Peace Order
Chapter 244 - 118: When the Phoenix Meets, Heroes Young and Old!

Chapter 244: Chapter 118: When the Phoenix Meets, Heroes Young and Old!

Upon hearing the name Li Guanyi, Li Zhaowen initially paused, a moment of hesitation flashing across her face before looking at the sword-wearing young man reaching for the lotus pods, thinking of their two encounters, his mastery of both literature and the martial arts, and his carefree boldness.

Suddenly, Li Zhaowen burst into loud laughter, sitting there as if her joy surpassed even Li Guanyi’s previous declaration that the wine was worth its price, she pointed at him with her hand that was as white as jade and repeatedly prodded Li Guanyi, exclaiming, "Ha ha ha, Li Guanyi, Li Guanyi!"

Truly delightful.

The slightly tipsy youth lifted the wine jar and asked, "Li Zhaowen, what are you laughing about?"

Li Zhaowen replied, "What a fine name!"

It suddenly dawned on her that she hadn’t mentioned the name of the second son of the Duke Ying Mansion in their correspondence, and Changsun Wuchou, being her subordinate, would have certainly not divulged the true name of his master. Hence, the tipsy youth before her might be just like her before.

Only knowing the title of the second son, but not the name Li Zhaowen.

With a flick of her folding fan, Li Zhaowen opened it to conceal the unreserved smile at the corner of her mouth.

While harboring a smile, she thought to herself,

I shall give you quite the scare next time, and only then will it be considered an even exchange, truly fair.

Being naturally proud and additionally young, like a sharp sword, she was absolutely unwilling to suffer a loss.

Thus, she said, "In all the heavens and amongst the myriad things, I observe the one."

"Mr. Li, your name quite suggest a connection with the Tao."

Li Guanyi, smiling, said, "You’re not too bad yourself, Zhaowen. ’Zhao’ as bright as the sun; ’Wen’ as in surveying the heavens and ordering the earth. Such a name, truly grand."

Li Zhaowen responded nonchalantly, "It’s just a name given by my parents, nothing more."

"I didn’t expect that when I saw you at the Taoist temple that day. You dressed humbly, not even wearing a jade pendant, and I thought you were of common birth. Now seeing you in a scarlet robe with a white jade belt, associating with the martial nobility of the Capital City, I must admit I failed to recognize true greatness that day," she remarked.

Li Guanyi took a sip of wine and said, "You weren’t wrong."

"This attire is but an imperial gift from His Majesty the Emperor."

"Then as for you, brother," she continued, "your spirit is extraordinary, truly a spirited hero."

Li Zhaowen was briefly taken aback, puzzled.

But Li Guanyi was not speaking falsely.

When Li Zhaowen usually hunted or rode out, everyone knew of her status and showed her extreme respect, praising her talents and martial prowess. But here was this youth before her, clueless about her being the second child of the Duke Ying Mansion, yet calling her a spirited hero. Li Zhaowen couldn’t help but feel more at ease.

Li Guanyi’s gaze settled on the youth before him.

It was similar to their first meeting when the Green Bird led the way and encountered a Phoenix. He encountered Li Zhaowen.

At this moment, the two of them sat at one end of the black-canopied boat, while at the stern, the Green Bird and the Chi Feng danced together.

Aside from his exceptional case,

Someone of such a young age displaying Dharma Form, it must be what Elder Xue said was Innate Dharma.

Such a rare exceptional manifestation every hundred years, coupled with such demeanor and talents. If not destined to be a great hero, how many in the world could truly be called outstanding? Li Zhaowen, with a smile, said, "I am but the son of a merchant; such praise as ’outstanding’ does not befit me."

Li Guanyi laughed heartily, "Heroism is not decided by lineage."

Raising the sword in his hand to the sky, he proclaimed, "Whether king or general, what does lineage matter?"

Li Zhaowen’s eyes sparkled with admiration, "What spirit!"

Then she teased him, "Such spirit and martial skills, but they seem to belong to someone who might end up in a large prison." Li Guanyi laughed along, and Li Zhaowen, still laughing, said, "However, a statement like that from you does make me feel exhilarated."

Li Guanyi asked why.

Pointing at him, Li Zhaowen, with buoyant eyebrows and composed demeanor, said, "To be deemed a young hero by someone I regard as a hero with talent, isn’t that a double joy?"

Li Guanyi was at a loss for words but smiled.

The youth before him was full of youthful vigor, with a look of conviction that was also comforting to others.

Li Zhaowen harbored a smile.

It was rare for her to meet a peer who disregarded her background, acknowledged her abilities, and praised her bravery and talents without flattering her family. She felt extremely pleased. Seeing Li Guanyi plucking the lotus pods, Li Zhaowen, who was from outside the border of Longxi, was unfamiliar with the things from Jiangnan and asked,

"Are the lotus seeds ripe already?"

Li Guanyi plucked one and tossed it to Li Zhaowen.

"Normally, they’re only edible by midsummer, but in recent years with the sun so strong, there are always some that ripen early. With experience, one can pick some mature lotus heads. Just don’t eat the bitter hearts of the seeds, though they can be brewed in tea for its extreme bitterness yet cooling properties."

Li Zhaowen tasted one and indeed found it to be extremely fresh and tender. The lotus seeds she had in her own ponds in Longxi or those that were hastily delivered to her, none were as fresh as those freshly plucked. She thoughtfully asked, "Have they been like this in recent days?"

Li Guanyi replied, "I’ve heard it started in these past years."

"No wonder," Li Zhaowen mused.

While eating the seeds, she casually said,

"I heard that the Chief Historian of Ying Country has reported that ’the days are growing longer.’"

"In the New Calendar Year, the shadow at the winter solstice was twelve feet and seven inches and two points long; from then on it gradually shortened, and after seventeen years, it was three inches and seven points shorter than the old measurement. When the sun is closer to the extremity, the shadow is shorter and the day is longer; when farther from the extremity, the shadow is longer and the day is shorter. When it moves along the inner path, it’s closer to the extremity; on the outer path, it’s farther."

"The days growing longer is an auspicious sign, with more sunlight. According to the astrological records, ’Yuanming Bag’ of Chen Country states ’Sun and moon exit the inner path, the celestial sphere remains constant.’ Whereas the ’Imperial Observatory’s Alternate Interpretation’ states: ’Great peace when the sun moves along the upper path; moderate peace, the next path; and in times of dominance, the lower path.’"

"The imperial observatories of all countries claim it’s a great omen, signifying that peace is coming to the world."

"They say, ’I humbly note the start of a new era, touched by Qian Yuan, with short shadows and long days, a revitalization rarely seen in ancient times. It seems these astrologers’ words can really come down to our common lives, not just empty scholastic theories.’"