Clamor

Once thought patterns harden into fixed routines, it is easy to get stuck in a rut, and Xiao Bai's reminder had shattered that fixed mindset. Back when the engagement was broken off, due to the inertia of his memories from his past life, Xu Yuan had subconsciously felt that rebelling against an arranged marriage was completely natural. Despising a profligate playboy and preferring death over being wed off—wasn't that only normal? From the perspective of a modern person, of course it was normal, not to mention that he had previously nearly violated her. The question was, was attempting suicide to force an annulment normal in Great Yan? Not normal. Not normal at all. The marital freedom in the Prime Minister's Manor was actually an exception; political unions between prominent clans were the norm. Even someone of Li Qingyan's temperament took such things for granted, let alone the frail and timid Mu Zhiyun. Once Bai Muxi's reminder shattered Xu Yuan's preconceptions, connecting the two matters turned many previously tentative suspicions into virtual certainties. So, to reward Xiao Bai, Xu Yuan bought her several accessories in the century-old shops along Huaijiu Lane. For instance, a veil capable of shielding against intent-soul probing, and a hairpin that could keep hair buns firmly in place during high-speed travel. All were crafted for cultivators, so they were exceedingly expensive. He spent just over ten thousand taels in total, drawing a stream of quiet complaints from Bai Muxi beside him. She chided Xu Yuan for throwing money around. Seeing this, Xu Yuan chuckled and teased that she certainly had a strong sense of ownership—it wasn't even nightfall yet, and she was already treating his silver as her own. At this joke, Bai Muxi fell completely silent. She took it as a reprimand from the young master, thinking she had indeed overstepped her bounds. Xu Yuan noticed her unease and realized she had misunderstood, but he did not bother to explain. Xiao Bai wanting to manage his money was not something he actually objected to. In fact, he truly would need a confidante like her to manage finances in the future. If the position of President of the Tian'an Guild under the Chancellor's Manor were converted into an imperial court post, it would essentially equal a single person holding the portfolios of the Minister of Revenue, Minister of War, and Minister of Works all at once. The requisite expertise, methods, and capability were all indispensable. Though Old Master Hua was still hale and hearty, he was already past a hundred years old and would have to step down eventually. So far, the only person besides Li Junqing suited for the post was Bai Muxi. Leaving aside that Li Junqing was of the imperial family and could never work for him, even if he were willing, Xu Yuan wouldn't dare employ him. So for now, there was only Xiao Bai. Though the Underground City was small, it was fully functional. As the Chief Arbiter overseeing everything down there, Bai Muxi had a working knowledge of production, logistics, civil construction, and the like. She could certainly be groomed in that direction. However, if that was the plan... then her ties to the remnants of the underground palace had to be completely severed! Putting these thoughts aside for the moment, Xu Yuan led Bai Muxi into a dim shop named Yaqi Pavilion. When they emerged, Bai Muxi had two more silk pouches containing sealed jade boxes in hand. Though her expression remained serene, a flicker of bewildered suspicion danced in her bright eyes. The items the young master had bought for her in that shop were rather bizarre. The hair ornament shaped like beast ears was cute enough, but what was that short-handled duster shaped like a beast's tail? When infused with spiritual qi, both could twitch and sway gently, lifelike and animated. Looking at the calm figure striding ahead, Bai Muxi swallowed her confusion and quickened her pace to keep up. On the way back to the carriage depot, the two drew quite a few looks. Not because of their appearances, nor because of Xiao Bai's figure, but because of their sheer wealth. Since the items were gifts for Xiao Bai, Xu Yuan hadn't stowed them into his Sumeru ring. The shop emblems carved on more than a dozen silk pouches boldly proclaimed their affluence. Yet that was all, for there was no shortage of wealthy people on this street. Case in point: just as they arrived at the entrance of the carriage station, a carriage carved with birds and beasts, drawn by a single-horned black-scaled horse, drove out from within. Xu Yuan recognized it as seemingly a Jiugui carriage. Aside from weaker defensive capabilities, it was on par with the Black Dragon carriage he used to ride. It couldn't be the Mu siblings who left earlier, could it? Musing silently, Xu Yuan furrowed his brows and glanced up at the carriage window. The window was open, and through the thin, sound-dampening gauze curtain, figures could faintly be discerned inside. As the curtain swayed in the breeze, a low, melodic moan drifted out. Hearing it, Xu Yuan smiled faintly and withdrew his gaze. Just some profligate he didn't know. Still, rocking the carriage in the middle of the street without even closing the windows showed a touch of Xu Yuan's own former flair. Brushing past the lavish carriage, Xu Yuan strode into the carriage depot. He presented the token he had received earlier to the manager on duty. Before long, a stablehand nimbly led their carriage out. The moment they stepped inside, Xu Yuan was about to speak when Bai Muxi took off her veil and sat obediently beside him. The cushioned divan dipped slightly, her beautiful eyes shimmering like water. Clearly, she had also heard the faint moan just now. Their eyes met for an instant. With the jolt of the carriage setting off, Bai Muxi leaned into Xu Yuan's embrace. Everything around them grew exquisitely quiet. Bai Muxi was dressed in simple, plain robes today, cut rather loosely. The slack fabric draped closely against her voluptuous curves. The layered neckline revealed not a sliver of skin, yet offered convenient access. The fragrance of her dark hair drifted to his nose along with the curling incense in the carriage. With a soft rustle of silk, a distracting pair of sinful curves was already in his grasp. She was even more well-endowed than she appeared. Bai Muxi pressed her red lips together, not making a sound, but a blush slowly crept up her snow-white earlobes. Watching this scene, Xu Yuan felt he could not wait until nightfall after all. It was all the fault of that unknown playboy just now. With that in mind, Xu Yuan slipped his other hand around Xiao Bai's waist and deftly pulled a fastening sash. Bai Muxi's bright eyes were dewy enough to weep. She felt she should cooperate and do something, just as she had thought earlier. Yet even if she knew every step by heart, when it came to experiencing it herself, her heart could not help but race. Xu Yuan felt that if anyone dared to interrupt him right now— "Come out!" a crisp, sharp shout suddenly rang out. Which motherfucking idiot?! Xu Yuan's movement froze. A crimson gleam instantly surged in his eyes, and his spiritual vision shot out, locking onto the speaker in the bustling street. When he saw her appearance, his eyes narrowed involuntarily. Damn it, why didn't this woman die on the Northern Border? Xu Mengxi. That female constable from the Secret Investigation Bureau who had wanted to arrest him. His first instinct was to step down and teach this woman a lesson, but the moment he rose, he realized—he was supposed to be dead, and his current identity hadn't committed any crime, had he? His lower brain had hijacked his upper brain; he had briefly lost his senses. Massaging his temples, Xu Yuan composed himself and observed for a moment, only to realize that Xu Mengxi wasn't coming for him—she was targeting that earlier luxurious carriage. Under the gentle sunlight reflecting off the snow on both sides of the street, a valiant woman in the purplish-red uniform of the Secret Investigation Bureau stood blade drawn, barring the way before the single-horned black-scaled carriage. Murderous intent and disgust mingled in her spirited willow-leaf eyes. Looking at the halted carriage, Xu Mengxi's voice rang out: "Qin Weishu, you dared enter the capital after murdering an imperial court official? Come with me." Qin Weishu... The moment he heard the name, Xu Yuan realized that this was likely the legitimate son of the Jiangnan Qin family, and the younger brother of Qin Weijiu. What was he doing here in Di'an City?