"They are all chronic illnesses, let's not talk about them anymore." Xia Muchao said helplessly, putting down the wine glass in his hand. Turning to look at Mei Yuanchen, he smiled and said, "Yuanchen, I just heard Yingsheng talking about it, but he really admires your martial arts! I have been learning martial arts with Taoist Master Qingxuan for more than a year, and I have made rapid progress! "
"My adoptive father already knew that I was learning martial arts from my master? No wonder Chengxuan never asked me where I went at night." Mei Yuanchen was surprised, then he thought, "Yes, my master came to the hospital to supervise and teach me martial arts. After some arrangements, it is not surprising that the adoptive father learned the news." He immediately replied shyly, "Master's martial arts is profound, and although the child has worked hard to practice, I am afraid that he has not been able to understand the subtleties of it. I am really ashamed. The adoptive father , because the master had a strict order before the apprenticeship was given, not allowing the children to disclose the matter of becoming a master and practicing martial arts, so it was not reported, and it was not intentionally concealed."
"That's how it should be!" Xia Muchao shook his head slightly and said, "A true man should do no harm to others. Since he promised others to keep their secrets, he should keep his promise. I know this myself, but I don't know it from you, and you don't know it either. It's not a breach of trust. I'm telling you today just to save you from suffering." The magnanimity in his words was palpable.
Mei Yuanchen didn't want Xia Muchao to be so considerate of him, so he said gratefully, "My dear, thank you foster father for your forgiveness." For more than a year, Mei Yuanchen had concealed the fact that he was practicing martial arts with his master, and there always seemed to be a stone falling in the corner of his heart, and he felt a trace of self-consciousness. The feeling lingers. Xia Muchao took the opportunity to tell this matter today, which really made him feel relieved.
"Father, is Yuanchen's master very powerful? Is it possible that his martial arts skills are better than those of Master Yaozhu?" Xia Chengxuan couldn't help but ask after seeing Mei Yuanchen's progress over the past year. A year ago, his sworn brother was far inferior to him, but now, he was far from his enemy. He wanted to know who this "Taoist Priest Qingxuan" was.
"Taoist Master Qingxuan was a good friend of my father when he was young and seeking Taoism. I have been fortunate enough to meet him several times in the past twenty years, but I don't know much about him. But his two disciples, Taoist Master Zhan Wei and Taoist Zhan Ming My elders and I have quite a lot in common." Xia Muchao said, stroking his beard lightly.
"Are they the chief guest of the emperor's grandfather and the two Taoist priests of Zhenwu Temple?" Xia Chengxuan asked curiously.
"Yes, it is these two people. The two Taoist priests are both top-notch figures in the Dahua Taoist sect. How could their master be an ordinary person?" After Xia Muchao finished speaking, he looked at Mei Yuanchen, quite puzzled. Inquiry.
"Master, he is an old man who studies the ways of heaven and man, and can discern the destiny of heaven. It is really difficult to fully describe his abilities. As for my master's martial arts cultivation, my child's knowledge is limited, but I am sure that my master's martial arts are so high that I am afraid that there will be few others in this world. Master Yongzhu is probably no match for his master." The more Mei Yuanchen and Qingxuan learned, the more unfathomable they became. In fact, Mei Yuanchen still had something to say in his heart, but he swallowed it back when it came to his lips. That is, "I am afraid that if the eight guards in the palace join forces, they will not be the enemy of the master."
Xia Muchao nodded slightly and said, "Yes, Taoist Priest Qingxuan is the real Taoist master. Although Yongzhu has high martial arts, he is only a powerful martial arts master. After all, the two cannot be compared. In my opinion, it is Zhan Wei, The two Taoist priests Zhan Ming are probably better than Taoist priests by a lot." He looked at Mei Yuanchen and said, "Yuanchen, it is a rare blessing for you to be able to worship under Taoist priest Qingxuan!" Mei Yuanchen said Nod yes.
Xia Chengxuan looked at Mei Yuanchen mischievously and said with a smile, "No wonder you are not willing to learn martial arts with me and Master Yaozhu. There is such a powerful master! You have only practiced with him for a year, and your martial arts are like this That's awesome. Yuan Chen, go and ask your master if he still accepts disciples?" After saying this, he laughed.
"Nonsense!" Xia Muchao scolded.
Mei Yuanchen was a little embarrassed. He thought for a while and said, "I asked the master before and wanted him to accept you as his disciple. But the master said when he accepted me, I am the third disciple and the last one." , I'm afraid, this matter is very difficult. But if you don't mind, I will teach you what Master teaches me. Is this okay? Master has never told me not to teach martial arts to outsiders. In this way, I also It’s not against the rules.”
Xia Chengxuan was very moved after hearing this, and when he was about to speak, Xia Mu said to Zheng, "Since Taoist Master Qingxuan has said that he will not accept disciples, let this matter be ignored. Chengxuan, don't use these little tricks to trick Yuanchen. Yuanchen, you Don't let him fool around. This is your opportunity, not necessarily Chengxuan's."
"Yes, father (adopted father)!" they both replied in unison.
Xia Muchao picked up the jug and wine glass, poured himself a drink, and said to Mei Yuanchen, "Yuanchen, you have excelled in all the examinations at Huazijian, and you are fortunate enough to practice martial arts with a famous teacher. Once you are successful in martial arts, I hope you will You can serve your family and country like your father and become a pillar of the country." His eyes were full of expectation.
Mei Yuanchen saw his expression, and thought about what he said before about the country's difficulties, and the blood in his body was boiling, and he replied seriously, "Father, my son and the Mei family have been deeply favored by the emperor for generations, and my father and I have received even more favors from our adoptive father." Support and protect me, and you should serve your country to the best of your ability to repay the kindness of your country and your adoptive father!"
"Siyuan's political talent is unparalleled in the current dynasty. Yu Li should also occupy an important position and manage important matters. I am not deliberately supporting him. Siyuan and I are old classmates and have been friends for many years. You and Chengxuan are also If you have the same temperament, what favor will I have by accepting you as my adopted son? Yuanchen, you don’t need to think too much about this, just the thought of serving the country is enough!" Xia Muchao said seriously, "Taoist Qingxuan is an expert outside the world. Everything has been seen through, and I don’t care about anything anymore, so it doesn’t matter. However, we are not immune to the world, and it is difficult to let go of national and family affairs. Yuanchen, you can learn martial arts from your master, but his way of dealing with the world is different from yours. Don't go to school! You are the only son of the Mei family who was born in a noble family. You have a responsibility on your shoulders, and you must not turn it away. A real man has things to do and things not to do. A man of seven feet, you should serve the country and fight against the enemy. Anwai has restored peace to Dahua! Remember this!"
"Father, don't worry! Don't say that Master never talks to me about how to live in the world. Even if he told me, I can't learn it. The child has been trained by the Mei family since he was a child, and his ambition to protect the people and the country has been deeply rooted in his bones. , will never change." Mei Yuanchen stood up from his seat, bowed and said.
After hearing this, Xia Muchao burst out laughing, "That's right! How can a tiger father have a dog?" He stood up and patted Mei Yuanchen's left shoulder heavily. He put the other one on Xia Chengxuan's right shoulder and said warmly, "Siyuan and I always have an old friend." When I leave, the crisis in the Dahua Dynasty will be difficult to solve in a short time, and you must work together as a promising young man! Although you two are not brothers, you are brothers, and I am very happy."
Xia Chengxuan and Mei Yuanchen looked at each other and secretly encouraged each other.
"Okay, everyone, sit down!" Xia Muchao gestured for the two of them to take their seats with a little force of his hands.
"Take advantage of this rare moment, Yuan Chen, please tell me about you and Yiyi!" Xia Muchao suddenly said with a smile, but there seemed to be worry in his eyes. After hearing this, Mei Yuanchen's face burned, feeling ashamed, ashamed and anxious. When she saw her adoptive father looking at her seriously, she knew that she would not be able to get through today, so she bit the bullet and said, "Father, I, I feel really sorry. . I, I like Yiyi in my heart, I will definitely be able to, I will try to make her happy. I am determined not to make her sad or sad."
Xia Muchao nodded slightly, looked at Mei Yuanchen and then looked away, trying to make him relax a little, but he calmed down a little and said, "Originally, you and Yiyi are a good match, but there is a Haitang girl between you. , paused, and then continued, "Although it is common for a wealthy family to have three wives and four concubines, Yiyi is not a girl from an ordinary family after all. Do you understand? "
Mei Yuanchen felt extremely depressed for a moment and replied in a low voice, "My child understands." After saying that, he lowered his head, not daring to look into his adoptive father's eyes.
"What are you thinking?" Xia Muchao asked again. He had just learned about this from Yingsheng, and had been resisting asking, but now that the conversation was over, since it was about his beloved daughter, he couldn't help but ask.
Mei Yuanchen lowered his head and meditated for dozens of breaths. He pursed his lips and found that he could not speak. He raised his head and looked at Xia Muchao and said seriously, "Father, my son and Haitan have known each other since they were young. They have always been together. I will never let her down in this life." !”
"What about Yiyi!" After hearing this, Xia Chengxuan suddenly became angry and asked with an unhappy look on his face. Xia Muchao looked at him, as if he wanted to say something, but finally said nothing and turned to Mei Yuanchen.
Mei Yuanchen bore their gazes, thinking that he had hurt them with his insatiable greed. Tears gradually filled his eyes, and he said softly, "Father, Chengxuan, I treat Yiyi from the bottom of my heart, and there is absolutely no falsehood. At this time, It is true that I do not have a comprehensive plan, but I will do my best to solve this matter satisfactorily."
Xia Muchao nodded, patted Mei Yuanchen, and said softly, "This matter is not your fault, and there is no need to rush for a solution. But before this matter is solved, I hope you can be self-disciplined. Maybe you understand?"
"Yes, foster father! The child knows!" Mei Yuanchen said gratefully. Xia Chengxuan on the side said "hum" heavily and panted heavily, showing that he still had some remaining breath.
