The so-called immortal naturally resided in a celestial realm, named Falling Flower Valley. Even before entering the mountain gate, a faint fragrance lingered in the air.
"Achoo!" Zhu Changle let out an exceptionally loud sneeze, rubbing her nose while muttering softly, "The scent of wine smells much better than this. I wish I could hang a wine gourd in front of my nose."
Qiuli, seeing her uncomfortable expression of trying to sneeze but failing, took out something and placed it on his fan, offering it to her.
"What's this?" Zhu Changle picked it up and shook it. It was liquid. "Should I open it?"
Qiuli nodded.
Zhu Changle understood. She removed the stopper and sniffed it. Wow, much better!
Knowing the purpose of this item, she turned her horse around to find her family members. She put two drops in each person's palm, instructing them to apply it under their noses. Since she felt uncomfortable, she naturally assumed her family members were uncomfortable too.
When she returned it to Qiuli, there was only a little left in the bottle. He simply poured it out and rubbed it into his palm.
At this moment, the mountain gate slowly opened. A woman with her hair in a bun walked out with a reserved demeanor and greeted them, "Esteemed guests have arrived. Please forgive our tardiness in welcoming you."
"Not late at all! I was just worried we might be turned away at the gate!" Zhu Changle dismounted, smiling brightly as she cupped her hands in greeting. In her heart, however, she had already criticized the woman a thousand times. This behavior was exactly like those people in the capital, not at all like people from the jianghu. So pretentious! Bah!
"The Immortal Lady is kind-hearted. Even if a beggar came, she would provide hot food and water. How could we possibly turn away Lady Zhu?"
This was no longer just a hint; it was practically equating them with beggars. The Zhu family members all darkened their expressions. Dingding had already taken out his dog-beating stick. After all, a dog-beating stick is most suitable for beating dogs!
Surprisingly, Zhu Changle didn't get angry. She scratched her chin and asked innocently, "Do you mean the Immortal Lady is treating us like beggars?"
The woman hadn't expected this response and was about to deny it when Zhu Changle spoke again.
"Come to think of it, there's not much difference. Dingding, aren't you a disciple of the Beggar's Sect? Quick, take out your broken bowl. We'll get some hot water and food, and then we'll leave. We shouldn't waste the Immortal Lady's kind intentions."
Dingding actually started rummaging through his bag of treasures.
Afraid he might really produce a bowl, the woman hurriedly apologized, "Please forgive me, Lady Zhu. I misspoke. The Immortal Lady is already waiting for you all. Please, follow me."
"No need," Zhu Changle shook her head with a smile. "We'll just wait at the gate. It's rare to have a hot meal on the road. The Immortal Lady is indeed as kind-hearted as the rumors say."
The woman became anxious. If she couldn't bring them up, how could the Immortal Lady forgive her?
She bowed again, bending her waist much lower this time. "Lady Zhu, please be magnanimous and forgive my poor choice of words. How could you be compared to beggars?"
Zhu Changle stared at her in disbelief. This woman really didn't know how to speak! Couldn't she see Dingding's obvious Beggar's Sect attire? Although not all beggars are from the Beggar's Sect, broadly speaking, they're all the same, aren't they all beggars?
Dingding snorted twice, tapping the Beggar's Sect's signature dog-beating stick against his palm.
The woman finally realized her mistake and her face changed dramatically. The Beggar's Sect was numerous and not to be trifled with. She quickly apologized to Dingding, "I absolutely didn't mean to look down on the Beggar's Sect. I... I just spoke too hastily. Please forgive me, young hero."
"You're not looking down on us Beggar's Sect disciples?"
"I wouldn't dare. Beggar's Sect disciples are all over the world. Who would dare to underestimate them?"
Dingding seemed satisfied with this answer. He snorted and said, "Little Zhu, shall we go?"
Zhu Changle pondered for a moment. "Indeed, as juniors, since we've come to Falling Flower Valley, we should pay our respects to avoid being impolite. Lead the way."
The woman immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She stood to the side and gestured respectfully, "This way, please."
Qiuli observed the two's back-and-forth, watching as the woman who had appeared with her head held high was quickly humbled by the two of them. Zhu Changle had come with a purpose, but now it looked as if the people of Falling Flower Valley were begging her to come up the mountain.
If Zhong Ningmei had come here, she probably would have fought her way up, defeating everyone in her path.
Falling Flower Valley was beautiful in spring. Flowers bloomed everywhere, and as they went deeper, mist and clouds became more prevalent. In the hazy pavilions, Zhu Changle finally met the legendary Immortal Lady Wen.
Indeed, Zhu Changle had heard of Immortal Lady Wen before, but this was her first time seeing her in person.
She saw her wearing a white long dress with intricate patterns, her long hair lightly pinned up at the back of her head, adorned only with a fresh flower. This was the only ornament on her entire body. Even at her age, she could still be described as beautiful.
But Master is more beautiful!
After making the comparison, Zhu Changle concluded that her master didn't need the environment or clothes to accentuate her beauty. She could just stand there and be a great beauty, the kind that makes people want to kneel and worship!
While these irreverent thoughts ran through her mind, Zhu Changle's face remained enthusiastic and genuine. "Immortal Lady, you're truly beautiful, even more so than I imagined."
"I'm well past my prime years. I'm surprised you would say such a thing, Changle." Immortal Lady Wen covered her mouth and laughed lightly, still showing a somewhat girlish demeanor. As if remembering something, she added, "May I call you Changle?"
"Oh my, hearing my name from the Immortal Lady's mouth makes it sound even better!"
"Such a sweet talker." Immortal Lady Wen hadn't expected Zhong Ningmei's disciple to have such a personality, quite different from what she had heard. However, these words from her disciple's mouth were indeed pleasant to hear.
She looked towards the others, and Zhu Changle, very perceptively, introduced them. "These two are my friends, Tong Ziming and Qiuli. The others are my family members."
Zhu Changle ran over and linked arms with her father. "This is my father, Zhu Maonian. I wonder if the Immortal Lady has heard of this name?"
This blatant fishing for information amused Immortal Lady Wen. "I'm not sure if Changle wants me to answer that I know him or that I don't."
"However you answer, I'll take it as you knowing him," Zhu Changle grinned. "Unless the Immortal Lady personally says that Wanzhong is no longer under your control."
"If I say so, would you believe it?"
"Of course! How could the Immortal Lady possibly lie?"
Immortal Lady Wen neither confirmed nor denied. She raised her hand, gesturing for everyone to sit. Zhu Maonian cupped his hands and sat back down. In this kind of situation, he only needed to bring his ears.
"I wonder if Changle has come here for something specific."
"It's not really anything major. My second sister-in-law has just given birth, and my grandmother is elderly and needs a good place to rest for a night to recover her strength. Passing by here, I thought of the Immortal Lady. But even if you only give us a cup of hot tea and some hot water, I would be extremely grateful."
Hot tea and hot water? Immortal Lady Wen looked at the steward who was lowering her head, afraid to meet her gaze, and quickly understood what had happened. She gently smoothed the flower in her hair, her voice soft, "Don't speak of just resting for one night. Even if you want to stay for a long time, that would be fine."
"If the Immortal Lady says so, I'll have to take it seriously."
Immortal Lady Wen smiled, "Didn't you say the Immortal Lady wouldn't lie?"
"Then I won't stand on ceremony with the Immortal Lady." Zhu Changle cupped her hands in a salute, inwardly grinning. She had finally found free protection for her family.
