My Wife Is A Sword Immortal
Chapter 349 - 259: Yilan Pavilion and the Senior Brothers of the Six Halls

Chapter 349: Chapter 259: Yilan Pavilion and the Senior Brothers of the Six Halls

Mochi Academy, inside Shuaixing Hall.

Zhao Rong glanced at Yu Huaijin, who was serious, and then at the people around him who were all ears, fell silent for a moment, and nodded.

"Alright, Senior Yu, when does Teacher Zhu have time?"

Yu Huaijin pondered, "Tomorrow morning would be suitable; we have no classes, and... she also asked me to visit, perhaps there’s important business to discuss. We can go together."

Zhao Rong nodded in agreement.

...

The next morning.

Zhao Rong buried his head in his books again, having read the Confucian Classics all night. As dawn approached, he rested his head on the desk for a quarter of an hour, then got up and left.

With the break of dawn, Zhao Rong went to East Fence to check on the chrysanthemums and watered them from a jar before turning to walk towards the courtyard gate.

As he passed by the vegetable patch, he stopped to pick a cucumber, ready to leave, but then paused, picked a few more, and tucked them away. With his sleeves rolled up, he left the East Fence Small House, basking in the gentle morning light, heading to Yilan Pavilion...

In the southeastern corner of Linlu Academy, a quiet courtyard tinged with a hint of pink.

The fragrant scent of orchids flowed out from the closed courtyard doors, luring early-rising scholars and students of the academy. Many slowed their steps or paused briefly to take in the aroma.

This scene, under the early sun, could probably only be found outside the "Orchid Teacher" of Yilan Pavilion, a newcomer to the academy.

At this moment.

Knock, knock, knock————

The courtyard door resounded with a series of polite, rhythmic knocks.

"Coming, coming."

The crisp voice of a child sounded somewhat listless.

The door to Yilan Pavilion opened, and the blue-clothed girl rubbed her bleary eyes, pulling a face as she looked out at the smiling Han Wenfu.

Once she saw who it was, she frowned slightly, "So early in the morning, why are you here again..."

Her voice trailed off, and Jing Zi opened and then closed her mouth again, giving Han Wenfu another glance but saying nothing further, making room for him to enter.

Han Wenfu, with a sunny smile, greeted her, "Thank you, Miss Jing Zi, good morning to you."

He continued to walk into the courtyard, taking several deep breaths of the refreshing fragrance of orchids.

Jing Zi adjusted the Attendant Student hat that was slipping down to cover her eyebrows, yawned, and watched as Han Wenfu, who had come several days in a row, passed by. She remained silent and closed the door behind him.

Once inside, Han Wenfu’s gaze instinctively wandered toward the flower garden in the distance where autumn still bloomed like spring. The sight of a slender figure in a Confucian robe bent over her desk once again caught his eye.

He couldn’t help but linger on the sight, sighing inwardly, before resuming his pace towards the garden.

But just then.

"Hey, hey, Han Wenfu, where are you off to? I’m not that sleepy yet."

Jing Zi eyed Han Wenfu, sounding languid.

Han Wenfu stopped in his tracks, cleared his throat, and without feeling embarrassed, quickly turned towards the familiar Guest Pavilion next to the courtyard door.

He looked at Jing Zi’s expression and tried to ingratiate himself, "The teacher is up early practicing calligraphy; he couldn’t have been up all night again, could he? Alas, we have much to learn and must continue studying with Teacher Zhu."

The two arrived at the Guest Pavilion.

Jing Zi did not entertain these words she found useless, kept a stern face, turned around, and went back to get some more sleep.

However, right at that moment.

Knock, knock, knock————

Another round of knocking came.

Jing Zi sighed slightly; just by the rhythm and volume of the knocking, she already knew who it was.

The blue-clothed girl adjusted her slipping hat again and turned to open the door.

Creak——

Indeed, standing outside was a tall and broad young student, whose largest size robe strained against his frame, making Jing Zi wonder every time if he was about to burst out of it. Yes, it was somewhat reminiscent of a certain unbound view after her teacher had bathed, which made others feel a sense of precarious urgency just looking at it.

The young scholar at the door had a simple and honest face, now wearing a shy smile and scratching his head, "Good morning, Miss Jing Zi, uh, is the teacher in?"

Jing Zi glanced at the Justice Hall Senior whom she remembered well—she believed his name to be Gu Yiwu—then nodded and stepped aside.

Seeing her gesture, Gu Yiwu sprang agilely over the threshold. Glancing towards the flower garden, he too sighed in admiration, then proceeded to wait at the Guest Pavilion under the expressionless watch of the blue-clothed girl.

"Oh, Brother Han, you’re here so early?"

Gu Yiwu greeted him with a smile.

Returning the greeting with a smile of his own, Han Wenfu said, "Not at all, Brother Gu, you are quite timely yourself. The students of Justice Hall are fortunate to have such a dedicated Senior like you. No wonder, in the last mid-month exam, the improvement under your lead was so significant. From my perspective, in the next major exam, the first place position of Shuaixing Hall might be in danger, likely to be taken by your Justice Hall."

Gu Yiwu’s lips twitched slightly; he stood a head taller than Han Wenfu.

Looking down at Han Wenfu’s cheerful expression, Gu Yiwu broke into hearty laughter.

"Brother Han is too modest; Yu’s Shuaixing Hall and your Cultivation Hall have always been the model for us in the Six Halls of Mochi. The first and second place are always yours. Ah, you must have some secret, why not share it with your little brother here?"

Shaking his head, Han Wenfu demurred, "I dare not, I dare not, Brother Gu flatters me..."

Inside the pavilion, by the door, Jing Zi continued yawning, her eyelids drooping as she observed the orchids around and listened to the polite exchange between the two Mochi Academy Seniors.