Chapter 70: The Night Walker

  Xia Liu taught Choi Won-ryeol the skills of seduction and also passed on some bad ideas for flirting. Those methods were both gentle and forceful, using every trick in the book, most of which had been researched by men over thousands of years to deal with their lovers' past loves, the ultimate killing move of Taishan's old master. Peng Ziqi listened curiously from the side, her face blushing red, wanting to laugh but unable to, and when Xia Liu looked at her, she turned into a cool and elegant demeanor.

  Xia Xun's heart would occasionally give rise to a strange feeling, the Peng Ziqi in front of him was still the same person as before, yet it seemed as if he had undergone a earth-shattering change from within, this change began when he saved Xiao Ding.

  Before, there seemed to be a barrier between him and Peng Niang, whether they were united in their efforts to deal with the evil gentry of Putai County, or when Peng Ziqing was ill and he took her to Yanggu County to seek medical attention, although their feelings for each other had become more intimate, but somehow it never quite worked out, just like the boiling water on the highlands that could never reach its proper temperature.

  Now, things seem to be turned upside down. The relationship between the two people always has a feeling of breaking through the window paper and seeing each other nakedly. It seems that if one party takes the initiative, the relationship between the two people will change substantially. Xiaoxiao had this feeling when he and a girl gradually fell in love, but they didn't know each other's intentions yet. They could only try to explore each other through some ambiguous language and actions during their interactions.

  It's a kind of ambiguity, a sweet ambiguity.

  But for him at this moment, such ambiguity is toxic. Because Xia Jiu has a fiancée in his hometown in Jiangnan who was betrothed to him since he wore open-crotch pants. And then there's Xiao Ding, the attitude of Xiao Guan Shi and Madam Xiao towards him is obvious to everyone, he just doesn't understand whether Xiao Ding's feelings for him are sisterly affection or a girl's love for a man.

  Xia Yu had been trying to improve his relationship with Peng Nang, although he occasionally made some teasing remarks, it was because of Peng Ziqing's cold and frosty appearance, and he didn't think about the last step. Now Peng Ziqing's attitude is very subtle, that layer of window paper seems to be broken with just one poke, but he instead always tries to restrain himself, letting the boiling water cool down. As a result, when he was not paying attention, Peng Nang would look at him with eyes that were always filled with a few hints of resentment.

  After settling down Cui Yuanlie, amidst the grateful voices of Cui Yuanlie and Zhu Shanbi's affectionate couple, Xia Yu and Peng Ziqi returned to Yang Fu. The group of self-recommended women had been sent away by Xiao Guanshi, who was drinking water with a parched mouth. Seeing Xia Yu return, he hastily came forward and said: "Young Master!"

  "Are those people all gone?"

  Xiao Guan sighed and said, "They're gone. One batch after another comes all day, and they chatter nonstop. I can barely get any real work done. Now that it's finally quiet for a moment, Young Master, there are a few things I need to discuss with you."

  Xiao Guan said something serious, and Peng Ziqi immediately walked away on his own initiative, went to the corridor, stood with his hands behind his back, as if admiring the scenery in the garden. Hmm, very well-behaved, very clever.

  The problem is......, Peng Nang's hearing was super good, not just the slightly higher keenness of a martial artist compared to ordinary people, but a kind of innate talent. Her father's martial arts skills were much better than hers, but his hearing was far inferior to hers. In the entire Peng family, there was no one with better hearing than her. As for Peng Nang, she was a woman who had never thought about becoming a gentleman.

  Xiao Guanshi said: "Firstly, Lin Beixia's shopkeeper has already prepared the ransom money and sent someone to deliver a letter, asking when you will go over there to settle the account. Secondly, the batch of iron materials that you have been in contact with will arrive soon and need to be sold through Qingzhou Prefecture. A large quantity of iron materials entering the city requires an official from the Qi Wangfu to handle it, otherwise it will be troublesome if the officials from the Qingzhou Prefecture yamen find out."

  The third one, the workshops that we 'lost' have been transferred to Cao Yu Guang and Jiang Zhi Qing. The money recovered from this is either lent out for a short period or taken out in advance to be sent to Ying Tian's side now, leaving some for Young Master's use in Beiping. This matter requires Young Master's approval. Lastly, the Sun family's pharmacy has a wedding ceremony tomorrow, and Geng Yuan Wai has sent an invitation. I don't know if Young Master will attend or not, and what gifts to prepare. Please instruct me so that Old Xiao can make arrangements."

  Xia Fu's body shook: "The Sun family is going to get married? So soon..."

  "Huh?"

  Xiao Guanshi looked at him with some confusion, Xia Xun regained his composure and waved his hand: "Nothing, no need to send a message to Lin's place, I'll go there this afternoon. As for the iron material entering the city, I've been to Lin's pawnshop, now I'll go to Wangfu to see Shu Gonggong and ask him to pay attention. We have a lot of funds on hand now, and we won't need it for our trip to Beiping, so you can gradually move to Ying Tian and find several reputable and financially stable money houses to temporarily lend out."

  Xiao Guan's affairs are all responded to in a low voice, secretly remembered in his heart.

  Xia Yu hesitated for a moment and then said: "About the marriage with the Sun family..."

  Miss Peng, standing under the eaves, pretending to look at the clouds, trees and scenery, slightly moved her ears and listened more carefully. She now already knew that Xia Jiu was indeed Xia Jiu, not that dissolute scoundrel Yang Wenxuan who had an affair with the Sun mother and daughter. She was very curious, wondering how Xia Jiu would face the mess left behind by Yang Wenxuan.

  Xia Jiang hesitated for a moment, and suddenly had an idea. He hastily asked: "Who are the guests you've invited? Is An Yuanwai going as well?"

  Xiao Guanshi said, "Old Xiao only heard from the people of Sun Fu that this time it will be a grand affair, inviting many relatives and friends, with officials coming and going. An Yuanwai and Geng Yuanwai are also acquaintances, they must be going."

  Xia Xun secretly rejoiced in his heart: "An Baozi is now like a startled bird, and he doesn't dare to come into contact with me. I think even if I wanted to fool him with some nonsense, he wouldn't have the chance. However, this kid loves money, and the Sun family is one of his biggest clients. This time, for the wedding, he must have bought even more silk from him. Given their relationship, he has no reason not to go, so I'll have the opportunity to 'have a heart-to-heart talk' with him."

  "Alright. You go prepare some silk, auspicious cakes and other gifts, manage them according to twenty taels of silver, also, you prepare a set of jade hair accessories, on the day Sun's family is handling the marriage, I will be going."

  Xiao didn't ask much and nodded: "Yes. Old Xiao has taken note of everything, if the young master doesn't have anything else... then old Xiao will go take care of things."

  Xia Xun nodded, watching Xiao Guan Shi go out. He slowly walked out of the study and stood still under the long corridor outside the living room, with Peng Ziqi standing on either side of him, one to the left and one to the right, at the entrance.

  Autumn atmosphere gradually deepened, tree shadows grew darker, gazing out at the vast expanse, the sky was high and cloudless, a brilliant blue and snowy white, forming a profound and expansive universe.

  Xia Liu raised her eyes to gaze at the clouds, and thought to herself: "As long as she becomes my daughter-in-law, I won't have any more worries. Miao Yi is still a young woman who hasn't settled down yet; if she gives up on this idea, after getting married, she'll live a happy life with her husband. It's time for Yang Wenxuan to put an end to this doomed fate."

  The night is deep and dark.

  Peng Ziqi sat alone on the roof, holding a wine jug in his hand, gazing at the moon and drinking alone, with only his shadow as company.

  Before, she had never been so troubled by Yang Xu. At that time, although her feelings were secretly growing, she clearly knew what kind of person Yang Xu was, so she persisted in not letting herself fall deeply in love, even though she often couldn't help herself, but also didn't sink too deep. But since she found out that Yang Xu wasn't really Yang Xu, the shackles on her heart were opened, and she couldn't avoid being disturbed by her feelings.

  Xia Liu…… is now replaced by Yang Xu's identity, Yang Xu is a Shengyuan, a high-ranking official, and her family is too high to reach. Moreover, he has an unmarried wife in his hometown. Originally, because of his shameless behavior, she could restrain her emotions, but now it's that she can't love even if she wants to.

  "What should I do?"

  Peng Ziqi let out a deep sigh and lay down on the roof, propping himself up with his arms and gazing up at the sky.

  The stars in the sky are twinkling like her shining eyes.

  "How did my grandfather marry my grandmother? Hmm, I remember now. Two steamed buns and a bowl of vegetable congee, my starving grandmother came to our house to get married. But he wasn't that miserable yet...Hmm...Third Aunt, Third Aunt eloped with a poor scholar..."

  She rubbed her nose tip, somewhat wanting to laugh: "That was a chaotic era, now...it's impossible."

  "Oh no, it's infuriating! He used to flirt with others, but they didn't want anything to do with him. Now that he wants to flirt, he's backing off - what a spineless stinker of a man!"

  Peng Ziqi waved her hand in annoyance, as if to brush away the troubles in her mind. She gazed up at the starry sky and muttered: "The three-month deadline is approaching. That bastard doesn't seem to want to leave anyone behind..."

  Peng Ziqi let out a melancholic sigh, and suddenly, a faint sound reached his ears.

  Peng Ziqi suddenly sat up, opened his eyes wide and looked around. The courtyard was quiet, without a sound, and the faint voice from just now had also disappeared.

  Peng Ziqi did not give up, her hearing was exceptionally good, she believed that she had not misheard, the voice came from Xia Jiu's inner study, and no one went to that place at night. She was very responsible, familiar with the distribution of personnel in the Yang family's backyard at night, and the various arrangements in the back house were clear.

  Peng Ziqi landed lightly on the roof tiles, like a feather floating down, and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword as he made his way towards the study.

  "What the heck is this place? So many rooms!"

  The door lock had been broken by Li Da Yin, he could only gently cover the door and shook the fire starter to take a look around, and couldn't help but mutter: "Damn it, looks like it's a study room, how could Yang Xu that kid possibly sleep here at night."

  Li Da Yin blew out the fire and put it back in his sleeve, just about to sneak out, when he suddenly had an idea: "Wait a minute, the study, the things placed here are usually the most important. Will the contract for my young lady's loan to Yang Xu be here? If I find it and destroy it, then go find Yang Xu and get rid of him, won't this debt be written off?"

  Li Dahe thought of it and did it, re-pulling the curtains tight, excitedly shaking the fire starter to ignite the lamp, then rummaging through the room.

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