Chapter 262: Revisiting 5 Xiuzhuang

"Whew—"

Liu Qingquan let out a long breath and comfortably leaned against the rocks by the spring.

"I’ve heard you all talking about how comfortable the hot springs are here. I’ve wanted to come for ages, and now my homework is finally done, and Mom is busy cultivating, so I can finally come!"

Liu Qingyan reminded, "Don’t slack off your cultivation when you go back, or Mom won’t be so lenient with you."

"Got it, got it!" Liu Qingquan waved her hand, reached out to grab a grape from the wooden plate by the shore, and leaned out of the water, revealing her swimsuit.

That’s right, when Lu Zheng heard that Liu Qingquan was planning to come to the hot springs with a few others, he went and bought her a swimsuit.

Since Liu Qingquan is the little sister-in-law, Lu Zheng didn’t want to cause any trouble, so a pure white one-piece swimsuit was perfect to solve the horror of bathing together.

"Speaking of, what material is this water-wear made of? It’s quite comfortable to wear," Liu Qingquan tugged at her swimsuit, which was tight-fitting. "Is it some kind of fish skin? It doesn’t seem like it!"

"Don’t worry about it, as long as it fits," Lu Zheng said irritably.

Liu Qingquan, this little girl, initially didn’t want to wear it, almost making Liu Qingyan not want to bring her, but when she finally did wear it, she was reluctantly adorable.

Once she had it on, her attitude took a complete 180-degree turn, and she started liking the outfit, saying it was very comfortable.

Which then also prompted Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying to look over and check it out, with a hint of expectancy in their eyes towards Lu Zheng.

"Alright, alright! Everyone will get one!" Lu Zheng had no choice but to nod, "You know, when you’re with me, you really don’t need this..."

"But it’s very nice-looking," Liu Qingyan said, touching Liu Qingquan’s swimsuit.

Lu Zheng: (ー_ー)!!

Well, you’re right, also...

Lu Zheng chuckled, rubbing his chin, contemplating which swimsuit to buy for the two ladies.

"Lu Lang, why do you look so sneaky when you smile?" Shen Ying asked.

Lu Zheng immediately denied, "I’m not, I didn’t, don’t go making things up!"

"Yes, you are!"

Liu Qingquan nodded vigorously, "Brother-in-law must be thinking bad things!"

As soon as those words fell, Liu Qingyan and Shen Ying realized.

"Pah!"

"Tsk!"

Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)

Lu Zheng sighed, "Is this really the impression you all have of me now?"

Liu Qingyan was sitting by Liu Qingquan, a bit far from Lu Zheng, while Shen Ying was right next to Lu Zheng, so she reached out and grasped Lu Zheng’s ironclad evidence.

"What do you think?" Shen Ying implied.

"Ahem!"

Lu Zheng coughed twice, "Misunderstanding, all misunderstanding, mainly the hot spring water is invigorating, revitalizing, very effective!"

"Pah!"

"Tsk!"

Lu Zheng: ╮(￣▽￣)╭

With Liu Qingquan around, the trio naturally couldn’t indulge in certain enjoyable activities, so they were just soaking in the hot springs, snacking, and relaxing.

...

This time, the few of them were in luck; they did not encounter any other demons while bathing. But once they left Hundred Springs Valley, they didn’t return to Tonglin County; instead, they planned to visit Five Beauties Manor.

"Sister Xiao Cai?" Liu Qingquan blinked and said, "I remember Sister, you mentioned her to me before, saying she later lost contact."

"That’s right; we met again a few days ago. She lives in the Five Beauties Manor now, and today we happen to go visit and get familiar with the place," Liu Qingyan said.

If it were before, even if she knew the route, Liu Qingyan would definitely not dare to travel alone.

But now, after studying the "Feiyu Riding the Dawn Sword Scripture," "Celestial Demon Nine Transformations Blood Refining Technique," and "Moonlight Scripture," Liu Qingyan’s cultivation has furthered, giving her many offensive methods and the confidence to protect herself.

Shen Ying roughly told Liu Qingquan about the matters of Five Beauties Manor, and Liu Qingquan became very interested.

"Really, really? There are five sisters in the Five Beauties Manor!" Liu Qingquan said excitedly, "Wouldn’t that mean more people to play with me?"

"Bang!"

"Ouch!"

"All you know is play; if you don’t finish your homework, Mom definitely won’t let you out."

"Uh—" Liu Qingquan held her head, "I get it—"

Moments later, they turned a crook in the mountain path, and Five Beauties Manor appeared in view.

"Is Cai Niang in?" Liu Qingyan’s clear voice directly entered the manor.

"Qingyan is here!"

Hu Cai Niang swiftly appeared at the manor’s entrance, her charming eyes lifting slightly, smiling broadly, "Young Master Lu and Madam Shen are here too. Girls, hurry up and come greet our guests!"

Lu Zheng, "..."

Then, Hua Yixing in yellow, Lin Jing’Er in a purple dress, Yu Mingxin in a black gauzy skirt, and Bai Ting’Er in white appeared at the entrance, their presence dazzling Liu Qingquan.

"So many sisters indeed!"

"Oh my, what a cute little girl, is this Qingyan’s sister?" Hu Cai Niang grabbed Liu Qingquan, "You look so alike."

"Greetings, Sister Cai Niang!"

"No need for formalities, quickly come in!"

Hu Cai Niang pulled Liu Qingquan, leading her back into the manor first.

The remaining four women had also heard Hu Cai Niang mention Liu Qingyan, so they greeted her and escorted Lu Zheng and the others into the manor.

This time, intending to visit, Lu Zheng and his group prepared quite a few gifts.

There were fresh fruits, roasted chicken and duck, snacks, and treats, all packed into two large wooden boxes.

Sitting in the front hall, Liu Qingquan had already hit it off with the liveliest Yu Mingxin, and together they were arranging the food in the wooden boxes with the shyest Bai Ting’Er.

"This peach blossom pastry is made by Sister Shen; this fondant and chocolate brother-in-law prepared are delicious..."

"These are big cherries; I’ve never eaten such sweet cherries before. You all must try them later."

...

They chatted casually and began to talk about the Ghost Manor incident in Xiahe Town.

"By the way," Liu Qingyan asked, "what happened to Young Master Ji, Ji Zizhen afterward?"

"I sent him back to his home in Yingshan Town; it was his wife who came out to get him," Hu Cai Niang shook her head and said, "As for what happened after that, I don’t know."

Lin Jing’Er sneered, "A scholar who can’t see his own lasciviousness, he’s even depleted of his Primordial Yang and yet wanted Third Sister as his concubine and wanted her to help him recuperate."

"..."

Then Lu Zheng learned that Ji Zizhen thought Hu Cai Niang was fond of him, intending to use his fame for security in the mundane world, thus instructing Hu Cai Niang to find medicine and treatment for him, promising to take Hu Cai Niang as a concubine, and promising her a title when he later became a marquis and minister.

"He must have read too many storybooks, thinking he’s some sort of Literary Star, destined for great wealth and power?" Lin Jing’Er said disdainfully, "Because Cai Niang sought him out, he thinks it makes him extraordinary? Hmph, Cai Niang goes looking for someone every month!"

Lu Zheng, "..."

"I’m not talking about you," Lin Jing’Er added. "If you were willing to take Third Sister as a concubine, she would certainly agree."

Lu Zheng, "..."

Just as he was looking to change the subject, Ji Zizhen’s voice sounded from outside Five Beauties Manor.

"Master! Here, in this manor, there are several harmful female demons!"