Chapter 162: The outcome for those who call me 'Madam' isn't very pleasant

As someone who had been through it all, Huang Rong could tell from Guo Fu's expression that even if it wasn't love, her favor toward Gu Hanyuan was extremely high; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a first crush.

Before returning, she had already heard about what happened at the restaurant.

She was satisfied with Gu Hanyuan's character and Wu Gong, especially the matter of him attacking the Quanzhen Sect, which she felt had vented some of her own pent-up anger.

When she was young, Huang Rong was not well-liked by the Seven Freaks of Quanzhen, who would constantly call her a "demoness."

Yet Guo Jing respected them greatly, forcing Huang Rong to swallow her dissatisfaction, at most cursing them in her heart.

Therefore, the first time she heard Gu Hanyuan's name, Huang Rong had felt a strong sense of favor.

Not to mention his deeds at the restaurant: a Grandmaster at such a young age, and he had saved Guo Fu twice.

He was even able to repel an evil expert like the White Board Evil Star while carrying a dead weight like Guo Fu.

He was gentle and polite, showing no offense even when the Wu brothers made several rude remarks.

If Guo Fu truly set her heart on Gu Hanyuan, Huang Rong would be happy to see it happen.

The only point of contention was that Gu Hanyuan was too handsome—so handsome that even she, having weathered many storms, couldn't help but look twice.

Because of Ouyang Ke and Yang Kang in the past, Huang Rong had an instinctive aversion to handsome men.

Huang Rong disliked Yang Guo not only because he was Yang Kang's son, but also because he had been quite handsome from a young age.

Yet Gu Hanyuan was far more handsome than Yang Guo, and possessed a unique, attractive temperament on top of that.

Since she had set her heart on the very ordinary-looking Guo Jing, she tended to prefer ordinary-looking men for her daughter as well.

Otherwise, knowing full well that the Wu brothers were not promising, why would she let them hover around Guo Fu?

Fortunately, her simple test just now had earned Gu Hanyuan another point of approval regarding his character.

Guo Fu blushed at Huang Rong's words and stepped forward to act spoiled.

"Mother, Brother Gu is my savior; I am very grateful to him."

As Guo Fu spoke, she snuck a glance at Gu Hanyuan, and seeing he still wore that gentle smile, she breathed a sigh of relief.

After all, since he hadn't voiced any opposition, it meant he still had a favorable impression of her.

Huang Rong looked at Guo Fu's little glances with amusement, sighing that her daughter had truly grown up.

"I am Gu Hanyuan. Madam Guo, I have long admired your great name."

Gu Hanyuan's composure remained top-tier, revealing not a trace of his true thoughts, and his etiquette was flawless.

Yet inwardly, he thought: The outcome for those who call me 'Madam' isn't very pleasant.

Huang Rong naturally could not see Gu Hanyuan's thoughts and merely nodded in satisfaction.

"Gu Shaoxia, you flatter me. It is you who are truly remarkable, becoming a Grandmaster at such a young age—a higher realm than even mine."

Huang Rong's natural talent was actually very high, and with the Nine Yin Manual and the Taohuadao heritage, she should have broken through to Grandmaster long ago; yet she was still stuck at the peak of the Innate Realm.

The main reason, besides not being diligent in her cultivation, was that she had spent too much effort guarding Xiangyang alongside Guo Jing.

Guo Jing was inherently dull; he was poor at interpersonal relationships and logistics.

Moreover, Guo Jing was not the commanding general of Xiangyang and had no direct jurisdiction.

He could only offer suggestions to the Xiangyang commander, Lv Wenhuan.

And the Song Guo imperial court in this world was filled with enough treacherous officials to fill several mahjong tables, all busy fighting for power and profit.

Without support from the rear, the defense of Xiangyang had become difficult.

It was entirely due to Huang Rong's planning that Guo Jing was able to gain a firm foothold in Xiangyang.

Thus, Huang Rong's cultivation base had not advanced in ten years.

"Just luck, Madam Guo, you flatter me."

Gu Hanyuan remained as humble as ever.

"I heard Gu Shaoxia is looking for the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake; is this true?"

Huang Rong had also heard of the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake, but its tracks were hard to find, and she had never seen one in her many years in Xiangyang.

"I forced a breakthrough to Grandmaster some time ago, which damaged my meridians; I need the snake gall of the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake to concoct medicine for treatment."

This was an excuse Gu Hanyuan had prepared long ago.

Hearing that Gu Hanyuan's meridians were damaged, Guo Fu asked with worry and self-reproach:

"Brother Gu, your meridians are damaged? It's all my fault for causing you to fight the White Board Evil Star and his group."

Gu Hanyuan smiled gently:

"A minor injury, no matter. It is just damaged meridians; how could that compare to the importance of Sister Fu's safety?"

Guo Fu looked moved upon hearing this.

Although Huang Rong felt Gu Hanyuan's words sounded a bit glib, she thought he might have said it just to comfort Guo Fu.

She had never heard of damaged meridians being considered a minor injury.

"Damaged meridians should be treated as soon as possible."

Huang Rong advised.

Gu Hanyuan followed her advice readily.

Afterward, the three chatted idly.

Huang Rong discovered that Gu Hanyuan's breadth of knowledge was vast.

Whether it was astronomy, geography, humanistic wonders, yin-yang and bagua, or even current politics and military affairs, he had his own unique insights.

Many times, Huang Rong felt a sense of sudden enlightenment after listening to him.

She felt that Gu Hanyuan and her father, Huang Yaoshi, would surely have much in common.

Guo Fu listened from the side; she could keep up at first, but later she was completely lost.

Her face was filled with a look of worship, not understanding but feeling it was impressive.

The three were chatting enthusiastically when a servant suddenly reported that Lu Youjiao had arrived.

Huang Rong felt a bit unsatisfied, but she knew that official business was more important.

She led the two to the front courtyard to meet Lu Youjiao.

After asking Lu Youjiao about the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake, they indeed had results.

After all, the Beggar Sect had many members, many of whom were skilled at catching snakes, and Beggar Sect disciples were often bitten to death by these snakes, so they were quite clear about their whereabouts.

After obtaining the location of the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake from Lu Youjiao, Gu Hanyuan bid the two ladies farewell.

In any case, he was not in a rush regarding Huang Rong and Guo Fu; leaving a good impression during their first meeting was enough.

Guo Fu had originally wanted to follow Gu Hanyuan to find the snakes, but she was stopped by Huang Rong.

Finally, fearing she would be a burden to Gu Hanyuan, Guo Fu was uncharacteristically obedient, only requesting that Gu Hanyuan come to see her when he had time.

Seeing Guo Fu unable to snap out of it as she watched Gu Hanyuan's departing back, Huang Rong sighed.

She was quite satisfied with Gu Hanyuan; it would be perfect if he could become her son-in-law.

Especially after the conversation just now, she even felt a sense of him being a kindred spirit.

If Gu Hanyuan and Guo Fu were to tie the knot, she could also frequently discuss various insights with him.

After a while, Huang Rong suddenly realized what she was thinking.

She cursed herself inwardly—a mother-in-law discussing insights with her son-in-law, was there something wrong with that?

In any case, Gu Hanyuan had indeed left a deep impression on both Guo Fu and Huang Rong during their first meeting.

At this moment, Gu Hanyuan followed Lu Youjiao's directions and found the tracks of the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake in the woods on the outskirts of Xiangyang.

The Bodhisattva-Curved Snake had fleshy horns on its head, moved like the wind, and its entire body emitted a faint golden light.

Upon seeing it, Gu Hanyuan directly unleashed sword qi to kill it, then took out the snake gall and placed it into his storage space.

The snake gall of the Bodhisattva-Curved Snake was very effective for increasing internal power and could also be saved for alchemy later.