"Don't you even know not to look at what is improper? Truly a bunch of beasts in fine clothes. If you don't want your eyes, I'll dig them out and use them for a drink!"
Xiao Shan stood imposingly, his chest beneath his clothes swelling with immense power, his voice as sharp as a blade. He was like a lion, like a tiger, his dark eyes cold and piercing, defending his territory.
How could these frail scholars withstand such a presence? They were so terrified that their faces turned ashen, and they could no longer maintain their pretense.
Liu Donghuai now realized how merciful and gentle Xiao Shan had been to him in the past.
"Brother Donghuai, here's 400 wen. Add the 120 wen from last time, and we're settled!" Wu Dafa took out the money and stuffed it into Liu Donghuai's hand. Without bothering with anyone else, he was the first to run off.
The remaining few, flustered and panicked, also paid their money. They didn't even dare to look at Xue Niang and Xiao Shan again, lowering their heads and slipping away.
"They really are bullies who pick on the weak. Ashan, you were truly magnificent just now!"
A true man, a real man, so full of spirit!
Xue Niang looked at Xiao Shan with stars in her eyes. Was this the aura of a divine martial general? It seemed he had held back when facing the villagers before. No wonder he could repeatedly repel the Turks. Even without leading troops, just standing there could intimidate the enemy by a third.
Xiao Shan hadn't expected his outburst of anger to not scare his own woman, but instead earn her praise. Her voice was filled with undisguised joy, her flushed face alight with admiration, and sunlight seemed to dance around her. Xiao Shan felt a sense of clarity and comfort throughout his body. What could be more pleasing than the admiration of his own woman? The corners of his mouth couldn't stop lifting, growing wider and wider, revealing a row of white teeth. He couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her soft, plump cheek.
Liu Donghuai quickly lowered his head, his face as red as a shrimp.
"Don't laugh, you silly goose."
His cold, stern image shattered. He looked so simple when he smiled. Xue Niang slapped his hand away, pouting. Xiao Shan's face fell. Women were truly fickle.
Liu Donghuai was at a loss with the way this couple interacted. Fearing they might do something more, he quickly spoke up, "Why don't we go inside the shop to sit for a while?" If they went inside, he wouldn't have to worry about people on the street seeing anything. Being outside was truly… improper.
"Okay! Let me see what things you sell in your shop!"
Xue Niang entered the shop. Xiao Shan was in a good mood, and Liu Donghuai seemed much more agreeable. He followed closely behind her.
"If you still wish to take the imperial examinations, prepare yourself. You can be recommended by the county magistrate."
Xiao Shan's gaze followed Xue Niang's figure as he spoke casually. Liu Donghuai's entire body trembled. He thought he had misheard, but seeing Xiao Shan leisurely holding a pile of cloth, tall and straight, without any loss of his imposing presence, and recalling his fierce pressure just moments ago, as well as the magistrate's relationship with him, his heart couldn't help but race. He vaguely sensed something.
"Thank you, Xiao, elder brother."
Xue Niang looked back, seeing Liu Donghuai standing with a serious expression, his hands hanging by his sides, respectfully before the tall and strong Xiao Shan, like a subordinate receiving orders. She couldn't help but chuckle.
"Liu Donghuai, you are the only scholar in our Bozi Village. Everyone is waiting for you to achieve success! Come back to Bozi Village when you have time. The village chief has been worrying a lot about you."
Xiao Shan raised an eyebrow. "Our Bozi Village?"
"Yes, I will return when I have time. That is my root." He would certainly not forget the villagers. If he ever achieved success, he would definitely return to benefit his fellow villagers. He still remembered how enthusiastically the villagers had celebrated the day he passed the scholar examination, bringing gifts and treating it like a joyous occasion.
When his father was imprisoned for his misdeeds, his classmates had all distanced themselves, even kicking him while he was down. Even his tutor, who had always admired him, treated him coldly. Only the villagers, besides expressing pity, had not lost their enthusiasm for him, nor had they mocked or oppressed him. Especially Uncle Village Chief, who had been actively inquiring about ways for him to retake the imperial examinations. These kindnesses, he would never forget.
"Thank you, Brother Xiao, Sister Xiao." His father had committed such a grave mistake, and his mother had almost strangled him, yet they did not hold grudges and were still helping him so much. He didn't know how to repay them.
Hearing his sincere tone, like that of a well-behaved student, Xue Niang couldn't help but find it amusing. She picked out a few items, including a longer rolling pin. Their home only had a short one, which was not sufficient.
"Why buy this?" Xiao Shan asked. Didn't they have one at home already?
"From now on, I won't need to use a fire poker to spank you. I'll use this!" Xue Niang said, testing it a few times on his backside.
Xiao Shan: "..."
Liu Donghuai: "..."
Seeing that Xiao Shan's expression remained unchanged, with a doting smile flickering in his eyes, Liu Donghuai secretly cursed his past blindness. He had actually thought Sister Xiao was being bullied. This was clearly marital affection, and they were just playing around! No wonder she was always being kicked by Xiao Shan. Serves her right!
Liu Donghuai didn't want to accept the money, but Xiao Shan simply threw it onto the table and considered it done.
"Liu Donghuai, you're really not cut out for business. You should stick to studying!" Xue Niang giggled, tugging on Xiao Shan's sleeve as they left the shop. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Liu Donghuai watched their retreating backs. The man was robust and tall, carrying a pile of things, walking at a leisurely pace. The woman was slender and delicate, holding onto his sleeve with one hand, looking sideways at small items on street stalls, occasionally stopping to examine them. The man's gaze never left the woman, and his body shielded her securely, guarding against any collisions. A loving couple, indeed. He thought of his new wife waiting at home with his mother and smiled. He then quickly walked to a stall opposite them and picked out a velvet flower. Perhaps tonight would be his wedding night.
After Xiao Shan and Xue Niang finished their shopping, Xue Niang was tired. They found a carriage and were about to head back when they saw a constable running towards them.
"Brave warrior Xiao, I was just about to head to your home, but I didn't expect to meet you here."
Xiao Shan understood. He guessed the news from the west had arrived. Indeed, the constable said, "We've received news from the west. There was no earthquake there."
Xiao Shan looked at Xue Niang. "Did you hear that?" It was just her wild imagining, a dream. Of course, she heard! It was best that nothing happened. Xue Niang herself breathed a sigh of relief.
"Brave warrior Xiao, the magistrate has led his men to clear out bandits. Recently, many refugees and bandits have entered Donglin. The magistrate asked me to inform you to be careful."
Xiao Shan nodded. The constable bid them farewell and returned to the yamen. The world was becoming increasingly chaotic. The Second Prince had suffered a defeat, and the border was in peril. Due to the widespread conscription, many regions had revolted. Fortunately, Yuan Bufei had kept things under control here, preventing widespread public outrage. However, the number of conscripted soldiers was far from sufficient. Who knew how long this could last?
"Ashan, this world, will it get better?" Xue Niang asked, suppressing her unease, her eyes filled with hope, anxiety, and a touch of bewilderment.
Xiao Shan smiled and squeezed her hand firmly, saying, "It will get better." It was merely the cycle of history. Where there was war, there was resistance. Where there was resistance, there was rebirth. It was just that there would be more bloodshed.