I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

Pei Xiang had finished eating the sweet-scented osmanthus rice cake and was about to go out with his sword when someone came to visit him outside the courtyard.

The visitor was wearing a sapphire blue forged robe, with a piece of shiny jade hanging around his waist, his figure was majestic and majestic, and he looked very majestic.

"Dare to ask, but this is the Gu residence?"

Mrs. Li who opened the door flinched, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

When Pei Xiang raised his eyes, he knew that the other party was a practicing family man, who probably studied hard skills such as iron palm and iron fist.

His palm was unusually wide and thick, with protruding finger joints and a thick layer of calluses on it.

"Sister-in-law Li, go to the kitchen." Pei Xiang patted Aunt Li's arm, motioning for himself to deal with it. "This chivalrous man is looking for me? I am the owner of this house, surnamed Gu."

When the big man in blue saw Pei Xiang, he clasped his fists neatly: "Girl, please excuse me. I'm here on the order of the Patriarch to send a birthday banquet invitation to Miss Gu Shuangqing."

"I'm Gu Shuangqing, what's your name?"

"Miss Gu, it's a pleasure to meet you at Liao Chuan in the Thunderbolt Hall."

"So it's Mr. Liao from Thunderbolt Hall. Nice to meet you." Pei Xiang clasped his fists and saluted with neither humble nor overbearing attitude.

Liao Chuan smiled politely, and said in a loud voice: "Miss Gu, Lei Jinying, the master of the Thunderbolt Hall, has specially ordered me to send you an invitation card for the old man's birthday banquet. On the first day of next month, Chiyun Mountain Lushui Villa in the eastern suburbs, Wanwang Miss Gu will definitely Take the time to come."

Pei Xiang took the exquisite invitation from Liao Chuan, opened it and scanned the contents inside, with a puzzled tone:

"Director Liao, I've heard the name of Thunder Hall for a long time, and I'm even more in admiration for Master Lei. I heard about Mrs. Lei's birthday, and I originally wanted to go to congratulate him in person, but I've lived here for more than half a year, but I haven't had any contact with your mansion. , It’s really a pity. It’s a great honor for me to suddenly receive an invitation from Manager Liao today.”

Pei Xiang asked politely and tactfully, Liao Chuan was used to the boldness and directness of Jianghu people, so he said calmly:

"Miss Gu, to tell you the truth, our old man loves painting all his life, especially the painting of snow and plum blossoms. Among the paintings you consigned at Songyan Pavilion, there is a scroll of the painting of dark fragrance and empty valley. The old man couldn't put it down and copied and admired it every day. The owner is filial , so I asked Songyan Pavilion for the identity and address of the painter. This time I sent the invitation card, hoping to let the old man meet Miss Gu at the birthday banquet, give him a surprise, and hope that Miss Gu will become the head of the family of filial piety."

"Mr. Liao, you are being polite. It is also a kind of fate that my work can be appreciated by Mrs. Lei. Besides, Mr. Lei is very filial, so I am naturally willing to add the icing on the cake with the beauty of an adult. I will be there on time for the birthday party on the first day of next month."

Liao Chuan received Pei Xiang's affirmative answer, and his smile became more genuine.

Pei Xiang asked again: "I see that it is stated on the invitation that the birthday banquet will last until the sixth day of September. Why is that?"

"Miss Gu, have you heard of Lei Zhenzi from our Thunderbolt Hall?"

"Naturally, I have heard of it. A firearm named after the word 'Thunder' must have great power."

"Yes, Lei Zhenzi is the painstaking effort of several generations of my Thunder Hall!"

Liao Chuan's tone was proud: "On the morning of the fifth day of September, the imperial court will send a special envoy to my Thunderbolt Hall to personally take away the production formula and blueprints of Lei Zhenzi. At that time, there will be a grand dedication ceremony, and my Thunderbolt Hall will also get the imperial court's Miss Gu, this is a major event for the Thunder Mart Hall and the Lei Family, and our hall master hopes to get the witnesses of the martial arts knights."

Pei Xiang looked stunned, and sincerely said a few words of congratulations.

Liao Chuan gave a few more instructions before leaving satisfied.

It stands to reason that for such a helpless woman, no matter how good her drawing skills are, it is not worth it for the chief executive of the Thunderbolt Hall to make a trip in person. Many small sect leaders don't have the face to do so.

However, there are always exceptions to everything.

Pei Xiang goes to the center of Jinghu Lake to enjoy the scenery every day. There are rippling blue waves and deep still water. It is actually a good place to practice light kung fu and swordsmanship.

Rowing across the center of the lake, heading in the direction of Chiyun Mountain.

There are several small islands with strange rocks on the way. The island is surrounded by turbulent undercurrents, rapid water and reefs.If you want to successfully land on the island, you need excellent eyesight and deep and long inner breath to avoid all kinds of hidden dangers.

Pei Xiang would abandon the boat on the gentle water every day, then raise his breath and jump lightly on the lake.

Taking advantage of the turbulent undercurrent and invisible underwater reefs, Pei Xiang practiced his sword skills and light skills day after day.

After a period of time, her figure became more ethereal and light, and her swordsmanship became faster and weirder.

A sword stabs out, seemingly ordinary, but hidden changes, within a few breaths, the sword moves with the heart, sharp and dexterous, soft and soft when meeting water, fierce and ruthless when meeting stones.

She is like a flying eagle startling a bird, flitting lightly between the sky and water, like a flying fairy.

Pei Xiang concentrated on practicing martial arts, and had already alarmed the disciples of Thunderbolt Hall on Chiyun Mountain.They followed the rules of the rivers and lakes, and they would not watch Pei Xiang close up when he was practicing Qinggong swordsmanship, but they would watch from a distance from time to time.

Some people feel inferior to themselves and feel admiration.

Someone was deeply shocked, envious and jealous.

There are also young disciples with insufficient eyesight who are not convinced, and will secretly run to the lake after Pei Xiang leaves, wanting to repeat her practice process.

However, they all failed.

There were even people who were swept away by the turbulent undercurrent, knocked into a reef at the bottom of the water after being unconscious, and were seriously injured.

After Liao Chuan, the manager, heard about this incident, he also watched Pei Xiang practicing sword from a distance.

He has self-knowledge, and knows that in terms of lightness kung fu and swordsmanship alone, he is not as good as this young girl Gu, not only him, but many young heroes from famous families are not as good as her.

Liao Chuan thought, there is never a shortage of hidden masters and geniuses in this world.

So, there was the matter of personally visiting the door today to send the greeting card.

In the final analysis, Jianghu people still value strength and respect the strong.

Thunderbolt thinks that they have stumbled across a young strong man who does not care about fame and wealth, and wants to win over and make friends.But is all this really a coincidence?

There are so many dangerous peaks and deep waters in the world, why did this master "just happen" to appear near Chiyun Mountain?

In this regard, everyone in Thunder Mart Hall was also suspicious and wary.

However, after half a year of observation, they found that this girl Gu really likes a life of ease and leisure.

She will deliberately avoid some conflicts in the arena, avoid the disciples of Thunder Martial Hall, do not want to deal with martial arts people at all, and just live the life of ordinary people wholeheartedly.

Only in the uninhabited mountains and rivers can she show her abilities and display the superb swordsmanship like a lightning bolt.

The Lei family thought they understood Pei Xiang's thoughts, so when Liao Chuan sent the invitation, he deliberately avoided the customary flattery among martial arts people, and only talked about elegant painting skills and Hall Master Lei's filial piety.

After Liao Chuan left, Pei Xiang put the invitation back into the house and left the residence as planned.

——The plan to approach the Thunder Hall was achieved.

On the first day of September, Chiyun Mountain, Green Water Villa.

After Pei Xiang delivered the birthday gift, he mixed with the crowd of Jianghu guests and entered the courtyard where the guests were entertained.

She was sitting on a chair in the veranda drinking tea and admiring the chrysanthemums, no one came up to chat warmly, because the word "Gu Shuangqing" was really not well-known at all.

But not long after, a maid from the villa rushed over and respectfully invited her to the central hall, saying that Mrs. Lei had invited her.

Pei Xiang hummed lightly, followed the maid and left the open-air courtyard.

In the spacious and gorgeous reception hall, after congratulating today's old birthday star, Pei Xiang turned around and met with several respected heads of big schools and famous heroes.

Immediately afterwards, she was introduced to a group of talented young men with both civil and military skills. After some greetings, she was arranged to sit down in the hall.

Seeing this, everyone in the room knew that this girl Gu with outstanding painting skills would definitely not be as ordinary as she appeared on the surface.

For a little girl without a prominent background, to be looked at differently by the Jiangnan Thunder Martial Hall, she must have real skills.

Several young people couldn't hold back, they looked at each other, winked and rolled out Sima Ziyi, which is the most popular among girls, implying that he was trying to trick him.

Sima Ziyi, who was sitting diagonally across from Pei Xiang, was the young owner of Changle Villa. He was young and promising, capable of both civil and military skills, and very handsome. He was always very popular.

He is very arrogant, but he is not a bad person, especially when he treats young girls, he is definitely a handsome and good man.

"Miss Gu, be polite."

"Young Xia Sima, you're welcome, but do you have an order?" Pei Xiang smiled and nodded.

"Don't dare to give orders, haha, I also got a painting a few days ago, and I like it very much. The inscription of the painting of flowers and birds is from Xiangshui Ke. I wonder if it was written by Miss Gu?"

"I did draw a few pictures of flowers and birds, put them on consignment in Songyan Pavilion, and signed them as Xiangshui guest. However, there is also the possibility of hitting the name, so before seeing Sima Shaoxia's collection, I dare not conclude Is that my work?"

"Looking at the picture of flowers and birds below is full of spring, lively and vivid, but between the strokes of the brush, there is a bit of sharpness and leisure, which makes the artistic conception of the whole painting profound. At that time, I thought, painting this The person who made the painting must also know swordsmanship, and seeing Miss Gu herself now, I think that painting must be Miss Gu's work."

While talking, Sima Ziyi took a special look at the iron sword hanging on Pei Xiang's waist, and praised with a smile:

"There are not many people who are good at painting and swordsmanship. There are so many coincidences in the world."

When Sima Ziyi said these words, he actually wanted to lead Pei Xiang to discuss his own martial arts skills. As long as the topic was opened, it would be easy to make tentative remarks later.

No, he praised Pei Xiang with a smile like this, which has already aroused the displeasure of a certain chivalrous woman.

The girl opened her almond eyes and stomped her feet lightly:

"Brother Sima, you just met Miss Gu, how do you know she is good at swordsmanship? If it's only because of the sword on Miss Gu's waist, then nine out of ten of our guests today are masters of swordsmanship. And , if I'm not mistaken, Miss Gu's saber is quite shabby, it should be an ordinary weapon in a blacksmith's shop for five taels of silver, right?"

Pei Xiang raised his head to look at the speaker, and recognized him as Lei Rou, the eldest lady of Thunderbolt Hall.

Although her single name is "soft", her personality is not gentle at all, she is delicate and domineering, and often gets into trouble.

It is said that because she liked Sima Ziyi, she went to Changle Villa as a guest and lived there for more than a year.She clings to Sima Ziyi every day and drives away the beautiful women around him, almost calling herself Sima Ziyi's wife.

If Mr. Lei hadn't passed his birthday this time, Miss Lei wouldn't have come back at all.

Of course, the reason why she can be so capricious is because of the tacit understanding between Changle Villa and Thunder Hall, and the elders of both parties should want to facilitate this marriage.

At present, the only obstacle to the marriage between the two parties is Sima Ziyi himself.

He is a suave and suave young man, he never likes to be restrained, and he doesn't have much friendship with Lei Rou.

Lei Rou's tone was contemptuous.

Sima Ziyi frowned slightly, he really didn't like this reckless and thoughtless eldest lady.

Pei Xiang touched his saber with a serious look on his face, but he ignored the provocateur.

Lei Rou's face turned cold, and she even mocked and blamed her.

Lei Ning, the second young lady of the Lei family, quickly interjected:

"Miss Gu's weapons are ordinary, but her swordsmanship is very superb. Sister, you haven't lived at home for more than a year, and you haven't written a letter to greet your father and elders, so you missed a lot of news. When you are free for a while, we sisters Let's have a good chat. Miss Gu, I'm sorry, my sister has a straightforward temper, and she didn't mean to look down on you."

Lei Rou and Lei Ning are not born of the same mother, and have always been at odds.Therefore, Lei Ning's intervention at this time is tantamount to adding fuel to the fire.

Lei Rou stood on her head with her brows upside down, and wanted to get angry. The old Mr. Lei who was standing above him had eyes and ears, and coughed lightly at this moment, stopping the eldest granddaughter from continuing to offend others.

Pei Xiang smiled slightly, and without looking at the Lei family sisters, he said to Sima Ziyi instead:

"Young Xia Sima, I heard that you started practicing swordsmanship with a bamboo sword when you were four years old, and replaced it with a sharp sword made of pure steel when you were seven years old. You have studied dozens of movements just for drawing the sword."

"exactly."

The person who answered was very proud and in high spirits.

When it comes to his swordsmanship, Sima Ziyi is not humble, he thinks he has the capital of self-confidence.

"You can see the sharpness of the sword in my painting, do you want to compete with me?"

Sima Ziyi's eyes were bright, and he sat upright with a solemn attitude.

This is his respect for a swordsman.

"Miss Gu is asking me to fight?"

"Exactly. I have heard for a long time that Changle Mountain Villa has a profound heritage and is one of the three great martial arts families in the south of the Yangtze River. I have always wanted to learn about the sword skills of the Sima family, and I hope that Young Master Sima will not hesitate to teach me."

"Okay, Miss Gu, after Mrs. Lei's birthday banquet is over, you and I can fight on the top of Chiyun Mountain."

Pei Xiang smiled and agreed.

The two of them made a competition agreement in a few words, and people from the nearby rivers and lakes also showed interest, asking whether they could watch the battle.

They wanted to know Sima Ziyi's current level of swordsmanship, and also wanted to know how good this girl Gu of unknown origin was.

The atmosphere of the conversation became warm and harmonious again, only the Lei sisters were a little embarrassed.

Sometimes ignorance hurts more than hostility.

Pei Xiang shook his head in his heart while establishing interpersonal relationships without any trace.

She didn't know if the next generation of Thunder Hall was like these two sisters. If all of them were like this, the decline of Thunder Hall would be inevitable.

Even the Jade Rakshasa far away in the Western Regions covets Lei Zhenzi, the firearm of the Lei family.If the heir lacks vision and city government, the situation of Thunder Martial Hall will not be so good.

——However, I can't jump to conclusions until I see other Lei family members.At least this old Mr. Lei is shrewd, and the disciples of Thunderbolt Hall are also good-natured.

At this time, another birthday celebration guest came to greet him.

Before the man approached, Pei Xiang first heard a few thin gasps, which came from the female guest at the door.

She looked up and subconsciously held her breath.

——He has the demeanor of pine and bamboo, and the brilliance of stars and moons in his eyes.

Orchid grass and viburnum, graceful jade.

"Who is he?"

"This is Mei Xuean, the eldest son of the Mei family in Gusu."

"Gusu Mei's family... there are descendants in their family?"

"This eldest son was lost in the early years, and was found back later. But his health is not very good, and he has been recuperating in the other village, so he escaped the revenge of the enemy."

"No wonder...it's a pity."

What a pity?

Everyone present understood that it was a pity that such a detached person had a weak body.

He approached slowly, and everyone could see his pale face clearly.

At this time, it was just autumn, and he had already wrapped up a thick cloak.

All the people present are from the martial arts world. Some people only wear a thin robe all year round. They probably have never experienced what it feels like to be cold and weak.

The heroines couldn't help but feel pity in their hearts.

"Cut...he's just a sick boy with a pretty face, but he looks good enough."

"Keep your voice down, Mr. Mei is indeed weak and sick, but he is not a weak person with no strength to restrain a chicken."

"How to say?"

"When the Mei family had an accident, he was the one who took revenge with one sword, although...he suffered a serious illness afterwards."

With this insider's explanation, everyone looked at Mei Xue'an with a little more respect.

Mr. Mei, who is like a zhilanyushu, sat down next to Pei Xiang after finishing his polite words with Lei's family.

"I'm in Gusu Meixuean, I don't know what to call the girl?"

"My surname is Gu."

"Miss Gu." The sickly beauty smiled slightly, and Gu Pan was radiant.

"Mr. Mei." The female swordsman looked calm and spoke calmly.

At this time, Lei Rou, who had just been humiliated by Pei Xiang, suddenly said crisply:

"Miss Gu, your name is Gu Shuangqing, and Mr. Mei's name is Mei Xuean. The name is pronounced suddenly, and it is quite suitable."

Pei Xiang said directly: "It's just a name, it's just a coincidence."

Lei Rou giggled coquettishly: "I think it's fate, Zi Yi, don't you think so?"

Sima Ziyi didn't make a sound. The man's experience told him not to answer the conversation at such a time, and not to get involved in the fight between women.

Seeing that Sima Ziyi didn't answer, Lei Rou thought that he cared about Pei Xiang, and felt slightly angry.She wanted to say a lot of vicious things, but she kept her mouth shut unwillingly under the stern gaze of her grandfather.

At this time, Lei Jinying, the hall master of the Thunderbolt Hall, came in from the outside, followed by his three sons.

The father and son were imposing, with light footsteps. They came here at this time to invite Mrs. Lei and the distinguished guests present.

It was the first time Pei Xiang participated in a banquet held by martial arts figures, and found that men and women were mixed, and the seats were arranged according to their status in the world and martial arts.

She and Mei Xuean were not far away. During the dinner, she heard someone ask Mei Xuean if she felt bored after being recuperated behind closed doors and not seeing customers these few years.

The young man who asked the question was not purely worried about Mei Xue'an, and there was a hint of pity in his tone.

And that Mr. Mei didn't seem to hear anything wrong, and said slowly:

"When recuperating from illness, my heart will be quiet. After staying alone for a long time, I will discover many beautiful details that I had overlooked before. Therefore, I am not bored."

The other party didn't believe it, and asked Mei Xuean what beautiful details she had discovered.

Mei Xue secretly took out her handkerchief and coughed twice, then said seriously:

"When a person calms down and stays alone, he will appreciate the beautiful arc of the snowflakes falling, he will smell the sunshine mixed with the fragrance of the grass and trees, and he will hear the vigorous and tenacious music of life when the seeds germinate. Every hour, every day Every season, there are wonderful things worthy of serious discovery.”

Pei Xiang stopped eating, and looked up at the young man not far away.

She didn't expect that at such a lively banquet where cups were exchanged, she would meet a quiet figure full of flowers.

She suddenly became interested in this Mr. Mei.

Mei Xue turned her head secretly, meeting Pei Xiang's eyes.

He had already discovered that among all the people, only Miss Gu had the most beautiful eyes and bones, which did not quite match her delicate facial features.

If it wasn't for the fact that there was no trace of disguise on her face, he almost thought that this Gu Shuangqing was just like him, impersonating someone else.

He raised his glass to toast, his posture was as elegant and free as an exiled immortal.

Pei Xiang was slightly stunned, and responded from the air, with pure eyebrows and a cool demeanor.

Mei Xue secretly smiled happily, the years are quiet and peaceful, and she has nothing to do with the world.

——The swirling arc and the splashing blood beads fell together.

——The taste of the sun is like a gift from burning poisonous weeds.

——The vigorous and tenacious movement of life is like the beating of the human heart when it is frightened.

Both are beautiful, both good and evil, and worth savoring and appreciating!