Chapter 87 Madam Wei and Madam Duan come to offer congratulations.
I thought we'd get up early and go out for a stroll as planned, but unexpectedly, some guests arrived at the Gale Inn at sunrise—
"An invitation from the City Lord's Mansion?"
Qingyu came down a little late, and the girl stood in the corner asking Qin Tianshu a question.
Not far from them were several servants from the city lord's mansion and a steward, who were smiling and waiting for them. Wen Chuan and Fan Xiang stood in front of them and exchanged polite greetings with them.
Qin Tianshu looked at Qingyu and nodded, "Yes, they came early this morning and waited until now. They said they wanted to invite us to the city lord's mansion. Apparently, the new city lord heard about us and wanted to meet us."
Qingyu nodded, and Zhang Xuan walked over as well. "So, are you going?"
Qin Tianshu: "The people of Xiliang respect the Liujin tribe. We are newcomers and have been invited by them, so we should definitely go."
Qingyu smiled and said, "That's true. Maybe we can even attend the city lord's succession banquet in a few days."
Zhang Xuan was also somewhat intrigued. The young man chuckled as he rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, "I'm also curious about what the revered Liujin clan of Xiliang is really like."
As they spoke, they nodded slightly towards Wen Chuan.
He understood, and Qingyu also stepped forward with a smile. Just like that, the group made an agreement with the steward of the city lord's mansion that they would visit again in the afternoon, since they were in a hurry in the morning.
...
In the afternoon, at the Jinsha City Lord's Mansion.
To Qingyu and the others' surprise, the person who received them was not Wei Xun, the newly appointed city lord of the Wei family, whom the steward had mentioned in the morning and who was curious about and respected them, but his wife, Xiao Enci.
Currently, only the old city lord and his two sons live in the Liujin City Lord's Mansion. The old city lord's wife has long since passed away, and Wei Xun's younger brother is not yet married. Therefore, Wei Xun's wife is the only female member of the family in the mansion. After all, the succession ceremony has not yet been held - for now, let's call her Madam Wei.
The main hall.
As Qingyu and the others entered, Madam Wei smiled gently and even had her maid serve coconut tea, displaying both politeness and poise.
"Unfortunately, many friends have been visiting Sands Cotai Central recently, which has kept my husband busy, so he couldn't make it in time."
Qin Tianshu smiled and exchanged pleasantries with her, "It's alright. With the city lord's succession ceremony approaching, it's natural for City Lord Wei to be a little busy."
Madam Wei smiled and brought up the city lord's succession ceremony with them, implying that she was inviting them to the city lord's succession banquet a few days later. Qin Tianshu responded with a smile, and Wen Chuan would occasionally chime in.
Zhang Xuan didn't like drinking tea or listening to polite words. After Madam Wei noticed this, she had a servant lead the way, taking Zhang Xuan and Lin Fanxiang for a casual stroll around the city lord's mansion. She was both perceptive and poised.
Qingyu slowly sipped her date tea, observing Madam Wei. Madam Wei had a round face, almond-shaped eyes, and a gentle smile with dimples. Her lovely appearance was complemented by an elegant demeanor, and her poise carried an air of refinement. She was especially courteous and warm in her interactions with others, instantly winning one's favor.
There's something interesting. Over the years, the Liujin clan's bloodline has become impure. However, for basic protection, they usually seek out women from Xiliang as wives, who are from local aristocratic families. But this Lady Wei has a distinct Central Plains appearance, and her accent even leans towards the south. She doesn't seem like a woman from Xiliang at all.
Perhaps it was because Lord Wei Xun and she were mutually in love that this lady married into this family, Qingyu thought.
Coincidentally, at this moment, a servant came to report that City Lord Wei Xun had returned, but as soon as he returned, he went back to his study to attend to official business. Hearing that Qing Yu and the others had arrived, he specially asked someone to say that they would be there soon.
Qin Tianshu checked the time. The scholar smiled and said they could go and pay their respects to the city lord, and then they could leave, as he had other matters to attend to that night.
Madam Wei smiled helplessly, and had the servant lead Qin Tianshu and Wen Chuan away first, while she herself took Qingyu to find Zhang Xuan and the others.
Qingyu nodded, pursed her lips, and walked with her.
Under the eaves, the two walked quietly, with some rare green plants in the distance.
They chatted casually. Madam Wei looked at Qingyu and smiled, her words carrying a hint of curiosity. "Miss Qingyu is very beautiful, but to me, she looks more like a local woman from Xiliang."
This is true. Qingyu has striking features, with bright eyes and white teeth, and excellent bone structure. Especially this year, as she has blossomed, and now that she is married to Wen Chuan, her smile carries a radiant charm, and upon closer inspection, there is even a hint of unconscious allure.
Such an appearance is rare in the southern region, so it's understandable that Mrs. Wei was curious.
Qingyu smiled and said, "I suppose Lord Wei didn't tell his wife that I come from Yizhou and am a demon from Qishan."
"That's how it was,"
Madam Wei laughed, showing no surprise or fear, and maintained her smile. "I hope Miss Qingyu won't take offense, but you do resemble my sister, which has piqued my curiosity."
"Sister? But Madam doesn't seem to resemble a woman from Xiliang."
When Qingyu asked, Madam Wei replied, “Miss, you may not know this, but my father was a merchant from the Hu region, and my mother was from Jiaozhou. Later, my sister and I were born. I look like my mother, and I lived in the south when I was young. My sister looks like my father and has the appearance of a woman from Xiliang. Although she is not as beautiful as Miss Qingyu, she is still a lively and bright woman.”
“My home is in Liangzhou City. Since I married into Jinsha, I haven’t seen my sister for a long time, so I was a little dazed when I saw Qingyu just now.”
Qingyu smiled and said, "Is that so? The city lord's succession ceremony is in two days. Why doesn't Madam invite her to visit Jinsha City?"
Madam Wei walked with her, the woman pursing her lips with regret, "I had intended to, but unfortunately she is free-spirited and likes to travel with merchant caravans, often going to the south to purchase goods... The journey is long, and she happens to be away from Xiliang at this time."
"It's a pity, otherwise I would like to meet her. After all, it's fate that we look alike."
Qingyu smiled, and just then Zhang Xuan and Fan Xiang walked towards them. After exchanging pleasantries, the group left.
...
Outside the city lord's mansion.
It was said that the city lord was extremely busy. Qin Tianshu and Wen Chuan had just arrived at the study and exchanged a few words when they heard that the Duan family from Shangyun City in Xiliang had arrived. Finally, the scholar and Wen Chuan exchanged a glance, and without lingering, they bowed and left.
The three main cities of Xiliang are Liangzhou City, Shangyun City, and Jinsha City. Among them, the Liujin Wei family is the main family, and there are also some prominent families such as the Cheng family, Yuwen family, and Duan family. With the succession of the Jinsha City Lord, it is likely that all parties have sent people.
Qingyu didn't see the city lord either. Not long after meeting up with Zhang Xuan and the others, the young men left the city lord's mansion together. Qingyu and Wenchuan walked ahead, while Qin Tianshu and the others followed behind, talking about the city lord, Wei Xun.
"I always felt that this city lord was a bit strange."
Qin Tianshu seemed to be deep in thought, and Wen Chuan frowned slightly upon hearing this, "The butler behind him..."
"That's strange," Qingyu said, glancing at Wen Chuan and then at Qin Tianshu. "What's wrong? Is there something odd about this city lord?"
Zhang Xuan also said, "That's rare, none of you can say it."
The boy's tone was a mixture of curiosity and surprise. Qin Tianshu gave him a disapproving look. "It's nothing, we're probably overthinking it..."
As he spoke, Wen Chuan smiled but remained silent. Qing Yu looked at him suspiciously, and just as she was about to speak, a carriage came speeding towards them, raising dust all over the ground with a whooshing sound.
"Smack!"
Qin Tianshu opened his fan and flicked it, using a bit of spiritual energy to send the dust flying back—
Qingyu and his companions were walking on the side of the road, which was not supposed to be close to the carriage in the middle of the road. However, for some reason, this carriage was speeding in the middle of the road. The land of Jinsha City is already full of sand and dust, and with this, who knows how much dirt and dust was floating in the air.
"Cough cough cough cough—How dare you!"
On the carriage, the driver, his eyes stung by dust, hurriedly stopped the horse, coughing and waving his hands, cursing at them as he mumbled something unintelligible.
Qingyu crossed her arms, watching with a leisurely air. Wen Chuan, standing beside her, looked at her with a gentle smile in his eyes.
Suddenly the car window rolled down, and a woman stared at them, about to speak sarcastically, but was then drawn to the handsome young man—
The men of Xiliang are generally large and burly, and it is rare to find one as refined and elegant as jade. He is a gentleman with gentle features and a soft, dark blue robe that adds to his gentleness. Especially now, his eyes are filled with tenderness and a smile, and his movements are light and casual, which makes people's hearts turn to look at him.
Duan Zixi was momentarily stunned. In this vast land, regardless of gender, everyone is beautiful, but it was precisely this kind of gentle and refined man that she, Duan Zixi, loved most...
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Wen Chuan frowned for a moment and looked up.
Inside the car window, Duan Zixi slightly raised her chin, looking at him with bright eyes. Her gaze was so bold that Qing Yu and the others all looked over.
"Heh," Qin Tianshu shook his fan, waving away the dust particles in the air, and laughed, "The sandy ground in the city is difficult to walk on, young lady, you should walk slowly."
Duan Zixi snorted dismissively and glanced at them.
"How interesting! When did Xiliang Prefecture get so many good-looking people?" she thought to herself, but on the surface, she refused to be outdone.
"My carriage was moving perfectly fine when you suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I haven't even blamed you for blocking the way yet!"
Lin Fanxiang glanced at Duan Zixi's audacious look at Wen Chuan, then at Qing Yu who remained silent. The usually aloof girl spoke first, her voice cold.
"No wonder the driver couldn't drive well; it's because the master's eyesight is poor."
It was rare for her to be so sharp. Qingyu glanced at her sideways. The girl smiled, her eyes filled with interest and surprise. Lin Fanxiang met her gaze and also raised her eyebrows slightly.
Qingyu smiled, but before she could speak, Duan Zixi's angry voice came from the carriage, "You dare to insult me! Do you know who I am!"
Qingyu looked up at her. The girl in red still had a smile in her eyes. She shook her head at Duan Zixi.
"have no idea."
Her tone was so innocent that Zhang Xuan couldn't help but laugh out loud. He followed up, "That's really funny. If you don't tell me, how would anyone know who you are!"
"You, you all! I am a member of the Shangyun Duan family!"
Duan Zixi said angrily, her eyes sweeping over them before settling on Wen Chuan, "Well, now you know who I am, right?"
Qingyu: "Oh."
"You! You wait here—hey—stop the car! Hey, what's wrong with you!"
"Second Miss! The horse won't obey!"
"Neigh! Neigh!"
"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!—"
Before Duan Zixi could finish speaking, she heard the coachman suddenly start driving the carriage again, as if the horse had gone mad. In an instant, before she could finish speaking, the carriage jolted and disappeared at the end of the road.
Bumping along, another stretch of dust.
Qin Tianshu helplessly fanned himself again. Wen Chuan, expressionless, pulled Qing Yu ahead. He held Qing Yu's hand, and Qing Yu couldn't help but laugh twice.
Zhang Xuan, who was behind him, also clicked his tongue in admiration, "Truly, beauty can be a trap—wow!"
Qin Tianshu had already closed his fan, and with a smile, he tapped Lin Fanxiang on the head. Lin Fanxiang shook his head helplessly, but his words still carried a smile.
"Alright, let's go."
The women of Xiliang are unrestrained, but they are also too arrogant. We will meet the Duan family of Shangyun again in a couple of days, so let's not disturb them while they stroll around the city today.
...
Wen Chuan and Qing Yu walked quickly, and Qing Yu was the last to complain of pain in her hands.
Wen Chuan stopped, and the young man glanced at her indifferently. He held her hand clearly, but not very tightly.
Qingyu laughed, "What are you doing? I didn't do anything."
"Yeah,"
He said this solemnly, "That woman's appearance makes me uncomfortable, and you should speak up for me, Madam."
Wen Chuandi's tone was unusually serious, and his words were strangely "blaming" her. Qingyu closed her eyes, the girl suppressed a laugh, and looked up at him, "Okay, okay, next time, if anyone looks at you like that again, I will stand in front of them and tell them they are not allowed to look at my husband like that."
"The kind that's really tough, absolutely!"
"Don't be upset, let's wait for Brother Tianshu and the others, and go shopping together later."
"I've never worn the dresses worn by women in Xiliang before. They're so shiny and I think they're so beautiful."
"How about I wear this tonight? It'll look great on you!"
"Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?"
She smiled radiantly, snuggling close to him, her eyes sparkling with desire for him.
Wen Chuan sighed silently. He leaned down, their foreheads touching, and as their eyes met, he finally smiled gently.
"Bad girl."
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