Water Margin: Gao Yanei is actually a Gal Genius

As night fell, the monk did not leave the city but returned to his dilapidated courtyard.

It turned out that Gao Jin had asked him to stay at the Gao residence for the next two days, partly to keep the Lin brothers company, and partly to prevent Cai Jing from using him as a tool in his madness.

The abbot readily agreed.

However, Gao Jin was very considerate. When he saw that Lin Chong's wife was also in the small building, he arranged for Lu Zhishen to go elsewhere.

This monk is too reckless; he shouldn't live next door to the young couple.

After playing with the stone locks for a while, Lin Chong returned, and the three brothers drank some wine together. During the meal, Lin Chong called out his wife and thanked Gao Jin again.

After several rounds of drinks, Gao Jin noticed that Lin Chong's wife seemed hesitant to speak and had a flushed face. He then had a plan in mind, pulled Lu Zhishen aside, and bid farewell to Lin Chong and his wife.

After sending Lu Zhishen back to his other small building, Gao Jin also went back to his own room to rest.

His last thought before falling asleep was anticipating the appearance of Qingmei in the room the next morning.

The next day, as soon as Gao Jin opened his eyes, he went to look at the place where Chen Liqing had been sitting the day before, but it was completely empty.

After a moment of melancholy, Gao Jin roused himself and loudly summoned Number 888 and Number 666 to help him change and wash.

The maids were indeed quick and efficient; they tidied him up in no time.

When Gao Jin pushed open the door, it was still dawn. As soon as he stepped out of the room, he saw that beautiful figure wearing a green veil, standing gracefully in the courtyard.

"Qingmei, why don't you come inside and sit for a while?" Gao Jin smiled, revealing a set of white teeth. He took a few steps to Chen Liqing and reached out to brush away the stray hairs from her temples.

Chen Liqing slightly turned aside to avoid it. She lowered her eyes, took out a book carefully wrapped in blue cloth from her sleeve, and slowly opened it, her movements as careful as if she were unpacking a wound dressing.

"Brother Gao," her voice was soft, yet it sounded as if it were veiled by a thin gauze, "this book...could you read it to me?"

Gao Jin paused for a moment, then took the book and looked at it: "Admonitions for Women?"

He frowned: "When did you start reading such boring stuff, Qingmei?"

I randomly turned to a page, and there it was, in bold black ink, the words: "A husband may remarry, but a wife may not remarry."

"Brother Gao." Chen Liqing's voice was as soft as the moss by the well, yet she enunciated each word clearly.

"Yesterday, Father knelt before the ancestral tablets for half the night. He said, 'Daughter, I know you and Tuizhi are deeply in love, but the more so, the more we must not let others look down on us.'"

Gao Jin's smile gradually froze.

Did the senior monk and the old Taoist priest team up to torment him?

Chen Liqing took the "Admonitions for Women" from Gao Jin, turned the pages with her delicate hand, pointed to a line of text with her fingertip, and read it to him.

"The book says that men are valued for their strength, while women are valued for their weakness. Women should be virtuous and quiet."

She looked up, her eyes reflecting the bright, newly risen light of dawn.

"Father said that this reputation is like tofu in water; it can't be touched lightly, or it will crumble at the slightest touch."

"You...you actually believed such a sarcastic remark?" Gao Jin was extremely anxious, reaching out to grab Chen Liqing's hand. "Our feelings are as clear as day! Besides, didn't we agree that I'd marry you once things calmed down..."

"That's precisely why we must be even more mindful of propriety." Chen Liqing pushed the book forward slightly, blocking Gao Jin's outstretched hand.

"Father said, 'If you make a mistake before marriage, people will talk about you for the rest of your life. If you let him touch your hand today, people will say you've lost your virginity tomorrow.'"

Her voice lowered, becoming pleading.

"Brother Gao, if you... if you truly care for your little sister, then wait a few more months. Once that bridal sedan chair has truly carried your little sister into the door, she will be your lawfully wedded wife, and naturally... naturally, you can do whatever you want."

There is an old locust tree in the yard. When the morning breeze blows, the old locust tree rustles.

Gao Jin stared at Chen Liqing for a long time, many thoughts passing through his mind.

Chen Liqing also craned her neck and raised her head, looking at him through the blue gauze.

"Okay..." Gao Jin felt his voice was a little hoarse, "...I'll wait."

Surely there wouldn't be honey traps in the Song Dynasty too, would there?

Damn monk!

Gao Jin was furious. If Lu Zhishen hadn't ruined his plans yesterday, he would have already seduce Chen Liqing into bed, and none of this would have happened today.

After receiving Gao Jin's response, Chen Liqing took out a plain white handkerchief from her bosom, with a tiny "Qing" character embroidered on one corner.

She folded the handkerchief and gently placed it on the page of the Book of Admonitions for Women.

"This... Brother Gao, please take it first." Chen Liqing's voice was so soft it was like a dream, and when she turned her head, her ears were revealed to be bright red.

"The handkerchief is clean, and so is my heart. Keep it close to your heart, as if... as if I were here with you."

Gao Jin grabbed the handkerchief; the soft fabric seemed to still carry her body heat. He took a deep breath, tucked the handkerchief into his robes, and took a step back.

"Qingmei, shall I take you to the backyard to meet my two brothers?"

Seeing that Chen Liqing was slightly visible under her blue gauze veil, Gao Jin turned around and led the way.

Only then did he notice that Qingmei's maid, Yang'er, was also in the courtyard.

Is this old Taoist priest afraid someone will steal his food? Why did he even send a spy?!

Oh well... it's only a few days, I'll just have to bear with it.

As dawn broke, Gao Qiu and Chen Xizhen sat in the pavilion in the backyard of the Gao residence, with fruits and snacks laid out on the round table in front of them, along with a pot of tea.

Gao Qiu was playing with a string of agarwood beads, but his eyes kept glancing at the pavilion by the lotus pond in the backyard.

Gao Jin, Chen Liqing, and Lin Chong and his wife were chatting there, with a maid standing by their side.

Chen Xizhen stared at Lin Chong and his wife with astonishment. How could he not be surprised by a dead man and a criminal?

With a pursed lip, the old Taoist priest looked at Gao Jin again, his fingers flying across his sleeve as he began to calculate.

Hiss, how come Tuizhi's fate has changed again today?

The old man's gaze swept past Chen Liqing.

Diviners do not consult the oracle about their closest relatives.

Gao Qiu observed Chen Liqing's behavior for a while, then suddenly laughed and stood up to personally pour tea for the old Taoist priest. "Brother Daozi, you've raised a fine young lady!"

Chen Xizhen withdrew his gaze, his lips twitching slightly. "The old Taoist priest's wife passed away early. This girl always loves to practice with spears and clubs, which has made the Grand Commandant laugh at her."

"Young people are bound to be energetic, that's normal. My little devil has caused quite a bit of trouble too, hasn't he?" Gao Qiu sat back down and then invited Chen Xizhen to taste the tea, "Brother Xizhen, try this new tea."

"When the Emperor bestowed the small dragon dumplings that had just arrived from Jian'an, he said that they were too refreshing and should only be enjoyed by those who appreciate them."

Chen Xizhen picked up the teacup, but didn't touch it to his lips, only watching the ripples in the tea: "Grand Commandant, you summoned me today for more than just tea, didn't you?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Qiu said solemnly, "To be honest, the reason I invited Brother Daozi here today is that I must swallow my pride and ask you for a treasure."

Chen Xizhen paused in his hand as he poured tea, realizing the main event was about to begin.

"Why not?" Gao Qiu leaned forward slightly, his voice low but clear, "Your esteemed daughter, only sixteen years old, intelligent and beautiful, renowned throughout the capital... Isn't she an invaluable treasure?"

Gao Qiu is really good with words. Last time, he was the one who told the younger generation to deal with each other. Although the old Taoist wanted to argue, he couldn't help but feel too favorably toward Gao Jin.

Chen Xizhen's gaze sharpened, and she gently placed the teapot back on the table. "What the Grand Commandant means is..."

"My son may be a bit old, but he is kind-hearted and deeply respects heroes and valiant men." Gao Qiu's expression was earnest and completely genuine.

"Ever since he had a brief encounter with your daughter at his residence, he has often said, 'If I could have this woman as my wife, I would have no other desires in this life.' I felt I was begging for her hand, but I couldn't dissuade this foolish son..."

He stood up and bowed solemnly to Chen Xizhen, saying, "Today, I humbly request a marriage proposal on behalf of my son. I earnestly hope that Brother Daozi will consider this matter."

Chen Xizhen quickly helped Gao Qiu up, remaining silent in thought.

These words were completely unexpected to him.

The old Taoist priest's gaze drifted to the two people who were behaving respectfully in the pavilion by the lotus pond, then returned to Gao Qiu.

Why don't you listen to what you're saying?

If it weren't for the old Taoist priest's sharp eyes and quick intervention, these two might have caused a fatal accident.

However, Grand Commandant Gao's words made Chen Xizhen feel truly pleased, and his manner of doing so also earned him great respect.

It felt like I had eaten a bowl of osmanthus-flavored iced drink on a sweltering summer day—cool, sweet, and incredibly comforting.

No wonder the emperor likes him; Gao Qiu really knows how to conduct himself.

Chen Xizhen stared at Gao Qiu for a long time, then suddenly sighed, feeling ashamed of his own inferiority.

He took the ladder handed to him by Gao Qiu, saying, "Let me discuss this with my daughter. I will give the Grand Commandant an answer within three days."