He spent two years in the Chinese department, and it wasn't a waste of time. Not only did he memorize some poems, but he also developed an interest in reading idle books. He liked to raise beetles because he read Jia Sidao's "The Beetle Classic". After reading Yuan Hongdao's "The Bottle History" during the Ming Dynasty, he became fascinated with bottle flower art, which originated in the Tang Dynasty and flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. He even joined the school's "Bottle Flower Club", where all the members were girls.

  Two bronze vases from the Wei and Jin dynasties, one inserted with early yellow osmanthus flowers and the other with chrysanthemum, the vase with chrysanthemum also lined with a branch of autumn begonia, the branches and leaves trimmed to perfection, the flowers and leaves reflecting each other, fresh and fragrant, full of charm.

  Zhou Xuan smiled and said, "Appreciating flowers in a bottle is best done with tea. I came to learn about tea art tonight and brought two bottles of flowers as a gift for Dao Yun sister. Unfortunately, I couldn't find better porcelain bottles in time, so I replaced them with ancient bronze ones. The chrysanthemums aren't Shi Zhi chrysanthemums either; otherwise, it would be even better."

  Lin Han saw her sister silent and asked: "Sister, do you like the two old bottles that Zhou Xuan gave you?"

  "Uh-huh, I like it very much."

  Lin Han Yun was stunned, didn't expect Zhou Xuan to actually say it, her sister really liked the two bottles of flowers. After a moment's thought, she said angrily: "Zhou Xuan, you only know how to curry favor with my sister, and be so cruel to me, not even taking me to see the insect fight, you bully people."

  Jing Yi Xianzi heard her sister say that Zhou Xuan was pleasing to her, and the cheeks under her veil couldn't help but heat up. She scolded: "Han Yun, don't talk nonsense." But in her heart, she thought: "Is Zhou Xuan intentionally trying to please me? The vase and flowers match perfectly, it must have taken a lot of thought."

  Lin Han said: "That sister promised me three days later to go to the 'Super Autumn War Hall' to watch the insect war. Zhou Xuan said she would come to pick me up."

  Zhou Xuan said: "You're saying I'm bullying people, I won't come pick you up."

  Jing Yi Xianzi watched the two arguing, shook her head and said: "The teahouse is not a place for loud disputes - Han Yun, you can go watch the insect fight, but promise sister two things. Firstly, don't run around everywhere, last time it was because of running to the riverbank that something big happened..."

  Lin Han said, "Sister, if I hadn't pulled Zhou Xuan to the riverbank, we wouldn't have met San Chou, and Lord Li would not have been saved. This is all my credit, and Lord Li is also very grateful to me."

  Jingyi fairy had no way with this thick-skinned younger sister, saying: "Anyway, when you go out with Master Zhou, you have to listen to him. When he sends you back and says that you are naughty and disobedient outside, then don't think about going out again in the future. I'm also afraid of Father's punishment."

  Lin Han Yun opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.

  Zhou Xuan took out the embroidered silk from his bosom and presented it to Jingyi. The fairy unfolded it and examined it carefully, praising in a soft voice: "I didn't expect that not only is Madam Zhou's medical skills superb, but she also has such embroidery skills, truly ingenious."

  Lin Han said, "Sister, Zhou Xuan has two wives, it shouldn't be the doctor's wife, Hui Di. It's another one, I heard she was a palace maid who returned to her hometown this time, don't know how she ended up being married by Zhou Xuan!"

  Jingyi Xianzi heard her sister's tone was not right, as if Zhou Xuan was forcibly taking a civilian girl, and said: "Alright, thank you for Mr. Zhou's gift. The girl is very grateful and dare not think that this is a courtesy gift, the girl still wants to learn from Mr. Zhou in music and flower arrangement."

  He Lin Han Yun was unwilling to call Ge Ge, and Jing Yi Xian Zi also didn't want to call Xuan Di.

  Zhou Xuan stood up straight and respectfully prepared to listen to the lesson.

  Jingyi Xianzi asked: "Does Master Zhou know the origin of the two characters 'Nine Difficulties' in the name of this Nine Difficulties Mountain House?"

  Zhou Xuan thought to herself, "I know that in 'The Deer and the Cauldron' there is a character called Ninth Difficulty Nun, but you are a Taoist nun, could it be that you want to convert from Taoism to Buddhism?" She said, "I'm ashamed, I don't know. Please tell me, sister."

  Jing Yi Xianzi nodded in approval, very satisfied with Zhou Xuan's attitude. People's feelings are just so strange, a good first impression is everything. Afterwards, everything becomes pleasing to the eye, even being unable to answer questions is a manifestation of excellent moral character.

  "The Taoist has a saying 'nine difficulties and ten demons', and Lu Yu's 'Tea Classics' also mentions 'nine difficulties'. This 'Nine Difficulties Mountain House' has two layers of meaning, the Taoist one doesn't need to be mentioned, let's just talk about the 'Tea Classics' nine difficulties: first creation, second distinction, third utensils, fourth fire, fifth water, sixth roasting, seventh grinding, eighth brewing, and ninth drinking. Drinking is ranked ninth, which shows that it is the most difficult. There are many people in the world who are skilled at cooking tea, but few guests know how to taste tea. That's why I was deeply moved when I heard the story of Mr. Zhou's two friends making friends through tea last time. What I want to ask is - does Mr. Zhou want to learn the first eight difficulties or specialize in the ninth difficulty?"

  The fairy-like girl had her hands crossed in front of her chest, with a straight back and a beautiful sitting posture. Her voice was soft, gentle and slow, and one didn't even need to listen to what she was saying - just the sound of her speaking was enough to enthrall people.

  Zhou Xuan said: "I wish to learn the ninth difficulty."

  Jingyi Xianzi said, "This ninth difficulty is not just about sitting and drinking to achieve it. To be like your friend Zhang, who can taste like a god, you must be able to distinguish the famous springs of the world, the high and low quality of tea utensils, the various types of famous teas from different regions, whether they are harvested at the right time? Whether the fire for brewing tea is slow or fast, whether it's suitable? And so on. You must have all these things clear in your mind - Zhou Gongzi, are you still willing to learn?"

  "Anyway, nothing's wrong," said Zhou Xuan.

  "It is pleasant to hear you speak." Without hesitation, he said: "I am willing to learn."

  —

  Jing Yi Xianzi secretly delighted, called over her maids Ling Feng and Jian Yue, and had them go fetch water. Before long, the two returned, each carrying three celadon tea cups. The six identical cups were arranged in a row on the black lacquer tea table in front of Zhou Xuan.

  "Zhou Gongzi, these six types of water are Lushan Guchuangquan Water, Lushan Zhaoyinquan Water, Wuxi Huishan Shiquan Water, Qizhou Lancui Spring, Xinzhou Luyu Spring, and Guangling Shugangfeng Spring. As you are a guest from overseas, you naturally haven't tasted these waters before. Please savor each one carefully, and if you can distinguish the subtle differences among them, it will be considered a success."

  The elegant and charming maid, Feng, smiled as she brought over a black silk ribbon, saying: "Young Master Zhou, please cover your eyes."

  Zhou Xuan knew that covering his eyes would help improve his sense of taste, and it was best to plug his ears as well. He immediately took the black ribbon and covered his eyes, tying a knot at the back of his head.

  "The voice of the tea wind: 'Please, Master Zhou, taste these six kinds of spring water one by one.' As he spoke, a soft small hand pulled up his hand and handed him a celadon cup."

  Zhou Xuan held the teacup and touched the tip of his tongue to the water in the cup, pure spring water, not tea, calmed down, savored for a while, then put it down, spread out his palm, indicating that he wanted a second cup.

  Six cups of spring water had been tasted one by one, Zhou Xuan savored them again in his heart and said: "I can already distinguish the differences between each type of spring water."

  "Really?" Jingyi Xianzi's melodious voice held a hint of surprise: "Mingfeng, rearrange the order and bring the spring water for Master Zhou to taste again."

  Zhou Xuan tasted the tea and handed over the first cup, hesitating to say: "It seems like the fourth cup from before."

  Jing Yi Xianzi didn't make a sound, indicating that she should hand the cup back to Zhou Xuan once again.

  Zhou Xuan took another sip and smiled: "Mingfeng is also teasing me, this is the same cup as before, I can still tell."

  Meng Feng's soft laughter sounded like a gentle breeze as she poured another cup for Zhou Xuan.

  Another item review, Zhou Xuan reported the current ranking of the spring water according to the order of the first tasting.

  Jingyi Xianzi's voice said: "Zhou Gongzi, you can untie your sash now."

  Zhou Xuan untied the blindfold and rubbed his eyes, asking: "Dao Yun sister, did I make a lot of mistakes?"

  Lin Han Yun had always been forbidden from speaking by her sister, but now she spoke up: "You're almost completely wrong, getting everything backwards."

  Zhou Xuan is quite unashamed.

  "Stop listening to Han Yun's nonsense, Master Zhou has appraised six times and got three right, which is already extremely rare. As a beginner in the Tao of Women, you're completely off track."

  Zhou Xuan felt pleased with himself and thought: "It seems that my taste buds are developed enough, is it because I've been kissing a lot these past few days? Haha."

  Jingyi Xianzi said: "This pure spring water is easy to taste, but after boiling tea it's hard to taste, because the tea fragrance changes the taste of the water. Master Zhou should take it step by step, I think Master Zhou can eventually reach the level of your friend Zhang in terms of appreciation."

  Zhou Xuan smiled and said: "It's all thanks to Dao Yun's sisterly care."

  Jingyi Xianzi couldn't help but smile and said, "Today we'll stop here. The art of tea is not something that can be rushed; it requires long-term immersion, exposure, broadening one's horizons, and tasting many famous teas."

  Lin Han Yun had been sitting impatiently for a while and quickly stood up saying: "Alright then, let's go. I'll see you out, Zhou Xuan."

  Zhou Xuan sat still: "It's still early, not yet the second watch of the night. I want to listen again to Dao Yin sister playing the Xiao. I heard her playing when I entered the mountain house just now, it sounds really good."

  Zhou Xuan had a special fondness for beautiful women playing the sheng, and when he saw a beauty's hands moving up and down to play a bamboo sheng, her breath as fragrant as orchids, the sound of the sheng winding and turning, after one song was finished, she couldn't help but be short of breath, so her jade cheeks were flushed red, her silken chest rising and falling, truly a beauty beyond compare.

  Jingyi Xianzi didn't decline either, took a purple bamboo flute and played a tune, which was exactly that "Red Bean Melody".

  Zhou Xuan saw Jingyi Xianzi's heaving breasts under her Taoist robe, but due to the veil, only her pointed chin was visible, which resembled Lin Hanyu a bit, and was even more beautiful and delicate than Lin Hanyu.

  Zhou Xuan shamelessly created another song, "The Song of Purple Lotus State". He hummed the tune on his harmonica and sang the lyrics once, while Jingyi Xianzi wrote them down.

  Before he knew it, the second watch had already passed. When Zhou bid farewell, he said, "Thank you, Dao Yun sister, this has truly been a pleasant night."

  The quiet and elegant fairy's heart was filled with joy, but it was always suppressed by something. She said lightly: "When Master Zhou is free, he can come, and the Taoist nun will be waiting at any time."

  When sending Zhou Xuan out, Lin Han said: "This is really a dull night, it doesn't make any sense."

  Zhou Xuan felt a slight pain in his stomach and said, "This is not good. I drank too much cold water tonight, I'm afraid I'll get diarrhea, I have to hurry back." Lin Hanyin was stunned, laughing so hard she couldn't straighten her waist.

  (Reading quickly)