The next day, early in the morning, Li Yuan woke up from the large bed, holding his lady, looking at the empty big mansion, he felt somewhat unaccustomed for a moment.

He hurriedly washed up, made do with some breakfast, and then headed out towards the depths of the Inner City.

It went relatively smoothly to arrange for a permit and record with Elder Liu.

Apparently, Elder Liu did not have any intention to make things difficult for this rising star of sorts, and besides, getting a permit is a normal affair, after all, procurement of materials, even daily purchases require going outside.

Usually... Elder Liu wouldn't even personally review it, but would let one of the stewards in her courtyard issue it. Today, she happened to be there, so she handled it for Li Yuan in passing. However, a long-term permit couldn't be processed temporarily; it would have to wait until the outside situation is more stable.

And after finishing this, Li Yuan returned.

The Inner City was relatively desolate, with virtually no one on the roads.

The Inner Sect disciples are either cultivating at home, or going out for entertainment, training or missions; they wouldn't be loitering on the roads.

Li Yuan held the permit, walking along the Silver Creek, he turned his head slightly and saw the city walls on the south, north, and west, like mountains, enclosing this area, giving a comforting sense of security.

As he was heading home, a man who looked like a guard ran over from afar, and upon reaching his side said: "Young Master Li, the Sect Leader orders you to meet him at Blood Fury Hall seven days from now at noon."

"Thank you, I will definitely be there on time." Li Yuan gave a salute, not asking much about what the Sect Leader wanted.

This guard was sent by the Sect Leader, his every move and action would obviously be reported back, what was the point in asking?

And these seven days should be the time for him to settle down given by the Sect Leader, after which he would probably have things to say to him...after all, as a Blood Saber Sect disciple, he couldn't just take the benefits without doing any work, could he?

...

Afternoon.

Mid-afternoon...

A bullock cart arrived before the Inner City, Li Yuan had already been waiting there.

The curtain of the cart lifted, revealing the charming face of the madam.

"Sister Xue."

"Young Master Li."

The two exchanged greetings, Li Yuan showed the permit to the city gate guard, and the bullock cart slowly entered the city.

Behind the cart, there followed three fine horses, a carriage, which were also gifts from the madam to Li Yuan.

As for the bullock cart, it was fully stocked with pots, pans, bedding, flowery scissors for decoration, and literary paraphernalia.

After the madam arrived at Li Yuan's luxurious mansion, she directed people to tidy up the place.

By the time evening came, the originally empty mansion had gained a bit more fullness.

The madam was about to say goodbye, but Yan Yu tugged her sleeve and said, "Sister Xue, stay for dinner."

The madam hesitated, she glanced at the sky, just about to say those things about how "it's still dangerous in the alleyway at night, and it's not appropriate to let Young Master Li escort," but suddenly her heart trembled, she swallowed back those words, her captivating eyes glanced slightly at Li Yuan not far away.

She saw the boy's strong and sturdy physique, the muscles prominently visible on his long arms and legs, his back straight as a spear, giving a strong sense of power.

Although his face was not particularly handsome, it was pleasing to look at, without much arrogance or domineering but hiding a stable and unique maturity that differed from ordinary teenagers. Because they were already familiar, there was a bit of affection in her gaze...

Thinking back to how this young man managed to avoid danger several times, coming out unscathed in the murder case and later becoming Master Li's student; and now in the ongoing battle between Blood Saber Sect and the Wei family, Zhao Zimu was dead yet he was fine, even rising higher, directly moving into the Inner City...

Then remembering the first time they met, this young man was merely a simple mountain hunter, his honest smile as he followed Old Wang from the restaurant to sell meat.

The madam felt more of a sense of fantasy and security in her heart.

Yan Yu saw her daze, tugged her again, smiling, "Sister Xue, stay?"

The madam bit her lip, suddenly feeling a little ticklish and anticipatory in her heart, then gently nodded and agreed softly, "Then... then I shall stay."

Moments later, after the bullock cart returned, Aunt Wang cooked some dishes, brought them to the dining hall, while she took her children back home to eat, and after began boiling water.

In the dining hall, Li Yuan sat in the center, with two women on either side eating and chatting.

"Eldest Granny Yan, this mansion is really huge... I've never seen such a big house even at Lianglong Mountain." The madam seemed a bit excited, her cheeks glowing red.

Yan Yu sighed, "Sister Xue, alas, it's a pity though, such a large house, yet so empty, just the five of us living here."

The madam's eyes moved slightly, "With Young Master Li's status, buying a few maids and guards would make it less empty, wouldn't it? If Young Master Li finds it inconvenient, you can leave it to me."

Yan Yu said, "I've told him to buy some at the Black Market, but he wouldn't go..."

"Why?"

"Who knows what he's thinking?"

The two women laughed and bantered as if they had completely forgotten about Li Yuan sitting beside them.

Yet, as they ate, somehow the topic circled back to Li Yuan.

Yan Yu said, "Sister Xue, living in Baiyun Alley with a few maids must be dull, why not move in with us and stay together?"

The madam said, "Eldest Granny Yan is teasing me, I'm not someone from the Inner City, how can I move in?"

Yan Yu said, "Sister Xue is so young and pretty, yet you lost your husband early, wouldn't you like to..."

Suddenly, she stood up lightly, ran to Li Yuan's back, hooked her hands around his neck, and with a bright smile looked at the madam and said, "Find another man as good as my husband, wouldn't you?"

The madam's face turned beet red.

She counted as someone capable of handling all sorts of matters outside, but as for matters between men and women, she would only dare to think about it during late nights, under the covers.

Although she appeared smooth-talking, there was still a bit of pride in her heart, ordinary men could not catch her eye.

However, ultimately, she did yearn for it...

After all, she was still young, still beautiful, her body still full of vigor, and she had no offspring.

"I... I've been married before..." The madam looked down, stammering, under the candlelight, her fair neck flushed red, as if a little bunny was rampaging around in her heart, her legs twisting slightly, clenched together.

Lady Yan giggled, "Having been married, you'd know how to love a man... wouldn't you agree, my dear?"

Li Yuan looked at the madam.

Yesterday, his own wife also told him about the madam's circumstances.

The madam's name was Xue Ning, twenty-three, from Lianglong Mountain, five years ago, due to a maritime disaster she and her husband's family, along with loyal servants and maids, fled here, but shortly after arriving in Shanbao County, the husband's body deteriorated and he died due to exhaustion and shock from the long journey.

Under normal circumstances, it would already have been fortunate if Xue Ning wasn't preyed upon, yet she was a strong and capable woman, who managed to open Hengwu Restaurant against all odds.

Besides this, she also had a group of beggars supporting her outside.

She didn't maintain this group of beggars merely by giving money, but by nurturing them with righteousness, for instance, she instructed people at the restaurant to not make a mess so the beggars could eat; or paying for the medical expenses of a dying beggar; or occasionally gifting some liquor; or helping resolve conflicts; or even leaving a table for beggars at the corner during banquets.

Various small kindnesses, plus her bold personality and the respect she gave, led many beggars, impressed by her story, to greatly respect her and secretly call her Big Sister. Besides actively helping her gather all sorts of information, they also stood up to protect the restaurant when it faced crises.

On the surface, guards watch over her home, but in the dark, many beggars also lend their support, that's how Xue Ning managed to establish herself in Shanbao County.

One could say, this madam was a woman who had wealth, means, and a small influence, and had a connection with Li Yuan before he became prominent.

She needed Li Yuan.

Li Yuan needed her too.

This not only pertained to business, mutual assistance, but to a certain degree, physically too.

"Isn't that right, my dear?" Lady Yan nudged her man.

Li Yuan looked at the madam, saying, "Sister Xue, would you be willing? If you are, Sister Yan is the first wife, you would be the second wife."

Xue Ning, face red, squirmed her legs, gaze lowered, said softly, "I... I am willing... only, please promise you won't fail me."

Li Yuan replied earnestly, "For a lifetime, never shall I fail you."

Xue Ning also replied earnestly, "I... shall never fail you."

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