Nian Jiaojiao thought for half an hour before finally drawing a fresh sheet of Xuan paper and writing:
The Legend of Ji Mu the Living Buddha
It is said that Ji Mu, who was the Phoenix Empress in a past life, was born into the family of the virtuous Li Maochun, named Li Xiuyuan. Later, she joined Lingyin Temple, calling herself "Ji Dian."
Nian Jiaojiao provided this introduction, then began to divide the stories based on different demon-slaying exploits, with each story split into two volumes.
An hour later, Nian Jiaojiao put down her brush and stretched her body.
Even with her swift writing speed, she had only completed four volumes, which amounted to two stories.
“Wife, let me wipe your face.”
Yu Chuan handed her a warm, damp face towel.
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
Taking the towel, she leaned back in her chair, tilting her head back, and then placed the towel on her face.
Ah.
So refreshing!
Yu Chuan gazed tenderly at Nian Jiaojiao, who was seated, a warmth blooming in his heart.
It felt so good to have a home with his wife.
Feeling the towel grow cool on her face, Nian Jiaojiao sat up, removed the towel, and handed it to Yu Chuan.
Yu Chuan said, “The water has gotten a bit cool. I’ll fetch some hot water.”
Nian Jiaojiao shook her head.
“No need, let’s go take a bath instead.”
Yu Chuan was startled. “Us?”
Nian Jiaojiao curved her lips and looked up. “Yes, us.”
Yu Chuan: (°ー°〃)
In the bathtub, Nian Jiaojiao looked at Yu Chuan, who had his back to her.
“Chuan’er, you seem to have gotten thinner.”
Yu Chuan’s ears and neck turned bright red.
Nian Jiaojiao couldn’t help but laugh.
“We’re an old married couple, why are you still so shy? Besides, there’s no part of you I haven’t seen.”
Yu Chuan’s face was also flushed crimson.
“Wife, please don’t say more. It’s… it’s not proper.”
Nian Jiaojiao found it amusing.
Teasing Yu Chuan was always the most enjoyable.
She suddenly grabbed his arms.
Applying gentle pressure.
She lifted…
Splash—
The sound of water filled the room.
Yu Chuan was lifted into the air. Before he could even react, Nian Jiaojiao spun him 180 degrees on the surface of the water.
When he settled back into the water, he was still dazed.
At that moment, Nian Jiaojiao said with a smile,
“See, don’t you feel better facing me?”
Yu Chuan: …
“However…”
Nian Jiaojiao spoke as she poked his arm with her finger.
Muscle lines had appeared on his arm. Though not very pronounced, they looked exceptionally elegant and smooth.
“But, is it because you’ve been practicing the zither, Chuan’er? You’ve developed muscles!”
Yu Chuan quickly crossed his arms, covering both his biceps.
“Wife, please don’t look…”
As a refined gentleman, how could he have developed muscles like a woman?
He had become so engrossed in practicing the zither that he hadn’t even noticed he had gained muscle.
Nian Jiaojiao gently pried his hands away and praised him,
“Chuan’er, I like looking at muscles, don’t hide them. See, they look so good.”
To show her sincerity, Nian Jiaojiao leaned in and kissed him.
“Wife, wife…”
“Hmm?”
“The water is getting cold.”
…
The next day.
Nian Jiaojiao, with her newly completed book, headed to the Blue Lotus Bookshop in the royal city early in the morning.
The proprietor of the Blue Lotus Bookshop in the royal city was not Tong Fu.
Because the Huang family was rooted in Qingzhou, and Tong Fu had previously promised the Huang family settlement within their sphere of influence, she found it inconvenient to reside in the royal city and could only visit the bookshop there occasionally.
Of course, her main purpose was to visit Nian Jiaojiao and Tong Ziyao.
However, this required a reliable manager for the bookshop.
Thus, Nian Jiaojiao recommended San Chi Niang.
San Chi Niang was naturally willing.
Firstly, the current times were chaotic, and running a small bookshop was difficult. At the Blue Lotus Bookshop, she earned eight times more annually than she did from her own shop.
Secondly, with the invasion of demons and monsters, smaller cities were not safe. The royal city was a gathering place for experts, where demons and monsters rarely appeared, and even when they did, they were quickly dealt with. Furthermore, she now had Nian Jiaojiao, a cultivator of profound skill, backing her.
Therefore, when Tong Fu approached her, San Chi Niang did not hesitate. After clearing out her own shop, she packed up and moved to the royal city with her husband and children.
“San Chi Niang, San Chi Niang!”
Nian Jiaojiao called out upon entering.
It was still early, and only a few people were browsing for books in the shop.
A shop assistant was attending to them.
San Chi Niang, meanwhile, was seated at the counter reviewing accounts.
Upon hearing the familiar voice, she immediately got up and walked towards Nian Jiaojiao.
“Boss, you’re here so early in the morning. It seems you have a new book.”
Nian Jiaojiao said helplessly,
“I’ve told you not to call me boss.”
San Chi Niang smiled.
“I’m your employee now, working under you, so I must call you boss. Otherwise, calling you Miss Nian would be too distant.”
Nian Jiaojiao glanced around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, said in a low voice,
“Here is the new book. Find someone to copy it and sell it as soon as possible. Also, continue to keep my identity as the Blue Lotus Layman a secret.”
Nian Jiaojiao’s novels were published under the pseudonym “Blue Lotus Layman.”
Currently, the Blue Lotus Layman was a highly sought-after novelist in the royal city.
The poetry collection, which contained a few poems, was named after her in person.
This was because she had publicly written those poems, making it impossible to conceal.
If they were attributed to the Blue Lotus Layman, it would inadvertently reveal her identity.
San Chi Niang excitedly took the manuscript and made a shushing gesture before saying,
“Boss, don’t worry. I wouldn’t say a word even if someone held a knife to my throat!”
With that, San Chi Niang eagerly began to read.
This was the perk of being at the Blue Lotus Bookshop.
She always got to see the first drafts from the Blue Lotus Layman!
Ah!
Once the copyists were finished, she would cherish these manuscripts and pass them down through generations!
Seeing that she seemed to have forgotten Nian Jiaojiao was still there and was engrossed in reading the manuscript, Nian Jiaojiao could only shake her head and turn to leave the bookshop.
Not long after she stepped out the door, Cui Qingluo, wearing a veil, approached her.
She instinctively stared at the approaching figure.
At first, Cui Qingluo assumed Nian Jiaojiao was one of his admirers.
But then he reconsidered. Setting aside other things, with such a face, he wouldn’t have forgotten.
Hmph, another infatuated fool lost in his own appearance and demeanor!
Cui Qingluo sighed.
His uncontainable charm…
With that, he raised his head and, without even looking at Nian Jiaojiao, walked directly into the Blue Lotus Bookshop.
Nian Jiaojiao: …
Upon entering the bookshop, Cui Qingluo addressed San Chi Niang.
“Shopkeeper, has the one called Blue Lotus Layman released a new book yet?”
He had been reading the Blue Lotus Layman’s books since last year and finished all of them in just over a month.
Therefore, he came once a month, keeping it a secret from his household.
He couldn’t let anyone know that Young Master Cui was reading such frivolous books!
San Chi Niang smiled. “Not yet…”
Before she could finish, Cui Qingluo said impatiently,
“Has that Blue Lotus Layman broken their hands, gone blind, or had a stroke? Why haven’t they written a new book in so long?”
San Chi Niang’s lips twitched, and she silently mourned for Nian Jiaojiao, who had just left the shop.
This young master had a truly venomous tongue.
However, she also knew that there were many important figures in the royal city. Judging by his attire, he was no ordinary person. San Chi Niang naturally dared not offend him.
So, she said with a fawning smile,
“Esteemed sir, you’ve come at the perfect time. The Blue Lotus Layman has already written a new book, and it will be available for sale in a few days.”
Cui Qingluo looked at the manuscript in her hand: https:/
“It’s already been delivered? Is it these papers in your hand? Bring them over.”
He extended his hand, directly asking San Chi Niang for them.
San Chi Niang said sternly,
“Sir, a bookshop has its rules. Manuscripts are not shown to customers.”
Cui Qingluo impatiently took out a thousand taels of silver.
“Let me see them first, and I’ll have them returned later.”
San Chi Niang firmly shook her head.
Cui Qingluo continued to offer banknotes, reaching five thousand taels, but San Chi Niang still shook her head.
He frowned.
This was all the money he had brought with him.
At this point, San Chi Niang spoke first.
“Sir, you must be from a noble family. You should know how the dynasty protects scholars. If I show you the first draft, it would betray the trust the Blue Lotus Layman has placed in our bookshop, and I doubt she’ll approach us again.”
Cui Qingluo hesitated.
San Chi Niang continued,
“If we are no longer cooperating, who knows if the Blue Lotus Layman will continue to write…”