Bright, radiant sunshine; today's weather was once again splendid.
Yang Shifei had just finished washing up and was preparing to practice his martial arts when he heard a knock. He hurried to open the door.
But upon seeing the visitor, an embarrassed smile quickly appeared on his face.
"…Miss Luo."
"Good morning."
Luo Xian'er had changed into a light pink dress today, with a small, soft cardigan. Her dark, glossy hair was tied into a long braid that hung down her chest, giving her a rather gentle and sweet appearance.
She seemed unbothered by last night's incident, her expression composed as she handed him a ledger. "Take this first."
Yang Shifei was somewhat surprised. "Why has Miss Luo come to deliver this personally?"
"Most of those trivial matters from before have been dealt with. Naturally, I can't neglect Young Master."
Luo Xian'er pressed her thin lips together slightly and said softly, "I must at least fulfill my duties as a host."
"Miss Luo is too kind."
Yang Shifei felt a little more at ease and stepped aside. "Would you like to come in and sit for a while?"
"Young Master hasn't had breakfast yet. Why not accompany me on an outing?" Luo Xian'er blinked her beautiful eyes. "Shall we try some of the town's delicacies together?"
Yang Shifei smiled and nodded. "That would be wonderful."
He was about to set off but then remembered Yue Rui was still sleeping soundly in her room.
However, on second thought, that girl was a heavy sleeper and might not wake up until evening. He probably didn't need to worry too much.
In the early morning, East City was already quite bustling.
Yang Shifei looked at the pedestrians and common folk hurrying about their early morning routines, feeling quite moved.
Even though this world had martial artists capable of flying through the sky and burrowing into the earth, ordinary people still had to rise early and work late for their livelihood.
He then looked at Luo Xian'er beside him. This Eldest Miss had even put on a plain white face veil, appearing like a stunning, solitary flower, aloof from the world, making her intentions hard to fathom.
"Miss Luo, isn't it too noisy on the street?"
"It's fine."
Luo Xian'er walked with light steps, her skirt swaying.
Though her voice was ethereal, it was still clearly audible beside him.
"Not far from here, there's a steamed bun shop with excellent craftsmanship."
"Er… How did Miss Luo come to know of it?"
"Young Master." Luo Xian'er slanted a glance at him and sighed softly. "Do you perhaps think I've never stepped out of the house?"
Yang Shifei said sheepishly, "It's just that Miss Luo looks like a lady who rarely leaves her secluded chambers."
"…Never mind."
Luo Xian'er retracted her helpless gaze. "I do occasionally stroll through the streets. I'm not entirely ignorant of the outside world. If that were the case, how could I say I like the local customs and atmosphere of East City?"
"That's true."
Yang Shifei was thoughtful. "It seems I don't understand Miss Luo well enough yet."
Luo Xian'er said softly, "I don't have any complex thoughts. I simply prefer a leisurely life."
Yang Shifei was somewhat surprised to hear this, but thinking of her 'female ghost' identity, a few doubts arose.
This Eldest Miss, what exactly had she experienced in the past?
"We're here."
Not long after, Luo Xian'er stopped in front of a bustling stall.
The old man kneading dough smiled and beckoned, calling out, "Eldest Miss, if you wanted steamed buns, why didn't you have little Miss Tanxiang come and give the order?"
"Two servings of steamed buns."
"Hmm?" The old stall owner looked startled, then his gaze quickly shifted to Yang Shifei beside her. A look of shock instantly appeared on his somewhat weathered face. "This is…"
"This humble one is from Niu Family Village and has just recently taken up a position at Clear Moon Pavilion."
Yang Shifei smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
The old stall owner nodded in understanding and chuckled, taking a few steamed buns from the steamer and handing them over with a bowl of soy milk. "Young man, work hard. This Eldest Miss Luo, although she doesn't say much, is a truly good young lady, very kind-hearted!"
"Er… This humble one understands."
Yang Shifei carried the bowl and sat down beside Luo Xian'er.
"Miss Luo, would you like to eat together?"
"I've already eaten."
Luo Xian'er sat with proper and graceful posture, murmuring, "Just fill your stomach at ease."
Yang Shifei didn't stand on ceremony either and took a bite of the steamed bun in his hand.
But as the savory, oily fragrance filled his mouth, he quickly paused.
This old stall owner's craftsmanship was truly something.
"I heard he was once a head chef at a certain restaurant in the capital. He only retired to East City after reaching old age." Luo Xian'er seemed to have read his thoughts. "He usually sells steamed buns not for money, but as he says, he simply enjoys making them."
"Quite sentimental."
Yang Shifei praised, then quickly finished his food and drink.
He rubbed his stomach; his appetite had indeed increased considerably compared to before.
"Young Master, next we'll go to the bridgehead—"
Before Luo Xian'er could finish, a sturdy man hurried over from not far away.
Yang Shifei was slightly startled. Seeing the man dressed in the martial robes of a yamen officer, with a saber at his waist, he was clearly from the government.
"Eldest Miss Luo."
But as soon as the saber-carrying man stopped, he cupped his fists and bowed his head with a solemn expression. "The matter you instructed, we have already prepared everything."
"Good." Luo Xian'er nodded slightly, then turned her head to look at Yang Shifei. "Young Master, accompany me to the yamen."
"Ah?"
Yang Shifei's heart tightened. "Has something happened?"
Luo Xian'er blinked. "It's certainly not a bad thing."
Half an hour later, Yang Shifei stepped into East City's yamen for the first time.
He had seen it from afar a few days ago, but visiting in person, he couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
Both inside and out, it was grander than he had imagined.
"No matter how remote, it is still the center of a provincial region."
Meeting the gazes from the yamen entrance, Luo Xian'er stepped inside with calm composure.
Yang Shifei secretly glanced around, seeing many 'courtroom props,' just like in the old movies he'd seen—a main hall, gongs and drums, red wooden canes, and so on, everything one would expect.
Unfortunately, no cases were being tried, so he couldn't experience the atmosphere of an ancient trial.
"Eldest Miss Luo, you've finally arrived!"
Just then, a hearty laugh came from not far away.
Yang Shifei followed the sound and saw a group of people walking towards them along a corridor. The leader had a square, firm face and a robust build, impressively dressed in embroidered official robes. He was likely an official in the yamen, and not of low rank.
The few people beside him wore various yamen uniforms, their gazes sharp; clearly, they weren't ordinary citizens either.
But upon seeing Luo Xian'er, all of them, without exception, showed a degree of reverence.
Luo Xian'er merely nodded coolly.
"Prefect Li."
Yang Shifei's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.
And faced with such discourteous behavior, the leading Prefect Li actually beamed even more broadly. "Eldest Miss, we have already arranged everything you requested. Please proceed to the training grounds behind the yamen. As for this gentleman beside you—"
Only then did the gazes of the several men turn to Yang Shifei, and they all frowned.
A fine, handsome young man, but…
How could he be accompanying Eldest Miss Luo?
"May I know this little brother's name?"
Yang Shifei was about to cup his fists and introduce himself, but Luo Xian'er tugged at his sleeve.
Meeting his puzzled gaze, the young woman simply said with a calm expression,
"He is my fiancé."
"…"
Yang Shifei was stunned by her words, clearly not expecting to be introduced this way.
But Prefect Li and the others had an even greater reaction, their faces showing an indescribable shock, practically dumbfounded.
"This… this gentleman is your… fiancé?!"
"Yes." Luo Xian'er replied calmly. "Is there anything else?"
"No… nothing more." Prefect Li and the others wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads.
And the way they looked at him, as if he were a monster, made Yang Shifei's heart pound.
Miss Luo's status and position, were they much higher than he had anticipated?
"Let's go."
Luo Xian'er gently took hold of a corner of Yang Shifei's sleeve and led the way.
Watching their departing figures, Prefect Li and the others stood rooted to the spot, only exchanging bewildered glances after a long moment.
This young man, which prominent talent or hero could he possibly be to have gained Eldest Miss Luo's favor?!
"Sh-should we report this to 'those above'?"
"Hush! Do you want to die?!"
Prefect Li's expression darkened, and he hissed, "Don't talk too much. We just need to follow orders. As for what we just saw, all of you forget it—no, wait! In the future, when you see that young brother again, you must treat him with utmost respect and courtesy. Ensure absolutely no harm comes to him!"