Chapter 1 Pushing Open the Door

Pushing open the door to the neighboring house, Zheng Fan saw Jian Bi squatting there, planting vegetables.

The house's courtyard, while not as large as a mansion, was, after all, next to the Earl's manor. It had a section of wall around it, and rather than paving it all with bricks or stone slabs, they'd wisely set aside a patch to grow some vegetables, a testament to their ability to live frugally.

At the same time, there was now a chicken coop, where three chickens strutted around, heads held high, patrolling with firm steps.

As for the Sword Saint,

He was sitting on a stool in the middle of the yard, whittling wooden swords. Beside his stool lay more than a dozen roughly shaped wooden swords. These were just the basic forms; he'd later have to carefully carve patterns on them. There were also some strips of fine cloth nearby, clearly for making tassels.

"This is?"

The Sword Saint looked up, glanced at Zheng Fan, and said,

"Da Hu can take them to the school to sell. They aren't expensive, but they can help with household expenses."

"Oh."

Lord Zheng surveyed the surroundings, not seeing a second stool. He immediately walked behind Jian Bi, raised his foot, and gave her a light kick.

"Bring me a stool."

Jian Bi was squatting there planting vegetables, never expecting Lord Zheng to actually kick her. She went "plop" and knelt in the dirt.

But she didn't say anything, got up, brushed the dirt off her knees, went inside, and brought a stool for Lord Zheng, placing it in front of him.

Then,

She squatted down again, ready to go back to planting vegetables.

The stool was a bit high. Lord Zheng turned the stool sideways and sat down, putting him more or less "on par" with the Sword Saint.

"Tea."

Jian Bi rolled her eyes, but still got up, took a large bowl, poured some hot water into it, and handed it to Zheng Fan.

This time, she didn't rush back to planting vegetables but stood nearby.

Lord Zheng took a sip of the water and said,

"Snacks."

"There aren't any at home," Jian Bi replied.

"Go buy some."

"No money."

"Just say I want to eat them."

"Okay, but I'm going to take a bit more."

All the shops in Snow Sea Pass were properties of the Earl's manor. If Lord Zheng wanted to eat something, there was no reason to pay.

"Alright."

Jian Bi walked to the water tank near the door, rinsed her hands with half a ladle of water, wiped them clean, tucked them into her pockets, and swaggered out.

The Sword Saint, from beginning to end, patiently carved the wooden sword.

Lord Zheng asked, "Where's Da Hu?"

"At the school."

"And your wife?"

"At the workshop."

"And your mother?"

"Sweeping the streets in the back alley."

After answering,

The Sword Saint looked up curiously, then his face showed understanding. He said, "Oh, this time you didn't have someone inquire beforehand."

In the past, Lord Zheng would always visit when the Sword Saint's family wasn't home.

"Just felt like coming."

He'd originally thought that Shatuo Queshi had awakened, but it was a false alarm. Disappointed, Lord Zheng had come to the Sword Saint's place.

"I heard you kidnapped a princess back in Chu?"

"Yeah, I'll bring her tomorrow to meet you."

The Sword Saint shook his head and said, "No, I can't afford a greeting gift."

"Are we being distant?"

"Are we close?"

"With whom?"

"With her."

"That's more like it. Actually, a small gift with heartfelt meaning is fine. She doesn't care about anything precious, after all, what hasn't she seen since she was little?

I think a wooden sword will do."

"Alright, I'll carve a female sword just for her."

"Swords have genders?"

"Isn't it all just what people assign?"

"True."

"How did you feel in Chu?"

"Not good."

"Didn't you come back perfectly fine?"

"Very dangerous."

"Are you afraid of danger?" Before Zheng Fan could answer, the Sword Saint nodded and said, "Indeed, one would be afraid."

"That's right."

"But you came back safe and sound, without any broken arms or legs."

"Ah, there's no choice. When I think about all the soldiers and civilians in Snow Sea Pass relying on me to live, I'm not worried about myself, but for their sake, I have to learn to cherish myself."

The Sword Saint chuckled and said,

"So, that was the setup."

"Is there a problem with what I said?"

"No problem, but it's also very shameless."

"How so?"

"Are you saying that without you, Snow Sea Pass can't survive?"

"That's right."

"Without you, the wildlings would invade again?"

"Obviously."

"Without you, my little family would be gone?"

"At least, it wouldn't be as enjoyable as it is now, right?"

"Zheng Fan."

"Yeah."

"Do you know what I used to hate the most?"

"Tell me."

"It's those emperors and high officials who think they're the Son of Heaven, tied to the fate of the nation, or some official of the court. They're clearly afraid of dying, but they have to find this kind of excuse for themselves.

But in this world, who leaves, the sun will still rise from the east tomorrow."

"But the sun doesn't eat, drink, have sickness, pain, hatred, or love."

The Sword Saint opened his mouth, seemingly unable to refute,

Finally,

He could only shake his head and sigh:

"I understood a long time ago, I only know how to use a sword, I can't beat you with words."

"I'm afraid of death."

"You said it."

"But when I'm fighting, I'm not afraid, because on the battlefield, I'm not lacking in soldiers who are loyal to me."

"Yeah."

"But what I fear most is walking alone on the road, and suddenly a master pops out, and then, I'm dead.

Lao Yu ah."

"Yeah?"

"I, Zheng Fan, can be considered a figure now, right?"

The Sword Saint nodded and said,

"You count."

"For a figure like me, it would be fine if I died on the battlefield, I'm confident I can die gloriously, but if I'm knocked to death with a club on a night walk, that would be too depressing."

"You mean, I should give you a sword now to ensure you don't die in vain?"

"You know that's not what I mean."

"I know what you mean."

"Then why are you beating around the bush with me?"

The Sword Saint put down the carving knife in his hand and patted his legs, saying,

"I'm a cripple now."

"That doesn't matter. A skinny camel is bigger than a horse. If you're by my side, we don't even have to make a move, we can scare them to death just by our presence."

"But what if we really have to make a move?"

"There aren't that many what-ifs."

"If there really is a what-if, and the villains come up, wouldn't that be changing from you dying a depressing death to both of us dying a depressing death?"

Saying that,

The Sword Saint looked at Zheng Fan seriously and asked solemnly:

"I, Yu Huaping, am also considered a figure, right?"

"Hey!"

"Tell me, if I died in the hands of an unknown rogue of the martial world, wouldn't it be very depressing?"

"Tsk."

The Sword Saint continued to carve the wooden sword, and Zheng Fan sat there, slowly drinking the water in the bowl.

Jian Bi returned, carrying large and small packages of various snacks that were half a head taller than her.

"This is Da Hu's favorite with meat floss, this is Shiniang's (martial aunt, referring to Sword Saint's wife) favorite with almonds, this is Ap婆 (Grandma) 's favorite peach酥 (shortbread)………"

The Sword Saint stopped the work in his hands,

Watching Jian Bi sort the snacks piece by piece and then send them into the room.

Zheng Fan also finished drinking the water and put the bowl aside.

He stood up,

Preparing to leave.

The Sword Saint said:

"Next time you have to go out, I'll accompany you."

Zheng Fan, who had just stood up,

Sat back down,

And shouted:

"Refill!"

"Coming!"

Jian Bi wiped her sweat, ran over, picked up the bowl, and went to refill it.

Soon, she came over with a bowl in one hand and a piece of sachima in the other, handed the bowl to Zheng Fan, and then took a big bite of the sachima herself.

"This stuff, leave it for a while, and when it's tough or soft, it's even better," Zheng Fan suggested.

Jian Bi glared at Zheng Fan and said:

"Wasting things."

"Fine."

Jian Bi hummed a little tune while eating the sachima, and with the other hand holding a small shovel, happily squatted down and continued planting vegetables.

And at this moment,

There was a knock on the door.

What was most annoying was that,

The person stood outside the house, knocked on the door, the door wasn't closed, but he didn't take the initiative to push the door open and come in.

Jian Bi angrily put down the small shovel, got up, and ran to open the door.

Her first glance fell on the sword of the person who came, the second glance fell on the legs of the person, and the third glance fell on the chicken and duck that the person was carrying.

The person,

Surname Chen, named Daxia (Great Hero).

It could be said that Chen Daxia helped a lot with Zheng Fan's trip to Chu this time.

But Chen Daxia still happily and normally followed Si Niang's team all the way to Snow Sea Pass, without any hesitation or sadness.

There were three reasons,

First, that was Chu;

Second, he did help Yao Shi deliver the letter;

Third, he owed Zheng Fan.

Chen Daxia's world was always so direct and straightforward, with a simple atmosphere.

For example,

Now he came to visit the Sword Saint, actually carrying a chicken in his left hand and a duck in his right.

Jian Bi motioned for Chen Daxia to come in,

Zheng Fan pointed at Chen Daxia and said:

"Look, this is Chen Daxia, whom I just praised to you!"

The Sword Saint just looked up and glanced at Chen Daxia, without saying anything.

Jian Bi saw Chen Daxia's thoughts at a glance, poked her mouth, and said: "Put it down."

"Okay."

Chen Daxia put down the chickens and ducks. Soon, the chicken took the initiative to merge into the chickens raised in the Sword Saint's yard. Then, a group of chickens began to chase the only duck.

Jian Bi pointed to the water tank next to the door and said: "No water."

"Okay."

Chen Daxia didn't say a word, picked up the bucket and went out to fetch water.

After Chen Daxia went out, Jian Bi said to the Sword Saint:

"Master, I think that person is very powerful."

The Sword Saint nodded and said: "Just a little silly."

Zheng Fan immediately corrected: "This is called pure."

The Sword Saint responded and said, "Yes, purely silly."

"Lao Yu ah, teach what we can teach, you don't want your skills to be lost, do you?"

Jian Bi, who was about to squat down to plant vegetables again, heard the words, became unhappy, and shouted:

"Lord, don't you have me!"

"You are going to marry someone."

"………” Jian Bi.

"Lao Yu ah………”

The Sword Saint sighed and said: "I can teach."

Zheng Fan smiled.

"Then I won't accompany you out."

"Well, Chen Daxia has a very good understanding. I think every sword is a unique existence in the world. He should find and walk his own path."

Jian Bi stuck out her tongue and started digging with a small shovel.

"Okay, you continue to be busy, I'm going back to rest first. I haven't had a good sleep since I came back, it's still comfortable to sleep at home."

Zheng Fan got up,

The Sword Saint was still carving wooden swords, and Jian Bi was still planting vegetables;

Walking the same way as when he came,

No one welcomed him and no one sent him off,

But looking at the Sword Saint sitting here, Zheng Fan felt at ease.

When Zheng Fan left,

Jian Bi said while shoveling soil:

"Master, are you really going to be his guard next time?"

The Sword Saint nodded and said:

"He can't die."

"Why?"

"If something happens to him, how can my apprentice kill him for revenge when he is eighteen?"

……

Zheng Fan returned to the mansion, went straight to the backyard, and then turned a corner to Tiantian's residence.

Tiantian was sitting on the blue stone slab at this time, basking in the sun and playing with Mowan (Demon Pill).

Seeing Zheng Fan coming, Tiantian obviously became excited, supported the ground with both hands, stood up with some difficulty, and then walked towards Zheng Fan in a swaying manner.

Zheng Fan bent down and picked up his godson.

"Yo, heavier."

"Giggle……"

"Why are you wearing so many clothes."

Zheng Fan took off one piece for him.

After playing with Tiantian for a while, Zheng Fan went to the ice cellar again. Liang Cheng was in the ice cellar at this time, watering A Ming's blood with a watering can.

Zheng Fan leaned against the entrance of the ice cellar, admiring the scene.

Liang Cheng put down the watering can and said: "Lord, don't worry, A Ming's condition is improving."

"No, I think the picture in front of me is very beautiful. It's a pity that the paint is not easy to dissolve here, otherwise I really want to paint a picture here."

"Painting?"

"Well, there is a word that I think is very suitable to describe the current situation."

"Lord, what word?"

"Ice love."

Liang Cheng frowned, then smiled. Yes, it was simply too appropriate.

"Lord, I will report to you about the military training after dinner. It just so happens that Blind man also has something to report. It's too cold here, Lord, you should go up."

"It's okay, I just need to cool down."

Zheng Fan sat down on a piece of ice next to him. The fire that was aroused by Liu Ruqing when he was taking a bath earlier was forcibly interrupted by Shatuo Queshi's sudden movement.

Now that he returned to the mansion, Liu Ruqing's shy appearance began to appear in his mind again, and an unknown fire began to rise again.

This was actually very normal, because in this life of practicing martial arts, Zheng Fan, as a sixth-rank martial artist, was much better than ordinary people. In the past, he also had Si Niang's needlework to accompany him, and from the day of the wedding until his return, Zheng Fan had not tasted meat for a long time.

Freeze it first, slow it down first, and it will be better when you shiver from the cold.

Thinking that he was a dignified Earl of Pingye, and he had to rely on this method to "cool down", it was estimated that no one would believe it if he said it.

……

"He didn't touch you?"

"Ah, sister, no."

"No, I mean, didn't let you help with needlework or something?"

"On the road to escape, how can there be time to mend clothes."

Si Niang heard this answer, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.

It was really difficult for the Lord.

And at this time,

In the bedroom,

Si Niang was sitting in the first seat. Although the dark wounds on her body had not healed, she still looked charming. This was a woman who remained beautiful at all times.

Xiong Liqing sat beside Si Niang. From the moment this princess saw Si Niang, she had straightened her position and did not try to raise herself with her identity as a princess.

Below,

A woman was kneeling, it was Liu Ruqing.

It's just that she was not kneeling on the floor tiles, but kneeling on a futon.

In a normal family, a concubine is in this position.

But it was not Si Niang who asked her to do this, but she insisted on it herself.

Leaving the Fan family and coming to the Pingye Earl's mansion, Liu Ruqing appeared very inferior.

She was already a widow, and she had left the protection of the Fan family. Now, she was equivalent to becoming Lord Pingye's concubine. Now, even the princess of Chu could only sit in the second seat, recognizing herself as a sister in front of that beautiful woman, so what about her?

What capital did she, Liu Ruqing, have?

Si Niang said: "Come, you, raise your head and let me see again."

Liu Ruqing raised her head when she heard the words.

Si Niang looked carefully and then looked at the princess on the side and said: "What do you think?"

The princess sighed, "All more beautiful than me."

Si Niang shook her head and said: "But the feeling when you call this palace is unique."

Xiong Liqing was still a little confused and couldn't understand the meaning for a while.

Liu Ruqing's face, on the other hand, became delicate and red again.

"Tsk tsk tsk, she really is a beauty." Si Niang praised, "Born graceful and slender, with a gentle and peaceful temperament."

Liu Ruqing lowered her head and said:

"Sister is the most beautiful."

Si Niang smiled slightly and said: "Get up, don't let the Lord come back and see this scene, thinking we are bullying you."

"In front of the two sisters, how can this servant have a seat."

Si Niang heard the words and said:

"Then you sincerely want the Lord to see this scene?"

"This servant dare not, this servant dare not."

Liu Ruqing immediately stood up, walked to the chair next to her, and sat down slowly, only touching a little bit of the chair. This posture looked like a green willow on the river bank, with its roots in the ground and its body on the river.

"Where do you live now?" Si Niang asked.

"Side room."

Si Niang shook her head and said: "You can't be wronged. Later, I will let Xiao Yibo arrange a separate courtyard for you. You can arrange the furnishings, flowers and plants in the courtyard as you like, but the servants and maids must come from me.

It's not that I want to find someone to watch you, but for the safety of the mansion."

"This servant dare not, this servant is a broken willow body, and it is already a great gratitude to be able to find a place in the mansion, how dare you expect anything else."

"Broken willow body? This is your bonus item."

"What do you mean, sister?" Xiong Liqing asked.

She lived in the palace, and of course she could hear some stories from various countries, but how could anyone dare to tell the princess about such romantic things?

"It's better not to know." Si Niang didn't intend to explain to the princess, it's okay for others to throw pots on the Lord's head, but there's no need for her own people to do this.

"Arrange the courtyard according to your ideas, and arrange it elegantly, so that the Lord will have a place to relax in the future."

"Yes, this servant knows."

"Think more openly, women can have a little melancholy on their bodies, it's good, it can be more charming, but if you think too much, it will easily damage your body. Don't worry, no one will bully you here, we don't have the leisure to intrigue or anything, and let outsiders laugh at us for nothing."

"Yes."

"You go down."

"Yes, sister."

Liu Ruqing got up, saluted respectfully and then retired.

"Sister, you should also choose a courtyard, the same way, arrange it according to your requirements."

"Okay, sister, sister is leaving."

Only Si Niang was left in the room.

And at this time,

Zheng Fan walked in while panting.

Seeing Zheng Fan with water droplets on his head, Si Niang immediately got up to get a towel.

"You have injuries on your body, don't move, I'll do it myself."

Zheng Fan took a towel himself and wiped his face and hair.

Si Niang sat down, looking at Zheng Fan with a half-smile.

When Zheng Fan finished wiping and went to pick up the tea that someone didn't know who had drank half of and sent it to his mouth, Si Niang said:

"Although the princess is not a peerless beauty, she can still do needlework, right?"

Zheng Fan put down the teacup and said: "On the road to escape, where is that thought."

"No, Lord, generally when escaping, life and death are unknown, the future is uncertain, people will be more nervous, and they often want to do that thing to relieve the pressure."

Zheng Fan looked at Si Niang and said: "At that time, you didn't know whether you were alive or dead, how could I be embarrassed."

He took the princess to escape for his life, but Si Niang and the others who diverted the pursuers for him really took the risk.

This was indeed Zheng Fan's true thoughts. To be a human being, you have to have a little conscience, otherwise what's the difference between you and an animal.

Before Si Niang could speak,

Zheng Fan said again:

"Give Liu Ruqing and this princess a courtyard each, and raise them as vases. Anyway, A Ming and A Cheng used to bring back vases, and over time, they got used to it."

"Didn't the Lord be tempted? Not to mention the stimulation that the princess's identity can bring, but even that Liu Ruqing, even this subordinate is a little tempted."

"Heh, I never thought of opening a harem."

"Is the Lord afraid of being sorry for me?"

"Yes."

"So you are willing to continue to endure?"

"Yes."

One asked very directly, and the other answered very directly.

"The princess was robbed by us to brush up our reputation, and Liu Ruqing was sent directly by the Fan family without saying hello. This is not a harem, and the Lord doesn't have to have any psychological pressure.

It's just that this servant has one noble and one graceful under her hand, and it's quite interesting to teach them."

"I'm afraid of trouble, let's be like before, I feel pretty good."

"It's just………"

"Just what?"

"It's just that this servant doesn't want to be like before."

Si Niang put her red lips to Zheng Fan's ear,

Whispering in his ear:

"Lord, after my injuries heal in a while, let's try to have a child."

————

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