Chapter 59: Easily Resolving the Crisis

  Xiaoliu girl was stunned, Hu Zhongren and Liu Qingqing were stuffed. By the end of the meal, Liu Qingqing could only stand up and couldn't sit down. Hu Zhongren said: "Do you want to go out for a walk? The night market in Linjing is much more lively than Linhan County."

  Seeing Liu Qingqing at the Linwan market, I ate until my stomach was full. Now that I've eaten and drunk enough, going to the market should be a case of "eyes hungry, belly full", right? A sly smile in my heart.

  Liu Qingqing said: "Good, I was just thinking of going out for a walk. To see the momentum of the Liu family."

  "We didn't say we were afraid of being seen by people from the Liu family? Why are you still delivering it to their doorstep?"

  Huzhongren also said: "Yes, if you see Mr. Liu or his family members, will you greet them or pretend not to know them?"

  Liu Qingqing tilted her head and thought for a moment: "It's also safer to stay at home, but unfortunately I'm feeling uncomfortable after eating, so I have to go out to the yard to take a stroll and digest my food."

  Hu Zhongren gazed lovingly at her. "You, can't you just take it easy? Look at me, I eat a lot too, but not to the point where I'm stuck!" Normally serious Hu Zhongren looked at Liu Qingqing with affection, his eyes full of fondness that he couldn't hide, or perhaps he simply wanted to express his doting intentions towards Liu Qingqing.

  Liu Qingqing, however, was oblivious to Hu Zhongren's ardent gaze and didn't notice that he genuinely liked her sister. Seeing Liu Qingqing's clueless expression, Xiao Liu decided to help her out and said, "Why don't you two go out for a stroll? I'm tired and want to take a rest."

  Liu Qingqing said: "A hundred steps after meals can live up to ninety-nine, let's go to the yard and take a walk together?"

  Hu Zhongren said: "Xiaoliu doesn't want to go, let her rest in the house for a while. It's safer here than outside."

  The house of the Hu Zhongren has a hidden wall, with a guard with exceptional martial arts skills hiding in an ambush, so on the surface it looks very free, but inside it is actually very tense.

  Xiao Liu also said: "Yes, I don't have any martial arts skills. Once we're outside, I'll still need you all to take care of me. Plus, the journey is exhausting, and I really don't want to go."

  Liu Qingqing took a look at Xiao Liu's sincere and heartfelt words, so she didn't force her anymore. Together with Hu Zhongren, the two of them went to the courtyard. During the day, they had already made some observations, and Liu Qingqing also had a certain understanding of the layout of the courtyard. The front street was the storefront, and the back was the residence. In the front, there were two-story buildings, with warehouses on top and shops below. At the back was the main house where Hu Zhongren lived when he came, with side houses on either side where the shopkeepers and apprentices lived, although they were side houses, they were spacious and had their families here, and the employees could be said to be living a happy life.

  In the middle of the spacious hall, there were only some flowers, grass and trees. In the middle section, a screen wall was separated. Liu Qingqing and Hu Zhongren walked to the outside of the screen wall, where it was quiet and silent. Perhaps knowing that Hu Shaolai had arrived, the children and wives of various families were all confined to their rooms without coming out, but on the wallpaper of the windows, there were people's shadows flickering, which were curious servants looking at the new lady.

  Mr. Hu never brought his wife to the branch, so everyone was very curious and wanted to see Mrs. Hu's face. If they weren't afraid of Mr. Hu's severity, they would have come out to watch earlier.

  Liu Qingqing didn't mind everyone watching, on the one hand she didn't consider herself as Hu Shao's young madam, and on the other hand there was no longer a husband-wife relationship between the two people, even if there was, Liu Qingqing as a modern woman didn't feel ashamed. In Hu Zhongren's view it was just his personality.

  The shopkeeper couldn't help but come out first, holding a big red candle, shining brightly on Liu Qingqing's face. Everyone hiding in the dark couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration. Liu Qingqing noticed and smiled magnanimously: "Everyone wants to see me, it's my honor, please come out and meet." As soon as she spoke loudly, the whispers disappeared, and there was complete silence. Liu Qingqing smiled: "It seems that I'm borrowing the tiger's prestige, this fox has taken over your prestige, Old Tiger Hu Shao. Please open your golden mouth and invite everyone to come out?"

  Hú Shǎo smiled but didn't speak. The shopkeeper saw him and immediately shouted: "Everyone come out quickly, Hú Shǎo allows everyone to meet."

  At this time, both big and small kids rushed out.

  The bolder children came forward, bowed and said: "Good young lady." Liu Qingqing thought of explaining that she was no longer the young lady, but thinking that the more explanations would make things more confusing, so she didn't argue. She smiled slightly and said: "Everyone is good, I'm glad to see everyone."

  Hu Zhongren felt relieved in his heart, Liu Qingqing did not lose face in front of others, which shows that he is not very disgusted with himself, so his own efforts have not been wasted. Everyone only knows that Hu Shaoxin is newly married and does not know about other things, so they are happy and joyful, which can be understood.

  After chatting and laughing with everyone for a while, the shopkeeper said: "Hú Shǎo has already understood everyone's intention, and everyone has also seen Young Madam, so let's all go back? Don't affect Hú Shǎo and Young Madam's stroll and chat." He himself smiled at Hú Shǎo and said: "Hú Shǎo, you two take a walk, I'll take my leave first, if there's anything, you can summon me."

  Hu Zhongren nodded, and the shopkeeper retreated. Liu Qingqing shook her body and walked out of the yard in big strides, coming to the back street. The back street was very quiet, with only a few people walking at night, also hurrying along, like the two of them strolling leisurely, there wasn't one. The two began to walk one after the other, keeping a distance of several people between them, Hu Zhongren quietly stopped in his tracks, beckoning with his hand towards the back, several people who seemed to be walking carelessly received the instruction and quickly went forward.

  Hu Zhongren quickened his pace and caught up with Liu Qingqing, asking: "Shall we go to the front street for a walk? The streets ahead are bustling with activity, there should be many interesting things to see."

  Liu Qing walked for a while and felt much more comfortable. Hearing Hu Zhongren's suggestion, he was delighted: "Great, I also want to see the special features of this place."

  Hu Zhongren walked up to Liu Qingqing, quietly grasping Liu Qingqing's hand. Liu Qingqing didn't pull away, and Hu Zhongren was so overjoyed that he almost jumped for joy, just like a young man in the early stages of love.

  After turning a corner and walking for about twenty or thirty meters, the two people turned onto the main street. As expected, it was still bustling with lights and crowds of people. The two walked hand in hand, strolling along the main street. Suddenly, a magnificent mansion appeared before them. Hu Zhongren said, "This is the Hong Wang Fu. The current first-class prime minister, Hong Junru, retired to his hometown and lives here."

  As expected, impressive!

  Liu Qingqing felt that it could be compared to the modern Red Mansion Rongguo Fu she had seen before, and it was clear how much the current emperor valued this old minister. Just as Liu Qingqing was staring intently at the decorations, Hu Zhongren suddenly pulled her into his arms. Liu Qingqing looked around and saw that eight burly men immediately surrounded her and Hu Zhongren, shielding them from view. Looking past the shoulders of the two people in front, a young Taoist nun in white robes stood holding a duster in front of several bodyguards.

  What's going on?

  Can't see the other's face clearly, only feels like an outstanding beauty. Liu Qingqing took out a self-made flashlight from her bosom and threw the iron wire with night pearls into the air. Immediately, the front door of the Hong family was illuminated as bright as daylight. Everyone was very surprised, not knowing what kind of dark weapon it was. However, at this time, Liu Qingqing saw the Taoist priest's face clearly: This person has a charming expression, bright eyes and white teeth, fair skin, apricot eyes and peach cheeks, beautiful eyes flowing with tears, and rosy cheeks. The first reflection in Liu Qingqing's mind was Li Mochou, the Taoist priest from Jin Yong's novel, and then she realized it was Hu Shao's nemesis.

  The Taoist nun also saw clearly the appearance of Liu Qingqing and said loudly: "Hú Shǎo has a good way, actually finding such a beauty to be his concubine, no wonder he abandoned me!"

  Hu Zhongren also saw the newcomer clearly, "Hong Fu? When did you come back?" The newcomer was Hong Fu, the beloved daughter of Hong Chengxiang. She had returned to her mother's home due to Hu Shao's cold treatment and had been accepted as a disciple by Yimiao Daoist after leaving her family. Now that Hong Chengxiang was old, he invited Hong Fu back home, which is why she appeared in Linhan Province.

  "I don't care about your business, but you're not going to have a good day today. Today, we'll see who's better. If you can beat me, you can go back to the Hu family villa. But if you can't, then you won't be able to see your new lover again." Hong Fu was still full of resentment and spoke provocatively, it seemed that things wouldn't end well today. Before Hu Zhongren could speak, Liu Qingqing hastily said to the bodyguard: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and invite Master Hong out! Do you want to see Young Master Hu die in the middle of the street?"

  Liu Qingqing's brain has always been quick-witted. Now it seems that Hong Fu won't give up easily, and the only ones who can persuade him are his parents.

  "Don't worry, my father has gone to the capital and is not in the mansion." Hong Fu said coldly: "You haven't even fought with me yet, how do you know you can't beat me? Is Hu Shao just a name, unable to withstand a single blow?"

  Liu Qingqing glanced at Hu Zhongren, and quickly shrank to the side of a large bodyguard. "Hu Shao, since they attach so much importance to you, why don't you have a little competition with him? However, men don't fight women, just show some courtesy, don't hurt Hong Fu's sister."

  Hongfen snorted in disdain through her nostrils. How could she possibly like a man like that?

  Hu Zhongren thought to himself, his martial arts skills were taught by his uncle and were considered the best in the south. However, compared to Yimiao Dao Girl, he was still a bit inferior. With his leg disability, he didn't dare to compete with others. But today, Hong Fu was being aggressive and wouldn't let up, it seemed like he couldn't get out of this without fighting. Seeing more and more people gathering around, Hu Zhongren said: "Alright, let's have a trial. If I can't win within ten moves, you can do whatever you want with me."

  A group of grass mud horses flew over the field from Liu Qingqing's mouth, you really don't take my life seriously, eh. When I see things are not going well, I'll slip away quietly. Who cares about your agreement!

  Having made up his mind, he took out the self-made flashlight and turned it off, locking it in a wooden box. The scene immediately darkened a lot. Relying on the lanterns and torches, the two people stood together.

  The masters faced off, and everyone else automatically retreated several feet to give them enough space. Liu Qingqing pinched the tall bodyguard's hand beside her, and he understood tacitly. The two of them quietly exited the scene and quickly ran back to the Hu residence.

  The two people on the scene were fighting so fiercely that they didn't have time to take care of Liu Qingqing. The two people ran back home, saw Xiao Liu, and Liu Qingqing was telling Xiao Liu what had happened when suddenly there was a commotion outside, and Liu Qingqing said: "Ah, brother is back, why are you so badly beaten?"

  Hu Zhongren hobbled and limped as he ran back to his bedroom, with someone hot on his heels. Who could it be if not Hong Fu?

  "My goodness, sister, I really admire you! You'd better not become a nun, being the legitimate wife of Hu Shao is more than enough." The two Liu Qingqings knelt down together and grabbed Hong Fu's hands, "Sister, sister, I really admire you!"

  Hong stopped in his tracks and stared at the two identical Liu Qingqings, also shocked. What's going on here?

  "Sister, I hope you become Hu Shaoyi's legitimate wife, we are willing to step aside for you!"

  Hong Fan has been clearing his mind and desires for years, no longer asking about the worldly affairs. When he heard Liu Qingqing say this, it was as if he saw a glimmer of light in the mist, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. He smiled and said: "Thank you, sister, for pointing out my mistake. I have already retreated into the Tao and do not ask about worldly matters. However, I couldn't understand why Hu Shao was cold to me. Today, your words made me suddenly enlightened. But, which one of you is Liu Qingqing? You two?"

  Liu Qingqing said: "Sister can get lost and return, it's a happy occasion. As for who is Qingqing among us, it doesn't matter to sister. However, I can still tell sister that I am Qingqing, he is Liu Qingqing."