138: Chapter 18: He Became Guo Jing's Brother-in-Law

"Uncle, is there a problem?" Guo Jing noticed Yang Tiexin's expression was off and asked.

Yang Tiexin glanced at him, then his gaze shifted between Mu Nianci and Meng Li, and he continued: "To be honest, before you were born, your father and I made an agreement witnessed by Daoist Master Qiu. If our children were both boys or both girls, they would become sworn siblings."

"If it were a boy and a girl, they would be betrothed, to be married when they grew up."

"Jing'er, you are a boy, but my wife and child..."

"I have searched for many years without news; I suspect they are no longer in this world."

"Originally, I wanted to betroth Mu Nianci to you, but since you already have a marriage contract, and Mu Nianci's Martial Arts marriage contest has a result..."

"Then let us drop that matter. You two shall become sworn siblings instead, how about it?"

"Great." Guo Jing's eyes lit up, and he readily agreed.

Mu Nianci didn't refuse either.

Soon, the two of them became sworn siblings.

"Elder Brother Guo."

"Sister Nianci."

Meng Li raised an eyebrow and smiled: "You two don't seem to have mentioned your ages. Why the immediate 'brother and sister'? What if she's the older sister?"

Mu Nianci and Guo Jing looked at each other.

Yang Tiexin stroked his beard and asked Guo Jing: "Jing'er, when were you born?"

Guo Jing thought for a moment and gave his birth date.

Yang Tiexin immediately said: "Then you really did get it wrong. Based on what I know, Mu Nianci should be a few months older than you."

Instantly, Mu Nianci blushed.

She was the one who called him that first. She addressed Guo Jing as elder brother because he looked taller and stronger, thinking he must be older, but it turned out to be the opposite.

However, Mu Nianci wasn't overly bashful; she immediately corrected herself and called Guo Jing again: "Brother Jing."

Guo Jing also changed his address: "Sister Nianci."

Then, as if realizing something, he happily said to Meng Li: "In that case, Elder Brother Meng, since you are marrying Sister Nianci, you'll be my brother-in-law."

As soon as he said this, Mu Nianci's cheeks were instantly covered in a rosy flush.

Then, she glanced at Meng Li and lowered her head, staring at her toes.

Yang Tiexin noticed this and knew she also had feelings for Meng Li. He thought this outcome was excellent, so he followed up by asking Meng Li: "Young Hero Meng, what are your thoughts on the marriage with Mu Nianci?"

Meng Li looked at Mu Nianci, who was secretly listening, and replied: "This matter is a bit sudden. I do have feelings for Mu Nianci, but the elders in my family are not yet aware."

"So, I plan to take her home after some time to meet my elders, and then we can marry at home."

Yang Tiexin nodded: "With parents still living, it should be so."

Then, he looked at Mu Nianci: "Mu Nianci, what do you think?"

Mu Nianci glanced at Meng Li and replied softly: "I will listen to my foster father."

Seeing her like this, Yang Tiexin said: "In that case, we will rest for a while and then follow Young Hero Meng to Shaoxing Prefecture after some time."

Saying that, he sighed: "If only Xiruo were still alive, how wonderful that would be."

Hearing this, Guo Jing seemed to remember something and tapped his head: "Uncle, Auntie might still be alive."

Yang Tiexin was startled, then said excitedly: "How do you know?"

Guo Jing replied: "My Masters told me that before they came south, they received a letter from Daoist Master Qiu, learning that the Yang family had a boy. Daoist Master Qiu has already found him and has been teaching him Martial Arts for several years. So, Auntie is very likely still in the world."

"Really? That's wonderful!" Yang Tiexin was overjoyed and followed up: "Then do you know where the mother and son are?"

Guo Jing shook his head: "I don't know that. Daoist Master Qiu didn't say in the letter, but he must know."

"Then do you know Daoist Master Qiu's whereabouts?" Yang Tiexin asked again.

Guo Jing still shook his head: "I don't know, but my Masters and Daoist Master Qiu agreed to meet at the Mist-and-Rain Tavern in Jiaxing on the twenty-fourth day of the third month. They've already headed there. I haven't left yet because I have things to do. Once I'm done, we can go together."

"When we see Daoist Master Qiu then, we'll surely know the whereabouts of Auntie and my Worthy brother."

Yang Tiexin agreed without a second thought: "Good!"

Then, he began to ask Guo Jing about his and Li Ping's situation over the years.

Guo Jing answered one by one, while also asking about his father Guo Xiaotian's past.

For a time, the two chatted enthusiastically.

This was a matter between the Guo and Yang families. Although Meng Li knew most of it, he couldn't interject, so he found an opening to leave, bringing Mu Nianci along.

Their marriage was just settled; seeing this, Yang Tiexin said nothing, only telling them to come back early before continuing his conversation with Guo Jing.

Leaving the room, Meng Li looked at Mu Nianci: "Miss Mu..."

As soon as the address left his mouth, he shook his head and said: "We are already betrothed. Calling you 'Miss Mu' is too distant. How about this: I'll call you 'Nianci', and you call me 'Meng Li'?"

Mu Nianci blushed and said: "Okay."

Seeing this, Meng Li looked at her clear and beautiful face flushed with red and said: "You seem to blush very easily."

"I noticed you blushed several times just now, and now you're blushing again just for a change in address."

Mu Nianci glared at him: "What are you trying to say?"

Meng Li said with a smile: "Nothing much, I just simply wanted to tease you."

Mu Nianci immediately showed a look of embarrassment and annoyance, but thinking of her relationship with Meng Li, she didn't have much Life Qi; instead, she found it a bit novel.

From childhood to adulthood, no one had ever teased her.

So, she hadn't experienced the feeling of being teased and rarely smiled.

"I'm not a child, why tease me?"

"Because I find it interesting."

"You..."

"I'll stop teasing you. Let's go out for a stroll and buy some things while we're at it."

After saying that, Meng Li took the lead and walked toward the door.

Mu Nianci looked at his tall and upright back and hurried to catch up.

Leaving the Inn, Meng Li saw someone selling Candied haws. He casually bought two sticks, holding one in his hand and handing the other to Mu Nianci.

Mu Nianci instinctively refused: "No need, I don't..."

Before she could finish, Meng Li stuffed the Candied haws directly into her mouth.

Then, Meng Li said: "I can't return them. If you don't like them, I'll have to throw them away."

Mu Nianci: "..."

She glanced at Meng Li and began to eat the Candied haws in small bites. They were very sweet!

It wasn't that she hadn't eaten Candied haws before, but she had eaten them rarely, especially after she grew up.

A stick of Candied haws wasn't expensive, but earning money through street performances wasn't easy. Plus, wandering around with no fixed home, they had to budget carefully if they didn't want to go hungry. Snacks like Candied haws, which only satisfied the palate but didn't fill the stomach, were completely outside her usual spending.

Mu Nianci had forgotten when the last time she ate them was.

But she was certain that none were as sweet as the stick in her hand.

Thinking about various things, she instinctively followed Meng Li, not paying attention to where they were going. When she came to her senses, she realized they had reached a Clothing shop.

"Are you buying clothes?"

"I'm not buying them; I'm buying them for you."

...