A Tale of Encounters with Immortals: A Peach Blossom Temple in the Martial World

Zhang Zhengdao and Lu Xiaohua set off fireworks at night in a very flashy manner.

Then Zhang Zhengdao and Lu Xiaohua strolled down the street hand in hand in a very flamboyant manner, oblivious to everyone around them, making the young, handsome couple extremely envious.

In ancient times, when even a man and woman holding hands would be met with fierce criticism, Zhang Zhengdao and Lu Xiaohua's blatant and uninhibited behavior was truly something no one dared to interfere with.

Chinese New Year is a big event.

However, due to the limited size of the courtyard, Zhang Zhengdao's planned first grand competition at Peach Blossom Temple was canceled. Instead, all disciples, elders, and protectors were required to perform a program.

He couldn't even spare his wives and concubines.

This is a traditional program for Lunar New Year's Eve, and the performance lasts until dawn.

Although Zhang Zhengdao disliked the Spring Festival Gala in his previous life, thinking there were no good programs, it didn't stop him from watching it until the early hours of the morning every year.

Apart from the eldest disciple Qingyangzi, whose recitation of poems was unremarkable, all the other disciples were outstanding.

Liu Yunfei learned his acrobatics from traveling performers.

Yang Shengtian danced the fan dance with great care, and Zhang Zhengdao praised him, saying, "You danced well, but don't do it again next time."

Then Qingxuzi performed a feat of breaking a boulder on his chest and displaying his iron head skills.

Su Tang performed a sword dance.

Even Hu Yunying forced the dragon released from the gourd to perform a trick like "drawing a snake from an empty basin," and forced the pangolin to perform a magic trick of "hitting a cow across a mountain." The poor dragon and pangolin were used as props, being moved around and coordinated, and they almost wanted to die.

Hai Tianfu and Qin Shouzhong sang a short drum ballad, which was passable.

Zhang Zhengdao applauded in affirmation.

Even Zhu Jingyan performed a fire-breathing trick, which brought the entire New Year's Eve program to a climax.

Guo Lanying was the only one without any special talents. She told a lame joke, and everyone laughed awkwardly for a while, which was considered a way of giving her face.

As for the white mice, they were busy eating and running around.

The female corpse was about to perform a head-moving trick. As soon as she removed the head and held it in her hand, she was met with disdain. People told her to put it back on quickly and stop performing.

The female corpse was very disappointed; she really wanted to make a splash today.

……

Finally, Lu Xiaohua set off a few more fireworks in the sky before announcing that the New Year's Eve performance was over, just past midnight.

Everyone parted in high spirits.

The Imperial Advisor originally wanted to participate, but was refused. Zhang Zhengdao only said that this was an internal activity and not open to the public, so the Third Prince and the Seventh Princess didn't even need to say a word.

With Zhang Zhengdao, their influence certainly doesn't compare to that of the Imperial Preceptor.

I could only listen to the laughter and chatter from the neighboring courtyard.

The seventh princess had a ladder built so she could watch the performance from the top of the wall, her mouth practically watering with envy. When the final fireworks exploded, her eyes sparkled.

Living in the palace for a long time has made their personalities more extreme.

Everyone went along with her.

However, the rules of the palace also constrained her.

The coldness of human relationships and mutual distrust made her both cautious and arrogant in the palace.

I've never seen such a lively and heartwarming scene before.

As the fireworks exploded in the sky, the Seventh Princess stared blankly at the other side of the wall, and even saw her new best friend, Su Tang, waving at her.

"Seventh Sister, aren't you coming down?"

Hearing that the party seemed to have ended, the Third Prince spoke to the Seventh Princess.

The seventh princess seemed petrified, completely bewildered.

The Third Prince called out again, but the Seventh Princess still didn't respond. His heart skipped a beat, thinking she had died.

I quickly climbed up and tugged at her.

The Seventh Princess turned to look at the Third Prince.

Tears flowed down my face.

The Third Prince, seeing this, felt a pang of pain in his heart and flew into a rage, saying, "Did they insult you over there? This is outrageous! They have no respect for the royal family! Don't worry, your third brother will get revenge for you. I'll give them a piece of my mind tomorrow!"

The Seventh Princess shook her head, went down the stairs, and sat on the edge of the steps, resting her chin on her hands, gazing absently at the starry sky.

Third Prince: "Cry if you want to!"

Seventh Princess: "Why am I crying? I'm making plans."

Third Prince: "What are you planning? Are you going to slap the faces of those who insulted you at Peach Blossom Temple? Don't worry..."

Seventh Princess: "No, I want to know how I can become an apprentice at Peach Blossom Temple, Third Brother. I really like the people there and the things they do."

The Third Prince smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out he wasn't being asked to go over there and fight.

"What's so difficult about that? I'll have my father issue an imperial edict; would he dare refuse to accept you?"

The Seventh Princess looked at him strangely: "Do you think that's possible?"

The Third Prince shook his head: "Impossible."

"Actually, I also think that becoming Zhang Zhenren's disciple is a good thing, but I am a prince. There are some things that ordinary people can do, and ministers and officials can do, but I cannot do."

The Seventh Princess could understand; after all, he was born into royalty.

That night, many people fell asleep under the beautiful night sky. But some still couldn't sleep.

New Year's Day.

As dawn broke, Zhang Zhengdao didn't want to get out of bed, but there were many figures outside the window. Although there was no noise, it was obvious that a group of people had gathered at his door.

Zhang Zhengdao was somewhat annoyed: "I can understand if someone comes to eavesdrop on my wedding night, but on the first day of the Lunar New Year, instead of sleeping, they listened to me outside the wall all night?"

Lu Xiaohua also got up and helped Zhang Zhengdao wash up, laughing, "You know what's going on, just open the door and see. After all, a princess is a golden branch and jade leaf."

After washing up, Zhang Zhengdao opened the door.

A young girl knelt at the doorway, surrounded by disciples, elders, and protectors who were watching the spectacle.

Some people were pointing and whispering, almost making lewd jokes.

"Master!"

"Guanzhu!"

When the door opened, everyone greeted each other.

Zhang Zhengdao then took out red envelopes and handed them to everyone.

"It's the Lunar New Year, so take these for good luck and to bring joy!"

The group took the small brocade pouch handed to them by Zhang Zhengdao and happily dispersed.

No matter how much money it is, I'm still very happy because it was given by my master.

The Seventh Princess knelt at the door, looking pitifully at Zhang Zhengdao, with her best friend Su Tang beside her. Su Tang also looked pitifully at Zhang Zhengdao.

"For you!"

Zhang Zhengdao sighed, took out a small brocade pouch, and handed it to the Seventh Princess.

The seventh princess took it and hurriedly kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Master."

"Are you sure you want to become my disciple?" Zhang Zhengdao asked.

The seventh princess quickly replied, "If the mistress agrees, I'm willing to be a secondary wife."

Just like Su Tang, she's a tiger-like woman, capable of uttering all sorts of outrageous and lewd words? Is this how unruly and unrestrained a princess is?

He turned to look at Lu Xiaohua.

Lu Xiaohua just smiled and said, "I'm going to see what breakfast Yunying and Sister-in-law Gui have prepared."

They disappeared in a flash.

Zhang Zhengdao said, "I have no shortage of women, nor do I lack apprentices."

The Seventh Princess immediately raised her head again: "But you lack a princess as a wife. If you really don't want one, you can start with your apprentice."

Su Tang immediately nodded: "Master, if you take a princess as your disciple, how prestigious would that be!" She patted her chest, creating a few waves of excitement, and gave a hearty thumbs up.

How could a princess say such a thing? Are you still a princess?

Zhang Zhengdao was indeed taken aback.

"Su Tang, let your senior brother Qingyangzi examine her. If she passes, she can join the sect. Anyway, once the Taoist temple is completed, we'll need some disciples to fill it."

"Yes!"

Su Tang excitedly pulled up the Seventh Princess.

"My senior brother is very easy to talk to, I'll take you there!"

Senior Brother Qingyangzi was indeed easy to talk to. He looked at the respectful Seventh Princess, nodded, and said, "Alright then, since she is Qingweizi's friend, I'll make the questions simpler."

Su Tang and the Seventh Princess were overjoyed.

Qingyangzi said, "Now there are pheasants and rabbits in the same cage. There are 35 heads on the cage and 94 feet on the cage. How many pheasants and rabbits are there?"

The Seventh Princess thought it was simple when she heard it was pheasant and rabbit.

My mouth opens, but my mind goes completely blank.

Then, quite naturally, he said, "I didn't hear you clearly. What did you just say?"

So Qingyang Ziyou said it again: "Now there are pheasants and rabbits in the same cage. There are 35 heads on top and 94 feet on the bottom. How many pheasants and rabbits are there?"

Seventh Princess:......

Su Tang: ...

The two stared at each other, dumbfounded.

The Seventh Princess looked at Su Tang, her heart filled with doubt.

Is this the kind and easy-going senior brother you mentioned?

I recognize all the words and understand all the numbers, but when I put them together, my mind goes completely blank.

Isn't this an assessment?

The two best friends were speechless, like children who had lost their beloved toys, their four big, bright eyes filled with confusion and emptiness.