The entire staircase and corridor were filled with [black] and [white].
Upon reflection, from the very beginning today, he had been seeing "black and white".
Only by knowing white can one see.
And at the end of this black-and-white corridor, a door emitting white light stood there.
Xu Changâan walked up to the door, took a deep breath, and was about to speak when he heard Zhu Pingniangâs voice coming from inside the room.
"Come in."
With her voice, the roomâs door automatically opened.
Xu Changâan stepped into the room.
Unlike before, when the room was filled with the scent of musk, this room was very simple. Everywhere the eye could see was made of wood, emitting a faint sandalwood fragrance. Some calligraphy and paintings were hung on the walls, each with different styles, mainly focusing on ink wash paintings that collected the painstaking works of many famous artists.
It must be said that Zhu Pingniangâs hints were indeed effective for him, at least they reminded Xu Changâan... Li Zhibaiâs room was also like this, the teacher loved the calligraphy and paintings of famous artists.
After entering the room, he did not speak, because Zhu Pingniang was busy.
At this moment, she was still wearing that slim-fitting black long dress from her performance, only with an ink stick in her hand. As she gently rubbed the ink stick on the inkstone, the ink gradually formed, and she dipped a light brush into the ink and began writing.
As it landed on the paper, a straight line appeared on the white sheet.
Black and white were clearly defined.
Watching the "Tao" in front of him, Xu Changâan remembered when Li Zhibai had done something similar, but unlike Li Zhibaiâs teaching of "knowing white and guarding black", maintaining an attitude of "though understanding, as if seeing nothing", Zhu Pingniang did not have so many grand principles.
She just earnestly watched the ink stains under her brush, her jet-black eyes glistening, much like the black and white he had seen along the way.
Among them were some undisguised memories and tenderness.
At this moment, she had none of her usual allure and frivolity.
Xu Changâan realized one thing.
Junior Master Qin was right, he... indeed became a direct lineage of Senior Zhu.
Xu Changâan wisely didnât ask anything and looked away.
Zhu Pingniang wrote a few more characters, mounted them simply, and calmly said, "Hang it on the wall."
Xu Changâan took the ink scroll.
On it were eight characters.
[Writing for no reason, sitting in forgotten mystery.]
He didnât understand, but obediently hung it in the center of those ink treasures.
However, he soon understood.
Only to see Zhu Pingniang stretch lazily, extending her body line, she softly said, "Writing for no reason, sitting in forgotten mystery, better enjoy a tune."
Xu Changâan blinked.
Understood, it means cultivation is not as good as enjoying music.
Hmm?
...Is she saying that the teacherâs hard work on the mountain is not as joyful as being a madam at the Flower Moon Building?
Xu Changâan was always particularly keen on strange places.
Just as he was thinking, Xu Changâan suddenly felt Zhu Pingniangâs gaze fall on his face, as if she could guess the disrespectful thoughts he was having.
Xu Changâan: "..."
At this time, the expressionless Zhu Pingniang... really could put a lot of pressure on him.
Fortunately, this scrutinizing gaze didnât last long before Zhu Pingniang looked away, pulled out a delicate brocade box from the drawer, and then... took out a small white flower?
It was a flower with narrow leaves, pure white petals, and a light yellow stamen shaped like a lotus.
"Put it on for me." Zhu Pingniang placed the flower aside, saying something that made Xu Changâanâs eye twitch.
"???
Looking at Senior Zhu quietly waiting in front of the makeup mirror for him to step forward, he was completely bewildered.
"Come over, help me put it on."
Zhu Pingniang repeated, her tone calm, as if stating something that should happen: "In the past, your teacher did this; sheâs not here, so youâll take over."
Ah this...
But since itâs taking over for the teacher, thereâs no problem.
Xu Changâan thought about how Li Zhibai would place a hairpin for Zhu Pingniang and walked over to place the small pure white flower in Zhu Pingniangâs hair.
Jet black hair, pure white flower, another black and white combination.
"Does it look good?" Zhu Pingniang asked.
Xu Changâan: "..."
Seeing the young manâs awkward look, Zhu Pingniang curled her lips, unable to hold it back any longer, burst into laughter along with Xu Changâanâs astonishment.
"Hahaha... Xiaochangâan, youâre really interesting, sister really likes you."
The black dress could no longer hide her good figure, and her strong charm returned to her eyes, captivating and radiant.
Xu Changâan watched Zhu Pingniang laugh aloud, feeling chaotic inside.
But his heart was with Miss Yun, so he couldnât care that much. He was about to speak with his hands cupped.
"Senior Zhu..."
"Stop." His words were choked back by Zhu Pingniang.
"Xiaochangâan."
Zhu Pingniangâs brows furrowed slightly, "Think before you speak, if Iâm unhappy... you better head back to the mountain early."
As he felt Zhu Pingniangâs gaze sweeping over him, Xu Changâan only felt... numb.
He was blinded by the identity of Fairy Zhu on stage and a friend of the teacher, how could he forget... the seniorâs bad nature.
"Ms. Zhu." Xu Changâan said helplessly.
"Youâre not stupid." Zhu Pingniang snorted, crossing her legs, her embroidered shoe under the black long skirt lightly swinging towards the ink words on the wall, "If you dare to call me senior again, you can go wherever you feel comfortable."
"What the elder sister says is right."
Having something to ask of someone, especially a capricious senior.
Does Xu Changâan have a way?
No way at all.
ââ
What a pity.
Zhu Pingniang looked at Xu Changâan, he was just Li Zhibaiâs student and not a disciple, otherwise, getting him to call her masterâs wife and telling Li Zhibai when he returned, her expression would definitely be very interesting.
"You can discuss whatever you need later." Zhu Pingniang leaned forward, pressing her hands on her legs, and asked, "When you came up earlier, it was LuâEr who led the way, wasnât it?"
Although Xu Changâan was anxious, he had no choice but to nod in agreement with the seniorâs point.
"Thatâs good." Zhu Pingniangâs red lips curled up.
"Xiaochangâan, youâre really useful."
"..."
To Zhu Pingniangâs strange statement, Xu Changâan remained unmoved. Although he seemed helpless, in reality... he always maintained respect for Zhu Pingniang.
This elder was also worthy of his respect, having helped him greatly like the teacher.
Zhu Pingniang also understood his nature and didnât feel disappointed.
She wasnât wrong, since with Xu Changâanâs presence, LuâEr didnât develop any inappropriate thoughts like QinâEr did, this kind of useful person, wasnât he practical?
"Do you know why I let you come alone?" Zhu Pingniang asked with a smile.
"Changâan is foolish."
"Itâs naturally because there are some things I donât want Ms. Yun to hear."
Zhu Pingniang tilted her head slightly, the small white flower exceptionally eye-catching, she curled her long fingers and took out a letter, at the same time saying, "Men with fickle hearts are not likable."
Xu Changâan: "...?"
Only to see Zhu Pingniang shake the letter in her hand, smiling with an ambiguous expression.
"Tell me about your affair with Qian Cheng."