Chapter 749 A Sparring Match is Insisted

The next day, Song Chunxue went to the second son's courtyard early in the morning, followed by Liu Chunshu.

The second son was washing his face when he saw her come in, and his face was full of smiles.

"Mother, are you coming so early to accompany me to the Hu family's house?" The second son wiped his face with a towel. "Is Steward Liu going too?"

He tidied the table. "Mother, Steward Liu, please sit down. I'll go to the kitchen to check on breakfast."

"Second Young Master, please sit down. I'll go take a look."

Although Liu Chunshu was the steward of the Xie family, he rarely heard people call him that, so he was a little unaccustomed to it.

Jiang Yehui was a little uneasy. "Actually, we're just going today to discuss some minor details to avoid any mishaps. It's okay if Mother doesn't go."

“It would be fine if I weren’t here, but now that I’m in Jincheng and I’m not going, the Hu family will definitely talk about it. Besides, you’re the most ordinary of the He family’s sons-in-law. If you go to their house during holidays, you might get a cold shoulder. It’s better to avoid any gossip.”

Jiang Yehui nodded, "Mother is so thoughtful."

Seeing him rubbing his hands together, Song Chunxue realized something was wrong.

"Second brother, what's wrong with you? Why are you being so polite to me today? Are you treating me like your mother-in-law?"

Jiang Yehui chuckled, "No, it's just that I feel really embarrassed. My marriage is such a hassle, making my mother run around so many times."

"Did someone say something to you? Why are you acting so awkward?" Song Chunxue glared at him. "Why are you being so polite to your mother at a time like this? What, are you afraid your wife will give me a hard time later, or do you want me to serve her?"

"No, no, they already have maids. Besides, the money I'm earning now, plus what Mother gave me, is enough to buy another maid to take care of them. How could I trouble Mother to take care of them?" The second son picked up the teapot. "Mother, have some tea."

"Don't you have any tea in a pot?" Song Chunxue stood up. "What does brewed tea taste like? I want some boiled tea today."

"Okay, I'll go find the tea stove right now. Mother, please wait a moment." With that, Jiang Yehui ran out.

Song Chunxue sensed something was wrong. Why was he suddenly so afraid of her? Could it be that he had done something wrong and was feeling guilty?

Before long, Liu Chunshu brought over bitter bean oil buns and poached eggs.

"You should go back. I'll go to the Hu family with the second brother. You shouldn't go." Song Chunxue looked at Liu Chunshu, not understanding why Xie Zheng insisted on having him come along.

The butler, Xie Dong, was older and looked like a relative of the Jiang family, which made sense.

But Liu Chunshu is a cunning man; who knows if he's been assigned some kind of mission?

Although revealing her relationship with Lord Xie might make the Hu family treat her second son more politely in the future out of respect for Lord Xie, she doesn't want anyone to know about it now.

We used to be friends, but now... it's hard to say.

"Madam, don't worry..." Realizing he had spoken offhand, Liu Chunshu glanced at her and smiled as he corrected himself, "Master Song, don't worry, it's just to make up the numbers. Just don't send the Third Young Master and the Fourth Young Master, they're both quite busy."

That's true.

"Aren't you going to take Mr. Huo up the mountain? Don't stay out too late. Go early and come back early so you can help the Second Young Master with his wedding quilt."

His reminder made Song Chunxue realize that the wedding quilt she had sewed for her second son was still a little short.

She no longer declined.

After drinking tea and having breakfast, they boarded a carriage and went to the Hu family's house.

Hu Wanying's mother was very polite and attentive, giving many detailed instructions. She even asked Liu Chunshu about it, but Liu Chunshu only said that she was a relative of the Jiang family.

Before leaving, guests arrived at the Hu family's home.

Song Chunxue recognized him; he was a local Taoist priest from Jincheng, whom she had met once before when the Taoist temple was consecrated.

"Master Song, I never expected your son to marry a girl from the Xu family. You are truly blessed."

The disheveled man in front of her stroked his beard and greeted Song Chunxue with a half-smile.

"Greetings, Master Xu. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. It is indeed my second son's good fortune to marry a girl like Wanying." Song Chunxue pointed to the door. "Master Xu, you are busy. We will go back now."

Master Xu turned around and looked her up and down. “Don’t be in such a hurry to leave. I heard that you have a close relationship with Lord Xie. Even for such an important event as today, Lord Xie’s personal attendants were with you. It’s clear how close you two are.”

Hu Wanying's mother's gaze swept back and forth between the two of them.

"Master Xu, my mother-in-law may be busy. You can talk about your business another time. Let's take a look at my child first."

Knowing that she was trying to help him out, Song Chunxue went along with it, saying, "Yes, Master Xu, I'll visit your temple another day. Let's not delay your in-laws' business today."

Master Xu, however, was not on the same page. He had a lot of opinions about this female cultivator who had overshadowed many senior practitioners. Now that he had finally run into her, he naturally had to say a few words.

"It's been years, and we haven't seen you come to our Taoist temple. Besides, someone saw you traveling with Lord Xie to White Pagoda Mountain yesterday, but we didn't see you come in to burn incense."

"It's a rare opportunity to meet you today. I would like to spar with Master Song. I've heard that your swordsmanship is superb, and that you've reached a state of perfection in just two years. I would appreciate any guidance you may offer, Master Song."

Although Master Xu offered guidance, his tone and expression clearly showed his disdain.

Jiang Yehui was very dissatisfied to see his mother being harassed.

“Since it’s just hearsay, it’s just a rumor. You said my mother has only been practicing for two years, so how could she have reached such a high level? As for who my mother is close to, that’s her own business. Why should others worry about it?” Jiang Yehui raised his hand and patted Song Chunxue’s back. “Mother, let’s go.”

Liu Chunshu stood aside, pondering how to start the conversation skillfully.

"Wait a minute," Master Xu continued, "Why are you in such a hurry? We're all on the same path, it's normal to spar. I won't make things difficult for your mother. Letting my disciple exchange a few moves with her shouldn't take much time."

"Is the Taoist priest hard of hearing? We have things to do when we get back. There's no need to compete with your disciple. We're not participating in any martial arts tournament. If you want to spar, go find someone else!" Jiang Yehui retorted angrily.

Song Chunxue turned around and patted his shoulder, "It's okay, I'll take care of it."

She looked at Madam Hu and said, "Taoist priest, we can spar, but not today. The occasion and timing are not right. Do you intend to fight in my mother-in-law's courtyard?"

"Another day, you can have your disciple come up the mountain to spar. I will be waiting for you." Song Chunxue looked at Hu Wanying's mother, cupped his hands and said, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Mother-in-law. We will go back and make preparations, and come to welcome the bride on time."

"Alright, take care, my dear in-law." She looked at Liu Chunshu standing to the side, thinking that she couldn't afford to offend Lord Xie's people today.

The fact that they repeatedly asked someone to accompany them speaks volumes.

“Then let’s go outside and have a match,” Master Xu said, determined to have a contest with Song Chunxue. He walked towards the door, saying, “It’s just a matter of a few moves, why keep refusing? It’s like you look down on us.”

As he spoke, he called out, "Disciple, follow me."