Zhou Xuan left the Du Hu Fu and called Shang Tang Xiao San to return to the Jiulian Fang. When they arrived at the Qin Fu, it was already dusk, and Qin Bo Shi's father and daughter had also returned from the medical office.

  Zhou Xuan first went to the backyard well and took a cool shower, changed into a refreshing summer shirt, and put on those striped underwear. These days, Zhou Xuan was still not used to wearing long gowns with nothing underneath.

  Just sat down in the room, Su Xiu Ni smiled and walked over to say: "Zhou sister's husband, I have something to show you, but you can't laugh at me."

  Zhou Xuan looked at Su Qing's embroidered vest exposed under her collar, plump and slightly trembling, and asked expectantly: "Sister Qing, what do you want to show me?"

  The needle turned around and rushed out of the door, saying: "Xiao Huixiang, come in."

  Xiao Huixiang poked her head out from the doorway, too shy to come in, when Xiao Di suddenly pushed her from behind and shouted: "Xiao Huixiang, hurry up and go inside, let your brother-in-law take a look at you."

  Xiao Huixiang was just sticking out her butt, and then Xiaodi gave her a push. She fell forward, but fortunately Zhou Xuan was quick to react and caught her, grabbing onto Xiao Huixiang's smooth upper arm.

  Zhou Xuan took one look at the small patch of parsley and let out a loud cry, retreating two steps back with his mouth agape, as if suspecting that the small patch of parsley he had painted the night before last had jumped off the canvas!

  Blue silk sleeveless suspender outfit, smooth and soft, with wrinkles at the waist, making the waist look very thin. Light yellow seven-point pants, revealing half of the white calves. Wow, there are several black satin ribbons wrapped around the ankles, making this underdeveloped little girl suddenly more sensual. And, a wooden insole is nailed to the heel, like a half-high heel. Looking up further, a string of beads hangs from her neck, varying in size and color, very much like the one painted by Zhou Xuan.

  "Who sewed this?"

  Thyme wore new clothes and felt uncomfortable all over, as if looking for a scapegoat, she quickly said: "It's Miss Sewing Needle, she let Thyme wear it."

  Zhou Xuan's eyes lit up, and he walked over to hold the needlework sister's hand, saying: "Needlework sister, you're a genius! With just one painting, you can cut out clothes. You're too amazing, very strong!"

  Zhou Xuan was a bit too outspoken, Su Xiang's hand was pulled by him, her face was red and hot, she was both shy and happy, she didn't expect Zhou Xuan to be so excited, saying: "I just like this style, I sewed it for fun." She gently broke free from Zhou Xuan's hand and glanced at Xiao Huixiang with a guilty conscience.

  Xiao Huixiang was so flustered by the clothes that she didn't notice the two people's little movements and said, "Xiao Huixiang wants to change back, Xiao Huixiang doesn't want to wear these clothes."

  Zhou Xuan said: "This dress looks great, and with Xiao Huixiang wearing it, she's at least five times more beautiful."

  Xiao Huixiang was very convinced of Zhou Xuan, and upon hearing this, she asked embarrassedly: "Really?"

  At this time, Qin Que came over and smiled without saying anything.

  Madam Qin also came over and said: "It's okay for kids to wear this now, it's cool and comfortable. But in two years when Xiao Huixiang grows up, she won't be able to wear this anymore."

  The people of Southern Tang naturally found it difficult to accept such sexy and revealing clothes.

  Zhou Xuanxing was very excited and said: "We have many styles of clothing in Australia, I'll draw a few designs that both Miss Qin and Miss Su would look good in."

  Qin Que and her mother exchanged a glance, both indicating their support for Zhou Xuan's painting, letting Nian Zhen sew it.

  Zhou Xuan saw the mother and daughter's intentions, thinking to himself: "Wanting to set me up with Zhēn Zhī? Zhēn Zhī is indeed beautiful, clever and skilled at sewing, such a good girl can't be let go. However, Qín Qiū, don't think you can just get rid of me like that, wanting to marry my cousin? No way!"

  At dinner, Zhou Xuan reported to his parents-in-law about buying the store and opening a insect shop. Dr. Qin, except for being proficient in medicine, didn't understand anything else about making a living, he was a medical fool. Anyway, whatever Zhou Xuan said, he agreed with it, and the more he looked at his son-in-law, the happier he became.

  Madam Qin said kindly: "My son-in-law, if you don't have enough silver, go to the old lady's room to get it. The old lady is keeping your 2,000 taels of silver for you."

  Zhou Xuan said: "What are you talking about, Mother-in-law? That silver is for me to show respect to Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. I'm not short of money, I can earn it."

  Qin Que lowered his head and twisted his fingers under the table.

  "Master and mistress, Young Master Bao from Shouzhou has arrived."

  Everyone at the table was stunned, as if they had been cast a petrifying spell.

  Qin Que was the first to react: "Brother is here!" He got up from his seat, wanting to go out and welcome him, but then stopped, looking at his mother and father, and carefully glanced at Zhou Xuan again.

  Dr. Qin and his wife stood up to see them off, and Zhou Xuan also smiled and followed them out. As they walked past Qin Que, he said in a low voice, "Master Zhou, please don't talk nonsense, okay?"

  Zhou Xuan was a bit angry, thinking to herself: "What's the point of not speaking carelessly? Can't I even speak freely now that my cousin is here? Humph, I'll say whatever I want." On the surface, she smiled and said: "Don't worry, everything I do is for your own good."

  Qin Que didn't expect him to say this at this time, his face turned red and he turned away.

  Zhou Xuan took big strides to the front yard, wanting to take a look at this brother-in-law. For these days, Zhou Xuan had been thinking every day about what to do when his brother-in-law came and how to deal with him. Now, his brother-in-law finally arrived!

  Zhou Xuan took a deep breath into the night sky, feeling somewhat depressed over the past few days. But from now on, the good show was about to begin. He wasn't afraid of challenges; he wanted to defeat his cousin in front of Qin Xiao, not by fighting, but by surpassing him in all aspects - character, talent, courage, and wisdom. He wanted Qin Xiao to understand that liking his cousin was a huge mistake, a result of her youth and ignorance, and that only Zhou Xuan was the perfect match for her.

  ……

  The sky had darkened, a single-horse carriage stopped in front of the Qin mansion gate, an old servant held a lantern to light up a man wearing a blue satin robe walking up the stone steps at the entrance.

  "Is it Little Lu?" asked Madame Qin.

  The man in the embroidered robe hastily replied: "Auntie, it's your nephew Lu An." He quickly walked over and paid his respects to Dr. Qin and his wife.

  Zhou Xuan stood behind Dr. Qin, sizing up Lu An, the cousin who had grown up with Miss Qin, in the light of the lantern.

  Lu An is twenty-two years old this year, and his height is almost the same as Zhou Xuan's. No wonder Zhou Xuan's summer shirt fits him so well. He has a clear brow and bright eyes, with a white face and a bookish look, three points less masculine than Zhou Xuan, but two points more handsome. His high nose bridge shows that this person is also very proud. In terms of appearance alone, he is indeed Zhou Xuan's strong rival.

  Zhou Xuan said: "You're handsome, so I won't compete with you on appearance. Let's compare our talents instead - music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, take your pick."

  Dr. Qin had been hoping to recruit Zhou Xuan as his son-in-law and was eager for Lu An not to come, but now that he saw him arrive, he felt a bit annoyed and used the excuse to scold: "Little Lu, what's going on with you? You should have arrived ten days ago, but you're late until today. Are you taking marriage as a joke? Do you still have my daughter Zuo Er in your heart?"

  Zhou Xuan secretly gave a thumbs up, praising Lao Zhang for speaking well and giving the Lu family a warning.

  Madam Qin knew the old man's thoughts, she hadn't seen her nephew before and now he was right in front of her. She thought of her late brother and suddenly felt a surge of affection. She forgot all about Zhou Xuan's usual good deeds and sternly glared at Dr. Qin: "My nephew is late for a reason, you didn't see how dusty and tired he looks? He must have been rushing to get here."

  Lu An bowed deeply and said: "Uncle's complaint is justified, I was also anxious like burning fire, but couldn't fly here with wings. More than a month ago, Shouzhou spread the rumor that Song Guo Zhao Guangyi's general Hu Yan Zan led 50,000 troops to attack, the whole city was on high alert, and as a medical assistant, if there was a war, saving lives and treating injuries would be my responsibility. The alert was not lifted until ten days ago when accurate news arrived that Hu Yan Zan's army was actually targeting Zhao Ting Mei, it was a false alarm. I rushed here immediately, day and night, without stopping."