“Is it truly a case of ‘to gain in learning is to gain daily, to gain in Dao is to lose daily, losing and losing until one reaches non-action’?”
Thinking about what He Xiuyuan had done today, He Xiuyuan couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
The Black Fish Demon was stunned by the words, and its mind became a jumbled mess as it listened to what He Xiuyuan said.
It didn't understand what He Xiuyuan's words meant.
But for some reason, as these words echoed in its heart, it felt a tremor in its spirit.
It felt as if it had grasped something, yet at the same time, it seemed to have grasped nothing at all.
“Superior, what do those words mean?”
The Black Fish Demon pondered for a long time, still unable to comprehend He Xiuyuan's words. Finally, it could only raise its head and look at He Xiuyuan pleadingly, hoping He Xiuyuan could enlighten it.
He Xiuyuan glanced at him, then shook his head, “It’s just a momentary emotion, I, He, will take my leave now.”
What he had said just now was merely a sudden burst of emotion.
As for what it truly meant, that was not for He Xiuyuan to explain.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan turned and left directly.
The Black Fish Demon, on the other hand, stood frozen in place. Its mind was now replaying He Xiuyuan's words, but its spirit seemed to be trapped.
It still couldn't understand what He Xiuyuan's words truly meant.
.........
“He Gongzi, are you... just returning from outside?”
He Xiuyuan walked on the river water, and after a moment, he returned to the inn.
Upon He Xiuyuan's return, he happened to encounter Zhong Xiuyun, who had also just returned.
Zhong Xiuyun's face immediately lit up with joy when she saw He Xiuyuan.
After arriving in Lin'an Prefecture today, He Xiuyuan had spent almost the entire day in his room. She had originally wanted to explore Lin'an Prefecture together with He Xiuyuan.
Compared to Zhong Xiuyun's pleasant surprise, Lin Bo, who was beside her, appeared quite vigilant at this moment.
His gaze towards He Xiuyuan held a hint of distance compared to before.
He Xiuyuan noticed the undisguised sense of distance in Lin Bo's eyes and felt a bit strange.
After a careful recollection, He Xiuyuan couldn't recall anything he might have done to offend him.
“He Gongzi?”
Seeing He Xiuyuan remain silent for a long time, Zhong Xiuyun called out to He Xiuyuan in surprise.
He Xiuyuan snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing the voice, putting aside his doubts, and smiled and nodded at him, “Yes, just got back.”
“It's getting late. You should rest early. We still have to travel tomorrow.”
Saying that, He Xiuyuan went back to his room by himself first.
Before leaving Lin'an Prefecture, he had finally reached an agreement with the Black Fish Demon.
Regardless of what he might do, at the very least, he wouldn't retaliate against those boatmen because of today's incident.
Thinking of this, He Xiuyuan returned to his room, bathed, and then lay down to rest.
“Young Miss, it's better to stay away from that man.”
Watching He Xiuyuan turn and go back into his room, Lin Bo hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, trying to persuade her.
He had been looking for an opportunity all day, but he just didn't know how to bring it up to his Young Miss.
But now, he had found his chance.
Zhong Xiuyun was startled by his words, then looked at Lin Bo strangely, “Why?”
Lin Bo looked at his Young Miss's expression, then gritted his teeth and said, “Young Miss, you and he are not of the same Dao...”
Zhong Xiuyun blinked at his words, thinking that Lin Bo also knew about He Xiuyuan's matter. After a moment of thought, she felt he was right.
After all, today, He Xiuyuan had calmed the river with a single word.
Under such circumstances, it was normal for Lin Bo to notice something.
Thinking about what Lin Bo said, Zhong Xiuyun also sighed, “Of course I know we are not of the same Dao. When we reach Chang'an, I suppose our fate will have run its course.”
Lin Bo was stunned by these words. Listening to his Young Miss's meaning, did his Young Miss also know that he was a swindling charlatan?
If that was the case, why would his Young Miss travel with him?
Or did his Young Miss misunderstand his meaning?
Thinking of this, Lin Bo immediately continued to confirm, “If that's the case, Young Miss, why do you want to travel with him?”
From his Young Miss's words, it seemed she intended to break off contact with him once they reached Chang'an. If so, that would be a good thing.
Lin Bo had, at this point, naturally misunderstood Zhong Xiuyun's meaning.
What Zhong Xiuyun meant by their fate running its course upon reaching Chang'an was that she knew He Xiuyuan wouldn't stay long in Chang'an, and she wouldn't be able to meet He Xiuyuan as freely as she was now.
If this matter were to get out, it would ultimately harm her reputation, and her family would not allow it.
“Of course, it's curiosity, plus... a little bit of happiness, perhaps?”
Zhong Xiuyun thought for a moment, then expressed her thoughts.
Lin Bo was startled by her words, then immediately understood.
His Young Miss had been too bored at home. From a young age, she had to learn things like zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, and needlework, and she often stayed in her boudoir.
Under such circumstances, now that she had met He Xiuyuan, this swindling charlatan, his Young Miss, being intelligent, had naturally seen through him long ago.
But compared to her previous life, this was a little seasoning that could make his Young Miss happy for a few days.
After Lin Bo understood this, he immediately felt relieved.
“It's good that Young Miss understands. You and he are not of the same Dao; you cannot be together.”
Since his Young Miss had already seen through him, Lin Bo spoke a bit more boldly.
Zhong Xiuyun's expression froze at his words, and she looked at Lin Bo strangely with her beautiful eyes. She knew that she and He Xiuyuan were not of the same Dao and could not be together.
But... why did Lin Bo's tone sound as if it were He Xiuyuan's loss when he spoke of it?
Wasn't this her loss?
Zhong Xiuyun thought about it and figured it was probably because she was Lin Bo's Young Miss, so Lin Bo would naturally side with her.
With this explanation, it made sense.
“Alright, I'm going back to rest now.”
Zhong Xiuyun thought about how they would soon arrive in Chang'an and then have to part ways with He Xiuyuan. Her mood couldn't help but feel a little down, so she said in a muffled tone.
Lin Bo nodded in agreement. After seeing his Young Miss into her room, he finally felt relieved and returned to his own room.
He could understand his Young Miss's sudden dip in mood.
Fortunately, his Young Miss had already seen through He Xiuyuan's issues, and traveling with him was just for some fun along the way.
Hmm, when they returned, he could simply mention this matter to the Master and Madam, touching upon it lightly. That would be sufficient.
Otherwise, if the Master and Madam knew, it wouldn't be good for them to reprimand the Young Miss.
As for Steward Song, his worries were a bit excessive.
His Young Miss was intelligent; how could she be so easily deceived?
Thinking of this, Lin Bo smiled and then fell into a deep sleep.