Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 251:Oblivious to Romance
A winding path leads to a secluded place, where the Zen room is deep among flowers and trees.
—“Inscription on the Zen Courtyard Behind Panshan Temple” by Chang Jian
The ancient Longquan Temple truly matches the poetic description by Chang Jian. The paths winding through groves and gardens around the temple carry a unique charm. Having eaten and drunk his fill, Zhu Ping’an walked along the small path to digest his overly full vegetarian meal, taking the opportunity to admire the ancient temple.
As evening approached, pilgrims and tourists staying at the temple had all settled in. While strolling back to his courtyard, Zhu Ping’an encountered the family staying next door. It was a merchant family surnamed Wang, occupying two rooms.
Whether due to the monks’ negligence or some other reason, the two rooms rented by the Wang family happened to be on either side of Zhu Ping’an’s room, with his room separating them. The left room was for the merchant couple, and the right room was the resting place for the Wang family’s daughter.
The Wang family was well-dressed, in silk and brocade. The merchant couple appeared to be in their forties, and upon seeing Zhu Ping’an, they stepped forward to converse with him.
Their daughter looked about sixteen or seventeen years old. From a distance, she had an oval face and slender brows—quite pretty. However, when she saw Zhu Ping’an in his plain clothes, she slightly rolled her eyes upward, giving a big white-eyed glance, seemingly showing some disdain for this poor scholar.
“Young master, our family came here to worship Buddha and fulfill a vow. There was a miscommunication with the temple’s guest monk when checking in, and it so happened that your room is right in the middle. Would you be so kind as to exchange rooms with us, so we can stay together and take better care of each other? Of course, we won’t let you do this for nothing—please accept a small token of our appreciation.”
As he spoke, the merchant from the Wang family stuffed a tael of silver into Zhu Ping’an’s hand.
“This is a sacred Buddhist place—talking about money would be vulgar. Exchanging rooms is but a small favor, uncle, no need to be so formal. Besides, I’m only here for a short rest and will be leaving tomorrow—any room will do.” Zhu Ping’an smiled and returned the silver to the merchant.
“The Dharma Assembly at Longquan Temple is happening over the next two days. Why are you leaving just as it begins?” the merchant asked, puzzled.
“Oh, I’m on my way to the capital for the imperial examination—seems I won’t be fated to join this assembly.” Zhu Ping’an smiled slightly as he opened the door and began to move his things.
“Young master, are you going to the capital for the grace-given examination?”
The merchant’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, and his tone became much more enthusiastic. Merchants are always well-informed and experienced. The only upcoming major exam in the capital was the first grace-given imperial examination of the current dynasty—participants were all juren (successful provincial-level scholars).
“Yes, just going to the capital to broaden my horizons,” Zhu Ping’an replied casually while moving his belongings.
“Young master, thank you so much. How about joining us for a simple meal tonight, as a token of our gratitude?”
Hearing Zhu Ping’an’s answer, the merchant’s attitude immediately grew warmer. He had initially taken Zhu Ping’an for a poor scholar on a sightseeing trip, but now realized he was a juren on his way to the capital for the examination—a very promising young man. The merchant couldn’t help but feel inclined to befriend him and invited him to dinner.
“Thank you for your kindness, uncle, but I’ve already had dinner.” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands in polite refusal.
Zhu Ping’an had very few belongings and finished moving them quickly. The merchant swapped his daughter’s room with Zhu Ping’an’s, so their family could stay together. This placed Zhu Ping’an next to the daughter’s room.
This was understandable—most likely, the merchant and his wife wanted to engage in some private activities at night and didn’t want a stranger in between. Perhaps they were even at the temple praying for a child.
After switching rooms, Zhu Ping’an went in to tidy up. The Wang family did the same.
When Zhu Ping’an had finished organizing and stepped outside to get some feed for his S.M.F.H. (Shao Ma Te Hei Ma — “Shamat Black Horse”), he found the Wang family’s daughter standing by her door. She was wearing a small floral cotton jacket, smiling sweetly with lips pursed. Her face was powdered, and her collar was seemingly left open on purpose, revealing a swath of snowy white skin. She leaned bonelessly against the door frame like a seductive beauty snake.
“Thank you for earlier today, young master. Our family brought a pot and some beef and mutton—we’re planning to have hotpot. Won’t you join us and have a taste?”
The young lady of the Wang family pouted her red lips slightly and invited Zhu Ping’an with a sweet smile. As she spoke, she leaned slightly against the doorframe and extended a jade-like delicate hand, revealing her well-developed figure and adding a touch of charm.
Damn, isn’t this the legendary act of seduction?
“Thank you for your kindness, miss, but I’ve already had dinner. You should go eat,” Zhu Ping’an cupped his hands and said calmly.
“You’ve already eaten, but you could still eat a little more. My mother’s hotpot is the most delicious,”
The Wang family’s daughter looked at Zhu Ping’an, her cheeks slightly flushed. She pouted her red lips and spoke in a coquettish tone, like a young girl trying to act cute.
“Thank you for your kindness, but I ate too much in the dining hall earlier. I need to go feed the horse. Excuse me.”
Zhu Ping’an shook his head and declined again, then turned and walked toward the black horse with the flashy hairstyle.
This bookworm really doesn’t know how to appreciate a girl’s charm!
The Wang family’s daughter looked at Zhu Ping’an’s back and stomped her foot lightly. Just earlier, inside the house, Wang the merchant had told his wife and daughter that the boy next door was a juren (a successful candidate in the imperial examination at the provincial level). He also mentioned, intentionally or not, that the young man had passed the exam at such a young age and had a bright future ahead, suggesting they should befriend him.
The Wang family’s daughter kept this in mind.
That young man became a juren at such a young age. Though he wasn’t particularly handsome, he looked honest and dependable—surely someone who would care for others in the future. Also, while his clothes were plain, they were very clean, and he carried a scholarly air about him. This scholarly presence was a refreshing contrast for the Wang family’s daughter, who was used to the vulgarity of wealth and business. A juren like him was unlikely to remain poor in the future.
As a result, her heart was moved, leading to the scene just now.
Zhu Ping’an asked a monk from the temple in charge of guest affairs for some fodder and fed the black horse with the ridiculous hairstyle.
After feeding the horse, Zhu Ping’an walked to the door of his room. Just as he was about to open it, a red sachet fell from above with a soft thud and landed right at his feet.
The door to the room next door was half open, and inside he could still hear the sound of embroidered shoes quickly retreating.
Zhu Ping’an couldn’t help but smile wryly at the situation. He bent down to pick up the sachet and gently placed it back at the door of the neighboring room. Then he entered his own room and closed the door.
The Wang family’s daughter, seeing this, stomped her foot in frustration. She thought Zhu Ping’an was a clueless bookworm who didn’t understand romantic signals, which only made her even more interested. She began plotting to sneak the sachet into Zhu Ping’an’s room later.
When Zhu Ping’an lit an oil lamp and began reading in his room, he noticed a silhouette moving outside the window. Just one glance, and he could tell it was the Wang family’s daughter.
Wait, weren’t ancient people supposed to be reserved and modest?!
A moment later, Zhu Ping’an heard a faint noise at the door. Though it was quiet, it was still audible.
Through the gap between the door and the floor, a sachet was slowly being pushed in from outside. The gap was too narrow, so the sachet got stuck and wouldn’t go in.
He heard a faint murmur from outside, then the sachet was withdrawn—as if she had given up.
But the next second, the sachet reappeared. This time, it smoothly entered the room, followed by a chopstick. Ah—she was using the chopstick to push the sachet in.
She’s really persistent.
Zhu Ping’an looked at the chopstick and sachet that had appeared inside his room and couldn’t help but smile wryly.