When they entered the village, it was late at night. They wanted to find an inn to rest, but the village was full of twists and turns and was shaped like the Eight Trigrams. They did not see the green silk sign of an inn. Unfortunately, the weather changed easily in summer. Before they could find the inn, there was a flash of lightning in the distant night sky, followed by the sound of rolling thunder.
Gu Mang raised his hand and caught a few bean-sized water droplets in his palm. He said helplessly, "What a coincidence, it's raining."
"Put on the hood of your cloak and wait for me under the eaves. I'll go see if there's an inn nearby."
Gu Mang lifted his cloak and said, "I'll go with you, so that you won't have to come back to find me after you find it."
The two of them quickened their pace and walked through the alleys. But the dark clouds were rolling and the heavy rain came in an instant. The summer rain was torrential and they were soon trapped under a row of eaves. This was something that could be solved with a rain-proof enchantment, but the elders told them not to use magic. Now that they were in the territory of Lian Sheng Town, they had to be more careful.
Mo Xi was fine if he was in the rain, but he saw that Gu Mang's clothes were also soaked. He thought that girls would get sick easily if they were in the rain. This senior apprentice-sister looked lazy and did not look like she had good stamina. If she stood here and waited for the rain to stop, she would probably catch a cold the next day. Just as he was thinking to himself, he suddenly caught sight of a house not far ahead. Although the door was closed, a weak candlelight could be seen through the cracks. He said to Gu Mang,
"Come with me. The rain is too heavy, let's not look for an inn. I'll ask the house in front if it's convenient. "
Gu Mang thought about it and agreed. He rushed out of the rain and ran towards the house. As soon as he arrived at the door, before he could say anything, the door suddenly opened. A woman's exclamation came from inside, followed by the barking of a dog. A fierce big black dog limped out of the door while barking loudly. The woman in the room shouted, "Come back! You, you come back! "
Gu Mang's hands and feet were nimble. He immediately ran out a few steps to capture the black dog.
Mo Xi walked to the door. There was a folding screen in the room. Panting sounds came from behind it, mixed with curses.
"Bastard, bastard …" After a while, a woman walked out from behind the screen with her hands on the wall. She raised her head and saw Mo Xi's face under the moonlight. She paused for a moment and then said, "Who are you?"
Before Mo Xi could say anything, she said fiercely, "Get out of the way!"
As he spoke, he limped, intending to chase after them. That was strange. A lame dog was lame, and so was a lame man. He hadn't chased for more than a few steps when Gu Mang came running back from the end of the alley in the pouring rain. He was holding the barking dog in his arms. He poked his head out from behind the dog, his cheek still stained with a wet paw print. He smiled and said,
"Miss, your dog is so cute. Here, I'll give it back to you."
Mochime looked at him incredulously. He felt that this man was extremely intelligent. How on earth did he find the word "cute" on a dog with a mouth full of saliva and a three-foot-long tongue?
The woman hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the hysterical dog. She said, "Thank you." Then she stood under the door and looked at the two of them. Suddenly, she asked abruptly, "Hey, are you … are you here to ask for a child?"
Mo Xi said, "No."
Gu Mang said, "Yes."
"…" The woman blinked and raised her eyebrows. "May I ask, what's your relationship?"
Mo Xi said, "She's my sister."
Gu Mang said, "He's my husband."
The two of them stuck to their own words and spoke almost at the same time. The woman slowly narrowed her starry eyes and used a playful gaze to sweep between the two of them. After a while, she suddenly sneered and said with narrowed eyes, "I understand. No wonder you don't want others to know. You're really bold. Did you elope? "
Mo Xi: "…"
Gu Mang: "…"
The woman stroked the dog in her arms and continued to look at the pair of wild lovebirds. Under her naked gaze, Gu Mang couldn't stand it anymore. He turned around and glared at Mo Xi.
Mo Xi, you bastard! Why didn't you follow the elder's script?!
Mo Xi originally thought that there was no need to talk so much with a woman he met by chance, so he thought that Gu Mang was his sister. He didn't expect this to happen. He was speechless for a moment. However, he was still in the wrong. He turned his face away. After a moment of silence, he said calmly,
"She's just a distant cousin."
The woman clicked her tongue a few times and shook her head. "Your family must be against it, right? Sigh, how pitiful. Where do you plan to elope to? "
Gu Mang smiled and held Mo Xi's arm. He shamelessly pretended to be shy and said, "My husband and I just got married last year, but there hasn't been any good news. She had heard that the local temple here was very effective in praying for children. She came here with sincerity, hoping to have a child. As for where she would elope to … even if it was the ends of the earth, it would be enough for her to be able to accompany her husband. Everywhere was picturesque scenery, a happy nest. My good husband, don't you think so? "
He deliberately took revenge on Mo Xi and said it in an extremely mushy way. As expected, Mo Xi was so angry that his whole body tensed up. However, he pursed his thin lips and couldn't say anything. He could only nod slightly and then immediately turn his face away. His fingers made clicking sounds under his sleeves.
Gu Mang was trying to hold back his laughter when he suddenly heard the woman say, "Then … did you bring enough money to pray for children?"
"The local god's temple in our village is not a place you can worship just because you want to. There are many ways to enter. If you don't have any money on you, you won't even be able to cross the threshold." The woman glanced at the two people's unsophisticated clothes. "Why don't we just forget about it?"
"Oh …" Gu Mang reacted and said with a smile, "Miss, you don't have to worry about it. We took some farm work along the way and saved some money. It should be enough."
When the woman heard him say this, she didn't show any gentleness. After hesitating for a while, she raised her eyebrows and said seriously, "But I see that you two are neither rich nor noble. That place … it's better not to go."
Mo Xi turned his head. His eyes were like cold lightning. "Why?"
He didn't sound like a groom who came to pray for children. Instead, he sounded like a warlord who was interrogating someone. The woman was suspicious. She frowned and looked at him. She didn't answer immediately.
Gu Mang saw that the situation wasn't good. He secretly pulled Mo Xi and said with a smile, "Sister, don't be offended. My husband loves and cares for me. He wants us to have children, so …"
The woman shook her head and said, "The rumors about the local temple praying for children are all nonsense. It only deceives those rich fools. In fact, it's completely useless."
"But there are many people who come here to pray for children." Gu Mang said, "If it's not effective, how can there be so many people spreading it by word of mouth?"
"… It's a long story. In short, not only will we not gain anything from going there, it will also be a disadvantage."
Gu Mang asked curiously, "How can it be a disadvantage?"
"Don't ask so much. If Miss is willing, just listen to me. I definitely won't harm you."
Gu Mang thought for a while and said with a smile, "Good sister, then what do you think about this? It's our first time here and we can't find an inn. The rain is so heavy and we didn't bring an umbrella, so we're all drenched. If it's convenient for Elder Sister, can you lend us a place to rest and tell us more about this matter? "
As he said this, he took out two taels of money and handed it to the woman with both hands.
The other party hesitated for a moment and didn't answer.
Gu Mang saw that she was in a difficult position and could only say, "If it's really inconvenient for sister, then forget it."
The woman bit her lip and looked at Gu Mang's face, "If I don't explain clearly, will you insist on going to the local temple?"
"Since we're already here and have come so far, if we don't go without knowing the reason, we won't be able to let go."
"Sigh …" The woman stomped her foot. Unfortunately, her foot was limping and it hurt even more. She took a breath and scolded a few words. She looked up and said, "Alright, I see that the two of you are good people. I'll explain it to you in detail. But wait a moment, my house is very messy and can't be seen. I'll go tidy it up and then invite the two of you in. "
After saying this, the woman carried the dog who was still whimpering and went in. She hooked the door with her foot and closed it behind her. As soon as she left, Gu Mang knew that Mo Xi was going to make things difficult for him. He immediately struck first and said to Mo Xi, "Did you see that? That's the standard. Unlike you, who disregarded the Elder's orders. "
Although Mo Xi knew that he was acting shamelessly, he couldn't refute him. He just looked at him coldly.
Gu Mang continued, "I really have to hand it to you young masters of Yaotian Palace. Each and every one of you is a gentleman. You don't even know how to put on a show." He shook his head, "It's like I'm singing a one-man show. It's so tiring."
Mo Xi didn't say a word before, but now he suddenly said indifferently, "Senior sister, are you not happy acting?"
"I'm happy, but two people are better than one person …"
Before he could finish, the door opened with a creak. The woman moved sideways to make room for them, "Come in. Look at the two of you, drenched from head to toe. Come, I've made a charcoal basin for the two of you to warm up."
The two of them followed her around the screen and entered the room. They saw that the room was filled with woven silks and satins. Those colorful fabrics were hung on the beams and piled up by the walls. As they walked in, they brought with them a burst of smoke. Cranes with silver hair flew in the air, flowers of bright red and purple blossoms were blooming. There were also plain-colored gauze hanging on the drying rack, hanging in layers, like a dream that was hard to wake up from. Next to the window, there was an embroidery table and a loom. There was nothing else.
Gu Mang looked around and said with some surprise, "… Sister is an embroiderer?"
"Yes." The woman pulled a few pieces of gauze curtains and said, "I make a living doing embroidery for all kinds of clothing, bedding, and screens. Do the two of you want to order something? I also make wedding clothes. "
Gu Mang laughed, "My husband and I only drank a cup of nuptial wine before we got married. After all, we eloped against our parents' orders. How could we dare to ask for wedding clothes?"
"How can that be?" The woman said, "Marriage is a big event in a lifetime. When the two of you settle down, it's better to make up for it. Even if you don't hold a banquet, you still have to have a wedding. It's only once in a lifetime. Sister, if you're willing, you can come back to my place. I don't dare to say anything else, but I'm the best at embroidery. I've been helping my parents since I was six years old. I've embroidered at least eight hundred, if not a thousand. It's very beautiful. "
After she finished speaking, she turned around and saw Gu Mang and the others still standing by the wall. She waved and smiled, "Come here. Why are you so reserved?"
Mo Xi said, "I haven't paid my respects to your parents."
"Them? They've already passed away. "
Gu Mang's eyes widened slightly. He hurriedly said, "I'm really sorry."
"It's nothing." The woman said, "By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Su Qiao. What about you?"
The two of them reported their names. While they were chatting, Gu Mang suddenly felt his nose itch. He turned his head and sneezed loudly.
Su Qiao glanced at him, "The bride has a delicate body. I'm afraid she'll catch a cold. Hurry up and change your wet clothes. Will you come with me to the room?"
Even if Gu Mang took the illusion powder and acted well, he was still a rough man. Naturally, it wasn't good for him to enter a girl's boudoir, let alone be rude and wear her clothes. He hurriedly said, "No need, no need. I'll warm up by the fire. I'll be done in a while."
After he finished speaking, he went to the fire pit and sat down obediently.
Su Qiao didn't force him. She nimbly took the copper pot and teacup and said, "Then I'll go to the backyard to get some water and make some ginger tea. You two sit and chat. But don't touch my fabric. " She emphasized, "I have buyers for these satin fabrics. The fabric is very delicate. It'll be troublesome if it's spoiled."
After the two of them expressed that they wouldn't touch a single thread, Su Qiao limped away.
After she left, Mo Xi suddenly said, "Don't you feel uncomfortable?"
Gu Mang was stunned for a moment, "What?"
"Your clothes are all wet."
"Oh, this …" Gu Mang licked his lips. His black eyes became warmer and brighter under the light of the fire, "I'll share the joys and sorrows with you. Husband and wife are birds in the same forest. Together, we'll become a drowned rat. "
Gu Mang blinked at him, "My good husband, do you feel sorry for me?"
"…" Mo Xi raised his deep black eyes. His handsome face was covered with a thin layer of sullenness. He turned his head and said angrily, "Shameless."
Gu Mang secretly said in his heart, "No, no. How am I shameless? If I were shameless, I would've used this opportunity to change my appearance to take advantage of the girl's boudoir. Why would I be sitting here with this ice cube face by the fire?" Ai, Junior Brother Mo, you've really wronged a good person. Actually, not only does your Senior Brother Gu know shame, he's also a gentleman. You're so blind. Not only did you not praise me, you actually stepped on me. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
But thinking about it was just thinking. He couldn't really say it out loud. Gu Mang thus changed the topic. He pointed at the scene of embroidery in the dim light and said with a smile, "Alright, let's not quarrel. Look — this Miss Su is really amazing. Not only is the landscape and birds embroidered vivid and lifelike, even the story of Chang 'e flying to the moon is so beautiful. Look at the silhouette on the gauze. Doesn't it really look like a graceful girl? "
Mo Xi glanced at it. It was a bright yellow gauze that stretched across the roof beam. Indeed, there was a life-sized silhouette of a woman embroidered on the gauze. Although it was only a silhouette, the stitching technique was unique. Even the eyelashes were curled up vividly.
"Although this Chang 'e's embroidery isn't as detailed as the red-crowned crane next to it, it's very interesting." Gu Mang held his chin and said with a smile, "I just don't know what such a large embroidery can be used for."
The two of them were looking at Su Qiao's masterpiece. Suddenly, they heard the door creak. Su Qiao came back with a teapot filled with water. She brought the cold night air with her and sat down beside the fire basin. She placed the copper teapot on the coals and it made a hissing sound. Su Qiao said, "I've been waiting. Come, didn't the two of you want to ask me why I can't go to the temple? Then let's talk over the fire. "
Gu Mang smiled and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Miss Su."
"It's not much guidance, but I'm afraid that even if I tell you, you won't be willing to believe me."
Gu Mang and Mo Xi looked at each other. Gu Mang said, "Why is that?"
"That temple is very strange. The people outside the town only know that it is very effective in praying for children. However, there are some other secrets that the people in town don't want to talk about. One of them is this temple. It looks at the face."
"Looks at the face?"
"Yes." Su Qiao said, "It looks at the face. It's not as magical as the rumors say. It's very picky that a 50-year-old couple can have children after praying to it. It's very picky. The wife needs to be beautiful for it to work. If the wife is ugly, even if she kowtows in the temple, it's still difficult for her to get pregnant. " Su Qiao said and waved her hand, "But the mayor wants to make money. Naturally, he can't say this."
Gu Mang laughed and said, "There's such a thing? It only looks at the wife? Does it matter if the husband is beautiful or ugly? "
"No. As long as the wife is beautiful, it doesn't matter if the husband is a toad. "
Gu Mang sighed and nodded. "Then this temple is really very harsh on girls." Then he touched his face and said sorrowfully, "Someone like me definitely won't be able to pass."
Su Qiao laughed and said, "If you can't pass, who else can? If you're ugly, I won't stop you. You can go ahead and pray as you like. It's not effective anyway. "
Gu Mang was immediately happy, "Thank you. You're so beautiful and you're willing to praise me."
When Su Qiao heard this, she was also very happy. She then started to praise Gu Mang, "We both have our own good looks."
"Your nose is beautiful."
"Your eyes are beautiful."
"Your skin is white and tender."
"Your waist is thin and your butt is perky."
Mo Xi was speechless.
With a headache, Mo Xie listened to the two of them flatter him for quite a while. Even Mo Xie couldn't hold it in any longer. Su Qiao then returned to the topic at hand. "In short, the local temple depends on one's face to make a wish, so many people worship in vain. That's one of the reasons. " She paused and her eyebrows gradually knitted together. The joking mood she had with Gu Mang just now disappeared. Her expression became serious again, "But the most important reason is the second one. This is also the point that many people in Lotus Town will never tell outsiders. "
Mo Xi said, "I'd like to hear more."
Su Qiao didn't speak immediately. She grabbed a handful of melon seeds from the copper basin on the table. After cracking two or three seeds, she licked off the seeds stuck to her lips. She looked up and said, "… actually … that temple isn't a good temple at all. … It's an evil temple. "
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