Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points

Chapter 81: Chapter 73: Cutting Off Worldly Desires with a Compassionate Heart at Xin Ci Monastery, the White-Boned Courtesan Dwells in the Separate Residence

However, what puzzles this old man is, given Old General Liu’s temperament, knowing that you have come to Cyan Wood Province for the provincial examination and knowing that the commander here is me, there should have been a letter for me.

But such a letter has yet to arrive, why is this so?

Can you... perhaps enlighten me?"

Li Xuan saluted and then recounted the events of that day one by one.

After a long while...

Liang Shigu, after listening, contemplated for a long time, then gestured for him to "Take a seat."

And then said, "You want to see the world through your own eyes, but do you know what you want to see?"

Li Xuan answered firmly, "I want to see all the people under heaven, not the strife of factions."

Liang Shigu was momentarily taken aback by his straightforwardness but then showed an expression of appreciation.

To see all the people under heaven, this means he wants to work for the common folk.

Recalling the deeds of the young man in front of him as well as his reputation outside, the commander of State City contemplated and said, "Very well then."

Then suddenly said, "The governor’s young son is named Zhou Changye. Even in the Zhou family, he does not receive much regard. As for his two disreputable companions, they are even less worthy, being vain and ignorant scions.

You need not worry about their interference with the autumn imperial examination, as at least I can assure you of fair treatment."

Li Xuan saluted and respectfully said, "Thank you, General Liang."

After speaking, he curiously asked, "I have never met Zhou Changye, so why does he target me?"

Liang Shigu laughed, "Isn’t it just a matter of romantic entanglements?"

"Romantic entanglements?" Li Xuan was even more intrigued.

Liang Shigu then explained the matter to him.

As Li Xuan listened, he suddenly understood, but his heart felt confused and strange.

It turns out that during the outbreak of the epidemic in Hundred Flowers Mansion, although Cao Shuda couldn’t escape, his first wife led their children out successfully and then sought refuge in Cyan Wood Province with Cao Shuda’s eldest son, Cao Shi.

However, this refuge arrangement is dependent on others.

Although Cao Shi is kind, his backing is the governor of Cyan Wood Province.

The governor’s son took a liking to Cao Yi and wanted to take her as a concubine.

The governor casually mentioned this to Cao Shi, who discussed it with the first wife, and after some deliberation, they arranged this marriage alliance.

However, Cao Yi did not agree.

Not only did she disagree, but she also had a falling out with her family and then ran away, leaving without a trace.

Zhou Changye, being habitually arrogant, was upset that the woman he fancied disappeared, so he inquired into it and learned of Cao Yi’s previous association with Li Xuan. Thus, he vented his anger on Li Xuan, who had arrived in the province to take the exam.

Li Xuan sighed and asked, "Do you know where Miss Cao has gone?"

"I have no idea either..." Liang Shigu shook his head but then added, "However, with the autumn examination approaching and the chaos outside the city, Green Willow Pavilion is publicly managed. If you wish to study peacefully for the examination, you should not continue staying there; otherwise, trouble may arise."

Li Xuan said, "Thank you, General."

Liang Shigu seemed to lose interest in the conversation and waved his hand.

Li Xuan, understanding the cue, took leave.

Once he had left far away, a scholar emerged from behind a screen behind Liang Shigu.

The scholar sighed, "The General truly values this young lad."

Liang Shigu sighed, "We are all old now, and it is hard to come by such a promising young talent, so we ought to treasure him."

The scholar laughed, "So the General did not tell him about Cao Yi becoming a nun?

For exam preparation, Green Willow Pavilion is the first choice, but if not chosen, there are other good places.

These places include the tranquil Xinci Temple.

If the young man goes to Xinci Temple, he will definitely see Cao Yi again, which will further infuriate the governor’s spoiled son, increasing the conflicts on both sides.

The governor is the Prime Minister’s man, and if Li Xuan merely causes a rift with his son, it would sever his chances of joining the Prime Minister’s faction."

Liang Shigu stroked his beard and laughed, "I don’t know anything; I know nothing at all, haha..."

...

...

Xinci Temple is built on Yeguang Mountain, on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by clear mountains and water, with a beautiful and serene environment and a thriving incense burning.

Studying in the mountains and forests is indeed a choice for many scholars of Great Yin.

Besides the environment, there are some advantages to the temple itself.

Typically, temples have a lot of books, which can be borrowed by scholars.

Additionally, the food and lodging at the temple are convenient and very cheap, with some places even free.

However, low cost also means the fare is bland and without enrichment.

Therefore, temples are not usually places where wealthy scions reside.

As for wealthy scions, they often have private estates in the mountains and forests.

Of course, other than that, there are some private-built small wooden houses, nestled in the mountains and waters, offering a different kind of charm.

Li Xuan did not stubbornly stay at Green Willow Pavilion but instead took his maid up to Yeguang Mountain.

He climbed step by step to the temple, met with the temple steward, and after presenting his identification, the steward arranged a monk’s room for him.

Li Xuan tipped a little silver, and the monk’s room was upgraded to a meditation room on the outskirts of the temple.

After further tipping, the meditation room became an elegantly situated room in a beautiful location.

This was not due to the steward being greedy, but because people coming to stay in the temple sometimes bring maids, and the temple does not allow men and women to live together, so arrangements have to be made outside the temple.

This... requires additional payment.

In the following days, things finally settled down temporarily.

Li Xuan spent his days reading and visiting local scholars.

Sometimes they would invite each other for outings in the forests;

Sometimes they would sit in secluded bamboo groves to discuss the world, brew wine, and drink tea.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Li Xuan had also made a group of new acquaintances.

One day, after a bit of drinking, a friend complained, "The temple’s tea and meals are indeed coarse and bland, truly unbearable. But if we want to go to State City once, the journey is long, and coming and going takes a whole day."