Liu Mengmei, somewhat melancholic, said: “Now I’m not sure whether that experience of mine was just a dream or actually happened. If it was a dream, how could it feel so real? And if it truly happened, why can’t I ever find that place again?”
Mei Qing thought for a moment before slowly responding: “Master Liu, over the years, have you discovered the direction you were heading when you fled that day?”
Liu Mengmei nodded: “Although I was very young and terrified at the time, through years of searching, I’ve come to understand the general direction I took. Even the tall ginkgo tree at the hilltop before I fell matches my memory perfectly. But going down from that hillside, there should have been the place where I fell and fainted, yet all there is now is a deep ravine. Around there, not only is there no valley of plum blossoms, but there isn’t even a patch of flat land. I suspect maybe the fairy rescued me and took me elsewhere afterward. Otherwise, I’ve searched the area countless times, and there’s definitely no such valley.”
Mei Qing nodded and slowly asked: “So this trip of yours, Master Liu, is it to search for that plum blossom valley again?”
A faint blush appeared on Liu Mengmei’s face as he shyly replied: “In the past, I wondered whether the fairy’s advice to focus on my studies meant she wouldn’t appear before me until I succeeded academically. Last year I studied diligently and ranked highly in the local examination, so I think I’ve finally fulfilled the fairy’s advice. Thus, I’ve had this foolish hope lately to revisit the place, hoping for a miracle.”
Mei Qing smiled and shook his head: “Master Liu, I think you might be mistaken. The fairy’s encouragement was likely meant to help you understand your parents’ hopes for you, not merely about your studies. If I may suggest, if you truly believe in the fairy’s words, you should strive further, cultivate yourself, manage your household, and achieve something meaningful. That would bring you closer to the fairy’s intent. Otherwise, continuing this fruitless search will likely lead to nothing.”
Liu Mengmei was clearly不服气 (unconvinced and不服气 here implies a sense of indignation or refusal to accept something as fair or right), and retorted: “Master Mei, you’re mistaken. If one wishes to cultivate oneself, manage the household, govern the country, and bring peace to the world, how could that not come through study? Although I’m young, my academic performance ranks among the top in Dean’an Prefecture. I dare not boast about my knowledge, but if you doubt me, feel free to test me!”
Mei Qing noticed Liu Mengmei’s不服气 expression and couldn’t help but smile inwardly. In his eyes, Liu Mengmei’s words were not untrue, yet he seemed like a dreamer. If he continued to obsess over finding the fairy’s valley, given his apparent lack of spiritual connection, he might end up wasting his whole life. That was precisely why Mei Qing wanted to awaken him.
However, Liu Mengmei, being young and competitive, couldn’t help but argue back when he heard Mei Qing’s words.
Mei Qing didn’t respond, but Bi Zhen, behind him, was clearly dissatisfied and kept urging him to put the arrogant youth in his place. When Mei Qing ignored her, she immediately sent a sharp mental message: “Naughty Qing, if you don’t teach this brat a lesson, I won’t go with you to find the plum blossom valley anymore!”
Mei Qing could only smile bitterly and said: “Master Liu, what you say is beyond my reach. I’ve never even entered a school. But if you truly wish to discuss and learn, I suppose I can help.”
Liu Mengmei, full of youthful confidence, immediately began asking questions eagerly, eager to show off his knowledge. At first, he was excited, but soon his enthusiasm began to wane. Before long, his face turned pale, and finally, he lowered his head in dejection, unable to utter a word.
It was no wonder—Mei Qing was a prodigy, probably one of the sharpest minds even in the cultivation world. His memory was so sharp that remembering texts was an understatement. When discussing a certain passage, he could quote dozens of ancient texts, accurately explaining the phrases, their sources, interpretations, and corrections with ease—something Liu Mengmei, a mere boy, could never match.
“Master Mei, you truly are a genius. I’ve clearly lost this match,” Liu Mengmei said with a flushed face, struggling to speak softly: “May I ask which great master you studied under? Surely you must have already achieved great academic success?”
Mei Qing smiled and shook his head: “I have no teacher, nor any academic titles.”
“What? Then why not?” Liu Mengmei asked in surprise: “Are you not interested in scholarly pursuits? Do you wish to live like Xu You, avoiding fame and fortune?”
“No,” Mei Qing smiled bitterly: “Since childhood, I’ve been seen as an idiot. No school would take me, no teacher would teach me, and naturally, there was no path to academic success.”
“An… idiot?” Liu Mengmei was stunned, then flushed red with anger: “If you’re considered an idiot, then what does that make me? Are you mocking me?”
Mei Qing sighed: “Master Liu, if you refuse to believe me, there’s nothing I can do. But I truly was like that since childhood—although I had an extraordinary memory, I couldn’t think for myself until I reached adulthood. After that, I suddenly recovered. Since I inherited a stable position through my ancestors, I never pursued the imperial examinations.”
After hearing this, Liu Mengmei’s expression softened, and he felt somewhat embarrassed: “I’ve been too hasty. But with your talents, it’s still a pity.”
Mei Qing laughed and shook his head: “There’s always someone greater beyond. Compared to the vast world, my abilities are nothing. And as for you, Master Liu, you’re so young and already far superior to me back then.”
Hearing Mei Qing’s praise, Liu Mengmei became excited again, grabbed Mei Qing’s arm, and began asking about his academic doubts, treating Mei Qing like a teacher.
Watching Liu Mengmei walk away while still turning back to wave, Bi Zhen said with a hint of jealousy: “What a romantic soul! Do you feel a kindred spirit? I saw how your eyes nearly popped out when he mentioned the fairy.”
Mei Qing laughed: “Of course there are fairies, but I’ve already stolen one for myself. What more could I want? That boy doesn’t realize the treasure before him—that’s just his own foolishness.”
Bi Zhen smiled but huffed: “You always have an answer ready!” Then she asked: “Earlier, you kept prying for details and got the location clear. Shall we go check it out now?”
Mei Qing shook his head and sent a mental message to Bi Zhen: “Let’s go back and see if anyone follows us.”
Bi Zhen was startled but showed no reaction on her face, and followed Mei Qing, chatting casually as they walked back the way they came.
“Wait a moment, sirs,” a suddenly elderly voice called from behind.
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen turned around and saw the old man who had been chatting with the woodcutter in the teahouse earlier.
The old man wore a square-clothed headpiece, a brown robe, and simple shoes. Though he looked around fifty, his beard and temples were already streaked with gray, giving him a weathered appearance. Yet his face was smooth like jade, and he wore a warm smile.
“Elder, may we ask what you need?” Mei Qing turned and asked.
The old man chuckled: “Forgive my impertinence. Earlier, I overheard this young man’s eloquent speech and impressive knowledge. I’ve lived here for a long time but have never met such a talented youth. I acted on impulse and wished to invite you for a chat. Would that be acceptable?”
Before Bi Zhen could nod in agreement, Mei Qing stepped forward with a bow: “It is a great honor for us to be noticed by you, sir. However, we are visitors here visiting relatives, and we haven’t informed our hosts that we’ve gone out. It’s getting late, so we must return. May I ask where you reside? We shall inform our family and pay you a visit tomorrow.”
The old man laughed heartily: “Indeed, you are mature beyond your years, very proper. Then I shall not press further. I will prepare for your visit tomorrow. My humble home is about four or five li ahead, a house by the roadside. My surname is Liu, from Hedong. You may inquire about me when you come.”
Mei Qing immediately gave their names, saying they were from the capital and had arrived here a few days ago to visit relatives and tour the mountains. The old man smiled: “You are surnamed Mei, and I am surnamed Liu. Together, it makes ‘Mei and Liu crossing the river in spring.’”
Mei Qing and Bi Zhen smiled, exchanged farewells with the old man, and slowly walked away along the path.
“How did you know he would follow us?” Bi Zhen asked through their shared mental link.
Mei Qing smiled and countered: “Didn’t you notice something unusual about that old man?”
Bi Zhen frowned in thought: “No? I couldn’t sense any spiritual energy around him. He seemed like an ordinary old man.”
“Is that so?” Mei Qing said doubtfully: “I felt something strange about him. Although his spiritual energy wasn’t obvious, there was a subtle barrier around him that resisted my probing. Also, did you notice? After we entered the teahouse, even though he was chatting with others, his attention was fixed on me the whole time.”
Bi Zhen was startled: “Do you think he has ill intentions? Did you sense anything else?”
Mei Qing shook his head: “Not necessarily ill intentions, but he was definitely watching me. That’s why I guessed he’d approach us when we left—and I was right. But since we don’t know his true motives, it’s better not to engage him rashly. Also, we’re strangers here. If we respond too eagerly to his invitation, it might raise his suspicions. That’s why I postponed it to tomorrow—to go home and consult your mother first, and also to buy us some time to observe him more carefully.”
Bi Zhen laughed: “You always think too much, scheming all the time. I guess that old man watching you wasn’t up to anything good either. Being cautious is never a bad idea.”
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