40: Chapter 40 Matchmaking

"In the past, you didn't have many Spirit Stones, so I absorbed one every seven days, which was barely enough to sustain my soul."

"In the past, Mo Xiaochuan was still in the first realm of refining essence to transform Qi, and a few words of guidance from me were enough. Now he has entered the second realm of refining Qi to transform spirit, and has reached the first layer of Foundation Establishment. From now on, things needed for his Cultivation will increase. If I remain as weak as I am now, many of my methods cannot be used."

"From now on, I need two Spirit Stones every seven days."

Mo Shoutian cupped his fists toward the broken jade once more.

"Senior is teaching Mo Xiaochuan to Cultivate, so these Spirit Stones should naturally be given. From now on, two every seven days, Senior's share will not be lacking."

"Although Mo Xiaochuan has successfully achieved Foundation Establishment now, apart from Cultivating Cultivation Techniques, he has not yet learned true killing techniques."

"Can Senior not teach him?"

"What I am good at is Cultivating Cultivation Techniques and alchemy pharmacology, and I am not proficient in killing techniques. Xuanyuan is different from me; he is skilled in killing techniques and has a deep understanding of weapons and Formations."

"But Senior said before that you don't know where the other half of the jade is."

"I truly do not know."

"Then where should we start looking?"

"As for where to start looking, I don't know either; it can only depend on your luck."

Mo Shoutian nodded.

"Junior has noted it down."

Afterward, Mo Shoutian continued to ask:

"Senior, now that Mo Xiaochuan has reached Foundation Establishment, I want to find some children with Aptitude from the village and have them follow Mo Xiaochuan to Cultivate."

Hearing this, Qingli said indifferently:

"That is the Mo family's business, it has nothing to do with me. As long as it doesn't delay his Cultivation, that's fine."

Hearing this, Mo Shoutian cupped his fists toward Qingli.

Afterwards, he looked at Mo Xiaochuan and said:

"Xiaochuan, you have already reached Foundation Establishment now. During this time, you can pick some children with Cultivation Aptitude from the village, and then give me the list."

"Mn, Dad, I'll handle it these few days."

"And what about your younger sister Nannan and Xiao Niuzi, how is their Aptitude?"

"Both my sister's and Xiao Niuzi's Aptitude are quite good, especially my sister; her Aptitude is on par with mine."

Hearing this, Mo Shoutian smiled and nodded.

"Good, as long as the Aptitude is good."

"However, Xiaochuan, your own Cultivation must not be delayed either."

"Dad, it won't be delayed. I am only guiding them; the specific Cultivation still depends on themselves."

Just at this moment, a dong-dong knocking sound came from outside the door.

Mo Shoutian pushed open the door and saw that it was Nannan.

"Uncle, Brother Xiaochuan, Auntie is calling you to go eat."

Mo Shoutian scooped up Nannan from the ground in one motion.

"Let's go, we're going to eat."

In the dining room, Liu Chunmei had already set the dishes on the table.

Xiao Niuzi had long been sitting on the stool, waiting for Mo Shoutian and the others.

Mo Shoutian placed Nannan onto the stool, and then everyone began to eat.

While eating, Mo Shoutian said:

"Chunmei, go and tally up how many children suitable for schooling are currently in the village."

"What are you planning to do?"

"The village school has already been built. I'm going to Qingshi Town tomorrow on business, and by the way, I'll invite a schoolteacher back."

"Mn, this is a good thing. I'll arrange for someone to do the tally this afternoon."

"Also, among the medicinal herbs collected earlier, aren't there a few century-old Bamboo Blood Grass? Find them in a while, I'll need them tomorrow."

"Are you going to take them to give away?"

Mo Shoutian nodded and didn't speak.

Early the next morning, Mo Shoutian rode that big grey horse bought back from Jiuzhou City to Qingshi Town.

That very night, Mo Shoutian rushed to Qingshi Town.

Although Qingshi Town at night was not as bustling as Jiuzhou City, there were still quite a few pedestrians on the main street.

The eateries and taverns on both sides lit lanterns, and the hawking cries of peddlers drifted from the roadside from time to time.

Although night had already fallen, the business of the Mo Family Restaurant was still bustling and hot.

When Mo Shoutian rode past, he saw Mo Dahu greeting customers with a few workers, and his wife Zhang Qiaoyun was calculating accounts behind the counter.

The Mo Family Fur Shop had already closed its doors, and further ahead was the Mo Family Herb Shop.

At this time, the herb shop had not yet closed, and an employee was sweeping the shop.

Mo Shoutian flipped down from his horse and tied the horse at the entrance of the herb shop.

Hearing the commotion, the employee looked up and saw it was Mo Shoutian, then hurriedly said:

"The boss has come."

Mo Shoutian nodded and asked:

"Where are Xiaohu and Qiuniang?"

"The shopkeeper and Qiuniang are calculating accounts in the back courtyard."

Mo Shoutian walked towards the back courtyard.

As soon as he entered the back courtyard, he saw neatly arranged medicinal herbs placed everywhere inside. The smell of the medicinal herbs was very thick, and Mo Shoutian couldn't help coughing once.

Hearing the cough, a person walked out from a lit room in the back courtyard; it was precisely Mo Xiaohu.

"Brother Shoutian, why are you here?"

"What, it's my own business, can't I come take a look?"

"Brother Shoutian, I didn't mean that."

Mo Shoutian smiled.

"I know you kid didn't mean that."

At this time, Xu Qiuniang also walked out from the room.

"Brother Shoutian."

Mo Shoutian nodded and walked into the room.

On a table in the room sat a lamp, next to which were placed a few account books and an abacus.

Mo Shoutian turned his head to look at Mo Xiaohu and asked:

"Have you two eaten?"

"Not yet, Brother Shoutian."

"Go out and buy some side dishes for drinking, and buy a pot of good wine; the two of us brothers will have a drink tonight."

Hearing this, Mo Xiaohu smiled and nodded repeatedly.

"Brother, I'll go right now. The two of us brothers haven't drunk wine in some days."

Finished speaking, he trotted all the way to the outside.

At this time, only Mo Shoutian and Xu Qiuniang were left in the room.

Xu Qiuniang poured a cup of tea for Mo Shoutian and began to speak:

"Brother Shoutian, everything at home is quite good, right?"

Mo Shoutian smiled.

"You want to ask if Xiao Niuzi is doing well, right?"

Xu Qiuniang smiled a bit embarrassedly and didn't speak.

"Rest assured, Xiao Niuzi eats and lives with us, what else is there for you to worry about? When the shop isn't busy, go back and stay with Xiao Niuzi for a few days."

"Mn."

After finishing speaking, Mo Shoutian looked toward the doorway and asked again:

"You and Xiaohu have been in Qingshi Town for almost a year, right?"

"Mn."

"What do you think of Xiaohu?"

Hearing Mo Shoutian ask this, Xu Qiuniang's face flushed instantly. This time she didn't make a sound, only gently nodded.

"Xiao'er has been gone for over a year now. You are still young, and Xiaohu has never married either. Brother Shoutian wants to matchmake the two of you."

"Brother Shoutian, what Xiaohu means this past year, I actually know. But I am a widow, and I also bring Xiao Niuzi along; I'm afraid of delaying him."

Mo Shoutian picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"Xiaohu isn't unaware of your family's situation. If he were afraid of being delayed, could he have begged me to let him come to the herb shop?"

Xu Qiuniang didn't pick up the conversation.

"Brother Shoutian will ask you this sentence today. If Xiaohu is willing, are you willing?"

Xu Qiuniang lowered her head, and after a moment, she softly said:

"If he truly doesn't mind, of course I am willing. It's just Xiao Niuzi..."

"Xiao Niuzi is also a child of the Mo family; you don't need to worry about this."

Mo Shoutian put down the teacup.

"Alright, having these words from you is enough."

Just at this moment, a burst of footsteps came from outside.

Mo Xiaohu carried the wine and food to the doorway, and happened to hear those last few sentences from Xu Qiuniang. He stood outside the door for a moment before walking in and placing the wine and food on the table.

"Qiuniang, I know you are worried about Xiao Niuzi."

Xu Qiuniang didn't expect that he had already returned, and her face flushed instantly.

"You... you heard it all?"

"I heard it."

Mo Xiaohu looked at her and said:

"I don't mind you, nor do I mind Xiao Niuzi. If you are willing to marry me, from now on Xiao Niuzi will be my son."

Xu Qiuniang glanced at him, not knowing what to say for a moment.

"Brother Shoutian, you guys drink first, I'll go to the front to take a look."

Finished speaking, she walked out of the room.

Mo Xiaohu looked at the doorway, until Xu Qiuniang walked far away, before turning his head to ask:

"Brother Shoutian, did Qiuniang agree to this?"

"What she said just now, didn't you hear it?"

"I heard it."

"Heard it and still ask? Quickly open the wine and food, I've hurried along the road all day and have been hungry for a long time."

Mo Xiaohu grinned widely, and hurriedly sat down to open the wine and food.