CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 28 STORYTELLING_2

Shi Fengju slightly surprised, laughed and said, "I didn’t expect you to enjoy reading this! In the old days, Han Wu was obsessed with the teachings of immortals and alchemists. Yearning for it, he summoned Dongfang Shuo to inquire personally, and later recorded it in this book. Dongfang Shuo, too, was compelled by the emperor’s authority and fabricated his words helplessly. The contemporary people believed it as true, and it was passed down as a mere deceit to others!"

Sang Wan also did not expect Shi Fengju to be aware of this book, and her eyes brightened as she tilted her head and smiled, "Though it is fabricated, it’s quite interesting to read! ’Shengzhou is located in the eastern sea between Ugly and Yin, 170,000 li from Penglai, covering an area of 2,500 li. It’s 230,000 li away from the west coast. Above it, tens of thousands of immortals reside. The weather is calm, and nourishing herbs grow continuously. No extreme cold or heat, nurturing myriad things. There are also many mountains and valleys rich with magical herbs. The water of the realm tastes like sweet milk.’ Listen, how interesting! If only such a fascinating place truly existed in the world, it would be wonderful to visit just once!"

Upon hearing this, Shi Fengju let out a laugh, amused, "Indeed! It’s quite interesting! The ’springs like wine’, ’gold herbs and jade grasses’, and the ’immortal herb that grows in Qiong fields, also called nourishing herb. Its leaves, resembling reed sprouts, grow in clusters, one plant alone can save a life,’ it’s all too fantastical! Only those who have become foolish from excessive reading would believe in these things!"

Hearing this, Sang Wan revealed a pout, seemingly annoyed yet smiling, and stared at Shi Fengju as she retorted, "I wonder who exactly has become foolish! I just casually read and mentioned it, and some people firmly disbelieve, yet they remember every word and easily recite them!"

Under the soft lamplight, the young girl before him appeared half-feigned anger and half-shame, her eyes sparkling and crystal clear. In such light, she exuded an extraordinary charm and loveliness, which left Shi Fengju momentarily stunned, feeling something stir within his heart.

Once Sang Wan spoke, she immediately felt regret and embarrassment. It seemed they were not yet familiar enough for such casual interactions. To speak to him in this way—

The room fell silent, and an awkward tension flowed through the air.

"Ahem," Shi Fengju coughed lightly into his fist near his lips and awkwardly laughed, "Actually, my memory is not too bad! I also have books like ’Great Tang Records on the Western Regions,’ ’A Brief Account of Island Barbarians,’ ’Miscellaneous Morsels from Youyang,’ and ’The Eastern Capital: A Dream of Splendor.’ They are quite interesting too. Would you like me to find them for you tomorrow?"

The color of Sang Wan’s embarrassment lessened as she looked up and smiled, "I have read those already. Do you have anything else?"

Shi Fengju was even more surprised, "’Superfluous Things’? ’Miscellaneous Records of the Western Capital’?" Seeing Sang Wan silent, he laughed and clapped his hands, "Your Sang family truly is—"

Sang Wan’s eyes dimmed, her mood suddenly lowering as she thought of something, and she forced a smile, "At home, my eldest brother and sister-in-law were very fond of me. Especially my elder brother, who never allowed me to work like other girls. There were many books left by my father, not just the Four Books and Five Classics or the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. All sorts of miscellaneous knowledge about astronomy, geography, folk customs, you name it, I practically grew up surrounded by books."

Sang Wan’s tone carried a faint self-mockery. What was the use of reading so many books? Just like in her past life, it was only good for entering the netherworld!

Shi Fengju also felt somewhat uneasy at that moment. He had seen how Sang Hong cared for his sister, carefully nurturing her in seclusion, all in preparation for her to marry into the Shi family. The wife of the young master of the Shi family couldn’t be a simple village girl who would just be dismissed by others. Otherwise, she would face criticism once she entered the family.

"However, I don’t have the young master’s good memory. Over time, I’d have forgotten lot, but it wouldn’t be bad to revisit them! ’Old News of the World,’ ’Old Martial Arts Stories,’ ’Superfluous Things’ and other miscellaneous old tales, even looking at them a few more times wouldn’t be tedious!" Sang Wan quickly collected herself and smiled brightly again.

"That’s easy, they are in the study, just have someone fetch whatever you want! Yes, and there are plenty of poems, notes, and essays, as well. When you’re free tomorrow, you can pick a few yourself!" Shi Fengju proposed.

Sang Wan smiled and nodded, randomly mentioning a few books while conversing with Fengju. However, her enthusiasm clearly wasn’t as high for poems and verses as it was for various miscellaneous records and tales. Good thing Shi Fengju usually preferred reading geographic and unusual journals in his free time. The two of them chatted back and forth quite lively.

Shi Fengju felt amused inwardly. He had a reason for his disinterest in poetry, and amusingly enough, it related to Sang Wan.

Previously, Mrs. Wang, fearing that Sang Wan, her future daughter-in-law, might be more educated and overshadow her son after joining the family, specifically ordered the housekeeper to compile a list of books and bought a huge quantity of poems and essays for her son to urgently study, not willing to be outdone by his wife later.

In his heart, Shi Fengju was only devoted to Gu Fangzi and had an innate distaste for Sang Wan, becoming increasingly uncooperative the more Mrs. Wang insisted. He never even showed interest in glancing at those books that were likely molding somewhere in a corner after being brought back by Chang Huan!

Unexpectedly, his wife also showed little interest in these kinds of books, indicating that his mother had indeed misplaced her efforts.

Secretly reminiscing about the past, even Shi Fengju couldn’t clearly describe what he felt at the bottom of his heart. If, if there wasn’t a cousin like that, if he hadn’t harbored such prejudices before, could they have—

Shi Fengju shivered inwardly, hurriedly suppressing this sudden and inexplicable thought. How could he think like that? His cousin had given so much for him, willingly enduring grievances for his sake; how could he ever forget that?

As the two were conversing enthusiastically, Shi Fengju’s expression suddenly changed slightly, causing Sang Wan to be puzzled. Her expression froze, and her speech halted.

Forcing a smile, Shi Fengju was about to find an excuse to brush it off, when Xingzhi came in with a bowl of noodles, bringing a waft of fragrance and steaming heat that immediately brightened Shi Fengju’s eyes.

"Young master, have your meal first! It’s getting late, and I’ll go wash up and rest now!" Seeing this, Sang Wan smiled and stood up.

"You go ahead!" Shi Fengju’s hunger had revived, taking over the control of his thoughts again.

Sang Wan pursed her lips in a smile and called for Liu Ya before leaving.