Chapter 156: Great Confucian Scholar

It didn’t take too long to wait.

A few days later, while I was squatting in a corner of the temple, honestly flipping through scriptures, a sudden inexplicable palpitation arose in my heart. Xiang Jiannan hurriedly left Ping’an Temple.

In the distance, I saw a carriage speeding towards us. Just as it was about to crash into the steps, it suddenly swerved.

The carriage almost flipped over as a result. The suspended wheels touched the ground after a long while, and then a lean old man opened the door and jumped out.

He must have been a little dizzy from the drifting just now. After getting out of the car, he was in a daze.

He barely took a few steps, but they weren’t very natural.

“Beast, you almost killed this old man!”

I waited on the steps for a long time. Originally, I wanted to go down and help him, but looking at the old man’s somewhat comical appearance, Xiang Jiannan ultimately didn’t dare to approach.

The carriage the old man was in had no coachman. From beginning to end, the only person I could see was him.

His white beard was longer than his face, and his small eyes would often squint unconsciously.

He was driving without a driver and still had such a temper. Based on my thinking, he might also be a little nearsighted.

After scolding the horse, he turned his head to look at me. His dark blue robe made his body look particularly gaunt.

“Esteemed Teacher, wait for me.”

The two of them just stared at each other until another figure appeared, breaking the silence.

It was none other than the White-Clothed Man who had returned empty-handed from Ping’an Temple a few days ago.

He had run all the way here on foot.

“Ruyu, you’re too slow.”

After the White-Clothed Man arrived, the Green-Robed Elder, who had already recovered, immediately lifted his leg and started walking into Ping’an Temple. His whole body exuded an aura, and at the same time, he muttered:

“Tell Teacher, who was being disrespectful to you a few days ago? How dare someone bully an official of the court!”

It sounded like he was talking to the White-Clothed Man behind him, but his eyes were staring straight at Xiang Jiannan.

The Taoist robe could represent his identity. There were only two Taoists in the entire Ping’an Temple. Without the White-Clothed Man saying anything, the Green-Robed Elder knew who he should be looking for.

It was the silly little Taoist in front of him.

“This disciple doesn’t dare to claim to be an official of the court yet. Esteemed Teacher, please slow down, be careful of the steps.”

While busily serving the Green-Robed Elder into the temple, the White-Clothed Man, who rarely nodded at Xiang Jiannan, was smiling more miserably than crying.

He saw the little Taoist’s face change slightly. People who heard his name for the first time would have this expression. If their composure wasn’t strong enough, they would get used to it after hearing it a few more times.

The name Ruyu was bestowed upon him by his Esteemed Teacher.

“If this old man says you are, then you are. One shouldn’t be too humble, otherwise it’s easy to be bullied.”

While speaking, he had already ascended the steps. Looking at the little Taoist beside him, the Green-Robed Elder immediately asked:

“Was it you, this little Taoist, who bullied our Ruyu a few days ago? I also heard there was an old Taoist. Tell him to get out here for this old man!”

He was not tall, but his temper was not small. Considering that you made me not dare to act rashly, I, this Taoist, will endure it today. A great man can bend and stretch.

Being spoken to by the Green-Robed Elder, I could only nod. Looking at the White-Clothed Man beside me, Xiang Jiannan was extremely docile at this moment.

I had interacted with the White-Clothed Man before. These few words were mainly for the sake of our relationship:

“My master is currently in the backyard. Please, both of you, come with me. Young Master Ruyu, is this your teacher?”

“Esteemed Teacher, watch your words.”

With his Esteemed Teacher by his side, his aura was inevitably several times stronger. The White-Clothed Man sternly corrected Xiang Jiannan.

The little Taoist, hearing this, couldn’t argue with him and nodded, then turned around and led the two into Ping’an Temple.

What’s the difference between an Esteemed Teacher and a teacher? Anyway, I couldn’t be negligent towards Ruyu’s Esteemed Teacher.

“Where is the old Taoist? Hurry up and come out to let this old man see!”

As soon as he entered the temple, before he had even taken two steps, facing the empty courtyard, the Green-Robed Elder shouted again. After no one responded, he suddenly seemed to sense something and, leaving the two behind, quickly ran towards the backyard.

His small stature, dragging his long robe, looked like a robotic vacuum cleaner from behind.

His robe kept swaying on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust along the way.

This old man, he’s skilled.

Watching the Green-Robed Elder quickly enter the backyard, without saying anything to stop him, Xiang Jiannan just slowly followed behind the Green-Robed Elder.

Not long after, I heard Gao Yu’an’s voice suddenly erupt, with a tone that was extremely unfriendly:

“Where did this old thing come from? The backyard is a restricted area, trespassing is forbidden. Quickly get out of here, old Taoist!”

Immediately after, there was a series of crackling sounds, which didn’t last long and quickly stopped.

Did they just start fighting? Two grumpy old men.

Hearing the commotion in the backyard, I immediately sped up, arriving at almost the same time as the White-Clothed Man. As soon as Xiang Jiannan entered, he felt that he was a little too nervous.

The White-Clothed Man beside me was the same as me at this moment. Because of the scene before us, his expression became unnatural.

I only saw the Green-Robed Elder sitting by the stone table, facing those confidantes of Lin Zhen, his face full of uncontrollable smiles:

“You ladies are all extraordinary. I wonder if this old man can take a look at your palms?”

“Good, good, good, this is the fate of great wealth and honor.”

“This lady, this old man seems to have seen you somewhere before. What is your relationship with the Chen family woman who was famous in the capital back then? You really look exactly alike. I didn’t expect that in my lifetime, I would have the good fortune to see such beauty again.”

Your Esteemed Teacher doesn’t seem as reliable as I thought.

Seeing my master looking like a wronged little wife, I turned my head to look at the White-Clothed Man. I could only feel that the old Taoist was about to erupt again. Xiang Jiannan didn’t know what kind of sacred being this Green-Robed Elder was.

His mouth could be worth a thousand troops. In just a few words, he made the several confidantes of Magistrate Lin laugh heartily and extend their hands one after another.

At the same time, my master was being neglected. The joy that originally belonged to the old Taoist had now been completely taken over by the Green-Robed Elder.

“Who is this old rascal? Why is his mouth so disgusting?”

“His words are full of vulgarity. Did you bring him here?”

Standing to the side, unable to bear the Green-Robed Elder’s laughter with the ladies, Gao Yu’an walked a few steps to the two of them. Gao Yu’an looked like he was about to explode with anger. First, he looked at Xiang Jiannan with resentment, and then he directed all his anger at the White-Clothed Man:

“You’re the one who called him here, right? Quickly think of a way to get him out of the backyard for this old Taoist!”

“This is my Esteemed Teacher.”

“Ruyu, enough talk!”

Just as the White-Clothed Man was about to reveal his identity to Gao Yu’an, the Green-Robed Elder suddenly interrupted from beside the stone table.

He raised his hand to signal the ladies to wait a moment, then walked to Gao Yu’an’s side.

He pointed outside, indicating that they should talk outside.

His gestures and movements were somewhat like he wanted to go wild with me, which made Gao Yu’an laugh on the spot.

“Let’s go then, I’m not afraid of you, you old geezer! This is my Taoist temple, how can it be your turn to act wild?”

“This Taoist temple is simply miserable.”

He led everyone out of the backyard, not going into the incense hall, but just choosing a corner. The Green-Robed Elder spoke soon after.

Gao Yu’an’s expression became even more displeased. He wanted to retort but couldn’t find the right words.

He understood what the Green-Robed Elder meant.

There were indeed few incense guests in the temple today, otherwise, he wouldn’t be so idle.

I had just chatted with a few ladies for a while when you, this short, old geezer, interrupted me. You even shamelessly took over the old Taoist’s position.

Where did you come from!

“Speak, what is the matter that brings you to this old Taoist’s temple?”

“It’s not convenient to fight today.”

Having already made his own judgment about the Green-Robed Elder’s identity, and already believing he was here to cause trouble, Gao Yu’an glanced at the White-Clothed Man while speaking.

This calling for people is a bit slow. Esteemed Teacher? Why didn’t you bring more people over?

I waited for so long in vain, old Taoist.

“This old man’s surname is Chen, given name Ruhua, from the capital city. I came here today specifically for my disciple.”

Chen Ruhua? Your name is even more outrageous than the White-Clothed Man’s!

Having just adjusted from the White-Clothed Man’s name, upon hearing the Green-Robed Elder say his name, Xiang Jiannan couldn’t help but think of a tough guy from a movie.

Ruhua, Ruyu?

This master and disciple pair really have subtle names.

It’s simply impossible to defend against.

“Chen Ruhua, what a dissolute name!”

Gao Yu’an immediately expressed his disdain for the Green-Robed Elder’s name, not holding back when he spoke:

“This old Taoist’s Daoist name is San Shun. Compared to your Ruhua, it’s much better.”

After saying that, he was somewhat smug, making Xiang Jiannan not know how to continue.

Master, it’s better not to mention your Daoist name. It’s not much better than Chen Ruhua, and it can even be said to be a bit rustic.

Why did they suddenly start comparing? Is the old people’s circle really this simple and unadorned?

“This old man is a Great Confucian Scholar from the capital. You, this Taoist, have quite the audacity!”

Being enraged by Gao Yu’an’s words, Chen Ruhua, with his head held high like a rooster wanting to fight, spoke with an extremely gloomy expression.

Who under the heavens doesn’t know him, Great Confucian Scholar Chen? What an unbridled old Taoist. No wonder his disciple returned empty-handed from here. I heard you’re quite powerful?