Chapter 63 Visitors from Cold Mountain

“Yuniang, have you eaten? What are you busy with?”

When Li Yuanjing entered, he was full of authority, determined to properly lecture his little wife.

However...

The moment he saw Yuniang with her small face tense, sitting under the wooden shed in the courtyard with Daya, warming their hands over a brazier, reading and learning to keep accounts...

Li Yuanjing’s imposing manner vanished almost instantly, replaced by infinite gentleness in his tone.

These days, though his own rise had been swift and he had essentially secured his foundation in Quanzi Village—and now had even grasped some key points about the Incense Sect, with prospects looking bright—Li Yuanjing understood very well just how much pressure Yuniang was under.

He was long used to this kind of intense life from his previous existence, but Yuniang was just a simple, young girl, not yet fifteen. And yet, she was working desperately, unwilling to fall behind or lose face in front of him.

“Brother, you’re back. Have you eaten? Daya, go heat up brother’s casserole.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Upon seeing Li Yuanjing, Yuniang’s beautiful eyes sparkled with joy, but she quickly forced herself to hold back, putting on a mature air as she sent Daya to warm the food.

Watching this, Li Yuanjing could only sigh inwardly with both helplessness and affection. Smiling, he wrapped his arm around Yuniang’s slender waist and led her indoors, saying,

“Yuniang, relax. You’re my little wife. Next year, I, Li Yuanjing, will formally marry you. There’s no need to be so tense. Even if you make a mistake, who dares utter a word of gossip? I’ll throw them out of the village myself.”

“Brother, how could you say such things?”

Yuniang’s cheeks flushed red, and she replied with a mix of exasperation and amusement,

“Brother, we can’t stop people from talking. And besides, I don’t want that either. I just want to keep up with you…”

Suddenly, Yuniang hugged him tightly. Even Li Yuanjing was briefly at a loss for words and could only hold her close.

After a moment, he whispered,

“Yuniang, can’t we… can’t we not take a concubine? You know how busy I am now, I don’t have the mind for such things.”

“No!”

Yuniang refused without hesitation and tried to break free from his embrace.

But Li Yuanjing held her even tighter, not letting her go. Seeing she couldn’t escape, she gave up struggling and, with utmost seriousness, said,

“Brother, I don’t mind being scolded. But I can’t let anyone point fingers at you… I can’t…”

At last, Yuniang couldn’t hold back any longer and burst into sobs against his chest.

Li Yuanjing finally began to understand why Yuniang was like this.

Firstly, in this era, it was simply the custom—for a man who made money to take concubines. After all, with such limited entertainment, what else was there but the affairs of men and women? A large household was a sign of prosperity.

Secondly, most likely, someone had been gossiping to Yuniang—not about her, but about Li Yuanjing himself.

He suspected that some were even questioning whether he was a real man.

Yuniang was still so young and innocent; how could she make sense of it all? This made Li Yuanjing’s heart grow cold with anger, determined to discover who was spreading such rumors, while at the same time feeling even more protective toward Yuniang.

In the small kitchen of the east house, Daya was bending over the stove, working hard to heat the casserole. The fire already kindled in Li Yuanjing by Xun Keqing was suddenly inflamed even further.

He scooped Yuniang into his arms and kissed her fiercely on the lips...

Only after nearly half an hour did Li Yuanjing emerge, leisurely calling for the blushing Daya to serve the dishes.

Inside, Yuniang burrowed under the quilt, refusing to show her face.

When all the food was set, Li Yuanjing suddenly grabbed Daya, giving the swell at the base of her back a firm squeeze.

Daya froze, nearly crying out, but managed to stifle it, looking at Li Yuanjing in shy terror.

Li Yuanjing patted her waist and lowered his voice,

“Daya, you little rascal, are you looking for trouble by ignoring my calls?”

Daya, resigned, could only lower her pretty face and reply softly,

“Brother Yuanjing, I… I know I was wrong…”

“That’s enough. Stop pretending to be pitiful,” he retorted, casting her a sharp glance. “You keep an eye on Yuniang. Talk to her, comfort her. As for a concubine, I’m not considering it for now, understand?”

“Yes, Brother Yuanjing…” Daya’s eyes suddenly lit up and she nodded obediently.

Only then did Li Yuanjing pat her waist and send her back to accompany Yuniang, before tucking into his meal with gusto.

As he was eating, Wang Cuihua, seeing him in good spirits, plucked up her courage and sidled over, saying softly,

“Master, that Zhao Yinling—she’s truly lovely. I’ve seen her myself… slim waist, generous hips, docile—she looks like the sort who’d bear many sons.”

“And besides, master, who but you deserves such a delightful girl? You have a great house and family—what’s one more pair of chopsticks? The more people at home, the more prosperous…”

“You shameless woman, are you looking for a beating? Get out of here!”

Li Yuanjing threatened to strike, but Wang Cuihua only dodged away with a coy, feigned fear.

Watching her antics, Li Yuanjing could only shake his head. Though he didn’t particularly like her type, he couldn’t deny that someone like Wang Cuihua was truly a marvel at serving every need.

After a sip of hot broth, he took out three or four coins’ worth of broken silver, pressed it into her hand, and said in a low voice,

“Stop scheming about these things and do something useful for me, understand?”

Wang Cuihua, sharp as ever, immediately caught his meaning. Taking the silver, she thanked him and said,

“Master, I’ll head to Iron Ox Town right now and try to be back tonight.”

Li Yuanjing nodded and then added quietly,

“Go find Brother Zhang on guard duty. Tell him I sent you, and have him take you along to buy some things. Let them push you there with a cart.”

Wang Cuihua’s delight was plain; she bowed to him repeatedly.

“Don’t worry, master. Leave it all to me!”

After sending off Wang Cuihua, who was practically bursting with excitement, Li Yuanjing couldn’t help but smile to himself.

Life like this—even immortals wouldn’t trade for it.

He wondered, once he truly established himself in Quanzi Village, in Feng County, and even in Qizhou and the Great Qian Dynasty, what would things look like then?

Yet just as this pleasant thought crossed his mind, and he finished his last sip of savory broth, Kui from the workshop came hurrying in with a report:

“Master, the old village head sent word just now—someone from Head Horse Ma’s men on Cold Mountain has arrived. There’s even a third boss with them. But instead of collecting protection money, they… have specifically asked to see you.”

“Oh?”

Li Yuanjing’s gaze sharpened instantly.

He had no dealings with this Head Horse Ma on Cold Mountain.

For their so-called third boss to come and not discuss protection fees with the old village head, but instead ask for him by name—what could they want?

Nonetheless, Li Yuanjing quickly regained his composure and said coldly,

“How many of them are there?”

“Not many. Just six,” Kui replied respectfully.

“Six?” A cold smile appeared on Li Yuanjing’s lips. “Kui, leave two men on guard at the workshop. The rest, come with me—we’ll go meet this third boss!”

“Yes, sir!”