Bai Zihao decided to keep a low profile, doing his best to avoid trouble.
After observing the village for several days, he arranged for basic provisions like firewood, rice, and oil to be delivered to his door every seven days. He spent his days quietly, sitting by the window listening to the readings from the neighboring schoolhouse. When evening came, he would draw water from the well and prepare simple meals. He didn't want to stir any trouble...
Ironically, he had previously been preoccupied with serving Jin Feiru, feeling quite overwhelmed. Now, enjoying this newfound solitude, he found himself somewhat uncomfortable with the emptiness and felt a sense of loneliness. During such times, he would uncontrollably find his thoughts wandering to various people and things, and inevitably, he would end up in tears.
Bai Zihao wasn't lonely for long. The girl next door, Kong Muhua, constantly sought his company. Whenever he showed a lack of interest, she would burst into tears, her eyes welling up like rain-soaked pear blossoms, making her unbearably pitiful. Unable to stand a little girl crying, he inexplicably found himself doing many strange things.
Kong Muhua said, "Brother Zihao, there are so many weeds in your yard. Let's clear them out and plant some grapevines."
After initially refusing, Bai Zihao found himself laboriously weeding, constructing grapevine trellises, and even installing a swing beneath them.
Kong Muhua: "Brother Zihao, your yard is so spacious! Let's dig a pond where we can see our reflections in the water."
After declining twice, Bai Zihao researched how to construct a pond and even planted a pair of red lotuses in it.
Kong Muhua: "Brother Zihao, I want to embroider a handkerchief with begonia flowers. Could you please sketch a design for me?"
Bai Zihao initially refused three times but eventually sat down with pen and paper, sketching out various designs for her to choose from. Although he had diligently studied painting, calligraphy, chess, and music, people always told him he lacked innate talent: his painting was too rigid, his calligraphy lacked character, his chess game was timid, and his music, though technically accurate, was devoid of emotion...
"I don't excel at this," Bai Zihao put down his pen, glancing apologetically at his begonia sketch. "If you don't like it, feel free to discard it—it's alright."
He had never done anything to earn Jin Feiru's approval. His intelligence was lacking, and he constantly made mistakes. Aside from his physical beauty, he had nothing else to offer. Jin Feiru, with her lofty status, had condescended to choose him—a worthless man—over the brilliant maidens of various immortal sects. She had even removed their love seals, and used rare elixirs to maintain his youth and beauty. For that, he should be grateful...
"Huh?" Kong Muhua looked up in astonishment, carefully inspecting the sketches. "These are excellent! They're even better than the ones by Master Painter Wu! I'll embroider them onto a skirt; they're too lovely to be ignored."
Bai Zihao blushed at the compliment: "Don't be absurd; people will laugh. You haven't seen Master Wu's 'Scroll of a Hundred Demons.' Each stroke is like an incantation—utterly magnificent..."
Kong Muhua carefully stored the begonia sketches and said earnestly: "I've seen Master Wu's works—dreadful ink-drenched messes, a jumble of darkness. His 'Peacock Exorcism Painting' featured a peacock with eyes as bulging as brass bells—hideous! If he weren't long dead, I'd have words for him. Your begonia is lovely, and I will never tire of looking at it embroidered on my skirt."
The 'Peacock Exorcism Painting' was considered the magnum opus of Master Wu, but the original had gone missing. There were many replicas and forgeries on the market.
Bai Zihao figured Kong Muhua was inexperienced in art and must have seen a poor-quality replica, leading her to believe his work was good. Still, her genuine praise cheered him, and he felt his meticulous approach suited embroidery patterns. To counteract his loneliness, he continued to draw various flowers and birds in his leisure.
Kong Muhua praised each drawing, exhausting nearly every compliment she knew. Finally, upon seeing a drawing of a crane, she looked disappointed: "Brother Zihao, why didn't you draw a peacock? Don't you like them?"
Bai Zihao explained: "I admire the peacock's magnificent plumage—it's both vibrant and regal—but it's challenging to capture without a reference."
Kong Muhua blushed upon hearing this, her ears tinged red. She hesitated before asking, "So you enjoy watching them display their feathers?"
Bai Zihao was puzzled: "Yes, I do."
Kong Muhua considered for a moment before cheerfully suggesting: "There's a beautiful lake in the southern mountains called Mirror Lake, where I've seen peacocks. You could go there for a change of scenery and perhaps witness a splendid peacock dance."
The southern mountains weren't far away and were scarcely populated. The blooming flowers made it an ideal place for painting or collecting herbs, fruits, or mushrooms. As a cultivator near the peak of the Qi Condensation stage, Bai Zihao had no fear of wild animals or venomous snakes, and the trip wouldn't take much time.
After persistent encouragement from Kong Muhua, Bai Zihao pondered for two days and finally decided to go.
Mirror Lake was a serene mountain lake that reflected the azure sky and fluffy clouds like a polished mirror. The lush vegetation, chasing butterflies, and curious rabbits—all exuded the vibrant essence of spring.
Seeing such beauty, Bai Zihao's mood lightened considerably. He sat leisurely on the grass, took out pen and paper, and began sketching egrets and cranes drinking by the lake. Initially hesitant, he found his strokes becoming more free and confident, comforted by the thought that, even if the drawings were not good, there would be no one to criticize him.
Suddenly, the cranes and egrets took flight, disappearing into the sky.
From above, a rare golden peacock descended. It landed by Mirror Lake, fluttered its wings, then meticulously preened its radiant, iridescent plumage. Finally, it turned to face Bai Zihao, fanning out its magnificent tail feathers—each one shimmering in a kaleidoscope of colors under the bright sun.
The peacock quivered its feathers and danced gracefully along the lakeshore, performing an enchanting display of various poses.
Not even Jin Feng Mountain Manor, where exotic creatures abounded, had ever seen a peacock so resplendent.
Bai Zihao held his breath, careful not to disturb this divine creature—a paragon of celestial beauty. Rapidly, he captured its dance on paper, filling sheet after sheet. Fortunately, the golden peacock lingered for a while by the lake, giving him time to complete his sketches before taking to the skies.
The experience was dreamlike in its beauty.
Returning home elated, he sat down to commit the visions to art. Practicing fine-brush painting, he meticulously laid down the initial lines before layering washes of diluted ink. Each application needed to dry before the next, a laborious cycle he repeated dozens of times until the intricate shades of ink revealed a vivid peacock. He then applied layers of vibrant colors before outlining in gold ink and adding the final touches.
After nearly six months, Bai Zihao completed a dazzling painting of the golden peacock. While it still fell short of the works by celebrated masters, it was the painting he was most satisfied with. Throughout this time, Kong Muhua frequently visited to offer praise, her eyes filled with anticipation. Upon its completion, she circled around in joy, just like the peacock.
A work of art is best shared with those who appreciate it.
Bai Zihao gifted the painting to Kong Muhua as a token of his gratitude for her support over this period.
Kong Muhua was ecstatic, nearly forgetting the norms of male-female interaction and almost embracing Bai Zihao for a kiss.
Bai Zihao quickly prevented her impulsive action, realizing they had grown too close recently. Although there was no village gossip, he wanted to avoid giving her false hope. It was long overdue for him to reveal his marital status, but embarrassment held him back. Finally, he stated ambiguously, "I'm a cultivator with a spiritual partner and have vows to uphold."
Kong Muhua stared at him for a moment before laughing, "You're lying. I've heard that cultivators use spiritual seals to signify such bonds. Show me yours, and I'll believe you."
Reluctantly, Bai Zihao slightly lowered his collar to reveal the dark red three-petal lozenge mark on his collarbone, then quickly covered it up.
Kong Muhua's face turned cold at the sight.
In the realm of cultivators, there are several kinds of spiritual seals. Normally, a seal is placed on both partners that neither can remove. This type of lozenge seal, however, signified a lower-status partnership—Bai Zihao would be relegated to the role of a consort if Jin Feiru chose a new spiritual partner with a superior seal.
Bai Zihao knew what the lozenge mark symbolized but dared not protest. It was already a great concession for Jin Feiru to convince others to accept him. He felt ashamed of his own desires, which made him feel degraded even in the face of mistreatment.
This was a pain he couldn't voice.
Kong Muhua seemed to understand. Frustrated, she considered flying back to the Eternal Summit to stir up trouble and enact some creative punishments on that scoundrel. She also wanted to complain about being made to play the role of a child, making it inconvenient for her to use her seductive tricks.
Bai Zihao didn't want his emotions to affect others and smiled, saying, "You're still young; you wouldn't understand."
Annoyed, Kong Muhua retorted, "I'm not young." After all, she had lived for thousands of years as a grand peacock.
Bai Zihao continued to sit and paint. Although he remained gentle, a subtle distance had crept into his demeanor.
Kong Muhua circled around him a few times, failing to find an opportunity to act coy. Finally, she quietly left and disappeared for several days. She returned in a state of apparent satisfaction, offering Bai Zihao a golden peacock feather.
Bai Zihao looked somewhat startled.
Kong Muhua grinned, "I found this a while back and wanted to give it to you as thanks for the painting you gave me."
Bai Zihao hesitated, uncertain whether to accept the gift. Just as he showed a hint of reluctance, her eyes began to fill with tears. Left with no other choice, he accepted.
Kong Muhua spoke in a mysterious tone, "It's quite precious; you must take good care of it."
Bai Zihao smiled, "I will cherish it."
"If you like it, I could even give you a whole peacock to cuddle in your sleep, its gorgeous tail feathers making for a cozy quilt," Kong Muhua leaned in and whispered, her eyes taking on a mature look and her red lips emanating an entrancing allure. "It could even dance for you every day..."
Bai Zihao's ears turned red, and his heartbeat quickened. He hastily retreated.
Kong Muhua had already sat back down, toying with the red cord in her braid, her face full of innocent romance, as if she understood nothing.
Bai Zihao rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had seen wrongly.
Had he been influenced by strange happenings from staying too long in the Golden Phoenix Estate?