Chapter 62 Kiss once, give ten taels. Text/Ji Jin

  Spent a night talking with Li Mi, and on the seventh of May, my spirit was still pretty good. Perhaps it's because I've been transported to this era for so long, I finally found a sense of belonging, even if it's a twisted, bloody, murderous one, but at least I'm standing on solid ground.

  Know what kind of person you are and what kind of things you should do.

  For normal life, this is the goal.

  The morning light had already appeared outside, and Li Miao was originally going to let her sleep a bit longer before setting off on the road. However, her heart was like a field of wild grass that had grown overnight, and she couldn't fall asleep again. She pushed open the window of the inn, took a look at the bustling street scene outside, and then hastily washed up and began to pack her luggage and tidy herself up.

  All women love beauty, and Xia Qi is no exception.

  But she now loves beauty and is eager to change her appearance more than ever before.

  "Does it still hurt?"

  Li Miao asked, referring to the scar on Xia's forehead that still had a red and tender scab.

  "It doesn't hurt anymore."

  It's not entirely painless, of course. Now that the outer layer of black scab has fallen off, the tender flesh inside is exposed, a bright red color, looking like a big lump of redness with fine, irregular texture on top - all thanks to the "cheap" character left by Mo Jin. However, since she had bumped into the bedpost in the Jade Emperor's Hall last time and then used a needle tip to scratch it off afterwards, it has already become completely blurred and unrecognizable, so naturally no one would be able to recognize the character.

  She applied some ointment on her finger and pressed it onto her forehead, then stared at herself in a daze.

  How did he manage to kiss her last night?

  If it wasn't for being drunk and blurry-eyed, then he must really not mind her. Ah, that's true love.

  She imagined it and couldn't help but laugh again.

  She was almost laughed silly by her, Li Mo curiously asked, "Xia Chu——"

  "Call me Chu Qi."

  Before she could finish speaking, Xia Chuqi turned her head away, interrupting her.

  "That name is no longer suitable for people to hear nowadays."

  "You're right." Li Miao's impression of her now was completely different from when they were young. She still had the same facial features, but even paler than she remembered, wearing a simple blue cloth shirt and pants with fabric shoes and belt, she was nothing like the refined and elegant Xia Chu he remembered. Looking rough around the edges, but actually being a decisive person, her temperament was far from Xia Chu's weakness.

  "Chu Qi, how did you learn medicine and also know how to make firearms?"

  Facing the mirror and carefully wiping her forehead, Xia Chuqi glanced at Li Mo's puzzled eyes, narrowed her eyes, and then curled up the corners of her mouth again.

  "How did you acquire this martial art again, I don't know."

  Li Mian was taken aback, and with her reminder, he seemed to have come to his senses. "Indeed, you and I, sisters for nearly four years now, in these bleak and rainy four years, we must have had different experiences. I've changed, you've changed too." After a pause, she suddenly let out a sigh, "Chu Qi, I hope my sister and I can unite our hearts and avenge the deep-seated grudge of blood and sea."

  "Haste makes waste."

  Xia Chuqi smiled and glanced back at her.

  "Sister, don't always wear a frosty face, it's better to enjoy life in time. No matter what situation you are in, if you can't be open-minded, the heavens won't allow you to be open-minded. If you often laugh with an open heart, then nothing will disturb your mind again. Learn from me, from now on, you should also smile more."

  Li Mian is now eighteen years old, three years older than Xia Chuyi.

  In her own eyes, she was already a mature old maid. But in Xia Chuqi's view, she was actually just a little yellow-haired girl. Where did she see that old-fashioned and stuffy appearance of hers, as if she were even more suffocated than a real old maid?

  "Ha?"

  Li Mian's face stiffened and he forced a smile.

  "Ever since two years ago, I've lost track of how to laugh properly."

  Xia Zhong Qi slyly cast a glance at her and reached his hand into her armpit, tickling her.

  "Smile for me. Come on, pretty girl, give Grandpa a smile."

  Li Mian couldn't stand her teasing and dodged back and forth, his face twisted in a mess.

  "Chu Qi, if you weren't really Xia Chu, I wouldn't dare recognize you."

  "Haha, that's natural. One should enjoy life to the fullest when things are going well. It's better to have enemies so you can kill them off with relish, get it? Eldest sister."

  After teasing her for a couple of sentences, Li Mo no longer wore that bitter and resentful expression on his face. Xia Chuyi finally spared her and continued to apply ointment and massage the wound on her forehead, muttering, "It's all right now, no matter how great the suffering is, or how deep the resentment is, it's all hidden inside. People still have to be happy."

  This scar ointment was made by her using Chinese medicine such as Bai Zhu and Bai Zhi, adding some Hu powder to it. It can clear the facial spots and help with skin scars shedding. However, whether the effect is good or not is temporarily unknown, but there's one thing that's particularly bad - when this medicine is applied on the newly grown tender scar tissue, it feels excruciatingly painful.

  Indeed, good medicine is not only bitter but also painful.

  "Cousin, you're also someone who can endure." Seeing her gritting her teeth and scowling with a furrowed brow but not making a sound, Li Mo suddenly said.

  "Who am I? You're asking who I am? In the Jianghu, they've given me a nickname - 'The Undying Young Divine Doctor'. Can't you see that I have some perseverance?"

  The Undead Little Medical God?

  In her forced smile, twisted in pain, Li Mia was impressed and recalled his own experiences wandering the jianghu, adding a hint of doubt.

  "Is there such a nickname? In these years, I have been drifting around, wandering among the people, and also having dealings with the knights-errant in the rivers and lakes, but I have never heard anyone mention this name."

  Pfft!

  Were ancient people all so honest?

  Can't you tell she's just kidding around?

  Skilled in collecting scar ointment, Xia Qi again carefully applied moisturizing cream to her face and other things. Only then did she put on a cyan cloth hat to keep out the cold, turned around seriously and said, "Of course, the title of Little Divine Doctor is too overbearing, how could ordinary travelers understand it?"

  Having said that, she patted Li Mo's shoulder and smiled very proudly.

  "Eura, my dear cousin, you can rest assured, follow me and I'll make sure your future is bright and prosperous. You won't have to go out on the streets to rob people, and you'll be able to live a comfortable life without worrying about food or clothing. With your charming looks and excellent martial arts skills, being both literate and skilled in combat, you can choose a perfect husband and enjoy a happy life."

  As soon as he heard the words "Ru Yi Lang Jun", Li Mian's face, which had originally calmed down, suddenly turned pale.

  At the beginning of summer, she also felt the stiffness in her shoulders.

  "Sister, did I say something wrong?"

  Li Mian raised his head, his eyes dim and resentful like stagnant water.

  "My him, is gone."

  Xia's smile faltered on the seventh day of summer, and she tightened her grip on her shoulders.

  "What's wrong? What happened?"

  Li Mian's voice was a little hoarse, "It's gone, it's just gone."

  ……

  ……

  On the way, they ate two buns and drank a large bowl of thin porridge. Xia Zhong and Li Mo didn't take much trouble to carry their luggage to Fenglai Inn.

  The Gu family father and daughter over there have also made preparations.

  They didn't have simple luggage like Xia Chuyi and Li Mo, but instead brought a large amount of it, as if they were moving their entire household from Qinggang County. The numerous bags and packages left Xia Chuyi stunned. However, due to Old Gu's advanced age and Gu Ajiao's delicate nature, resembling a young lady from a wealthy family, Xia Chuyi had no choice but to sigh and work together with Li Mo as voluntary laborers to help the Gu father-daughter duo carry all their luggage outside the inn.

  It's still quite a distance from here to the dock.

  Xia Zhicheng let them wait first, preparing to go ahead and hire a donkey cart to pull their luggage. But just as they had taken a few steps, a magnificent four-horse carriage with several officers wearing golden armor emerged from the alley entrance in front of the inn, almost blocking the entire road.

  "Chu Qi, what are you standing here for?"

  Gu A'jiao saw that she wasn't moving and curiously walked over, following her line of sight.

  Summer Seventh did not turn back, just smiled, "I'm afraid it's not needed."

  That's right, the leader of that team of Golden Guards was Chen Jing. He sat tall on his horse, glanced at Xia Chuqi, and wore a helmet with a red tassel on top, an outer garment with a long body armor, pressed his waist knife with one hand, and jumped down from the horse with ease, exuding a strong and majestic aura. As he approached her, he made a fist and bowed, his voice deep and powerful.

  "Chu Xiao Lang, farewell."

  "Captain of the Guard, what a coincidence, we meet again."

  Xia's eyes curved into a smile as she looked at him, his playful and smiling expression was very annoying.

  "I wonder if the captain of the guard is staying in a hotel or just passing through?"

  She was glib and eloquent, but whenever she spoke, she never got to the point. Chen Jing, on the other hand, was a man of few words, especially in front of girls. When she teased him like this, he was taken aback and could only tell her the truth.

  "Chen certain received the imperial edict and came to escort Chu Xiaolang onto the boat."

  "Do you need to pay silver to get on the boat?"

  Chen Jing was taken aback again, "Of course not."

  At the beginning of summer, Qi was amused by his appearance, "What if I don't want to board the pirate ship?"

  It's probably only Chu Qi in the world who would dare to say that the official ship of the King of Jin is a pirate ship. Chen Jing furrowed his brow, sighed inwardly, and still maintained a very respectful expression on his face.

  "Your Highness said that if he can't be invited, then Chu Xiaolang will have to make some concessions."

  "But I..." Xia Chuqi raised an eyebrow, "If you're not willing to compromise?"

  After taking on this task, Chen Jing was already somewhat frustrated and headachy. When he encountered Xia Chuzi being unreasonable and teasing him, he couldn't reason with him or yell at him, so he simply didn't bother to be polite either. He just followed the orders of the palace and left the aftermath for Xia Chuzi to deal with, first bringing the person back before doing anything else.

  "Come on, take down Chu Qi."

  It is...

  Several Golden Guardsmen sprang into action at the sound, Xia Chuyi's conditioned reflexes causing him to flash towards the edge, but before he could even make a sound, Li Mi suddenly drew his sword and charged straight for Chen Jing.

  "Who dares."

  Li Mian's sword in his hand was only seen by Xia Chuyi today, on the seventh day of summer. It was a good sword, with an extremely thin blade, and the green edge seemed to be emitting a cold light, making it look like a deadly weapon. Chen Jing drew his knife to block, he didn't like to talk nonsense, neither did Li Mian, so they started fighting without saying a word. This place was originally not spacious, and with a horse carriage, so many luggage, and so many people, it wasn't a good place for a fight at all, making Xia Chuyi laugh and cry at the same time as she watched them fight.

  "Hey, stop hitting."

  But she was yelling on this side, while Li Mo was fighting Chen Jing fiercely on the other. She was like a mad killer, with every move forcing her opponent back, and every step stirring up the wind, while Chen Jing kept retreating, seemingly perplexed by her behavior, yet not wanting to really hurt her.

  In front of him, a flash of sword and shadow, Xia Qiuli couldn't help but sigh again.

  Her cousin's kung fu is indeed impressive.

  That Chen Jing was a martial arts champion, and she could also avoid defeat in his hands.

  Of course, she was an outsider and didn't know that Chen Jing was actually letting Li Mo win. Seeing that it was impossible to stop the two of them, Xia Chuyi let Jin Weijun grab her hand and laughed loudly.

  "Alright, alright, stop fighting, come back. With free official boats available, why spend money on civilian ships? Are we idiots? Hey, hey, hey, stop it, don't fight anymore."

  Chen Jing sheathed his sword and retreated, Li Mo panted heavily, saying nothing, but he didn't pursue him either.

  An Feng patted Li Mo's shoulder, and Xia Chuyi didn't explain anything to her at this moment. Instead, she smiled and directed Zhao Zhu's Golden Guard Army with a loud voice, not treating herself as an outsider. "Hey, you guys, hurry up and help us load the luggage onto the carriage! What are you standing there for?"

  Chen Jing stared at her with a puzzled expression, his head was even bigger.

  "Chu Xiao Lang, His Highness only allows you to bring one person."

  She waved her hand and Xia Qi's eyes curved into a nonchalant smile.

  "It's alright, these few are my relatives and friends, we're all heading to the capital together. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility for this matter with His Highness later, he won't refuse me. Put your mind at ease, even if blame falls on you, he will only scold me."

  Running into Xia Qi in the seventh summer, Chen Jing's high skills were useless. Moreover, he knew that Jin Wang Gong had a different attitude towards Chu Qi, so how could he make things difficult for her? As a result, several golden armored soldiers became porters and carried all those large boxes, small boxes, big bundles, and small bundles onto the horse-drawn carriage, which then rushed to the Chao Tian Men dock.

  All the way, only Gu A'jiao was a little excited. She touched the back of the chair, shook her buttocks, pulled the curtains and screens, and from time to time, she would glance at Chen Jing riding on the big horse with a pair of sparkling eyes, in which, apart from the undisguised admiration, there was also a hint of girlish infatuation, making Xia Chuyi sigh.

  Is this the legendary love at first sight?

  "A Jiao?"

  At the beginning of summer, on the seventh day, she glanced at her, but saw that she had been lifting the curtain to look at Chen Jing outside, as if she hadn't heard anything. She smiled and leaned in close to Gu Ajiao, suppressing her voice to ask quietly, "That general, is he the martial arts champion personally appointed by the current emperor? He's not bad-looking either?"

  "Not bad..." Gu Ajiao murmured casually.

  On the seventh day of summer, Xia closed her eyes and saw her silly appearance, leaning on the edge of the horse cart, smiling mischievously, "Hey, Old Chen, there's a beauty who says you look great. Let's interview you, what's your mood now, what do you feel? Is it possible to further develop?"

  "Chu Qi..."

  Gu Ajiao was shocked with wide eyes.

  Women in this era are mostly thin-skinned, who would dare to be as straightforward as Xia Chuyi and ask for love on someone's behalf?

  Gu ājiǎo's small face suddenly turned redder than a big persimmon. No matter how shy and embarrassed she was, Xià Chūqī looked at her with great interest for a long time. Chen Jǐng, however, showed no reaction whatsoever, merely saying "Chǔ Xiǎoláng is joking" without even giving her a proper glance.

  Tsk tsk tsk!

  A handsome guy with a strong personality, comparable to his master.

  Having been treated coldly and also having failed to get what she wanted, Gu A'jiao got a bit sulky. She looked out of the window at the street scene outside, not making a sound, nor paying any more attention to her.

  "Don't worry!" Xia Qiqi chuckled, "Beautiful girl, don't be so impatient. The world is so big, how many handsome guys are there? When we get to the capital, there will be plenty of good men for you to choose from, what's the hurry?"

  She said that, Gu Ajiao's face turned even redder, and she gave Chen Jing a sideways glance with a mixture of annoyance and resentment before turning away.

  "You're dead meat, framing me like this, who's in a hurry?"

  "Go, your words are insincere. But Ah Jiao, this name of yours is a good one. I think even Emperor Wu of Han once said, 'If I could get Ah Jiao as my wife, I would store her in a golden house.' I think you will be the kind of woman who makes emperors build golden houses for you, and even if you're not an empress, you'll at least be a noble consort. Isn't that right? Otherwise, it would really be a waste of your talent..."

  She playfully teased Gu Ajiao, but her eyes occasionally glanced at Li Mo, who was sitting on the side and remained silent. She only noticed that his face was even paler than when they left home in the morning. But she never thought that this joke would be taken to heart by Gu Ajiao.

  ……

  ……

  On the Chaotianmen dock, a wooden carved majestic official ship was moored by the shore.

  Xia Chuqi didn't see Zhao Zun, but only heard Chen Jing explain that the lord was still at the post house, and would come over after finishing lunch with the local officials who had come to see him off. Xia Chuqi naturally understood this rule. Eating, from ancient times to the present, has always been a ritual for officials, whether superior or inferior.

  Of course, he is no longer there, and she doesn't care either way.

  Anyway, see you tonight.

  By the time Chen Jing'an and the others had hurried off to the post house, she was free to sit down by a window in the cabin, looking around with interest at this official boat.

  As expected, domineering!

  No wonder, no matter how time and space change, what remains eternally unchanged in human beings is the pursuit of power and status. Women obtain it by pursuing men, while men with power and status not only can have everything but also many, many women, which is the source of evil.

  A few people sat in the cabin, waiting idly for the boat to start.

  Having received Chen Jing's order, someone soon brought over tea.

  Gu Ajiao looked at everything with fresh eyes, her bright and shiny eyes never stopping chattering in her ear.

  Li Miao was still like before, just sitting on a chair, with her head down thinking about something. As the daughter of an official family, she was indeed more dignified and noble in her behavior, except when dancing with knives or sticks. However, she didn't pay much attention to others, and it wasn't easy for people to get close to her heart.

  At the beginning of summer, she was bored and had nothing to do, so she kept thinking in her mind about how to communicate with Zhao Zun after the "embarrassment". She refused his arrangement for her to be a concubine last night, and he let her go. Why did he ask Chen Jing to find her again? And why did she come back this time? How would she explain it to him? And what about those people who thought she was dead when they saw her again?

  Especially after that drunken kiss, she couldn't pretend as before that he was just a buddy.

  If the heart is not at peace, then nowhere can one be at peace.

  She rubbed her face a few times, and she couldn't tell what kind of feeling was in her heart either.

  Yuè yù is coming from the post house at noon.

  Apart from herself, she also brought two little maidservants and specially sent them lunch. Her face still wore a gentle and warm smile, and she greeted them in a friendly manner, putting on the airs of a hostess. Polite yet formal, they seemed close but were actually all strangers.

  "Chu Qi, I want to talk to you about something."

  After arranging her meal, she still looked at Xia Chuqi with a desire to speak but hesitated.

  "Alright." Xia Chuqi deliberately looked careless and followed her to the cabin, sitting down beside her with a smile, "Sister Yue, nice to see you again. It's great, how have you been?"

  Yuè yù wǎn chún xiào le xiào, lā zhe tā de shǒu, yī shuāng yǎn jing lǐ quán shì xuè sī, kàn dé chū lái, tā zuó wǎn shàng yě méi yǒu shuì hǎo.

  "Last time the woodshed caught fire, it almost scared your sister to death. I didn't expect that you would be the first one to escape from the woodshed, what a blessing! Today, Father let your sister bring lunch over for you, and I'm so happy I don't know what to say. Ah, Chu Qi, you're a lucky person with a strong fate, after this, your good fortune will surely be deep and long-lasting."

  She withdrew her hand from his grasp, Xia Qi Qi uncomfortably shook it off, only smiling.

  "Thanks to Big Sister To's blessing. I'm just Xiao Qiang's fate."

  "What's Xiaoqiang's life?" Yuè Yù couldn't understand, but she saw Xiā Chū Qī smile and curve her lips, yet she didn't seem to want to explain. She smiled slightly again, "No wonder Grandpa said you're a different kind, just a little imp."

  "Stop for a moment," she said, "Chu Qi, at that time you were locked up in the woodshed by our grandfather, and sister couldn't take care of you either. You mustn't blame your sister, okay?"

  This sister's words made Xia Chuqi's heart flutter.

  What's with what?

  It's as if everyone is Zhao Yu's woman.

  She was very unhappy in her heart, but she had a big smile on her face.

  "Where can I? My two are more compatible, how can we be angry about such a small thing? Besides, even if I have anger in my heart to vent, I should be angry with him, one moment I caught the opportunity, I must beat him up good, what does Big Sister Yue think?"

  Yu'e's face stiffened, and her smile was somewhat forced. She lightly coughed, using her handkerchief to wipe her powdered face, although she tried her best to conceal it in front of Xia Chuiqi, a hint of sourness still slipped out in her tone.

  "Chu Qi, was it you in Biyue Pavilion last night?"

  Biyue Xuan? Isn't that where Zhao Zhuo lives?

  Xia Qiuli awkwardly smiled, originally wanting to deny it, but then heard Yueru say, "As soon as I got up today, I heard that the assassin was unstoppable, and would even use those smoke-emitting firearms. The guards didn't even get a glimpse of him. At that time, I guessed it must be you, Chu Qi, who had returned. It's great, as long as you're alive..."

  Yuè yù gǎn tàn zhe, qí shí hái yǒu gè shì méi yǒu shuō.

  Translation: Yuè was sighing, actually there is still something that hasn't been said.

  This morning, while serving her master washing his face and rinsing his mouth, she discovered the bite marks on his neck.

  As far as she knew, apart from Chu Qi, no one else dared to do such a thing.

  Recalling Zhao Zhuo's appearance on the couch last night, which was full of lust, made me even more certain.

  "Sister Moon, this matter..."

  Since things have been said to this extent, Xia Chuqi couldn't pretend to deny it anymore.

  Of course, if she could be even more shameless, she might say, "Sister Moon, when you came in last night, I originally wanted to greet you, but the time, place and people were all wrong. Especially seeing that you failed to seduce our master, I, Chu Qi, really didn't have the face to come out and reject you."

  But however

  Everyone is a woman, she can also see that this month's sister really likes Zhao Zhu, and it's not worth sprinkling salt on someone else's wound. So, she thought for a moment, just smiled and perfunctorily said.

  "Ah ah... back already..."

  She thought she was being low-key.

  What difference is there between being in the moon's eyes and boasting?

  She smiled, "I brought you here to say one more thing. Chu Qi, my words he won't listen to, but your words, he might still listen to a few sentences. He is the master, the prince, and will eventually marry a proper princess, advise him..."

  "Advise him to take in several more women?"

  Xia interrupted her circular talk on the seventh day of summer and curled up her mouth.

  "Big sister, you're probably mistaken. What status does Chu Qi have? If I said something like that, wouldn't it be offending Master's taboo? If Master takes a liking to a woman, he'll naturally let her serve him in bed. If he doesn't take a liking to a woman, what use is my saying anything? Ha! You overestimate me. If I could control who shares his bed, I'd rather go become the Matchmaker God instead of lingering here and being pretentious with you."

  This guy speaks very unkindly and doesn't give people any face.

  The words in his words made Moon Yu's face change color with a sneer.

  But in an instant, she regained her composure.

  "Chu Qi, I'm also doing this for your own good. A woman who is overly favored has never had a good ending since ancient times. The three obediences and four virtues are the fundamental duties of being a woman. If you monopolize the master's favor, that would be unfilial and treasonous, inviting heavenly punishment..."

  This remark struck Xia Chuyi's three views like a thunderbolt.

  She pulled her mouth several times before she managed to hold back from spitting out water and laughing.

  "Thanks for reminding me, Sister Yue, I'll be careful when things don't go well."

  Her nonchalant tone left Yu'er momentarily speechless.

  She was silent for a while, then she sighed helplessly and her eyes fell on her belly again.

  "Is our child still here?"

  Child?

  Yuè Yù didn't remind her, and by the beginning of summer, Qī had almost forgotten about it.

  Everyone said she was pregnant and had been burned to death, but she suddenly appeared again. It's easy for adults to say, but how can the children's affairs be rounded up? She thought for a moment, tilted her head and smiled.

  "What's wrong, Big Sister Moon?"

  "The child is on your body, what are you still... looking for a way to get rid of him?"

  Xia Zhong Qi doesn't like the word "fā zhuān" (going crazy). If she said it directly, she could still forgive her. But if she says Xia Zhong Qi is going crazy, then it's no wonder she has a sharp tongue.

  "Big sister, you really misunderstood me. I also said not to do it that way, but you don't know my husband's temper. When he gets excited, who can stop him? He's simply a born troublemaker for women, no light or heavy, I'm afraid of him. If it weren't for the little ancestor in my belly, who knows what kind of trouble he would cause? Luckily no one was killed, otherwise, I would have been driven to death by him."

  The person who was driven to death by anger is about to become a ghost.

  Her face turned pale, she stared at Xia Chuqi with great hatred.

  Even if your eyes are red, you can't help but hold back your face and choke it in your heart.

  ……

  ……

  The official ship left the dock at an untimely moment.

  In the midst of the loud trumpet sounds, the officials and common people who came to see him off knelt down on the ground, the Golden Guards escorted Zhao Zun onto the deck, under the gaze of thousands, his mood today seemed not bad, his face was not as cold as usual, and he even waved goodbye to the crowd.

  The water surface swayed for a while and then stabilized.

  On the seventh day of summer, looking at the river water, Zheng Er Bao came over with a bow before I could make out what was going on.

  "Master Chu, the young master has invited you."

  Although Xiaoyi had mentally prepared herself for July 7th, her heart still skipped a beat.

  We're going to meet again...

  She touched her mouth and followed Zheng Er Bao into another cabin.

  Judging from the luxurious decorations inside, she guessed that this was where Zhao Zhu lived.

  "Chu Xiao Lang, you wait here for now, Master will come after he finishes his bath."

  Zheng Er Bao left with a humble and obedient attitude, Xia Chu Qi walked to the carved flower lattice window, a gust of river wind blew, wanting to calm down her heart.

  But he got on the ship in broad daylight and ran to take a bath, how clean is that?

  She pouted and stared blankly at the waters outside.

  Not long after, the cabin door behind her was pushed open. A gust of cold wind mixed with the scent of bathing fragrance swept over, and that person seemed to be unafraid of the cold, with his robe loosely tied, his long hair wet, and a face that was difficult to read, handsome to the point where she could hardly keep her eyes open.

  "Come here and wipe Grandpa's hair."

  He narrowed his eyes and gave her a glance, ordering her bluntly.

  "Your Highness, the King of Jin, I am not your slave." Xia Chuyi muttered to herself, hugging her arms and turning her head away, leaning against the windowsill with her back. "Besides, I came aboard today to discuss something with you."

  "You're willing to get on the boat just to save some money, huh?"

  Zhao Zhuang carelessly glanced at her and hummed, then continued to say, "Also, let me remind you, the sale contract is still in my hands?"

  "...Isn't her name on the deed of sale?"

  It's possible, but it's not her fault, can't say anything?

  Looking at Zhao Zun's rigid and cold expression, Xia Chuyi's biggest doubt emerged in her mind - did he know or not know her true identity. Logically speaking, with his astuteness, it was impossible for him not to have any suspicions, and last time her peach wood mirror had been taken away by him for so long, since the mirror was Xia Chu's personal item, would he have gone to verify it?

  This possibility is very great.

  But since he didn't ask, she wouldn't say anything on her own initiative.

  Some things, the more clearly they are said, the more embarrassing they become. You have to make him admit that he is entangled with his own nephew's fiancée, isn't that a slap in the face? Besides, she also fundamentally believes that her family will no longer have any connection with Zhao Mianze.

  "You're just lazy."

  Zhao Zhu stuffed two large towels into her hands, pointed to her still dripping hair, and sat down in the chair like a master waiting for service. The simple action and tone were as ordinary as those between husband and wife in a small household, but it left Xia Chuyi stunned.

  He's right, she is lazy.

  She usually washed her own hair and waited for it to air dry, where did she have the leisure time to help others do this? But today before boarding the ship, she had made up her mind to have a good talk with him, thinking that it was better not to offend her employer for now.

  She was twisting a towel back and forth in her hands, feeling weak but suddenly having an unusual idea.

  "If only I had a hair dryer."

  "Blow dryer?" Zhao Zhu raised an eyebrow at her.

  "You won't understand even if I tell you."

  "How would I know if you don't say?"

  Looking at the river, Xia Qiuli sighed with a hint of melancholy, feeling that the quality of life in ancient times was really not as good as modern times. Even if Zhao Zun was a prince, it didn't matter, they didn't even have hair dryers, what a... bumpkin. As she thought this way, her sense of superiority returned, and she didn't notice at all that her hands and feet were heavy, causing Zhao Zun to sink his voice.

  "Did you murder your husband?"

  This remark almost choked Xia Chuyi to death, she stared wide-eyed.

  "What nonsense are you talking about? Who's being intimate with her husband?"

  He glanced at her, pursed his lips and didn't respond to her words. He stood up straight, snatched the scarf from her hand, tossed it onto a nearby rack, turned around and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  "What's on your mind?"

  Her face suddenly turned red, and she awkwardly flashed a smile. "Your Highness, I was just admiring my own strong will to live and fight. But this idea is quite profound, I suppose you wouldn't understand it either. Why don't I just speak plainly? Between us, there's no such close relationship that you should be so free with your hands and feet. Today, I came aboard not because I agreed to become your concubine, but because I really have some business to discuss with you. Of course, there is also the reason you mentioned, it can indeed save a large sum of silver... Hehehe..."

  "Getting anxious and talking too much again? Old habit acting up?"

  Zhao Zhu's eyes narrowed, his gaze fell on her face, with a warm and fuzzy atmosphere, using a sentence she had said before, making her heart feel like there was a cat's paw scratching. Itchy, numb, uncontrollable, and embarrassed.

  "This is indeed so... I'm surprised you still remember, Your Highness."

  He raised an eyebrow, as if he had discovered her unease in his presence, but he himself was very at ease as he leaned in close to her, put his arm around her and pulled her slightly closer, sighing, "Last night's affair, I shouldn't have, lost my composure."

  Is this his apology?

  Since it was like that last night, "it shouldn't be", "lost measure". Now he's making a fuss again. If they hug and hold each other now, it should be, not lost in measure. Or is it better to break the jar and make a mess?

  What logic is this!

  Xia Chui's eyes fluttered open, and she coughed heavily. Since she didn't want to take the path of becoming his concubine, she steeled herself and pushed away this tempting, fiery man.

  "Your Highness, Duke of Jin, I made it clear last night that it was just an accident and it's over. Can't we just drop it? We're all people of the jianghu, let's not be petty about such things. I came aboard today for a proper matter."

  "Qī." Zhao Zun lowered his head, attentively gazing at her for a moment, before slowly relaxing his furrowed brow, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile flitted across the corner of his lips. He then tightened his hold around her waist, pulling her close to his chest.

  "But don't you think being a concubine is too humiliating for you?"

  Summer begins on the seventh day of the first month, awkward struggle, "No."

  "Why is that?"

  Zhao's confusion was clearly written on his face, and Xia Chuqi also knew very well that it had nothing to do with whether she was a concubine or not, but rather the two people had different views on marriage. Her idea of "one life, one person" in this world, in front of a prince, was truly as Mo Yu said, a great blasphemy, damaging women's virtues. If she really said it, he would only think she was crazy.

  Some things can't be forced, she doesn't want to change him or influence him.

  Especially now, this is even less of a problem she needs to consider.

  She stood at the edge of the cabin for a long time, her body was so cold that she couldn't bear it. Now that she had fallen into a warm and cozy embrace like a furnace, she even lost some courage to struggle free. However, she still gritted her teeth and struggled out, raised her head and said seriously.

  "Your Highness, shall we make a deal?"

  "Trade?" Zhao Zun slightly raised an eyebrow, "I never trade with anyone."

  "Don't worry, Chu Qi won't make it difficult for Your Highness. Moreover, this transaction is beneficial to you in every way and harmless in any way. I'll still follow you, just in a different way. I can also rely on my own abilities to make a living, rather than relying on my looks or men."

  "What's your favorite color?" Zhao Zhu asked casually.

  "...if he doesn't hit people, will he die?"

  Her face suddenly fell, while Zhao's deep and unfathomable eyes floated up with a hint of evil intention. That beautiful and elegant appearance was all because of that evil intention, without danger, without coldness, as if it were just a joke between men and women.

  "Tell me about this deal, I'm all ears."

  Seeing him suddenly ask, Xia Chuyi pouted her mouth and no longer cared about his insults, with a straight face, she enunciated each word very clearly.

  "I wish to serve as a good doctor in the imperial palace's medical department. Firstly, I can attend to Your Highness' health personally, secondly, I can also earn a living, and thirdly, gain more freedom. What does Your Highness think?"

  "What's in it for you?"

  Indeed, he is someone who doesn't eat loss.

  But as long as there are benefits, it's a good thing to negotiate.

  "In the early summer, on the seventh day, she playfully licked her lips and said, 'The good thing is that you have a free little divine doctor to protect your body, which can extend your life by several years and save your life several times. Moreover, the divine machine campfire device modification that you've been thinking about in your heart, I will definitely make it take a qualitative leap. By the way, do you know about the smoke bomb I used last night? That was just something I casually made. With your funding and manpower support, the effect would be even more unimaginable. Wouldn't it be great to apply such firearms on the battlefield? It can greatly reduce the mortality rate of our soldiers, which is also a very good thing, isn't it? Think about it, last night, with that smoke bomb, I was able to enter your mansion as if no one was there.'"

  With a lukewarm glance, Zhao Zun didn't explain why it was "as if entering an uninhabited border", but instead said lightly, "The good doctors in the Wangfu Liangyi are all recommended by the Imperial Hospital and appointed by the Ministry of Officials. And don't you know about the medical officer system of our great Xia? You're just a small woman who isn't even recorded in the yellow register, how can you be a doctor?"

  "Xia Chuqi smiled at him and said, 'Your Highness will have a way, won't you?'"

  This rhetorical question completely had a look of having eaten it, but instead made Zhao Zun laugh.

  "You're so sure I'll agree?"

  "Can't you agree?" Xia Chuqi suddenly came to a realization, turned around and left, "Then I'll get off the boat now. Next time when you're bedridden with a high fever that won't subside, suffering from severe poisoning after being stabbed multiple times, and hovering on the edge of death, don't think of me, and don't regret it either."

  At this time, the official boat had already sailed to the middle of the river. Her casual words would naturally not be believed by anyone. And she was just casually saying it anyway. But as soon as she turned around, Zhao Zhu's arms stretched out from behind her head, locked at her waist, and hugged her tightly in his arms, with his head resting on her neck. The warm breath sprayed on her neck like fire.

  "Grandpa can agree, but you have to give grandpa benefits."

  On his back, the man's scorching chest made her heart flutter.

  Suddenly, she thought of that lingering kiss last night again, her body subconsciously tensed up, and she felt like all the hairs on her skin were standing on end, her face involuntarily flushing red once more.

  "Didn't I just mention enough benefits? What more benefits do you want?"

  He lowered his head and gently nipped at her neck, "What else can you give me?"

  This bite, a tease, Xia Qi's seventh didn't understand his meaning, but thinking about it, she immediately raised her voice, "Don't even think about it, I'm only 15 years old, how can I?"

  Zhao Zhuo let out a low hum, turned her body around to face him, and with a serious expression, he leaned in close to her, "What do you think I'm referring to? What are you thinking?"

  "......" Is it really just her imagination?

  He scornfully narrowed his eyes and snorted, "A skeleton with a crippled hand, what use are you to me?"

  "Who allowed you to touch me?"

  "The little dove needs to be raised again."

  "Humph, you've eaten the chicken but still complain that it's stuck in your teeth?"

  Such hurtful words to a man's self-esteem, Xia Chuyi was furious. But today Zhao Zhu's temper was unexpectedly good, no matter how she yelled, he just looked at her calmly and let her vent. After a while, when she was tired of yelling, he pulled her over to lean against the window, looking out at the continuous mountains and rivers outside, and sighed slowly.

  "Why don't you want to follow me? Do you know how many girls wish they could but can't?"

  Raise the price tag? Xia Chiyi glanced at him and said, "Can't you just be a doctor?"

  "It won't work."

  He answered with absolute certainty.

  She fell silent for a moment, and Xia Chuqi also felt that there was no basis to ask the cow to produce milk without giving it grass. Men are like this, they just want one thing, since he doesn't mind her flaws and has taken a liking to her, what he wants is her as a person, not something else.

  So...

  "But you also said I'm still young and need to be taken care of?"

  She asked suddenly, and he replied along with her words, "How long does it take to raise?"

  With her elbow on the windowsill, Xia Qiuzi gazed at the inverted reflection of the sail in the water and replied slowly, "Three years. Your Highness, let's make a three-year pact. During these three years, Chu Qiuzi will be your imperial physician. If after three years, you still haven't taken a formal wife or concubine, I'll willingly follow you, regardless of status. But from then on, you can't have any other women. Otherwise, I'm free to come and go as I please, okay?"

  Zhao Zun tilted his head and stared at her, his eyes as deep as inkstones.

  In his eyes, there was scrutiny, astonishment, and incredulity. He seemed to have never thought that a small woman like her would dare to propose such conditions to him, and also seemed to be stunned by her shocking and unconventional words.

  Xia Ziyu smiled on the seventh day of summer.

  He must think he's Joe DiMaggio?

  After some thought, she changed her approach.

  "I'm not trying to interfere with your private life, Your Highness. In fact, within the three-year period of this cultivation plan, you can marry and have children at any time, or find other women - these are all your personal matters, which have nothing to do with me. And I, regardless of whether you find other women or not, will definitely do my best to help you as previously stated. However, if you have a woman, you must not force me to be your concubine again, how about that?"

  Zhao Zhuang was twenty-four years old, and she thought that at this "not young" age, in fact, he should be vigorous and ambitious. Let him not take a formal wife for three years, no concubine, and not even a servant girl, the possibility is small, not much higher than a rooster laying eggs.

  Of course, if he still doesn't have it after three years, then she'll follow him and that will be a perfect ending. If he does get it, then at that time they can just become strangers or friends without any emotional entanglements. But during these three years, if she becomes the imperial physician of the Jin Wang Fu, first, her status will make it convenient for her to move around, second, it's also a place where she can settle down and establish herself, third, the protection of the Jin Wang Ye is big enough to shield her from wind and rain.

  Of course, she would never admit it, but deep down, she was willing to choose him as her protective umbrella, and also because she wanted to stay by his side.

  She finished speaking.

  But Zhao Zun did not speak for a long time.

  He simply looked at her, just as she was waiting for what felt like an eternity, thinking he wouldn't agree and was about to come up with another reason to persuade him. But then he suddenly reached out his hand and pinched her cheek, saying two words in a light tone.

  "Okay."

  Too kind!

  If it weren't for this ship not being very similar to the Titanic, Xia Qi would really want to excitedly grab him and pose in a classic Titanic style to celebrate her soon-to-be promotion as a great doctor of the Da Yan dynasty.

  "But I have one condition."

  Probably because her mood was too good, Xia didn't notice anything off about his gaze until July 7th.

  "Oh, so you say..."

  She looked at him, and as soon as the words left her mouth, he lowered his head, covering her mouth with his, his tongue following closely behind to roughly pry open her lips. A wolfish kiss full of aggression, without a shred of politeness, wrapped around her, letting loose without restraint.

  Are you addicted to it again?

  It seems that this kind of thing can be addictive.

  No wonder people used to say that when men and women are in love, once they hold hands, the next time they'll kiss, and the next time they'll end up in bed. And men are all the same, when they haven't had a taste of it yet, they're as serious as a gentleman. But once they've had a try, they get more and more comfortable with each passing day.

  "Chu Qi." He pressed her into his arms, holding the back of her head up, not giving her any chance to retreat. The feeling was as if he wanted to prove how good his kissing technique was, and he kept kissing her until she couldn't breathe, before finally letting go of her and asking in a hoarse voice, "How is it?"

  "What's going on?" Xia Chuiqi panted inexplicably.

  "Didn't you say last night that your father wouldn't?"

  “……”

  Xia Qi's heart skipped a beat, and she rolled her eyes at this guy's logic, feeling a bit helpless. "Your Highness, do I need to remind you? You said earlier that you had conditions, not that we should continue with that topic?"

  "Conditions are just like this." Zhao Zun seemed to enjoy this game a bit, "Having become the imperial physician of the Wang Fu, I also cannot hinder you, Your Majesty."

  His gaze solidified, Xia Qi finally understood.

  It doesn't matter which way you calculate it, as long as the result is the same, right?

  "Ha! So you mean I should use the imperial court's salary to do your personal chores?"

  The word "salary" seemed to be beyond Zhao's understanding, and he furrowed his brow, possibly guessing something close to the truth. He then narrowed his deep-set eyes and patted her head gently.

  "With grandpa by your side, you'll be safe and sound."

  Xia Qi's head spun and she suddenly stiffened.

  His emotions were still as unpredictable as ever.

  But she suddenly felt that he seemed to know everything.

  Otherwise, how can we ensure her happiness?

  "What else to consider?" He pinched her face, "To be honest, with your picky conditions for a partner, apart from me, who in the world can satisfy you? If you don't follow me, can you even get married?"

  "What are your conditions for choosing a partner?" She was dazed and didn't react for a moment.

  "Coarse appearance but rich inside."

  "Cough! Cough! Cough!"

  Almost choked on my own saliva on the seventh day of summer.

  At first, the things she made up on the sales contract were just because she had no emotional entanglement with this man, and it didn't matter what she said. She didn't even take herself as a woman seriously. But now that the words written on paper are spoken from his mouth, it's embarrassing.

  "Just joking, just kidding, don't take it seriously."

  Her face flushed with a stiff smile, but Zhao Zun's face suddenly fell.

  "Chu Qi, this is an opportunity given by your grandfather."

  In his heart "thud" down, Xia Chui seven silent.

  She more or less understood his temperament. Even if he was in a good mood today, he was still the cold-faced Yan Wang Zhao Zun. The indulgence he had just given her was already enough in his opinion, and if she continued to nag, now that they were under the same roof, she would only end up losing out.

  Isn't he just going to kiss her? Fine, anyway she won't be at a loss.

  She smiled, tugging at her lips. "Alright, I agree. But there must be preconditions. You can't have any other women, and if you do, you're not allowed to touch me again. Also, during our three-year agreement, you're not allowed to cheat me out of my money. If you do, even if it kills me, I'll fight with you to the end."

  Zhao Zhen's eyes fluttered, and he pulled her into his arms. "You really are a master who would rather die than part with your wealth."

  She let him hold her, and Xia Qiuzi curled up in his arms, only to find that she could almost bury her head in his armpit. She couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Especially since she was used to being a tomboy, she wasn't quite comfortable with being so close to a man. For a moment, her face felt hot and flushed, and the uneasy feeling was like ants crawling on her skin, making it itch and tingle. It made her voice even softer.

  "That's it, I'm a respectable family's daughter, and you've bullied me like this. In the future, there'll be no place to reason with you. Apart from money, what else can we get? If in the end, we don't even have money, won't that be a huge loss?"

  Zhao Zun narrowed his eyes slightly and stared at her for a moment, "Alright, have it your way."

  At the beginning of summer, he was delighted in his heart and didn't think that this fellow would be so easy to talk to. He couldn't help but whisper again, wanting to strive for greater benefits.

  "Give me a kiss, and I'll give you ten taels, how about it?"

  Zhao Zun furrowed his brow and considered for a moment, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.

  "Ten ounces, seems a bit less."

  As soon as he said this, Xia Chuyi's eyes sparkled, "Then how much would you say is suitable?"

  His fingers slid across her lower back, and Zhao Zhu's eyebrows furrowed together.

  "Alright then, ten taels it is. But although you only want to pay ten taels, I cannot lower my price too much. How about this: I'll take into account that you don't have much silver, and each time I'll just collect twenty taels from you?"

  He suddenly pushed him away, Xia Chuqi raised an eyebrow, "You said you'd kiss me, and then ask me for money?"

  He naturally patted her face, Zhao Zhuo calmly hugged her over and twisted her head to face the rushing river water below, very kindly explaining with a hint of mischief.

  "Let's compare, who is more valuable, you or me? If I kiss you, I'll give you 10 taels. If you kiss me, I'll give you 20 taels. That means every time we kiss, you only need to pay me 10 taels. Isn't that a good deal?"

  It doesn't count for shit!

  "Zhao Zhu, your grandfather's gone mad with poverty?" Xia Chuqi struggled in his arms, punching and kicking him. It felt like a martial arts master going out into the world for the first time, not even having cut down anyone yet, but instantly being disabled by someone, rendering him speechless to the extreme.

  The two of them made a big fuss for a while, and Xia Chuqi was so angry that she cursed and scolded until her mouth was numb from the cold wind. After a fit of coughing, he finally hugged her and patted her back gently with his palm.

  "Alright, alright, stop making trouble."

  "Who loves trouble... Cough, cough... I'm so angry..."

  "Chu Qi." He called out faintly, his tone suddenly becoming solemn.

  With a snort, Xia Qi Qi glared at him with all her might.

  "What's wrong? Don't mention silver to me again..."

  Zhao Zhu looked at her, his palm originally placed on her back slowly moved over and gently covered her lower abdomen, lazily asking.

  "A three-year agreement. But what about the little ancestor in your belly now?"

  Digression

  13700 words for monthly tickets! Emma, some girls say I don't understand how to be reserved and attract people's annoyance, but I think this is a realistic society, what's the point of pretending? No need. The more monthly tickets, the greater my motivation, right? Hehe, everyone come and support me... Of course, without monthly tickets, as long as it's an authentic version, all girls are loved by Erjin. But there are some who watch pirated versions every day and still come to the comments section to criticize, really hurts my heart, can only be deleted, sorry...

  Er Jin (interview): I said Nineteenth Master, you're also too short of silver, right? But isn't the expenditure of the Jin Wang Fu a problem?

  Nineteen (expressionless): What I lack is not money, but loneliness.

  The seventh ( rolling her eyes ): Are you sure that what you want isn't a woman, but silver?

  Nineteen (coolly looking at her): It's settled then, you've definitely lost...

  Dear [Qing Lan 00], congratulations on becoming a jinshi (a high-ranking scholar-official), muah, love you.