Chapter 363 Reunion

Bustling.

This was Pan Yun and his friends’ first impression after entering the city.

Wang Cong had been to Changzhou Prefecture before, but never at this time. He was also surprised by the crowds of people here, and then said, "Little Master, your hometown is so rich."

Pan Yun enviously said, "I didn't expect that either. It's a pity that my family is not rich."

As far as she could remember, her father had always been poor.

Wang Cong first found a large inn to stay in, and while eating, he asked the waiter about the location of Jintai Academy.

The waiter looked at them and saw that they were all wearing Taoist robes. He couldn't help but ask, "Do you Taoist priests also want to participate in the Lantern Festival Poetry Festival at Jintai Academy?"

Wang Cong quickly glanced at Pan Yun and said with a smile: "I've heard of it and want to join in the fun."

The waiter pointed the way for them and said with a smile: "Although the Lantern Festival poetry gathering will not start until tomorrow, many people have gathered today. Taoist priests, just walk along this street, turn right at the third intersection, walk to the end, then turn left and walk about a hundred steps to the destination."

Wang Cong thanked him with a smile.

After everyone left, he asked Pan Yun, "Do you want to change your clothes?"

He and Tao Yanbai did not stand out in the Taoist robes because scholars also often wore Taoist robes.

Usually when he went out to do business dressed like this, few people thought he was a Taoist priest. Instead, they respectfully called him a Confucian businessman and thought he was a scholar.

But it’s different when women wear Taoist robes.

Among women in the world, only Taoists and lay Buddhists wear Taoist robes.

Pan Yun touched the hat on his head and asked Wang Cong sincerely: "What casual clothes do you think go with my hat?"

Wang Cong glanced at the hat on her head and remained silent.

Miao Zhen: "There are strict rules for men and women among scholars. If we change into women's clothes, I'm afraid it will be difficult for us to enter the poetry society. However, there are not so many restrictions for Taoist priests."

Tao Yanbai: "Why don't you change into men's clothes?"

Miaohe looked disgusted and said, "No, men's clothes don't look good."

Miao Zhen also said: "You still have to spend money to buy it."

Wang Cong waved his hand and said, "Forget it, just go like this. If others ask, just say I took you there to broaden your horizons."

The four of them nodded in agreement.

The five of them packed up, changed into better Taoist robes, and went out.

Jintai Academy is a famous academy in Changzhou Prefecture. The president is a Jinshi graduate. Besides him, there is another Mr. Xu who is also a Jinshi graduate, five gentlemen who are Juren graduates, and the rest of the gentlemen are also scholars.

Pan Tao was a successful juren. After entering the academy, he quickly established himself. Not only that, he also quickly became the most popular teacher among the students except for the dean and Mr. Xu.

Wang Cong found out as soon as he asked. The scholar who was stopped to ask asked happily: "Brother, are you also here to see Mr. Pan to correct your article?"

"Ah?" Wang Cong said immediately, "I don't dare to ask for such extravagant requests. It's just that I have some questions that have accumulated over the years while studying, and I want to ask Mr. Pan to answer them."

The scholar praised him, "Brother, you have such a keen mind to seek, and you will achieve great success in the future."

He said, "Mr. Pan is over there. Wherever there are the most people, that's where he will be."

Pan Yun couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Pan is so popular?"

The scholar glanced at Pan Yun, and then he noticed the three of them. Although he thought it was a bit strange that three female Taoists appeared in the academy, he did not ask more questions, but explained: "Mr. Pan is very kind. Whenever someone comes to him with an article or a question, he will answer it regardless of whether they are students of Jintai Academy or not."

"If he couldn't answer some questions, he would tell them clearly, and then go find a book, ask other teachers, and tell the person who asked the question after getting the answer," he said, "Teacher, you are so kind, how can we not respect you?"

Pan Yun was shocked. When did her second uncle become so enthusiastic towards students?
Wang Cong thanked the scholar, took Pan Yun with him and walked towards the bustling place.

Jintai Academy is very large, with pavilions, towers, and even fresh water.

The stream runs through the entire academy, with gurgling water and rockery separating the scenery. Although it is the first month of the year, there are flowers dotted everywhere, with a flower at every step and a scene every ten steps. It is a typical Jiangnan garden scenery, and it is obvious that the place is very wealthy at first glance.

The voices sounded not far away, but as they walked along the road, they passed a moon gate, a stone garden dominated by rockery, and passed through three more gates. The view in front suddenly opened up, and they saw a huge garden.

Beyond the obstructing trees, there is a lake in front of you. In the middle of the lake is a small island, shaded by trees. There is also a rockery with a pavilion on top.

There were several small boats in the lake, all with people on board. Pan Yun had sharp ears and could hear them arguing about poetry.

There was an open pavilion by the lake, which was now filled with scholars. Even the railings, under the trees outside the railings, and beside the flower beds were full of people, all listening attentively to a person speaking inside.

Pan Yun looked up and saw a young man standing among the crowd. He was like a pine tree on the cliff, with an upright posture, handsome appearance, yet a gentle air.

Pan Jun burst into laughter, with smiles all over his face. It was his second uncle!
As Pan Tao spoke, he glanced and met the eyes of Pan Jun who was standing by the lake.

He blinked and felt that the girl looked very familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen her.

He was stunned for a moment, his heartbeat speeding up involuntarily. He quickly retracted his gaze and said gently, "Regarding the Complete Works of Sexual Ethics, Xue Jingxuan of Hedong wrote an excellent article. I copied it and kept it in the Reading Tower. Anyone who is interested can go and read it."

Pan Tao bowed and said, "I have something to take care of right now, so I'll take my leave first." Although the scholars felt sorry, they still bowed to see Pan Tao off.

Pan Bo, who was sitting in the crowd, saw his father walking out quickly, so he jumped up and followed him, "Dad, wait for me..."

Pan Bo caught up with his father, "Dad, where are we going...ah?"

Pan Bo stared at the person in front of him with wide eyes and called out in confusion, "Little sister?"

Pan Jun glanced at Pan Bo, her eyes only slightly red, and then she immediately turned back to look at Pan Tao, almost unable to hold back her tears, "Second Uncle..."

Pan Tao looked at her suspiciously, "Did you recognize the wrong person?"

Pan Yun sniffed, holding back tears, and said, "Second Uncle, I'm from Sanqing Mountain. Dad should have told you that I'm a Taoist priest in Sanqing Mountain now."

Pan Tao then confirmed it.

"It's really you, Yun'er," Pan Tao let out a long sigh and immediately pulled the person to look at her. "You're good, good, very good. You've grown up."

Pan Tao's eyes were red, "I feel relieved to see that you are safe and healthy."

Pan Bo murmured, "Isn't this too much?"

After the uncle and nephew calmed down, Pan Bai walked over to Pan Yun and gestured, "How come you've grown so much taller? Your face has become rounder, and your complexion has become better. In these...two years, have you grown so much better?"

Pan Bo looked at her hat, "Why are you wearing a hat?"

Pan Yun said: "My head will be cold, so I wear a hat."

Pan Yun asked Pan Tao, "Second Uncle, is anyone still watching you now?"

Pan Tao shook his head. "I no longer felt like I was being watched during the Mid-Autumn Festival the year before last. Plus, when I moved your mother's coffin back from the capital, I built a cenotaph next to her..."

He paused and said, "There is no tombstone at the small grave, but everyone in the clan knows that it was built for you. We were very honest after returning home. Apart from sending some clothes and money to your father and brother, we hardly contacted the officials from our old times, and there were no more people watching us."

Pan Yun breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Second Uncle, you have done a great job. Leave the matter of redress to me. You should not get involved in it anymore."

She said, "Grandma is old and needs the care of my second uncle and second aunt. My father often feels guilty. As the eldest son, he has never taken care of my grandmother. The burden of the family has always been borne by my second uncle. He feels very guilty..."

Pan Tao stopped her from talking and said with a smile: "Why talk about the eldest son or the second son when it comes to respecting your parents? This is a matter of course. Tell your father not to worry too much. I am at home."

Pan Yun agreed with red eyes.

She hesitated.

Pan Tao asked, "Do you want to meet your grandmother?"

Pan Yun nodded.

Pan Tao said, "We live in the old house now. There are too many people there. It's not convenient for you to come. Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. I will take your grandmother out shopping and we can meet at a restaurant."

Pan Yun agreed and asked, "Second Uncle, where is my mother's grave?"

"There is a tombstone in the south of the ancestral graveyard, and a small grave next to it." Pan Tao paused and said, "Although it is in the wilderness and there are usually no people there, if someone saw it..."

"I know. Don't worry. I won't go to see you in broad daylight."

Pan Bo: "Go at night? There are graves everywhere. Isn't that scary?"

Pan Yun pointed at his Taoist robe and said, "It's not certain who is afraid of whom."

Pan Bai looked at the Taoist robe she was wearing without saying a word.

Pan Tao finally got over his excitement, looked at Wang Cong, and said with a smile: "You are Yun'er's senior brothers and sisters, right? I have relied on you to take care of Yun'er in the past two years."

Several people immediately jumped away, waving their hands. Wang Cong quickly explained, "Mr. Pan has misunderstood. We are all nephews, and this is the junior uncle."

Pan Tao paused as he was about to salute, and turned to look at Pan Yun, "Is this your nephew?"

"Yes, Second Uncle, didn't my father tell you that my senior brother is the abbot of the temple, and I am the first generation of the closed disciple of Sanqing Temple."

This really doesn’t exist.

The two of them didn't dare say much in their correspondence. They only mentioned Pan Yun a sentence or two and then never mentioned her again.

Pan Tao did not expect his niece to be so powerful, especially after seeing Wang Cong and others following behind Pan Yun, he was sure that she was really prestigious and they were truly respectful.

Pan Bai couldn't hold back his words even more than Pan Tao, and exclaimed: "Little sister, you are so awesome now."

Pan Yun: "It's just so-so. By the way, Third Brother, I have something for you."

She took out a purse from her sleeve, opened it and took out a yellow talisman. "This is a peace talisman. I strung it with a rope. Wear it around your neck. This is a fortune talisman. Carry it with you and your fortune will be better. This is a study talisman. It is actually a talisman for calming the mind and spirit. You should also carry it with you. It will help you study..."

Pan Bo was used to it and stuffed the talisman into his arms. "Okay, I'll remember it all."

Pan Yun: "Third brother, you must wear it. This talisman is different from the ones I drew before. I didn't have any energy before, but now that I have a higher level of cultivation, the talismans I draw are very effective."

(End of this chapter)