Chapter 111

You don't know the cost of firewood and rice until you're in charge of the household. Since Wen Shu came to Shanzhou, she has been very careful with her money. Her meager savings are not enough to cover such a large expense as fifteen strings of cash a month.

"Let's go look around somewhere else." Wen Shu pulled Pei Lingjun's sleeve and went out. Looking at the bustling crowds on the street, she didn't know where to go.

The portly shop owner caught up and shouted, "This price is already very cheap! The He family from the south of the city was just saying yesterday that they wanted to buy this shop! Please reconsider!"

Pei Lingjun was pulled far away by her. Seeing her walking forward with her head down, he raised his hand and patted her shoulder, "A-Shu, where are you going?"

When Wen Shu looked up, she saw a three-story renovated building opposite the restaurant in the market. Women with bare shoulders were soliciting customers downstairs, and the sounds of string and wind instruments were coming out of it.

"My lord, are you bringing your wife along for some fun? It looks so exciting!"

Wen Shu's eyes widened instantly. Seeing the woman dressed in red and green about to throw a handkerchief at them, her face turned completely red. She grabbed Pei Lingjun's hand and ran away.

At the end of the street, there were fewer people.

Wen Shu was panting heavily when she caught a glimpse of their clasped hands out of the corner of her eye. In her haste, she hadn't thought anything of it when she grabbed them.

Looking at it now, one can only feel that the young man's broad palms are dry and warm, and even the slight friction of the calluses on his palms against her skin feels exceptionally strong.

She abruptly released his hand, stiffly changing the subject, "Shanzhou is different from Anyang; the people here are more open-minded..."

Pei Lingjun's lips curled slightly, it was hard to tell whether he was smiling or not, as he walked ahead of her.

At this moment, in Xiangyun Tower, where Wen Shu had just stopped, the windows on the third floor facing the street were open. A man dressed in light pink looked down at the street with a playful expression, his slightly round belly twitching.

"When did such a young lady come to our Shanzhou? I've never seen her before. Even from this distance, she's so beautiful that it makes one's mouth water."

The servant below understood and bowed, saying, "But that lady is accompanied by a young man; she's probably already married..."

The man in the pink floral shirt turned his face, and an old scar running across his forehead to the corner of his right eye twitched menacingly. He clutched the smooth jade in his hand and chuckled, "So what if you're married? In Shanzhou, the He family calls the shots!"

"If I want a woman, I can have her!"

The servant dared not breathe, swallowed hard, and lowered his gaze. "Yes, sir, I'll find someone to inquire right away..."

Wen Shu visited several rental shops, but the cheaper ones were in remote locations, while the better ones were too expensive. After searching around, she decided that the location next to Renxin Medical Clinic was the best.

"Fifteen strings of cash a month, plus the money spent on medicine, I'm afraid it will all be lost before we even make a profit."

Wen Shu lay back on the bamboo chair, a faint sorrow etched on her brow.

Wenji had just finished practicing his sword in the courtyard. Upon hearing this, he poured a cup of tea and placed it next to Wenshu. "Isn't it good that we're working with Cousin Lu? Why do we still need to rent a shop?"

“My cousin did give us some work, but my aunt has always been in charge of running the Lu family. This is not a sustainable solution, as it’s not making ends meet.”

Wenji lowered his eyes, beads of sweat still clinging to the boy's forehead, and suddenly fell silent.

Just as Wen Shu was about to speak, she saw the boy raise his head, his clear eyes like glass after the rain. He said seriously, "Sister, I don't want to go to school anymore. I want to practice martial arts and join the army."

Pei Lingjun came out of the house and happened to hear Wenji speaking. He stood not far away and watched without approaching to disturb him.

Wen Shu was stunned for a long time before she said, "Why did you suddenly want to learn martial arts?"

The young man pursed his lips. “This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The officialdom has been plagued by deep-seated problems for a long time, and the people of the desert are wantonly trampling on our country’s territory in the north. Right now, the court needs talented generals more than ever.”

"Besides, I won't be able to take the imperial examinations anymore. In that case, I might as well join the army and earn some fame and fortune. Then our family won't have to hide anymore."