Chapter 97: Inquiring About Illness 1

Chapter 97: Inquiring About Illness 1

The vernal equinox was drawing near.

Shen Yuan packed his belongings, preparing to return to the capital of Jiuli for the sacrificial ceremony.

"The roasted chestnuts from Li's Roasted Goods smell heavenly just by the scent alone. They must taste delightful. If we don't hurry back, we probably won't be able to get any—the queue stretches all the way from the capital to Penglai!"

These past few days, Xiang Yan had been rambling on and on about the ceremony.

It was always about which stall had the best roasted chestnuts, or...

"Ten years ago, during the vernal equinox ceremony when you were the priest, what was the name of that young lady who acted alongside you? She was incredibly adorable and has captivated my thoughts for a decade. Hey, Ayuan, can you introduce me to her?"

"I advise you not to get to know her," Shen Yuan said, leaning against a carved wooden chair. Xiu Qu, the green bird, stood on the table, attentively peeling chestnuts for him.

Xiang Yan was puzzled. "Why?"

With a casual indifference, Shen Yuan brushed off the question. "You wouldn't want to know why—"

"No!" Xiang Yan declared firmly and earnestly. "I want to know!"

It wasn't that Shen Yuan had any intention of keeping the girl's identity from her. It was just that sometimes the truth wasn't always a beautiful thing, like the fact that the girl was actually his nephew, He Mengfang, in disguise.

He said, "Oh, just hush for a moment, will you?"

"You know how sheep can't resist running wild when they're let out of their pen. We only have one month off the island during the Spring Festival, so please forgive me if I can't just sit still." As he spoke, Xiang Yan began humming a tune.

Shen Yuan could see that Xiang Yan was brimming with excitement.

The Ancient Gods decreed that all Human-God hybrids must study on Peng Lai Island after turning ten until they ascend to godhood.

Peng Lai Island was a tiny, floating gem nestled in the East China Sea. For those Human-Gods who hadn't ascended, it was a one-way trip; coupled with the island's strict management, life there was akin to being imprisoned.

And the ruler of Peng Lai Island, Lord Wang of the Island—Wang Wanhe—was their teacher. Normally, he was a man of few words, but in class, he was an endless fountain of knowledge. He held himself to high standards and demanded the same from others. He was also a master at summoning lightning.

Any student caught daydreaming in his class would be met with a bolt of lightning. Shen Yuan, in particular, was cursed; he'd often get struck two or three times a month. It was as if Wang Wanhe had eyes on him wherever he went.

Of course, that was impossible. Shen Yuan suspected that Wang Pan had secretly reported to Wang Wanhe behind his back.

Wang Pan was Wang Wanhe's son, and the two shared the same strict and solemn demeanor, unable to tolerate others playing around.

Ever since Shen Yuan arrived on Peng Lai Island, Wang Pan had been silently watching him like a ghost. It wouldn't be surprising if one day he woke up in the middle of the night to find Wang Pan standing by his bedside, staring at him expressionlessly while he slept.

But how creepy would that be!

As a result, Shen Yuan had always avoided Wang Pan, not even sparing him a glance, let alone speaking a word to him in all these years.

All because he was spying on Shen Yuan!

The thought of Wang Pan soured Shen Yuan's mood. He took the peeled chestnut meat that Xiu Qu had prepared and popped it into his mouth. As he chewed, he mumbled vaguely, "So... you're a little sheep, huh?"

"Baah~~~" Xiang Yan tilted his head to mimic a sheep's bleat at Shen Yuan before rolling his eyes. "Get lost!"

Thump thump, Xiu Qu flew to Xiang Yan's head and pecked fiercely.

Xiang Yan waved his arms, trying to shoo the bird away as he said, "Shen Yuan, call your chick back!"

Shen Yuan leaped off his chair. "If you can, chase it away yourself." With that, he strolled arrogantly towards the door.

After just a few steps, he heard the jingling of a bell. Following the sound, he saw a figure in white swaying leisurely in his direction.

The Peng Lai Island uniforms were divided into two factions.

One faction specialized in swordsmanship, donning black-gold attire, sleek and efficient, indicating they were disciples of Island Master Wang Wanhe.

The other faction focused on medicine, wearing long, flowing cloaks that brushed the ground, exuding elegance and tidiness, denoting them as students of Deputy Island Master Chu Yun.

Of course, one could choose to study both. Focusing solely on one discipline? Not an option. If one had the ability, multitasking was certainly feasible.

Upon passing the assessments by Wang for swordsmanship and Chu for medicine, they would be awarded a bell to wear at their waist, marking them as key proteges. However, earning this bell was no easy feat; among numerous disciples, only He Mengfang and Wang Pan had succeeded.

As the approaching white silhouette drew closer, Shen Yuan realized he had encountered He Mengfang!

For Wang Pan's steps were steady, his posture straight but not rigid, exuding the refined air of an educated family with a strong sense of etiquette.

In contrast, the person before him had his arms crossed, head held high, radiating inexplicable self-assurance – this had to be He Mengfang.

Shen Yuan turned around, tiptoeing back to his quarters while silently praying, He didn't see me, he didn't see me...

"He Mengfang!" Despite his efforts, He Mengfang called out to him.

"I swear!" Shen Yuan cursed inwardly, immediately turning back with a friendly smile. "Haha, what's up?"

He Mengfang paused in front of Shen Yuan, stammering, "During this Spring Festival... you... I..."

Fixing his gaze on He Mengfang, Shen Yuan wore a confused expression.

Furrowing his brows, He Mengfang sighed and resolutely said, "This time, we're both chosen as priests again for the Spring Festival. You're not allowed to play any tricks or secretly switch our clothes."

The moment He Mengfang mentioned it, Shen Yuan recalled the festival from ten years ago, bursting into laughter uncontrollably.

"You!" He Mengfang's face flushed red, reaching his ears. "Don't laugh!"

"I'm not laughing, I'm not laughing..." Shen Yuan tried to hold back but failed after a moment. "Pfff! Hahaha! Can't help it, hahaha!" He bent over from laughter.

Hearing that Shen Yuan's laughter showed no sign of subsiding, He Mengfang feared that others would eventually be drawn by it. Shen Yuan had always been one to speak without filters. Thus, he compromised, saying, "This matter is just between us. You can laugh, but if you dare mention it to anyone else..."

"Alright, alright, I swear I won't tell anyone about you dressing up as a young girl," Shen Yuan vowed.

"Shen Yuan, if your chick pecks at me again, I'll make soup out of it!" Xiang Yan's voice suddenly sounded behind the two of them.

With that said, he tossed Xiu Qu to Shen Yuan.

Extending his arm, Shen Yuan caught Xiu Qu. After it perched on his shoulder, he stroked its head and said to Xiang Yan, "Who asked you to scold me just now?"

"I was just giving you a piece of my mind," Xiang Yan shook his head, exasperated. "It's not that Empress He spoiled you, but this chicken did."

Upon hearing this, Xiu Qu puffed out its chest.

"I wasn't praising you!" Xiang Yan said.

"Cough, cough!" He Mengfang coughed to remind Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan turned around and earnestly assured He Mengfang, "Don't worry, I won't go spreading rumors. You should head back now." He was trying to dismiss He Mengfang.

"Okay," He Mengfang turned around.

Shen Yuan promptly tugged Xiang Yan along, hastening their steps as he whispered, "Hurry, hurry, let's go back. I have something amusing to tell you."

"What is it?" Xiang Yan asked.

"Just that..."

"Shen Yuan!" He Mengfang called out sternly.

As expected, unreliable!

"Sorry about this, Xiang Yan," Shen Yuan suddenly turned serious and solemn.

The afternoon sun illuminated his figure, and in the gentle spring breeze, his hair shimmered in the light. A quiet fire seemed to ignite within his eyes.

Xiang Yan was secretly astonished: When Shen Yuan assumed a serious demeanor, he exuded an undeniable reliability, commanding attention just like his mother, Dian Chan, the ruler of Jiuli. Their aura was strikingly similar.

Unexpectedly, Shen Yuan continued, "That... That young girl who has captivated your heart for a decade was actually He Mengfang in disguise. We both know how he used to speak in a girlish manner when he was young."

"Stop talking! My ears are about to burst!!!" Xiang Yan exclaimed in 'despair.'

He would have preferred not to hear those words, so that the image of that maiden in his mind could remain untainted.

"Heavenly Depth!" He Mengfang gritted his teeth in fury. "What promise did you just make to me?!"

With a swing of his hand, the jingling bells made a rapid chorus of clinks.

Xiang Yan saw a flash of white before his eyes. The next moment, there was a loud thud, and before he could turn to look, He Mengfang dashed forward, sending pebbles flying along the way.

He grabbed Shen Yuan by the throat, but Shen Yuan merely lifted the corners of his mouth nonchalantly. "Nephew, I am your uncle. Isn't it inappropriate for you to treat me like this?"

"On the day we arrived at Peng Lai Island, the Empress Dowager specially mentioned to me that if you ever defy my advice again, she would invoke the family law."

"Nephew, that's called using public authority for personal revenge."

"The Empress Dowager also said that she would leave it up to me," He Mengfang tightened his grip.

Shen Yuan placed his hand on He Mengfang's wrist and frowned. "But it hurts—"

"You were born without the ability to feel pain, yet you can still feel hurt?"

A faint smile touched Shen Yuan's lips, his gaze sweeping across He Mengfang's face before his expression darkened. He declared in a somber voice, "Since you can't feel pain, I have even less to fear from you."

In the split second that He Mengfang was taken aback, Shen Yuan bolted away with lightning speed.

In the blink of an eye, he stood atop the roof, his garments fluttering in the wind.

After a brief pause, he leaped away into the distance.

Fixing his eyes on where Shen Yuan had vanished, He Mengfang resolutely gave chase.

"A divine conflict!" Xiang Yan exclaimed in astonishment. "Wait, no, I am a deity myself!"

As a professional novel translator, I will provide you with a more elegant and reasonable translation of the given text into English. However, you have not provided the text to be translated. Please provide the text or lines you would like me to translate, and I will be happy to assist you.

Aung Lyu Street.

The dark-clad youth purchased a bag of roasted chestnuts, his excitement palpable as he skipped along, the braided bundle of hair atop his head swaying merrily with each step. A nimble blue bird hovered at his side.

Ten paces away, the white-robed youth hastened his steps towards him.

"Are you alright?" He placed a hand on Shen Yuan's shoulder.

Thud!

A chestnut dropped to the ground.

"Oh no, my chestnut!" Shen Yuan was heartbroken. He grumpily said to He Mengfang, "I don't even feel any pain, so how would I know if there's something wrong? Ouch, my chestnut—"

So insensitive.

He Mengfang ignored his antics and got straight to the point. "Where's Wang Pan?"

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