Peace Order-Chapter 118 - 76: Cultivation Technique, Breakthrough!

Leaving Zhao Dabing and Qing’er dumbfounded, Li Guanyi rode away with Xue Shuangtao on two horses meant for pulling carts. Without saddles or reins, it was actually quite unsafe, but sensing the presence of the White Tiger, they were exceptionally well-behaved.

Both docile and timid.

Once they were off the main road and there were no more broad paths ahead, Li Guanyi put two fingers to his lips and blew a horse whistle. The horses stopped, and Li Guanyi nimbly dismounted.

The young lady riding the other horse stopped as well.

Without a saddle or reins, the young lady anxiously clung to the horse’s mane.

Her face turned pale.

The horse wanted to struggle.

But sensing that behind the smiling, amiable youth before it lurked a terrifying presence, one not even the most fearsome tigers they had ever seen could match, it had no choice but to remain docile. Li Guanyi extended his hand, letting Xue Shuangtao place hers on his wrist for support as she dismounted.

"I’ve heard from Zhao say that the Xue Family’s horses know their way back home."

"People like Zhao and the rest can easily find these two horses, so let’s set them free. Otherwise, we’re sure to be found."

Li Guanyi released the horses, allowing them to gallop away. Xue Shuangtao took a while to calm down. Her gaze swept over the surroundings, noting the streets here differed from the wide avenues she was accustomed to; there were no broad roads.

Xue Shuangtao checked the time, still feeling nervous and anxious, and spoke softly,

"I can’t fool around with you anymore, I have to go back."

Li Guanyi held her wrist and smiled with a raised eyebrow, "No, you can’t."

"You’ve been abducted by me."

"Don’t worry, if the old man is angry, I know how to cheer him up."

Not understanding, Xue Shuangtao watched as Li Guanyi pulled her along, saying, "Anyway, you should change your clothes. These are too luxurious, suitable for the noble family’s son’s circle. Switch to something else."

Xue Shuangtao quietly said, "I only brought a little over ten taels of silver."

"I’m afraid it’s not enough."

Li Guanyi burst into laughter, "That’s more than enough!"

"Come on!"

Li Guanyi pulled her into a cloth shop, buying ordinary clothes and fabric. They swapped outfits here and there, removing the intricate and flamboyant gown from the young girl, replacing it with a deep gray dress and simple yet comfortable shoes.

Her hair, as beautiful as clouds, was now adorned with a cheap wooden hairpin.

Li Guanyi packed the clothes and jewelry into a backpack. Changing into common clothes himself, he stretched comfortably and then went to haggle with the cloth shop owner. He did so with such prowess that the shopkeeper, who thought he would make a killing, began to question his life, admiringly saying,

"Kid, you’re ruthless."

"Frankly, with this haggling, I’m not making any money."

"Nonsense, then I just won’t buy, will I?"

The shopkeeper felt he had encountered a seasoned negotiator.

The young man squinted his eyes and smiled. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head. Upon seeing Xue Shuangtao again, she looked more like an unadorned, modest beauty rather than a descendant of a Duke from five hundred years ago or the daughter of one of the top three richest merchants of her time. Her beauty as a young girl remained, even when her brows lifted.

Li Guanyi carried the pack with clothes and decorations, leading Xue Shuangtao out of the place.

When they left the cloth shop, they were just two ordinary young people.

At that moment, Xue Shuangtao was like a schoolgirl skipping class for the first time, the nervousness and thrill of rejecting something she didn’t want to do making her eyes shine. Li Guanyi led her forward, passing through several alleys. He stepped aside slightly, and ahead of them was a small lane, willowy banks, and a stone slab bridge.

A stream flowed by, where young women were doing laundry.

They struck their garments on an uneven washboard with a wooden bat in the other hand.

Children younger than them ran about, their laughter light and joyful.

Radiant and exuberant.

Li Guanyi turned, watching the girl with wide eyes and smiled gently,

"This is also Guan Yi City, far from those places you’re obliged to deal with. It’s a freer Guan Yi City."

Xue Shuangtao said, "But... over there..."

Li Guanyi laughed, "Don’t worry!"

"Over there, Zhao will surely know how to handle it."

"He’s always kept it hidden, but he’s definitely an old hand at this!"

......

Zhao Dabing stared as the young couple sped away, his eyes wide. Finally, even Old Zhao felt that the handful of salt-baked peanuts in his hand were no longer appetizing. They were even chokingly dry. Qing’er, dressed in a blue skirt, stamped her foot, and exclaimed, "Li Guanyi! Li Guanyi!"

"You you you—"

"Why didn’t you just take me away too, sob sob sob!"

"Then I wouldn’t have to face those young ladies."

Qing’er wore a look of reluctance and bitterness, while Zhao Dabing grimaced. Did this mean he was left to deal with the aftermath alone? He knew all too well that these gatherings of noble young ladies, though seemingly congenial, were less palatable than the young masters’ brawls.

The Xue Family’s daughter, though from a prominent family, had never engaged in politics, focusing only on commerce. Thus, the sons of officials had mixed feelings about the Xue Family, admiring their wealth that was said to be unmatched under the heavens, while looking down upon them with disdain as "members of the Royal Family" and "merchants," elevating themselves in the process.

Without this, they couldn’t maintain their superiority in front of the Xue Family members.

In such circumstances, Xue Shuangtao indeed disliked these events but felt obliged to attend.

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