“My Peaceful Life With the Heroine I Once Fought”

Chapter 4: Market Days and Silent Smiles

The scent of steamed buns, sizzling oil, and fresh fruit lingered thick in the morning air as Jingyang Village awakened to its liveliest day of the week—market day.

It was a tradition where farmers, merchants, herbalists, and even traveling cultivators gathered to sell, trade, and connect with the community. Colorful stalls lined the paths, laughter echoed in every direction, and the sky above was a perfect shade of cloudless blue.

Yu Zhen adjusted the strap of the woven basket on his back. Beside him, Lan Yueran walked quietly, her long hair braided neatly, wearing a pale blue robe with simple embroidery at the sleeves.

"This is… livelier than I expected," she said, eyes roaming over the stalls filled with bright fruits, spices, scrolls, and handmade goods.

"You'll get used to it," Yu Zhen replied with calm amusement. "Just don't fall for free samples. They always lead to empty coin purses."

Yueran chuckled. "I'm not a child."

"No, but I've seen grown cultivators give up swords for grilled tofu."

She laughed softly. "Tofu of doom. Noted."

---

The market was bursting with life. Children darted between stalls waving paper fans painted with tigers. Elderly couples sipped tea under parasols. A blind man played the erhu near the square fountain, his music slow and haunting.

They stopped at a stall selling vegetables. A stout woman behind the table grinned broadly when she spotted Yu Zhen.

"Zhen! Bringing your bride-to-be to market? No wonder the sun shines so sweet today!"

Yu Zhen nodded politely while Yueran's cheeks turned noticeably pink.

"Want fresh cucumbers, missy? Good for young love," the woman teased, winking.

"We'll just take mushrooms and mustard greens," Yu Zhen cut in quickly.

Yueran kept her head low, but the corners of her mouth twitched upward.

---

Next, they stopped at a tea-and-herb stall. Yueran's eyes lit up as she leaned toward bundles of cinnamon bark and mint leaves hanging from the canopy.

"Do you like sweet tea?" Yu Zhen asked.

"I didn't… before," she admitted. "But ever since the burnt rice incident, it's growing on me."

Yu Zhen gave a soft laugh. "Tea heals the soul."

"Do you know much about wounded souls?"

He turned to her, eyes unreadable for a brief second. Then he said, "Enough to wish no one else has to carry them."

Yueran went quiet, her gaze dropping. But her heart beat a little warmer than before.

---

They continued walking deeper into the market, passing a woodworker carving a lion statue, a calligraphy stall, and a cage of songbirds chirping from beneath bright cloth covers.

"Look at that one," Yueran said, pointing to a tiny bird with striking blue feathers. "It's adorable."

"If you like it, we can get one. You can keep it by the window."

"Really?"

Yu Zhen nodded. "But you'll have to care for it."

Yueran grinned. "Fine. As long as you help clean the cage."

He arched an eyebrow. "So I get extra chores."

"A good husband doesn't pick tasks," she replied innocently.

He sighed dramatically, but his eyes glinted with a smile.

---

Just as they were finishing their shopping, a voice rang out over the crowd.

"ZHEEEEN! YUERAAAAN!"

They turned to see Fang Wuji running toward them, two large sacks in hand.

"I got smoked meat at half price! Help me carry it!"

Behind him walked Mei Lin, elegant as always, arms crossed with tired amusement.

"He haggled for twenty minutes… for two silver coins," she said.

"You just don't understand the art of negotiation," Wuji declared, dumping one sack onto Yu Zhen's arm.

Soon, the four of them found a spot beneath a tree by a small stream, sharing peeled oranges and easy conversation.

"So when's the wedding?" Wuji asked suddenly.

Yueran choked on a slice of orange.

Mei Lin punched Wuji in the arm. "Stop ruining the moment."

Yu Zhen said coolly, "When the rice stops burning, maybe then."

Yueran narrowed her eyes. "Then you'd better learn how to cut scallions properly."

They all burst into laughter, the moment as light as the breeze rustling the tree leaves above.

---

As the sun dipped lower, Yu Zhen and Yueran walked back together, now carrying vegetables—and a small bird in a bamboo cage, chirping quietly with each step.

The air was calm. Farmers waved from their fields. Children were called inside by mothers holding wooden ladles. Everything felt safe, alive, warm.

"You think the bird will be happy in our house?" Yueran asked.

"If the home is warm, and someone loves it… why wouldn't it be?"

Yueran turned to him with a tiny smile. "Are you talking about the bird? Or me?"

Yu Zhen paused. "Maybe both."

---

That evening, after dinner, the Yu family sat on the veranda. The bird now hung on a wooden beam, chirping gently as stars began to flicker in the sky.

Madam Yue smiled. "The house feels more alive now."

Yu Lian asked, "What should we name it?"

Yueran looked at Yu Zhen. "Hmm… how about Cloud?"

Yu Zhen tilted his head. "Cloud?"

"Yes. Because it's light, free, and peaceful."

He nodded slowly. "Cloud it is."

---

Later that night, Yu Zhen stood by the window in his room, gazing up at the moonlit sky. The cool breeze drifted in, carrying with it the faint sound of chirping and the distant hum of cicadas.

Today had felt like a dream—simple, filled with quiet smiles and the laughter of people who cared.

If this is a new life, he thought, then I don't want to wake up.

He closed the window slowly.

Behind him, in the quiet, Cloud chirped once.

A soft reminder…

That maybe, just maybe, peace was something he truly deserved now.

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