If she had truly climbed into his bed directly, who knows… perhaps the young lady from the Li family would be the one lying in his arms today, calling him husband.
“Don’t worry, she’s just a guest, and she’ll leave eventually. Once they’re gone, we’ll live our own little lives.”
“Mmm~”
The hand of the young girl wrapped around Xu Ping’an’s neck tightened a bit, as if she wanted to melt completely into his broad arms.
“Sleep, you’re not allowed to lie in bed tomorrow, okay~”
“No~ I want to lie in bed~”
Seeing his wife act spoiled, Xu Ping’an gently kissed her forehead.
“Go to sleep.”
“Husband~ I don’t want this kind of kiss.”
“Uh~ fine.”
He kissed her lips again, which finally brought a satisfied smile to her face. She snuggled her small head into his embrace and closed her moist eyes.
“Tsk! What a hassle.”
The moon set in the west, and the morning sun rose in the east.
Waking up early, the sun shone upon the garden filled with the scent of herbs.
White clouds in the sky floated slowly beneath the azure, like giant marshmallows.
The chirping of birds, the sound of the breeze rustling through willow leaves in the forest, and the clinking of horse bells along the road combined to form the refreshing melody of today’s dawn.
Xu Ping’an opened his eyes, and the light from outside the window illuminated the room, instantly revitalizing him.
Even though they hadn’t done anything last night, he still woke up late today for the first time ever.
But… the sound of horse bells?
Could it be Master Fang’s two disciples?
Looking at the sundial in the courtyard, Xu Ping’an frowned slightly.
“No… Master Fang’s two disciples yesterday, Fang Kui and Fang Jin, didn’t arrive at six o’clock.”
Thinking this, Xu Ping’an sat up.
He carefully detached Pei Qingxuan, who was clinging to him like a living pendant, placed her back in the covers, tucked her in, and then got up to peer out the window.
“Who is it, coming to my courtyard so early in the morning?”
As soon as he spoke, he saw a carriage stop at the courtyard gate, parked side-by-side with the carriage Li Yu’er had arrived in yesterday.
Immediately after, the curtain was lifted, and a woman in a light blue, wide-sleeved long dress stepped down from the carriage.
A sharp cry echoed in the courtyard.
“Xu Ping’an, come out!”
Hearing that voice, Xu Ping’an trembled all over, and his hair stood on end instantly.
“Why is this person here?”
He watched the approaching figure standing at the courtyard entrance.
Although her posture was elegant, there was a hint of sharpness in her brows, clearly indicating she was here to cause trouble.
It was an old acquaintance of his, and also someone Pei Qingxuan had met once before: the eldest young lady of the Liu family, Liu Yingying, one of the four prominent families in Liuye County.
Back then, as soon as this girl heard he was married, she got angry and ran away.
He had thought the matter was over, but he didn’t expect her to come over after only a few days.
He hurried behind the screen, changed into an outer garment, straightened his collar, fastened his belt, and then walked out.
Before he even stepped out of the main door, he heard a man’s voice in the courtyard.
“Who are you? This is Xu Manor! If you’re here for a consultation, wait for me to announce you. If you’re here to cause trouble… then don’t blame me!”
Xu Ping’an pushed open the door and saw Liu Yingying confronting Zhao Pingzhi.
And indeed, Old Zhao was quite dedicated; he had only just arrived yesterday but already settled into the role of the doorkeeper today.
“Who are you? Xu Ping’an’s new attendant? Why are you so old? That guy truly has no taste at all…”
Although Liu Yingying whispered the last two sentences, Zhao Pingzhi was no ordinary person; he was a battlefield general with eyes and ears everywhere. As soon as those words left her mouth, his face instantly darkened.
True, he was thirty-six this year, but he was still in his prime!
What did she mean, “why are you so old”?
This girl truly didn’t know how to speak!
“Hey, I say, young lady, some things can be said in private, but not to someone’s face. Even if I am old, it has nothing to do with you, does it? Who exactly are you? If you don’t say, I’ll have to chase you away!”
Zhao Pingzhi stepped forward with a dark expression.
His height of one point eight-nine meters, standing before Liu Yingying, truly intimidated this pampered young lady of the Liu family.
Liu Yingying instinctively took a step back, looking at Zhao Pingzhi with a hint of fear, her voice also softening.
“You… I, I’m Xu Ping’an’s friend. What are you going to do? You, if you dare lay a hand on me, do you believe I’ll have my father throw you in jail!”
“The Master’s friend? Do you have proof?”
“What proof do I need for this? When he came to my tavern to eat, I never asked him for any proof!”
Liu Yingying immediately became defiant again, letting out an indignant cry:
“Get out of the way! Tell him to come out and see me!”
“No! If you’ve got the guts, try to pass through.”
Seeing the man and woman glaring at each other, their tempers flaring, it seemed like they would truly start fighting if they said another word.
Xu Ping’an quickly walked out.
“Isn’t this Proprietress Liu? Old Zhao, quickly step aside. This Young Lady Liu is the legitimate eldest daughter of the Liu family in Liu Ye County. How could you be so lacking in discernment?”
Xu Ping’an glanced at Zhao Pingzhi, a look that was both a warning and a reminder.
Li Yu’er was currently receiving treatment in the small courtyard, and this matter could not be openly discussed, especially since her identity as a woman needed to be concealed.
The Liu family held significant power in Liuye County; they could offend anyone but not the Liu family, otherwise, trouble would surely follow.
“Master, I’m sorry… I didn’t know this young lady was your friend.”
“Alright, alright, you go water the medicinal garden first. Proprietress Liu… I will host the guest.”
Xu Ping’an waved his hand and quickly took two steps forward, cupping his fists.
“My apologies, this newly arrived servant lacks discernment and didn’t recognize an esteemed guest. Please, Proprietress Liu, do not be angry.”
Upon seeing Xu Ping’an, the sharp look on Liu Yingying’s face instantly faltered, then she immediately put on an arrogant demeanor.
Although she was much shorter than Xu Ping’an, she deliberately tilted her head back, looking down at him.
“You finally dared to see me!”
“Heh~ Proprietress Liu is joking. Although I, Xu Ping’an, am not a wealthy or powerful person, I dare say I’ve never done anything to offend Proprietress Liu. Why would I not dare to see you? It’s just that I’ve been a bit busy recently and haven’t gone into town.”
“Busy? Busy with what? Busy using your clumsy excuse to deceive me?”
“Ah, what excuse? Where did that come from?”
Xu Ping’an was startled.
“Still pretending, you’re not married at all!”
“How do you know I’m not married?”
Xu Ping’an frowned slightly, but then saw Liu Yingying looking triumphant.
“I sent people to ask, and none of your acquaintances received an invitation. You’re not married at all, so who is that woman?”
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