Chapter 0009: A Person More Beautiful than Flowers - Chen Xuanqiu

Chen Xuanqiu also thought that it was impossible for the common people to pronounce the names of the adults, and he could not possibly know his father-in-law's full name

"Miss, please do not chase after the butterfly, or you might accidentally damage your skirt again," called out the little maid in the green dress.

In order to leave a good impression on his future sister-in-law, Chen Xuanqiu gently smiled at her

The shopkeeper glanced at him a few times and said in astonishment: "Young master, what business do you have with that Pastor Su?"

The waiter was taken aback and said: "Pastor Su? The pastors in this province have the surname Wang, not Su."

In the heart of the city flows a stream, gently murmuring, with soft aquatic plants and fish swimming upstream

The shopkeeper's expression changed slightly, and he said sternly: "Mind your own business, get back to work!"

The shopkeeper was lying lazily behind the counter, absentmindedly moving the beads of the abacus. Upon hearing him call out, he sluggishly lifted his head and weakly raised his eyebrows.

The population here is dense, and various industries are thriving, which is entirely different from the image imagined by Chen Xuanqiu

Chen Xuanqiu felt secretly delighted upon hearing this; my father-in-law has indeed been promoted. Chen Xuanqiu then said cheerfully: "Oh! He was previously a pastor in this province, named Su Hu. Do you know him?"

Under the tree, there are flowers and grass. A girl, around eight or nine years old, with a youthful face and delicate features, holds a silk round fan in her hand. She is tiptoeing among the flowers and grass, trying to catch butterflies. Upon seeing Chen Xuanqiu enter, the little girl stands still in surprise, her big, bright eyes blinking curiously.

It is important to note that even during the Tang and Song dynasties, the border towns were similarly desolate and sparsely populated. Based on the economic strength of this world, its political functions should be comparable to those of the Tang and Song dynasties. The reason for its apparent backwardness in this regard is likely related to the cultivation culture of this world

Jizhou City is the first true city that Chen Xuankiu has seen since descending the mountain

The shopkeeper said: "The gentleman is looking for a certain Pastor Su, but who is this person? I have been running around the city since I was young, yet I have never heard of this individual."

"No, no, oh, yes, yes. Ah! Young master, you may go to the hall first, and allow this maid to serve you tea and attend to you." The young maid spoke somewhat incoherently, her face flushed.

Upon seeing her, Chen Xuanqiu was secretly taken aback. Is this really my esteemed mother-in-law? ... She has maintained herself remarkably well; if I were to address her as mother-in-law, I fear it would be difficult to speak up.

Moments later, a girl's crisp voice rang out: "I'm coming, I'm coming, no more knocking."

Chen Xuanqiu smiled faintly and said politely, "I am Chen Xuanqiu, a resident of Qingping. I have come here solely to pay a visit to the esteemed master of this residence. I kindly ask you, Miss, to convey my greetings on my behalf."

The shopkeeper was taken aback and sat up suddenly: "Father Su?"

Chen Xuanqiu said: "Exactly."

Chen Xuanqiu brought Pu'er into the city. Considering that it would be inappropriate to take her to the Su family, he first sought out an inn. When Chen Xuanqiu descended the mountain, he did not have much money on him; it was the remaining expenses from his senior brother's travels in the mortal world. However, it was still sufficient to rent a room for a few days.

Upon arriving at the door, Chen Xuanqiu could not help but feel a bit nervous. He took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and then stepped forward to knock on the beast ring.

Before the ceremonial gate, it resembles the courtyards of other homes; however, once past the gate, it reveals a different world. Upon entering the courtyard, one is greeted by two large trees that can be embraced by a person, standing on either side. Their canopies rise gracefully like umbrellas, and sunlight filters through the gaps in the branches, creating a mosaic of colors.

On both sides of the stream are households, with white walls and dark tiles, clean and elegant, clearly indicating that those who can reside on this street are either wealthy or of noble status

The shopkeeper snorted but did not speak

Chen Xuanqiu frowned and said, "Miss?"

Chen Xuanqiu smiled faintly and said, "Since it is so, then I, Chen, shall respectfully comply with your wishes."

The shop assistant approached the shopkeeper and exclaimed, "Truly handsome! Shopkeeper, I have welcomed and sent off many guests, but I have never seen anyone as handsome as you. You are exceptionally good-looking."

The shopkeeper's gaze darkened for a moment and said: "You are only fourteen years old this year; how could you have heard of someone from eighteen years ago?"

However, the young waiter enthusiastically said: "Young master, do not worry, I will ask the shopkeeper. He must know which prominent figures are in this city. Shopkeeper, shopkeeper..."

Chen Xuanqiu had just thought of this when he heard the sound of tinkling jade ornaments and a wave of fragrant aroma wafted through the air. A young girl in a green dress walked out gracefully from the inner hall, accompanied by a beautiful young woman. This woman appeared to be around twenty years old, wearing an embroidered sash and a flowing coat, her waist slender and delicate, with brows like moths and a fox-like charm, exuding an innate allure.

At the pinnacle of this world stands a group of cultivators, whose ultimate pursuits are entirely different from those of the common people. Secular power is limited, and thus its political structure is naturally much more rudimentary. Therefore, the secular realm remains prosperous, and the control exerted by the authorities is evidently not as stringent.

The little girl became shy, her cheeks flushed, and she hurriedly hid behind the flower branches, using a round fan to cover her face, revealing only a pair of big eyes, which continued to look at him with curiosity

Chen Xuanqiu served tea and wiped his hands. When he looked up, he saw the young lady from the Su family standing in the courtyard, pulling a banana leaf to cover her face while secretly glancing at him. Chen Xuanqiu smiled again, which startled the young girl, prompting her to quickly turn and flee.

The shopkeeper exclaimed, "Eighteen years ago? Then where has Pastor Su gone now?"

The household mentioned by the shopkeeper has a front yard paved with blue bricks, and rows of weeping willows along the walls. To the left of the main gate stands a flagpole, while to the right are two hitching posts topped with stone monkeys. Three tiers of jade stone steps lead up to a grand vermilion gate, with bright copper rings, exuding an extraordinary presence

Ah? Ah! Please come in, please come in... The girl in the green dress quickly took two steps back to let him in, feeling somewhat at a loss, unsure whether to raise her hands or put them down.

This girl is quite interesting

As the young maid raised her eyes and clearly saw Chen Xuanqiu's appearance, her pair of almond-shaped eyes instantly widened, and her cherry-like mouth formed an 'O' shape, leaving her momentarily unable to move.

Ah ... ...

So his surname is Chen... The young maid in green accompanied Chen Xuanqiu as they walked inside, occasionally stealing a glance at him, thinking to herself: How can there be such a handsome man in the world? Compared to him, even the most handsome men in this city are nothing but a pile of mud.

The young man scratched his head and said with a sheepish smile: "To be honest, my lord, I am a local, but I have never heard of the person you mentioned."

Chen Xuanqiu walked over and said with a smile, "Excuse me, shopkeeper, may I ask if you know of a Su Hu, who served as a pastor here eighteen years ago?"

Above the door frame hangs a plaque with black lacquer and golden characters, featuring only the two large characters "Su Fu"

After a short while, with a creaking sound, the main door opened, revealing a young maid in a green dress, her delicate features slightly furrowed in annoyance as she opened the door.

Although in terms of political systems, this world resembles the Spring and Autumn period remembered by Chen Xuanqiu, the economic and cultural development of this world is evidently far superior to that of the Spring and Autumn period. Otherwise, a small border town like this would not be so prosperous.

The shopkeeper stuck out his tongue and ran away

Chen Xuanqiu thought to himself: "This girl must be my sister-in-law; my father-in-law is truly vigorous for his age"

Chen Xuanqiu followed the address provided by the shopkeeper, turned down two streets, and arrived at a household

The maid allowed Chen Xuanqiu to enter the living room, attentively served him tea, and then sweetly said: "Young master, please have a seat. I will go and invite my master out right away."

The little girl with green palms stared intently at Chen Xuanqiu, her eyes shining brightly, appearing completely oblivious to her surroundings

Chen Xuanqiu said in surprise, "Shouldn't the young lady inform me in advance?"

Having settled Pu Er, Chen Xuanqiu arrived at the main hall and inquired of the young attendant, "Young attendant, may I ask where the residence of Master Su from Jizhou City is located?"

Chen Xuanqiu's eyes flickered as he replied: "I am a stranger here. My father and Pastor Su were once close friends, but the two families have been separated by a great distance and have not been in contact for a long time. Now that I am passing through Jizhou and am short on funds, I remembered that my father has a dear friend here, and I wish to seek his assistance."

It turned out to be a case of taking advantage of the autumn wind, and the shopkeeper let out a sigh of relief. After hesitating for a moment in his heart, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue and pointed out the way for Chen Xuanqiu. Chen Xuanqiu expressed his gratitude and then left the shop.

Upon reflection, Chen Xuanqiu, who was initially worried about facing a lawsuit, felt relieved. This world seems to resemble the Spring and Autumn period in terms of political system and power structure, while its economic development has already reached the level of the Tang and Song dynasties