After Ouyang Feng and Shangguan Jin had their match, Song Xia then had Yin Shihuai try it out. Shangguan Jin was cursing and swearing until Song Xia promised to cook him two big meals next time.

After they finished drinking the wine from the jars, they lay sprawled out, and Song Xia, too lazy to care about them, slowly returned to the courtyard with Ouyang Wan.

"Wan'er, what do you think of your senior brother and junior brother?"

"Everything is fine!" Ouyang Wan said innocently. "Master's wife, why do you ask that?"

"I just want to know your opinion on the two of them."

"The eldest brother is dashing and composed, while the junior brother is handsome and resourceful; both are rare gems in the world."

"They are indeed good, but you are not bad either. Our Wan'er is beautiful and kind-hearted. Your master's wife is really afraid that you will go out and make your way in the world alone in the future."

"Didn't we agree that I would stay in Linghe City? I think it's fine."

“I’m afraid you’ll be confined. Besides, I’m still here. For now, you can stay in the city. Once you’re a couple more years older, you can go out and broaden your horizons.”

Ouyang Wan took Song Xia's arm and said, "Teacher's wife, you are so kind."

“I raised you all from a young age. If your master’s wife isn’t good to you, who is? I really hope this chaotic world will end soon, so you won’t have to carry such a heavy burden.”

“If you don’t complain about being tired, we certainly can’t back down. Don’t worry, we will all be fine.”

This wasn't the first time Ouyang Wan had felt this way. She realized that her master's wife was always afraid that she would have conflicts with her senior and junior brothers. How could that be? Apart from her master's wife, her senior and junior brothers were the closest people to each other in this world. Everyone would be fine.

The eldest brother is magnanimous, the junior brother is obedient, and I am mediating between them, so there will definitely be no problem. Even if cults are good at brainwashing, they will not shake the bond between them.

What they need to do now is to grow up as quickly as possible and absolutely not let their master hurt their mistress. She has a premonition that if their master comes out of seclusion and finds out about their mistress's reputation in the valley and the city, he will definitely be furious.

After a year of seclusion, Ouyang Zhen emerged successfully. He felt that his skills had greatly improved and he was certain that he would win the championship at the martial arts tournament this time.

"Where are the people in the valley?" After gathering for a long time, not a single elder or manager from the valley appeared, not even Song Xia and his three disciples. Ouyang Zhen's displeasure was visibly obvious.

"Madam went outside the city early this morning with her people and has already arranged for her disciples to invite her."

What is she going outside the city for?

"Recently, many more refugees have arrived outside the city, and everyone is busy clearing land and building."

"Refugees?" Ouyang Zhen frowned. "When did I say I would take in refugees? That's too much of a woman's kindness. Refugees are prone to causing trouble. Is there enough food in the city?"

The disciple replied cautiously, "I haven't heard Madam mention any such trouble."

"She's just putting on a brave face. Even if she goes out to buy food, how long can it last?" Ouyang Zhen sneered. "Tell her to come see me immediately."

It wasn't until noon, when Ouyang Zhen's patience was wearing thin, that Song Xia finally arrived, albeit late.

"Why did you come out of seclusion today, Senior Brother?" She sat down on her own, seemingly oblivious to Ouyang Zhen's burning anger.

Ouyang Zhen stared intently at her: "Don't you have anything to explain to me?"

Song Xia looked bewildered: "What are you talking about, Senior Brother? Everything is fine, whether in the valley or the city. Could it be that some ill-intentioned disciples are taking advantage of the fact that you just came out of seclusion and don't know anything, and are spreading rumors to you?"

The disciples standing nearby broke out in a cold sweat, trembling and not daring to speak.

Ouyang Zhen looked directly at her: "What's this about refugees?"

"Senior brother, what are you talking about?" Song Xia said as if suddenly realizing something. "The world has become increasingly chaotic lately. Some refugees have heard about the good customs of our Linghe City from somewhere, so they have brought their families to seek refuge here. Since they have come, I can't very well turn them away from the city. Otherwise, it would be bad for your reputation. So I can only arrange for my disciples to stay outside the city for the time being."

Hearing her explanation, Ouyang Zhen's expression finally softened a bit.

"The refugees have always been prone to causing trouble. Have they harmed any of the city's residents?"

"No, they're all quite well-behaved. The houses outside the city were all built by them by cutting down trees themselves."

"Then how did you manage to feed so many people?"

"It can be considered as if they borrowed it from Linghe City. Now that the wasteland has been reclaimed, they will be able to gradually repay the grain when spring arrives."

"Where are there so many arable lands to cultivate outside the city?"

Song Xia said with relief, "It's also because our Linghe City is lucky. Last year, when you were in seclusion, a merchant caravan went overseas and brought back many new species. Among them were two called sweet potatoes and corn. Regardless of the type of farmland, their yield per mu was more impressive than that of rice. Because of these two species, both the residents of the city and the refugees who came to seek refuge could have enough to eat."

"Oh?" Ouyang Zhen's interest was piqued. "Such a strange object exists?"

"It's clear that the world is vast, and there are still many things we don't know. Senior brother, why don't we take advantage of the martial arts tournament to promote these species to all the sects? Then, the major sects can spread the word, making it convenient for all the people of the world..."

"Ridiculous!" Before Song Xia could finish speaking, Ouyang Zhen interrupted her, "How can we talk about such trivial matters at such a grand occasion as the martial arts tournament?"

Song Xia's heart sank. She had made it so clear, yet he still thought it was a trivial matter.

"As long as the martial arts conference is held smoothly and I am elected as the leader of the martial arts alliance, I will be able to command the world and wipe out the evil cult in one fell swoop, and naturally restore peace to the world. What kind of species is this? The environments in the north and south are different. Oranges in the south are bitter oranges in the north. They can be grown in Linghe City, but can they be grown in other places? You don't know how to distinguish between important and unimportant things. You really have the mind of a woman."

After listening, Song Xia gave up completely. Sure enough, people like Ouyang Zhen, who are so stubborn, are unreasonable. He actually thinks that the matter of grain is not as important as the leader of the martial arts alliance? With such short-sightedness, how dare he want to command the world? It's a joke.

At this moment, Ouyang Feng and the other two were outside the door. They were worried that their master's wife would follow them, but they did not expect to hear such arrogant words.

“Master!” Ouyang Feng, being straightforward, couldn’t bear to see Song Xia suffer such injustice. Ignoring Song Xia’s dissuasive gaze, he still stepped forward and said, “How can the matter of grain seeds be a trivial matter? If promoted properly, it can save many people in the world from the suffering of hunger.”

"In the past, when there were no cults or treacherous officials, the people of the world were still able to eat their fill, weren't they? Therefore, cults and treacherous officials are the greatest dangers to the world."

“Master, it’s true they are harmful, but the seeds are also…”

"You insolent fool!" Ouyang Zhen suddenly slapped him. "As a disciple, is this how you speak to your master?"

Ouyang Wan and Yin Shihuai hurriedly helped up the injured Ouyang Feng, their eyes filled with disbelief that their master could be so autocratic and ruthless!