so well-informed, leaving me worried for quite some time!"
In response, Zhang Jian laughed, "I didn't mean to hide it. But it's ultimately Sister Yuxian's personal matter, not ours to broadcast!"
With worries lifted, the couple chatted and joked for a while, their conversation eventually touching upon imperial affairs.
"The other day, when I visited Grandfather at the Qi Mansion, I heard that Old General Yang has been promoted and is preparing to stay in Haojing City? Husband, you're the compiler summoned to the Chengtian Hall, have you heard of this?"
Zhang Jian nodded, "That's indeed true. Old General Yang has finally come into his fortune!
At his age, being ennobled as a Marquis is truly to glorify his ancestors!"
Recently, as the leading contributor to quelling the rebellion, Yang Gonghu's new appointment was finally decided. Initially, many civil servants in the court were inclined to suppress the appointment, but Emperor Jingwu overruled the objections.
At the highest level of recognition, Yang Gonghu was granted marquessate honors.
In addition to ennobling Yang Gonghu as Marquis Tongcheng, Old General Yang was appointed as the Central Guard, a significant general with the power to command his own troops, enjoying limitless prestige!
The way Daqian handles this differs from previous dynasties; the Central Guard is part of the Imperial Guard, a position traditionally held by the Emperor's confidant. Although nominally, the Grand Commandant commands all troops of the nation, the Central Guard stands just below.
The role of the Central Guard is inherently one of surveillance, intended to check the power of the Grand Commandant, and is usually filled by those of direct lineage.
Emperor Jingwu would not entrust his life to untrusted generals.
Now entering the capital, Yang Gonghu took charge of the Central Guard, a testament to imperial favor.
In Zhang Jian's eyes, the Emperor intended to win hearts.
It also served to garner the loyalty of military leaders!
At this delicate moment of upheaval in Heaven and Earth, treating meritorious officials harshly would breed discontent in the ranks if Daqian were to face unrest.
Being a wise and decisive monarch, Emperor Jingwu would not dig pitfalls for himself at this juncture.
At this moment, Zhang Jian suddenly said again.
"Wife, you should also avoid going out lightly during this period. Many robust youths have gone missing in Haojing City recently, suggesting the infiltration of some sinister characters!"
Upon hearing this, Qi Yuhua's expression turned slightly serious, immediately nodding in agreement.