Insufficient balance

  Then a maid came running over and said to Qinger: "Miss, the master has invited you and the guest to dinner."

  "Alright, you can go down now!" said Qingshi. The three of them then came to the main hall together and sat down in their respective seats according to their seniority. As a result, Dajie and Musheng sat on one side, at the right seat of the square table. Sima couple, as seniors, sat at the upper seat, while Qingshi sat at a lower seat. Mr. Xu, being the host, naturally took the lowest seat and also assumed the duty of toasting. Qingshi's grandmother was old in age and had recently caught a cold, so she lay resting in her room and didn't come out for dinner, but when it was time to eat, she asked Yiniang to send food over.

  Before the wine was served, Master Xu spoke up, "Muzi! Today, while drinking here, you are not allowed to use internal force to suppress the intoxicating effect!"

  It seems I'm in trouble now. I've hardly ever drunk any wine since I was a kid, but since Lord Xi has spoken, I can only force myself to agree and suffer the consequences. Looks like I'll be making a fool of myself today.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, although the alcohol content of ancient wine was not as high as it is now, for someone who never drinks, this was unbearable. Without using internal force to resist the effects of the wine, Mocheng got drunk and fell over after just a few cups, and from then on, he didn't know anything.

  When Mu Sheng woke up again, it was already the next morning. He opened his eyes and found himself in his own room. Turning around, he saw Xiang Ling still fast asleep. Mu Sheng's head still hurt a bit. Having drunk for the first time, he had slept for such a long time. As for what happened after getting drunk yesterday, he didn't have any impression at all. He hoped that he hadn't talked nonsense and made a fool of himself, or else his face would be lost big time. Mu Sheng silently prayed in his heart.

  Perhaps because of Mo Sheng's movement, Xiang Ling also woke up and saw that her husband was awake. She asked: "Husband, are you feeling a bit better now?"

  "It's much better, Ling'er, who sent me back yesterday?" Mu Sheng asked carefully.

  "It was Grandfather Sima who helped you back, at that time you were already drunk and didn't know anything." Xiang Ling said.

  "Oh, Ling'er, you worked hard yesterday." Murong Sheng said softly.

  "Ling'er doesn't work hard, husband, why are there so many silver notes in your clothes?" Xiang Ling asked curiously.

  "Oh, this silver ticket was seized during the last bandit suppression. This amount of money is just enough to support the young ladies, and when helping the young lady's cooperative partner find a good one, money is indispensable." Mu Sheng said, hugging Xiang Ling.

  "Oh, husband, you still have a few days before going to Qingzhou City!"

  "Tomorrow then! Ling'er, don't worry, I'll hurry back as soon as possible."

  "Then you be careful on the road."

  "Alright, my good Ling'er." After finishing speaking, Mu Sheng kissed towards Xiang Ling, and Xiang Ling also responded passionately. Perhaps thinking that Mu Sheng would be leaving tomorrow, Xiang Ling was extremely passionate at this time, and unknowingly the two of them had a big battle, until after they finally calmed down, Xiang Ling blamed: "Husband, now it's already daylight, earlier we were like that, Grandfather and the others must have heard, it's all your fault, I'm so embarrassed to death."

  Looking at the shy person in his arms, Muzhen unconsciously held him tighter, and Xiangling also buried her head in Muzhen's arms. The two just hugged each other like this. When a sunbeam shone into the room, Xiangling said: "Husband, we should get up, look, the sun is almost shining on the bed."

  "Alright, I'll listen to Ling'er." Mu Sheng said happily.

  After the two of them finished dressing and washing up, they came to the main room. Breakfast was already ready, made by the mother-in-law. After finishing their meal, Mu Sheng accompanied Xiang Ling for a stroll in the backyard, chatting as they walked. Suddenly, Mu Sheng asked: "Ling'er, why haven't we seen that little servant girl Xiao Lü recently?"

  "She's always going to the Zhao residence to find Xiao Die, those two girls have been inseparable lately, their relationship is very good." Xiang Ling said.

  "This is strange, that day on the flower boat, she and Xiao Die didn't get along, how did they suddenly become fine again?" Mu Sheng said with some puzzlement.

  "Don't you understand, husband?" Xiang Ling asked.

  "I don't understand," said Musheng.

  Alas! Xiang Ling sighed and said, "This girl is probably taken a liking to Wen Hao, and Xiao Die is likely the same. Now that Wen Hao is not around, the two of them are probably trying to get along well with each other in order to have a good relationship in the future."

  "It's really hard to tell, Ling'er, how old is Xiao Lü this year?" asked Mu Sheng.

  "Sixteen," Xiang Ling said after thinking for a moment.

  "Ah!" Mu Sheng exclaimed in surprise, "Master, what's wrong with you?" Xiang Ling asked with a worried face.

  "Oh, nothing, just a bit unbelievable," said Mu Sheng, but in his heart he was thinking that this ancient girl was really precocious! This little girl who's not even fully grown up is already thinking about men, Mu Sheng didn't know what to say.

  The day passed by like this with Xiangling, and the next day after breakfast, Xiangling folded the clean clothes for Mosheng, and Mosheng carried his luggage out of the door. Xiangling stood at the door and looked for a long, long time.

  The distance between Hunyuan City and Qingzhou City was still quite far, but Mu Sheng didn't plan to hire a carriage and continued walking. Last time with the young lady, they didn't get to see much along the way, this time he wanted to take a good look. Alas! Mu Sheng sighed, the precious sword obtained from eliminating bandits last time was left at Wen Hao's place, otherwise, he would have had a reliable defensive tool now. However, as a scholar, holding a precious sword seemed out of place. Never mind, without the sword, his personal safety shouldn't be a problem, even if he encountered an expert, he couldn't win in a fight, but he could run! The lightness skill from "Fan Xin Zhou" wasn't just for show.

  For the time being, Muzhen was not in a hurry to go to Qingzhou City. After all, people were there and couldn't run away. Although Xiangling was waiting for him at home, he couldn't miss this scenery! At worst, he would make it up to Ling'er when he got back. For now, appreciating the scenery between the two places was the top priority.

  Out of the Hunyuan City, Musheng walked along the official road towards Qingzhou City. The official road between the two major cities was still relatively crowded, with horse-drawn carriages being the most common, occasionally passing by his side.

  As Mo Sheng was walking, she suddenly felt a carriage stop beside her. Curious, she looked over and saw a small head poking out of the window. She took a closer look and it was Bao Yue.

  Only saw Bao Yue laughing and saying: "Mu Gongzi, where are you going?"

  "Oh, it's Bao Yue Niang! I'm going to Qingzhou City to take care of some business." said Mu Sheng.

  "Ah! We're traveling together! Hurry up and get on, Master Mo! The carriage is faster, and we'll have some company." Bao Yue said excitedly.

  Watching Bao Yue's excited expression, the other party, out of kindness, also didn't want to refuse Mu Sheng. So he got on the carriage, but his wish to appreciate the scenery along the way was dashed. Sitting in the horse-drawn carriage, Mu Sheng asked: "Miss Bao Yue, what brings you to Qingzhou City?"

  "My grandfather's birthday has arrived, and my brother and father are not at home, so I went on their behalf." Bao Yue supported her small face and said: "Mu Gongzi, look at how boring it is in the carriage. Will you tell me a story?" After finishing, she looked at Mu Sheng with a hopeful expression.

  "How did you know I'd tell stories?" Mu Sheng asked in puzzlement.

  "Hehe, I won't tell you." Bao Yue said mischievously. Looking at Bao Yue's playful face, Mu Sheng couldn't get angry and could only tell her a story instead. What to tell? Mu Sheng thought for a moment, still "The Legend of the Condor Hero"! This TV series was one he had watched the most, with a deep impression, and it would be easier to retell.

  Like this, Bao Yue supported her chin and looked at Mu Sheng quietly listening. Mu Sheng also had no choice but to keep talking non-stop, getting excited to the point where he didn't care about his image anymore, spitting everywhere, with quite a bit landing on Bao Yue's small face. Bao Yue didn't mind, only using her embroidered handkerchief to wipe it off before focusing intently again.

  The wheel suddenly seemed to hit something, and the car was violently shaking. Bao Yue wasn't careful for a moment, and his head bumped into Mu Sheng's arms. After a while, the car stabilized, and Mu Sheng hurriedly supported Bao Yue and asked: "Are you okay?"

  "No, it's nothing, Lord Mu, please continue!" Bao Yue said with a slightly flushed face, but quickly covered it up.

  After a while, the carriage stopped. The driver said, "Miss, get off the carriage. We will rest at Yue Lai Inn tonight." Upon hearing the driver's words, Bao Yue and Mu Sheng got off the carriage and entered Yue Lai Inn, where they booked two rooms. The driver went to stable the horses and slept in the carriage overnight to prevent theft.

  Musheng and Bao Yue's rooms were adjacent. Upon entering the room, aside from a bed, a table, a wardrobe, and a few chairs, there was nothing else. Musheng put his luggage on the bed, went out to ask the servant to bring in a pot of tea, then sat down in a chair, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it down. Suddenly, his throat, which had been emitting a faint mist, felt much better. He told Bao Yue stories for half the day, but his mouth was so dry it didn't look right. Unfortunately, there wasn't any tea water in the carriage, which made Musheng feel stifled. Then he drank several more cups in succession.

  After drinking the tea, Mu Sheng lay down on the bed. This ancient carriage was really tiring to sit in, bouncing around non-stop on the road for half a day had made his waist sore.

  At this time, there was a knock at the door, and Yuè Méi asked, "Shù Gōngzǐ, may I come in?"

  "Come on in!" Murong Sheng said somewhat lazily.

  Embracing the moon and pushing open the door, he saw Mu Sheng lying on the bed. He said: "Young Master Mu, shall we go down to eat together?"

  "Alright! I'm also getting hungry." said Mu Sheng. The two went downstairs, came to the first floor, and sat down at a table. A quick-witted waiter ran over and asked: "What can I get for you gentlemen?"

  Musheng looked at Bao Yue and asked: "Miss Bao Yue, what are you eating?"

  "Whatever." Bao Yue said with a smile. Upon hearing Bao Yue's words, Mu Sheng said: "Then let's have two small dishes and two bowls of rice."

  "Alright, sir, please wait a moment." The shopkeeper said and then left.

  After a short wait, the dishes were served, and the two sat face to face eating, feeling somewhat unnatural. They both lowered their heads. Although Bao Yue was quite bold usually, but when she really had to sit at the same table with a man alone, her small face still flushed slightly. Looking at Bao Yue who seemed several years younger than himself, Mu Sheng spoke up: "Miss Bao Yue, you don't have to keep calling me Young Master Mu all the time. If you're not disgusted, just call me Brother Mu like Wen Hao does."

  Bao Yue raised her head and looked at Mu Sheng, saying: "Brother Mu, then just call me Bao Yue."

  "Uh, let's eat quickly, I feel a bit uneasy being stared at," said Mu Sheng.

  "Okay," replied Bao Yue softly.