Chapter 31: To Push or Not to Push? (Seeking Recommendation Tickets)

  After lunch at the Yang family workshop, Wang Zhanggui personally escorted Dongjia out of the door. Leaving the workshop and standing at the crossroads, Xia Chuo hesitated in his heart: "At this time..., it's almost time for my appointment with Miao Yiguniang, should I go or not?"

  Deep down, Xia Zhen didn't want to see her. From that brief encounter the other day, Xia Zhen had already sensed that the Gu family mother and daughter, as well as Yang Wenxuan, all had some unclear relationships with each other. Now the only thing he still hadn't figured out was whether this mother and daughter knew of each other's existence, and... to what extent Miss Sun and Yang Wenxuan had developed their relationship.

  As for Mrs. Sun... it's not necessary to mention, just thinking of her appearance that was hard to bear, Xia Jun secretly shuddered, even a blind person could feel the intimacy between them had reached what level, this Yang Wenxuan, really...

  If possible, Xia Xian hoped that he would never have any connection with this mother and daughter again in his life. However, the suspicion of Gong Yun's outsider was getting heavier and heavier. To find out the potential threat, we need to investigate the person's background first. It is not easy to break through from the front, starting from Sun's wife, 100% must have a relationship with that woman, maybe starting from Miss Sun will have an unexpected effect...

  To see or not to see? It's really hard to decide.

  Peng Ziqi asked somewhat suspiciously: "You haven't even thought about where you want to go, have you?"

  "Can't handle a mature and charming woman like Mrs. Sun, can't even handle a young maiden? Either way, it's a dead end, might as well go all out!"

  Xia Liu took a deep breath and puffed out his chest: "Let's go, to the Jade Emperor Temple."

  Peng Ziqing said bluntly: "You scholars don't go to worship at the Confucius Temple, what's the point of worshipping the Jade Emperor?"

  "It's just that there is someone I don't want to see but have no choice but to see waiting for me over there."

  Peng Ziqi was about to ask another question when Xia Jie had already taken a step forward and walked away.

  The Nanyang Temple of Jade Emperor, the incense was not very prosperous, and the believers and tourists entering and leaving the mountain gate were sparse. Xia Liu brought Peng Qi to the front of the Jade Emperor Temple, looked up at the high mountain gate sign, and was about to walk in when someone suddenly called out: "Ah, so Master Yang is here."

  Just as Xia Xian was about to leave, he saw an old man in a green robe emerge from behind the stele corridor on his right side, with a smile on his face, and come over to him. He bowed deeply and said, "Old Zhu Dong, at your service, Master Yang."

  Xia Yu looked at this person dressed as a family servant, with a somewhat familiar face, and slightly startled said: "You are..."

  The old man smiled and said, "Xiao Lao Er is the steward of the Zhu family. Two days ago at the crossroads, my young master had a conflict with someone, and Xiao Lao Er mediated and reconciled them..."

  "Ah!" He said this and Xia Yu suddenly remembered, patting his forehead: "Right right right, I remember now, why did the old steward come here today?"

  "Ah, my young mistress has come to the temple to burn incense, and I've accompanied her here. As an old man, I'm no longer of much use, and walking too far makes me short of breath, so I waited outside the temple while she went in. I was resting under the corridor when I saw you, sir, and came over to greet you and express my thanks."

  As he spoke, he glanced at the companion standing beside Xia Xun, who was even more beautiful than a big girl, and smiled: "Young master also comes to the temple to worship?"

  "Hmm... yes, just arrived here, let's go into the temple to pay respects, and then we'll be done. The old steward will see us off."

  After answering the steward of the Zhu mansion, Xia Xun slightly nodded to Peng Ziqi and stepped into the mountain gate. He then entered the ceremonial gate, passed by the Chengtang Hall, skirted around the Xianting and Yu Huang halls, and suddenly saw two familiar figures in the Twenty-Eight Constellations Hall on the left wing. Xia Xun took a closer look and found that under the statue of Xuanyan Mouse God, there was a pair of men and women standing together. The man had clear eyebrows and bright eyes, while the woman was elegant and beautiful, surprisingly they were Miss Zhu Shanbi from the Zhu family and Cui Yuanlie whom he met just two days ago.

  Seeing the two of them laughing and chatting, one was lively and spirited, with a radiant complexion, while the other's eyebrows and eyes conveyed emotions, covering her lips with a smile, as if they had already developed some feelings for each other. Xia Fu couldn't help but smile: "In just a few short days, they've actually... This is truly a natural match."

  Peng Ziqi stood by and said, "Don't you go forward and greet him?"

  "Let's not bother him now, it's better not to disturb him at this time."

  Just then, Cui Yuanlie and Zhu Niang said a few words to each other, and he handed over a treasure note to Zhu Niang's personal maid, who seemed to be going to buy something. The little maid took the treasure note with joy and left, while Cui Yuanlie bowed his hands to Zhu Niang, who nodded shyly. The two of them turned towards the depths of the temple together, with Cui Yuanlie pointing and explaining the legends and stories of the gods in the temple as they walked.

  Xia Xiao smiled slightly and turned to the other side of the corridor: "Let's go, let's go this way, don't disturb this loving couple."

  Peng Ziqi followed him and turned back to look at him, intentionally saying: "That Miss Zhu is very beautiful, if you had approached her that day, with your family background and appearance, maybe she would have fallen for you."

  Xia Yu Dao said: "Are there only a few thousand beautiful women in the world? Must I use every trick in the book to get my hands on them just because they're beautiful?"

  "Are you not such a person?"

  Xia Liu smiled meaningfully: "Fate is like the wind, and the wind is unpredictable. When clouds gather, it's fate; when they disperse, it's also fate. Fate can't be sought after, one can only wait for it to come on its own. Coming is fate, going is also fate. Having obtained something is fate, not having obtained it is also fate. The person I want must have fate with me. What kind of person am I? Do you really understand?"

  Peng Ziqi snorted and said: "What a pretentious show-off! What's with the fancy words?"

  Xia Liu smiled and said: "Since I met you, the word I've heard most from you is 'hmm', what kind of fate is this?"

  Peng Ziqi blurted out: "A doomed fate!"

  "Ha ha ha... That makes sense! It really does!"

  Xia Liu laughed loudly and left, only then did Peng Qi realize that the words had a big problem, wanting to distinguish them, Xia Liu had already entered the Twelve Chén Temple, and could only stamp his foot in anger, with a red face chasing after him.

  "Ah, Master Peng, thank you for waiting here, I'll go see someone."

  After passing by Guandi Temple, Xia Liu suddenly stopped in his tracks after seeing the unassuming silkworm god temple sign and said to Peng Qi.

  Peng Ziqi said suspiciously: "Who do you want to see?"

  "This person wants to discuss a big business deal with me, so it's really inconvenient to have someone by our side."

  Peng Ziqi blinked and said: "Don't I need to protect you? Aren't you afraid that the assassin will appear and harm you?"

  Xia Liu Dao said, "Afraid? Of course I'm afraid. But I've been wandering around all day, so does that assassin have the ability to predict the future or not? Besides, I was just going to the Silkworm Temple to meet with him, and wasn't going anywhere else. Hehe, please wait here for a moment, young master."

  "Sneaking around, you must be with a woman! If you're really meeting a woman in secret, I'll make sure to keep watch for you. I won't forgive you, not even for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. If you don't come out by then... Hmph! Hmph!"

  Peng Ziqi sat quietly on the stone steps, his sword laid across his knees, coldly waiting with a sneer.

  Xia Liu walked up to the Silkworm Temple and looked around cautiously before slipping inside.

  The Silkworm Temple is not large, and it is dedicated to the worship of the Silkworm Goddess. The incense in the Jade Emperor Temple was originally not very prosperous, and the sericulture industry on the ground in Qingzhou was not thriving enough. There were only a few people who came to worship the silkworm goddess, and at this time, there were only two women in the small temple. One was a young maid with double buns, about 12 or 13 years old, with a delicate face, and the other was Miss Sun, Miao Yi.

  "Cough! Miss Sun, I..."

  "Wen Xuan brother, you've finally arrived!"

  As soon as she saw Xia Xun, Sun Miaoyi was overjoyed and threw herself into his arms. The soft and delicate body of the young girl, combined with her light summer clothing, allowed Xia Xun to feel her elasticity and suppleness, as well as the vibrant energy emanating from within her. He was so taken aback that he hastily raised both hands and said: "Miss Sun, please stop, this is...this is..."

  "Ah!"

  Sun Miaoyi suddenly realized that she was overjoyed and had forgotten herself, so she hastily blushed and left his arms, first giving him a coquettish glance, then telling the little maid: "Xiaoyu, go to the stall outside the temple and pick out a handbag for me."

  "Yes, miss."

  The little girl responded with a "yes", glanced at Xia Xun, and saw that this young master was standing there like a stupid goose, without any expression. She pouted her mouth in displeasure and walked out of the hall. It was Miss Sun who reacted quickly, smiled and took out a 200-wen banknote from her sleeve to give to her. Only then did the little girl leave happily.

  Xia Xun suddenly understood the intention behind Cui Yuanlie's instruction to have Zhu's maid buy something earlier. It was likely that Cui had ulterior motives, and it was probably an excuse to bestow a reward, allowing the maid to disappear on her own.

  At that time, the young masters and ladies were not completely unacquainted with each other. Many private interactions took place, as seen in numerous Ming-Qing dynasty novels which often mention the romantic trysts between young ladies from good families and their lovers in secret gardens, or the clandestine affairs between married women and men. It can be inferred that such was the social atmosphere. However, to successfully carry out these matters, it was necessary to win over the favor of the lady's personal maid through bribery.

  Because the personal maid and the young lady are almost inseparable, if you don't bribe them properly and give them enough benefits, how can you have the opportunity to get close to the young lady? So if you have money, you should spend it, if not, then you can only use your charm, like Zhang Sheng's sweet words to Hong Niang: "If I could share a bed with your lovely mistress, how could I bear to let you make my bed?" Some people even steal the maid first before they have the chance to touch the young lady.

  Unfortunately, this "Yang Wenxuan" is not the same as that Yang Wenxuan. He doesn't understand these ancient rules for keeping a mistress at all. Little Jade had been used to receiving benefits from him, and seeing him being so petty today, she was naturally dissatisfied in her heart. If she deliberately made trouble, she wouldn't need to expose their affair. She would just wait until the two of them were deeply infatuated with each other, then find an excuse to come and ask Miss to return to the manor, which would be quite boring.

  Fortunately, Miss Sun was clever and said that her lover had forgotten to bring money, so she took out her purse to pay for him. She not only paid with her body but also with her money, and she did it willingly and happily. Yang Wenxuan's skills in seducing women were indeed remarkable.

  Xiao Yu obediently went out, but the palace gate was still open. Miss Sun rushed into his arms again, and Xia Fan called: "Miss Sun, in broad daylight, in front of gods and Buddhas, with many eyes watching, be extremely careful."

  Sun Miaoyi let out a snort of laughter, thinking he was intentionally teasing her. With a bashful smile, she scolded him: "You're so annoying! It's been ages since we last met, and now you're pretending to be shy? You're such a coward! How did you dare... how did you dare... Hmph!"

  As she spoke, her face turned red with anger and she punched Xia Xiu's chest with a small fist, then grabbed his hand and said: "Come on!"

  In front of the Silkworm Temple, there was a window, behind it was a mountain wall, to the left was also a wall, but on the right, there was a door. Walking in, it was a small side hall, empty and bare, with another gate at the corner, which was locked. Sun Miaoyi took out a key from her bosom, unlocked the gate, and pushed open the small door, immediately letting light shine through from outside.

  Sun Miaoyi slipped out with a cat's waist and beckoned to Xia Yu: "Come!"

  Xia Xun followed inexplicably, with a stiff scalp, and as soon as he passed through the small gate, he saw that this was a courtyard formed by four mountain walls. It wasn't very big, about five feet square, with wild grass growing all over it. In the high places, tree trunks slanted over, covering half of the sky. The two sides of the mountain wall were slightly inclined, so two sloping brick walls were built to support the wall, making the courtyard even more cramped.

  Miss Sun, how did you know about this place? And actually have the key to this place, there must be a reason for it. However, Xia Yu was smart enough not to ask, since this is "his" and her secret meeting place, "he" should have known the reason, maybe he even bribed the monks in the temple to get such a secluded place.

  Just as he was looking around, Sun Niang had locked the door from outside and hugged him from behind, her cheek against his broad back, saying in a soft voice: "You heartless little scoundrel, tell me, how long has it been since you've seen me? I'm just a young woman at home, unable to go out and find you. Heartless, you're so heartless..."

  Xia Fu secretly called out in distress, but could only force a smile and say: "Miss..."

  "Call me Miao Miao!"

  Sun Gongzhu was displeased and slapped him, Xia Xun smiled wryly and changed his words: "Miao Miao, it seems we haven't been apart for a long time, didn't we see each other just the day before yesterday?"

  "It's still counted even if it's less!"

  Sun Miao-yi said with a pout: "I heard that you bought a concubine from Taizhou and since then, you haven't set foot in my house? Hmph! You were so eloquent and deceitful at first, deceiving me into giving up my body to you. Now you've changed your ways. Tell me, do you still have me in your heart?"

  "Damn it, Yang Wenhuan has already eaten him up?"

  Xia Jun's head suddenly became big, and he suddenly remembered Zhang Shisan's words: "If it is an unmarried girl, you'd better pretend to be gentle, otherwise, once she sets her mind, she would rather ruin her reputation than let the affair be exposed. In most cases, the government will order you to get married, if not, then you can't remarry for the rest of your life."

  Yang Wenyuan left himself a lot of trouble...

  Actually, the "little trouble" in front of him was quite lovely, wearing a green silk shirt, with black hair shining brightly, delicate features, like a fresh and elegant orchid. If he wanted to, this beautiful flower would be his for the picking, and they could have a romantic tryst in this secluded place. But although Xia Jiu wasn't a moral gentleman, he still had his own principles as a person.

  This girl, even if she loves, loves Yang Wenxuan, not someone who looks like him. Mutual affection and using someone's misunderstanding to deceive the other party into a relationship are two different things. Especially since the person he impersonated, Yang Wenxuan, actually had an affair with this girl's mother... This has touched Xia Jie's moral bottom line, and he absolutely cannot have a relationship with this girl.

  It was just his wishful thinking, and he didn't get a response. Miao Yi, who was tightly hugging his back, whispered: "My dear, my mother said that at the latest next year, I will have to marry him. It's hard for others to bear you, we don't have much time together, can't you spare some more pity for me?"

  "What? Has this Miss Sun also gotten a mother-in-law's family?"

  Xia Jun's eyes widened in shock, and then the clever girl's small hands, which had been wrapped around his chest, suddenly reached down and grabbed a hold of his vital parts.

  "Ah..." Xia Liu took a cold breath, and was touched by her soft hand. Suddenly, his heart was racing with excitement. His firm decision just now was shaken by the little beauty's teasing.

  To recommend or not to recommend, that's really a problem...

  PS: Well, in terms of chapters, it seems to be less, but I have at least 4,000 words per chapter, nearly 5,000 words, which is equivalent to many new books that update one chapter with 2,000 words and two updates a day. In that case, the number of chapters would double, now it's already 60 chapters, and the ranking on the click chart would also double, actually it's very beneficial for me.

  I didn't do it that way because even if I post a chapter earlier or later, with only six or seven hours in between, it would still make everyone feel tired and have a constipated feeling. People read books to relax and entertain themselves, what's the logic in making them suffer? It's just like when fruit vendors put the big, red, juicy ones on top, but when you really want to buy some, they'll scoop up a bunch from the bottom and give those to you instead, and what you get is still the same.

  Of course, you can also say that if you update 8,000 or 9,000 words a day, two or three chapters would be enough? Big brother, I only use my spare time at night to write, and I repeatedly refine every plot and word. Tell me, how much time do I have left?

  Sometimes when writing a historical novel, I have to repeatedly verify the style name of a piece of clothing, an accessory, or even a chair to ensure it fits that era. It's not a fantasy or wuxia novel where I can write freely and make things up as I go along. I can't just pull out anything from any era and use it, or have characters leveling up by fighting monsters everywhere, creating some monster or opponent and then spending three to five chapters defeating it - it's really tiring!

  I'd rather not sacrifice quality for quantity, so I'll just explain my difficulties and ask for your understanding. Please support me! You have a recommendation ticket every day, please cast it for me. With your support, I can write better articles. Let's have a positive interaction that lasts forever! Please recommend!