Leaving behind the astonished Zhao Dabing and Qing'er, Li Guanyi rode away with Xue Shuangtao. The two horses they rode were meant for pulling carts, lacking saddles and reins, which was quite unsafe. However, sensing the presence of the White Tiger, they behaved obediently.
Both docile and timid.
Once they ran out onto the main road, which gradually narrowed, Li Guanyi placed two fingers to his lips and whistled. The two horses came to a stop, and Li Guanyi nimbly dismounted.
The horse ridden by the young lady also halted.
Without a saddle or reins, the young lady anxiously clutched the horse's mane with both hands.
Her small face turned pale.
The horse wanted to struggle.
But in the perception of living beings, behind the smiling and warm youth before it, there seemed to be a terrifying presence that was hard to defy, even more fearsome than the fierce tigers it had encountered before. Thus, it had no choice but to behave. Li Guanyi extended his hand, allowing Xue Shuangtao to place her hand on his wrist, lending her strength to help her dismount.
"I heard from Brother Zhao that the horses of the Xue family know the way back to the Xue family."
"Just like Brother Zhao and the others, they can easily find these two horses. We should let them go; otherwise, they will definitely be found."
Li Guanyi released the horses, allowing them to gallop away freely. Xue Shuangtao took a while to calm down, her gaze sweeping around. The streets she saw were different from the wide avenues she was used to.
Looking at the time, Xue Shuangtao still felt a bit anxious and worried, whispering:
"No, I can't mess around with you anymore; I have to go back."
Li Guanyi grasped her wrist, raising his eyebrows and smiling, "No."
"You've been kidnapped by me."
"Don't worry, if the old man gets angry, I have ways to make him happy."
Xue Shuangtao was puzzled, but Li Guanyi had already pulled her toward a nearby place, saying, "But you need to change your clothes; this outfit is too extravagant. It's more suitable for the environment of aristocratic young masters. You need to change."
Xue Shuangtao quietly said, "I only brought a little over ten taels of silver."
"That might not be enough."
Li Guanyi laughed heartily, "That's more than enough!"
"Come on!"
Li Guanyi dragged her to a fabric shop, where he bought ordinary clothes and fabrics. He helped her change out of her complicated and luxurious dress into a simple deep gray skirt and comfortable shoes.
Her hair was like clouds, held up with a wooden hairpin worth three wen.
Li Guanyi placed the clothes and accessories into a backpack, changing into ordinary attire himself. He stretched comfortably and then began to haggle with the shopkeeper, leaving the shopkeeper, who thought he could make a fortune, questioning his life choices, sighing:
"Brother, you are ruthless."
"To be honest, if you keep haggling like this, I won't make any profit."
"Nonsense, then I won't buy it!"
The shopkeeper felt he had encountered a seasoned opponent.
The young man squinted and smiled, hearing footsteps. When he turned to look at Xue Shuangtao again, the descendant of a duke from five hundred years ago, now one of the top three wealthy young ladies in the world, appeared unadorned like a simple girl, yet when her brows lifted, she was still a beautiful young lady.
Li Guanyi packed the clothes and decorations into the bag and slung it over his shoulder, leading Xue Shuangtao out of the shop.
Once they exited the fabric shop, they were just two ordinary young people.
At that moment, Xue Shuangtao resembled a student who had just skipped class, her nervousness and the thrill of refusing to do what she didn't want to do made her eyes shine slightly. Li Guanyi led her forward, passing through several alleys, slightly turning as they approached a narrow path, willow banks, and a stone bridge.
A stream flowed by, where young women were washing clothes.
They placed the clothes on an uneven washboard, while one hand held a wooden stick to beat them.
Younger children ran past, playing and laughing joyfully.
Vibrant and radiant.
Li Guanyi turned to look at the wide-eyed young lady, smiling gently:
"This is also Guan Yi City, far from those places you have to deal with, a more carefree Guan Yi City."
Xue Shuangtao said, "But over there..."
Li Guanyi smiled, "Don't worry!"
"Brother Zhao will definitely know how to handle it."
"Although he has been hiding it, he must be an old hand at this!"
……………………
Zhao Dabing watched the young couple galloping away, his eyes wide. In the end, Old Zhao felt that even the salted peanuts in his hand no longer tasted good; not only did they not taste good, they were downright nauseating. Qing'er, dressed in a blue skirt, stamped her foot and shouted, "Li Guanyi, Li Guanyi!"
"You—"
"Why didn't you just take me with you, woo woo woo!"
"Then I wouldn't have to face those young ladies."
Qing'er wore a face of reluctance and bitterness. Zhao Dabing grinned, realizing that he still had to bear the burden of this iron pot? He knew that gatherings of these aristocratic young ladies appeared harmonious, yet were not as peaceful as the fights among the young masters.
Xue Shuangtao, being the young lady of the Xue family, despite her prominent family background, had never engaged in politics, only business. Thus, the officials' sons held a complex view of the Xue family; on one hand, they respected its immense wealth, while on the other, they looked down on the Xue family as "outsiders" and "merchants" to elevate themselves.
Otherwise, they couldn't maintain their lofty pride in front of the Xue family.
In such circumstances, Xue Shuangtao indeed disliked these matters but had no choice but to attend.
When Zhao Dabing returned with the two horses, his eyes widened, and he clapped his hands, laughing:
"I have a plan."
"Hahaha, Brother Li indeed leaves no stone unturned, hahaha, Qing'er, we two have saved ourselves some trouble today."
Qing'er was puzzled.
Zhao Dabing repaired the carriage and drove it to the poetry gathering of those aristocratic young ladies. He couldn't say that Xue Shuangtao had been kidnapped; the excuse was that she had another engagement, hence regrettably unable to attend.
This year's poetry gathering had started early due to Xue Shuangtao's impending entry into the palace. Without her presence, the young ladies lacked the energy to perform, and the previously agreed-upon subtle remarks turned into somewhat elegant sarcasm.
Qing'er understood but had no way to refute it.
Her face flushed with anger.
Just as she was about to say something, Zhao Dabing raised his hand to stop her, speaking amiably:
"The young lady had no choice but to decline the invitation from over there, which is why she couldn't come here."
"There are gifts of apology for everyone."
The daughter of the Guan Yi City magistrate spoke softly, "So, do we just wait here?"
"It is the noble who has noble matters."
"But I wonder what kind of esteemed guest would make Miss Xue unable to refuse?"
"If you say it, we can understand. If she truly cannot come, the sisters won't say anything. But if she deliberately doesn't come, the young lady of the Xue family would be a bit too proud."
Someone lightly remarked, "After all, they are just uneducated merchant offspring."
"Please forgive her, sister."
Thus, the young ladies of the aristocracy laughed.
Their laughter was elegant, like butterflies fluttering in a flower garden.
Yet it was suffocating.
Some tried to speak up for Xue Shuangtao, but they couldn't suppress the momentum of these ladies.
Qing'er opened her mouth but couldn't mention Li Guanyi taking Xue Shuangtao away.
Zhao Dabing smiled, stepping forward, holding up a golden waist token in his palm, resembling a command token. This was a military officer's waist token, placed on the horse by Li Guanyi, with the words "Zhenwei" written on the back. He proclaimed loudly, "I, unworthy, am here to inform everyone."
"It belongs to a seventh-rank official of Guan Yi City."
"Currently, a Grand Scholar of the Ministry of Rites, granted the title of Silver and Blue Guanglu Doctor, a direct disciple of Master Wang Tong."
"Currently, a Grand Scholar of the Astronomical Bureau, granted the title of Silver and Blue Guanglu Doctor, mentioned by Master Zhu Wenyuan."
"By the decree of the Emperor, granted soft armor!"
"By the decree of the Emperor, specially appointed as one of the seventy-two seventh-rank military officers accompanying the Grand Sacrifice of the Chen Kingdom."
"By the decree of the Emperor, granted a third-rank rhinoceros horn belt."
"Seventh-rank military officer of Guan Yi City, Zhenwei Captain of the Great Chen Kingdom."
"Li Guanyi, Lord Li."
One name after another fell, such titles familiar yet carrying a strange authority.
Qing'er watched as the smiles on the faces of those elegant young ladies gradually faded, seeing their beautiful faces show astonishment, and then even a hint of jealousy, their hands gripping their handkerchiefs tightening unconsciously.
Under the sunlight, these flower-like butterflies suddenly appeared almost transparent.
The air became refreshing.
Qing'er suddenly felt dazed, realizing that the smiling, spirited, and sweet-tongued youth among his peers seemed to have become quite an extraordinary figure. He could gallantly wield a spear and saber, ride out of the city to slay enemies, and compose verses that left people in awe.
She noticed the expressions of those young ladies from noble families changing.
From ridiculing Xue Shuangtao, their gazes now held jealousy. Qing'er couldn't help but feel a sense of relief in her heart.
"Indeed."
She smiled and said, "It is Lord Li Guanyi who has graciously invited, and the young lady cannot refuse."
"The Xue family will naturally offer gifts of apology."
Once the matter was settled, Qing'er found a secluded spot and laughed heartily, holding her stomach. Zhao Dabing sat in the carriage eating peanuts, and as Qing'er laughed, her stomach ached from it. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears of laughter, saying, "But Uncle Dabing, how did you know to use this?"
Zhao Dabing replied, "Brother Li stuffed this thing into the horse's saddlebag and then let the horse go. He knew that these two horses would definitely come looking for me once released; although he acts recklessly, he still has his limits."
Qing'er nodded, feeling that the young lady had always treated those aristocratic sons of officials with kindness.
This was a way to vent her frustration, saying, "I wonder where they went to have fun."
Zhao Dabing said, "Perhaps they went outside the city to some scenic spot?"
"But I think it might rain."
"I wonder if they can return in time."
………………
They did not leave the city.
Li Guanyi led Xue Shuangtao through the small alleys, enjoying the spring scenery, watching the stream flow past the street, where slightly younger children jumped rope, played hopscotch, and skipped with flower ropes, without so many constraints. Xue Shuangtao gradually relaxed.
After all, it was already destined to be a missed opportunity over there.
Might as well enjoy themselves here.
Otherwise, they would miss out on both sides.
They played games with the local youths of Guan Yi, and Li Guanyi saw the young lady lift her skirt, lightly hopping in hopscotch. It was a childish game, but in the presence of those who did not know her identity, she played happily.
They knocked down fruits from the trees, just wiping them off before eating.
Rolling up their pant legs, they stepped into the stream, doing things that a young lady from an aristocratic family shouldn't do. Li Guanyi easily won the round spinning top from the children, using his top-notch explosive power from the Jade Arm Divine Bow Technique.
An incoming martial artist, practicing the top-tier explosive power of the Jade Arm Divine Bow Technique, merely raised his hand, and the top spun rapidly, drawing gasps from the surrounding children.
Xue Shuangtao held a string in her hand, watching the kite float higher and higher in the sky. This kite wasn't made of silk but was merely a piece of paper with some drawings on it. Since her youth, she had only practiced archery and the zither, rarely running around and playing like this.
As she watched the kite soar higher, she momentarily saw her past, but suddenly it veered off.
Raindrops began to fall, and the paper kite, unable to withstand such weather, got wet and spiraled down from the sky. Li Guanyi returned the round stone he had won to the children and took out five wen to buy the top and kite.
"Young lady..."
Xue Shuangtao widened her eyes at him.
Li Guanyi grinned, "Then let's go, find a place to avoid the rain."
Xue Shuangtao asked, "Where to avoid it?"
Li Guanyi thought for a moment, "There are also small vendors here. When it rains, everyone goes to a nearby teahouse. For one wen, you can drink a pot of tea. We can set up stalls outside, selling sugar figurines and sweet drinks. People just sit inside, drinking tea and chatting, like a temple fair."
Xue Shuangtao followed the young man inside, where she saw many people already gathered—men and women, old and young, including a merchant in silk clothing, shaking off the water from his clothes while asking the Old Shopkeeper for tea, laughing and saying that there weren't many people today, so everyone was avoiding the rain together, and he was treating them to tea.
Thus, the atmosphere became lively.
By the afternoon, vendors selling food began to attract customers. People sipped tea and chatted, enjoying snacks that cost one or two wen. Strangers quickly became familiar, discussing the poor harvest, the scenery of Jiangnan, and how life would be good if there were no wars.
The children who had just flown kites squatted at the door, watching the raindrops fall, plink plink.
They watched the raindrops hit the puddles, bursting into little flowers.
The merchant proudly displayed his seedless figs from the Western Regions, selling them to everyone, along with a huqin from the Western Regions, though no one understood it. Li Guanyi leaned in and suddenly laughed, saying, "Uncle, give me a few figs, and I'll play the huqin for you, okay?"
The merchant looked at him and the girl beside him, who, despite her ordinary attire, was still quite pretty, and smiled.
He generously took out the figs and tossed them over, saying, "No problem, young man, take them."
Li Guanyi wiped the fruit and handed it to Xue Shuangtao behind him, then sat cross-legged without hesitation, grabbing the huqin and plucking its strings. The merchant asked, "This is a huqin from the Western Regions, different from those in the Central Plains. Young man, can you play it?"
Li Guanyi gave a rather offbeat answer, laughing, "As long as it has strings, I can play it." He struck a few notes, found the right tune, and then sat there cross-legged, his sleeves hanging down, producing a clear sound.
The spring rain of Jiangnan fell, pattering on the clay pots piled outside the teahouse, ringing melodiously.
The young man sat on a wooden chair, one leg propped up, his sleeves hanging down, his body swaying slightly. The rough and wild sound of the huqin rose in a swirling manner in Jiangnan, and people quieted down. The youth's demeanor suddenly changed, his spirit flowing naturally.
Carefree and unrestrained like the wind, even the young ladies seeking shelter from the rain were captivated. The boy's music suddenly transformed from the ruggedness of the Western Regions to elegance, returning to Jiangnan, where the gentle breeze of Jiangnan enveloped him. The youth opened his mouth, his voice clear and melodious, singing:
"Southeast scenic, the three Wu cities, Guan Yi has been prosperous since ancient times. Misty willows and painted bridges, wind curtains and emerald drapes, a myriad of households."
"Cloud trees surround the sandy embankment, raging waves roll in frost and snow, a boundless chasm."
"Markets filled with pearls and jades, households overflowing with silks, competing in extravagance."
"Layered lakes and towering peaks, with autumn osmanthus, ten miles of lotus flowers. Qiang pipes play in the clear, and the songs of the water lilies float at night, playful fishermen and lotus girls. A thousand riders gather at high peaks, intoxicated, listening to flutes and drums, enjoying the misty clouds. In the future, I will paint the beautiful scenery and return to boast at Fengchi."
His voice was clear, his brows bright with a smile. Xue Shuangtao stood there holding the fruit, watching this youth in the mortal world. A flower seller smiled, finding a beautiful flower in the basket and placing it in the youth's hair.
The music flowed freely, and the rain fell outside.
That spirited demeanor was like a Jiangnan wanderer, filled with righteous spirit, a swift wind across a thousand miles.
"The rain in Jiangnan is still so hazy."
The youth set down the huqin, his demeanor carefree like the wind, different from before.
The misty rain in Jiangnan once again.
Having ascended to the second level.
Realm, breakthrough!
(End of this chapter)