Longevity: Starting From Getting Down The Mountain And Marrying A Wife

The cold wind howled.

Heavy snowflakes were falling, mixed with fine rain.

Within a distance of three zhang, almost all pedestrians' vision was obstructed.

Under the eaves, a figure wearing a black cloak looked at the open gate of the Zhong Mansion, standing still for a long time without leaving.

The maid Xiao Qin peeked out for the third time at the door, then turned and ran into the courtyard.

"Brother Xiaozhong!"

"There's someone across the street who has been looking at our mansion since the morning, and it's almost noon now!"

Zhong Xiaozhong was taken aback. "Did you ask? Is it a man or a woman?"

"No, that area doesn't belong to our mansion's jurisdiction. I saw the patrolling soldiers go up to question him, but they didn't drive him away. I don't know if it's a man or a woman, the hood is covering the head deeply."

"I see, no need to pay attention."

Zhong Xiaozhong pondered for a moment and quickly went to the main hall.

After the meeting, a group of women were still chatting and laughing here.

"Madam, Master Yu..."

Zhong Xiaozhong explained the situation and asked Yu Qingyao to help investigate.

"Alright, I'll take a look."

Yu Qingyao left the gate and scanned with her divine sense, confirming that the person was a Qi Refining third-level cultivator, who happened to be turning around to leave.

"Fellow Daoist!"

Yu Qingyao called out and quickly approached.

The figure in the cloak paused, slowly turned around, and under the black hat brim, a fair and delicate face appeared, with a hint of nervousness and panic.

Yu Qingyao scanned her for a moment and smiled, cupping her hands. "Fellow Daoist, you're unfamiliar. Are you a newcomer to Qingyang? Are you here to find Fellow Daoist Zhong?"

The young female cultivator returned the gesture and smiled. "My surname is Jiang. I passed by here and the snowstorm was so heavy that I took shelter here temporarily. If it's causing any trouble, please forgive me."

Yu Qingyao felt suspicious. Although the panic on the other party's face flashed by, she still caught it.

"In that case, why not come to the Zhong Mansion? It's cold outside, even for cultivators, it's not comfortable to endure the cold without using spells from time to time."

The female cultivator looked at the gate of the Zhong Mansion, hesitated for a moment, and smiled. "Then I'll trouble you. I often hear about Master Zhong's reputation. May I ask, Fellow Daoist, are you Master Zhong's partner?"

Yu Qingyao waved her hand to invite her in. Upon hearing the word "partner," she felt a bit strange. "My name is Yu Qingyao, I am a friend of Fellow Daoist Zhong. I came to visit the Zhong Mansion. Fellow Daoist Zhong likes to make friends, and he just came out of seclusion today. Jiang..."

"Out of seclusion?"

The woman had just taken two steps when she stopped and apologized with a cupped hand. "I'm sorry, I suddenly remembered that I have other matters to attend to. I'll leave first and hope to have the opportunity to chat with Fellow Daoist Yu and Master Zhong next time."

"Uh..."

Yu Qingyao saw the person hurriedly leaving and thought for a moment before quickly returning to the Zhong Mansion to talk to Jiang Ping.

On the other side, Xia He walked over and called out with a smile, "Master Yu, my master is inviting you to the study in the tenth courtyard!"

Jiang Ping said, "Then Master Yu Qingyao, please go ahead."

"Alright!"

Yu Qingyao's steps were light, guessing that she was going to receive her salary!

She had only taken two missions this year, earning fewer spirit stones than last year, and she was very frugal with her resources in normal times.

Fortunately, during festivals and holidays, Jiang Ping would always send spiritual rice, monster meat, and other supplies, offsetting a lot of expenses. By the end of the year, there were still two spirit stones left.

They went straight to the side hall.

They entered directly and went into the study.

The space was spacious, with a bookshelf occupying the entire wall on the left side, filled with books and bamboo scrolls.

"Qingyao Immortal, please have a seat. My husband has gone to the cultivation room and will be back soon."

Yan Sandao, who was busy at the desk, stood up and smiled, saying, "Qingyao Immortal, please have some tea." She went to the round table next to her and poured a cup of tea, handing it to her.

"Thank you."

Yue Qingyao couldn't help but glance at her face and realized that Zhong Yan hadn't assigned any tasks to this concubine during the meeting in the hall earlier. And after the meeting, there were no instructions either. Yan Sandao directly followed her to the study.

Thinking back to the last time they went to rescue Li Henian together, Yue Qingyao was certain that Yan Sandao was the most trusted confidante of Zhong Yan among the many wives and concubines in the Zhong family.

Holding the cup, warming her hands, Yue Qingyao took a sip and put down the teacup, pointing to the bookshelf and smiling, "Can I take a look?"

"Feel free!"

Yue Qingyao nodded and waited for Yan Sandao to lower her head and flip through the documents on the desk. She glanced over and unexpectedly saw the words "Deployment of the Qingyang Army."

"This damn Zhong must have developed a lot of spies in the City Lord's Mansion..."

Yue Qingyao muttered in her heart and walked to the bookshelf.

Rows of books were neatly arranged, categorized and dust-free.

There were all kinds of books - poetry, history of Qingyang, miscellaneous historical records, medicinal herb catalogs, Yan Kingdom's annual historical records, herbal collections, various medical books...

Yue Qingyao couldn't help but feel emotional. Zhong Yan had only been in Qingyang for a few years, yet he had accumulated such a profound knowledge.

But upon closer inspection, she could speculate that most of it should have come from the former Xue family.

As she scanned the shelves, Yue Qingyao's gaze paused, and she picked up a copy of "Illustrated Guide to Beasts." After flipping through it briefly, she confirmed that it was a book used by cultivators, containing records of various common monsters.

Judging from the details of the book's pages, it seemed to be frequently read.

"Sandao... ah~"

As she turned around, Yue Qingyao collided with a broad chest.

Their eyes met.

Zhong Yan looked down at her, smiling ambiguously.

Yue Qingyao's eyelashes trembled, her heart pounding like a startled deer. She was shocked to realize that he had come behind her without her noticing.

She tried to move left and right, but couldn't break free.

Because Zhong Yan reached out and leaned against the bookshelf, pinning her against it.

Yue Qingyao blushed with embarrassment and asked, "What... what are you doing?"

"What do you think?" Zhong Yan smirked, inching his head closer.

Yue Qingyao's eyes were in a panic. She held the book against her chest with both hands, watching his handsome face getting closer and closer. The scent of a man enveloped her, and her heart was about to jump out of her chest. "You... mmm~"

Zhong Yan suddenly kissed her, cool and sweet.

Yu Qingyao's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment, her mind buzzing with emptiness. For a moment, she forgot to struggle and resist, allowing the other party to pry open her teeth and act wantonly.

Unconsciously.

Her body went weak, she closed her eyes, and the book in her hand fell to the ground. She grabbed onto Zhong Yan's sleeve with all her strength and actually started responding.

On the other side.

Yan Sandao had already stood up, pursing his lips to hold back his laughter. He took a light step forward, looked for a while, and blinked before speaking, "Husband, I want to join too."

Yu Qingyao suddenly opened her eyes, pushed Zhong Yan away, and rushed outside.

She had forgotten that there was still someone in the room!

Zhong Yan glared at Yan Sandao.

Yan Sandao chuckled, "Husband, I think she has already fallen for you in her heart, but she doesn't want to admit it and is too embarrassed to face it."

Zhong Yan smiled and walked to the desk, realizing that as well. At least she wasn't as resistant as before, but it didn't necessarily mean she liked him that much.

But he couldn't wait too long to slowly plan and pursue. With only her as a female cultivator by his side, he needed to speed up, use a strong medicine, and activate the system's spiritual roots.

"And husband, why do I feel like she's so shy and clumsy, not at all like a woman who has been married before?"

Zhong Yan blinked. Indeed, when they had just kissed, her tongue movements were very awkward, like a rookie.

Seeing her husband's face filled with reminiscence, Yan Sandao leaned on the table and blinked as she asked with a smile, "How does it taste? Sweet or not?"

"Come and try it yourself!"

Zhong Yan pulled her into his arms.

The two instantly entangled with each other, biting each other.

...

Yu Qingyao rushed out of the study, ran out of the building, all the way to the circular corridor. She stopped when she saw that no one was chasing her, leaning on the railing and gasping for breath.

Her pretty face was burning hot, as red as an apple about to drip with water, adorned with the snowflakes floating outside, exceptionally charming.

After the cold wind blew for a while, she slowly calmed down. In her mind, there were only Zhong Yan's face and that strange yet desirable taste.

She couldn't help but wipe her lips and muttered, "Bastard!"

If someone were here, they would definitely see her cursing, with a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.

After a long time.

Yu Qingyao turned her head and glanced, hesitated for a moment, then turned around and walked back.

Back to the study once again.

As soon as she entered the room.

She turned her head to look.

And saw Yan Sandao hugging Zhong Yan's neck at the desk, the two of them passionately kissing, making smacking sounds.

The dissipating blush climbed up her face again, and Yu Qingyao felt a pang of pain and sourness in her heart. Annoyed, she turned around.

The joy and affection that had just arisen instantly vanished—she was really confused, bewitched by a ghost. With so many wives and concubines, how could I still consider accepting him?!

"Stop!"

Zhong Yan pulled the dazed Yan Sandao away, "You don't want your salary anymore?"

Yù Qīngyáo had a stern face and reached out her hand, saying, "Give it to me!"

However, Zhōng Yán said, "Although there are many wives and concubines in the Zhōng family, you have seen how I treat them. If you marry me, I will treat you sincerely as well."

"I have said that I can help you with Foundation Building, and it's not an empty promise."

"To be honest, the Zhōng family doesn't need a housekeeper right now, and you haven't done enough to satisfy me."

"I'll give you three days to consider. If you don't want to, then leave. Let's forget about the past and not force anything."

After saying that, Zhōng Yán threw a storage bag.

Still angry, Yù Qīngyáo grabbed the storage bag and left.

Yān Sāndāo couldn't help but laugh, "Husband, it seems like she's jealous!"

"Let's continue!"

Yān Sāndāo held her husband's shoulder and smiled, "How about tonight? Don't you still need to talk to Sister Liǔ'er?"

"Alright."

"By the way, husband, your spell is really effective. Just now, I stood behind Fairy Qīngyáo, and she didn't notice anything."

Zhōng Yán nodded and smiled. He had previously tested the secret technique "Void Concealment."

But the duration was very short.

Only about one or two breaths.

And after activating it, he couldn't conceal his physical appearance, only suppressing the fluctuations of his aura. Afterward, his head felt a bit dizzy, and it consumed a lot of his spiritual consciousness.

It was estimated that it would only be effective in the later stages, even during the Foundation Building stage.

At this moment, Yù Qīngyáo returned again.

"There was a female cultivator standing outside the Zhōng family's gate this morning. Her surname is Jiāng, and she has a cultivation level of the third level of Qi Refining."

"I invited her into the mansion, and she agreed. But as soon as she heard that you came out of seclusion, she immediately found an excuse and left in a hurry."

"It must be your peach blossom debt finding you outside!"

After saying that, she left.

Zhōng Yán was stunned and called out, "What does she look like?"

"She's good-looking!"

Yù Qīngyáo didn't understand her own feelings at this moment. After pausing for a moment, she said, "She's wearing a black cloak, in her early twenties, about the same height as me, with willow leaf eyebrows..."

Listening to the description, a face was outlined in Zhōng Yán's mind, and he was suddenly astonished.

It turned out to be Jiāng Yúnruò from the Flying Immortal Pavilion.

Jiāng Yúnruò!

Zhōng Yán had heard her mention her real name.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration crossed his mind, but Yù Qīngyáo's voice interrupted him, preventing him from delving deeper into his thoughts.

"I'm leaving!"

Yān Sāndāo watched her departing figure and deliberately laughed in a voice that she could hear, "Husband, Sister Qīngyáo is really jealous!"

...