Peace Order

In the midst of the Xue Family's residence, all the young members and female relatives of the Xue Family couldn't help but cast curious glances.

A young girl in a goose-yellow long dress walked ahead, accompanied by a boy of similar age by her side. He had started to grow tall, with a heroic brow, clad in a blue shirt with a leather belt equipped with a hook, from which hung a heavy saber with a dark-patterned sheath adorned with copper. On his back, he carried a war bow intertwined with golden threads, exuding a formidable presence.

When did such a young man arrive at the Xue Family? They were unaware.

Originally planning to get acquainted, they dismissed the idea upon seeing him walking with Xue Shuangtao.

Xue Shuangtao said, "Bow and arrow, heavy saber, and then come with me to the pharmacy."

"It's impossible to equip you with armor; Grandfather said the Xue Family doesn't possess any armor."

"Armor is against the laws of Chen Country."

Li Guanyi nodded.

However, recalling the old man's heroic demeanor, he only half-believed the girl's words.

He believed that Xue Shuangtao genuinely thought so.

As for Elder Xue Daoyong's words.

He wouldn't believe even a punctuation mark of those.

Thanks to the history education from his previous life's nine years of compulsory schooling, Li Guanyi had a streamlined view of history; during times of great chaos, a powerful family like the Xue Family would surely have its private arms and armor. Changes in the world always lead to local strongholds leaping forth to become princes and ministers.

The Xue Family's pharmacy was much larger than Huichun Hall.

Huichun Hall was the largest pharmacy south of Guanyi City, and previously, they delivered specific medicinal materials to the Xue Family annually. Upon opening the door, a fragrance of medicinal herbs filled the air, giving Li Guanyi a comfortable and relaxed feeling. His eyes scanned around, recognizing many medicinal materials.

Dragon bone, milkwort, Polygonum multiflorum, and other calming medicines.

Angelica, He Shou Wu, reprocessed rehmannia, and other blood-enriching medicines.

Ginseng, atractylodes, sedum, and other Qi-enriching medicines, and...

The young pharmacist casually glanced around and paused, noticing some unnamed medicinal materials in the cupboard marked for the pharmacist's use. Unrecognizable to most, but Li Guanyi, who had dealt with medicinal materials since the age of five and studied medicine for eight years, identified them in an instant.

Bajitian, herba rhapontici, duanshu, cuscuta, Locking Yang, plectranthus barbatus, asparagus, Black Elder.

Aphrodisiacs that nurture yin and fortify yang? With this potency and formula.

Invigorating kidney yang, benefiting essence and blood.

Strengthening sinews and bones, stopping flooding and leakage? It seems...

The elder with the goat beard noticed the young man's gaze, coughed once, and moved step by step, blocking Li Guanyi's view, and said with an amiable smile, "Hmm, Miss, and this young master, what brings you here?"

Xue Shuangtao smiled briefly, her tone as gentle as usual, "Thank you, Elder Zhang, we're here to pick up some cultivation materials."

The elder, with a speed surpassing his usual limits, quickly took out some items and placed them on the table.

"Thirty servings of Pill Ginseng Drink, which can aid in Qi movement and can also be used temporarily for angina."

"Ten servings of the Vitality Lotus Pill that simultaneously nourishes Qi and blood."

"Five Hemostatic Medicines, and thirty nourishing medicine sachets for bathing; after training, to promote the flow of Qi and blood and soothe soreness—a morning bath in these medicines daily ensures the Primordial Qi reaches Perfection; the second type for the night ensures no hidden injuries remain."

"Additionally, since I took a liking to this young brother at first sight, here is a personal gift of ten percent."

The usually stingy elder, known for his extreme thriftiness, placed a small package on the table. The young man appeared shy, slightly smiling, "Thank you, senior, for your profound medical skills. However, with so many medicinal materials unlabelled, it's indeed difficult to recognize them; I've almost hurt my eyes looking."

"Perhaps a cleanup might be good?"

The elder's face showed a relieved and gentle smile, "You're right, young brother."

"I will definitely tidy up next time!"

An elder and a youth, tacitly understanding each other.

The elder added a few more elixir pills into the mix.

Then he saw Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao out and sighed a breath of relief, wiping his forehead.

"How did the Xue Family acquire such a charming little fox who also knows medical techniques and prescriptions?"

Xue Shuangtao said, "Elder Zhang is always... economical, but today, he has treated you exceptionally well."

Li Guanyi said, "Perhaps it's because I had also been a pharmacist before."

Xue Shuangtao looked skeptical but did not pry further, "Elixirs and weapons are different from armor; you can come to collect this month's portion every month. Although it's said that elixirs aid cultivation, Grandfather has decreed not to take more than the monthly allowance. Cultivation must still rely on oneself."

"Well, that's about it; let's make a trip to the Clothing Workshop."

Manager Qu at the Clothing Workshop was dealing with some miscellaneous matters. Seeing Xue Shuangtao and Li Guanyi arrive, she was surprised but then noticed the waist card at Li Guanyi's side, her eyes widening slightly in bewilderment, stuttering, "This, Little Brother Li..."

Xue Shuangtao said, "I'm accompanying Mr. Li here to pick up some Guest Elder's garments."

Manager Qu murmured, "Guest Elder...?"

She looked at the young man, somewhat dazed, and then her expression quickly switched to one of clear, deferential humility, "Yes, Miss, Guest Elder, please wait a moment."

Li Guanyi bowed slightly, speaking softly, "Thank you, Manager Qu."

Manager Qu, momentarily startled by the look on Li Guanyi's face, soon had her smile turn much more genuine, saying:

"Guest Elder is as sweet-tongued as ever, all right, leave it to me."

"I'll make sure to prepare the finest clothes for the Guest Elder."

She swayed her hips as she left. Li Guanyi and Xue Shuangtao sat in the guest area of the Clothing Workshop, drinking tea. The maids from the workshop served some snacks; with Li Guanyi practicing the "Breaking Formation Song" Inner Qi which made him easily hungry, he slowly ate some.

Xue Shuangtao, curiously looking Li Guanyi up and down, asked, "Did you know Manager Qu before?"

"Hmm, I met her yesterday when picking up clothes."

Xue Shuangtao became more puzzled, "Then why do you call her 'sister'?"

Li Guanyi wiped a crumb from the corner of his mouth and, after a thoughtful pause, said:

"Because she's a few years older than me."

"That's it?"

"Respect affords no blame, does it?"

The conversation ended briefly.

As Li Guanyi enjoyed some pastries, sitting between him and Xue Shuangtao on rosewood chairs was a small table. The pastries were exquisitely sweet and adorable, with a soft and chewy texture, filled with red bean paste. Suddenly, the girl spoke, "Guest Elder, how old are you?"

Li Guanyi said, "A little over thirteen, about two months until my birthday."

Xue Shuangtao gazed ahead and said, "Hmm, I just turned fourteen."

Li Guanyi nodded.

Xue Shuangtao said, "I'm older than you."

She paused, her gaze falling on Li Guanyi's face, and said:

"I'm also older than you."

Li Guanyi seemed to understand something. Did this girl also want him to call her 'sister'?

He chuckled to himself, finding her quite an endearing girl. At that moment, footsteps approached, and Xue Shuangtao quickly sat back down, her skirt falling neatly, hands resting gently on her knees, embodying the gentle temperament of an elegant young lady with impeccable manners.

Manager Qu said cheerfully, "Can you believe the coincidence today? In my clothing workshop, we just happen to have a piece of clothing similar to your size, Guest Elder, and even more coincidentally, there's a belt inlaid with jade. Young sir, would you like to try it on?"

Li Guanyi set down his pastry and followed Manager Qu to change his clothes.

The same clear blue shirt but of an entirely different fabric, with subtle patterns that were neither too lavish nor frivolous, yet bore the solemnity of a noble family, a smell sachet hanging at the waist, and the quality of the leather belt even finer, adorned with a round piece of white jade.

In the Southern Chen Dynasty, decorations were grand.

Even belts came in various styles—Immortal Flower, lychee, Shi Man, playful child, made from materials ranging from leather to gold, iron, jade, and rhino horn, previously symbols of high status, the control loosening gradually. Nowadays, decorating a belt with precious stones was something the court tended not to fuss over.

Manager Qu clapped her hands joyously, "What a fine appearance, what a good demeanor."

"Such a fine young man."

Xue Shuangtao couldn't help but admit, even among the Xue Family and other aristocratic families well-acquainted with hers, though some were more handsome than this young man, his composed demeanor was truly unprecedented; a waist-borne sword, a bow in hand, his features expressive like the willows of spring or a horse raising its whip—a spirited young man.

Manager Qu cheerfully saw the two young men off and leaned on the doorway as a maid near her said, "Manager, wasn't that clothing reserved for that young master before?"

"Wouldn't it be a bit improper to give it to this Guest Elder in advance?"

Manager Qu lazily said, "The people in the clothing workshop listen to me, that young master was all airs, making a fuss when he came here; a little delay won't hurt, as long as it's delivered on the set day."

The maid said, "But the young master has a higher status."

She smiled slightly and said, "If we speak of status, indeed, that young master has a higher status."

"But that call of 'Sister' was so heartening to me, there was no disdain in his eyes for us, so I'm willing to make things more convenient for him. Living in this world, people are bound to have their quirks."

"I just hope, for those who make me feel at ease, to have the most comfortable lives."

.........

"Elixir Pills, bows, weapons, clothing—all replaced."

"The place of hidden books, I'll take you there tomorrow."

"Moreover, Guest Elder, you may use the Xue Family's carriage and also arrange two maids to help with the affairs of your household and take care of the ladies. Remember to come early tomorrow."

The coachman Zhao Dabing had heard a Guest Elder would need a carriage and arrived driving one. Seeing the clothes on Li Guanyi, he was stunned for a long while and said, "Little brother... no, Guest Elder, didn't you say yesterday that becoming a Guest Elder was a far-off matter?"

How come, after not seeing him for a day, he had become a Guest Elder?

My own hopes had seen no progress for ten years.

Was I drunk for ten years just from yesterday's wine?

Li Guanyi thought for a moment and smiled, "Zhao, as the old saying goes."

"A day feels like a year."

Zhao Dabing opened his mouth, and that mixture of envy and self-reproach turned into a chuckle after catching the small joke in the phrase, his envy and jealousy dissolving into amusement. He shook his head helplessly, still smiling enviously, "Guest Elder, you really are talented."

"Please, get in the carriage!"

The young man paused, then asked:

"Zhao, do you still have those roasted peanuts? I've never tasted such good snacks before."

"I'm a bit of a glutton."

Zhao Dabing was slightly taken aback, then laughed heartily with a touch of pride, "Hahaha, of course, I have!"

"If you want to eat, I'll always have some ready for you."

Xue Shuangtao watched how the thirteen-year-old young man conducted himself and reminded, "Guest Elder, remember to come early tomorrow."

"Mm."

Li Guanyi was stepping into the carriage when he suddenly thought of something, stepped down from the carriage.

Xue Shuangtao: "Hmm???"

Li Guanyi opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately didn't speak, only saying:

"Wait a moment."

Though not sure why, Li Guanyi also seemed unable to find the right words. He turned around and slapped his own face, adjusted his temperament, then turned back, the sunlight warm, Xue Family members coming and going, the handsome young man's face expressing a shy and simple smile.

"Thank you for today."

He paused:

"Miss Xue."