CHAPTER 354: CHAPTER 351: THE MASTER IS TOO FRIVOLOUS

Qin Liuxi returned to her own shop and from a distance, saw her precious apprentice sitting cross-legged on the stone slab at the entrance, deep in meditation, which made her chuckle.

Teng Zhao seemed to have heard the laughter, abruptly opened his eyes, and turned his head to see that it was indeed his mischievous master, which made him breathe a sigh of relief.

Qin Liuxi had not returned home all night, so he didn’t sleep a wink, either. Although he knew it was unlikely, he still feared that she would leave and not come back, abandoning him.

Qin Liuxi had already approached and sat down next to him, leaning over: "Why is our Zhaozhao sitting here and meditating? Don’t you think it’s dirty outside? For your cultivation, I’ve set up a Spirit Gathering Array in the Daoist Room and inscribed it with Scripture Runes. There’s also a Daoist essence inside. Cultivating there would yield twice the results with half the effort."

Regarding her unceremonious lean, Teng Zhao stiffened and shifted to the side, and she just followed suit.

Perhaps feeling that this movement was uncomfortable for them both, he sat back up straight.

Qin Liuxi pursed her lips and chuckled lightly, ruffling his hair: "What have you been up to these last couple of days?"

"Cultivation, talisman drawing, reading, memorizing the meridian charts, memorizing medical texts, and distinguishing medicinal herbs," Teng Zhao responded concisely.

Qin Liuxi’s eyes curved in a smile: "Being studious is good, but you must also understand the importance of balancing work and rest."

"No need," Teng Zhao refused coldly. He thought his schedule was well-organized and fulfilling. Like a sponge, he was absorbing knowledge he had never seen before, endlessly. Most importantly, he was very interested, unlike before, when he mostly just played chess and practiced calligraphy.

Qin Liuxi used both hands to adjust his face, pinching it together and said, "What the master says goes. You’re already seven; you can still play."

Teng Zhao glared.

Qin Liuxi found him as cute as a bun and chuckled merrily, unable to resist kissing him on the forehead.

This action stirred up a hornet’s nest. Teng Zhao forcefully pulled her hands away, his cheeks blazing red, his ear tips even redder, as if about to bleed. His little hands desperately tried to rub away the moisture on his forehead, his face red like an apple.

Qin Liuxi laughed even harder.

Teng Zhao glared angrily. This master was way too frivolous!

Hearing her laughter, Chen Pi quickly came running out with Wang Chuan: "Master, you’re back."

Wang Chuan threw himself into her arms, clinging tightly to her waist without letting go, and after calling out ’Master,’ he began to shed golden beans.

Qin Liuxi, looking at the little ones, felt a softness in her heart and said, "What’s the matter? I was only gone for one night and you all missed me this much?"

"Master not here, I was scared," Wang Chuan said, tears welling in his eyes.

Qin Liuxi replied: "Scared of what? As long as you learn your abilities well, there’s nothing to fear anywhere you go. Remember, although your master is your master, it is not possible to be by your side forever and always. Grown eaglets must venture out to hunt."

Right, when you grow up, you have to go out and make your way in the world, and can’t stay clinging to your master forever.

Teng Zhao frowned, and stopped wiping his forehead. He understood the reasoning, but something felt off.

"I don’t want to be apart from Master," Wang Chuan said softly.

Qin Liuxi intentionally put on a stern face: "If you don’t learn your skills well, you can’t stay by your master’s side."

Wang Chuan’s brows furrowed as well, that simply wouldn’t do, he hurriedly said, "I will learn well."

"Good," Qin Liuxi said, ruffling his head and speaking to Chen Pi: "Let’s close up shop early today. I’m taking you out for a good meal."

Chen Pi responded with glee, put on the shop’s door plank, locked it up, and they all quickly left.

Not long after they left, someone stumbled to the front of Feichang Dao and started pounding the door: "Anyone there? Open the door."

All that replied was the sound of the wind rolling down the alley.

Zuixian Building is the largest tavern in Li City and the favorite haunt for gluttons; its legacy came from Han the Imperial Chef, who once served the great-grandfather, with exquisite dishes and top-notch flavors. Of course, the prices are also exceedingly high.

Just as Qin Liuxi and her group arrived in front of Zuixian Building, two people walked out of an Embroidery Workshop diagonally across from them and called out to her.

"Xixi."

Qin Liuxi turned her head and saw Si Lengyue, exclaiming in surprise, "Little Yue, what are you doing here?"

Si Lengyue came over and pointed to the Embroidery Workshop: "I took over this shop. Today I came to check on it and didn’t expect to run into you."

Teng Zhao and the others gave her a fist and palm salute.

Si Lengyue also greeted them and looked at Qin Liuxi apologetically: "I was thinking of visiting you formally, but I’ve been tied up with many things here and really haven’t been able to find the time."

"No problem, my shop has just opened as well. I’ve just accepted an order, and I’m taking them for a meal. If you’re free, why not join us?" Qin Liuxi invited with a cheerful smile.

Si Lengyue nodded: "I’ll treat you."

Qin Liuxi did not argue and just gave the still-covered Rong Workshop a glance, smiling: "Okay, I won’t stand on ceremony then. As you’re the generous host, to return the favor, I’ll help you pick an auspicious date and time for your grand opening."

Si Lengyue laughed in agreement and entered Zuixian Building with her, asking for a private room.

Once they were seated in order of seniority, Qin Liuxi let Si Lengyue choose the dishes, while she herself pinched her fingers and calculated. She soon came up with an auspicious date and time. Seeing that Teng Zhao was watching her intently, she didn’t keep her knowledge secret and started to teach the art of determining auspicious and inauspicious days.

Qin Liuxi’s voice was soft but clear. The complex terminology that came from her mouth sounded like abstruse scripture to others, yet it also ensnared their attention.

After a short while, Qin Liuxi ceased talking and said to Teng Zhao: "Combining favorable days according to the Daoist calendar with a person’s birth dates will yield even more wonderful results. After all, the Five Elements can overcome and support each other. When they support each other correctly, all endeavors will naturally be very auspicious."

Teng Zhao nodded.

As for Wang Chuan, she was utterly confounded, as if she had been thwacked on the head.

Qin Liuxi then pinched her face and said, "Your priority is to learn and practice writing, eat well, sleep well, and cultivate your physical strength."

Wang Chuan grinned and smiled.

After instructing her two apprentices, Qin Liuxi saw Si Lengyue watching her with a light smile. She leaned over and teasingly said, "What, are you dazzled by how impressive I am?"

Si Lengyue pushed her away with a playful smile: "In front of your disciples, you’re still not acting like a proper master. Aren’t you afraid of losing your dignity?"

Qin Liuxi touched her nose and looked at her two disciples, only to see one calculating eagerly with his fingers and the other daydreaming, looking around aimlessly. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

"My authority lies not in appearance, but in actual skills."

Despite Qin Liuxi’s arrogant tone, Si Lengyue didn’t find anything wrong but actually agreed.

Qin Liuxi said, "The ancestral land of your family will soon be opening, and we won’t make it in time if we take the usual route."

If they can’t make it on time, then it means they won’t take the usual route.

And Si Lengyue had already personally experienced what that usual route was.

Si Lengyue instantly understood what she meant and said, "I’ll follow you."

"Then..."

Just as Qin Liuxi started to speak, a burst of noise came from the door, which was then pushed open from the outside.

"We always sit in this room. Who dares to compete with us? Tell them to change to another private room." A spoiled voice rang out, a girl with hands on her hips looked inside, paused upon seeing Si Lengyue’s face, then turned to Qin Liuxi, not recognizing either and thus becoming even more haughty: "Hey, we’ve reserved this private room, you go to another one."