Free Web NovelChapter 1424: Chapter 530: The Fourth Dhyana
"Why did Lady Lianhua come to Zhou Family’s Troupe?"
Zhou Xuan asked curiously.
This time, upon his return to Ping Shui Prefecture, aside from visiting family, his most important task was to investigate Lady Lianhua.
He suspected that Lady Lianhua had intricate connections with Buddha Country.
Initially, he planned to visit Lady Lianhua after meeting his sister, master, and several senior brothers from Zhou Family’s Troupe, but unexpectedly, she came to him.
Zhou Lingyi smiled and said, "Lady Lianhua heard the news of your return and came to the troupe to wait. Today, we were performing the You Shen ritual, and only people from Zhou Family’s Troupe went to greet you, Elder Yuan didn’t go either.
Now, Elder Yuan is probably speaking with Lady Lianhua."
"Then I ought to meet her."
Zhou Xuan felt quite complicated.
In fact, he always had a good impression of Lady Lianhua. Additionally, his initial steps into the world and his debut on the big stage began at the Lotus Temple.
If he really discovered that Lady Lianhua was from Buddha Country, it would be hard to say how he should deal with her.
"I’ll meet her first and then decide."
Zhou Xuan muttered to himself.
The Zhou Family’s troupe quickly carried Zhou Xuan’s sedan to the entrance of the troupe.
The masters and apprentices of Zhou Family’s Troupe, who didn’t go to the train station, were at the outer courtyard gate, holding banners, welcoming Zhou Xuan.
"Has our Zhou Family’s Troupe grown this large?"
Zhou Xuan observed the crowd and asked Zhou Lingyi.
"Thanks to you, our troupe’s business has expanded continuously. Previously, the Zhou Family’s Troupe, with its large outer courtyard and few staff, felt deserted. Now though..."
Zhou Lingyi said, her eyes smiling like crescents, "I can’t even remember the names of some senior masters I meet."
Nowadays, Zhou Family’s Troupe was bustling and lively, akin to the towering Ancestor Tree—lush and thriving, as if reborn.
"Young Master, I’m a fan of your work."
"Young Master has returned, he’s so handsome."
"Fifth Brother, the brothers from Jingyi Room have missed you terribly."
Apart from Zhou Xuan, Fifth Brother Lv Mingkun, Sister Cui, and others were greeted by familiar faces.
Especially Lv Mingkun, once inside the gate, was pulled to drink by Second Brother Zheng Jiujang and Fourth Brother Yu Jia.
These two also wanted to invite Zhou Xuan, but were stopped by Elder Brother Yu Zhengyuan.
"Go aside, go aside, Little Brother is a busy person with many affairs, he doesn’t have time for idle drinks with you all."
"He’s also going to meet Lady Lianhua," Xu Li, the Elder Sister-in-law, advised.
Thankfully, Elder Brother shielded him, or Zhou Xuan might have been detained by the enthusiastic masters and apprentices, preventing his entry to the inner courtyard.
At the entrance of the inner courtyard’s guest room, stood a hunched, shifty-eyed middle-aged man.
Zhou Xuan recognized him as Huang Tianfeng, the steward of Lotus Temple’s Huang Family.
Before Zhou Xuan could greet him, Huang Tianfeng first bowed deeply, speaking tremulously, "Oh, Mr., since our parting at the Lotus Temple, your demeanor has become extraordinary."
"Mr. Huang, is Lady Lianhua expecting me?"
Zhou Xuan slowly entered the room.
"Lady Lianhua has been longing for you, especially in recent days, thinking only of seeing you, Mr., again."
"Is that so?"
Zhou Xuan was doubtful in his heart.
He did have some rapport with Lady Lianhua, but regardless of the rapport, their bonds weren’t deep enough to warrant such longing.
"Then I must meet Lady Lianhua."
As Zhou Xuan chatted with Huang Tianfeng, before he even entered the room, Lady Lianhua heard his voice and immediately came out to greet him.
"Oh, Mr., your demeanor has changed from before."
Lady Lianhua’s physique was corpulent, resembling a mountain of flesh, with lumps all over.
Her appearance was exceptionally ugly, yet her speech was exceedingly gentle.
Holding a fan, Zhou Xuan bowed and remarked with a smile, "Lady Lianhua, from a certain perspective, you are indeed my benefactor."
"No need for such a title, please come in, come in," Lady Lianhua said familiarly, as if the inner courtyard were her own room."
"Alright."
Zhou Xuan responded and was about to enter the room when Yuan Buyu rushed out and asked upon seeing Zhou Xuan, "Good disciple, did Sister Cui return with you?"
"Gee, Master, you’re a bit biased. I rarely come back, and you don’t ask about me first, but Sister Cui?"
"You’re doing well, do I even need to ask? The Nuo God’s divine tablet showed its spirit, specifically asking Zhou Family to receive you."
Yuan Buyu laughed and said, "Since Sister Cui returned to Mingjiang Prefecture, I’ve been yearning for her return like waiting for the stars and the moon."
"Is it really that coincidental?"
"Indeed," Yuan Buyu pointed toward the kitchen and scolded, "With our Zhou Family’s kitchen crew, those chefs and assistants, none of them match the skillful hands of Sister Cui."
"So you’re eagerly waiting for Sister Cui to help in the kitchen?" Zhou Xuan laughed.
An admirable master, he has loved two things all his life—storytelling and cooking.
Though he’s a storyteller, his passion for cooking surpasses even storytelling.
"Then go on, Sister Cui has arrived, and she brought her brother, Mu Hua, a promising kitchen assistant."
Zhou Xuan said with a smile.
Back in Mingjiang Prefecture, Sister Cui cooked while Mu Hua assisted, a partnership of many years.
"This is great news; it’s talent we lack in the kitchen. You converse well with Lady Lianhua, and I shall find Sister Cui; today’s Zhou Family’s Troupe is in for a culinary treat."
Yuan Buyu walked quickly towards the outer courtyard.
