Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 151 Waiting for You to Be So Reliable
The spring night was slightly chilly, and Lu Xingzhou rested in a tub of hot water, easing the fatigue of the past few days.

The little maid was washing him with a pitiful expression.

Although she felt that she hadn't come to see Lu Xingzhou because of a mission, her master had indeed assigned a mission, and that damned Lu Xingzhou had even guessed it, which made her feel a little guilty.

Otherwise, the term "maid" would just be a playful nickname; there would be no need for him to actually be a maid to help him bathe...

But in fact, it wasn't just a matter of the maid... After she returned to the Pei family, there was no longer any need for her to "play along" with Lu Xingzhou. Just like when she asked him last time they met, "Are you worried that I'll sever ties with you after I go back?"

At the time, Lu Xingzhou replied, "I was worried."

She could have easily ignored Lu Xingzhou, let alone become his maid.

After that, no one continued to discuss why she didn't sever ties... as if they had tacitly agreed that Pei Chuyun couldn't bear to part with him and didn't want to sever ties.

In truth, both sides knew the reason, because he had value. The little demoness Hehuan had cultivated this relationship for so long, how could she be willing to sever ties so easily...

Saying this would hurt feelings, so they both tacitly avoided mentioning it.

But is it merely because of value? Was the loneliness in the attic, the longing to see him, all a lie?
The young vixen dared not admit it, nor was she entirely resigned to it. This naive and inexperienced Saintess of Joyful Union hadn't even managed to deceive a single man, and had already fallen for her own scheme?
So angry.

My master's task, I don't know how much of it was an excuse for me to continue spending time with him, to show that I wasn't the one who had fallen for him.

But what are men really thinking?
Pei Chuyun rubbed his skin in a huff, scrubbing it until it turned bright red.

You dare to bully me? I haven't even plucked a hair from you, and you still dare to bully me.

In fact, Lu Xingzhou didn't question the little demon girl at all. His trust in her had unknowingly gone a little too far... At this moment, his mind was still immersed in thinking about Madam Ye's problem.

Madam Ye was very friendly when they last met, because she had helped Meng Guan solve the case of the infant ghost, which shows that he is at least a decent person.

This time her attitude was a bit strange, probably because she realized that she hadn't truly severed ties with the Underworld, which made her more wary.

The Emperor isn't on guard, the Demon Suppression Bureau isn't saying anything, so why are you, Madam Ye, so wary about this...? Do you have a grudge against Yuan Muyu? Is that why you're so sensitive?
Yes, that's quite possible... This Madam Ye is probably a first-rank expert, and like Yuan Muyu, her actual age is unknown. It's highly likely that the two of them were at odds in the martial arts world when they were young, and their feud might even have started before I met Yuan Muyu...

Yuan Muyu has indeed never spoken of her past; having known her for so many years, I know nothing about her past.

Thinking about it this way, it suddenly made sense. Was Madam Ye's so-called "teaching me" a deliberate attempt to keep an eye on me?
"Tch..." Lu Xingzhou chuckled unconsciously, then the next second it turned into: "Hiss~ You're trying to murder your husband!"

"I'll scrub you to death!" Pei Chuyun said angrily, "You're really leaning there like a master, making me scrub you! I'm a noble lady now, do you know how many people are chasing after me! And you still dare to scoff, I'll scoff you to death!"

"I was just daydreaming, I wasn't laughing at you." Lu Xingzhou grabbed her wrist and laughed, "I can help Miss Pei with her washing too."

"You are beautiful!"

“Look, you’re unhappy when I ask you to rub it for me; you’re still unhappy when I rub it for you… This is really difficult for me.”

"You can wash my feet."

"Really?"

Pei Chuyun was stunned for a moment, then laughed and cried at the same time: "I forgot you're not normal."

"Then let's be normal." Lu Xingzhou reached out and pulled Pei Chuyun into the tub without much resistance. She then crawled out, still wet, glaring angrily.

Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and kissed her, while simultaneously washing her with his hands.

Pei Chuyun did not resist, but gently complied for a while before slightly separating herself and whispering, "Although Master has given the order, I don't necessarily have to listen to her. This applies to you as well as to the Pei family."

"I know."

"But as you said, if I give up... I'll lose the sect's trust sooner or later, and then things will change..."

"How does the Pei family treat you? I think they treat you quite well."

“I haven’t met anyone from the Hedong clan yet, nor have I met my two uncles. My father and brother have both been good to me.” Pei Chuyun hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, “But after all this time, I’m pretty sure I don’t like living this kind of life as a noblewoman of the Pei family.”

"That's to be expected. Aristocratic families have many rules and concerns, far less freedom than you have when you roam the martial world."

“So if I side with the Pei family, I’ll have to live a life I don’t like, and I might even have to deal with the sect in the future, and I won’t be able to choose my own marriage partner; but if I side with the sect, I’ll have to gain their trust. Whether it’s harming the Pei family or harming you, I don’t want to do either.” Pei Chuyun murmured, “Speaking of giving up, I… am still a little confused.”

"Is this why you can't help but come to see me?"

Pei Chuyun paused for a moment, then laughed self-deprecatingly: "Right? At least you won't hurt me."

"Have you ever considered... coming closer to me?"

Pei Chuyun laughed and reached out her slender finger to stroke his cheek: "Then wait until the day you can truly be someone people can rely on... This young master who doesn't even have the courage to mount me now isn't qualified."

"You really think I don't have the guts?" With a splash of water, the two shifted their positions.

Pei Chuyun's eyes widened quickly, sensing the imminent arrival of an enemy army: "You..."

Her heart began to pound uncontrollably. This was water, and it was very slippery. If she moved around carelessly like this, she might accidentally go inside! Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and kissed her again. Pei Chuyun suddenly had a strong feeling that he seemed to be serious.

For some reason, even though she had previously hoped he would actually do it, a sense of panic welled up inside her now. Pei Chuyun reached out to protect her bare skin, pleading weakly, "No..."

Lu Xingzhou stopped what he was doing and said in a low voice, "So who's the coward?"

"It's me, alright!" Pei Chuyun said anxiously, "I lost my virginity and I didn't control you, how am I going to explain this? The Pei family will be looking into it too."

The air suddenly fell silent after those words were spoken.

Pei Chuyun opened her mouth again, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't make a sound.

These words, spoken in desperation, almost made it clear that if she really did something, she wouldn't be able to control him... Lu Xingzhou's previous worries were no longer a concern.

Now it's her turn to worry that Lu Xingzhou might, for a moment's pleasure, instantly shatter her current peaceful situation.

"Little maid, do you still dare to provoke the young master?" Lu Xingzhou picked her up by the waist, stepped out of the bath tub, and then grabbed a bath towel to help her dry off.

Pei Chuyun sighed, her eyes gentle as she watched him softly wipe her face.

It's like polishing a fine piece of porcelain.

As Lu Xingzhou wiped the paper, he casually remarked, "Actually, many things aren't that complicated. It's just that you, being a bit of a literary girl, are prone to worrying about gains and losses. I've told you before, what you need to do now is wait. Wait until both sides show their true intentions regarding what they need from you before you come to me to discuss things. Right now, it's just forcing a rhyme to express your worries."

"Forced to write new verses to feign sorrow... Is the full poem available?"

Lu Xingzhou found it really funny: "Yes. Get dressed, I'll go write it for you."

"What do you expect me to give in exchange?"

Lu Xingzhou pointed to his face: "It's always been a kiss in exchange, no deception, young or old."

Pei Chuyun glanced at him sideways, then suddenly reached out and gently pushed him away.

Lu Xingzhou took a step back, and Pei Chuyun pushed him another step, causing Lu Xingzhou to fall onto the bed.

Before Lu Xingzhou could say anything, the little vixen had already pressed her hand on her flute: "Stop pretending you only want a kiss on the cheek. I saw through your little tricks of playing hard to get long ago... Anyway... since you were able to pull back from the brink, I won't let you hold back. Consider this a reward for being the top scholar..."

As he spoke, he slowly bent down.

The sound of the xiao (a type of vertical bamboo flute) gradually rose.

Lu Xingzhou swallowed back all the words he wanted to say, sighed, and remained still.

So, when a man is angry, he only thinks about this, and in the end, isn't that still the same thing...?

…………

Sheng Yuanyao excitedly led A Nuo to the casino to cash out their bets, becoming rich overnight.

The subordinate who had been sent to inquire whether Qingyao Garden was for sale also gave feedback that Qingyao Garden was actually already listed for sale, and at a price lower than the market price.

The reason is simple: someone died here... Although for some people, the place where the first rising star fell is a relic worth visiting and paying respects to, for young masters and ladies who want to stroll around the garden, it is considered bad luck.

This is the perfect time for spring outings, but Qingyao Garden is deserted. Maintaining such a large area of ​​mountains, forests, and lakes is no cheap business, and the original owner had long wanted to sell it.

Ironically, this bad luck turned into good fortune for Sheng Yuanyao. One wanted to sell and the other wanted to buy, so they announced the change of ownership on the spot.

As for the issue of losing money due to a lack of participants, that's not a problem at all for the well-connected young master. He can simply get the Pei siblings to organize this event a few more times, and his reputation will be restored...

However, Sheng Yuanyao doesn't want to entertain guests in the short term, so her first guest must be Lu Xingzhou.

Having bought Qingyao Garden, Sheng Yuanyao excitedly dragged A'nuo back, wanting to invite Lu Xingzhou to see everyone's auspicious land the next day. Even the money for the purchase was thanks to Lu Xingzhou becoming the top scholar in the imperial examination; he was truly a lucky star.

Just as they arrived at Lu Xingzhou's door, Pei Chuyun hurriedly ran out, wiping her mouth. Sheng Yuanyao suspiciously stopped her: "What were you doing inside just now?"

Ah Nuo looked up at the sky.

Pei Chuyun swallowed hard before slowly replying, "It's nothing. Lu Xingzhou got the top score in the imperial examination, so I gave him a small gift. Miss Sheng, you came empty-handed?"

Sheng Yuanyao was stunned for a moment. She really hadn't prepared a gift... Did the land deed count? This wasn't the right time to give such a gift!

But she was not about to show weakness in front of Pei Chuyun, and said defiantly, "Of course I will send it, it won't be any worse than yours anyway."

Pei Chuyun smiled playfully: "Then I'm really looking forward to seeing how you can be just as good as me... Can I watch?"

"No way." Sheng Yuanyao angrily pushed her aside and rushed into the door: "Old Lu, you did well in the exam, how about I reward you with a trip to the park tomorrow? Don't stay cooped up at home every day, you'll get sick from being cooped up."

(End of this chapter)