That night, Li Yuan and Lady Yan went for a stroll, passing by the "Brocade and Silk Shop" when the sharp-eyed proprietress hurried out, saying the clothes were ready for them to try on.

Lady Yan put on a beige peach blossom silk robe with a slit skirt, exuding endless allure. As soon as she wore it, the rustic village girl aura vanished without a trace, replaced by a lazy seductiveness that set a man's heart ablaze.

There was also a beige ruqun, paired with a sash. As it swirled around, draping over shoulders and hugging sleeves, it seemed like a flowing rainbow descending gracefully, immediately giving Lady Yan a few more airs of a noble lady.

Li Yuan's two pieces were loose profound robes, also extremely comfortable, clearly marking him as a noble from the city, rather than a country lad.

Afterward, the two of them had some snacks at the night market, then spent twelve large coins to buy two popular spring windproof cloaks with hoods.

Then, Li Yuan purchased various odds and ends, including some toys for entertaining children, one of which was a wooden mask. The mask was unremarkable, crafted with basic skills, priced at five small copper plates.

Upon returning home, he discreetly wrapped the wooden mask in a cloak, giving the other miscellaneous items to Aunt Wang, and distributed the little toys like the wooden sword and tangram to the two little ones.

The little boy and girl immediately beamed with joy, blinking their eyes, and exclaimed, "Thank you, master."

...

That night, the couple slept together.

After the rain of passion, they cuddled together.

Lady Yan nestled in Li Yuan's arms, chuckling softly and said, "Did my silk skirt captivate you? You're so... energetic... hehe..."

Li Yuan admitted, "Yes, it captivated me."

Lady Yan's eyes were dreamy as she leaned closer, whispering into his ear, "How about I put on that silk skirt again... and we test it once more? After all, it needs a wash tomorrow..."

A moment later...

After finishing their shameless acts, they lay together again.

Lady Yan asked, "Husband, why did you buy the mask and cloak?"

Li Yuan replied, "Some things need to be done incognito."

"Murder and arson?" Lady Yan's voice trembled slightly, probing.

"Why would I murder and commit arson for no reason?"

Li Yuan was a bit speechless, then said, "Tomorrow morning, I need to return to the Little Ink Workshop once."

"What for?"

"Just to have a look," Li Yuan said, his pupils flickering with light.

"Anyway, be careful. You're the only man I have..." Lady Yan pressed her cheek to his chest, then whispered, "The apricot tree in the backyard has sprouted green leaves..."

Li Yuan interrupted her, "You're coming back with me."

"Huh?"

"I'll bring you back in glory."

...

...

The next day.

At the Little Ink Workshop, many villagers crowded at the village entrance, peering out.

In the distance, a luxurious carriage approached from afar.

"Is this from the county?"

"That's obvious, isn't it? Such a fine carriage must be from the county..."

"Hey, what do you think a big shot from the county is doing here?"

"Yeah, except for the government officials, we hardly get visitors... Oh, and there was that gentleman from the Blood Saber Sect last time. Lady Yan is really blessed; following Brother Yuan, she must be living a good life now."

The villagers chattered, exchanging words, devoid of envy or resentment.

Because Li Yuan had distanced himself so far from them, so much so that they only felt admiration and awe, not daring to feel envy or hate.

Feng'Er was also in the crowd, her eyes staring blankly into the distance.

In less than two months, she had changed significantly, her gaze vacant and wooden...

It had to do with her life in the village.

She dreamed of ensnaring a man, relying on him, but the men only toyed with her, none taking her seriously.

Sometimes she began to resent Brother Xiong, cursing why he couldn't be as capable as Li Yuan... Otherwise... Otherwise, she wouldn't end up like this.

Little by little, her injuries and resentment grew heavier, eventually reaching a point where she didn't even bother to dress up when going out, appearing unkempt and somewhat deranged.

At this moment, hearing the noise outside, Feng'Er also stepped out, standing quietly to the side of the crowd, looking into the distance.

She was envious...

She longed to be able to ride in such a carriage from the county.

Just as the crowd spoke, the carriage stopped, and the driver jumped down to put a wooden ladder onto the Imperial Hand Seat.

The carriage curtain lifted, and an elegant noblewoman in a beige peach blossom silk ruqun stepped out. Her posture was graceful, exuding endless charm, lazily stepping down onto the village's yellow mud ground, making one worry if the earth might soil her shoes.

Beside her stood a robust man in a profound robe, with hair neatly tied and eyes like thunder in the sky, intimidating to meet one's gaze. His demeanor was extraordinary, perfectly matching the noblewoman as a talented man and a beautiful woman, complementing each other.

The villagers stood there, stunned.

Feng'Er also suddenly looked up, her eyes quietly fixating on the enchanting noblewoman.

Soon, someone in the crowd exclaimed in astonishment, "It's Brother Yuan and Lady Yan..."

"Is it really..."

"My heavens, they've changed so much."

Yan Yu still felt a bit uncomfortable, but as long as she held her man's arm, she felt at ease.

Li Yuan turned his head slightly to look at the coachman, and said, "Can you wait until dusk, no problem, right?"

The coachman naturally knew who he was looking at and didn't bring up anything else. He laughed and said, "You go ahead and take care of your business; I'll wait here."

With other tenants, he wouldn't wait, but this one happened to be an Inner Sect Disciple of the Blood Saber Sect. Although he hadn't moved to the Noble District yet, it was just a matter of time.

At that moment, a commotion broke out in the crowd, and a disheveled woman in yellow clothes squeezed out, stumbling toward Yan Yu.

Li Yuan stepped forward half a step, blocking Lady Yan.

At the same time, he recognized who the woman rushing over was.

"Feng'Er?"

Yan Yu looked at the woman in astonishment.

The Feng'Er she remembered was not like this—young, cheerful, fond of dressing up. But now... disheveled and dirty.

Feng'Er's face was full of tears as she collapsed in front of Yan Yu, crying, "Sister Yan, I was wrong, I was really wrong... Can you forgive me, please?"

Yan Yu shifted her head slightly to the side, before turning back to directly address Feng'Er, "The sisterhood between us ended a long time ago. I didn't turn you over to the Government Office out of respect for our past friendship, yet you still come to say what?"

"Sister Yan, I was wrong... I was wrong... I..." Feng'Er hung her head and cried miserably.

Yan Yu suddenly spoke: "Once, there was a passerby in the village who tried to harass me, and you grabbed a stick and fought him, getting hurt yourself;

Many times, when I was unwell, you helped draw water and brought firewood to me;

Several times, when I had no food, I borrowed grain from you. You were generous and even said that if things with Brother Yuan didn't work out, I could stay at your place...

Feng'Er, I just don't understand why you would harm me, why you would drug me? Don't you know that Zhang Shisi defiled me, and knowing my temperament, I might resolve to hang myself with a white silk ribbon?"

Feng'Er stopped crying. She lowered her head and said, "I... just wanted to find a man to rely on because the world is becoming more chaotic, and I couldn't survive.

Zhang Shisi was the most formidable man in the village at the time, and I just wanted to depend on him...

He wanted revenge, and I couldn't dissuade him.

I didn't mean it; I'm just a helpless woman—what was I supposed to do..."

Yan Yu felt an inexplicable bitterness in her heart and turned her head to look at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan nodded, indicating that she should do as she wished.

Yan Yu took out a small purse from her bosom, filled with large coins, and without looking, she tossed it in front of Feng'Er, her voice cold.

"From now on, I will never be your Sister Yan.

My Feng'Er is dead, and your Sister Yan is also dead.

Husband, let's go."

She took her man's arm and walked around Feng'Er.

Feng'Er choked softly, reached for the purse and held it tightly in her hand, her eyes filled with endless regret. However... what's done is done. She didn't beg further, just wiped her tears with her sleeve and squeezed through the crowd, heading dejectedly towards home.

...

"Husband, should I not have done that?"

"There's no such thing as should or shouldn't. Everyone has their own disposition, and I just like yours, Sister Yan.

Alright, don't think about her anymore.

Since there's no relation now, she won't appear in our world again."

"Yes, you're right."

Lady Yan leaned her head lightly on her man's shoulder, her eyes slightly moist.

The two of them strolled casually along the familiar village path, surrounded by their envious and respectful former neighbors.

Suddenly, Li Yuan's expression changed, his gaze locking onto someone in the distance walking quickly with their head down. He curled his lips slightly and yelled, "Qian Er! Where are you going?"

The person's body instantly stiffened, turning sideways with a smile, "I'm not Qian Er, you must be mistaken."

Li Yuan said, "Say again that I mistook you."

Qian Er dared not say anything more. Looking at the impressive man in the Profound Robe before him, he couldn't believe his eyes.

When he left, Li Yuan was just a somewhat capable hunter; how is it that now he's become like this?

His journey wasn't without its difficulties.

After being conscripted into the County Camp, a few of his brothers found out about it. With some minor connections, they used various means and spent considerable silver to bribe an official, buying someone with a similar physique to take his place. The official turned a blind eye, and the matter passed.

After escaping the County Camp, Qian Er hid until the dust settled, and no more deserters would be pursued. Only then did he return.

Returning with him were Qian Da, Qian Si, and Qian Wu.

These three brothers delayed some business matters with the commerce, leading to disputes. Considering the chaotic conditions outside, and how trading was no longer easy, the three decided to quit and left the Fulin Commerce Association.

Now, all four had holed up in the Little Ink Workshop, contemplating their future.

After returning, Qian Er naturally learned that Li Yuan had become a disciple of the Blood Saber Sect. Though they had no old grudges, they weren't on good terms either. Especially since Qian San once threatened Li Yuan, he naturally wanted to avoid him now.

But at this moment, he couldn't avoid it. Forced to face it, he put on a face-saving smile and said, "Brother Yuan... back in the day, little Qian didn't know any better. You're magnanimous... just think of little Qian as a fart and let it go..."

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