177 Dowry

After Chu Li went back to the small courtyard, he began to test the power of the second level of the Life and Death Scripture.

Using the energy of the Life and Death Scripture, he nurtured a small pine tree in the woods and after two hours, this pine tree grew an annual ring and increased in girth.

Chu Li was very surprised. He did not expect the energy of the Life and Death Scripture to have such power.

In this case, two hours were equivalent to a year, twenty hours were equivalent to ten years and two hundred hours were equivalent to one hundred years. If such powerful energy was used to nurture precious Spirit Herbs, imagine how great the harvest would be! It really deserved to be the Life and Death Scripture!

Spirit Herb's efficacy was often related to the age of the herb. An older herb would have a more powerful efficacy. The difference between the same type of Spirit Herb of ten years of age and a hundred years of age was equivalent to the difference between heaven and earth.

Chu Li decided to keep this a secret, keeping it absolutely confidential and not letting others know.

After all, this involved too many gains and interests. It would inevitably lead to trouble so the top priority was to learn medical skills and alchemy. Once he had his own Spirit Herbs with powerful efficacy, he could make precious spirit pills and use them secretly, unbeknownst to everyone. Just thinking about it made him feel that this was a wonderful idea. Chu Li was so excited that he could barely contain it.

At noon, Xue Ling made a dozen dishes and the stone table in the pagoda was full of food. Even if they were all delicious, it was impossible for the two to finish eating all of them.

Chu Li knew that she was happy so he did not say anything to dampen her spirit. Instead, he praised her and proposed to have a few drinks together to help her get over her shock.

Just after dinner, Xiao Qi who was dressed in white garments pushed open the door and came in, followed by Su Ru who was wearing an apricot gown, looking beautiful and pleasant.

When they walked into the pagoda, Su Ru chuckled. "Chu Li, congratulations! You are now a Rank 2 Scribe!"

Chu Li glanced at Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi, in a flawless white attire and her face as fair as jade, gracefully sat across from him. She nodded and said, "This time you did a meritorious deed by saving Second Eldest Sister, so you are promoted to Rank 2."

Chu Li smiled. "Isn't this ranking advancement too easy?"

To rise from Rank 3 to Rank 2, one must achieve an outstanding contribution. Even though he saved Xiao Shi's life, Chu Li was still not qualified to be promoted to rank two.

Xiao Qi said, "In this matter, you took the initiative to sacrifice yourself to save Second Eldest Sister so this can be an exception… Su Ru, go and make some desserts with Xue Ling."

"Yes." Su Ru pulled Xue Ling away and they left the pagoda.

Chu Li looked at Xiao Qi in puzzlement.

Xiao Qi took out a piece of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Chu Li. "These are our informants in the Ren Public House. Take a look."

Chu Li frowned. "My Lady wants to enter the faction immediately?"

Xiao Qi replied, "Within a month."

"That early?" Chu Li took the piece of paper, glanced at its contents and imprinted it into his mind.

Xiao Qi shook her head. "It's a rare opportunity."

Chu Li nodded with understanding.

She wanted to join the Snow Lunar Pavilion without arousing suspicions so she needed a unique opportunity and could not enlist like normal. To start as a new disciple would be too time-consuming.

Chu Li flicked gently and the paper turned into powder which was then blown away by a gust of wind.

Xiao Qi said, "All the espionage will be under your responsibility in the future. You can just report to Big Brother directly and act as you see fit."

"I will do my best," Chu Li replied.

Xiao Qi sighed. "You know that Second Eldest Sister has an engagement with King An, right?"

She was somewhat worried about the reaction of Chu Li. If he really loved her Second Eldest Sister deeply, Chu Li might become angry and full of hatred after hearing this news. It was too easy to generate hatred from love.

Chu Li lifted a brow and nodded lightly.

He had the Omniscient Mirror, so when he and Xiao Tieying met with them earlier, he had already seen the thoughts of Xiao Shi.

Xiao Shi wanted to marry into the Imperial Residence of King An and become the princess consort of King An. This would give the Public House a chance to breathe easily, no longer being pressured by the Imperial Household, and the Ren Public House would not dare to attack them unscrupulously.

Chu Li made no comment on her thoughts.

Xiao Shi's and Xiao Qi's character were totally different. It might have been due to her sickness that Xiao Shi was more indifferent to life and herself.

She knew that if she had not been born in the Public House, it was most likely that she would not have lived for more than ten years. Her Big Brother, Third Younger Sister, and Fourth Younger Brother did all that they could to lengthen her life. The Longevity Grass was not easy to find and the Public House had wasted a huge amount of human and material resources to find it.

After she was cured, Xiao Shi did not think of enjoying her life or her youth but rather improving the Public House's fate. She wanted to help the Public House with her own hands.

Xiao Qi furrowed her brows and shook her head. "Second Eldest Sister wants to marry into the Imperial Residence of King An."

Xiao Qi knew her Second Eldest Sister's personality: she kept her words. Even Big Brother could not make her change her mind. She would eventually get to do as she wished.

Chu Li said, "Second Lady will eventually need to marry someone. Marrying King An is also not bad."

He felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart.

Chu Li knew a little about the few Princes of the current Imperial Household. King An's reputation had always been good and he was highly praised. His literary talent was extraordinary. He had the potential to be a scholar and he presided at the revision of several ancient books and records before. It was said that King An also had a gentle character and a very good temper too.

Although he was already 40 years old, King An was not considered old. He was considered in the prime of life. Moreover, being older made him more caring so he was a good marriage partner, so to speak.

Chu Li liked the allure of Xiao Shi but he only admired her beauty. He just cared about anything that was related to the one he loved. Also, he had the Life and Death Scripture to rely on and he was driven by the need to distinguish himself. Due to this, Chu Li acted as if he was sacrificing himself to save Xiao Shi's life in the eyes of others. If he did not have the Life and Death Scripture, he would not do so.

Although Xiao Shi was more beautiful, the one he liked was Xiao Qi.

However, when a beauty like Xiao Shi, the most beautiful woman of Great Ji, had to marry another man, Chu Li still felt somewhat regrettable and uncomfortable. This was a man's nature.

Xiao Qi looked at his face quietly, trying to read his mind through his subtle expression. "Towards Second Eldest Sister, are you…"

"I have no feelings towards Second Lady!" said Chu Li.

"Really?" Xiao Qi stared into his eyes.

Chu Li laughed. "Second Lady has high standards. Even if I did like her, it's useless!"

Xiao Qi said plainly, "It seems like you do like her."

Chu Li shrugged and smiled. "Second Lady marrying King An is not bad too."

"The grudge between the Public House and the Imperial Household is hard to explain in words." Xiao Qi shook her head and said, "Other houses will not be as peaceful as our Public House. It is inevitable that there will be competitions and infighting. Moreover, there are other concubines. She will not be happy."

Chu Li said, "The most important thing is Second Lady's opinion."

"Second Eldest Sister is stubborn, so she will eventually marry into the Imperial Residence." Xiao Qi frowned and sighed. "I'm still worried."

Chu Li smiled and looked at her cool face quietly.

Xiao Qi's bright eyes glinted. "Chu Li, if Second Eldest Sister really entered the Imperial Residence of King An, you must follow her."

Chu Li was stunned momentarily and then laughed in spite of himself. "My Lady, I'm a man!"

"It does not matter," Xiao Qi said, "The Imperial Residence is not the Palace. Personal Scribes can follow into the residence… Only with you around Second Eldest Sister, I can rest assured."

"My Lady, you…" Chu Li frowned.

Xiao Qi said, "I will stay in the Snow Lunar Pavilion for a few years or perhaps even ten years. Even if you are in the Public House, it will still be very difficult for us to meet each other."

Chu Li stayed silent.

"If not, you follow Second Eldest Sister into the Imperial Residence first and come back when she has gained a firm foothold… She is all alone and she is neither calculating nor crafty. Xiao Shi will be bullied right after she enters the Imperial Residence. I am really worried!" said Xiao Qi.

Chu Li frowned, feeling somewhat reluctant.

Xiao Qi said plainly, "Do you want me to beg you?"

"Hai…" Chu Li shook his head and sighed. "Okay, since my Lady commanded, I can only do as you say."

Xiao Qi smiled. It was as if the snow had stopped and the sky cleared up. The whole pagoda brightened up instantly.

Chu Li turned his gaze away with effort, not letting himself make a gaffe. "When will Second Lady be married into the Imperial Residence of King An?"

"She has already made up her mind, Big Brother could not stop her. Presumably, the Imperial Residence of King An will receive the news of her recovery," Xiao Qi said, "It will not take long before they come and receive her."

"I'm not sure if Second Lady will not agree to my involvement."

"I will persuade her."

"My Lady, you don't need help on your side?" Chu Li said, "Being a newcomer in the Snow Lunar Pavilion is not easy too."

"The Snow Lunar Pavilion's official disciples are all women," Xiao Qi said, "You can't help... Young Su Ru will go along with me. Just in case there is something, I'll let her find you."

"If the both of you are together…"

"It does not matter. No one will be able to recognize."

Chu Li nodded and remained silent.