Chapter Sixty: Hong Fu

  The computer is broken. Just fixed it. Sorry everyone.

  Hong Fu said: "You are the Liu Qingqing who came to my house with Hu Shao, I can be sure. Being able to think of the key to solving things in such a short time, I admire you, this is why Hu Shao favors you."

  Liu Qingqing suddenly gained energy, and all she saw was a white crane spreading its wings, standing on one leg, smiling and saying: "Sister, you really recognized me, actually, I was afraid of your fists greeting me, so I thought of asking Uncle Hong to come out and fix you up, because when we do something wrong, we should find our parents, right? Since sister has already calmed down her anger towards Hu Shao, then, Hu Shao, shouldn't we take out some good wine to celebrate?"

  Hu Shao clapped his hands three times and a servant came out "Hu Shao?"

  "Hu Zhongren said: 'Bring up the best wine, we'll raise our cups and celebrate with a few small dishes.'"

  Xiaoliu Dao: "I'll go to the kitchen to help out and serve a few dishes."

  Liu Qingqing excitedly grasped Xiao Liu's shoulder "Really? Sister? Are you willing to make some delicious food for us? Knowing this, I won't eat dinner now, and my stomach isn't hungry yet. However, thanks to Hong Fu sister, just now when I ran away with too much force, my full stomach went down a lot."

  Koyanagi said: "I'll make some digestive-friendly dishes for everyone, mainly with fruits."

  Xiaoliu and the servant walked out, and three people sat together drinking tea. Hong Fu said: "I observed the relationship between Hu Shao and Qingqing, it seems to be similar to ours in those years, I'm afraid Hu Shao is infatuated with her." Another straightforward one who loves to meddle in other people's business.

  Hu Shao was indeed angry. "Hong Fu, must you dissect my emotions?"

  Hong Feng couldn't help but laugh. "I just wanted to let Hu Shao experience what I felt back then." Ah, yes, it was all because of his young age back then.

  Hong was 16 years old when he just arrived in Kyoto from Linhe Province, because his father was promoted to Prime Minister. The Hong family came to Kyoto together, coinciding with the opening of Hu Shao's new store in Kyoto, which held a grand event. Whoever could embroider a fortune and prosperity character within an incense stick time would receive free clothes from Hu's for three years, as well as dinner at the Welcome Pavilion hosted by Hu Shao himself.

  Hong Feng had just learned the art of embroidery from Jiangnan and returned to his hometown, eager to try out his skills. Among the crowd, he was indeed the first to be chosen.

  Wearing the beautiful clothes tailored by Hu for himself, Hong Fu walked up to the welcoming building with a smile, seeing Hu Shao sitting at the round table, looking elegant and refined, with an air of elegance that was overwhelming. The usual cold and stern atmosphere was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a warm and friendly demeanor.

  Hu Zhongren is very particular about his business methods, and has made a name for himself by expanding his trade. When facing 16-year-old Hong Fu's younger sister, he reveals a manly demeanor and grandeur, as well as a mature masculine charm that attracts the hearts of young girls.

  Hong Fei gazed at the affable man in front of her, worshipping him with all her heart. Her eyes lingered on Hu Shao's face, reluctant to leave. Hu Zhongren looked at this beautiful young woman, but felt no flutter in his chest. He regarded her as a mischievous child, and gazed back at her without restraint. After all, he had always existed under the halo of being a genius, so he was accustomed to Hong Fei's admiring gaze. Hu Zhongren picked up a pair of chopsticks and served himself a small portion, but mostly arranged dishes for Hong Fei. He watched where her eyes landed, and immediately placed the corresponding dish in front of her. We know that Hu Shao is not refined when eating, especially when with Liu Qingqing - they were like two little pigs fighting over food. How did Hu Shao overcome this difficulty? Of course, he ate his fill first, so even the most delicious dishes had nowhere to go.

  However, Hong Fu did not know that Hu Shao's eating habits were unrefined and his temperament was cold. Looking at Hu Shao's gentle and elegant appearance, he secretly harbored a deep affection for him, like the endless waters of the Yangtze River. Therefore, after dinner, Hong Fu pretended to be drunk and refused to leave. Hu Zhongren carried Hong Fu back to the Hong Mansion, where they reported that they could not be separated. The Hong family then proposed to the old prime minister that since men and women should not be intimate with each other, he had already been physically close to Hu Shao and wanted to marry him.

  Hong Xiangguo disagreed. There are three reasons: First, Hu Shao already had four wives before, the first one was burned to death, and the other three were unknown. Second, Hu Shao's legs were disabled and he couldn't be an official or inherit his own legacy. Third, although Hu Shao had four wives, he didn't leave behind any sons or daughters, maybe he had an incurable disease, and now Hong Fu only has this one daughter, who would have to support him in his old age and continue the family line, obviously Hu Shao is not qualified.

  Hong Fu was locked in the house, refusing to eat or drink, and argued with her father, saying that she would not marry anyone but Hu Shao. No matter how many princes, nobles, and rich young men her father introduced through matchmakers, she refused to look at them. What's more frightening is that Hong Fu refused to eat, growing thinner day by day, and was on the verge of collapse. Hong Lao Xiangguo had no choice but to ask a matchmaker to propose to Hu Zhongren's family, but unexpectedly, Hu Shao refused. Hu Shao's reason was simple: he thought Hong Fu was too young and would change her mind after a while.

  Hong Laoxiangguo had no choice, personally asked the emperor to be his matchmaker, and the emperor sent Hu Fei to be the matchmaker. Under imperial orders, Hu Shao married Hong Fu.

  Hong Feng was over the moon with joy, marrying into the Hu family. But to her surprise, the one who came to greet her wasn't the beaming groom Hu Shao, nor did the infamous Yang Liuqing, known for his flirtatious ways with his brother's wife, make an appearance. Moreover, there was no reception for all the relatives and friends, and even on the day of the return visit, Hu Zhongren used the excuse of being busy with business to get through it hastily.

  The old prime minister was very dissatisfied, but his daughter was willing and there was no way to stop them, so he had to let them be.

  Hong Fu stayed at Hu's house for three months. Hu Shao was busy outside for three months. He didn't return to the Kyoto Hu House, but slept in the shop of Hu House at night without entering the house.

  Hong Fan heard that Hu Zhongren had returned to Kyoto, so he hurried to the Hu family's silk store, prepared delicious food and wine, and proactively drank a cup with his husband. On this day, Hu Shao really showed his favor, and they drank until they were drunk, then fell asleep together, which led to Hong Fan's wedding night.

  She was overjoyed, Hong Fu was extremely happy, doing her best to be affectionate, hoping to capture her husband's heart and avoid the misery of being alone in an empty room. Hu Shao also cooperated, and the two finally had a real marital relationship. Hong Fu was exceptionally delighted, leaning against Hu Shao's arm and lying beside him, but then she heard his murmurs in his sleep. This sentence in his sleep talk was like a bucket of ice water poured over her head, completely destroying Hong Fu's determination.

  "Xiū lián, xiū lián, my good Xiū lián, I love you so much!" Hu Zhōngrén's furious anger was still simmering, but as he lay beside her, his mind was actually on his deceased wife. If it were someone else, he might have been able to overcome his feelings, but Xiū lián had already passed away, and competing with a dead person for affection was an impossible hurdle for Hóng Fú to overcome.

  Facing the rooftop, speechless and soundless. A hundred emotions gathered in his heart, and suddenly he made a decision.

  The next day, the sun was shining brightly. Hu Zhongren woke up from his drunkenness and saw Hong Fu, he was very surprised, and didn't even know that she had been with him the whole night. Hong Fu looked at his expression, and her heart sank even further, gritting her teeth as she said: "Hu Shao, husband, I've been married to you for three months now, and only last night did we consummate our marriage. But I'm extremely regretful, I didn't know that in your heart, you still had Xiu Lian's memory. Since that's the case, I, Hong Fu, am not one to cling shamelessly, so please, Hu Shao, take up a brush and paper, and grant me a divorce. I will be eternally grateful."

  Husband and wife did not hesitate, found someone to bring paper and pen, wrote a divorce letter, took responsibility on themselves, said they were unable to have children, willing to let each other go home, from then on, the two would marry separately, not allowed to interfere with each other.

  Hongfen was reluctant to leave at first, but seeing Hu Zhongren's decisive attitude, he didn't want to be a clingy person, so he took the divorce papers and returned to the Hong Mansion.

  Hong Lao's daughter had strayed and returned, he was overjoyed and hastily invited a matchmaker to arrange her marriage. However, Hong Fu's temperament had greatly changed, she was no longer the naive and romantic girl she once was, every day she would either practice martial arts in the garden or do embroidery in the sewing room, vastly different from before.

  Hong Lao Xiang Gu was worried and anxious, fearing that his daughter would again think of something foolish. At this time, a Taoist nun came down from the mountain to the capital city, saw Hong Fu, felt that her bones were extraordinary and suitable for cultivation, and wanted to take her as a disciple.

  It's hard to bear. As her only daughter, she became a Taoist nun, and now that she's old, who can she rely on?

  The Taoist nun nodded slightly and said, "Old Master Shi, you don't have to worry, Hong'er's body has already conceived your grandson, just wait for the birth of your golden grandson!"

  After ten months of pregnancy, she gave birth in one morning. As the Taoist nun had said, Hong Fu really gave birth to a boy. The child looked exactly like Hu Zhongren, and Hong Fu felt sad when she saw him. Therefore, Old Minister Hong asked a wet nurse to take care of the child, while Hong Fu was taken away by her master to Mount Cuiwei in the southeast of the capital. Mount Cuiwei was a place of spiritual energy, where Hong Fu studied the Tao Te Ching every day and eventually transcended worldly desires, devoting herself wholeheartedly to the Tao.

  In theory, the two people had already divorced and should have nothing to do with each other. Unfortunately, Hu Shao's peach blossom luck continued, and on this day he climbed up to Cuimiao An in Cuimiao Mountain. Cuimiao An was the ancestral temple of the Hu family, which also existed in Jiangnan, located in Hongcuimiao Villa. For convenience in reciting scriptures, there was also a temple on Cuimiao Mountain. That year's Qingming Festival, Hu Shao didn't have time to return to his hometown to worship at his ancestors' graves, so he performed the ritual in Cuimiao An on Cuimiao Mountain instead.

  After the sacrifice was over, Hu Zhongren and his attendants descended the mountain. They saw a Taoist nun walking in front of them, who looked similar to Xiu Lian when they got closer. By coincidence, Hu Zhongren followed the nun into the Yimiao Daoist Temple on Cuimiao Mountain. It turned out that this was where Hong'er and his master, the Yimiao Taoist Nun, practiced their skills.

  Hu Zhongren watched as the Taoist nun entered the temple, and in his anxiety, he hastily went to request an audience with Yimiao Daoji, asking her to betroth that nun to him. Hong'er heard this and was overjoyed, thinking that Hu Shaohui had changed his mind and not forgotten their past relationship, specially coming to look for her. But after hearing more, it turned out he came because of Shifu.

  One Browed Daoist Nun calculated that Second Clear Daoist Nun's worldly karma was not yet resolved, therefore she agreed to Hu Zhongman's request, thus becoming Hu Shao's sixth wife.