Chapter 877: Traveling the World

Editor: Henyee Translations

When Xiao Zongchao and others heard that Chu Qingzhi had arrived, they ran over from the workshop.

“Miss Chu, you’re here.” Xiao Zongchao, no longer timid as he was initially, now appeared sunny and warm. He greeted Chu Qingzhi with a smile.

Chu Qingzhi looked at him, “I came to check on the workshop. With the New Year approaching, how have you all been doing? Can you manage the workload?”

Xiao Zongchao replied, “We can manage. As long as we follow the procedures, it’s not difficult to complete the tasks, especially now that we’ve become skilled.”

“That’s good.”

Chu Feng joined in, “Zongchao, I heard you’ve been looking at houses outside?”

Xiao Zongchao said, “Yes, Zihui and I planned to use our wages to buy a small courtyard together. Later, when we have more money, we’ll buy another one, so we can each have our own.”

Chu Qingzhi joked, “Living and eating together, feeling brotherly?”

Xiao Zongchao glanced at Yu Zihui, smiling, “I’ve acknowledged him as my brother. He said he would take care of me. I wonder if he can?”

Yu Zihui placed his arm around Xiao Zongchao’s shoulder, patted it firmly, and assured, “Of course, I can cover for him. Don’t underestimate me.”

Everyone laughed together.

Li Changjiang hurried over to greet Chu Qingzhi and handed her a small box, “Miss, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time. This is a New Year’s gift from Yun Qing to you.”

“She waited for you here for two days but didn’t see you. Then she had to go back home to prepare for the New Year, so she asked me to give this to you.”

New Year’s gifts represent blessings, and Chu Qingzhi accepted the small box. In return, she gave Li Changjiang a small purse containing one tael of silver.

“Take this back to Yun Qing, and wish her a Happy New Year for me.”

“Thank you, Miss. Yun Qing will be delighted.” Li Changjiang carefully put away the small purse.

After a brief chat, everyone went back to their tasks. Chu Qingzhi headed to the accounts room, “Chu Feng, are the wages and New Year gifts ready?”

The paper mill was issuing the same wages as usual this month, but the bonuses would be double. There was also a three-combination gift package containing peanuts candy, jerky, and small cakes, weighing about a pound.

Chu Feng assured, “Don’t worry, everything is ready. We’ll distribute them on the 29th. We remember to close for the holidays on the 30th and the first day of the New Year.”

Chu Qingzhi reminded, “When locking up for the holiday, remember to check the fire and water to avoid accidents.”

Chu Feng solemnly responded, “I will.”

After finishing the discussion, Chu Qingzhi left the workshop. The expansion would be discussed after the New Year.

…

Leaving the paper mill, Chu Qingzhi walked towards Tang Jinghong, who was waiting outside in a pavilion, “We can go now.”

Tang Jinghong whistled, and a horse trotted over.

This was a Cloud-Stepping Black Steed, entirely black with white hooves, also known as “Dark Cloud Covering Snow”. This horse was tall and majestic, sleek and shiny, its coat reflecting sunlight.

Tang Jinghong patted the horse’s head, “This is Wuyun, my warhorse. It was always kept at the general’s mansion, but it came back with me this time.”

Chu Qingzhi examined Wuyun, “This horse is about the same size as Fubao. If I bring him home, the two horses might become friends.”

As she spoke, Wuyun affectionately nuzzled her.

Tang Jinghong was amazed, “Wuyun is a horse that recognizes its master. Usually, besides me and the horsekeeper, it doesn’t acknowledge anyone else. I didn’t expect it to take a liking to you so quickly.”

Chu Qingzhi raised an eyebrow, “I tend to attract animals.”

Tang Jinghong leaned closer to Chu Qingzhi, lowering his voice, “No, it’s because of your fairy aura.”

Chu Qingzhi smiled, “That’s a fact.”

Tang Jinghong helped Chu Qingzhi onto the horse and led it towards the county town, passing straight through to another side they had visited before – the Guangxi Garden.

Chu Qingzhi dismounted, “Why did you bring me to the Guangxi Garden? To watch a play?”

Tang Jinghong, with a hint of mystery, said, “You’ll know once we go in.”

Chu Qingzhi followed him inside, curious.

The garden was filled with potted dragon boat flowers, radiantly red, giving off a sense of spring. The rich fragrance of flowers lingered all the way to the stage.

The garden was eerily quiet, without a single outsider, almost as if it had been booked entirely.

Chu Qingzhi grew more puzzled as they walked, glancing at Tang Jinghong several times, “What exactly are you planning?”

Tang Jinghong, barely concealing his smile, replied, “You guessed it just now.”

Chu Qingzhi stopped, “To watch a play, for real?”

Tang Jinghong confirmed, “Yes.” He paused before asking, “Don’t you like watching plays?”

This was Chu Qingzhi’s first time watching a play. She thought watching plays was a waste of time and, not wanting Tang Jinghong to misunderstand, hurriedly said, “No, I just didn’t expect you to invite me to watch a play.”

She silently thought, in modern times, guys like to ask girls to watch movies as a romantic date. She hadn’t expected Tang Jinghong to do the same.

Tang Jinghong took Chu Qingzhi’s hand, leading her towards the stage, “It shouldn’t disappoint you.”

The theater had indeed been reserved by Tang Jinghong, and the entire play was specially written for Chu Qingzhi. Everything here was meticulously prepared for her.

In modern terms, Tang Jinghong had essentially made a movie specifically for Chu Qingzhi and invited her to watch it alone – quite romantic.

It was winter, and the stage was inside a large room. Now, everyone in the theater was in this room, ready to start the play.

There were only two chairs for the audience, with a tea table in between.

A vase full of fresh flowers was placed on the tea table, beside which were four types of tea snacks and nuts, all exquisitely arranged.

Tang Jinghong had Chu Qingzhi sit down, then took his place beside her. A maid brought over tea and placed it on the table before retreating to the side, ready to serve.

Tang Jinghong nodded at the troupe leader, who then made a gesture.

The next second, the theater filled with the sound of drums and gongs, signaling the beginning of the performance, and the air immediately buzzed with excitement.

Chu Qingzhi leaned closer to Tang Jinghong, “Did you book the entire place?”

Tang Jinghong cracked open some sunflower seeds for Chu Qingzhi and replied, “It’s a play arranged just for you, so naturally, it’s only for you to watch.”

“Arranged just for me?” The concept felt incredibly romantic to Chu Qingzhi, who found it hard to believe. Tang Jinghong, usually so reserved with words of affection, had orchestrated such a romantic gesture.

Tang Jinghong, slightly embarrassed, nodded, “Yes, I wrote the play. It might not be perfect, and if you find it boring…”

Chu Qingzhi cut him off, stating earnestly, “Regardless of whether it’s good or not, it’s the thought that counts. I’ll watch it to the end. Don’t worry.”

Tang Jinghong smiled slightly, “Alright.”

The inspiration came from Chu Qingzhi’s writings about her experiences in the modern cultivation world. Since she hadn’t written about her ancient experiences, Tang Jinghong turned those stories into a play.

The narrative revolved around Chu Qingzhi’s trials and tribulations upon descending to the mortal realm and the entanglements of love with him. However, these details were not as crucial as the ending…

Tang Jinghong imagined an ending where he and Chu Qingzhi had two children and, after resigning from his official post, took Chu Qingzhi and their children to travel the world.