Chapter 41: Peach Blossom Date

Early morning, Lu Xuan had not yet woken up, but Shen Yuyan was already no longer by his side, and only a faint lingering scent remained on the quilt.

She was but a weak woman; how could she withstand being tossed about by Lu Xuan, whose physique had been strengthened by the Five Animals Transformation Art? Yesterday's injury, however, had rarely allowed Shen Yuyan to have a good night's rest, and as soon as day broke, she woke up early and got up to prepare breakfast.

Lu Xuan also rarely slept in. After all, for this escort mission, he was considered to have performed a great service, so Uncle Fang granted him a three-day holiday to spend time with his wife.

[Ding! Sleep Cultivation complete.]

[Five Animals Transformation Art: Great Perfection.]

[Demon-Subduing Righteous Sun Blade: 40%.]

[Thunderclap Hand: 15%.]

[Current Realm: Martial Artist Realm: Level Seven.]

Lu Xuan glanced at the panel and was momentarily stunned.

Martial Artist Realm. Level Seven.

Two Cultivation Techniques were improving simultaneously; the speed wasn't fast, but it wasn't too slow either. He clenched his fists, feeling the True Energy within his body. It was a bit more mellow than a few days ago, surging through his meridians like a great river.

After Lu Xuan got up, he first went to feed the donkey.

"Yuyan, Uncle Fang gave me three days off to rest. Why don't we go outside the city for a spring outing to admire the peach blossoms!"

"Hmm?"

Shen Yuyan stopped her chopsticks, her eyes turning toward Lu Xuan, as if she were saying, 'Really?'

"The peach blossoms outside the city are in full bloom. I want to take you to admire the spring scenery!"

"Okay!"

Shen Yuyan's little head nodded continuously.

After finishing the meal, Lu Xuan locked the courtyard gate and led the donkey while Shen Yuyan sat on the donkey's back.

A large water gourd hung from the donkey's back, swaying as they went. Shen Yuyan wore a veil, revealing only a pair of eyes, while the sunlight was warm and the spring breeze was gentle.

"Husband, aren't we going outside the city?"

"Let's go to the street first to buy some things."

Shen Yuyan didn't ask further, sitting on the donkey's back and watching the pedestrians on the street.

The main street of Azure Sun City was still the same main street, and the shops on both sides were still the same shops. The cloth sellers, tea sellers, and bun sellers were no different from before, but the people looking at them were different.

"Look, look, that masked woman riding the donkey."

"That must be the ugly girl from the Shen Family, right?"

"The one leading the donkey is that trash young master of the Lu Family?"

"Tsk tsk, when they were kicked out back then, they didn't even have a sedan chair; they left riding a lame donkey."

"They're still riding a donkey now, hahaha..."

There was still laughter, but there was less than before. Back then, the entire street was filled with overwhelming ridicule, while now there were only a few scattered sounds, like raindrops hitting tiles, echoing a few times before vanishing.

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More people were curious.

"This trash is a gatekeeper at the escort agency; how much can he earn in a month?"

"I heard Fang Tieshan looks after him quite a bit."

"That donkey's leg seems to be better? It's not limping anymore."

"Why do you care if someone's donkey is lame or not..."

Whispers drifted in from both sides, like wind blowing through leaves, rustling.

Shen Yuyan lowered her head, her fingers gripping the donkey's reins very tightly, just like before. But her back was a bit straighter than before.

Lu Xuan held the reins and walked in front. His steps were very steady, and his gaze was a bit more composed than before.

"Husband."

Shen Yuyan's voice came from behind him, soft and gentle.

"Hmm?"

"They... don't seem to be laughing as much."

Lu Xuan remained silent.

Shen Yuyan lowered her head, the corners of her mouth curving into a faint smile.

"I'm not afraid of their laughter anymore."

Lu Xuan continued leading the donkey forward. If anyone had been close enough to see his face, they would have noticed the faint smile that briefly crossed his lips before disappearing.

He knew why she was no longer afraid. It wasn't because she had become stronger, but because she knew that someone would stand in front of her.

At the corner of the street, there was a stall selling steamed buns. White steam billowed from the bamboo baskets, and the warm, savory aroma wafted halfway down the street.

"Boss, two steamed buns."

The one selling the steamed buns was a plump old man with great skill who had been selling on this street for over ten years. He glanced at Lu Xuan, then at Shen Yuyan on the donkey's back, while his hands never stopped.

"Coming right up!"

He skillfully picked up two steamed buns, wrapped them in oil paper, and handed them to Lu Xuan.

"Three copper coins."

Lu Xuan took out three copper coins from his robe and placed them on the counter.

The plump old man looked at the three copper coins, then at Lu Xuan. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. He looked at Shen Yuyan on the donkey's back, then at Lu Xuan.

"Live well."

Lu Xuan took the steamed buns and nodded.

"Thank you."

Continuing forward, they reached a fruit shop, and Lu Xuan stopped, because just then, a sudden burst of rapid hoofbeats and shouting came from the street entrance.

"Move aside, everyone move aside!!"

The pedestrians on the street immediately moved out of the way, and Lu Xuan also led the donkey to the side. The pedestrians watched the galloping horses and began to discuss among themselves.

"What's going on? What happened?"

"Those seem to be the Shen Family's men. Why are they in such a hurry?!"

At this moment, someone suddenly spoke in a sneaky voice that seemed low but could be heard by everyone.

"Don't you all know?"

"Know what?"

"Something happened to the Shen Family!"

"Ah?!"

The crowd gasped and turned to look at that person.

"I'm telling you, you absolutely must not spread this around!"

After receiving nods of assurance from everyone, the person continued.

"Last night, a thief broke into the Shen Family. Both of those Shen Family sisters had their heads shaved bald by the thief, and their wrists were cut until rivers of blood flowed."

The crowd gasped again upon hearing this.

"Ah!? That can't be!!"

"How can it not be? If I'm lying to you, I will call you my father! Haven't you seen the Shen Family's men riding back and forth all morning?!"

On the donkey's back, Shen Yuyan's delicate body shuddered, hardly able to believe her ears.

Shen Wanqing and Shen Wanrong had their heads shaved bald and their wrists broken last night.

How was this possible?

Who would be so bold as to break into the Shen Family at night and strike at the two Shen Family sisters!

"Was the thief caught?"

The crowd continued to discuss.

"No. It's said the Shen Family Head is already exploding with rage, swearing to turn this Azure Sun City upside down to find that thief."

Shen Yuyan could not believe it. When she wanted to ask Lu Xuan for his thoughts, she saw that Lu Xuan was still haggling with a street vendor, as if he hadn't heard this shocking news at all.

After putting away his things, he simply led the donkey steadily toward the city gate.

Shen Yuyan opened her mouth, but in the end, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Leaving the city was very strict, and there were Shen Family members guarding the city gate. Shen Yuyan was a little afraid, but Lu Xuan comforted her from the side.

After seeing Shen Yuyan and Lu Xuan, they didn't make things too difficult for them. They only ridiculed them for a couple of sentences before letting the two of them out of the city.

Only after they were out of the city did Shen Yuyan slowly speak.

"Husband! Did you hear that just now?"

"Hear what?"

"Shen Wanqing and Shen Wanrong both had their hair shaved and their hands ruined last night."

"Oh... I heard it!"

Lu Xuan's voice was neither loud nor soft, from the donkey's back, Shen Yuyan looked at Lu Xuan, who was leading the donkey ahead.

"Who do you think would have injured them? How could someone think of something like shaving their heads bald!"

"Those sisters are so wicked and have offended so many people; it's not surprising for such a thing to happen. If it were me, I would do the same!"

"Hmm!"

Shen Yuyan wanted to ask something else, but she didn't say it.

At this moment, a cool breeze blew past, and the fragrance of flowers also wafted into their noses with the wind.

---------------

Evening!

The spring scenery was enchanting, and the peach blossoms were radiant.

When the two returned to the city and walked to the entrance of their alley, Lu Xuan's footsteps came to a abrupt halt.

"What's wrong, Husband?"

After saying that, Shen Yuyan saw it and knew why, there was actually a person standing at their own door.