Chapter Sixteen: Husband, You Truly Know How to Enjoy Life, Don't You?

After tossing and turning most of the night and listening to Su Xingyu explain the basics of cultivation all evening—perhaps because he had just begun his practice—Lin Fan remained full of vigor.

Bai Xiyue arrived at the courtyard promptly, carrying a lunchbox.

“Master, stop painting for now. Come eat!” she called out, placing the dishes on the table, addressing Lin Fan, who was inside the pavilion painting an ink plum blossom.

“Hmm? Master, this ink plum blossom painting looks different from the last one,” Bai Xiyue said curiously, studying the artwork.

Lin Fan nodded and set down his brush.

“My bedsheet is torn again. Could you replace it for me?” he requested.

“All right, Master!” Bai Xiyue replied, somewhat exasperated. She couldn’t understand why Lin Fan was so fond of painting ink plum blossoms on his bedsheets. Though curious, as a maid she did not ask further—whatever Lin Fan said, she simply obeyed.

Today’s breakfast was quite sumptuous, featuring stewed bird’s nest and carefully prepared morning delicacies.

“Xiyue, what cultivation method are you practicing?” Lin Fan asked, sipping the bird’s nest soup.

“I am practicing the Greenwood Technique taught by my master,” Bai Xiyue answered honestly.

“Could you tell me about this Greenwood Technique?” Lin Fan inquired tentatively. “It seems rather ordinary.”

“The Greenwood Technique and the Eternal Spring Method you practice are both wood-element cultivation methods, and their ranks are roughly equivalent,” Bai Xiyue explained softly before reciting the cultivation formula she had learned.

Lin Fan’s expression darkened slightly. Bai Xiyue’s method was not the hidden-breath technique practiced by the core disciples of the Su family.

“Xiyue, your method doesn’t seem particularly special,” Lin Fan said with a dismissive sneer.

“Is there a method that sounds more powerful?” he asked.

Bai Xiyue blinked her clear eyes. “The most powerful methods are those practiced by the masters, but only core disciples can learn them. My cultivation is too shallow, and my aptitude is lacking, so I cannot.”

Lin Fan sighed quietly to himself. It seemed that if he wanted to acquire the hidden-breath technique, he would have to approach Su Xingyue.

He took a piece of paper from his pocket on which messy characters were scrawled with a brush.

“Master, I heard you were a scholar who took imperial exams before coming to the Su family. But your handwriting…” Bai Xiyue frowned, hesitant to speak.

Indeed, Lin Fan’s handwriting was atrocious—more like scribbles than calligraphy. He had only briefly practiced calligraphy in elementary school and had not touched brush and ink since, so the messiness was understandable.

“Ahem… the path of the arts and cultivation is vast and profound, beyond the understanding of a mere maid,” Lin Fan coughed and feigned profundity.

Bai Xiyue’s bright, innocent eyes studied the paper carefully. Though ugly, the characters revealed a duty roster.

“On the first, eighth, and sixteenth days of each month… Su Yun.”

“On the second, ninth, and seventeenth… Su Fei.”

And so on.

The roster assigned one of six maidservants per day from the first to the sixth day each month, with the seventh day left free.

Bai Xiyue was puzzled. “Master, what does this mean? Didn’t you say they should focus on cultivation to achieve the great path?”

“Ahem… balance is key in the way of both civil and martial arts. Cultivation demands patience; reckless overexertion harms progress,” Lin Fan said earnestly, fabricating an explanation. “So, I arranged this roster to have them come to me in turn, to experience the nurturing of the great Dao, which greatly benefits their practice!”

Bai Xiyue’s eyes shone with admiration. “Master, what great Dao will you teach them?”

“Ahem… various arts—foot therapy, dance, the way of sound, and so forth,” Lin Fan replied casually.

Curiosity deepened in Bai Xiyue’s innocent eyes. “Master, what is foot therapy?”

“Foot therapy… the soles of the feet contain numerous acupoints connected to the body’s organs: kidneys, heart, lungs…” Lin Fan began his performance. “Foot therapy uses special techniques to stimulate these points, strengthening major organs and even aiding cultivation!”

“Master, does this therapy have a formula? Could you teach me?” Bai Xiyue asked eagerly.

“Of course, there is a formula,” Lin Fan cleared his throat. “The foot therapy chant goes: ‘Step on clear springs, playing over ripples; underfoot the wind rises, climbing cloud ladders. Three circles left, three circles right; cultivating immortality and seeking the way both in sight!’”

“So foot therapy is also a path! You’ll understand it in time, young maid!” he said.

“Master, your talent is admirable! Xiyue truly admires you!” Bai Xiyue said sincerely.

Lin Fan waved his hand. “Go arrange it then!”

The real reason Lin Fan arranged all this was simple: being confined to the small courtyard was unbearably dull, and he was still unable to cultivate. Moreover, each of the six maidservants was as lovely as a blooming flower—it felt a waste not to engage them.

Time flew like an arrow; three months passed in a flash.

As night deepened, candlelight flickered, illuminating the room brightly.

Lin Fan reclined leisurely in a grand chair, holding a delicately sliced fruit platter, savoring the flavors.

Su Yun obediently knelt before him, gently lifting his feet from a wooden basin.

Her soft hands alternately patted the tops of his feet with practiced ease.

“Ah, very good, Xiao Yun, your technique has improved wonderfully—excellent, excellent,” Lin Fan praised.

Su Yun blushed slightly, lowering her eyes. “Master flatters me. I merely serve diligently…”

“Merely what?” Lin Fan raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curling his lips. “Could it be that you practice this skill often?”

Su Yun’s cheeks flushed deeper as she stammered, “Master jokes; I have little chance to practice…”

“Oh? Is that so?” Lin Fan teased. “Then tonight, you shall rest in my chamber so I can properly instruct you.”

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open.

Su Xingyue appeared, her figure swaying gracefully as she approached with a teasing smile.

“Husband, you truly know how to enjoy yourself!” she said with playful amusement.