Chapter 336

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Three days passed in a flash, and an ancient, unadorned town appeared on the road ahead of the carriage.

A sense of historical weight rushed over her; especially the towering city walls standing tall — Shen Yao found it hard to imagine this was merely an ordinary town. If this was the case, just how prosperous must Luojing be, which is a hundred times more lively than Songyang?

Everyone entering the city had to queue and pay the relevant fees; Songyang's governance was lenient — as long as one paid enough money, no one would deliberately make things difficult.

Liu Jingyan had stayed in Songyang City for several days originally for the convenience of entering the Mangshan Secret Realm.

Because he was unaccustomed to the inn environment here, he simply spent money to buy a courtyard of three-courtyard size.

Now that they had returned again, it saved them the trouble of deciding where to stay.

Outside the carriage compartment was a bustling crowd; peddlers' cries rang out from time to time. Shen Yao reached out and lifted the curtain cloth, seriously examining the scene outside the window.

It was not much different from her previous ancient-times life: antique long streets and small alleys, continuous rows of tiled-roof buildings on both sides, occasional embroidery buildings of various colors flashing past — interwoven into the scroll before her eyes.

There were truly many embroidery buildings here; the carriage had only driven a short distance, and she had already seen several hanging different signboards.

The goods sold on both sides of the street were mostly related to embroidery; although no one came forward to peddle them, the ornaments held in passersby's hands or hung at their waists — every single one displayed exquisite embroidery craftsmanship.

"Want to get down and stroll?"

Having nothing pressing on either side, Liu Jingyan felt accompanying Shen Yao down for a walk would be nice.

Shen Yao shook her head, casually letting the lifted curtain fall. "No rush for the moment." Ever since leaving the secret realm and traveling on the road until now, they had not truly rested.

Now that they had finally entered the city, they definitely needed to relax their bodies and recover their spirits.

Moreover, Songyang was just an ordinary small city; places to amuse oneself were few and far between. They still had to stay here for several days — why bother touring it all cleanly so early?

Shen Yao planned to take a simple stroll through it before leaving; for now, it was better to hurry back home.

Liu Jingyan smiled upon hearing this, lightly shaking the folding fan in his hand. "I'll listen to Yao Yao." He was fine with anything.

After all, in essence, Liu Jingyan counted as a cultivation maniac; even when going out, it was never for sightseeing. Relaxing like today was a first for him.

The carriage beneath them moved forward all the way, turning several bends before entering an even wider street.

After walking roughly two quarter-hours, the carriage stopped, arriving at their lodging place.

Liu Jingyan got down from the carriage, supported Shen Yao with one hand, and the two entered the small courtyard one after the other.

Blue bricks and gray tiles, arranged in a tastefully irregular manner; the whole small courtyard was not large, but because it was exquisitely built, it appeared very comfortable.

Moreover, the small courtyard Liu Jingyan bought was located in the east city — the residence of high officials and nobles; the surrounding neighbors were all the topmost tier of people.

"It's relatively safe here; the Exorcism Office and the Demon Suppression Bureau dispatch people to patrol day and night," to ensure dangers are slain in their infancy.

Liu Jingyan had people tidy up the two side rooms, while he himself led Shen Yao to the study.

"All the books here record matters of Wei State; you may freely flip through and read them."

The study held no secrets; Liu Jingyan worried Shen Yao might commit a taboo due to not knowing the inside story, so he hinted she should perfect herself as soon as possible.

He could not always stay by Shen Yao's side.

Shen Yao pursed her lips and smiled, walked forward, casually picked up two books and held them in her arms. Without Liu Jingyan's reminder, she would also seize the time.

Staying in Songyang was fine; only Liu Jingyan was by her side, so she could act without being overly careful.

But once she went to Luojing, facing even stricter scrutiny and probing, Shen Yao's pressure would also increase sharply.

She still wanted to live well and enjoy life; she was unwilling to place herself into a vortex of trouble.

The study was quiet; the two each did their own thing, neither speaking.

Until footsteps sounded outside the window; the steward who came to report said the meal was already prepared, asking whether to arrange it.

Liu Jingyan rose from the table case; the blue long shirt embroidered with ink bamboo was lifted by the wind, raising a beautiful arc. "Set the meal."

Shen Yao put down the book in her hand upon hearing this, gently folding it closed at the position she had finished reading.

The book's front cover bore the four characters "Songyang Old Matters"; the content inside was also related to this small city.

A pair of large hands stretched before Shen Yao, and by force pulled Shen Yao up from the bedchamber.

Liu Jingyan glanced at the book placed on the tabletop. "Is it this place's old matters?"

Shen Yao gave an "mm" sound. "Quite interesting; it details the origin of the embroidery buildings, though the discourse is full of the supernatural — unknown if true or false."

After all, this world indeed has mountain spirits and strange creatures; Songyang City is not large, yet lacks no legends.

Just take those embroidery buildings outside — the most widely circulated story is about the Red Embroidery Building.

Rumor has it a woman's embroidery skill was superb; she contributed greatly to support her husband's studies. Who knew scholars are mostly cold-hearted; once they achieved fame and success, it was the moment affection ended and fate was severed.

In the end, the embroidery building caught fire, taking away the infatuated man and resentful woman, and also became a supernatural tale.

"Perhaps what I heard is different; it has nothing to do with romance — it's demons and monsters causing trouble. Though the embroidery building was jointly sealed by the government offices, it has still wandered the mortal world, only appearing on nights of the full moon, endlessly repeating that year's slaughter."

Liu Jingyan's words were even more shocking; compared to Shen Yao's fresh and light version, they could be called bloody and terrifying.

Shen Yao frowned slightly, glanced at the serious-faced youth with a reproachful look.

Really, deliberately scaring her — does he still have to pretend to cooperate?

Liu Jingyan's laughter was hearty. "No need; I just feel rumors cannot be believed." The matter is too far in the past; who knows the truth of that year.

Holding Shen Yao's wrist, he left the study; the two went to the living room to dine low-key.

The dishes were all prepared by the servants; the marketing was also done in the city market.

Compared to eating in the secret realm where everywhere was uncomfortable, life after coming out was beautiful — food fresh, perfectly matching the life Shen Yao wanted to live.

"Young Master, someone just delivered an invitation."

The steward responsible for the small courtyard's safety spoke softly, and mentioned the recent tense atmosphere in Songyang City.

Liu Jingyan had been in the Mangshan Secret Realm all along; after coming out he had only just arrived. Naturally, he was not very clear on what exactly had happened in Songyang City.

Setting down the bowl and chopsticks in his hand, he took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth corner. Liu Jingyan stood up. "Come with me to the study to speak in detail."

Before leaving, he instructed Shen Yao not to go out for now. "Wait until I get a clear picture of the situation."

For safety's sake, one can never be too cautious. After all, even the smallest town can produce terrifying strange phenomena.

In recent years alone, the strange events occurring within Wei State's borders are countless. Among them, several places remain human forbidden zones to this day.

Strange phenomena cannot be killed or eradicated. The human race can only rely on methods to weaken and seal them. Compared to the human race's brief lifespan, strange phenomena clearly belong to the longevity races.

Shen Yao nodded, indicating she would return to her room to rest after finishing her meal.

Smiling as she watched Liu Jingyan lead people away, Shen Yao lowered her head and ladled a bowl of soup, propping up the spoon bit by bit to her mouth, savoring it seriously.

Fresh ingredients have a unique flavor. Only when she was slightly overfull did she set down the bowl and chopsticks.

Returning to her room, Shen Yao continued taking out pills to supplement herself. There was no help for it — her body was weak, and she still had to rely on them to nurture offspring. She could only borrow external force to make up for it.

But as long as the result was good, she could accept it. After all, she still had to rely on offspring for elderly care. Her own child's talent absolutely could not be too poor.

'It should be fine. System pills cannot be fake. Even with innate insufficiency, acquired compensation is possible.'

Holding her belly and muttering a couple of sentences, Shen Yao rubbed her eyes and simply lay down on the bed to rest.

The soft bedding beneath her made Shen Yao feel comfortable. Her thoughts grew drowsy and heavy, and in a blink she fell asleep.

When she opened her eyes again, Liu Jingyan was no longer in the mansion. Shen Yao felt bored and simply ran to the study to read books.

Casually picking out two miscellaneous records, their content was not much. She simply flipped through them and the sky had already darkened.

Lanterns were lit in the small courtyard. Candlelight rose in the room. Liu Jingyan entered the door carrying a chill all over.

Shen Yao stood up, brought hot tea and delivered it to his hand, asking if something had happened outside.

Liu Jingyan shook his head. "It is Tang Yuan's body."

The night before leaving the secret realm, the dispute among the three people was personally witnessed by Shen Yao.

Liu Jingyan sighed. "Songyang City has no way. The Tang Family plans to return to Luojing."

Luojing has many capable people and strange scholars. Tang Yuan's situation, though special, does not mean there is no solution.

This time Liu Jingyan went out invited by Luojing aristocratic families. Everyone came together, so they ought to help and contribute.

Shen Yao brought a plate of pastries and set it down. "Do we need to leave together?"

"No need. The Tang Family's master has an incident. There is no reason to let us accommodate them." Liu Jingyan and Tang Yuan's relationship was neither bad nor good, just normal interaction.

"These few days I will have to go out to help. I fear I won't have time to accompany you." Liu Jingyan's face was full of apology. He originally planned to make time to spend more time with Shen Yao.

So it was this. Shen Yao's heart went "oh" once. On her face she waved her hand. "No matter. The Tang Family's matter is important." Going out alone was more relaxed and at ease for her.

Sometimes, being overly considerate increases a man's guilt.

Liu Jingyan reached out and pulled Shen Yao into his embrace, repeatedly promising that once the two returned to Luojing, he would definitely properly accompany Shen Yao, absolutely not perfunctory like today.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao truly did not care about Liu Jingyan's accompaniment or not. In her view, as long as there was intent, even without accompaniment one could make someone satisfied. If there was no intent, even if the person arrived, it was merely a soulless shell, a walking corpse.

The two people stayed together for not long, then each returned to their rooms to rest.

Shen Yao currently belongs to the state of being unburdened. Ordinarily she only needs to eat well, drink well, play well. Everything else is naturally handled by Liu Jingyan as the bottom line.

"Miss Shen, why don't we go back first?" The things bought are really too many. They can't hold them all.

As servants who have discernment and know how to handle affairs, the servants accompanying Shen Yao had long given up resistance, devoting themselves wholeheartedly to doing things for the young master's beloved.

Today is the third day of going out. Don't look at Miss Shen being delicate and soft alone, but when she shops the streets she is full of vitality. They can't even endure it.

See, a steward who has it good helplessly opened his mouth. There really are no free hands to use. It's not that they want to provoke Miss Shen.

"Arrange a few people to send a batch back. There are still several embroidery buildings ahead not yet visited." In two more days they would set off to leave Songyang. Shen Yao didn't want to miss purchasing, so she appeared a bit crazy.

"Yes, the petty person understands."

Smiling obsequiously at Shen Yao, the steward backhandedly pointed out a few people to return to the small courtyard first, then had them call over all the people in the courtyard who weren't busy.

How can they toil to death outside while others hide in the small courtyard enjoying blessings? Everyone should share fortune and share hardship.

The servants surrounding Shen Yao decreased somewhat, but the remaining number of people was still many.

On the bustling streets inside the city, a beautiful woman like Shen Yao — how eye-catching she is goes without saying. If not for the servants around her each looking like fierce evil spirits, long ago some death-ignorant people would have come up to pick trouble and ask for a beating. Where would there still be such relaxed leisurely strolling?

"Walk forward," Shen Yao spoke. Surrounded by the servants, she moved forward.

Passing by the entrance of a tall embroidery building, she saw a thin weak man pushed and knocked down.

"Hmph! Dare to come to our door next time, watch out we break your legs. Ruyi Building is already surnamed Zhou, not surnamed Sun. Brat, don't be ignorant of death."

"Pah. At such a young age you still foolishly dream of redeeming it back. Do you know how much Ruyi Building is priced at now?"

"Hahahaha. Family has a gambling ghost father. Mother is blind and can't do embroidery. Advise you to give up hope early."

"..."

Harsh words ran out of the mouths of several embroidery building stewards and shop assistants, angering the pushed-down youth into speaking without choosing words.

Both sides then triggered a saliva war. In the end, naturally the youth was outnumbered and helplessly defeated.

Shen Yao stood in the crowd, listening to the surrounding onlookers' idle gossip, vaguely sorting out the cause and grievance here.

Simply put, it is a matter of using unscrupulous means to seize another's family property. In the end, the game of victor and vanquished. Shamelessness indeed sells well.

"Miss Shen, do we want to go in?" The steward bowed his body. His gaze was placed on the Ruyi Building before his eyes.

Shen Yao shook her head. "Change to another." Here is too unlucky. She still likes making money harmoniously.

Turning around, not bothering with the Ruyi Building inside where resentment seemed about to condense into substance and rush skyward, Shen Yao entered an embroidery building named Ji Xiang Fang.

Embroidery buildings — not only are their outward appearances largely the same, even the embroidery work sold inside differs little.

Shen Yao likes it. Liu Jingyan dotes on her. Money flows out like water.

"These, this one, wrap them all up." Shen Yao waved her hand broadly. Take them all away.

She is not afraid of displaying her broker-like greed. Liu Jingyan's tolerance toward her is unprecedented. No matter what she does, he gives her the greatest permission.

Just like today, Shen Yao opened her mouth wanting to buy buy buy, and the Steward who went out with her not only didn't stop her, but even suggested Shen Yao buy a bit more.

The Liu Family isn't short of money, the most expensive things in Songyang City can't compare to Luojing, so what's there to save on.

The newly minted fat sheep Shen Yao quickly made a reputation for herself in Songyang, even Liu Jingyan who returned in the evening teased her about it, and by the way mentioned they could have merchants come to their door for service.

"Does A Yan not feel I'm acting recklessly?" Others are all cute and obedient, but when it comes to Shen Yao it becomes acting willfully.

Of course, Liu Jingyan isn't short of money, what Shen Yao spent is merely a drop in the bucket.

But Shen Yao's current identity is a dodder flower dependent on Liu Jingyan.

This destined that Shen Yao cannot be too self-willed in front of Liu Jingyan, she needs to curry favor with this young man who can determine whether her life is good or bad.

"What recklessness, if you like it, spend money and buy it," Liu Jingyan's essence is still somewhat high and mighty, not toward Shen Yao, but in handling certain matters.

Now he likes Shen Yao, so whatever Shen Yao does is perfectly reasonable, and he even will to some extent fan the flames, letting Shen Yao act even more unscrupulously.