From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

"Baiyun Temple is the most famous Taoist temple in Liangjiang. Although it is not large in scale, it is an orthodox Taoist temple."

"When Taoist Cangsong was alive, not only the people of Yunzhou went there, but even people from the capital came to visit and seek the Tao."

Speaking of this, Zhao Cheng paused slightly and said, "After the master passed away, Taoist Su Youzi presided over Baiyun Temple and no longer actively received pilgrims."

"It is a blessing that she can accept you as a direct disciple. Yuan'er, I am afraid you have gained a lot from this trip!"

The lunch was very rich. The family had not been together for a long time, and the atmosphere was warm.

Zhou Yuan ate until he was full, then he leaned back in the chair comfortably and drank the soup slowly.

He nodded and said, "My father-in-law is right. My master really doesn't want to receive too many pilgrims. I once asked her the reason. She said that the Taoist temple is a secluded place, and she will eventually calm down slowly. In this respect, she is different from the Taoist Cangsong in the past."

"I have been on this trip for three months. I am not seeking the Tao, but my body is weak. I want to find a way to keep healthy. I have gained a lot."

Zhao Cheng was very pleased and smiled slowly: "The saints said that self-cultivation, family management, governance, and peace in the world, this self-cultivation is more than just the heart, morality and literary talent, the body is the most important."

"Yuan'er, you went up the mountain to seek the art of keeping healthy. This is self-cultivation, which is the right way."

"Since you have gained a lot, I am relieved."

Zhou Yuan didn't expect his father-in-law to be so open-minded. Thinking back carefully, this new champion is not like a green man who has just entered the officialdom. On the contrary, he seems to have infinite wisdom, both in politics and in life.

In general, Zhou Yuan still has a good impression of him.

He even has a good impression of the entire Zhao family.

After traveling through time, he did not meet any vicious mother-in-law, cheap maids and unruly young ladies. Everyone is normal.

Based on this, Zhou Yuan feels that fate is fair to him, even if the starting point of being a son-in-law is really low.

Zhao Cheng suddenly said: "Jianjia, I heard that the girl from the Xue family is not in a good condition recently?"

"Ah? Ah!"

Zhao Jianjia seemed to be thinking about something, with a faint smile on her lips. After hearing the words, she woke up from a dream.

She nodded and said, "Ningyue is sick. It has been more than a month and she hasn't recovered. I went to see her twice. The doctor said that it was due to the depression of heart qi and the cold entering the body. She can only recuperate slowly."

Zhao Cheng smiled lightly and said, "Yuan'er, I heard that this girl from the Xue family took good care of you during the poetry meeting and outing."

"You haven't been home for three months. Now you should visit her and say hello to show your courtesy."

Zhou Yuan was stunned. My father-in-law asked me to visit the girl? Is this a bit too generous?

Or am I overthinking?

In any case, since Xue Ningyue is sick, Zhou Yuan should indeed visit her.

If not for anything else, just because she ran to see him off on the day of the poetry meeting and outing regardless of other people's eyes.

That's enough!

"Father-in-law is right. I will go to visit with Jianjia this afternoon."

Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said, "You go by yourself. Jianjia will accompany me to the government office this afternoon. There are too many cases on hand. I am too busy. She can help me summarize and copy them."

Zhao Jianjia looked at her father with a puzzled face, but was suppressed by his majestic gaze.

She could only force a smile: "Father needs it, and the daughter has no choice but to do it."

Zhou Yuan frowned slightly, realizing that something was wrong, but he didn't think too much, just nodded slowly.

After the meal, he took a short rest, prepared gifts, and Zhou Yuan set off with Ziyuan.

The Xue family is not powerful in Yunzhou City, but they have some family wealth.

It is said that Xue Changyue used to be an official, and a high-ranking official, but he committed a serious crime more than ten years ago and was directly dismissed from his post, so he returned to his hometown in Yunzhou from Shenjing.

With a decent family background, they did some business. It wasn't very prosperous, but they had enough food and clothing.

Zhou Yuan only knew this much about them.

But when he walked to the door of Xue's house, he found something wrong.

The two old men who were guarding the door had cold and sharp eyes and thick calluses on their hands. They were obviously not good people.

If it was before, Zhou Yuan might not have seen it, but now he was at least a man of some kung fu, and he could see at a glance that the two men had murderous intent.

He took a deep breath, walked up with Ziyuan, and said with a smile: "Please inform them that Zhou Yuan is here to visit Miss Xue."

"Wait a moment."

An old man walked in slowly.

The figure of the other old man was motionless, like a statue.

Zhou Yuan squinted slightly, but did not disturb them, just waited at ease.

A moment later, a housekeeper followed the old man who was guarding the door and said hurriedly: "Mr. Zhou, please come in, the young lady is waiting for you in the side hall."Generally speaking, distinguished guests are received in the main hall, and the side hall is often used to receive close friends.

When Zhou Yuan walked to the side hall, he saw Xue Ningyue in a dress.

Her hair was loose, her face was bare, her face was pale as paper, her lips were bloodless, and her eyes were a little dull.

Seeing Zhou Yuan, she bowed slightly and said, "Ningyue greets Brother Zhou."

Zhou Yuan could see that she was in poor health, so he immediately helped her up and whispered, "We can just come to your room to see you, why do you have to get up to greet us?"

Xue Ningyue smiled weakly, "Brother Zhou is visiting for the first time, how can Ningyue be impolite?"

Zhou Yuan said, "What's wrong? Did you catch a cold? Why haven't you gotten better?"

Xue Ningyue sighed softly and said, "I don't know, maybe I haven't been feeling well."

Speaking of this, she looked up at Zhou Yuan, her eyes dim, "Brother Zhou, everyone said that you...you became a monk at Baiyun Temple, I...I thought you really wouldn't come down the mountain."

Her voice trembled inexplicably.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "Sister Ningyue, don't worry. I am only eighteen or nineteen years old. I am young and have a bright future. How could I be tired of the world?"

"Going up the mountain to practice Taoism is just to seek health preservation and replenish the foundation of the body."

He paused slightly, then said, "You have been in poor health since childhood? Otherwise, find a time to go up the mountain with me to see if you can learn a Taoist method..."

"No need!"

Xue Ningyue shook her head and whispered, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Zhou. Ningyue just... just caught a cold. Maybe she will be fine in a few days."

Her eyes seemed to be much clearer, and she couldn't help asking, "Will Brother Zhou still go up the mountain?"

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "I will visit Master occasionally, that's all. After all, I am still a person in the world."

"That's good, cough!"

Xue Ningyue started coughing again as she spoke.

Zhou Yuan hurriedly said: "Ziyuan, help Miss Ningyue, let's go inside and talk."

Xue Ningyue said: "Don't bother, Brother Zhou, I'm fine."

Zhou Yuan frowned and said in a deep voice: "Be obedient! I can see that your illness is still very serious!"

Xue Ningyue glanced at Zhou Yuan, then lowered her head, and felt an inexplicable warmth in her heart.

When they arrived at the boudoir, Ziyuan helped her lie down and covered her with a quilt.

Zhou Yuan looked around the room before sitting over and said with a smile: "Ningyue, your room is elegant, but the windows are sealed too tightly, it should be ventilated."

Xue Ningyue whispered: "The doctor said that we should isolate the cold."

"Nonsense."

Zhou Yuan waved his hand and said: "You are already sick, and you have been staying in the room all the time. Of course it is not easy to get better."

"You believe me, open the window to get some fresh air, drink more hot soup to nourish yourself, and take medicine, then it will be effective."

Xue Ningyue smiled faintly and said: "Brother Zhou, I believe you."

Zhou Yuan thought for a while and said: "Ningyue, I have made some achievements in practicing Taoism in the mountains. How about I input internal force for you, maybe it can resolve your cold."

He didn't know what level he was at now, but Su Youzi said that although it was not powerful, it was pure.

Xue Ningyue shook her head and smiled, saying: "Brother Xue came to see Ningyue, Ningyue is already very grateful, how can I bother you again..."

Zhou Yuan interrupted: "Between you and me, why are you still saying these polite words!"

"Ziyuan, help Miss Ningyue up, I will use my inner strength to get rid of her coldness."

Xue Ningyue didn't dare to look at Zhou Yuan, just lowered her head.

Between you and me...what is Brother Zhou talking about...

Her face was slightly red, until Zhou Yuan sat behind her and put his hands on her back, she woke up from her dream.

"Hey Brother Zhou, you...how did you get on my bed directly..."

Her voice was a little shy and anxious.

It was inappropriate to let a man enter the boudoir, how could he get on the bed.

Zhou Yuan said: "Don't talk, calm down, and concentrate."

Putting his palms on her back, a steady stream of power was input into her, and it kept stirring in Xue Ningyue's body.

The burning breath made her body weak and her breathing heavy.

For a moment, Xue Ningyue was overwhelmed with emotions, her eyes were red, but she couldn't help but smile.