Spring arrives and the land smiles

Qingyan never expected that Yunxuan would have this trick up his sleeve.

"Young Fu, with your skills, this old man is going to be jealous." Granny Yun looked at the basket full of plump fish at Yun Xuan's feet, and then at the Ghost Doctor's worried face, and gloated.

Qingyan silently calculated that on average, a fish would be caught every 5 minutes, big and small, long and short, fat and thin, colorful and varied.

This pool of crystal-clear water didn't seem like it could hold any fish, yet Yunxuan's fishing rod never missed a catch, much to the frustration of the Ghost Doctor, who was standing nearby glaring and hadn't caught anything, so much so that he threw his rod away in anger.

"Old rascal, if you want to learn, let Yunxuan teach you." Qingyan nudged the still furious Ghost Doctor with her elbow.

"Hmph, this brat from the Fu family made me lose face in front of Xiaoyun. I'll teach him a lesson." The Ghost Doctor pretended to snatch Yunxuan's fishing rod.

Seeing this, Granny Yun immediately spun around and blocked the way, then gave the Ghost Doctor a sharp rap on the head, making him scream in pain.

"Come on, let's go back and make a whole fish feast."

Granny Yun carried Yun Xuan's full fish basket in one hand and grabbed the Ghost Doctor's ear with the other as she walked away.

"A pair of old rascals." Qingyan saw Yunxuan put down his fishing rod and went over to sit with him on a rock by the lake. "Yunxuan, it must be so pleasant to retire in such a beautiful place."

"If Yan'er is willing to grow old with me, we can find a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains." Yunxuan embraced Qingyan tenderly.

The atmosphere was so pleasant that Qingyan realized she had said something inappropriate.

Seeing Yunxuan's hopeful expression, Qingyan spoke solemnly, both as a reminder and a conclusion: "Yunxuan, we must grow old together, and so must Ningyuan. The three of us will live together and die together."

“Yan’er is right. I’ll be stuck with Ning Yuan for the rest of my life. He’s really getting in the way between us.” Yunxuan laughed heartily.

Sigh, what can I say about this guy? Never mind.

Qingyan sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for Yunxuan for a long time.

"Yunxuan, can you swim?"

In Qingyan's memory, many northerners were not good at swimming because they rarely saw rivers, lakes and seas, unlike southerners who grew up by the lakes and seas and could catch shrimp and crabs as soon as they jumped into the water.

"I... I don't know how," Yunxuan replied softly.

"That's great," Qingyan said happily, looking at Yunxuan with a sly smile. "Finally, there's something that the number one genius doesn't know."

"Yan'er, we're right by the lake right now, and I can't swim. Your excitement is out of place," Yunxuan chuckled softly.

"I know how, that's fine." Qingyan pulled Yunxuan along the lakeside towards the waterfall.

When they reached a spot relatively close to the waterfall pool, Qingyan stopped.

The water here is noticeably shallower than in other places, but Qingyan couldn't tell exactly how deep it was because the lake water was so clear.

So she decided to go into the water and take a look.

Summer clothes are thin, so Qingyan took off her outer plain gauze undershirt, hesitated for a while, and then took off her blue cross-collar inner garment. In the end, she was left with only the modified bellyband and a pair of silky cotton shorts. All of these were made by Zhui'er's excellent handiwork.

"Wait for me, I'll go check the water depth." Qingyan patted Yunxuan's hand.

"Oh..." Yunxuan was so frightened by Qingyan's bold and unrestrained attire that he forgot to tell her to be careful.

The lake water in summer carries its own ambient temperature, so Qingyan didn't feel cold when she went into the water. She slowly explored the distance, and the water in this area was not even up to her shoulders. In other words, it was not even up to Yunxuan's chest.

Therefore, even if she is not a good swimmer, she should be able to carry someone in this deep water without any problem.

As for swimming ability, it depends on who you're comparing yourself to. Someone like Ning Yuan, who turns into a fish the moment he jumps into the water, is naturally no match for him.

"Come down." Qingyan waved to Yunxuan from the water.

"Huh?" This is the instinctive resistance of someone who can't swim.

Ok!

Qingyan patiently swam to the shore and then reached out her hand to Yunxuan: "The water isn't deep, don't be afraid."

Qingyan's swimming posture is very standard, thanks to the devilish coach in her elementary school children's swimming class. Seeing this, Yunxuan felt somewhat more at ease.

"Come on, I'm here." You can't force someone who can't swim; you can only guide them.

It was rare to see Yunxuan so timid and flustered. Qingyan chuckled to herself. This guy always acted like he was in complete control, which was really annoying.

"Don't be afraid, the water isn't deep." Qingyan gestured to indicate the water's depth based on her own height.

Qingyan's modified hibiscus-colored bodice swayed in front of Yunxuan's eyes. Her fair and tender breasts were covered by the bodice, revealing a deep cleavage, which was very eye-catching and very... alluring.

Yunxuan took a deep breath and turned his face away.

People who can't swim are timid when they're in water, so Qingyan had no choice but to go ashore to pull him out.

Water droplets flowed slowly down Qingyan's neck, over her full breasts, over her slender waist, over her flat stomach, and finally into her shorts, which were the same color as her bodice. Her two long, fair legs slowly emerged from the lake water and stood in front of Yunxuan.

Yunxuan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he stood there dumbfounded.

"Aren't you usually quite brave?" Qingyan chuckled. "Swimming isn't difficult at all. I'll teach you. Come on, don't be afraid, come in with me."

As Qingyan spoke, she began to help Yunxuan undress, causing Yunxuan to take a step back in fright.

"What's wrong?" Qingyan asked, blinking her big eyes.

"No, it's nothing." Yunxuan quickly took care of it himself.

Qingyan then realized that it was indeed inappropriate.

In those days, everyone wore swimsuits in the swimming pool, and at most, only those with good figures would get a few extra glances. But it was different here. What I was doing was tantamount to... seduction with a wet body.

Qingyan looked at herself, picked up the inner sheet from the ground, and put it on.

"Yan'er, don't you treat me like a man?" Yunxuan's eyes were somewhat deep.

"Huh? How could you think that? Do I need to feel so awkward if I don't treat you like a man? I don't treat you like an outsider." Qingyan replied without thinking.

"Oh?" Yunxuan smiled. "I'm satisfied with what Yan'er said. Come on, teach me how to swim."

Qingyan sighed inwardly:

Yunxuan, why are you always able to resolve our problems so effortlessly?

In just an hour and a half, Yunxuan learned the basic techniques of the breaststroke. Although his posture was not yet perfect, swimming a few meters was no problem at all.

"People with high IQs really learn everything so quickly," Qingyan thought to herself for the 108th time.

"Yunxuan, you learn so fast."

"It's because Yan'er taught her well," Yunxuan said with a smile.

Sigh, people with high IQs also have high EQs, are they even letting anyone else live? This is Qingyan's 109th sigh.

"Yunxuan, look, a rainbow."

The waterfall cascaded down, splashing countless droplets of water. Under the sunlight, a rainbow faintly floated in the air. Qingyan excitedly pointed ahead.

"Let's go over there."

“But…” Yunxuan hesitated because of the depth of the waterfall pool.

"I'm here, don't worry. Besides, you've almost learned to swim." Qingyan led Yunxuan towards the waterfall pool.

Yunxuan smiled and shook his head, then slowly followed.

The depth of the waterfall pool exceeded Yunxuan's expectations, but his skills were still limited. Qingyan smiled slyly, sank into the water, slipped under Yunxuan's armpit, and hugged him from behind.

"Don't move, let's go see the rainbow." Qingyan dragged Yunxuan with one hand and swam towards the rainbow with the other.

Swimming into the waterfall pool, the rainbow was almost in sight. Qingyan held Yunxuan and stopped on the water.

Yunxuan felt a warm and soft touch on his back, like pressing against a warm ball of cotton, which made him feel alluring.

"Yan'er." Yunxuan couldn't help but turn around and hug her, and a wet kiss landed on her.

The sudden turn of events startled Qingyan, who instinctively pushed Yunxuan away with both hands and feet. However, Yunxuan's mediocre skills were completely inadequate to handle such a sudden situation, and he quickly sank to the surface, swallowing a few mouthfuls of water in the process.

Qingyan was terrified and quickly jumped down to pull Yunxuan out of the water.

The moment he surfaced, Yunxuan coughed violently a few times to expel the water from his lungs.

"Are you out of your mind?" Qingyan glared at him angrily.

Yunxuan wiped the lake water from his face and smiled ambiguously: "To die beneath the peony is to be a romantic ghost."

"If you really become a ghost, let's see how charming you are then," Qingyan said with a laugh, leading him to swim towards the shore of the waterfall pool.

The two climbed ashore, and Qingyan was already panting heavily from exhaustion.

Yunxuan let her lean against his chest, warming her with his body heat to keep her warm.

"I'm not cold."

"But I want to hold you."

Okay, no excuses at all, making it impossible to refuse.

The feeling of skin against skin was warm and real, giving Yunxuan the illusion that he asked, "Yan'er, have you fallen in love with me?"

Uh, how should I answer that?

Qingyan smiled and casually replied, "Soon."

"Really?" Surprised by the sudden surprise, Yunxuan took it seriously.

"More real than pearls."

The two returned to the waterside pavilion, where Granny Yun and the Ghost Doctor's all-fish feast was in full swing. Qingyan couldn't resist and rolled up her sleeves to go into the kitchen as well.

"Girl, I remember Qing'er said that you are the eldest princess of Daqi." Granny Yun looked at Qingyan with a puzzled expression as she skillfully prepared the side dishes.

“Mother-in-law, a princess is a woman too, and besides, making a few dishes isn’t difficult,” Qingyan replied with a smile, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Girl, the Fu family boy is really lucky." Granny Yun took the side dishes that Qingyan handed over and put them into the pot.

"Coming, coming!" The Ghost Doctor ran in carrying a plate of oddly shaped carrots and radishes.

"How was this carved?" Granny Yun frowned as she picked out a few radish flowers and placed them on a plate for later use.

Qingyan also joined in.

"Old rascal, your craftsmanship is quite impressive. This carving, wow..."

"Xiaoyun, look, even the girl praised me, so..." The Ghost Doctor looked dejected.

"Never mind, never mind. Next time, carve something else. I don't like all this flowery stuff." Grandma Yun complained, but her face showed her delight.

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say." The Ghost Doctor said with a smile. Xiao Yun loved radish flowers the most; she would only get scolded if she carved anything else.

Grandma Yun cooked the dishes she wanted to make, and the cook naturally took care of the aftermath. The three of them left the kitchen and chatted with Yun Xuan in the main hall.

They had only exchanged a few words when the maids filed in, carrying plates.

It really was a whole fish feast.

Qingyan wasn't particularly fond of fish, but Yunxuan loved it. Qingyan frequently served Yunxuan food, which flattered him greatly.

"Girl, you said the steam from hot water can make your skin smooth and supple?" Grandma Yun actually remembered a beauty tip that came up during a casual chat at the table.

"Of course it's true. Water vapor can open pores, cleanse the skin, and has a very good moisturizing effect," Qingyan affirmed.

"Huh? Water vapor? Pores?" Granny Yun was confused.

"Ah, this is a term from cosmetic surgery. It means that the steam from hot water can make you look younger and more beautiful," Qingyan explained to Granny Yun in a way she could understand.

"Come on, teach me how to use it." Granny Yun pulled Qingyan out, leaving Ghost Doctor and Yun Xuan to continue chatting.

"Alas, women are just delusional. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order. How can an old woman in her fifties possibly turn into a teenage girl? This goes against nature." The Ghost Doctor shook his head.

"Senior, women care most about their appearance, so let them do whatever they want," Yunxuan said with a smile.

"However, young master Fu, this girl's looks are just as good as my Xiaoyun's when she was young. How did you manage to win her over?"

The Ghost Doctor spoke in a nonsensical manner, but it was the truth. Back then, Granny Yun was known as the most beautiful woman in the martial arts world, and Yan'er's appearance certainly lived up to the description of a beautiful woman with delicate features and graceful figure.

"Our marriage was arranged by our parents and the matchmaker. Yan'er and I were betrothed by the Emperor. Yan'er," Yunxuan said, a hint of desolation in his voice, "Yan'er was forced by the Emperor's decree."

"Haha," the Ghost Doctor laughed, "Who cares if she was forced or not? You two are getting along quite well now. Since this is how it ended, why bother about how it started?"

The ending?! Yunxuan smiled bitterly.

The Ghost Doctor continued, "If she gives birth to another chubby boy for you, she will be devoted to you for the rest of her life."

Children? Yunxuan's bitter smile deepened: "She will never have children for me."

"What?" The Ghost Doctor's eyes widened.

Yunxuan realized he had spoken out of turn and quickly covered it up: "It's nothing, it's nothing."

"Young man, do you have something you can't say about?" The Ghost Doctor could tell at a glance.

"Senior, I..." Yunxuan hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Tell me, and perhaps I can help.

How could one even begin to explain such a matter? Yunxuan sighed helplessly. "Well, perhaps someone from outside the secular world can offer some insight," he thought.

Yunxuan briefly mentioned the important points, and the Ghost Doctor got a general understanding.

“Sigh,” the Ghost Doctor sighed deeply, “Fu family boy, you deserve it. With your lack of ambition, you’ll never get that girl in your lifetime. Let me give you a hand.”

With that, the Ghost Doctor walked out.

"Hey, senior, senior..." Yun Xuan hurriedly followed, only to run into Granny Yun and Qing Yan walking over, chatting and laughing happily.

"Xiao Yun, you've come at the right time. I have something to discuss with you." The Ghost Doctor smiled mischievously at Yun Xuan, who was anxiously looking behind him, and then walked away with Granny Yun in his arms.

"What happened?" Qingyan asked Yunxuan with her big, round eyes.

You can't exactly say that the Ghost Doctor is planning to help me get your hands on him, can you? Yunxuan could only offer a perfunctory reply: "Nothing, nothing, the Ghost Doctor is just a playful old man."

Qingyan believed him and didn't ask any further questions.

Time flies in the mountains; Qingyan and Yunxuan stayed for several days, seemingly forgetting all about home.

Until Luo Qing returned to Immortal Doctor Valley.

"Disciple greets Master." Luo Qing bowed deeply upon seeing Granny Yun.

"Qing'er is back." Granny Yun quickly helped him up.

Luo Qing then turned to the Ghost Doctor: "Greetings, Senior Uncle."

The Ghost Doctor didn't answer him, but instead looked behind him: "Didn't that brat come with you?"

Luo Qing shook her head.

"That brat is definitely still blaming me," the Ghost Doctor said to himself, his smile gone.

"Young Master Luo." Qingyan and Yunxuan greeted Luo Qing.

"The two of you?" Seeing these two here surprised Luo Qing, and her voice rose a notch when she greeted them.

Fortunately, Granny Yun came to answer my questions.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qing knew that the absurd things Lan Zhen and the Ghost Doctor had done had been exposed.

However, Luo Qing was quite surprised that the Ghost Doctor didn't suffer any consequences.

"Princess, a messenger arrived at the post station in Yu'an this morning, but we haven't seen you two. We're searching for you everywhere," Luo Qing informed her of the situation at the post station.

Yunxuan then realized that he had only informed the steward of the post station that he was taking the princess out, but had not told him where they were going. He then instructed his servants to rush back that night, and that he and Qingyan would return the next day, hoping not to miss anything important.

"Leaving tomorrow?" In this secluded place, it's rare to have such joyful people come, and Granny Yun felt a little reluctant to part with them.

“Yes, I’ll come see Grandma again after I finish my business,” Qingyan said, holding Grandma Yun’s hand. “I also need to bring Grandma Seven Flower Ointment.”

"And me?" the Ghost Doctor asked, leaning closer.

"Of course, you, my old rascal, will get your share too," Qingyan said with a smile.

"In that case, you should rest now, as we have to travel early tomorrow morning," said Granny Yun.

Granny Yun was thoughtful, and Qingyan and Yunxuan bowed slightly to bid farewell to everyone.

"Xiaoyun, they're leaving tomorrow. If we don't act now..."

"Then what are we waiting for?" Granny Yun interrupted the Ghost Doctor and instructed the maid to immediately send some tea and pastries to the Little Bamboo House.

"Xiaoyun, so you were prepared all along." The Ghost Doctor laughed in a way that seemed to invite a beating.

Luo Qing leaned over to ask what was wrong, but the Ghost Doctor waved her away, saying: "Children shouldn't meddle in adults' affairs."