After wandering around all morning, Xiang Wan finally figured out what Xuan Yuanlie had gone out to do. As soon as he stepped out with his portrait painted on him, he was surrounded by onlookers. The villagers looked at him with pity and whispered amongst themselves. Xuan Yuanlie, unsuspecting, headed west. Upon arriving at the trading market, he inquired and learned that Xiang Wan had indeed traded his clothes for medicinal herbs. However, the herbs weren't cheap there; if Xiang Wan hadn't pleaded so much and knew the shopkeeper, it would have been uncertain whether she could have even gotten them.
Hearing the shopkeeper's explanation, Xuan Yuanlie thought to himself that although Xiang Wan's actions were inappropriate, he couldn't simply ask the shopkeeper to return the items. He instructed the shopkeeper not to show the clothes to anyone else and to keep them safe, as he might come to redeem them at any time. The shopkeeper, a straightforward man, nodded in agreement and then kindly added, "What a pity. Of all people to imitate, you had to follow that person from the other side of the world. Young man, treat her well when you get back; she's a good girl. You're lucky."
Xuan Yuanlie was completely confused and asked in bewilderment, "What's a pity? Who did I imitate this time?"
"Oh well, that girl has always been strong-willed. It's better to have someone helping her than to be all alone. Wait a minute, I'll go get you some clothes. When you get back, live a good life. If you're not smart, you should listen to others. Thinking about all sorts of nonsense all day long is useless and a waste of time."
The shopkeeper shoved a slightly worn set of clothes into Xuan Yuanlie's hands. He took them home, bewildered, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. Only after changing at home did he realize that Xiang Wan must have spoken ill of him outside, leading to the shopkeeper's misunderstanding. For a general like him to be seen as someone with a poor brain, and to receive so many strange looks along the way, was a sour feeling no one would tolerate. So he sat in his room, intending to confront Xiang Wan when she returned. But then, this woman, disheveled and disheveled, stumbled in and even helped him retrieve his lost belongings.
Now that he's driven her away, he's too ashamed to apologize. But then again, why should he apologize? She was the one who wanted to die, and this general saved her; it's only right that he find something for her. Even if he ended up using all the money he spent on his own clothes after pawning them, it would only repay him for this one garment. If you calculate it that way, this general actually owes her!
The more Xuan Yuanlie thought about it, the more uneasy he felt, and his face grew increasingly grim. His stomach rumbled with hunger. He glanced around; apart from the seashells scattered everywhere on the ground, there was nothing to eat. It would be too unethical to just leave like this. Helpless, Xuan Yuanlie silently picked up the seashells, gave them a hasty wash at the sink next to the stove, and then threw them into the pot to boil.
Xiang Wan had a meal at Aunt Liu's house next door and helped her clean the kitchen. Aunt Liu's husband and son had gone out to sea to fish early that morning, leaving her home alone. Xiang Wan's arrival gave her a chance to keep her company.
"You silly child, of all things to pick up, you had to pick up a man to raise. If he's a wicked man, you'll be in big trouble."
Aunt Liu kept muttering to Xiang Wan while she worked.
Upon hearing this, Xiang Wan smiled and said nonchalantly, "Isn't it said that saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda? I'm just accumulating merit and making plans for my next life."
"At such a young age, you listen to all those high-sounding words. Has anyone who saved someone ever had a good ending? Let me tell you, there were kind-hearted people around here who saved someone and took them home, treating them to good food and drink. Guess what happened next? The person they saved left without a word, and later, some people even came looking for revenge, accusing them of harboring criminals. Can you believe how much trouble that caused? In this world, those high-ranking people are the ones you shouldn't mess with. If they say you've committed a crime, you can't clear your name even if you have a hundred mouths. Sigh!"
Aunt Liu shook her head as she spoke, then sighed and continued to advise Xiang Wan, "Don't let his honest appearance fool you; he's not very bright. What if he gets into trouble for you one day? How can a young woman like you bear the consequences?"
Xiang Wan found it amusing. Could she tell Aunt Liu that she had done this on purpose? Xuan Yuanlie would suddenly become someone with a bad temper, and who knew if he would hold her accountable for this later? She needed to come up with a foolproof plan.
"Aunt Liu, he's not what you think. It's just that his appearance is too striking, and I was afraid it would cause trouble for our village, so I painted his face with a big mask. Who knew he wouldn't appreciate it!"
"Oh dear, is that so? Don't worry, Aunt Liu will go over and have a good talk with him later. It's not easy for you to live alone, and it wouldn't be good to let him misunderstand for no reason."
What a helpful assist! Xiang Wan quickly tidied up the kitchen for Aunt Liu and then headed out to the trading market. Actually, the medicinal herbs for Xuan Yuanlie weren't as expensive as the shopkeeper had claimed; she had specifically instructed him to keep them. She also left some herbs with the shopkeeper as a precaution. Her family was penniless, and having extra herbs would inevitably arouse suspicion; it was best to be careful.
She gathered some medicinal herbs to nourish her body, then borrowed Aunt Liu's kitchen to brew them, entrusting Aunt Liu to deliver them to Xuan Yuanlie. She added a sleep-aiding ingredient, but since it wasn't convenient for her to do it personally, having a middleman would make things easier.
Aunt Liu tried to persuade Xiang Wan again with earnest words, but seeing that Xiang Wan had made up her mind, she had no choice but to give up and took the medicine bowl to her house.
Xuan Yuanlie's personality meant that even if he knew he was wrong, he wouldn't have the face to admit it. He had just argued with Xiang Wan, and if she were to personally bring the medicine over, he would definitely say something reckless, and might even spill it, wasting her efforts. But Aunt Liu was different. She had no intention of harming anyone, and she couldn't bear to see someone she knew misunderstood by a stranger, especially since she was Xuan Yuanlie's savior. Even if Xuan Yuanlie had a bad temper, he wouldn't refuse medicine for recuperation without reason, especially since it wasn't Xiang Wan who brought it over personally.
After being scolded by Aunt Liu, Xuan Yuanlie drank the medicine in one gulp. So, sometimes, when a direct approach doesn't work, taking a roundabout way can make it easier to achieve the goal.
Xuanyuan Lie had eaten a lot of shellfish with sand and mud in the morning, and his stomach was churning. Aunt Liu's bowl of medicine came just in time, quenching his thirst and relieving his stomach discomfort. In the afternoon, he lay down on Xiang Wan's bed and fell asleep. In his drowsy state, he thought that the medicine might be a little off, and then he drifted off to sleep.
Xiang Wan went to the trading market again and retrieved everything. After tinkering in her room for a long time, she finally managed to prepare everything. So, now it was time for her to put her skills to use.
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