Chapter 263 - 260: The Garden’s Beautiful Scenery

Chapter 263: Chapter 260: The Garden’s Beautiful Scenery

Worried about Professor Xiao and the old master’s health, Zhou Lian and Li Xiu urged them to go back to their rooms in the garden to rest. It wouldn’t be too late to look and study everything tomorrow; after all, the items weren’t going to run away. The couple carefully supported Professor Xiao and the old master back to their quarters. Beneath the cool moonlight, the faint outlines of rockeries and pavilions were breathtakingly beautiful in the hazy glow.

Standing at the window, watching Li Xiu and Zhou Lian depart in an embrace, the old master glanced at Professor Xiao beside him and said with a smile, "You can set your mind at ease now, can’t you?"

"What are you talking about? What was there for me to be worried about?" Professor Xiao shot her husband a look, speaking with some embarrassment. ’I’ve lived for over half a century. How could I not worry about a student I’ve personally taken on? Especially one like Zhou Lian, with her rare and endearing personality!’

Watching her with a gentle smile, the old master said softly, "Don’t worry. You know I’m a good judge of character. This Jin Chen... he’s a complicated man. If he weren’t so determined to be a gentleman, I fear... But no matter what, when it comes to his feelings for Zhou Lian, I doubt anyone in this world can compare. Perhaps it’s a blessing that a woman like Zhou Lian exists. Otherwise, there’s truly no telling what would become of Li Jincheng."

From the moment he first met Li Xiu, the old master sensed the profound complexity in the young man. If he chose the path of a gentleman, his will would be harder to shatter than bedrock. He could face any storm, external or internal, with ambition that reached for the heavens. He would be the kind of man to leave his mark on the world, a prodigy for the ages, looking upon the mortal realm with a detached smile.

But if he did not choose the path of a gentleman, he would undoubtedly walk a line between good and evil, acting as he pleased, fearing nothing. Heartless and unfeeling, he likely wouldn’t lift a finger even if the world collapsed before his very eyes. Thankfully...

When the old master heard Li Xiu had studied under Ge Yunqi, he’d broken out in a cold sweat. Ge Yunqi was a legendary, romantic figure of his generation, but he had seen the world with too much clarity and retired early. The old master had been fortunate enough to meet Ge Yunqi once, and he knew the man possessed a wild streak in his very bones. This Li Jincheng had truly surpassed his master; the madness and obstinacy rooted in him were likely far more potent than Ge Yunqi’s.

But when he saw Zhou Lian, the old master knew. Li Jincheng could only ever be a gentleman. Zhou Lian was the tether that kept him grounded—one he had tied around himself willingly. He had wanted to laugh whenever his wife fretted over Zhou Lian, but it had been so long since she’d cared for someone this much. He didn’t want to spoil her rare investment in the matter. Letting her see the truth for herself would be far more effective than him simply telling her.

Professor Xiao shot her husband an exasperated look. "Weren’t you the one who said you couldn’t get a good read on Li Jincheng? That’s why I was so worried! My student is simple and kind-hearted; how could she possibly be a match for a man like that?"

"You, honestly. You never listen to the whole story," the old master said with a sigh. "I said I couldn’t fully understand Li Jincheng, but that his feelings for Zhou Lian were second to none. Those were my exact words, weren’t they? Your mind was so preoccupied with your student that you only heard the first half!"

Professor Xiao gave a self-deprecating smile and said softly, "We’ve been rather lonely for most of our lives, and then a student like her comes along. I was truly worried about her. But I suppose I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. For seven or eight years now, Jin Chen has taken her to and from school almost every day. That alone shows his sincerity. And that’s not even mentioning how successful Li Jincheng is in his career. Even an unemployed man would find it difficult to pick up his partner, rain or shine, for so many years without fail!"

"Indeed. To be honest, I’m not sure I could have done the same," the old master said candidly, smiling at Professor Xiao.

Professor Xiao smiled at his words. ’After living together for more than half a century, who didn’t know the other’s character?’ "You’re right, how many people could do that?" she said, her tone now casual. "We’ve watched them for so many years. Knowing that Jin Chen treats Zhou Lian well is enough. We don’t need to dig any deeper. As long as he doesn’t fail my student, I’m happy."

"It’s getting late. Enough sentimental thoughts for one night," the old master said gently. "Now that your mind is at ease, let’s get some sleep. We have plenty to do tomorrow."

Casting a sidelong glance at her husband, Professor Xiao chuckled. "You’re just thinking about that garden, aren’t you? But Jin Chen truly put his heart into it. I only had a brief look around, but it really is magnificent."

"He did it all to win his wife’s favor. How could he not be meticulous?"

After a good night’s sleep, the old master opened his eyes. Outside the window, the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn. He rose carefully, intending to go for a stroll in the garden. He had barely sat up when he heard Professor Xiao speak from beside him. "You’re really something else. Aren’t you cold? Waking up so early in the dead of winter just to wander through the garden!"

HEH HEH. The old master chuckled without offering an explanation. After sharing a bed for the better part of a lifetime, he knew he couldn’t hide anything from his wife.

Professor Xiao got up as well, sighing in resignation. They were getting on in years; she couldn’t rest easy letting her husband wander the freezing garden by himself.

After washing up and bundling into thick, padded coats, they gently pushed the door open. They glanced at the distant rockeries and pavilions, exchanged a smile, and began to amble down a garden path, supporting one another. Gazing at the winter plum blossoms blooming defiantly in the wind, Professor Xiao said softly, "This is truly a place with ’a hundred flowers in spring, the moon in autumn, a cool breeze in summer, and snow in winter.’ This garden captures the beauty of all four seasons!"

"Professor Xiao, Master, you’re up!" Li Xiu called out as he approached with light steps from a short distance away.

Looking at Li Xiu in surprise, the old master asked, "What brings you here so early? Did you come for a stroll in the garden as well?"

Li Xiu reached the couple in a few strides and smiled. "Master, I’m not here for a stroll. I just figured you wouldn’t be able to resist coming out, so I came to check on you." ’They’re both in their sixties,’ he thought. ’If something happened to them in this freezing weather, my Bao’er would be devastated.’

Understanding his kind intentions, the old couple said no more. They simply followed slowly behind Li Xiu, listening as he explained the layout and arrangement of the estate. As they took in the garden, which spanned several acres, they couldn’t help but marvel. This Li Xiu, this Li Jincheng, was truly a prodigy. He had managed to blend the iconic small bridges, flowing water, and elegant, carefree beauty of southern gardens with the dignified austerity of northern designs, all while weaving in the philosophical influences of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism.

It was no wonder they’d heard rumors that the matriarch of the Ping Family was so fond of this place that she had once borrowed it to host a ball. The Capital City was, after all, a former imperial capital with no shortage of private gardens. Though many had been damaged over the years, they were now being restored. Even so, this particular garden was likely one of a kind in the entire city.

Zhou Lian had told them Li Xiu designed the garden and hired a team to renovate it himself, but it seemed they had still underestimated him. The garden alone revealed that Li Xiu was far more than merely "erudite." He was only just thirty, yet he possessed such a presence, such profound knowledge, and such a sense of responsibility. In all the decades since the nation’s founding, the old master had only known one other person with this level of character and bearing. However, that person had gone abroad to study when he was young, and his grasp of traditional culture was not as deep as Li Xiu’s. And though that man was no longer living, he was still revered by all. Li Xiu had a comparable level of character, presence, and sense of duty. It was just a pity that, according to Zhou Lian, he had no intention of joining the establishment.