Within the Xue family mansion, the Xue family members and their female relatives could not help but cast sidelong glances.
A young girl dressed in a goose-yellow long dress walked ahead, accompanied by a boy of similar age. He had gradually grown taller, his brow and demeanor exuding a heroic spirit. Clad in a blue shirt, a leather belt with a hook held a heavy blade sheathed in a dark-patterned scabbard with copper inlays, and on his back was a war bow braided with golden threads, radiating an imposing aura.
When had such a young man arrived at the Xue family? They were unaware.
Initially intending to approach and get acquainted, they hesitated upon seeing him walking alongside Xue Shuangtao.
Xue Shuangtao said, “With a bow and blade, let’s head to the Apothecary.”
“Armor is impossible to provide; Grandfather said the Xue family has no armor.”
“Armor violates the laws of the Chen Kingdom.”
Li Guanyi nodded.
Yet, the image of the old man’s bold demeanor flashed through his mind, and for some reason, he only half-believed the girl’s words.
He believed that Xue Shuangtao truly thought so.
As for the old man Xue Daoyong’s words, he wouldn’t believe even a single punctuation mark.
Thanks to his historical education from childhood to adulthood, at least nine years of compulsory education, Li Guanyi had a very concise view of history. During times of great chaos, powerful families like the Xue family would certainly have private armed forces and armor. When the world changes, local tyrants would inevitably rise to become kings and nobles.
The Xue family Apothecary was much larger than the Huichun Hall.
Huichun Hall was the largest Apothecary in the south of Guan Yi City, and previously, they would send specific medicinal materials to the Xue family every year. Upon pushing open the door, a wave of medicinal fragrance enveloped him, and Li Guanyi felt a sense of comfort and relaxation as his gaze swept across, recognizing many medicinal materials.
Dragon Bone, Yuan Zhi, He Shou Wu vine, and other calming herbs.
Angelica, He Shou Wu, Rehmannia, and other blood-nourishing herbs.
Ginseng, Bai Zhu, and Sedum for qi replenishment, as well as...
The young Apothecary casually scanned the shelves, his gaze sharpening when he spotted some unnamed herbs on the cabinet labeled for the Apothecary’s personal use. Most people wouldn’t recognize them, but Li Guanyi, who had been dealing with medicinal materials since the age of five and had studied medicine for eight years, recognized them at a glance.
Ba Jitian, Xianmao, Xu Duan, Tu Si Zi, Su Yang, Bu Gu Zhi, Tian Dong, Mo Han Lian.
A tonic for nourishing yin and yang? Given the potency and formula...
Replenishing kidney yang, benefiting essence and blood.
Strengthening muscles and bones, stopping bleeding? It seems...
The old doctor with a goat beard noticed the young man's gaze, coughed lightly, and without changing his expression, moved to block Li Guanyi’s view, smiling amiably, “Ah, Miss, and this young master, what brings you here?”
Xue Shuangtao smiled gently, her tone as warm as usual, “Thank you, Old Zhang, for fetching a portion of cultivation materials.”
The old man swiftly retrieved the items with lightning speed beyond his usual limits and placed them on the table.
“Thirty portions of Danshen Drink, which can assist in circulating qi; it can also be used to temporarily relieve angina.”
“Additionally, ten portions of Shengmai Lotus Pill for dual replenishment of qi and blood.”
“Five portions of hemostatic medicine, thirty nourishing herbal packs for bathing; after practicing, they promote the flow of qi and blood, alleviating soreness; take a medicinal bath every morning to ensure your vitality is complete; and at night, the second type ensures no hidden injuries remain.”
“Moreover, I have a good rapport with this young brother, so I’m personally gifting him a portion.”
The usually stingy old man, known for squeezing a frog until it urinated, placed a small package on the table. The young man appeared bashful, smiling slightly, “Thank you, old senior. Your medical skills are superb, but with so many medicinal materials, it’s truly difficult to identify them without names; my eyes are dazzled.”
“Perhaps it would be better to organize them?”
The old man revealed a relieved and gentle smile, “What you say is right.”
“I will definitely organize them next time!”
The old man and the young man shared an unspoken understanding.
The old man added a few more pills to the package.
Then he sent Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao out, letting out a sigh of relief as he wiped his forehead.
“How did the Xue family come to have such a beautiful little fox? She even understands medicine and prescriptions?”
Xue Shuangtao remarked, “Old Zhang has always been... frugal; today, he is quite generous to you.”
Li Guanyi said, “Perhaps it’s because I was also an Apothecary before.”
Xue Shuangtao looked at him suspiciously but did not pursue the matter, saying, “Pills and weapons are different from armor; you can come every month to collect your share for that month; although pills are beneficial for cultivation, Grandfather has stipulated that you cannot take more than your share each month; cultivation still relies on oneself.”
“Alright, that’s enough; let’s just go to the tailor’s shop.”
The tailor’s shop manager was busy with some chores when he saw Xue Shuangtao and Li Guanyi arrive, surprised at first, then his eyes widened at the waist token hanging from Li Guanyi’s belt, his charming eyes momentarily dazed, stuttering, “This, Young Master Li...”
Xue Shuangtao said, “I’m accompanying Young Master Li to collect a set of guest attire.”
The manager murmured, “Guest...?”
She looked at the young man, somewhat lost in thought, then a hint of humble respect appeared on her face, saying, “Yes, Miss, Young Master, please wait a moment.”
Li Guanyi gave a slight bow, his voice gentle, “Thank you, Sister Qu.”
The manager was momentarily taken aback, then seeing the expression on Li Guanyi’s face, her smile became much more sincere as she said:
“Your words are still so sweet, good, good, good, I’ll take care of it for you.”
“I’ll prepare the best attire for you.”
She swayed her waist and gracefully left, while Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao sat in the reception area of the tailor’s shop, sipping tea. The shop’s maid brought out some snacks, and Li Guanyi, practicing the Breaking Formation Melody, found himself easily hungry and slowly ate some.
Xue Shuangtao, curious, looked him up and down, “Did you know Sister Qu before?”
“Yeah, I met her yesterday when I came for clothes.”
Xue Shuangtao was even more puzzled, “Then why do you call her sister?”
Li Guanyi wiped a bit of residue from the corner of his mouth, placing it in his mouth, thought for a moment, and said:
“Because she is a bit older than me.”
“Is that all?”
“Politeness is never a fault.”
The brief conversation ended.
Li Guanyi continued eating the snacks; between the redwood chairs was a small table, and on the other redwood chair sat Xue Shuangtao. The snacks were exquisitely crafted, soft and glutinous, filled with red bean paste. The girl suddenly asked, “How old is the guest?”
Li Guanyi replied, “A little over thirteen; my birthday is in about two months.”
Xue Shuangtao gazed ahead, “Hmm, I just turned fourteen.”
Li Guanyi nodded.
Xue Shuangtao said, “I’m older than you.”
She paused, her gaze landing on Li Guanyi’s face, and said:
“I’m also older than you.”
Li Guanyi seemed to understand something; this girl wanted him to call her sister too?
He chuckled, finding her to be quite an adorable girl. At that moment, footsteps approached, and Xue Shuangtao quickly sat back, her skirt falling, her hands resting quietly on her knees, her demeanor gentle, embodying the elegance of a refined young lady without a single flaw.
The manager smiled and said, “How could today be so coincidental? In my tailor’s shop, there just happens to be a garment that fits the guest’s size, and there’s even a leather belt inlaid with jade. Young Master, would you like to try it on?”
Li Guanyi set down the snacks and followed the manager to change clothes.
It was also a bright blue shirt, but the material was entirely different, with dark patterns that didn’t appear overly extravagant or frivolous, yet carried a solemnity befitting a noble family. A fragrant pouch hung from his waist, and the leather belt was of better quality, featuring a smooth white jade as decoration.
In the southern Chen Kingdom, the embellishments were exquisite.
Even the belts came in various styles—immortal flowers, lychee, Shiman, and child actors—made from leather, gold, iron, jade, and rhinoceros horn, all distinctly different. In the past, they symbolized status, but now the regulations had gradually loosened, and adorning leather belts with precious stones was no longer a concern for the court.
The manager clapped her hands and laughed, “What a handsome appearance, what great demeanor.”
“What a fine young man.”
Xue Shuangtao glanced over and had to admit that even among the Xue family and allied noble families, there might be those more handsome than the young man before her, but none possessed such a calm demeanor. With a blade at his waist and a bow in hand, his brow was spirited, matching the vigor of spring willows and galloping steeds.
The manager smiled as she sent the two young men off, leaning against the door. A maid beside her said, “Manager, wasn’t that outfit meant for the previous young master?”
“Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to give it to this guest first?”
The manager lazily replied, “In the tailor’s shop, my word is law. That young master came here boasting and making demands; if it’s delayed a bit, it’s just delayed. It will be delivered before the stipulated date.”
The maid said, “After all, the young master’s status is higher.”
She smiled and said, “If we’re talking about status, then that young master is indeed higher.”
“But that one word ‘sister’ makes me feel comfortable; he doesn’t look down on us, so I’m willing to give him a bit more convenience. People in this world should have some peculiarities.”
“I just hope that those who make me feel comfortable can live the most comfortable lives.”
...
“Pills, bows, weapons, and clothing have all been changed.”
“I’ll take you to the library tomorrow.”
“Additionally, the guest can be equipped with a Xue family carriage and can arrange for two maids to help manage your courtyard and take care of the female relatives. Remember to come early tomorrow.”
The coachman Zhao Dabing had heard that a guest would need a carriage and had come to fetch it. Upon seeing Li Guanyi’s attire, he was momentarily stunned, saying, “Young brother... no, guest, didn’t you say yesterday that being a guest was a distant matter?”
How did he become a guest in just one day?
He hadn’t even been around for ten years.
Did I drink a cup of wine yesterday and get drunk for ten years?
Li Guanyi thought for a moment and smiled, “Brother Zhao, as the old saying goes.”
“Days are long as years.”
Zhao Dabing opened his mouth, and after realizing the small joke hidden within that phrase, the envy and self-reproach transformed into a chuckle, the feelings of envy and even jealousy dissipating. He shook his head helplessly, smiling, “Guest, you truly have talent.”
“Please get in the carriage!”
The young man paused and then asked:
“Brother Zhao, do you still have those salt-baked peanuts? I’ve never had such a good snack before.”
“I’m feeling a bit greedy.”
Zhao Dabing was momentarily taken aback, then felt a bit proud, laughing, “Haha, of course I do!”
“If you want to eat, I’ll definitely have some prepared for you.”
Xue Shuangtao watched the thirteen-year-old young man’s demeanor and reminded, “Guest, remember to come early tomorrow.”
“Hmm.”
Li Guanyi had one foot already on the carriage but suddenly thought of something and stepped back down.
Xue Shuangtao: “Hmm???”
Li Guanyi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but ultimately didn’t, only saying:
“Wait a moment.”
For some reason, Li Guanyi felt a bit at a loss for words. He turned around, patted his face, adjusted his demeanor, then turned back, the warm sunlight illuminating him, the Xue family members passing by, and on the handsome young man’s face was a shy and pure smile.
“Thank you for today.”
He paused:
“Xue family sister.”
(End of Chapter)