The two stopped in front of the Dai Mansion. The lintel was decorated in a grand manner. Su Xiaoliu stepped forward and gently knocked on the vermilion gate.
The gate was opened by two attendants, who stepped aside respectfully.
Su Xiaoliu scanned the surroundings and frowned. On the gilded and hollowed-out beams, there was an eagle ornament on the southwest tip, looking as if it was about to take off. Every corner here, every stroke of the outline, seemed to be decorated and depicted with all one's might. Looking around, one could only feel a grandeur that was both serene and magnificent. Nearby, there were several elegant bamboo houses, a pond full of jade lotuses, and oddly - shaped rockeries. In the distance, there were lush mountains, and small buildings were shrouded in the clouds and mist.
Not far away, a man in his thirties came forward. He had handsome eyebrows and a stubble of blue beard on his chin. He was wearing a crescent - colored long robe embroidered with exquisite totems. There were several accessories hanging on his white jade waistband, and he was wearing a pair of white boots embroidered with gold edges. When he saw Su Xiaoliu, he immediately put on a smile, looking very amiable.
Seeing him, Su Xiaoliu pulled Situ Qianyue over and said, "Second brother - in - law."
This man was Yan Yuqing, the husband of Su Yueru, the second miss of the Su family and Su Xiaoliu's second brother - in - law. He used to be a storyteller when he was young, and later became a private tutor, teaching students.
Yan Yuqing nodded with a smile. His eyes fell on Situ Qianyue beside her. He said with a smile, "Is this my brother - in - law?"
"Hello, second brother - in - law." Situ Qianyue hooked the corner of his mouth and said politely.
Su Xiaoliu looked up at Situ Qianyue. Just as she was about to speak, she saw a pink figure pounce over.
"Yuqing, Yuqing. Father won against me again in chess. Go and help me win back!" The woman was wearing a peach - colored silk dress. She had a standard oval face with a pair of watery eyes and a slender waist that could be easily grasped. At the moment, she was pouting and complaining to her husband coquettishly.
Yan Yuqing lowered his head and smiled. The woman in the peach - colored silk dress suddenly let go of the arm she was holding around Yan Yuqing. She turned to look at Su Xiaoliu standing there, and then her eyes fell on Situ Qianyue beside her. Her cherry - like mouth suddenly opened wide.
"Are you Xiaoliu's fourth husband?" She looked surprised, as if she didn't expect the person in front of her to be so good - looking.
Su Xiaoliu was stunned for a moment, and then lowered her head embarrassedly.
She was Su Yueru, the second miss of the Su family and Su Xiaoliu's second elder sister. Su Xiaoliu was usually most afraid of her. Whenever she spoke, she always said things without thinking, which made people feel very uncomfortable.
Situ Qianyue smiled at her and said, "Hello, second sister."
Su Yueru stared at him, opened her mouth, and finally whispered, "He's so good - looking. Could he be bought by father?"
"Yueru, how can you talk like that?" Yan Yuqing lowered his head and scolded her. Immediately, Su Yueru pursed her lips and said nothing.
Su Xiaoliu pretended not to hear. She looked at Yan Yuqing and said, "I'll go first. I'm here to see father about something." After saying that, she pulled Situ Qianyue towards the front hall.
Situ Qianyue tilted his head and looked at her, smiling, "My lady is angry."
Su Xiaoliu replied without thinking, "No."
Situ Qianyue just smiled and said nothing.
In the innermost part of the front hall, three charming ladies were bustling around, their hands never stopping. In the middle sat Lord Su, who was constantly stuffing food into his mouth. From afar, he looked like a ball sitting on a carved sandalwood chair.
"Father." Su Xiaoliu called out from afar.
Lord Su and the three ladies stopped their actions and looked over together.
"Xiaoliu, why are you back?" Lord Su was first happy, then a little surprised. Finally, when his eyes fell on Situ Qianyue beside her, he was a little confused.
Su Xiaoliu walked up to Lord Su and said, "Father, give me a thousand taels of gold. I need to pay someone back."
"Why did Xiaoliu owe someone money?" The eldest lady put down her work and walked over, asking with concern.
Situ Qianyue smiled slightly and said politely, "It was I who owed the money. I just borrowed it from my lady first. I will pay it back in the future."
Lord Su didn't care about this amount of money. It seemed that he had already known it in his heart. He waved his hand without hesitation and said, "Ask your mother to give it to you later. Since you're back, stay for one night and cultivate your relationship with your son - in - law." Then he looked up at Situ Qianyue and asked, "Are you living well?"
"Quite well." Situ Qianyue nodded with a smile.
Su Xiaoliu glanced at him, wanting to say something but stopped.
"That's good." Lord Su nodded in satisfaction.
Su Xiaoliu looked at Lord Su. She pulled Situ Qianyue and said, "Father, we won't stay here today. We'll come back to visit you another day."
Just as Lord Su was about to say something, the ladies gave him a look. Lord Su immediately showed an understanding expression and quickly nodded, saying, "Okay, okay. Then I won't keep you. Come back and ask father for whatever you need."
"Thank you, father." Su Xiaoliu smiled with curved lips and pulled Situ Qianyue out.
Situ Qianyue looked down at Su Xiaoliu and said, "My lady, what kind of person do you hope I can become?"
Su Xiaoliu lowered her head and said, "It would be best if you could become a person who can make money."
Anyway, she was going to leave. If he could learn to live well, it wouldn't be a bad thing. Su Xiaoliu thought to herself.
"I will learn." Situ Qianyue nodded and said, "By the way, my lady."
Su Xiaoliu looked up and asked, "What's up?"
Situ Qianyue suddenly smiled with curved lips and said, "It's nothing."
Su Xiaoliu glanced at him, opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
It wasn't until the second debt collector came to the door that Su Xiaoliu knew what he wanted to say.
Two birds stopped on the stone steps, pecking at the crumbs on the ground. The sun shone on the stone steps, adding a touch of tranquility.
A slender hand gently stroked the feathers on the neck of the green sparrow in the tree. Suddenly, the delicate diamond - shaped lips curved into a charming arc.
"Xiaoliu has gotten married again." The finger that was stroking the green sparrow retracted. The woman turned around. Her gorgeous apricot - colored long gown trailed on the ground. Her black hair was coiled up, with a white feather inserted obliquely. Her face, which resembled Su Xiaoliu's by three - tenths, was more beautiful.
Not far away, there stood a cold - looking man in a royal - blue long robe. The man's long hair was casually hanging down. Although he was smiling, his eagle - like eyes were full of coldness.
"Then congratulations to her."
The woman in the apricot - colored long gown walked up to him. Her fair fingers brushed across his cheek, and a charming laugh rang out.
"Bean - curd seller, what are you thinking about?" There was a full smile in the woman's phoenix - like eyes.
The man with eagle - like eyes grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her to his chest. His voice was deep, "If I were really a bean - curd seller, could I marry you?" A rare hint of teasing flashed in his eagle - like eyes. "If it's selling bean - curd in the martial arts world, then it's not wrong."
The woman in the apricot - colored long gown covered her mouth and laughed.
The man with eagle - like eyes continued, "Who did your sister marry this time? Do you want me to help and drive that guy away? Anyway, she doesn't want to get married."
The woman's eyes turned slightly cold. She whispered, "Chang He, don't you even think about touching her. I don't want her to be involved in the martial arts world." After a moment, she smiled lightly and said, "You don't need to worry about these things. She will free herself. If you feel bored, you might as well think about what treasures will be unveiled at the martial arts conference in half a month."
"Treasures? Of course I know..."
The man grabbed her hand and stood there. With his eagle - like eyes fixed on the green sparrow in the tree, he let out a soft laugh, and an enigmatic expression flashed across his face.
In the old temple, it was empty all around. The sun shone through the hole in the roof.
"Sir, we've only found out the whereabouts of the Eastern Star Lord among the four Star Lords. She has already lurked beside the martial arts alliance leader." A gray - clothed man said to the man sitting against the wall in front of him. His silver - gray eyes sparkled in the sun.
There was no expression on that handsome face. Suddenly, his long eyelashes trembled slightly.
"Good." After a long while, his red lips parted slightly, and he said, "Many people bet that the treasure the alliance leader will unveil at the martial arts conference this time is the Heavenly Gift Sword. They don't know that the Heavenly Lord has already given the sword to me. Chu Xun, guess what treasure he will bring out this time?"
The gray - clothed man named Chu Xun thought for a while, then raised his head. His silver - gray eyes looked at the man and said, "Could it be the Golden Jade Tree of our family?"
The man's beautiful diamond - shaped lips curved up, and he said, "I guess it's very likely." His ink - black eyes looked at him. "I've hidden the Heavenly Gift Sword. No one can tell my identity while I'm hiding here."
"Why did you marry her, sir?" Chu Xun looked up at him. His silver - gray eyes were full of confusion as he finally said what had been on his mind for a long time.
The man chuckled. His slender fingers gently twirled the jade bracelet in his hand, and the bracelet glowed with a charming luster.
"Because I like her."