"...Hmm." Xu Changâan thought for a moment and extended a finger, "Uncle, I read in a book... If a lady doesnât have a courtesy name, her husband can help give one."
"Thatâs true, but such a name usually doesnât count for much, and it shouldnât be shared with outsiders; itâs something only the couple knows." Qinling shook his head, "Such comforting little names given by the husband naturally canât compare to the courtesy name given at the coming-of-age ceremony..."
After Qinling finished speaking, she looked up to see Xu Changâan looking quite intrigued.
It was then she realized that Xu Changâan wasnât looking for any display of virtue; he just wanted a bit of intimacy between the couple.
Perhaps this small, familial name might really feel closer than the courtesy name known to everyone?
In fact, Xu Changâan truly thought this way.
He had also forgotten about this matter.
Giving Miss Yun a little name known only to himself would solve everything, wouldnât it?
At this moment, a fair hand waved in front of him.
"Hey."
Xu Changâan looked towards Qinling.
"Kid, itâs not that I look down on you... but given your current naming skills, youâd better not rush to give Miss Yun a name." Qinling clicked her tongue, "If you ask me, wait for Ms. Yun to stay at Muyu Peak for a while, learn the Six Arts and develop her preferences, then you can give her a name."
Xu Changâan nodded, thinking Qinling made a good point.
This is a matter for a lifetime, of course, it canât be sloppy.
Even he struggled so long with whether to have the surname "Xu" or "Gu". Yun Qianâs little name must be even more meticulously crafted.
However...
"Uncle, you..."
"I just look down on you." Qinling said seriously.
Xu Changâan: "..."
"Why so stunned? Xiaohua... listen, is this a name one could choose?" Qinling pointed at his face, "You can be shameless, but Miss Yun still needs dignity."
Just think about it, Yun Qian... what a wonderful lady.
And Yun Xiaohua?
So, Xu Changâan must face reality, and not mess up the little name for the lady.
"I understand, Uncle... Why are you so anxious." Xu Changâan was quite helpless; heâd think it through properly.
"I like Ms. Yun, how could I not be anxious." Qinling tapped the table and, after thinking, said, "When I said I looked down on you... I meant the âXiaohuaâ name you came up with, not you personally."
"...Uncle, is there a need to explain so clearly?" Xu Changâan didnât know what to say.
Could he really be upset?
"I just think youâre thoughtful, like a lady. If I donât clarify and you misunderstand with a grudge, what then?" Qinling said seriously, "The letter I wrote to Miss Zhu is still clutched in your hand. You better not sneak a peek just because I said a couple of things to you."
Xu Changâan: "..."
She was already questioning his character.
"Right, you promised me, if Miss Zhu wants to read my letter in front of you, youâve got to stop her." Qinling reminded Xu Changâan.
"Got it." Xu Changâan sighed.
But then, he suddenly paused.
Because he remembered the incident here at Qinling Familyâs gate when he met Li Zhibai.
At that time, when the gentleman left... she especially told him "she wasnât angry."
Xu Changâan suddenly realized that Li Zhibai handled this matter almost exactly like Qinling did.
Could it be... that the gentleman also thought he was thoughtful, which is why she explained so clearly?
But his thoughtfulness is only about Miss Yun.
For a moment, Xu Changâan had nowhere to vent his confusion.
"Are you... having an existential crisis there?" Qinling glanced at Xu Changâan sitting there dazedly and burst into laughter, looking quite delighted, "Whatâs with you, kid? Iâm just having fun teasing you. Youâve been a steward, and like me, youâre an Internal Affairs Steward. If your mind wasnât precise, how could you manage things well?"
"Uncle is right." Xu Changâan smiled ruefully.
"But Iâm serious about the little name for the lady. You should put it aside for now and not act on a whim." Qinling said, pausing in her tone, "After all, itâs still your matter as a young couple, and what outsiders say... you can take a fraction of it, or even ignore it, itâs fine."
"Outsiders? How could it count as any outsider." Xu Changâan said.
"At least you have some conscience." Qinling curbed the smile in her eyes and then asked, "Are you missing a sword?"
"Sword?"
Xu Changâan felt Qinlingâs thoughts were somewhat erratic, but he still nodded, "Yeah, Iâm missing a sword."
"Oh, I was just asking." Qinling fell silent.
"...?" Xu Changâan was quite puzzled.
"Why are you looking at me? You lack a sword, but I canât help you get one." Qinling thought that she couldnât nab what Miss Li planned to do.
She looked at Xu Changâan, "Moreover, isnât your relationship with Wen Li pretty good? She has quite a few nice swords there."
"..." Xu Changâan looked at Qinling for a moment before shaking his head lightly.
He wasnât dumb.
"Uncle, did the gentleman who visited earlier ask you about the sword?"
"...Could you act a little more clueless?" Qinlingâs eye twitched, "What are you staring at, can you take Sikong Jingâs Immortal Sword that Miss Li gives you?"
"Definitely not." Xu Changâan was quite aware of himself. His hands were, for now, best suited for cutting vegetables for the lady.
Heâd better find a chance to talk to the gentleman, so she doesnât bring him any sword thatâs too good.
His cultivation is low right now, something suitable is better than anything else.
"Regarding the sword... I canât help you there, but any other troubles, feel free to tell me." Qinling stretched lazily, picked up MaoâEr, and stood up, whispering into the little catâs ear, "Come, escort the guest."
Then Qinling pinched the little catâs paw and waved it at Xu Changâan.
Xu Changâan glanced at the Spirit Stone in his pocket, looked up, and said, "Uncle, not staying for a chat a bit longer?"
"No, Iâve had my fill for today." Qinling really wanted to scold Xu Changâan as a miser but couldnât bring herself to do it. Her embroidered shoes turned on the ground.
"Any message for Senior Zhu?" Xu Changâan asked before leaving.
"Miss Zhu?" Qinling stopped, somewhat intrigued, "Tell her I love her."
"Get a grip." Xu Changâan raised his brow.
Was this something he could convey?
Besides, Qinling really was shameless in front of him.
"Then nothing." Qinling thought for a moment and said, "See if you find anything interesting or unique at Flower Moon Building, bring me a few as a memento."
"Alright." Xu Changâan got up to leave but paused, then reluctantly turned around.
"Uncle."
"What is it now?" Qinling turned back.
"After talking so much, I nearly forgot the main thing."
"Main thing? What could you have as a main business?"
"Quite a few people suddenly arrived at Celestial Bright Peak; whatâs going on? There wouldnât be any trouble, right?" Xu Changâan asked.
"Oh, those are people from Tripod Heart Peak and the Profound Sword Bureau... jointly setting up an array to find traces of the previous Tribulation Thunder." Qinling explained, "I took a look at the blueprint; it doesnât cross into North Garden, and wonât have any adverse effects, just rest assured... If anything, when the array starts, it might look like fireworks? Though you wonât be able to see them this time."
"No trouble is good." Xu Changâan breathed a sigh of relief.
"What trouble could there be on Chaoyun Sect." Qinling waved her hand, "Also, when you head down the mountain at noon today, remember to take the left side gate, donât run into the cultivators climbing up, itâs a hassle too."
"Got it." Xu Changâan nodded.
How was Miss Yun resting at home?
Xu Changâan suddenly thought of the enchanting dream at night... At that time, in the dream, Miss Yun said she didnât want to listen to the qin, but there was still some time before descending the mountain...
And, going to Flower Moon Building, there would inevitably be women playing the qin.
Miss Yun shouldnât have any interest, right?
Xu Changâan blinked and said, "Uncle."
"What now." Qinling turned around, "Are you planning to head out or want to call Miss Yun over for a nap?"
"Do you have a qin here? Seven strings or five strings will do." Xu Changâan asked.
"...Qin?"
Qinling gave Xu Changâan a queer look.
This truly is... like a lady.