"Your mother is an experienced person, some things you will know in the future." My dad added another sentence.
I fell silent, with no other actions.
After that, things became much simpler. The guests indeed needed to disperse. These minor incidents had not affected their emotions in any way; on the contrary, everyone was extremely excited.
Practically everyone believed that with me as their son-in-law, the Qiao family would rise to prominence in the future. Many families expressed their desire to unite with the Qiao family, offering to pay no dowry, they were willing to do everything themselves.
Qiao always had a smile on his face that blossomed like a flower.
I've been standing by, acting as a prop to give the Qiao family enough face.
Qiao Qing stood by, occasionally whispering to me, "Qiao Ying is usually fine. She always worries about me and remembers to mention it when she does something. Maybe because it's been a long time since she last saw me, she's a bit anxious." Today's events, she must be most worried about me. After all, everyone was on edge before I came back.
I reassured Qiao Qiong that I wouldn't overthink things, and he finally calmed down.
As dawn was breaking, all the guests had finally dispersed.
Qiao Qiong had arranged a room for me, and I slept until around noon. After waking up, I felt that my energy had been restored basically to full capacity.
After leaving the room, I intended to go directly to Zhong Huang Daoist Temple.
I found that there was someone standing in front of the door, wasn't it Qiao Ying?
The sun was shining brightly, and Qiao Ying had put on a long dress, lightly powdered her face. The beauty was breathtaking!
I didn't react in time. Qiao Ying then moved gracefully, approaching me.
To be honest, I was utterly confused.
I had originally thought that I still needed to put in some effort, at least to smooth out the variables at Zhong Huang Daoist Temple, before I could communicate with Qiao Ying. However, I never expected that she seemed to have no lingering resentment at all right now. As if all the uncertainties had been dispelled and all that was left was a faint sense of ease.
"What did my mother say?" Emotions were unavoidable, and I still asked my doubts.
"Some women's talk," Qiao Ying replied softly.
I furrowed my brow, still confused.
"Be careful at Zhong Huang Daoist Temple," Qiao Ying hesitated and then continued, "Qiao Qi will take you there. I will stay in the clan to arrange everything. Your trip back has brought too many benefits to the Qiao family. Grandpa is getting old, so I need to help him."
"Okay."
Since Qiao Ying didn't want to talk about it, I didn't bother asking.
She walked me all the way to the gate of the Qiao family, where a car was parked. Qiao Qi sat there with no interest, twirling a bamboo weaving in his hand.
After I got into the car, Qiao Qi smiled sweetly and called out "brother-in-law."
Qiao Ying then turned around and went back to the main house.
At this moment, Old Gong appeared on my shoulder for a while. After tasting it for a while, he said, "Oh, I see."
"What?" I was asking Old Gong.
He disappeared again...
The scenery outside the window kept rolling backwards.
The car drove away from the Qiao family mansion and headed towards the city district.
"Brother-in-law, you look very majestic in that red robe. The senior elders of Zhong Huang Daoist Temple have been very courteous to you as the supervisor," Qiao Qi looked at me from the rearview mirror, and her expression and tone seemed to look at me in a different light.
I fell silent for a moment, then thought back to when I was still being pursued by the new Three Senior Elders of Tian Shou Daoist Temple. The Qiao family was constantly hiding me because of the resentment I had caused Tian Shou and Guian.
Today, however, the situation had reversed.
Among the various side families, the Qiao family had become a prominent existence.
On the surface, the supervisor's arena from Da Xiang arriving at the Qiao family was considered humble and polite.
This face has been fully held.
"Sister is worried about things I heard from Liang Yu. You can't keep forcing her, just like what Auntie said. Last night, Auntie and sister had a long chat, and she was able to open up much more." Qiao Qi continued softly.
"Um," I nodded.
For a moment, I didn't know what topic to talk about.
I tried to think of something, but it seemed pointless for me to pry and dig deeper?
Since my mother has managed to persuade Qiao Ying, that should be a good thing, right?
Suddenly, I thought of my father's words, "someone who has been through it."
I paused slightly and thought of my mother, who had been soft-confinement for more than a decade in the Luo family.
Could it be possible that my father didn't want to take her back to the Luo family at that time?
Could it be... my father predicted the possible treatment she might face?
Perhaps, they knew everything but still chose to face it together?
After thinking these things through, I wasn't sure what kind of taste there was in my heart.
I have always been very persistent.
Qiao Ying left me for so long, and I maintained a good and resilient attitude.
However, after we met again, my thoughts began to spread and wander, making me feel lost and uncomfortable.
There is a seed in every person's heart.
That seed is gradually sprouting, making me always feel that something must really happen.
Closing my eyes, I tried my best to dispel this feeling of unease...
Time passed quickly, and when Qiao Qi pulled the brake, she called me brother-in-law.
Opening my eyes, I saw a river in front of me. There were no bridges on the river, but there were some ferry boats docked there.
An island in the middle of a river, more accurately known as an island in the lake, densely covered with trees and vegetation. There is a Daoist temple standing in the center.
"Zhong Huang Daoist Temple, the geographical location is unique." I murmured to myself, getting out of the car.
"Brother-in-law, I won't show off by going with you. I'll wait here for you. Be safe, okay?" Qiao Qi said.
I nodded.
When the gap in strength is widened, the current Qiao Ying and Qiao Qi have changed their approach from following me all the time to doing things differently.
The ferry boats were docked at the wharf, coming and going. Some pilgrims were boarding to go to the island, while others were returning.
There was only one small boat quietly moored beside the ferry. In front of the boat, stood a few Daoist priests who seemed to be looking over at me.
After I approached, the several Daoist priests greeted me simultaneously.
The process of crossing the river by boat is unnecessary to mention.
There are roads and cars on the island. I was taken all the way to the front of Zhong Huang Daoist Temple.
Zhang Si, who had come to the Qiao family yesterday, was standing at the gate of the mountain, waiting for me!
"Haha, Mr. Luo, you are indeed a man of your word!"
Under the sunlight, Zhang Si's white hair shone, and his round face had delicate skin. There was a sense of a wise old Daoist with a touch of childlike appearance.
"Zhang senior's words are too much. You invited me, and there is no reason for me not to come. A person cannot be fat from breaking their promises." I replied.
Zhang Si gestured to invite me again, and then we walked towards the Daoist temple together.
During this time, there were many pilgrims who looked over at us, showing curiosity.
All along the way, following Zhang Si to the main hall and then to a long corridor, and further into the depth, it was a very quiet side hall. There were no pilgrims here, and there were even few Daoist priests.
However, the door of the side hall was wide open, and on a cushion sat a Daoist in purple robes, facing the deity image in the main hall and back to the courtyard. His shoulders were straight and slender, like an ancient pine tree.
My pupil shrank slightly, and my heart sank a lot.
Zhang Si's expression remained unchanged, and he still smiled.
At the same time, he slightly bowed and saluted towards the deity in the hall, "Master Tian, the Fourth Rule Master of Sìguī Mountain, Daoist Luo Xianshen, has arrived."
