The author of this article

Chapter 359 Not Here to See My Husband

“In the past, when people talked about Fengzhou, they always felt that it was barren and desolate. But after seeing it this time, I found it to be quite nice and very suitable for long-term residence.”

"It must be thanks to Ji You."

"Sister, we should stay a little longer."

Inside the carriage, which was covered with cotton blankets, Lu Hanyan looked at her smooth feet and murmured softly.

Lu Qingqiu glanced at his younger sister: "Our Lu family has temporarily lost its ancestral land. Before the barbarian and demon clans are driven out of Youyun and Youyun states, things will definitely be very difficult. Only when we cultivate to a higher level will others be more wary of us. Therefore, the burden on your shoulders will be heavier than before."

A few days ago, she received a letter from her father saying that he had made arrangements at the Heavenly Academy and obtained a promise from an elder that he could take her younger sister as his personal disciple and that they should return home as soon as possible.

This is the best course of action, because the Lu family, having lost their ancestral lands, needs to forge a deeper bond with the Immortal Sect in order to avoid being overthrown in the face of adversity.

It would be acceptable to confirm the rumors, but the opposition and conflict shown in this grain sale incident probably frightened the father, making him hesitant to put all his daughters in one basket.

“Actually, you can also cultivate in Ji Village, and I can also learn swordsmanship from my senior brother,” Lu Hanyan suddenly replied.

"In Jizhai?"

Lu Qingqiu looked at his sister's full and perky buttocks and thought to himself, "You want to learn swordsmanship? You want to learn the posture."

At this thought, the images of Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu flashed through her mind again.

It's a real pity that, despite having a vague feeling that Yuan Caiwei might not be the first wife, she never found out who the first wife was in the end.

This is not something that can be taken lightly; its subsequent impact will be significant.

Whether someone is easy to get along with, and whether their background clashes with one's own, are all factors that have a profound impact in this world with its clear class distinctions.

Lu Qingqiu recalled the menacing eyes of Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu, and thought to herself that like master, like servant; the one hidden deep inside might be an even more imposing figure.

With vague information and several days of probing, she had a few options in mind.

For someone to be able to make Yuan Caiwei of the Dan Sect step down to a secondary position, their status must be respectable. It's possible that it's He Lingxiu, a direct disciple of the Palace Master, or a second-generation direct disciple from another immortal sect.

To think even bolder, perhaps it's Chen Xi, one of the twin disciples of the Chen Immortal Clan.

This is not without reason, after all, Ji You and she spent more than half a year at the sacred site of the ancients.

There's been a lot of talk in the courtyard about Ji You having a fiancée all over the world; it's not impossible that he might actually be engaged.

However, in Lu Qingqiu's mind, Chen Xi was the least likely candidate because of his high status.

At this moment, Cao Jingsong, who had gone out to see the two sisters off, watched the carriage drive away and then returned to Jizhai in Fengzhou Prefecture.

In recent days, as the Fengzhou grain incident has escalated, they have been on high alert.

Now that things have come to an end, although the result was not ideal, it has relieved them, and they can't help but want to rest for a few days.

However, as soon as they returned to Jizhai, they saw a figure in the central courtyard.

Although the figure concealed his aura, the stinging sensation they felt after releasing their divine sense alone was enough for them to know that this person's cultivation level was extremely high.

The matter of seizing the taxes of the whole country caused a great uproar. Even though things have calmed down a bit now, it is not impossible that foreign enemies could quietly enter Fengzhou.

The group instantly became serious and slowed their pace as they walked towards the courtyard. However, after only a few steps, they froze at the connecting corridor of the central courtyard.

Behind the pillars of the connecting corridor, a stunningly beautiful face appeared, causing them to hold their breath, their bodies to straighten instantly, and their backs to bend slightly.

The false ruler of Fengzhou went out to pick up people; the real ruler of Fengzhou has arrived.

"The instructor is well."

Yan Shuyi possessed a powerful spiritual sense and had already sensed someone's arrival. He turned around and bowed gracefully to Cao Jingsong.

Cao Jingsong returned the greeting gracefully: "Greetings, Your Excellency."

Ban Yangshu, Wen Zhengxin, and Pei Ruyi also gently clasped their hands and bowed slowly to him, receiving a return bow from Yan Shuyi.

Starting from Ji You's side, Cao Jingsong was of a higher generation, so even though Yan Shuyi was the appraiser, he still had to pay his respects first.

This is also why Cao Jingsong was so terrified when they first met Tiandao Society.

Seeing this, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu couldn't help but glance around nervously.

The master of the house kept saying he was coming to see Qiu Ru, just to stroll around, without mentioning "a disciple of Little Heavenly Academy" at all. But he was very polite, and even knew to follow his wife's lead and call her "teacher".

After exchanging greetings with everyone, Yan Shuyi moved on and then headed towards the back hall.

She didn't have much experience interacting with people, especially with elders, and didn't know what to say, so she gracefully went to Ji You's study.

The study rooms of the disciples of Xiaotian Academy were fairly tidy, but the scrolls were piled up extremely high, looking like small mountains.

The oil lamp was new, but the lamp holder had thick burn marks, indicating that it had been overused recently.

Yan Shuyi naturally knew about the matter of selling grain and renting land. Now, looking at the documents, scrolls and oil lamp, he couldn't help but recall the image of him working late into the night.

They hadn't seen each other for more than half a year since leaving Risheng Immortal Manor.

That scoundrel, he never goes to Spirit Sword Mountain.

She sat down behind Ji You's desk, gently leaning over it and blinking softly.

After watching for a while, she reached out and began to gently grind the ink, then drew a stick figure with a sword piercing its heart on the scrap paper.

At the same time, Cao Jingsong, who was in the front hall, took a light breath.

Even though he knew that the young master of Lingjian Mountain was in a relationship with his own disloyal disciple, he still felt nervous when he actually faced her, and he couldn't shake it off anytime soon.

Wen Zhengxin then looked at Ding Yao and asked, "Why did the Master of Appraisal suddenly come?"

"Young Master once promised to visit my Master of Appraisal at Spirit Sword Mountain, but many things happened afterward, and he never made it, so Master of Appraisal..."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

The next sect leader of the lofty and aloof Lingjian Mountain is actually quite fond of her husband; it's quite a contrast.

If they hadn't taken Ji You away from Yuyang County back then, they would never have had the chance to meet such a young appraiser.

Yan Shuyi soon came out of the study and then strolled around the courtyard for a while.

She wore a flowing, wide-sleeved fairy dress, the hem of which flowed like smoke and clouds, and the layers of the skirt bloomed like double-petaled peonies. From afar, she looked like a fairy, with an air of arrogance.

His aimless, feigned wandering was actually a prelude to waiting for the disciples of Little Heavenly Academy.

However, Wei Rui soon returned from Fengzhou Prefecture.

She received a message and knew that her sister-in-law had arrived, so she rushed home and started calling her "sister" as soon as she entered the door.

She didn't know Yan Shuyi's identity before she met him, so they got along very naturally and without any pressure, and the atmosphere in the village gradually became more lively.

Meanwhile, Ji You and Kuang Cheng had already arrived at the border of Qingzhou.

The shopkeeper and his assistant, who had been released, came towards them, and upon reaching them, the shopkeeper couldn't help but bow deeply.

“Master, we failed to retreat safely and have caused you trouble. You shouldn’t have saved us.”

"It's alright. If not this time, there will be a next time. There will be a result sooner or later. You've had a hard journey. Get in the car."

"Thank you very much, sir..."

Fengzhou dispatched a large number of grain carts to pick up the people, and after everyone was on board, they set off on their return journey in a grand procession.

Throughout the journey, Ji You remained silent in the carriage.

His long-planned scheme failed, and although he acted indifferent, he was still disappointed.

More importantly, they failed this time despite having all the advantages of timing, location, and popular support. As the immortal sects and aristocratic families gradually recover, what opportunities will he have left?

For several days in a row, Ji You had been thinking about this question, but he still couldn't find the answer.

The Nine Provinces of Qingyun have been controlled by aristocratic families and immortal sects for far too long. They are truly like being cast in molten iron, incredibly solid and difficult to dismantle.

He roughly understood why both the upper and lower levels had tacitly accepted this rule, because perhaps many people before him had tried, but ultimately this was the result, which led everyone to give up.

Ji You felt that this world was beyond saving from the very beginning, and all her efforts only deepened the cracks in it.

"Snowing."

"?"

Ji You snapped out of her daze and looked at Kuang Cheng.

At that moment, Kuang Shusheng was lifting the curtain and said something to him.

So Ji You went over and saw scattered snowflakes falling softly to the ground.

"What are your plans next, Brother Ji?"

"Go back and pack your things, then go stay at Lingjian Mountain for a while."

Kuang Cheng turned to Ji You: "Looking for Fairy Yan?"

Ji You nodded: "I promised her I would visit her at Lingjian Mountain when I had time, but too many things happened in between, and it was delayed for almost half a year. I guess she's going to be furious. What about you?"

"I'll stay in Jizhai and not return to the capital before spring arrives. Fengzhou has changed so much; I've never even spent a New Year's Eve there."

"Is Wei Rui coming with you too?" Kuang Cheng nodded: "Since Brother Ji's reputation has soared, the Wei family seems to have tacitly approved. She will stay in Fengzhou to celebrate the New Year with me."

Ji You glanced at him, thinking to himself that it seemed Old Kuang was also deeply disappointed with the outcome of the farmland lease.

After all that effort and scheming, it's all for naught if it all turns out to be nothing but a mirage. It can be incredibly disheartening.

Old Kuang is a man of integrity. Over the years, he has remained unknown, but he has always worked quietly and diligently. It's just a pity that the world has not responded to his hard work.

His reluctance to return to Shengjing in the short term, and his desire to stay in Fengzhou instead, is understandable.

Ji You gently rolled up his sleeves: "It's good to stay in Fengzhou. We can also take care of next year's spring planting. We signed up more workers this year, and we'll expand the cultivation of spirit seedlings next year."

Kuang Cheng nodded: "Leave this to me."

"But don't always focus on official duties."

"?"

"Will I see my chubby nephew when I come back?"

Kuang Cheng narrowed his eyes: "Why do I feel like I'm seeing a more likely possibility?"

Ji You glanced at him calmly: "Is that so?"

"Rui'er said that Fairy Yan touches her belly every day on Spirit Sword Mountain."

"Then you have to work hard too. The Wei family is no longer obstructing you, so what are you still holding back for?"

Kuang Cheng looked out the window at the wind and snow: "Actually, I've always wanted to make the world a better place before starting a family. I don't want my children to see such a terrible world."

Ji You patted his shoulder: "No matter what the world is like, life goes on. Do you remember when I was in Yuyang County, I couldn't even afford to eat, but I still managed to get by?"

"Brother Ji, do you think there's any possibility that the world can get better?"

"Let's just take it one step at a time. No matter how you live, it's only one lifetime..."

Amidst the falling snow, the carriage sped along the smooth official road, traveling overnight before entering the border of Fengzhou from Qingzhou.

Kuang Cheng is a mortal and needs a long sleep to recover his energy. He went to bed at 9 PM last night and woke up just after 5 AM today.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Ji You sitting cross-legged in meditation in the car, his aura constantly whistling.

He didn't disturb them, but instead lifted the curtain and looked outside.

The wind and snow continued outside the window, and a thin layer of snow had already covered the ground. The distant green mountains looked as if they had turned slightly white, magnificent yet gentle.

The convoy rested briefly at a teahouse on the border of Fengzhou, fed the horses hay and water, and the people in the vehicles ate some dry rations before continuing their journey.

After traveling for half a day, around noon, the carriage finally arrived at Fengzhou Prefecture and stopped in front of the huge Jizhai Gate.

The people of Jizhai knew roughly when they would return, and they waited in front of the door early on, especially the children who were fostered in Jizhai.

As the following carriages arrived one after another, all the detained shopkeepers and employees got off.

The children stumbled and ran over, throwing themselves into the arms of their loved ones.

Upon seeing this, Ji You, amidst the falling snow, slightly raised her eyebrows.

There may not be another opportunity as good as this in the future, but the choice made that day was certainly a good one.

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu also ran out at this moment: "Young Master..."

"Pack your bags, we'll take you back to Spirit Sword Mountain first thing tomorrow morning."

"that……"

Before the two could finish speaking, Ji You stepped into the courtyard and headed towards her room.

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu exchanged a glance upon seeing this, and then hurriedly followed. They then saw Ji You cover the things he didn't need to take with a dust net, and take out a prepared bundle from the camphor wood box.

Zhuo Wanqiu glanced at it: "Young Master, you were already prepared."

"Yes, I tidied up yesterday. What about yours?"

"Um... I haven't packed yet."

"Go pack your things. The train leaves very early tomorrow, so there's not much time. I'll go say goodbye to Instructor Cao and the others before they're still asleep."

Ji You arranged her belongings and then stepped out of the room.

Seeing this, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu exchanged a glance, then followed her out.

Cao Jingsong was resting inside when he heard that Ji You had returned, so he put on his warm fur coat and went out to see what was going on.

But before he could even leave the west courtyard where the guest rooms were located, he saw Ji You walking towards him.

"Instructor".

"How are the shopkeepers and employees?" Cao Jingsong asked, wrapped in a thick fur coat.

Ji You nodded: "No one was injured, they all returned safely."

"That's good, that's good. You've been working very hard these past few days, go back and rest."

"No rush. I'm here to inform the instructor that Ji You will be leaving tomorrow while I'm away. Please take good care of Ji Village."

"?"

Cao Jingsong looked at him with some confusion: "Where are you going?"

Ji You looked towards the distant south: "I promised Yan Shuyi that I would visit Lingjian after this was over, and now it's about time."

After hearing this, Instructor Cao looked at him as if he were a fool.

Ji You didn't notice the look in his eyes. He then went to Wen Zhengxin, Ban Yangshu, and Pei Ruyi and said something similar, which made everyone look at him strangely.

"Why is he acting like a fool? Where's your appraiser?"

In the front yard of Jizhai, Cao Jingsong, Wen Zhengxin, and others gathered together and looked at Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu.

Zhuo Wanqiu opened her mouth: "The appraiser said she didn't come to see the young master, so she concealed her aura and wandered around in the backyard."

"Isn't this... just a blatant attempt to cover up the truth?"

"My appraiser is like this..."

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu muttered to themselves, saying that the appraiser was a cold and aloof persona, and that she probably didn't want people to think she was rushing to find her husband.

Cao Jingsong and the others' lips twitched, thinking to themselves, "But that's exactly what we think!"
"I'd better tell them, otherwise my wicked disciple will really be leaving by car tomorrow."

"No need, the appraiser can't wait too long."

The group stood side by side when Ji You walked to the side courtyard, called Qiu Zhong over, and gave him a series of instructions.

Qiu Zhong then left Ji Village and went to Fengzhou Prefecture across the street, where he invited Governor He Zhang over and had a conversation with Ji You.

Specifically, the arrangements for the newly signed workers and the planting of seedlings for next year were explained.

Upon seeing this, the group exchanged glances, thinking to themselves that they had a crazy feeling that they would never return.

After observing the front yard from the main hall, everyone tacitly walked out the back door and looked towards the back yard through the flower bed corridor.

Yan Shuyi was drinking tea in the tea pavilion in the courtyard. Judging from her expression, she seemed undisturbed by the outside world, looking like a cold and beautiful fairy.

However, if you look at her for a while, you'll notice that her eyes occasionally glance towards the front yard, and her ears twitch from time to time.

Young people are so adventurous! Is this how they all date?

Cao Jingsong, who was still a child, couldn't help but mutter something, finding it incomprehensible.

Just then, Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu, who had stayed in the front hall, ran up to them and said, "Look, look, it seems the young master is heading to the backyard."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately focused their attention and began to observe with bated breath.

Ji You finished making all the arrangements and went to the backyard mainly to say goodbye to Qiu Ru and the other children.

As he passed through the moon gate and arrived at the backyard, crossing the arched bridge over the flower bed, his eyes widened slightly as he saw the expressionless figure sipping tea.

Yan Shuyi looked over from the tea pavilion at this moment, stared at him for a long time, and then said in surprise, "So it's you, what a coincidence."

[A chance encounter]

Ding Yao and Zhuo Wanqiu couldn't help but stick out their tongues, thinking to themselves that the appraiser's acting skills were terrible.

Ji You remained silent for a long time before confirming that she had come to Ji Village: "Didn't I say I was going to Lingjian Mountain? Why did you come here by yourself?"

“I took some time to travel down the mountain, and on my way through Fengzhou, I stopped by to see the children.”

The backyard was the children's living quarters, and next to it was the private school that Master Chen had set up in the village.

Just then, a little girl ran out of the courtyard. Yan Shuyi turned to look at her and stared at her for a long time before saying, "It's only been a season since I last saw you, but Little Yue'er seems to have grown quite a bit taller."

"That's a small chestnut..."

Yan Shuyi remained silent for a moment before giving a slight, sweeping look: "I see."

(End of this chapter)