Chapter 256 Meeting the Parents
Of course, there's no going back.
After taking a long detour to reach the city gate, it was already closed, and they could only wait until the gate opened the next day to enter the city.
Qiu Heng stared at the tightly closed city gate for a while, unwilling to give up, and said helplessly, "Let's find a farmhouse to stay in for the night."
To be honest, her search for a teacher has always been unsuccessful. The last time she went with Brother Ling, they were kidnapped by spies posing as Taoist priests, and this time they encountered a rockfall that destroyed the road.
Perhaps, as Xue Han said, the time has not yet come for her and her husband to meet.
Xue Han also stared intently at the city gate, his face remaining calm, but in reality, he really wanted to rush over and smash the city gate open with his head.
If the old lady discovers that Aheng went out with him and didn't return all night—
"Xue Han, stop looking. The city gate won't open no matter how much you look."
Xue Han reluctantly withdrew his gaze: "Let's go, let's settle down first."
Qiu Heng didn't say anything at first and silently followed Xue Han, but seeing that he didn't hesitate at any fork in the road, as if he had a clear destination, she asked, "Is there a place you're familiar with?"
"An elder lives in the suburbs of Beijing. I need to trouble him today."
The elder Xue Han mentioned was none other than the former imperial physician, Xu Bo.
He could imagine how Uncle Xu would react if he saw him with a girl, but safety and reliability were more important than randomly finding a farmhouse to stay in.
Well, compared to the consequences of the old lady finding out, let Xu Boyai think what he wants.
"I've never heard you mention having any elders living in the suburbs of Beijing. What kind of people are they?"
"He was once a royal physician, but later committed a crime and went into seclusion in the suburbs of the capital."
The two walked quickly, but it got dark much faster at this time of year, and by the time they arrived at Uncle Xu's place, it was completely dark.
Xue Han did not knock on the door, but instead blew the bamboo whistle he always carried with him.
While waiting for the door to open, he explained in a low voice, "Uncle Xu is quite cautious; he knows it's me when he hears the whistle."
Not long after, footsteps were heard inside, and then the door opened.
Uncle Xu, carrying an oil lamp, said irritably, "You brat, can't you let people have a moment's peace and quiet this late at night—"
Upon seeing Qiu Heng standing next to Xue Han, Xu Bo swallowed the string of curses he was about to utter. He instinctively raised the lantern towards Qiu Heng and exclaimed in shock, "A woman?"
Suspecting that his eyesight was failing, Uncle Xu held the lamp even closer.
It really is a girl!
Seeing that Uncle Xu wanted to hold up the lantern to look a third time, Xue Han said, "Uncle Xu, why don't we go in and look again?"
Uncle Xu finally snapped out of his shock: "Come in."
The courtyard was also dark. Uncle Xu walked ahead, entered the main room, put the oil lamp on the table, and turned to look at Xue Han: "Xue boy, what's going on?"
“My friend and I went out of town on business and were delayed in returning, so we had to trouble Uncle Xu for one night.”
Going out of town with a friend on errands?
Xu Bo looked at Qiu Heng deeply, his face practically screaming disbelief.
"Uncle Xu, this is Aheng."
Qiu Heng greeted him graciously: "Uncle Xu."
Uncle Xu suddenly slapped his forehead, remembering: "Young Xue, the time you came to me for help was because of this little girl—"
Xue Han quickly covered Xu Bo's mouth, ignoring Xu Bo's incredulous look, and dragged him towards the east room: "Uncle Xu, have you been drinking late at night again? I've told you, you're too old for that, drink less, be careful not to fall..."
Xue Han only let go of Xu Bo after he was helped into the house.
Uncle Xu opened his mouth and cursed, "You little rascal—"
Xue Han lowered his voice: "Uncle Xu, good Uncle Xu, you don't want me to grow old alone, do you?"
If Ah Heng knew that he had come specifically to ask Uncle Xu about the smell of blood on a woman's body, what would she think of him?
Even with the thickest skin, Xue Han felt he couldn't take it.
"Look how nervous you are," Uncle Xu teased. "Have you made up your mind?"
In front of Uncle Xu, Xue Han revealed a childlike side that he rarely showed in front of Xue Quan: "Yes, I've made up my mind."
"Alright, I won't say anything out of line." Uncle Xu walked out. "My eyesight isn't good at night, so I won't stand on ceremony. Ah Heng, you can sleep in the west room. The west room has been empty all along. There are mattresses in the closet. Make your own bed."
Qiu Heng liked Xu Bo's straightforwardness and smiled as she agreed, "Okay."
Xu Bo looked at Xue Han again.
Xue Han hurriedly said, "Uncle Xu, if you don't mind, we can squeeze in, or I can sleep in the woodshed."
Xu Bo revealed a half-smile.
Look how scared this kid is! Did he think he was going to suggest that the two younger ones sleep in the west room together?
He's just a bit cynical, not brainless.
"You can sleep in the east room with me. Have you eaten yet?"
"We didn't eat (we ate)." Xue Han and Qiu Heng said at the same time.
Xu Bo looked at Xue Han.
Xue Han chuckled awkwardly, "I haven't eaten yet, I'm starving."
"Wait here." Uncle Xu went out with his hands behind his back.
Perhaps having pondered the decision of whether or not to kill Xue Quan, Qiu Heng only scrutinized and observed him when facing him. But in front of Uncle Xu, she felt as if she were meeting the elder of the man's family.
This made her feel a little embarrassed, and she said in a low voice, "It's so late, why bother Uncle Xu? We don't understand each other."
The lie was exposed on the spot, all Xue Han's fault.
Hearing Qiu Heng's reproach, Xue Han laughed and said, "I was just too hungry. I can't sleep if I don't eat."
Qiu Heng looked at Xue Han, who was smiling gently, and her cheeks burned. She slowly lowered her eyes.
Showing concern for someone requires such subtlety; I wonder where they learned this trick.
"Uncle Xu doesn't like formalities, so don't feel bad about bothering him."
"knew."
A coughing sound came from inside, and Uncle Xu came in carrying a tray.
Xue Han hurriedly took it and placed it on the table.
The dinner that Uncle Xu brought was very simple: a dish of pickled vegetables, a dish of pickled fish, and a few large steamed buns.
"This farmhouse is simple, just have something to eat," Xu Bo said, a smile playing on his lips as he seemed to remember something. "It's not as good as the snacks that Xue lad brought."
Xue Han paused for a moment, then glanced at Qiu Heng.
Qiu Heng seemed not to hear, taking a bite of steamed bun and a bite of vegetables, and quickly finished the steamed bun.
Uncle Xu watched silently, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
This girl is easy to please and not pretentious at all. Young Master Xue should find someone like her. If it were a pampered noblewoman, even if they were attracted to each other temporarily, it would be difficult for them to stay together for long.
After a quick meal and a simple wash, Qiu Heng went to the west room to rest, while Xue Han and Uncle Xu slept together on the kang (heated brick bed) in the east room.
"Young man Xue, you've found a good sweetheart."
Xue Han remained silent for a long time, then said in a low voice, "Uncle Xu, she was the little girl who gave me the red bean cake..."
In the darkness, Xu Bo gasped in surprise: "We actually found it!"
In the eyes of the world, Xue Han was young and powerful, cold and unrestrained, but he always remembered the child's vulnerable appearance.
As a child, Xue Han often had nightmares. Grandpa Xue asked him to treat him, and one time he heard the child reveal his inner turmoil.
That one time brought them closer. Later, when he got into trouble, it was Xue Han who desperately pleaded with Eunuch Xue to save his life.
“Young Xue, Heaven has been kind to you, so you should cherish your good fortune.”
People who harbor unresolved inner conflicts often have a shorter lifespan.
"Don't worry, Uncle Xu, I will."
Uncle Xu hummed in agreement and prepared to go to sleep, but then suddenly asked, "You two aren't married yet and you're staying outside. Don't your families have any objections?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
