My Husband is a Drama King [Book Transmigration] 41p2

Chapter 41 p2: Quarrel

After a while, the scholars arrived one after another. Xie Feng and Luo Shuang also came. Most of them were familiar with each other. Cheng Maoxue subtly brought Song Changxu into their conversation.

“Everyone’s here. Let’s go climbing.”

Besides studying, the scholars at the county school also had to learn the Six Arts, so their physical condition was not too bad. Hearing this, they were all eager to go.

“Let’s see who’s the first to climb the mountain,” the scholars said with a smile.

Xie Feng fanned himself, his pace unhurried. He had no interest in being the first to climb the mountain. It was better to enjoy the scenery along the way.

He had climbed the mountain many times. Luo Shuang was also walking slowly. Song Changxu was not in a hurry either. One had to save their energy when climbing. If you climbed slowly, you would reach the top sooner or later.

Luo Shuang was wearing silk, which looked very light. He took out a scented handkerchief to wipe his face.

Song Changxu: “…”

Song Changxu subconsciously looked to see if Luo Shuang would wipe off any powder.

No, he was naturally beautiful.

Xie Feng couldn’t help but say, “Brother Song, why aren’t you climbing faster? You’re dragging your feet.”

Cheng Maoxue had long since left the three of them behind and had gone up the mountain with the main group.

Song Changxu said, “Climbing is too tiring. I want to save some energy. The point of climbing is to relax the mind and body.”

Xie Feng said thoughtfully, “Not bad. What you said has a Taoist flavor, Brother Song. May I ask, do you believe in Taoism?”

He believed in science.

Luo Shuang looked over with interest.

Song Changxu said seriously, “I don’t believe in gods, Buddhas, or Taoism. Compared to those, I believe in myself more.”

Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in Xie Feng’s eyes. “Your way of thinking is quite similar to mine, Brother Song. I also don’t believe in these things. My grandmother and my father and brothers, on the other hand, are Buddhists.”

Luo Shuang smiled. “That’s different from me. I’m a Buddhist.”

He showed the Buddhist beads on his wrist.

Xie Feng clicked his tongue. When Song Changxu saw the Buddhist beads on Luo Shuang’s hand, his first thought was that they looked very expensive.

“Brother Luo spent a lot of money on those. I heard they were blessed by some eminent monk.”

Luo Shuang corrected, “It was Master Liaoran.”

Everything on Brother Luo is very expensive.

The three of them climbed the stone steps. There was also a temple on this mountain. At noon, they would have a vegetarian meal at the temple and pass the time before going down.

The three of them were at the back. When they appeared at the temple, Cheng Maoxue’s resentful voice was heard. “You three are so unhurried. What a fine demeanor. You’ve made me wait here for you.”

The three of them were startled by Cheng Maoxue’s voice, and then they laughed.

Xie Feng: “Who told you not to stay behind with us? I’m looking forward to the temple’s vegetarian meal. Let’s go and eat.”

Seeing that Song Changxu had become familiar with Xie Feng and Luo Shuang, Cheng Maoxue led them to a side room.

When they reached the side room, Cheng Maoxue had a young novice monk set up the vegetarian meal.

Seeing the statue of Buddha hanging in the side room, Luo Shuang knelt on a cushion and bowed, whispering something.

After climbing the mountain for a whole morning, they were already hungry. Now, seeing the vegetarian meal was like seeing a delicacy. They quickly finished it and then drank a mouthful of the temple’s clear tea.

Xie Feng slumped in his chair. “Climbing is so tiring. I’d rather compose poems and go on a boat trip.”

Cheng Maoxue said, “Compose poems, and then you can show off, right?”

Xie Feng was speechless.

After the vegetarian meal and a short rest, Luo Shuang went to pray to the Buddha. It was Song Changxu’s first time here, so Xie Feng took him for a walk.

Song Changxu saw that the incense here was still very strong.

Xie Feng said, “If the temple were on the ground in Jinhe County, not so many people would come to pray. A temple on a mountain is more convincing. Especially after climbing so many winding paths, they all think that these are obstacles set by the Buddha, so the people who come here to pray are even more devout.”

Song Changxu did not speak.

Xie Feng took Song Changxu to meet a few familiar noble ladies. Xie Feng smiled and said a few words.

“The fish in this pond are very well-fed. And with the pilgrims coming, they’ve grown plump. It’s a pity we can’t catch them to eat,” Xie Feng said with regret.

Song Changxu: “…”

Is it appropriate for you to say that in a temple? You’re not even pretending anymore.

Song Changxu passed by the Temple of the God of Wealth and honestly stopped.

“Brother Xie, I’m going in to pray for wealth first, and then I’ll walk around.”

Xie Feng was puzzled. “Don’t you not believe in gods, Buddhas, and Taoism?”

Song Changxu: “Yes, but that doesn’t stop me from praying for wealth.”

Their people of the Flower Country were all selfish when it came to believing in gods and Buddhas. For example, when it was almost time for the final exams, the statues of great men in the school would be covered with apples, milk, snacks, and so on.

In the end, it was the security guards who benefited.

They believed in one thing: pray, and what if it works? It wouldn’t hurt if it didn’t.

Song Changxu went in and prayed for two talismans, one for himself and one for Zhizhou.

Xie Feng: “Why did you pray for two, Brother Song?”

Song Changxu said, “One for myself, and one for my husband.”

“You’re married?” Xie Feng had not expected it.

“I got married the year before last,” Song Changxu said.

After noon, they wandered around the temple for a while and then went down the mountain together. This time, Cheng Maoxue was with them. He said, “Otherwise, I’d have to wait a long time again.”

Xie Feng: “Alright, Brother Cheng.”

.

It was not yet dark when they returned from the outskirts. Song Changxu went to the market to buy some ribs to make soup, and then went to the stall.

The stall was just about to close. Song Changxu hurried to help pack up.

Seeing him come back, Xu Zhizhou smiled. “Why are you here?”

“I had nothing else to do, so I came to help you move the tables.”

Song Changxu held two tables under his arms and quickly moved all five of them back to the courtyard.

Some of the customers had not yet left. They saw Song Changxu’s handsome face and slender figure, helping to move the tables and chairs.

“Boss Xu, is that your husband?”

Xu Zhizhou replied cheerfully, “Yes.”

“He’s a fine-looking man. You two are a good match.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhizhou was even happier.

After Jiang Zhuo had finished his work, he went back home. Xu Zhizhou paid him three taels of silver a month. This wage was much better than working outside. Besides, when there were no customers, they could rest.

This way, he could earn more money and also share his husband’s burden.

Two xiucai had come to Mijiang Lane. When the neighbors found out, their minds started to work. A few days later, the two xiucai‘s husbands had gone to the street to sell food, and their business was not bad.

They were all a bit envious.

“Look, one is good at studying, and the other is good at making money. When the two of them are together, how can their life not be good?”

“Both couples are young.”

The neighbors talked about it. After all, there was nothing new in the lane.

Song Changxu moved the tables and chairs back and waited for Xu Zhizhou to eat together.

Seeing that there was corn and rib soup on the table, Xu Zhizhou was a little surprised. “Husband, you’ve become so capable. You even know how to make soup. It smells so good.”

Song Changxu was praised, and the corners of his lips turned up. “Hurry and try it.”

The two of them finished the corn and ribs. The portion Song Changxu had made was just right. After eating, Song Changxu saw that it was not yet dark. He went to copy a book, and Xu Zhizhou went to count the copper coins again.

After he finished copying, Xu Zhizhou gave Song Changxu two taels of silver. “You still need to spend money on paper and ink. You can keep this to spend. You don’t need to buy anything else.”

Song Changxu still had his private money. “I still have some money. You can keep this to spend on yourself.”

Xu Zhizhou narrowed his eyes and put his hands on his hips. “Didn’t you give it all to me? Where did you get the money?”

“My parents gave me some silver before I left. I also have some from copying books,” Song Changxu said, forcing himself.

“You’re not hiding money from me, are you? Song Changxu, are you even human!” Xu Zhizhou was half-dead with anger and was about to scratch him to death.

Song Changxu didn’t dare to fight back. Only when Xu Zhizhou was about to scratch his face did he quickly say, “You can’t hurt my face. I still have to go out tomorrow. I admit I’ve hidden a little, but not much.”

Hearing this, Xu Zhizhou did not scratch his face. “How much is ‘not much’?”

Song Changxu: “It’s the silver I had before we got married. I have to buy paper and ink for my studies, after all. I still have six taels of silver left.”

Xu Zhizhou: “I don’t trust you anymore. I don’t know if you’re telling the truth or not.”

Xu Zhizhou still couldn’t help but scratch him. “You’re still hiding money from me. You’re so heartless! I’ve worked so hard for you, and this is how you treat me!”

Song Changxu defended himself in a low voice, “I have to have some money on me. Otherwise, what would that be like? When you married me, we were still…”

“You’re still talking!” Xu Zhizhou stomped his foot in anger. He looked around and grabbed a pillow to throw at Song Changxu.

Song Changxu caught the pillow with a fierce tiger’s heart-snatching move.

Xu Zhizhou was even angrier.

Song Changxu argued, “I don’t believe my father-in-law doesn’t hide money?”

“Think about it. Is it possible for a grown man to have no money at all?”

Xu Zhizhou shouted, “We’re talking about you. Why are you bringing my father into it? You don’t trust me at all! Why did you even marry me? You might as well just divorce me. I’ll pack my things and go back to the village.”

With that, he covered his face and lay on the bed, not letting anyone see his expression.

Xu Zhizhou had a big temper, so Song Changxu had never dared to tell him that he had hidden money.

Song Changxu’s scalp tingled. He hurried to coax him. “Don’t be angry. I won’t hide so much in the future.”

Sensing that Song Changxu was coming over, Xu Zhizhou suddenly did a carp flip, and with lightning speed, he tripped Song Changxu and rode on him, scratching him.

Song Changxu blocked with his hands. “Don’t hit my face!”

He was so angry, he didn’t care about his face anymore.

“I’m hitting you, you heartless man!”

After a while, the fight ended with Song Changxu’s retreat and beating. Xu Zhizhou’s anger had not yet subsided. He snorted heavily, rolled up the quilt, and went to sleep by himself.

Song Changxu had never been so angry before. His temper also flared up. He blew out the candle, took a quilt, and they slept on opposite sides.

The two of them lay with their backs to each other, a long gap between them.

Neither of them spoke. In the darkness, there was only the sound of their breathing. Song Changxu’s anger had already dissipated by half. He thought that Xu Zhizhou had wanted to give him silver, but had gotten such a result. It was inevitable that he would be upset.

He was a ge’er who had followed him to the county town, busy with the stall, and even ate in a hurry. If he were in the village, he would still have his parents and brother to help. Now that he was in the county town, although he had his uncle, Cao Chang, as his husband, he was his closest and most reliable person.

Thinking of this, Song Changxu felt very bad and guilty.

In the past, before Xu Zhizhou had married him, he had said that if he studied from morning till night, he would definitely be lonely.

Now, he was indeed leaving early and coming back late, and he couldn’t even help with the stall at home.

He turned over, looked at Xu Zhizhou’s back, hesitated for a moment, reached out and poked his back, and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

The person opposite him did not speak.

Song Changxu moved over, put his arm around Xu Zhizhou’s back, and repeated, “I didn’t consider your feelings.”

The waist in his arms did not move, but his shoulders began to tremble, and the movement grew larger and larger, and there was the sound of suppressed sobs.

“…”

Song Changxu immediately went to look. Xu Zhizhou was sobbing and wiping his red eyes. The tears had soaked a patch of the pillow.

Sensing Song Changxu’s gaze, he buried his face in the quilt, not letting him see, and silently shed tears, but he still couldn’t control the sobs in his throat.

The sound was small.

The quilt trembled.

Song Changxu didn’t dare to lift the quilt.

Seeing and hearing Xu Zhizhou cry, Song Changxu also felt sad.

Seeing the quilt tremble for a long time, and the suppressed sobs, Song Changxu still lifted the quilt, held him in his arms, and gently patted his back.

“Don’t cry. I won’t do it again in the future.”

Being held in Song Changxu’s arms like this, Xu Zhizhou no longer suppressed his voice and cried out.

“Do you think I care about that private money? I just feel that you don’t trust me.”

Song Changxu wiped his tears. “I know. I trust you.”

After crying, Xu Zhizhou felt much better. Song Changxu lit a candle and took him to wash his face.

He mumbled, “I have to change the bedsheet and pillowcase. They’re all my tears.”

Song Changxu: “I’ll change them.”

After changing the pillowcase and bedsheet, Song Changxu washed them a few times and hung them up in the courtyard. When he got into bed, he still held Xu Zhizhou.

He patted his back comfortingly.

“Go to sleep.”

Xu Zhizhou hummed and didn’t answer.

After he had fallen asleep, he still clutched Song Changxu’s clothes and slept with his face red, leaning against his chest.

***

Author’s Note:

Little Song: [Rose]

Little Xu: [Crying][Crying]