People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 192, Aqing from the Countryside
Zi Nu's smile vanished completely when she saw Nong Yu's expression.

At this moment, Nongyu was still feeling ashamed. Her face was slightly red, with traces of tears remaining, and her beautiful eyes were slightly red from excitement.

The hem of her dress slipped off her right shoulder, revealing her fair, delicate shoulder. Her skin, as white as fresh snow, still retained a few traces of rosy blush, shimmering faintly in the moonlight, especially accentuated by her flustered expression.

No matter how you look at it, Nongyu's current situation seems like she has been bullied, and the only person in the house who could bully Nongyu is Xu Qing.

"What? Shouldn't you explain this to me?" Zi Nu asked, staring at Xu Qing.

Zi Nu was not the kind of person who would ignore things when they happened. Although the situation at the scene was easy to misunderstand, she still gave Xu Qing a chance to explain.

Xu Qing also noticed the change in Zi Nu's expression. He stiffly turned his head to look at Nong Yu. Seeing Nong Yu's posture, he knew that Zi Nu might have misunderstood that he had bullied Nong Yu.

"In all honesty, I noticed something was wrong with Nongyu's zither playing, so I came to help her tune it. In a moment of inspiration, I remembered a piece I had written earlier, and I played it for her."

Xu Qing began to explain to Zi Nu, recounting everything that had happened, naturally omitting some unimportant details.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Nongyu felt a pang of unease and dared not look at Zi Nu.

After all, she had just harbored evil intentions towards her brother-in-law, Xu Qing. Although she managed to restrain herself in the end, she had never had such an experience before and was at a loss, clutching the hem of her clothes.

She felt embarrassed and ashamed, as if she had been caught having an affair with Xu Qing by Zi Nu, the very person in question. She wished she could cover her face and run away as fast as she could.

Hearing Xu Qing's explanation, Zi Nu glanced at Nong Yu's lowered head and silent expression, and was mostly convinced, but doubts still lingered in her mind.

"You mean you taught Nongyu the song twice, but she still couldn't learn it?"

Zi Nu crossed her arms over her chest, her charming face still as cold as ice, her beautiful eyes looking at Xu Qing and Nong Yu with suspicion.

Before Xu Qing could explain, Nongyu spoke up first.

"It's like this, Sister Zi Nu. The melody that the Imperial Physician taught me is very exquisite, and the story behind it is deeply moving. I'm quite immersed in it and can't help but be captivated."

Nongyu blushed and looked around with her beautiful eyes. Although she tried her best to restrain her guilt and shame, she could not hide her guilty behavior.

These subtle actions naturally did not escape Zi Nu's notice. She felt that Xu Qing and Nong Yu were definitely hiding something from her, but it shouldn't be as she thought, that Xu Qing had bullied Nong Yu.

Although Xu Qing was lecherous, Zi Nu still had faith in him and believed that he wouldn't openly make a move on Nong Yu, her sister-in-law.

While Nongyu appears gentle, she possesses a resolute heart. If Xu Qing were to use force, Nongyu would absolutely refuse to submit, even at the cost of her life, while simultaneously making a commotion to attract attention.

"What story could possibly move you like this?" Zi Nu asked, staring intently at the two of them.

Xu Qing glanced at Zi Nu's suspicious expression and then at Nong Yu out of the corner of his eye. Seeing Nong Yu's guilty demeanor, he sighed helplessly.

His sister-in-law is too naive; she needs to be properly disciplined, otherwise how will she be able to face this treacherous world in the future?
But right now he has to deal with Zi Nu well; if he continues to question her like this, Nong Yu will definitely reveal a flaw.

"It's just a short story. If you'd like to hear it, I'll tell it to you privately tonight."

“Learning the tune ‘Nongyu’ just now took a lot of energy, so let her rest for a while.”

As he spoke, Xu Qing gave Zi Nu a wink, indicating that they should go outside to talk.

"Nongyu, are you alright?" Zinu asked Nongyu.

"Sister Zi Nu, I'm fine, I'm just a little tired," Nong Yu said quickly, nodding.

Faced with Zi Nu's scrutiny, Nong Yu felt ashamed, to the point that she could hardly breathe. She was afraid that if she continued to ask questions, she would give herself away. So she cooperated with Xu Qing and thought of sending Zi Nu away first.

As for how Xu Qing should explain things to Zi Nu afterward, she couldn't think of that for the time being. As her brother-in-law, Xu Qing naturally had an obligation to help her withstand Zi Nu's scrutiny.

"Alright, then you should get some rest. We'll be going now," Zi Nu said.

“That’s right, you should get some rest. I’ve already given you the sheet music. You can practice again tomorrow.” After saying that, Xu Qing got up and walked towards Zi Nu.

Nongyu looked up at Xu Qing, but then quickly lowered her head again, too embarrassed to look at him, thinking of the scene when she was playing the zither.

Zi Nu naturally noticed all of these little actions, which made her even more certain that Xu Qing and Nong Yu had done something they were guilty of behind her back.

But out of love for Nongyu, she did not press the matter further and let Xu Qing lead her out of the room.

After entering the courtyard, Zi Nu released Xu Qing's hand. "Tell me, what exactly happened?" Zi Nu asked, staring at Xu Qing.

"Here's the thing: I wrote a piece called 'The Butterfly Lovers'."

Xu Qing revealed his plan to give Liang Zhu to Nongyu and to publicly claim that Liang Zhu was something Nongyu had done.

“Nongyu is naturally shy, and she is so devout in her love for the zither. This act of impersonation is a desecration in her mind.”

"I finally managed to calm her down and get her to accept the song, but then you walked in and caught me red-handed."

Xu Qing looked helplessly at Zi Nu, trying to portray herself as a pitiful person who had worked hard but was still doubted.

"Is that right?"

Zi Nu looked into Xu Qing's eyes and asked, though she already believed him to be about 80% certain.

Just as Xu Qing said, Nongyu was too devout to play the zither. Impersonating someone else would indeed make Nongyu feel guilty, especially after being suddenly discovered and interrupted.

"Of course! You have no idea how good this piece of music I wrote is. It's comparable to 'High Mountains and Flowing Water'!" Xu Qing said confidently.

Seeing Xu Qing's boastful manner, Zi Nu completely dispelled her doubts and burst out laughing.

She had confidence in Xu Qing and Nongyu; even if the two wanted to do something, they couldn't possibly do it at Zilan Pavilion.

Seeing that Zi Nu had dispelled her doubts, Xu Qing feigned displeasure and said...
"You don't trust me? Why don't you go ask Nongyu tomorrow and let her evaluate this piece?"

"Alright, alright, I trust my little man. Your music must be excellent," Zi Nu said softly, maintaining her mature and sophisticated demeanor.

"Come, come, let me tell you the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai."

Xu Qing stepped forward, put his arm around Zi Nu's waist, and walked towards the neighboring courtyard. Taking advantage of Zi Nu's distraction, he had to strike while the iron was hot and make sure she completely forgot about the matter.

"Then I'll listen carefully and see if your story can truly compare to the beauty of mountains and flowing water."

Zi Nu looked at Xu Qing with a smile in her eyes, leaned on Xu Qing's shoulder, and prepared to listen to the story.

She had long heard that Xu Qing pleased Lady Hu and Madam Mingzhu with his storytelling. Now that Xu Qing was her man, it was natural that he would tell her stories as well. She had to have what other women had.

It can only be said that this possessiveness in women is innate.

Xu Qing walked with Zi Nu in his arms, telling her the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. The two returned to their room, and Xu Qing finished telling the story.

After hearing the story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, Zi Shen looked moved, her purple eyes slightly moist, and she reached out to wipe away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes.

“No wonder Nongyu was so engrossed in it; the story is truly moving. This tragic love that defied societal constraints is no exaggeration to call it a timeless masterpiece,” Zi Nu said, leaning on Xu Qing’s shoulder.

The story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai made her think of herself and Xu Qing. Although their love was not as tumultuous as Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai's, the risks they would face in the future were not small, and she could not guarantee that she and Xu Qing could grow old together.

Sensing the sadness of the beauty in his arms, Xu Qing gently lifted Zi Nu's chin, looked into her alluring purple eyes, and softly said...
"Although the love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai is a tragedy, they teach us that when facing emotional difficulties, we need firm faith and courage to bravely pursue our true feelings."

"It also encourages us to find a balance between family and personal happiness."

"No matter when or where, I will always uphold our relationship. If anyone dares to take you away, I will beat them to a pulp."

Hearing Xu Qing's domineering speech, Zi Nu's unease vanished. She wrapped her arms around Xu Qing's neck and nodded earnestly.

"I believe in you. I believe you have the ability to overthrow all the shackles imposed on us."

Looking at the beauty in his arms, Xu Qing couldn't help but kiss Zi Nu's small lips, his restless hands starting to wander.

"Whoosh~ Door open"

Before Zi Nu could finish speaking, Xu Qing completely sealed her mouth with a kiss. Xu Qing then used the "Ten Thousand Rivers Autumn Water" technique with one hand to close the door and extinguish several candles in the process.

I wonder if the sages of the Taoist Tianzong sect would be so angry they'd crawl out of the ground if they knew Xu Qing used Wan Chuan Qiu Shui to close the door and blow out candles.

The two kissed and rolled onto the bed, the curtains falling away.

Xu Qing, who came from a rural background, began farming again under the cover of night.
(End of this chapter)