Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Li Xiaoxiao led the three away. In no time, the reputation of the fierce Li family woman on the edge of the village spread far and wide, and she even got a nickname: the fierce wife.
She took her wife to the pharmacy, got some medicine, and Hu Shi wore a headscarf, only revealing her injured eyes. After purchasing all the goods, the four of them returned to the house.
Hu had a special room. After it was tidied up, Li Xiaoxiao personally brewed the medicine while Bai Yi watched from the side. Hu sat on a stool, her eyes blurred with tears. Having escaped from the brothel, she always felt that it was a dream, and she didn't know when she would return to the days when she was beaten and how many disgusting men would appear in front of her again.
"Yi'er, this is your master. Come here and let your mother touch you. I'm always afraid this is all a dream." Bai Yi continued to stare at Li Xiaoxiao and called out, "Han'er." Her younger brother, who was grinning, obediently walked beside Hu Shi.
"Mother, Ayide, let's see how to decoct the medicine."
After the medicine was decocted, Bai Yi personally fed it to Hu Shi. Only then did Li Xiaoxiao go about her own business. She still needed to find a handyman to dig another pool, as papermaking couldn't be done overnight.
We need to add city walls around the courtyard to prevent anyone from seeing it. We can also try raising chickens and ducks. Fortunately, this is the Northern Wei Kingdom (not the historical Northern Wei), which is currently at the height of its power and will not be at war for the time being. We should take advantage of these years of stability to accumulate more savings.
The one in the dark room should be sent back to where she belongs.
After settling everything, Li Xiaoxiao entered the study in the bedroom, and then went to the dark room. The woman in the dark room was dressed neatly, showing no signs of her previous dishevelment.
Sitting quietly on the bed, he exuded an aura of quiet authority.
"Madam Li, I want to stay here." The old woman had only just regained some consciousness when she made her request, which put Li Xiaoxiao in a difficult position. "But, Madam..."
The old woman interrupted her, "No buts, I don't remember who I am." Her stubbornness was terrifying.
Li Xiaoxiao hesitated, "Madam, is that really the case?"
"I don't remember." Li Xiaoxiao had no choice. "Then, Madam, from now on you will be Hu Shi, and you will also be my distant great-aunt."
The old woman nodded. "Very good."
“It’s good that Auntie agrees. Auntie’s illness has been cured today, so you can leave. A room has been prepared.” Li Xiaoxiao stopped pressing and helped Hu Shi leave the dark room to stay in the east wing.
Hu lived in a separate room. Seeing the sunlight outside, her face was no longer gloomy. Li Xiaoxiao went to inform Baiyi and then went to the back of the mountain to cut bamboo. The paper made from bamboo was of excellent quality. She could also pick some bamboo shoots. The bamboo rice was also fragrant and delicious.
Li Xiaoxiao carried a specially made basket up the mountain.
Qi Yu had just finished school when the headmaster called out to him, "Stay here for a moment, I have something to say to you." Qi Yu stopped upon hearing this, and the headmaster stroked his beard as he led Qi Yu to the bamboo grove behind the academy.
"Qi Yu, do you know that your wife caused a big scene at the brothel today?" The headmaster scrutinized Qi Yu, whose expression remained unchanged, and couldn't help but shake his head again.
“Ah, I know you have a strong personality. You have no choice in becoming a live-in son-in-law. Just bear with it. Your talent means you will be extraordinary in the future. If you pass the prefectural examination, you can consider getting a divorce. You should also try to persuade your wife more often when you go back. After all, she is your wife and will definitely be a stumbling block in your career.”
The headmaster spoke earnestly, and Qi Yu only replied, "This disciple will keep it in mind."
“If that’s the case, then it’s excellent.” The headmaster put his hands behind his back. “When a man achieves great things, he must not be overpowered by a woman. What kind of man is he if he is always subservient to her?”
Qi Yu gave the same answer as before, but the headmaster, who was about to reprimand him, suddenly asked, "Does the headmaster have something he likes?"
"Ah, what favorite things? Speaking of favorite things, I do like the fine wine at the palace banquet, but unfortunately I can't drink it anymore. By the way, I heard that the fish balls your wife made last time were praised by everyone who had tried them as having an exceptional taste. Why doesn't your wife make them anymore?"
"My wife found some ginseng in the mountains and sold it for some money, so she decided not to make any more. If the headmaster likes it, we can prepare a special portion for him next time."
The headmaster stroked his beard and nodded, praising him repeatedly. After the two talked for a while, the headmaster finally allowed Qi Yu to go back.
When Qi Yu was about to return home, he stopped at the jewelry shop for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. He took a fancy to a finely carved wooden hairpin, bought it for thirty coins, and put it in his pocket before taking the oxcart home.
Back home, the food was still delicious, but there were a few more people eating. Only Bai Yiniang ate in a separate room, and Li Xiaoxiao recounted the whole story of what happened that day to Qi Yu.
"My husband, you don't know, that madam actually wanted me to be her top courtesan, saying she'd pay me a hundred taels of silver a month. I used my left hook and right kick to drag those big men down under my skirt. Aren't I amazing?"
Qi Yu was holding a bowl when his hand trembled, and the bowl crashed to the ground. He didn't bother to eat, but got up and grabbed Li Xiaoxiao's hand, "Wife, come with me to the inner room."
Before Li Xiaoxiao could react, she was pulled into the inner room. Qi Yu, with trembling hands, pulled open the long sleeves of Li Xiaoxiao's pink embroidered robe to look at her jade-like arms, confirming that there were no injuries. He then reached up the long sleeves to check that the virginity mark was still intact.
"Husband, what's wrong? I'm not hurt." Li Xiaoxiao lowered her long sleeves, and Qi Yu finally calmed down. He wrapped his arm around Li Xiaoxiao and said, "Wife, you must never go to a brothel again. Women should not go to such places."
Li Xiao's heart skipped a beat. In her previous life, as the queen of the apocalypse, everyone who saw her either wanted to eat her or knelt down and kowtowed before her. No one dared to date her, and no one was even remotely decent to her. She had never been in a relationship since birth.
Qi Yu is simply the perfect partner. He is obedient, well-behaved, and handsome. Even celebrities before the apocalypse would probably find it hard to match his looks.
It's almost like playing a simulation game.
The two shared a room for two months without ever touching each other. Isn't this the epitome of a good man, always living with pride, a breath of fresh air, both abstinent and captivating?
"Okay, I'll agree to my husband's request." Li Xiaoxiao snuggled against the man's chest.
Qi Yu's heart softened, and he touched her hair with his large hand. "My wife, I was just worried. I shouldn't have offended you."
"I swear, I will only ever be by my wife's side. If I ever have any other thoughts about her, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."
Qi Yu suddenly uttered a poisonous oath, and Li Xiaoxiao broke free from his embrace, hurriedly covering his mouth with her hand, "Husband, you can't say such things."
Upon touching the man's thin lips, Li Xiaoxiao covered them for a moment before immediately letting go, feeling as sweet as if she had drunk ten kilograms of honey.
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