Chapter 69

In the early morning, the ancient city of Wanggu appeared bustling.

This bustle was further enlivened by the presence of two people walking through it.

They were Zhao Yun and Liu Ruxin.

Today, Zhao Yun was not seeking treasure, nor was he practicing cultivation. Instead, he held his wife's hand and strolled down the street, stopping and walking at leisure, a rare moment of peace after many days.

Liu Ruxin kept her head down, her eyes cast low.

This young girl walked with trepidation wherever she went, each step taken with great caution, and she clung tightly to Zhao Yun's hand, fearing she would be abandoned again.

"Is this... Liu Ruxin?"

"Even dressed up, she's still a beauty."

"Pity she's blind."

"Isn't this perfect? A waste matches a blind person, truly a match made in heaven."

"Boy, watch your mouth!"

The street was bustling with people, not just vendors shouting their wares, but also idle chatter. There were those who offered blessings, but there were also many who mocked. The main reason was the novelty; since their marriage, this was the first time Zhao Yun and Liu Ruxin had been seen together. Zhao Yun's smile clearly showed that he no longer harbored any resentment towards Liu Ruxin.

Amidst the murmurs, the two gradually moved further away.

Indeed, they formed a beautiful sight, a perfect match from any angle.

Another person caught the eye.

By a stroke of luck, Liu Ruyue was also on the street, having just returned from Qingfeng City. She was as cold and proud as ever, and no one dared to come within ten feet of her.

It was fitting; she was a daughter of heaven.

Among her peers, anyone standing beside her would pale in comparison.

"Originally a wife, now a sister-in-law."

"Originally a sister-in-law, now a wife, how interesting."

"Substituting one for another! A perfect match."

The comments continued, mainly because of the coincidence of their meeting.

Zhao Yun ignored them and stopped at a stall.

It was a stall selling jewelry, with a variety of bracelets and hairpins on display.

"Take good care of my sister."

Liu Ruyue also arrived, her tone as cold and distant as ever.

"Lady Liu, you find it amusing. My wife, I will naturally take good care of her, do I need you to remind me?" Zhao Yun said, inserting a jade hairpin into Liu Ruxin's hair. Finding it unattractive, he continued to browse the stall.

Liu Ruyue's delicate brows furrowed.

To be honest, Zhao Yun's tone greatly annoyed her.

Good, she should be annoyed.

Zhao Yun focused on selecting jewelry, ignoring her. If he didn't consider Liu Ruxin as his sister, why should he listen to her as a sister? It was laughable.

However, he was grateful to Liu Ruyue.

This gratitude was sincere. If not for Liu Ruyue's substitution, Liu Ruxin would not be his wife, and there would be no later Moon Goddess. Whether blind or a waste, he would keep the nine-lifetime blessing until the end of time. This bond was a gift from Liu Ruyue.

Liu Ruxin trembled.

She never expected to meet her sister here. Deep down, she was terrified, a result of her long-standing sense of inferiority. No matter where she went, she felt she was a lowly person.

The stall owner could only laugh nervously.

The three most popular people in the city had gathered at his stall. What a coincidence.

"That one."

Zhao Yun chose a jade hairpin, paid with silver, and left with his wife.

He didn't even glance at Liu Ruyue.

The daughter of heaven also left, walking far away. She felt an inexplicable sense of loss, perhaps because she stood too high and yearned for the烟火气 (ordinary life).

Night fell quietly.

The scene of the young couple returning to the barracks was heartwarming. Young Master Zhao carried his wife, chatting and laughing all the way, envied by many.

"Boy, a secret recipe."

Niu Hong appeared from nowhere, secretly handing Zhao Yun a packet of powder, which had a strange fragrance.

"A moment of spring is worth a thousand pieces of gold."

The little fatty's smile was a bit lecherous.

"Come here."

Zhao Yun hugged the little fatty's neck and walked to a secluded spot, shoving the entire packet of powder into the little black fatty's mouth.

That night, Zhao Yun slept on the floor again.

He wanted to sleep in the bed, but he was afraid he couldn't control himself. The Moon Goddess had said they couldn't, though he didn't know why, it was for Liu Ruxin's good.

The little girl couldn't help but overthink.

Her mother had said that after marriage, they would sleep in the same bed. Why did her husband sleep on the floor? Was it because he still had reservations, or did he find her repulsive because she was blind?

"So many people can't sleep!"

Zhao Yun hugged the little spirit pearl, blew on it, and wiped it repeatedly.

The little pearl was very diligent tonight.

Diligence meant it kept glowing, sometimes green, sometimes purple, and then silver, changing colors.

There were people outside the door, and quite a few.

In the middle of the night, they couldn't sleep and were squatting by the wall. It was one thing for the younger ones, but even the old man in the hemp robe was shameless.

The funniest was the little money lover.

She came with the people, but no one knew why she was there.

"Why is it so quiet?"

The little black fatty muttered, pressing his ear to the wall.

"Maybe they're asleep."

"Impossible! The newlyweds are like dry wood and raging fire, they must have thoughts."

"Be patient, wait a bit longer."

People should have some pursuits. To listen to something, they didn't sleep and squatted in a row outside the window in the middle of the night.

"Xiu'er?"

In the room, Zhao Yun couldn't sleep either, calling out to the Moon Goddess repeatedly.

"No hands?"

The Moon Goddess didn't open her eyes but responded, speaking very subtly. She had said before that if he couldn't control himself, he could use his hands.

"Never mind."

Zhao Yun coughed, covered himself with a blanket, and used his body cultivation to suppress his desires.

He was truly in awe of the Moon Goddess.

Despite his awe, he still felt inner turmoil. He experienced the burning of desire, but fortunately, the pain from his body cultivation helped him suppress his urges.

The Moon Goddess had opened her eyes and sighed.

So many people with wives seemed to suffer the most. The wife was right there, but they couldn't do anything. It was her fault for always scaring Zhao Yun.

The night was quiet.

The moonlight was as bright as ever, casting a peaceful glow over the night.

In the morning, Zhao Yun left the room early.

The little fatty and the others yawned, each with dark circles under their eyes. Even the old man in the hemp robe looked pale, as if to say, "Are you okay, man?"

"Face is a good thing."

Zhao Yun wielded the Zixiao Sword gracefully, knowing that these people had squatted outside the window all night, but saw nothing.

After breakfast, Zhao Yun left the barracks.

Someone had invited him to dinner, and it was no small matter. The person was the Lord of Wanggu Ancient City.

If someone gave him face, he had to accept it.

Like Qingfeng, the Lord's residence in Wanggu Ancient City was mysterious, with many mechanisms. The old man Wang led the way, warning them not to wander around.

There was no need for him to say it; Zhao Yun wouldn't dare wander around.

In the pavilion, someone was already waiting, a middle-aged man around the same age as Yan Tianfeng, also at the peak of Xuan Yang, exuding an aura of authority and power, making people feel oppressed.

He was the Lord of Wanggu Ancient City: Yang Xiong.

"Meeting the Lord." Zhao Yun was very polite, bowing and clasping his hands.

"No need for formalities."

Yang Xiong smiled warmly, his gaze deep as he looked at Zhao Yun. The young master, once considered a waste, was indeed talented, or he wouldn't have been taken in by the royal family.

It was amusing that the world was still in the dark.

He was one of them until the old man Wang reported it. Zhao Yun had given him a great surprise.

Their conversation revolved around the royal family.

Young Master Zhao's acting skills were exceptional, convincing the city lord with his smooth talk.