A glimpse of opportunity: Start by marrying a mermaid bride.

As Zhao Zhen walked out of the county magistrate's residence, he encountered Li Jitong, who was anxiously waiting for him.

"Junior brother, how is it?"

"It's settled, the county magistrate will not pursue the matter further."

Upon hearing this, Li Jitong breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank goodness, thank goodness."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen looked at Li Jitong and said, "Senior brother, we can't do this kind of thing anymore. If a copper coin falls from the sky in Tianjin, it belongs to the county magistrate. This is a taboo."

Li Jitong said, "No, no, this time it was Senior Brother who was confused, Senior Brother who was confused."

Zhao Zhen looked at Li Jitong and said, "Alright, senior brother, stop pretending. I know everything. This was done by that kid Zheng Xuan, right? What does it have to do with you? You're just taking the blame."

Upon hearing this, Li Jitong said, "The disciple's affairs are the master's affairs."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhen didn't say much, only saying, "This kid is quick-witted. Senior brother, keep a close eye on him and don't let him go astray."

Li Jitong readily agreed. Seeing his senior brother's attitude, Zhao Zhen had no choice but to shake his head and turn away. There were some things he couldn't say too harshly to his senior brother.

Li Jitong breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zhao Zhen leave. The matter was finally resolved satisfactorily. It was a close call, but thankfully nothing serious happened.

Thinking that Li Jitong had bought roast chicken, braised beef, and two bottles of white wine in the city and returned to his house, he then informed Zheng Xuan that he would bring his wife to his house for dinner that evening.

Zheng Xuan had no reason to refuse and arrived at Li Jitong's house very early.

The fisherwoman was a first-timer, but she was very enthusiastic about her work, and she was quite skilled at cooking, helping to stew fish and make flatbread.

Li Jitong praised the fisherwoman's virtue and said to Zheng Xuan, "You've married a good wife. One wife brings prosperity to three generations. You're a lucky man."

Zheng Xuan was very polite, but he was also honored to be a part of it.

The fisherwoman blushed and said, "Master Li, you flatter me. I just know a little bit of cooking."

Li Jitong said, "Haha, alright, stop busying yourselves and come eat."

Li Jitong called everyone together: himself, Zheng Xuan, Yu Niang, Zhou Xun, and Feng Nianjiao, who came to help in the kitchen.

Li Jitong was very happy to see the whole family. He poured himself a glass of white wine and asked Zheng Xuan and Zhou Xun to fill theirs as well, saying, "Come on, it's rare for us to get together. Have a drink with your master."

"Respect to Master."

Zheng Xuan and Zhou Xun raised their glasses and drank together. Yu Niang and Feng Nianjiao ate quietly on the side. Yu Niang was very happy now. She realized that since she left Nanhe Village and her uncle's family with Zheng Xuan, everyone outside was a good person.

Zheng Xuan truly felt the love of an elder from Li Jitong. As for Zheng Daguo and his wife, they were beasts; just thinking about them made Zheng Xuan feel nauseous.

The meal was very pleasant, and after everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Li Jitong called Zheng Xuan into the room and gave him a cloth bag, saying, "Your money has already been given to the county magistrate. The matter is settled. Here are two hundred silver dollars to make up for your reward."

Upon seeing this, Zheng Xuan quickly declined. He knew that his master had already paid 100 silver dollars for him. Although he did this for their sake, Li Jitong was already very kind to help Zheng Xuan with the aftermath. It would be inappropriate to give him more money now, especially since Li Jitong had saved it himself.

Seeing this, Li Jitong said, "Don't refuse, take it. Listen to me, your master is so old and rarely spends money. You have a bright future ahead of you, especially since you'll be going to the city to learn martial arts in a few days. Learning martial arts requires buying tonics, which will cost money. This money is for your self-defense."

"Master..."

Zheng Xuan wanted to refuse, but Li Jitong was adamant, so Zheng Xuan had no choice but to accept the money. Only then did Li Jitong nod in satisfaction.

"Alright, it's getting late. We won't keep you two any longer. Go home now."

Li Jitong waved his hand, and Zheng Xuan turned to leave. When they got outside, the fisherwoman was still there, so Zheng Xuan took her hand and strolled along the Haihe River in the night.

The moonlight shone down from the sky, illuminating the two beautiful people, creating a very warm and cozy scene.

As the two walked, the fisherwoman suddenly stopped, turned around sharply to look in the direction of the Haihe River, and remained motionless.

Zheng Xuan was taken aback and looked at the fisherwoman, asking, "What's wrong?"

The fisherwoman then said, "Husband, I always feel like there's something in the river watching me!"

"In the river?"

Zheng Xuan was taken aback and looked at the fisherwoman, saying, "Could it be a hallucination?"

The fisherwoman said, "I don't know. It's happened several times already. I have this feeling whenever I go to the river."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Xuan frowned and looked at the river. The moonlight was reflected on the river, making it impossible to see clearly. He wondered if it was just his imagination, but he also felt as if there was something in the river watching his wife.

Stay here and don't move.

As Zheng Xuan spoke, he arrived at the riverbank, took out his gourd, and released Erdan.

Let's go see what it is.

Erdan received the order and immediately went into the river. Just a moment later, Zheng Xuan suddenly felt a splash in the river, followed by a huge object that disappeared. Zheng Xuan then saw a huge tail with tiger stripes.

"What is this thing?"

Zheng Xuan was startled. Judging from its tail, this thing was definitely bigger than his small boat. It was a monster!

A moment later, Erdan returned. Erdan was clearly frightened. As a water ghost, it was rare for anything to frighten him. He stammered and gestured with his hands, indicating that there was a big thing.

Zheng Xuan asked him to draw what he saw.

Erdan was in the river at that moment, and using his abilities, he drew a huge tiger's head, and then added a fish tail to the tiger's head.

"A tiger with a fish tail?"

Zheng Xuan muttered to himself as he looked at the scene on the water. Erdan nodded, looking serious. A water tiger? Does it make up for the lack of tigers in the water?

Zheng Xuan thought about it and remembered an old movie called "The Mermaid". There was a part where he drew a portrait, which was very funny. Now Erdan had drawn this monster for him.

Although Zheng Xuan dared not believe it, he still felt it was better to believe it was true than not to believe it was not.

"Husband! Are you alright?"

The fisherwoman asked, and Zheng Xuan immediately turned to look at her and said, "Oh, it's nothing, it's just a big fish."

Zheng Xuan took out a water gourd and put Erdan inside. Then he came to the fisherwoman's side and said, "It's just a big fish, nothing special."

As he spoke, Zheng Xuan led the fisherwoman home. On the way, Zheng Xuan said, "Don't go to the river alone anymore. Just use well water for washing clothes and such."

"Oh well."

The fisherwoman nodded slightly upon hearing this, but her eyes turned to Zheng Xuan. She felt that Zheng Xuan was not telling her the truth. If it had really just been a big fish, her husband would not have said anything to stop her from going to the water.

But the fisherwoman didn't want to ask any further questions. If her husband said she couldn't go, then she couldn't go. In any case, her husband wouldn't harm her.