Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Knowing that Hu Qingshan had overheard everything, Hu Fei’er could not help feeling shy.
“Grandfather, when… when did you arrive?”
Hu Qingshan stroked his beard and chuckled.
“Your grandfather came in just as you started talking to the young master physician.”
“I even greeted your Granny Deaf and spoke with her.”
“You were the one who didn’t hear me, so you can’t blame me for that.”
“Hahaha!”
The Hu Clan Fairy blushed even more deeply.
But then she remembered that none of her family had appeared when the Sage Lord Who Bestows Blessings and Guards the Home descended several days earlier, and she could not help feeling aggrieved.
“Grandfather, the other day…”
Hu Qingshan smiled and interrupted his granddaughter.
“Silly girl, your grandfather knows what you want to say.”
“There is more to the matter. Let me explain it slowly.”
Just then, Deaf Granny entered with a warm smile.
“No explanation is necessary, Brother Hu.”
“Everyone under heaven knows how deeply the Hu Family Immortals treasure loyalty and friendship!”
“The previous patriarch of your clan stormed the Underworld Court alone to save his spirit medium disciple.”
“In the end, he chose to be imprisoned beside his disciple rather than return to the mortal world alone.”
At that point, Deaf Granny sighed with emotion.
Hu Qingshan was deeply moved. “You truly understand my Hu Family, my dear sister!”
(The author notes that this incident is not fictional. Readers from the Northern Lands may ask the elders in their families; most older people know at least part of this story.)
Feeling ashamed that she had misunderstood Hu Qingshan, Hu Fei’er said, “Grandfather, I’m sorry…”
Hu Qingshan and Deaf Granny exchanged a glance, both smiling indulgently.
Deaf Granny affectionately stroked Hu Fei’er’s head.
“This child is pure-hearted and sensible. The more I see of her, the more I like her!”
Hu Qingshan’s smile deepened.
“Hearing you say that puts this Hu’s mind completely at ease.”
“When the child lives by your side in the future, I hope you’ll be patient with her, whether she does right or wrong.”
Deaf Granny froze for a moment, then beamed with delight and nodded repeatedly.
She held out her hand, and Hu Qingshan slapped palms with her three times.
“Then it’s settled!”
The two elders burst out laughing together.
Everything had been said without either of them saying it outright.
Quick-witted Hu Fei’er vaguely understood their meaning. Blushing, she fled the room.
“Grandfather, Granny, you two keep talking. I’ll… I’ll boil water and make tea for you…”
The two elders laughed even more heartily.
Hu Qingshan called after her, “Silly girl, just boil the water and bring it in.”
“This time, Grandfather brought your granny some of our Hu Family’s special Snow Lotus Tea.”
Hu Fei’er answered bashfully, “I understand, Grandfather.”
Amid the laughter, Hu Qingshan slowly began to speak.
“My dear sister, although you understand us Hu Family Immortals, I still need to explain what the girl mentioned.”
“Find a suitable opportunity to tell Jiunan the whole story, so it doesn’t leave a knot in his heart.”
Hu Qingshan raised a hand to stop Deaf Granny from speaking.
“I sensed it the moment the Sage Lord descended that day.”
“I immediately ended my cultivation and prepared to hurry here.”
“Then it occurred to me that even if I came, I could not withstand the Sage Lord’s thunderous fury…”
“So I returned to our ancestral land at once and requested an audience with our ancestor.”
At that point, Hu Qingshan took out the Snow Lotus Tea and placed it on the table.
“Our ancestor told me that, given Jiunan’s origins and background, the Sage Lord would not make things too difficult for him.”
“If the situation took an unexpected turn, he would personally appear and negotiate with the Sage Lord.”
Hu Qingshan smiled.
“My dear sister, do you know that although our ancestor called it a negotiation, he had already placed beside him a ritual implement he had not used for many years?”
Deaf Granny’s expression turned solemn.
She rose, faced the distance, and saluted with cupped fists.
“Lord Hu San is a paragon of loyalty!”
“This old woman will be sure to tell Xiao Jiu of this kindness and have him remember it always!”
Hu Qingshan merely smiled.
Just then, Hu Fei’er entered carrying a teapot, her head lowered shyly.
With practiced hands, she rinsed the tea leaves and poured the tea.
“Granny, please have the first taste.”
“Grandfather normally… normally won’t even let me drink this tea.”
Deaf Granny accepted the cup with a smile.
“Silly girl.”
“Your grandfather has shown such thoughtfulness. Of course your granny will drink it.”
“This immortal tea ought to add at least three years to this old woman’s life.”
“Now I may finally live long enough to see my great-grandchildren!”
Deaf Granny’s words left the Hu Clan Fairy too embarrassed to raise her head.
She merely murmured, “Granny, may you live for ten thousand years…”
After finishing the pot of tea, the sage-like Hu Qingshan rose with the support of his cane.
“Rest here, my dear sister.”
“I need to visit the mountain and see exactly what is stirring up trouble and daring to target someone close to Xiao Jiu.”
Deaf Granny looked deeply apologetic.
“Look at the trouble this has caused…”
“Making you go out in person over another girl’s affairs leaves me feeling terribly guilty.”
Hu Qingshan took a slow step and vanished.
Only his calm voice remained in the air.
“Pay it no mind, my dear sister.”
“Everything I do is for Xiao Jiu. It has nothing to do with any outsider.”