Written on the paper:
"Madam Wen’s Opening."
"Sudden farewell, filled with regret. Kindness repaid, staying further is fruitless. Li Xian bids farewell, in the vast Jianghu, we shall et again if fate allows."
The handwriting is clear and decisive. Initially wanting to express grievances, yet fearing Wen Caishang’s ridicule. Therefore, concisely stated, directly expressing his feelings.
Li Xian folds the envelope carefully. Seeing Wen Caishang’s enchanting figure, he realizes that in his entire life, he has never encountered such a woman. Poisonous, indifferent, beautiful...contrary to his nature, yet possessing imnse charm.
"Weak in strength, this is the only way. Perhaps when I grow stronger, I will visit Yihetang Manor again."
Li Xian mumbled softly, feeling complex emotions, drifting without a place to settle. He is about to leave, uncertain where he will end up.
He folds the envelope carefully, placing it in his breast pocket. He takes out the Heaven and Earth Box, inside holding the "Ancestral Silkworm."
Li Xian says: "So debts are easy to repay, so are difficult. But since I am leaving, it’s best to settle them all. From Wen Caishang’s perspective, I no longer owe anything."
Seeing the Ancestral Silkworm sleeping in the box, he closes it again. Climbing onto the wooden bed, he falls asleep.
The next day.
The rooster crows, the setting sun spills into the room.
Li Xian and Wen Caishang are rejuvenated, feeling invigorated. Li Xian has the sa complexion as before, helping her braid her long hair; during their days on the boat, Wen Caishang taught Li Xian how to braid her hair.
Whenever they braid hair together, it always ends up ssy.
At this mont, they braid it into a "Cloud Bun." Elegant and noble, adorned with silver hairpins and pearl decorations, her radiant beauty paired with Liu i’s rosy lips, truly stunning.
Wen Caishang admires herself in the mirror, saying with a smile: "Sir, your braiding skills are no worse than Qiuyue’s." Li Xian responds: "Though my technique is basic, Madam, your beauty likens to a fairy; any style suits you well."
Wen Caishang laughs: "You’re full of flattery." Li Xian says: "We can return to the manor today."
Wen Caishang nods: "Indeed. Ti has passed swiftly, since we left the manor to attend the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, confident yet unprepared for such unforeseen obstacles along the journey. Thankfully, you’ve accompanied , allowing to overco various dangers."
Li Xian declares: "Let’s eat so breakfast, then head back to the manor."
Wen Caishang tenderly says: "Sir... your arrangents, I’ll follow them. If you’d like to visit elsewhere for a couple more days, I’ll accompany you."
Li Xian laughs: "We have enjoyed ourselves for quite so ti." He assists Wen Caishang down the stairs. The town streets are bustling, horse-drawn carriages and ox carts rushing by.
In Huangshan Town, there is a renowned breakfast dish called "Spicy Oil-Soaked Noodles." Coarse grains ground into powder, sprinkled with spicy powder, then doused with hot oil. Eaten with so vegetables.
Li Xian and Wen Caishang find a small shop, ordering two servings of Spicy Oil-Soaked Noodles and an additional serving of hot tofu. The ordinary shop is filled with common folk, while Li Xian and Wen Caishang’s extraordinary deanor attracts everyone’s attention, mouths agape in awe.
Wen Caishang, knowing Li Xian’s easygoing nature, though greatly disliking the local setting, feels content with Li Xian’s company. She rolls up her sleeves, appreciating the local cuisine; the taste is average, the flavor strong, yet satisfying for an empty stomach.
After growing tired of eating, she takes a bite of hot tofu to cleanse the palate. The people of Huangshan Town have long been accustod to this.
So regular patrons even vary their eating styles, requesting more green onions, garlic... paying extra copper for more minced at and at slices.
Starving, a mouthful is eagerly devoured. The refreshing sensation is truly indescribable. Li Xian eats heartily, having visited Huangshan Town before, once selling animal fur.
Ordinary hunters catch wild ga in the mountains, then grab tufts of fur from the hunted animals here and there for storage. Once collected in large quantities, they secretly sell it.
Li Xian once ca to sell fur, earning so money; eagerly, he ate Spicy Oil-Soaked Noodles, its flavor rembered to this day.
Li Xian settled the al bills. The ti is already early, with the warm sun hanging high. Wen Caishang says: "Mr. Li La, here’s so money, use it."
Taking out a brocade bag from her sleeve, containing several taels of gold. Li Xian says: "We’ve been out of the manor for quite so ti. It was quite embarrassing along the way; why not purchase a carriage and travel back comfortably by carriage for the remaining journey."
"Let’s not let the people in the manor notice anything suspicious. It would damage Madam’s reputation, fleeing along the road so disgracefully."
Wen Caishang happily says: "Sir, you are so thoughtful."
Li Xian finds a Ma Village. Purchases a wide-style carriage, Wen Caishang shakes the vehicle slightly, seeing that although the carriage is made of ordinary materials, the joints are tightly knit and very sturdy. She feels pleased.
Li Xian settles the paynt for the carriage, helping Wen Caishang into the carriage; Wen Caishang lifts the curtain, saying: "Shopkeeper, do you have a driver available?"
Li Xian responds: "No need for a driver. I shall be Madam’s driver." Wen Caishang playfully glares, thinking if you drive, who accompanies ? Being alone in the carriage, isn’t it boring?
The shopkeeper gathers the drivers. Wen Caishang surveys them and selects an elderly driver, saying: "You there, Mr. Li La, give the shopkeeper one tael of gold, consider it the driver’s rental fee."
Arrangents for the carriage were completed.
The elderly driver skillfully steers the horse, navigating smoothly through the streets. Shortly after, they exit Huangshan Town, galloping through mountain paths.
Wen Caishang lifts the carriage curtain, softly asking: "Old sir, how old are you?" The driver responds: "Sixty-seven... Don’t worry, master. I was once a horseman for a wealthy family. Later, I bought myself out, now pulling carts and raising horses for others. My skill in driving horses is top-notch. I’ll guarantee a safe and smooth delivery."
Wen Caishang smiles: "Thank you! Here’s your paynt, please accept it." Casually tossing out a pouch.
The driver unties the pouch, finding several taels of gold inside. Calculating, it amounts to over a hundred taels of silver, which a commoner can hardly save in a lifeti.
The driver exclaims: "Master... You... You must be..." struggling to speak.
Wen Caishang smiles lightly: "It’s not easy to accept this money. I need to deafen you, leave you unable to hear. Are you willing?" The driver hesitates for a mont, rubbing the gold, realizing at his age such sudden wealth is rare. Deafness isn’t a big deal, saying: "Well... it’s fine then."
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