Has the System Mall been updated?
Xu Chang'an's expression changed slightly.
Beside him, Zhu Pingniang saw that Xu Chang'an's gaze was suddenly a bit dazed, and blinked curiously. Following his line of sight, she found him looking at her legs.
"What are you looking at?" Zhu Pingniang teased.
"It's nothing, Chang'an thanks Senior Zhu." Xu Chang'an didn't rush to check the System Mall but instead bent forward, respectfully giving Zhu Pingniang a salute.
Chaoyun Sect is the largest Immortal Sect in Qing Province, and getting a spot there is not easy to achieve.
Xu Chang'an, being one of the stewards in the Outer Sect of Chaoyun Sect, knows that even if he entered the Inner Sect, it would be difficult to bring his wife into the sect.
But Zhu Pingniang managed it.
Zhu Pingniang not only helped him enter the Immortal Sect, but also took care of his wife's entry.
This kindness is firmly remembered by Xu Chang'an.
"Don't thank me, it's your own ability that makes the girls from Muyu Peak come to me every now and then to say good things," Zhu Pingniang laughed and said, "You're their favorite Inner Disciple. With your wife by your side, you won't be as distracted as you are now, and can better serve that group of troublesome girls at Muyu Peak."
"Just doing my duty," Xu Chang'an replied seriously. His current identity as an Outer Disciple is that of an Internal Affairs Steward.
"What I like is your serious demeanor," Zhu Pingniang curled her lips slightly and gently bit her red lips, "If it were in past years, I wouldn't have let go of such an interesting child like you so easily."
Xu Chang'an's expression remained calm, unaffected by Zhu Pingniang's teasing words.
"By the way, I heard from the girls that the Spirit Fruit you planted in the backyard tastes pretty good?" Zhu Pingniang casually tossed over a small embroidered pouch, saying, "This contains seeds of Beauty Fruit. You should take them and try cultivating them. Nowadays, there are fewer and fewer people with cultivation talent, which makes it harder for me to find suitable fruits to eat—it's really annoying."
"Alright, I'll arrange it once I'm back," Xu Chang'an took the pouch without hesitation.
Zhu Pingniang has helped him so much that he wouldn't even delay such a small matter.
"Xiaochang'an," Zhu Pingniang leaned forward, pressing her hands on her legs, and said, "Sometimes I feel like your nature isn't really suited for Muyu Peak; perhaps the Confucian Sect is where you truly belong. But alas, my ties with the Acid Scholar aren't strong enough to be of help."
Xu Chang'an was about to say something but was cut off by Zhu Pingniang: "Just a casual mention. Up next, I have a serious question for you."
"Serious question?" Xu Chang'an was slightly startled.
Zhu Pingniang had already done him such a big favor, yet didn't consider it as a serious matter—what would be a serious question then?
"The serious matter is..." Zhu Pingniang prolonged the tone of the last syllable.
Xu Chang'an held his breath.
Suddenly, Zhu Pingniang asked, "Are you prepared to take a concubine?"
Xu Chang'an's expression froze.
The slightly aloof face of his wife flashed through Xu Chang'an's mind. The stiffness in his brows and eyes softened considerably. He shook his head, "Never thought about it."
"Is that so... Hmph, your wife certainly acted early," Zhu Pingniang waved her hand. "Alright, it was the girls from the brothel who asked me to inquire."
In the eyes of the girls at the brothel, Xu Chang'an was young and promising, and the key was that he never discriminated against the girls there.
Just for this alone, not only the girls in the shop, but also Zhu Pingniang, who treated the girls as her own, viewed Xu Chang'an with appreciation.
The reason she had a fondness for Xu Chang'an initially was because this child wouldn't cast strange glances at the girls in the brothel.
"Chang'an, if you're not planning to take a concubine, then I'll tell the girls directly," Zhu Pingniang reminded Xu Chang'an, "More than just one or two girls at the shop have a fondness for you. It's better to discourage their hopes sooner."
Xu Chang'an displayed a look of helplessness.
"I got it... By the way, since you've come, why not listen to my new composition?" Zhu Pingniang smiled.
Xu Chang'an hesitated for a moment, then looked around at the slightly luxurious environment, "Senior, I..."
"Surely you wouldn't reject even this small request? I'm not going to tell your wife," Zhu Pingniang chuckled lightly, "If you find it unpleasant, I'll modify it again—do me a little favor."
"Alright." Xu Chang'an could only nod and sit at the small table.
As the soft plucking of strings started, in front of him, Zhu Pingniang's fingers danced gracefully, and a gentle melody flowed gradually from her hands.
During this time, Xu Chang'an closed his eyes and inclined his ears, not looking at the girl playing the zither, but focusing on enjoying the music from the guqin's seven strings.
Zhu Pingniang's fingertips produced crisp sounds like rain hitting window panes, accompanied by the soothing, tinkling sound of spring water emanating from the seven-stringed zither, which Xu Chang'an truly found to be a delight—no wonder so many men enjoy listening to music.
Zhu Pingniang began humming a tune.
The sound of the zither combined with her gentle, captivating singing, felt like tiny hands caressing one's heart, indescribably alluring.
Yet Xu Chang'an remained unaffected; he was surrounded by the melody's tranquil spring-like aura, feeling relaxed in both body and mind.
Once the melody concluded, Zhu Pingniang rested her hands on the zither strings, eliminating the lingering notes, and looked at the handsome young man not far away, a trace of satisfaction flickering in her eyes.
"How did it feel?" Zhu Pingniang asked.
"Very beautiful," Xu Chang'an spoke earnestly, "It's the most beautiful zither music I've ever heard."
"Speaking as if you've heard many zither pieces before," Zhu Pingniang waved her hand, issuing a subtle dismissal: "Get back to your work."
Xu Chang'an nodded, gave a salute, and turned to leave.
Zhu Pingniang moved to sit where Xu Chang'an had been, her fingers brushing over the untouched wine cup in front of her, and shook her head.
What she played for Xu Chang'an was not just any music piece, but Dusk Rain Melody, a composition capable of fully awakening the inner darkness of those with inferior cultivation.
Yet Xu Chang'an remained calm and content, focused on the spring's music, feeling guilt-free.
Such inherent talent of character is rare in the world, and being an Outer Sect Steward would waste it.
"Truly a remarkable child... will have to ensure the sect keeps an eye on him."
Zhu Pingniang tapped her fingers on the table, then heaved a sigh, "Just not very clever."
What error with the Demon Extermination Order?
Xu Chang'an didn't even ponder how there could be such gullible girls on Muyu Peak—his senior sister deliberately picked a weak Cyan-eyed Tiger, willingly accepting penalties in Spirit Stones, just to send him the Source Opening Pill he'd urgently needed for a breakthrough.
She even specifically chose a mountain close to Xu Chang'an and factored in that she would surely clean up the mess for them.
The thing is, Xu Chang'an still managed to kill the Cyan-eyed Tiger, likely preoccupied with thoughts of his wife at home, not thinking things through.
Zhu Pingniang found it hard to criticize the young female disciple's naive and reckless approach, but Xu Chang'an couldn't even detect such naive tactics... yet still managed to get married, it must've been his wife's initiative.
Zhu Pingniang smirked.
Despite Xu Chang'an explicitly stating his sole love for his wife, Zhu Pingniang wasn't planning on discouraging the girls from pursuing.
She wanted to see... if Xu Chang'an's uninteresting, stiff, merely early-handed ordinary wife could secure her husband's heart.
While pondering, Zhu Pingniang's door was suddenly kicked open, her brows slightly raised in irritation, "You unruly girl, can't you be gentler?"
A young girl climbed into Zhu Pingniang's arms with an aggrieved expression, looked up, and said with pursed lips, "Aunt Tong, the little tiger I just bought was killed—looks like it's done by someone from your sect judging by the Sword Qi!"
Zhu Pingniang's eyes twitched slightly, casting a glance in the direction of Xu Chang'an's departure.
What a fellow, quite precise with the strike.