Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 431 Ye the Fish Catcher, Please Call Me Sister

Pei Mansion.

Pei Qingyan sat there, scrutinizing the Yama King before her, her expressionless face masking her toothache.

He would rather Lu Xingzhou hire any old man or woman on the road than face the King of Hell to propose marriage.

He didn't know that the other party actually wanted to even less.

Logically, as the Prime Minister of the Great Qian Dynasty, when faced with the number one demonic cultivator coming to his door, he should have drawn his sword and angrily rebuked, "Does Your Excellency think that there is no one else in the Great Qian Dynasty?" But it seems that what he is about to say is, "How much dowry will you offer?"

Even the most shrewd and calculating Ren Peiqingyan momentarily lost his composure.

Yuan Muyu sat there quietly, without saying a word. He simply held a teacup in one hand and used the lid to brush away the tea foam with the other. The sound of the lid touching the rim of the cup formed the only melody in the hall.

Pei Qingyan suddenly wondered how she could drink tea while wearing a mask...

After a long while, Pei Qingyan coughed twice, breaking the strange atmosphere: "Has King Yama ever considered... that it would be more appropriate to take off the mask and propose this marriage as a normal person than as King Yama?"

Yuan Muyu said calmly, "Isn't it because you are from a family of officials for generations that you pay so much attention to the other party's status and face?"

Pei Qingyan thought to himself, "We do value the other party's status, but we don't want to get involved with the Demonic Path. The presence of the King of Hell is a great honor, but the political consequences are serious."

He sighed, "Lord Yama is joking. The Pei family isn't that shallow... Well, actually, it's not necessarily good for Xingzhou either. Lord Yama should know that... Is there another reason for insisting on using Lord Yama's identity?"

Yuan Muyu remained silent.

There were no other factors involved; she simply wasn't willing to reveal her true appearance to outsiders. The Underworld was, after all, a secretive organization; how could she openly display her true face to the Prime Minister and the head of the Demon Suppression Division?

She claimed to be an ordinary girl, without revealing her identity as Yama, the King of Hell.

They all say that Lu Xingzhou is an elder, so how could those shrewd people not know that such an existence could only be Yama, the King of Hell... It's like playing a card openly.

Another point is that her appearance, which is extremely similar to Ye Tinglan's, is not convenient to show in front of Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng.

Pei Chuyun had never seen what the Imperial Preceptor looked like before, and thought she was some little sister, but Pei Qingyan was different.

“Since Prime Minister Pei doesn’t care, then let’s just consider the so-called visit of the King of Hell to Prime Minister Pei as mere nonsense.” Yuan Muyu said calmly, “I won’t take off my mask. Just treat Prime Minister Pei as Lu Xingzhou’s sister coming to discuss business. As for the leaked information just now, I believe Prime Minister Pei can easily handle it.”

Pei Qingyan let out a long sigh of relief.

If you're willing to play the role of an ordinary person, then it's simple. For Pei Qingyan, clearing up that rumor is as easy as eating; just say it's a prank.

Pei Qingyan immediately felt much more relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face as she lifted the sedan chair: "Your brother and sister are truly outstanding individuals. Your Excellency has built such a great empire from scratch, and Lu Xingzhou, despite his young age, is a viscount, yet he has not relied on his family's influence at all."

Yuan Muyu remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "I didn't start from nothing... at least I have Lu Xingzhou."

Pei Qingyan: "..."

He naturally had some information too... He thought to himself, "If you had spoken up earlier, Lu Xingzhou might still be in the underworld by now."

Pei Qingyan knew that this small talk wouldn't go well, so he decided to get straight to the point and quickly said, "I wonder if you have Xingzhou's birth date and time with you..."

Yuan Muyu said, "I came in a hurry and didn't bring these with me. Please forgive me, Prime Minister Pei. How about I borrow some items from your residence and write one on the spot? If there are any other formalities or gifts needed, please let me know so I can take care of them as well."

Pei Qingyan had no objection: "Nothing else is needed, just a simple change of birth date will suffice."

Soon someone brought over writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Yuan Muyu spread them out on the table and pondered for a moment.

If there's one person in the world most suited to do this, it's probably none other than Yuan Muyu. Because while the whole world considers Huo Shang's birthday to be Lu Xingzhou's, Yuan Muyu knows that Lu Xingzhou celebrates a different birthday. This is something even Shen Tang and the others haven't witnessed.

He wasn't Huo Shang, Yuan Muyu knew that. But Yuan Muyu suddenly felt like laughing at herself, because she had never actually asked him what his real name was.

Since his name is Yuan Muyu, then he should naturally be Lu Xingzhou, and nothing else matters.

But now, aside from knowing his birthdate, it seems we know nothing more about his past than anyone else. Many people probably know his real name, but we ourselves don't.

It's ridiculous; it's like we skipped over ten years of getting along.

“Uh… Your Majesty Yama?” Pei Qingyan’s voice startled Yuan Muyu from her daze. Yuan Muyu came back to her senses and slowly wrote down Lu Xingzhou’s birth date.

He would use Huo Shang's identity to mess with the Huo family, but he would never use someone else's birthday or identity to marry the girl he loves.

Yuan Muyu was well aware of this.

But as I was writing, something cold welled up in my eyes and slipped through my mask, making my hand holding the pen tremble.

Beforehand, you can tell yourself, "What's the big deal if I do it?" But when you're actually doing it, you feel so bad, like countless knives are cutting into your heart.

Let me proclaim the only special thing I know, so that it becomes nothing special anymore.

Then... I gave it to someone else myself.

It wasn't a knife cut; every stroke and every line felt like being slowly sliced ​​to death.

“Uh…” Pei Qingyan said, “This doesn’t seem to be Young Master Huo’s birthday?”

“Of course not.” Yuan Muyu heard herself say, “This is Lu Xingzhou’s birthday.”

To others, it sounded like this was the time when Huo Shang had been given a second chance at life and became Lu Xingzhou. But Pei Qingyan, looking at the eight characters, narrowed her eyes and knew it wasn't.

This place contains not only the sun and moon, but also years... Lu Xingzhou's real age is older than Huo Shang's, not some "date after rebirth".

Of course, he would never reveal this, instead concealing it by saying, "Yes, that's exactly right."

Yuan Muyu wrote two copies and handed one to him, asking, "Where's your daughter's?"

Pei Qingyan handed over Pei Chuyun's birth information, and looking at Yuan Muyu's eyes, he actually trembled.

Beneath the mask, her eyes held a withered, lifeless look. "Father, Father..." Pei Chuyun rushed in like a gust of wind: "I heard Yan..."

The words were cut off in his throat.

Pei Chuyun stared blankly at Yan Jun, who was exchanging vows with his father... his expression was so flat.

She hasn't even changed her clothes... Who else could it be but that flat-chested girl? No, are you an imposter?
But looking at Lu Xingzhou beside her, who showed no reaction, Pei Chuyun knew that this was definitely not an imposter.

Pei Chuyun forgot what she wanted to say; her mind went completely blank.

So she was Yama, the King of Hell... That explains everything. No wonder, where did such a strange girl come from?

Pei Chuyun subconsciously looked down at her hands... Did I knock Yama out of his hand with one hand?
"Regarding betrothal gifts, we don't understand your family's rules. We'll just follow your family's rules. Whatever amount you say, we'll have it delivered to your residence." Yuan Muyu left these words behind, turned and left, passing Pei Chuyun.

As he passed by Pei Chuyun, he casually said, "Little sister, I'll wait for you to serve me tea."

Without waiting for a reply, he left without even glancing at Lu Xingzhou beside Pei Chuyun.

Ah Nuo carefully observed everyone's expressions, then, having finished her melon with satisfaction, she hurried out, calling out, "Sister Fish, wait for me~"

Pei Qingyan glanced meaningfully at Lu Xingzhou beside her daughter: "Chuyun, don't go out anymore, stay at home."

“…Oh.” Pei Chuyun was still a bit dazed, but she was already behaving herself.

"As for the boat..." Pei Qingyan said calmly, "Are you sure you want to use that birth date? Have you discussed it with your sister?"

Lu Xingzhou said, "There's no need to discuss it. My sister understands me."

"Do you know what this means?"

"This means that I don't need to hide some things for too long anymore. Prime Minister Pei, please help me cover them up for a while longer."

Pei Qingyan squinted his eyes: "Then I'll wait."

Lu Xingzhou looked around after leaving the Pei residence. Yuan Muyu and Anuo were no longer there; they had gone to the Sheng residence.

Sheng Qingfeng sat in the main seat, looking at Yuan Muyu and A Nuo who had come to visit. His expression was even more unpleasant than Pei Qingyan's.

Although Pei Qingyan was the prime minister, the duty of apprehending thieves and subduing demons was not his responsibility... that responsibility belonged to Sheng Qingfeng.

The "demons" suppressed by the Demon Suppression Division, besides real demons, mainly refer to those who follow the demonic path, such as the representative Yama Palace.

He and Yama are true adversaries, representing the soldier and the thief.

In addition to the list of heroes, the Great Qian Dynasty also had a wanted list. As a result, the person on the list stood openly in front of him and proposed marriage to his younger brother, asking him to marry his daughter.

I felt like I'd been screwed over.

"Chief Sheng, there's no need for that expression. At least when I come to the Sheng residence, it's not like I'm visiting the Pei residence as if I'm paying a visit to the King of Hell." Yuan Muyu said calmly, "Right now, I'm just an ordinary woman who came here for my brother's wedding. I'm just wearing a mask out of boredom. When it comes to deceiving yourself and fooling the public, you officials are definitely more knowledgeable than me."

Sheng Qingfeng: "...Is this young lady here to discuss marriage, or to start a fight?"

“Pretty much. As for the marriage proposal, I’d rather have a fight, but not with you.” Yuan Muyu said, “Besides, whether we go through with the marriage proposal or not, I think it’s pretty much the same. This morning, your daughter was openly making out with a man at the Dan Academy. Quite a few people saw it.”

Sheng Qingfeng had completely lost face in front of the target he was after, and he was already mentally rehearsing the door bolt and stick techniques he would use tonight.

Yuan Muyu took out another set of eight characters she had just written and handed it to Madam Sheng, who was frowning and silent. Her tone was much better than when she spoke to Sheng Qingfeng: "Xingzhou lost his mother a long time ago... I see that among these families, only you, Madam, have a mother. From now on, I will have to trouble you to take good care of Xingzhou."

Madam Sheng was somewhat surprised by her attitude, and her tone softened accordingly: "Of course."

After a pause, seemingly unsure how to speak to this Yama, he simply grabbed Ah Nuo and said, "Little guy, it's been so long, and you don't even know how to greet people."

Ah Nuo called out sweetly, "Grandma."

Madam Sheng was overjoyed, her face beaming with happiness: "Good, good, good!"

The atmosphere eased considerably, and Sheng Qingfeng handed over Sheng Yuanyao's birth date and time: "We'll keep the betrothal gifts and those frivolous rituals like sending wild geese simpler than the Pei family's. But the details we need to discuss won't be so hastily settled in a few words. Yan... um, how long will you be in the capital, Miss?"

Yuan Muyu said slowly, "We'll finish this first."

Sheng Qingfeng couldn't help but ask, "Don't you have so many important things to do?"

Yuan Muyu smiled and said, "It's not that important."

Sheng Qingfeng stroked his beard and thought for a moment: "This is the first time I've spoken with you, young lady... To be honest, I'd really like to discuss some things in more depth. I wonder if you would be so kind as to grant me that request?"

Yuan Muyu was silent for a moment: "I didn't want to at first. But since we're in-laws, I should at least give them this much face."

Sheng Qingfeng was genuinely surprised by Yuan Muyu's attitude, and his tone softened further: "Then... shall we do it now or at another time?"

“Let’s make another appointment,” Yuan Muyu said. “I have a very urgent place to go right now.”

"That is……"

"National View".

After a cup of tea, Guoguan (a website/platform)...

Ye Tinglan sat cross-legged on the star-gazing platform, watching Yuan Muyu slowly walk up the steps.

The sisters, veiled and masked, stared at each other for a full ten breaths before Ye Tinglan sighed, "Fuyao, your body..."

Yuan Muyu suddenly interrupted: "Miss Ye Zhuoyu... at this moment, you should call me sister."

Ye Tinglan's face turned a variety of colors.

(End of this chapter)