I Think Ruxue Should Leave

Chapter 39: I Think, Ruxue, You Should Go.

Since Bai Ruxue learned that Xiao Mo would not marry the County Magistrate's daughter, she had returned to being a "carefree" young girl.

Bai Ruxue was full of energy every day, even humming little tunes while cooking.

Actually, for Xiao Mo, he never intended to marry the County Magistrate's daughter in the first place.

At that time, Xiao Mo wanted to politely decline Magistrate Sun's kind offer, but Magistrate Sun interrupted him, telling Xiao Mo not to rush his answer and to think it over.

Xiao Mo didn't have much to say at the time, so he just planned to personally visit Magistrate Sun again in a couple of days to thank him for his generosity.

Today, after arriving at Magistrate Sun's residence, Xiao Mo politely declined him.

Although Magistrate Sun felt it was a pity, he could understand, after all, Xiao Mo had already said he had a beloved woman.

So, Magistrate Sun didn't mention the marriage proposal again. Instead, he discussed academics and some matters of the imperial court with Xiao Mo, intending to impart some of the ways of being an official to him.

In Magistrate Sun's opinion, Xiao Mo entering officialdom was a foregone conclusion.

This was because Magistrate Sun later heard that Xiao Mo's success in achieving the Jieyuan this time was due to the admiration of that Mr. Zhang.

That Mr. Zhang was highly respected and had authored many books. Although he was currently an idle official, his influence in the imperial court was immense, and even the current Prime Minister was his disciple.

"Xiao Mo, when you go to the capital, make sure to deliver a calling card to Old Master Zhang's residence immediately," Magistrate Sun advised.

"Mr. Zhang?" Xiao Mo asked, confused.

"It's the elder Mr. Zhang Qianzhi, the current Hanlin, and also a Libationer at the Confucian Academy," Magistrate Sun said, stroking his beard. "Your Jieyuan this time was thanks to Mr. Zhang."

"Then I should indeed pay a visit."

Xiao Mo nodded.

"However, you don't need to try too hard to curry favor, or it will only displease Mr. Zhang. Just pay a visit, have a cup of tea, and express your gratitude for his support," Magistrate Sun said.

"This student understands. Thank you for your guidance, County Magistrate." Xiao Mo bowed.

"Hahaha, this is hardly guidance. In the future, I will have to rely on Lord Xiao for guidance," Magistrate Sun said, raising his wine cup.

Xiao Mo simply smiled slightly and raised his cup in return.

"Goji berries, longan, and mushroom old hen, cut into pieces and blanched..."

Meanwhile, at home, Bai Ruxue was making chicken soup for Xiao Mo.

"Finally, simmer on low heat for an hour, and it's done!"

Bai Ruxue happily clapped her little hands and covered the clay pot.

She tended to the low flame of the stove while looking out into the courtyard, waiting for Xiao Mo to return.

Half an hour later, Xiao Mo hadn't returned, but a woman appeared at the courtyard gate.

This woman looked like an immortal, holding a whisk and wearing a Daoist robe: "Young lady, may this humble Daoist beg for a bowl of water?"

"Of course."

Bai Ruxue did not refuse and quickly went to fetch a bowl of water for the female Daoist priest.

While the female Daoist priest was drinking the water, Bai Ruxue carefully observed her, thinking she was truly beautiful.

"Thank you, young lady." After drinking it in one gulp, the Daoist priest handed back the clay bowl and then looked at Bai Ruxue.

Bai Ruxue blinked her eyes and tilted her head, asking, "Does the immortal have something on her mind?"

"There's nothing in particular."

The Daoist priest shook her head.

"This humble Daoist is an elder of the Tian Xuan Sect, named Fu Chen. I observe that young lady has extraordinary talent and some affinity with immortals. Would you be willing to cultivate on the mountain with this humble Daoist?"

"Ah? Cultivate? I'm not going." Bai Ruxue quickly waved her hands. "I still have someone to take care of. Without me, no one will cook for him."

The Daoist priest smiled. "Young lady, don't rush to answer. You can think about it carefully. With your root bone, it would be a shame not to cultivate. I will return in two days."

With that, the Daoist priest performed a ritual bow, turned, and stepped into the sky, disappearing without a trace in an instant.

Bai Ruxue, standing at the courtyard gate, had sparkling eyes.

It was the first time she had ever seen someone fly.

As the sun began to set, Xiao Mo returned home.

"Xiao Mo, you're back! Come quickly, I've made you chicken soup."

Seeing Xiao Mo return, Bai Ruxue quickly served a bowl of chicken soup and placed it in front of him.

"Mmm, I'm hungry too." Xiao Mo sat at the stone table and took a sip of the chicken soup. The broth was rich, not greasy, and full of flavor.

He had to admit, Bai Ruxue's cooking skills were getting better and better.

"Is it good?" Bai Ruxue sat opposite Xiao Mo, resting her chin on her hands, her charming peach blossom eyes curved as she looked at him.

"It's good," Xiao Mo nodded.

"If it's good, drink more." Bai Ruxue added two more pieces of chicken to his bowl. "There's only chicken soup tonight; I haven't cooked anything else. You have to finish this chicken tonight."

"What will you eat then?" Xiao Mo asked.

"I ate all the leftovers from lunch; it would be a waste not to," Bai Ruxue said matter-of-factly.

Xiao Mo: "."

"Eat up, eat up! The chicken soup will be no good if it gets cold," Bai Ruxue served him another bowl.

"You should eat some too; I can't finish it all by myself," Xiao Mo said.

Bai Ruxue shook her head. "I'm not hungry."

"You still have to eat a couple of bites, or it'll be a waste."

"Alright then, but you have to feed me, okay?" Bai Ruxue opened her small mouth, revealing her tender pink tongue.

Xiao Mo could only pick up a piece of meat and put it into her mouth.

Bai Ruxue chewed happily, feeling that the food Xiao Mo fed her tasted even better.

"Oh, right, Xiao Mo, a female Daoist priest came to our courtyard just now."

"Daoist priest?"

"Mhm," Bai Ruxue nodded. "She was very beautiful. She said she was from the Tian Xuan Sect, an elder, and that I had immortal potential and wanted to take me to cultivate."

"Hm?"

Xiao Mo was a little surprised.

He had heard of the Tian Xuan Sect.

The Tian Xuan Sect was the foremost sect within the Qi Kingdom, a prestigious righteous sect with an excellent reputation among mortals. Furthermore, it was said they taught without discrimination; as long as you had the heart to seek the Way, they would teach even members of the Yao Race.

There was even a female elder in the Tian Xuan Sect whose true form was a Vermilion Bird.

Xiao Mo felt that the other party's request for water was just an excuse.

It was likely that she saw Bai Ruxue, this White Snake, possessing extraordinary talent when passing by and wanted to take her as a disciple.

"Did you agree?" Xiao Mo looked up and asked.

"No way," Bai Ruxue waved her hand. "If I leave, who will take care of you?"

Xiao Mo lowered his head, stirring the oil slicks in his bowl with his spoon.

"Xiao Mo, what's wrong? Why aren't you eating anymore? There's still more than half a pot left," Bai Ruxue noticed Xiao Mo had stopped eating.

"Ruxue," Xiao Mo looked up, meeting Bai Ruxue's eyes directly. "If you didn't need to take care of me, would you have gone to the Tian Xuan Sect?"

"Eh?" Bai Ruxue was slightly taken aback, her eyes trembling as she looked at Xiao Mo. "Xiao Mo, what... what do you mean?"

"Ruxue, immortal opportunities are rare. I think you... should go."