After Chen Gu left, Yun Yu and Hu Shao, who were in charge of coordinating matters in Chi'an, arrived. They might stay there for a long time to manage Chi'an.
Yun Mo will bring five hundred soldiers and secret guards to garrison Chi'an, under the command of Yun Shiyi.
As for the ten pigs Chen Gu sent, two were given to the people of the mountain stronghold as a year-end bonus, to be slaughtered for the New Year. The other eight pigs were left for Yun Shiyi and the soldiers, to be slaughtered every now and then, so they wouldn't have to buy meat.
When Amin and Aliang heard that Lin Yinan was going back to Longtan, they started to panic.
Having been in Chi'an with their families for so long, the city lord has assigned them specific tasks. Apart from the young children and Brother Liang, who has an injured leg, both families work in the fields with the villagers every day, not daring to slack off in the slightest.
They all knelt before Lin Yinan, pleading, "Lord City Lord, please take us back to Dragon Pool with you!"
"You haven't finished packing yet?"
She was a little puzzled; they had been packing for days, and they hadn't started packing even after hearing the commotion.
Ah Liang was taken aback, and stammered, "I've put them all away."
"Put it away and then come with us tomorrow. We've prepared a mule cart for each of your families."
Upon hearing that a mule cart had been prepared for them, Ah Liang's tears instantly welled up. Ah Yi glanced at him, somewhat annoyed at his lack of ambition. They had come to see the city lord for more than just this.
Amin stepped forward respectfully and said, "Lord City Lord, have you forgotten to give us a contract of servitude?"
"There's no need to sign a contract of servitude. You can find a job in Longtan and settle down. If your family works there for two or three years, you can buy a house."
"No, no, no, Lord City Lord, we're not going anywhere, we'll just follow you," Ah Liang hurriedly explained.
"Is it because you despise us for betraying our Lord that you refuse to sign a contract of servitude with us?"
Ah Ming, being clear-headed, thought that was what Lin Yinan was worried about.
Lin Yinan gazed at the two of them and said, “My acceptance of you is the greatest trust I can give you. The development of Longtan needs talents from all walks of life. You are both literate. Once you arrive in Longtan, I will sign an employment agreement with you so that you can shine in suitable positions.”
Both of them were stunned when they came out of the reception room, and went back to discuss it with their families.
Brother Liang had worked in a shop before, so he was knowledgeable and experienced.
"Don't worry, everyone. The city lord won't abandon us. She means that she will arrange work for us once we get to Dragon Pool."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
After packing up, Lin Yinan took Yun Shijiu out for a walk after dinner.
Qianwu carried a bundle out of the room; Qianxia had been sewing and mending it whenever she had free time lately.
"Sis, did you make these clothes for my brother?"
As soon as Chika came out of the kitchen, her face fell. "No."
He wiped his wet hands on his waist, grabbed the bundle, and hurriedly walked out.
Qianwu made a face at her back, baring her teeth and claws, "Hehehe, don't think I don't know, you made this for your sweetheart."
As she stepped out of the corridor, Qianxia turned back and glared at her warningly, telling her not to talk nonsense.
She moved nimbly through the mountain village, twisting and turning, until she finally stopped at a corner of an alley and disappeared into the darkness.
The moon was bright and the stars were few; a bright moon hung high in the sky, pure and serene.
A hazy figure walked silently from afar, the moonlight falling on him and casting a long shadow.
The person reached out to push the door open, but suddenly stopped and turned to look at the darkness in the corner.
"Who's there? Come out!" The man's deep voice was cold and sharp.
Chika slowly emerged from the darkness, carrying a bundle, her gaze fixed on his face covered by a black cloth.
"I'm going back tomorrow. I've made a few face towels and two sets of clothes for you to change into," Qianxia said, handing the bundle to Yun Shiyi.
He gazed at her silently. In the darkness, her clear eyes were as beautiful as the twinkling stars in the sky. His cold gaze softened, and he was momentarily mesmerized.
Qianxia felt a little flustered under his gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly. She lowered her head shyly and handed the bundle to him.
Yun Shiyi shifted her gaze to the bundle in front of her, a slight smile playing on her lips beneath the black cloth.
"Aren't you afraid of me!"
"I'm not afraid!" Qianxia shook her head.
She raised her hand and removed the black cloth from her face. "Look at me. Aren't you afraid?"
Chika looked up and, by the moonlight, saw again the hideous scar on his face. It was such a long scar; how strong must one's will be to survive it?
As Yun Shiyi was stared at by her clear, spring-like eyes, his heart suddenly began to pound uncontrollably. This was the first time he had felt his heart beating since he was rescued by his master from the mass grave.
He looked away in a fluster, not daring to meet her gaze again, and took the bundle from her hands.
Qianxia smiled at him and said, "It's late, you should get some rest. I'll head back now."
After walking two or three zhang away, Yun Shiyi finally mustered up her courage and said, "When I get back, I will propose marriage to Madam, is that alright?"
Qianxia paused, and the person behind her said gently, "Qianxia, will you marry me?"
Qianxia turned her head, and Yun Shiyi had already silently walked up behind her, staring intently at her.
His hands were clenched tightly under his sleeves, trying to hide his panic.
She had just realized her feelings for him when he asked to marry her. Wasn't this moving too fast?
Seeing her pursing her lips and remaining silent, Yun Shiyi repeated her words, "Qianxia, would you marry me?"
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes filled with anticipation.
She lowered her eyes, and when she looked up again, her eyes were full of determination. She nodded shyly.
Yun Shiyi's eyes lit up immediately, his joy barely concealed. He hurriedly pulled a silver hairpin from his pocket and pinned it in Qianxia's hair.
"This was left to me by my mother; I'm giving it to you."
Chika blushed deeply with embarrassment and, not daring to linger, turned and ran away.
A warmth emerged in Yun Shiyi's dark, deep eyes and gradually spread. He paused slightly, then silently followed her from a distance until she returned to her room and closed the door.
Then I heard the two sisters talking inside the house.
"Sis, why are you so late coming home?"
"Shh! Qianwu, keep your voice down, everyone's asleep."
"You only realize now that everyone's asleep? Look at you, your face is flushed! Tell me! What did Yun Shiyi do to you?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
"You wait, when we get back I'm going to tell my brother! He'll teach you a lesson."
"Qianwu..."
Yun San!
Thinking of Yun San gave Yun Shiyi a headache. He dared not linger any longer and turned to walk back.
Watching Lin Yinan and his convoy leave, the bandits felt as if their hearts had been ripped out and half their souls had been lost.
"I wonder when Lord Lin will return?"
"The city lord is so busy!"
“If she doesn’t come, we can go to Longtan to see her during the New Year!” the mountain sparrow said cheerfully.
After this incident, she lost her former carefree attitude and became much more composed and mature.
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