How can someone travel through time and space and become a beggar?

Zhao Huazhang's playing wasn't great; he wasn't familiar with the music, and the rhythm wasn't right. But Xia Chu didn't care. She could tell Zhao Huazhang was practicing to get closer to her.

Those slender and powerful hands were more suitable for holding weapons. She cooperated with Zhao Huazhang, slowed down the beat with a smile, and guided him with the music.

Unexpectedly, facing her smile, Zhao Huazhang's fingers played a few wrong tunes and he felt embarrassed and wanted to give up.

Xia Chu changed the singing and blinked her right eye at Zhao Huazhang to encourage him.

The girl's bright eyes were filled with smiles, but there wasn't a hint of mockery in them. Zhao Huazhang felt as if something had gently tickled his chest. He took a deep breath, calmed down, and continued playing.

After the last boat trip, the relationship between the two became much closer. Xia Chu could feel Zhao Huazhang's sincere love and was deeply touched.

Zhao Huazhang felt that the more he interacted with Xia Chu, the more he understood her, and the more he liked her. The person in his mind slowly filled with color, becoming more vivid.

Xia Chu suddenly remembered that she hadn't seen her friends for a long time, so she sent out a few messages, inviting them to get together at Daoyin Song Garden. However, when several people replied, they were all busy, with only Bai Wuxia being the only one who was free.

"Everyone else is busy, are you and I the only ones free?" Xia Chu joked when he saw Bai Wuxia.

"I've been busy lately, so I took the time to come see you." Bai Wuxia raised an eyebrow at her. "What's that story-for-wine thing at your door?"

"I'm just doing this for fun. I just want to collect some stories so I can write them down and tell them." Bai Wuxia happened to have never been to the tavern in Yin Ge Garden. "Will you take me to see my collection of fine wines?"

Bai Wuxia looked her up and down and said jokingly, "With your alcohol tolerance, you can only keep it."

Xia Chu pretended to hit her, but Bai Wuxia dodged with a smile. The two of them played and quarreled until they reached the tavern, where there were only two other customers.

"What kind of wine do you have? Bring it out so I can see it." Bai Wuxia raised her chin towards Xia Chu, with a somewhat ruffian smile, who knows who she learned it from.

"We have all the famous wines from Lin'an. My mother also found me some famous wines from Huizhou." Xia Chu glanced at the wine cabinet behind the counter. "How about Huizhou's Qinghuayue? It's light and refreshing, and not too strong."

"Give me a pot." Bai Wuxia found a secluded place to sit and teased: "You can only drink one glass. I don't want to play with a drunk."

"You're not done yet, are you?" Xia Chu glared at her, then fetched some wine and sent Cuihua to serve some side dishes. The side dishes she had were braised dishes from her own braised meat shop, and Dong Xiaohuan had originally refused to charge for them. But Xia Chu explained that they were all for customers, and that this was a long-term business, so Dong Xiaohuan reluctantly accepted the cost price.

Bai Wuxia sniffed the aroma of the wine, then suddenly sighed, took a sip, and whispered, "Sister Yun's marriage is settled."

She didn't look like she was celebrating a happy occasion, so Xia Chu asked worriedly, "Is the man not okay?"

"The prefect's illegitimate son is considered to be marrying into a wealthy family." Bai Wuxia curled her lips. "It is said that he often frequents places of entertainment. Madam Li was overwhelmed by the selection and finally fell in love with this man."

"What did Sister Yun say?" Xia Chu asked.

"What else can I say? It's the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. What can she say?" Bai Wuxia said helplessly.

Xia Chu frowned at this. Not all families were like hers. The higher the status, the stricter the rules. Women had no say in their marriages. If their families kept secrets, some women might know nothing but a name. "Have you asked around? Does that man have anything else to do besides hanging out in brothels?"

"I've heard about it. He's said to be quite romantic, neither good at literature nor martial arts. He often stays out all night, spending the nights in brothels." Bai Wuxia grew increasingly angry as she spoke. "Sister Yun, such an educated and well-mannered woman, is actually matched with a man like this!"

Xia Chu was also angry. Li Yun was beautiful and dignified, gentle and intelligent, and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. How could such a good woman marry such a playboy? "Is it already settled?"

"Sister Yun didn't say anything. I still found out from my mother. She's already in Naji, and now the wedding date is set." She was dissatisfied with Li Yun's concealment and said in her tone, "My mother has been looking for a matchmaker for me recently, and she happened to hear some rumors. Otherwise, she might not even know she got married!"

"So fast?!" Xia Chu was stunned. The ancient Three Books and Six Ceremonies were complex and cumbersome. Every step required choosing an auspicious date, and completing the entire process would take at least a year, sometimes two. But it's only been a few months? "When was it decided?"

"The end of the year." Bai Wuxia poured himself another glass of wine and changed the subject, "Brother Qingmei is back and passed the imperial examination. Your second brother also passed. They were in the same batch, so maybe they've met before."

"Didn't Qingmei's elder brother go abroad to study? And he suddenly passed the exam?" Xia Chu felt that a lot of things had happened to everyone recently, and she was completely unaware of it.

"Yeah." Bai Wuxia lowered her voice, "Qingmei doesn't have to worry about her marriage. After all, her elder brother and she are born of the same mother. Now that he has an official position, Qingmei can choose a better husband. But..." She looked around and moved closer to Xia Chu, "Is Qingmei interested in your second brother?"

Xia Chu glanced at her and said, "Yes, there was, but the flowers have feelings but the water is ruthless."

"Hey." Bai Wuxia wanted to drink more, but Xia Chu held her wrist and said, "Eat something before you drink. This is good wine. Don't drink it in large quantities and waste it."

"I can hardly taste it anymore." Li Yun's marriage has been a source of worry for Bai Wuxia lately, but she's running out of ideas. "Is there any way to ruin this without damaging Sister Yun's reputation?"

"Keep your voice down. This depends on Sister Yun's wishes. Don't do anything rash." Xia Chu's face became serious, fearing that Bai Wuxia would act impulsively.

"I know, I know. Your maid is really slow." Bai Wuxia said.

As soon as she finished speaking, Cuihua came over with a lunch box. Bai Wuxia peeled two peanuts and put them in her mouth. For some reason, she suddenly remembered the perfect face of Xia Chu's third brother. She waved her hand to let Shiyue leave. "What has your third brother been doing recently?"

Xia Chu glanced at her sideways, "I go to the academy during the day, and go home to study food in the evening."

Bai Wuxia felt a little better when she thought of that face. "How boring! Come to our farm next time and invite your third brother and younger brother."

"Don't even think about it." Xia Chu advised: "The gap between our two families is too big. There's no way your family will agree."

Bai Wuxia puffed out her lips and said bluntly, "Things have been going badly lately. Can't I just see a beautiful woman and cheer myself up?"

Is this what it means to be obsessed with looks?

Xia Chu was speechless. "Please set a time and I'll ask Third Brother. You just came and said you were very busy recently."

Bai Wuxia smiled immediately, "Even if you're busy, you need to take a break."