During the time when Qing Jun and Qian’er had not yet finished their classes,
Zhao Rong, while lost in thought outside the prefecture, had actually considered whether he should consult Tao Yuanran.
About matters related to the impending Great Li Sealing and Sacrifice Ceremony.
As a Nascent Soul Realm Great Cultivator who had lived for several hundred years, this old man who liked to wear the Nanhua turban must be very knowledgeable and experienced.
He might even have witnessed some of the grand coronation ceremonies of the Great Dynasties down in other continents.
However, this thought had barely surfaced before Zhao Rong dismissed it.
Firstly, it is better to rely on oneself than to depend on others.
As a Confucian Scholar studying ritual, asking a Daoist gentleman who opposed rites about ’the great ceremony’ felt somewhat strange.
Moreover, when it came to the Sealing and Sacrifice Ceremony, he wasn’t completely clueless either.
Since joining the Mochi Academy, Zhao Rong had never slacked off in any of the Six Arts, including Ritual Skill, except for Music Art which he found irresistibly challenging to study.
He had some methods he wanted to try for the great ceremony.
So, Zhao Rong was aware that the idea of taking shortcuts in his mind arose because of a lurking, faint desire in his Heart Lake:
He was not afraid of failing the ritual skill examination; instead, he wished... to make a spectacular impression, leading Gu Yiwu and the other students of Justice Hall to achieve nearly perfect scores on the assessment.
Even though it seemed nearly impossible at present to make Meng Zhengjun reluctantly concede them high marks.
But fantasizing about ’shocking the teacher and classmates’ before an exam is only human nature.
Thinking about that scenario was very comforting.
And if one seldom indulges in daydreams, what is the difference from a salted fish?
Thus, Zhao Rong was no exception.
Moreover, it was for the fact that Gu Yiwu and his brothers from Justice Hall had stood up for him and voluntarily dived into the situation that motivated him.
To do his best and not let them down was a thought Zhao Rong hadn’t voiced but certainly kept in mind.
Thus, as soon as desire surfaced in Zhao Rong’s Heart Lake, he began to contemplate shortcuts.
Only, this time he was quick to become aware and reflect on such thoughts.
As Gui had scolded him to wakefulness at the foot of You Mountain,
It’s not scary for a cultivator to have desires beneath the Heart Lake Water; what’s frightening is not realizing their existence, thus being subtly influenced by these desires.
Not letting the Heart Lake become clear and gradually polluting it into a dark and deep cyan pool; what kind of demons or horrors it might breed then would be unfathomable.
Therefore, Zhao Rong abandoned the thought of taking shortcuts and didn’t approach Tao Yuanran, nor did he plan to inquire with Teacher Yan.
Just like what the Old Sacrificial Officer, Meng, had said with a laugh.
Fighting with others can be endlessly enjoyable.
Even more so for an old-fashioned maid going through menopause, fighting with her, well, that’s double the fun.
Zhao Rong guessed at the meaning of the Old Sacrificial Officer Meng’s words, but of course, he would never dare to say this interpretation in front of the officer.
There was another important reason for not asking Tao Yuanran for help.
Just as the Daoist elder, who had been reclusive for most of his life, had just said, his reentry to the world was because he recognized the burden on his shoulders.
After being silent for most of his life, it was time to have a proper discussion with the younger generation in the Cultivation World on the mountain, to let them hear a different voice and present them with an alternative.
It was not permissible to let the other hundred schools of thought take away the right to speak.
Therefore, Tao Yuanran had been inviting Zhao Rong to interact privately, to have tea and informal talks.
Just before leaving, he had even informed Zhao Rong of his residence in Taiching Prefecture.
Although at that time, Zhao Rong could see various expressions from the students regarding his private invitation from Tao Yuanran, and little Qian’er was showing an expression of pride for her brother Rong’er.
However, Zhao Rong had ample reason to suspect that in Tao Yuanran’s eyes, besides being an old friend despite the age difference, he probably was also seen as a young man who had strayed from the right path and an image of Beautiful Jade who had been poisoned by the wrong thoughts of the Confucian doctrine.
Goodness, Zhao Rong was somewhat afraid that if he accepted the invitation, Tao Yuanran could resort to using even a ’Beauty Trap’ on him.
For instance, summoning a heavenly gorgeous Daoist nun, endowed with the aura of being a cultivation seed from the Louguan Daoist sect, to properly guide him and prevent further mistakes on his path.
For the Daoist nun to take Zhao Rong by the hand and point him toward the true way, so to speak.
In the midst of his hesitations, Zhao Rong actually felt that it might end up being a question of who would teach whom about entering the Dao.
Therefore, after letting Qing Jun accept the precious ’meeting gift’ from Tao Yuanran, it was better not to take too much advantage.
All are favors and karmic consequences that must be repaid.
Hence, while Zhao Rong was in a reverie, thinking about visiting the library tomorrow to look for books and coincidentally dealing with someone, a group of students walked out from inside Tranquility Mansion.
Among them were Qing Jun and Qian’er, walking towards him.
Zhao Rong went up to greet them.
Zhao Lingfei had mentioned that she was planning to go to Du You City today because the teachers in the mansion had entrusted her with some tasks.
So, Zhao Rong suggested that they go to Du You City for lunch, pass the time with Qing Jun as she dealt with her affairs, and take the opportunity to stroll around the city together. Both Qing Jun and Qian’er happily agreed.
The three of them set out together through the North Gate, leaving the Prefecture.
"What, Rong’er brother, are you going to leave Du You for Great Li to participate in that strange examination?"
Zhao Qian’er, who had been listening to Zhao Rong talking with Zhao Lingfei, furrowed her brows, grabbed Zhao Rong’s sleeve, and shook it, asking.
Zhao Rong turned his head back and nodded with a smile. "It’s nothing; once I’ve held the Sealing and Sacrifice Ceremony for the Imperial Family of Great Li, I’ll be back. It will be quick; it’s not a troublesome affair."
At that moment, he stood between the two ladies.
Zhao Lingfei was holding Zhao Rong’s right hand, listening quietly.
Zhao Qian’er, at this time, grabbed his left hand with both her little hands.
She spoke rapidly, "Rong’er brother, are all your academy mates going as well?"