That wretched vixen has disguised herself as my wife!

"You, you, that fierce-looking kid with the buzz cut!"

Xie Yunqi raised his chin and beckoned with his finger.

"..."

The person she called out was the leader of Xiongxiong Village. He scratched his head and walked over nervously.

"My three older brothers and sisters and I are about to go about our own business. Before we leave, I want to tell you something."

Xie Yunqi patted his head, leaned down, and said with a smile:

"From now on, this inn will be your home. I've already bought it from the manager. Business isn't great in this area, but we can still make some money, enough for you to support yourselves."

"what?"

The child stared wide-eyed, hardly believing his ears.

I said—you have a home now!

Xie Yunqi grabbed his ear and started yelling, completely forgetting that he had just told them to be quiet.

"..."

The child's eyes reddened, and suddenly a few tears rolled down his cheeks.

Xie Yunqi turned his head away, pretending not to see, and continued explaining to himself:

"It's okay if you don't know how to do business. Take your time. I've left you some capital. If you're willing to work hard, it would be even better if you became an apprentice in a restaurant in the city and learned some cooking skills..."

At this point, Xie Yunqi suddenly laughed:

"Once Little Bear is feeling better and you've saved up enough money, won't you be able to go wherever you want? The world is so vast, and there are so many places you can go!"

Jiang Jingming stood aside, watching her long-lost radiance, and felt as if he were seeing the brightest eyes in the world again, her smile like a tree of peach blossoms falling.

......

After settling everything, the group finally left the inn and boarded a carriage heading to Tingpu Villa.

The carriage was arranged by Chen Sha, and Wen Fuxiao and Lu Zhao had already boarded the carriage to wait for them.

The old man, carrying a wine jug early in the morning and with a ruddy complexion, glared at Xie Yunqi as soon as he got into the car.

"As an official who serves the people, you indulge in wine and women all day long, neglecting your duties! Do you even know what kind of life these children in the inn are living!"

Wen Fuxiao simply chuckled upon hearing this, and wasn't angry with her at all.

"Does Miss know how many people there are in Fengling City? Even if I were a god with three heads and six arms, I couldn't possibly know them all."

"Humph!"

Xie Yunqi snorted coldly, knowing in his heart that what he said was actually true, so he did not refute it.

"Besides, if everything is controlled by the government, won't you young heroes who roam the martial world have nothing to do?"

Wen Fuxiao stroked his beard, his smile gentle.

"Excuse!"

Xie Yunqi pursed his lips, lifted the carriage curtain, and leaned against the window frame to enjoy the breeze.

Actually, Master Wen was quite nervous too.

Jiang Jingming thought to himself, otherwise he wouldn't have been drinking so early in the morning on such an important day.

Lu Zhao, who was in the corner, kept a tense face the whole time, with his arms wrapped around his sword. He only nodded and greeted him when he got into the car.

Fang Zhiyi, however, immediately started dozing off as soon as she got into the carriage, seemingly not caring at all where it was headed.

Her way of doing things really does resemble that of a frail doctor who happens to be passing by.

Aqing and Jiang Jingming sat side by side, the sunlight from the window falling in front of her eyes, making her squint slightly.

Didn't you sleep well last night?

Jiang Jingming raised his hand to shield her from the sun.

Aqing opened her eyes; her pupils were as black as ink in the shadows.

"You've had enough rest."

She nodded, indicating that Jiang Jingming could rest assured.

Xie Yunqi had already explained the matter of Xiongxiong Village to Aqing when she followed the trail to the inn that morning, which is why she came out of the little bear's room that morning.

Jiang Jingming knew she would definitely find him, so he wasn't surprised by her sudden appearance.

The two of them had a strange tacit understanding since childhood, as if whatever the other did was predictable.

"When we get to Tingpu Manor, no matter what happens, don't rush forward alone. You must stay by my side."

Jiang Jingming placed his palm on her forehead and whispered his instructions.

"it is good."

Aqing agreed very quickly.

Jiang Jingming, however, was not at ease, because this little girl had always been like this since she was a child; she was very obedient on the surface, but she didn't really agree in her heart.

"Do you remember what I told you a couple of days ago? If you don't listen to me, I won't take you back to our hometown."

His words were cryptic; the word "hometown" would likely be interpreted by others as referring to Shulan City, since his official identity was merely that of a scion of a merchant family.

Only he and Aqing knew that the hometown he was talking about was actually Mangya, hidden at the end of the desert.

Along the way, I witnessed the extravagant luxury of Shulan City, the vastness of the Posuo River, and the picturesque beauty of Fengling City...

But Jiang Jingming still wanted to go back to his hometown, even though it was just endless yellow sand all year round, probably because of a reason like "home is where the heart is".

Furthermore, there are many people there waiting for him to take Aqing back.

Wait until this matter is resolved, wait until this matter is resolved.

Jiang Jingming silently repeated this sentence in his heart, trying his best to calm himself down.

At that moment, someone gently grasped his wrist.

"Aqing, be good."

Aqing's eyes remained calm and clear as ever, carrying an unwavering determination.

"That's good."

Jiang Jingming nodded.

He flicked his sleeves, and the two men's hands were hidden beneath the wide robes, their fingers intertwined.

Ten years ago, when he bought Aqing from human traffickers, he and Aqing were sitting on the boat of the Duyue Sect, holding hands like this.

At that time, the river water lapped against the cabin, and the lonely night was filled with darkness and uncertainty about the road ahead.

Jiang Jingming felt that the warmth in his palm gave him the courage to face anything.

After all, no matter what lies ahead, he knows there is someone who will always stand with him, through thick and thin, never to be separated.

That was true then, and it is true now.

Jiang Jingming let out a long breath as his pulse pounded beneath his sleeves, then looked out the carriage window.

The weather was slightly cool today, with the sunlight falling thinly on people, and a breeze still carrying a chill of spring.

......

When the carriage reached the steepest section of the mountain road, it could not go any further, so everyone got out and walked.

Jiang Jingming turned and got out of the car, raising his head to gaze into the distance.

He already remembered this road. A little further ahead was the flower field where the Crimson Bone Flower was planted, but of course, it was now a ruin.

We're almost at Tingpu Mountain Villa.

Jiang Jingming took a deep breath, feeling the coolness of the scabbard in his palm, forcing himself to fully concentrate.

Xie Yunqi took a few steps forward, then stopped:

"Form up the team."

As soon as she finished speaking, dozens of dark figures sprang out from the shadows of the bushes beside her and knelt down on one knee.

"Miss."

Jiang Jingming glanced at them and saw that the newcomers were all dressed in the uniforms of the Divine Capital Guard, but in more refined attire, probably their elite subordinates.

Xie Yunqi lowered his eyes and said calmly:

"Stay here and keep an eye on whoever comes. No matter who it is, you must keep them under your watchful eye."

"Yes!"

Having received the order, the crowd dispersed once more.

"Is this still the Miss Xie we know?"

Lu Zhao walked beside Jiang Jingming and couldn't help but bump his shoulder:

"I've never seen her so serious before."

Just as Jiang Jingming was about to speak, he saw Xie Yunqi turn around and walk back, taking out a bun wrapped in oil paper from his pocket.

"Jingming, do you want some of those brown sugar fillings that you snatched from those kids this morning? If you don't, I'll eat them!"

Although she said that, she had no intention of sharing at all, and took a big bite with a "whoosh".

He then blew on the hot brown sugar, his breath coming in gasps.

Jiang Jingming turned to the side and nodded to Lu Zhao:

"is her."

"is her."

Lu Zhao nodded, looking utterly dejected.

"Give me half."

Jiang Jingming stepped forward and reached out his hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

He hadn't realized it before, but seeing Xie Yunqi eating so happily, he realized he was actually quite hungry.

"what?"

Xie Yunqi was clearly very reluctant, but he still broke it in half and gave it to him using the oil paper.

She kept the extra half for herself.

The soft white dough wraps around warm brown sugar, giving it a sweet and cloying aroma.

Jiang Jingming blew on the bun and stuffed half of it into his mouth.

The aroma of cooking food traveled from my throat to my stomach, and the lingering chill of spring, which even the sunshine couldn't dispel, seemed to have dissipated somewhat.

Chapter 140 Aqing Wants to Be With the Young Master

When I saw the gate of Tingpu Villa again, it was just as desolate as when I last came.

Jiang Jingming pushed open the door and stepped over the threshold.

In the vast courtyard, only Chen Sha's slender, bamboo-like figure could be seen.

He stood with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the altar.

The blood-written words there were just as vibrant in color as when I last visited, still dripping wet.

Jiang Jingming slowed his pace, taking each step with great caution.

The entire manor was filled with an eerie and sinister atmosphere, which forced him to be on high alert.

The unease in his heart grew stronger. Looking at Chen Sha, who remained standing motionless, Jiang Jingming couldn't help but call out:

"Vice Envoy Chen?"

"Ah."

Chen Sha paused slightly, turned around, and his expression remained as serious as ever.

Jiang Jingming breathed a sigh of relief.