Chapter 31: An Eye for an Eye, a Peach for a Peach

Within the Xue family mansion, every Xue family youth and female relative could not help but cast sidelong glances.

A girl in a pale yellow long skirt walked ahead, accompanied by a boy of similar age, his stature gradually grown tall, his brow noble and martial, clad in blue robes, his leather belt adorned with hooks holding a heavy saber with a dark-patterned sheath inlaid with copper, his back bearing a warbow woven with golden threads, radiating martial vigor.

None of them knew when such a boy had come to the Xue family.

They had intended to approach and make his acquaintance, but seeing him walking with Xue Shuangtao, they abandoned the idea.

Xue Shuangtao said: “Bow and saber, then come with me to the pharmacy.”

“Armor is impossible to issue you—Grandfather says the Xue family has no armor.”

“Armor violates Chen Guo’s laws.”

Li Guanyi nodded.

Yet in his mind, he recalled the old man’s bold demeanor, and for some reason, he believed only half of the girl’s words.

He believed Xue Shuangtao truly thought so.

As for what Old Master Xue Daoyong had said—

He wouldn’t believe a single punctuation mark.

Thanks to his past life’s nine years of compulsory historical education, Li Guanyi held an extremely concise historical view: when the world fell into chaos, powerful clans like the Xue family would inevitably possess private armed forces and armor; whenever the realm changed, local magnates always rose to become kings, marquises, generals, and ministers.

The Xue family pharmacy was much larger than Huichun Hall.

Huichun Hall was the largest pharmacy in southern Yicheng, and previously, it had annually delivered specific herbs to the Xue family; upon opening the door, a rich herbal scent filled the air, and Li Guanyi felt a sense of comfort and relaxation, his gaze sweeping across and recognizing many herbs.

Dragon bone, Yuanzhi, Shouwu vine—all herbs for calming the spirit.

Danggui, He Shouwu, Shu Dihuang—all blood-nourishing herbs.

Ginseng, Baizhu, Jingtian—all qi-nourishing herbs, and…

The young pharmacist’s eyes casually swept over, then narrowed—he saw several unlabeled herbs on the cabinet marked for the pharmacist’s personal use. Most people would not notice, but Li Guanyi, who had dealt with herbs since age five and studied medicine for eight years, recognized them at a glance.

Bajitian, Xianmao, Xuduan, Tusi Zi, Suoyang, Buguzhi, Tiandong, Mo Hanlian.

Yin-nourishing, yang-boosting aphrodisiacs? With this potency and formula…

Tonify kidney yang, enrich essence and blood.

Strengthen sinews and bones, stop abnormal bleeding? Then it seems…

The old physician with the goatee noticed the boy’s gaze, cleared his throat, moved his steps without changing expression, blocking Li Guanyi’s view, and smiled warmly: “Ah, Miss, and this young sir—what brings you here?”

Xue Shuangtao smiled gently, her tone as usual: “Thank you, Master Zhang—please fetch a set of cultivation materials.”

The old man produced them with a speed exceeding his usual limits, placing them on the table.

“Thirty portions of Danshen decoction—assists qi circulation, can temporarily relieve angina.”

“Ten portions of Shengmai Lianhua Pills—dual tonics for qi and blood.”

“Five portions of hemostatic herbs; thirty herbal packs for bathing—promote blood and qi flow after training, relieve soreness; use one pack each morning for complete yuan fulfillment; at night, the second type ensures no hidden injuries.”

“Additionally, I took an immediate liking to this young brother—I personally add one-tenth more.”

The frugal old man, nicknamed one who could squeeze urine from a toad, placed a small bundle on the table. The boy, shyly smiling, said: “Thank you, Elder. Your medical skill is profound, but without labels, these herbs are hard to identify—I’m already dizzy from looking.”

“Perhaps organizing them would be better?”

The old man’s face relaxed into a warm smile: “You’re right, young sir.”

“I’ll organize them properly next time!”

The old man and the boy understood each other without words.

The elder added several more pills to the bundle.

Then he escorted Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao out, sighed in relief, and wiped his forehead.

“How did the Xue family get such a beautiful little fox? And she understands medicine and prescriptions?”

Xue Shuangtao said: “Master Zhang has always been… frugal, yet today he’s been unusually generous to you.”

Li Guanyi said: “Perhaps because I once worked as a pharmacist myself.”

Xue Shuangtao frowned, did not press further, and said: “Medicines and weapons differ from armor—you may collect your monthly allotment each month; though medicines aid cultivation, Grandfather forbids taking more than the allotted amount—cultivation must come from within.”

“Enough. Let’s go to the tailor’s shop.”

Master Qu, the tailor’s manager, was handling chores when she saw Xue Shuangtao and Li Guanyi arrive—she was startled, then noticed the rank badge on Li Guanyi’s waist, her soft eyes widening, her voice stammering: “T-this… Little Brother Li…”

Xue Shuangtao said: “I’m accompanying Guest Minister Li to collect his guest minister’s attire.”

Master Qu murmured: “Guest Minister…?”

She stared at the boy, momentarily dazed, then her face softened into a respectful, deferential expression: “Yes, Miss, Guest Minister—please wait a moment.”

Li Guanyi bowed slightly, his voice gentle: “Thank you, Sister Qu.”

Master Qu froze, then seeing his expression, her smile became genuinely warm:

“Guest Minister, your tongue is still so sweet—good, good, leave it to Sister.”

“I’ll prepare the finest robes for you.”

She swayed away gracefully. Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao sat in the tailor’s reception area drinking tea; the attendants brought snacks. Li Guanyi’s internal qi from Po Zhen Qu strengthened his body, making him hungry—he ate slowly.

Xue Shuangtao, curious, studied Li Guanyi from head to toe: “Did you know Master Qu before?”

“Yes, I met her yesterday when collecting clothes.”

Xue Shuangtao grew more puzzled: “Then why call her ‘sister’?”

Li Guanyi wiped a crumb from his lip, put it in his mouth, thought a moment, then said: “Because she’s older than me.”

“That’s it?”

“Politeness never offends.”

The conversation ended briefly.

Li Guanyi ate the snacks. Between the redwood chairs sat a small table; across from him sat Xue Shuangtao. The pastries were small and adorable, soft and chewy, filled with red bean paste. The girl suddenly asked: “How old is the Guest Minister?”

Li Guanyi said: “Thirteen, a bit more—about two months until my birthday.”

Xue Shuangtao gazed ahead: “Hmm, I just passed my fourteenth birthday.”

Li Guanyi nodded.

Xue Shuangtao said: “I’m older than you.”

She paused, her gaze fixed on Li Guanyi’s face: “I’m older than you.”

Li Guanyi seemed to understand—this girl wanted him to call her ‘sister’ too?

He laughed softly, thinking she was truly an adorable girl. At that moment, footsteps approached; Xue Shuangtao instantly sat upright, her skirt falling, hands resting calmly on her knees—her demeanor gentle, flawless in propriety, the elegant young lady.

Master Qu smiled warmly: “How coincidental—my tailor shop just happens to have a robe matching your build, and even a leather belt inlaid with jade. Young Master, try it on?”

Li Guanyi set down the snack and followed Master Qu to change.

The blue robe was the same hue, but the fabric was entirely different—subtle patterns, neither overly ornate nor frivolous, yet radiating the solemn dignity of a great clan. A fragrant sachet hung from his waist; the belt’s quality was superior, centered with a smooth white jade ornament.

In the southern Chen dynasty, ornamental details were exquisite.

Even belts came in countless styles—immortal flowers, lychees, barbarian dancers, playful children—materials ranging from leather to gold, iron, jade, rhinoceros horn, each distinct, once symbols of status; now, regulations had loosened, and adorning leather belts with jade was no longer policed by court.

Master Qu clapped her hands and laughed: “Beautiful face, noble bearing.”

“What a fine young man.”

Xue Shuangtao glanced once, forced to admit: though some in the Xue family or allied great clans might be more handsome, none possessed this calm, effortless aura—sword at waist, bow in hand, brows uplifted—this was the spirit of spring willows and galloping steeds.

Master Qu smiled warmly as she saw the two youths off, leaning against the door. A maid beside her asked: “Manager, isn’t that robe meant for that young master?”

“Giving it to this Guest Minister early—won’t that be improper?”

Master Qu yawned lazily: “In my tailor shop, I decide. That young master struts around, barking orders—let him wait a bit. As long as it’s delivered before the deadline, it’s fine.”

The maid said: “But that young master holds higher status.”

She smiled faintly: “If we speak of status, yes—he holds higher rank.”

“But that ‘sister’ he called me warmed my heart—he never looked down on us. So I’m willing to give him extra convenience. Living in this world, one must have a few quirks.”

“I simply wish those who make me feel at ease to live the most at ease.”

………………

“Medicines, bow, weapons, robes—all changed.”

“Tomorrow I’ll take you to the library.”

“Also, Guest Minister may use the Xue family carriage, and I’ll assign two maids to manage your courtyard, attend to the ladies—remember to come early tomorrow.”

The driver, Zhao Da Bing, had heard a guest minister needed a carriage and arrived with it; when he saw Li Guanyi’s new robes, he stood stunned for a long while, then said: “Young brother… no, Guest Minister—weren’t you just saying yesterday that becoming a guest minister was far off?”

How could one day pass, and he’s already a guest minister? My own family has waited a decade with no result.

Did I drink a cup of wine yesterday and sleep ten years? Li Guanyi thought, then smiled: “Brother Zhao, because the old saying goes…”

“A day feels like a year.”

Zhao Da Bing opened his mouth, then, after grasping the small joke embedded in the phrase, broke into a wry laugh—the envy and regret dissolved into gentle amusement. He shook his head helplessly, smiling: “Guest Minister, you truly have talent.”

“Please, get in!”

The boy paused, then asked:

“Brother Zhao, do you still have salt-baked peanuts? I’ve never tasted such a fine snack.”

“I’m feeling a bit peckish.”

Zhao Da Bing blinked, then grinned proudly, laughing: “Hahahaha, of course I do!”

“If you want some, I’ll keep them ready for you.”

Xue Shuangtao watched the thirteen-year-old boy’s conduct and reminded: “Guest Minister, remember to come early tomorrow.”

“Mm.”

Li Guanyi had already stepped onto the carriage, then suddenly remembered something and stepped down.

Xue Shuangtao: “Huh???”

Li Guanyi opened his mouth as if to speak, but said nothing, only: “Wait a moment.”

For some reason, Li Guanyi too found it hard to speak; he turned away, slapped his own face, adjusted his bearing, then turned back—the warm sunlight fell upon him, Xue family members passed by, and on the face of the handsome boy shone a shy, clean, simple smile.

“Thank you today.”

He paused:

“Sister Xue.”

(End of Chapter)