After the two of them memorized the "rules of bowing to heaven and earth," Yan Qing took the initiative and directly pulled Yan Che back the way they came.
Along the way, she carefully memorized the layout of the corridor, and the two returned to the main entrance.
The gate was now completely closed, and there was no one there.
Yan Qing didn't even look up, and stepped directly onto the corridor on the left side of the gate. Sure enough, the layout here was exactly the same as the one they had walked through before, only in a different direction.
As you walk along the corridor, the scene changes completely. Not only are the plants lush and verdant, but they have also been carefully tended, making it exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
As I walked, I heard the voices of several people talking in the distance, accompanied by hearty laughter, which sounded very friendly.
The moment Yan Qing and her companion appeared, all sound ceased. Everyone's eyes turned to them.
In the high hall in the center sat a handsome middle-aged man wearing a round-necked brocade robe, who turned out to be the fake butler who had led the two of them there earlier!
Once Yan Che saw his face clearly, he immediately exploded, "I say, you shameless old man, you deliberately led us to a fake place, and then you come here to act as the host. I didn't realize you had such guts!"
The middle-aged man was stunned after being bombarded with a barrage of words; he seemed somewhat incredulous.
"Brother Mu, what do you mean by that?" He had been entertaining guests here the whole time and hadn't gone out at all.
Yan Che was almost laughing in anger; this guy's acting was better than an award-winning actor! So he continued his tirade without holding back.
"Who else could it be but you? I remember your face perfectly. Don't think I won't recognize you just because you changed your clothes! Tell me! Who are you?!"
Now all the guests in the room were indignant, and a kind-looking, plump old monk stood up.
“Amitabha, Benefactor Mu, this old monk can testify on behalf of Master Sima. He has been here with us for almost an hour. If it weren’t for waiting for you, this old monk would have gone to rest long ago. Benefactor Mu, you can’t just say things like that!”
Yan Qing also noticed something was wrong. The middle-aged man in front of her had a refined and elegant demeanor, and seemed completely different from the silent middle-aged man.
It wasn't their appearance, but their temperaments that were completely opposite. Like one black and one white, one light and one dark.
So she said, "I'm sorry, Master Sima, when we entered, we encountered a person who looked exactly like you. He led us to the front hall on the right, and then he disappeared."
"We waited for a long time without seeing anyone, so we took it upon ourselves to come here. Seeing someone who looks exactly like us, we couldn't help but feel a little resentful."
She spoke with utmost sincerity, "If there is anything offensive, please forgive me, sir."
After these words were spoken, the expressions of the people in the hall improved considerably. The old monk who had spoken earlier silently chanted a Buddhist prayer.
“Amitabha, I knew that Benefactor Mu was not an impulsive person. I didn’t know he had such an experience.”
He turned to look at Master Sima, "I'm also curious. We've known each other for over a decade, how come I didn't know you had an identical twin brother?"
Master Sima's expression seemed a little off; there was surprise, delight, and even a hint of anticipation. Everyone in the room noticed this change in his expression.
Since they were all friends of Master Sima, everyone tacitly kept quiet. However, they couldn't help but gossip about it amongst themselves.
Big news! Master Sima actually has a twin brother! This is amazing!
However, after regaining his senses, Master Sima immediately denied the matter.
"I'm sorry, I am an only child and have no brothers or sisters."
Whether people believe his explanation or not is another matter. In short, that's how the matter is resolved.
Master Sima then began to introduce Yan Qing to the guests in the room.
"Gentlemen, this marriage is my second wife, and I originally did not intend to hold a grand ceremony, so I only invited a few close relatives and friends. Everyone here is an old acquaintance, but this Miss Su is the only one who was personally invited by my wife. Please allow me to introduce her."
Yan Qing immediately got into character, bowed to everyone, and said, "This humble woman is Su Xian'er, greetings to all of you."
The guests present had long been curious about this new beauty, and when Su Xian'er's name was mentioned, everyone had an expression of sudden realization.
Immediately, a young gentleman stood up, clasped his hands in a gesture of praise, and exclaimed...
"So it's Master Su! I've long admired Master Su's literary talent. Let me introduce myself, I am Liang Zicai, the heir to the largest salt merchant family in this city."
Yan Qing smiled slightly at him. A salt merchant, he's rich! No wonder he's dressed so glitteringly in gold.
Master Sima laughed, "Young Master Liang is still so outspoken!" Then he introduced Yan Qing to the other people, the first of whom was the old monk.
"Master Yijing is a highly respected monk of Famen Temple, whose Buddhist teachings are profound and extensive."
The old monk clasped his hands together and said, "Amitabha, Benefactor Sima, you flatter me. I dare not accept such praise."
Next, we are introduced a couple. "These are the owners of Huichuntang, the most famous pharmacy in the city, Dr. Zhang and his wife. Dr. Zhang's ancestors were imperial physicians for generations, and his flying needle technique is superb."
Dr. Zhang was a pale-faced, scholarly man in his thirties. Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "No, no, I wouldn't dare."
However, Madam Zhang, who sat beside her, was like a traditional Chinese ink painting, with an extraordinary and refined temperament, which made Yan Qing look at her several times.
Unfortunately, Master Sima did not elaborate on her meaning.
These four people were all the guests in the front hall. After introducing them, Master Sima began to formally introduce Yan Qing.
"Su Xian'er, the Lady Su, I'm sure everyone has heard of her reputation, right? I won't go into further detail, hahaha—"
As expected of someone who had served as an official, Master Sima's eloquence was truly remarkable. Through his banter, the group gradually became acquainted.
As everyone was engrossed in their conversation, they unknowingly reached the time when the moon was high in the sky.
It was already dark outside when an old man dressed in a red robe and mandarin jacket suddenly appeared.
"Master, dinner is ready. Please move to the flower hall for your meal."
Master Sima was the first to stand up. “In that case, everyone, please follow me.”
Yan Qing was about to get up when she suddenly saw a figure shrouded in black robes slowly walking towards the front hall not far behind the butler.
She immediately looked at Master Sima, but unfortunately, he only paused for a moment before personally going to greet him.
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