Two

If the lady turns her head and gazes into the distance, she sees the increasingly expansive river surface and remarks: "The sky is high, allowing birds to fly freely; the water is deep, permitting fish to leap."

Li Yi sighed: "The first time I met Her Majesty, she smiled and said that if I wanted to taste the dish of stir-fried pork with tea tree mushrooms, I should come to her Natural Residence. I can be certain that at that moment, she had no intention of leaving Ziliu to sell the Natural Residence, but after she went down and thought it over, the thought of leaving emerged.

Xuanyuan Bu'er wanted to ask further, but he heard Tu Gang say: "These servants usually do not step out of the main door or the side door; I have only seen the maid Xiaocui by the side of the Ping family, and this servant called Sister Shui is also someone I am seeing for the first time."

"I will not change my name," Jing Yongfu stated.

Three years ago, upon arriving at Houlun, Jing Yongfu met Sister Shui with Madam Ru.

Fang Xiaochun had the most dealings with Jing Yongfu, nodding and saying: "She is indeed a talent, but no one can figure out what ideas are turning in that little girl's head. Your Highness, I fear she may not be willing."

Jing Yongfu shook his head: "It is not forced by anyone, but rather compelled by the situation! A war is about to break out, and I fear this place is not suitable."

Jing Yongfu thought for a moment and said, "My name is Dafuku"

A and B! Bring some drinks to the gentlemen outside!

As she had anticipated, with a favorable wind that night, the small boat sailed through the waves and arrived at Luoqi Mountain just as dawn broke. They abandoned the boat at the foot of the mountain, at which point the wind changed direction, causing Jing Yongfu to let the boat drift with the wind, leading them far away from their true destination.

Even those as familiar with Jing Yongfu as Fang Xiaochun had never seen Sister Shui before, so everyone widened their eyes, watching the remarkably tall woman walk past them. She was indeed taller than everyone else, even surpassing Xuanyuan Buer, while Jing Yongfu only reached her waist.

As soon as Jing Yongfu stepped back onto solid ground from the swaying water, she saw in the distance Shui Jie standing by the riverbank, looking despondent. Because her appearance was different from that of ordinary people, Jing Yongfu couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. In truth, Jing Yongfu did not wish to meddle in others' affairs; after all, for Ruo Madam, who had just gained her freedom, the most pressing matter was merely to find a place to settle down and make a living. However, even after walking away, Shui Jie's figure lingered in her mind. Ultimately, she voiced her concerns to Ruo Madam. "Mother, let us go take a look... I can't shake the feeling that that woman by the river is contemplating ending her life!" Even after walking away, Shui Jie's figure lingered in her mind. Ultimately, she voiced her concerns to Ruo Madam. "Mother, let us go take a look... I can't shake the feeling that that woman by the river is contemplating ending her life!"

The night breeze brought a sense of ease to Jing Yongfu, sweeping away the fatigue of the past few days. She had anticipated everything; first, she confused the attention of the servants in the Wangfu, using their words to mislead Jing Shenmao. However, he showed no interest in the first step. When she saw the steward stop Madam Ruo and then rush to report, only to return in vain, Jing Yongfu realized that she and Madam Ruo had already calmly embarked on the path to escape from Jing State.

Xuan Yuan, Bu Er, and the others finally realized that the Crown Prince had this intention. It was not that they were less meticulous or thoughtful than Li Yi, but rather that their identities and statuses were different from Li Yi's, which led them to not consider this direction.

You all stay at this shop and keep an eye on the front and back doors. Wait for the Japanese palace to properly receive Manager Ping and her daughter! The phrase 'properly' clearly emphasizes the tone. However, at this moment, Xuanyuan Buer and the others all felt that Li Yi was handling it correctly, as there were indeed too many questions surrounding Ping Dafeng! The saying goes, 'Trust those you employ, and do not employ those you doubt.' Since Li Yi intended to make an exception for a young girl, he naturally needed to thoroughly understand her background!

From the matter of my coming to Ziliu to meet you all, she deduced that Ziliu would soon become a place of arrows and thus proposed to Lord Fang the transfer of the Natural Residence. Refusing to travel together, her journey was merely a pretext; in truth, she feared that accompanying me would lead to danger.

Meanwhile, Jing Yongfu thought of something downstairs, and couldn't help but jump two feet high, rushing into the storeroom to take a look, "It's bad! It's bad!"

What a tremendous audacity!

The true gaffe in this statement was not the revelation of his identity, as by this point, they both already understood each other well. Rather, it was the two words "strength" that followed. Li Yi was skilled in martial arts, yet she praised him for his strength; given his status, he should have been commended for his skills instead. By praising his strength, she essentially dismissed him entirely. Jing Yongfu suddenly covered his mouth, thinking to himself, it's over, it's over, now Li Yi must understand that not only does she know his identity, but she also looks down on him.

What is meant by the situation? Is it not created by people?

In Jing Yongfu's heart, a woman like Shui Jie, who is not favored by her husband and is not well regarded by her in-laws, cannot expect any good fortune while standing by the riverbank

In the store, Li Yi's dark attendants had no choice but to reveal their identities. Jing Yongfu pouted at them, "Go stand in a row upstairs!" They dared not express their anger, for they had never encountered such a shopkeeper even under the emperor's feet

Being placed back on the ground, Jing Yongfu adjusted his collar and said: "I was thinking, a person who does not adapt is like a tree that cannot move; what difference is there between a person with a rigid mindset and a tree? If the young master's subordinates are all like stumps, I might as well just water them a bit."

At that moment, several people from upstairs came down one by one, just as Jing Yongfu was surrounded by a group of "foxes"; a savior arrived. Sister Shui, tall and robust, entered through the back door, her loud voice startling everyone.

Fang Xiaochun scrutinized them, pondering: Could it be that the Crown Prince has taken a liking to this girl?

On a night four years ago, a small boat "bang" crashed through the wooden railing, and at the same time, the sound of the third watch echoed in the distance. Jing Yongfu picked up the decayed wood floating on the water with her blood-blistered hands, tossed it aside, and gently steered the small boat out of the hole, swimming into the Tang River. When the small boat had drifted about five meters away from the Wangfu, she and Madam Ruo turned back in unison, only to see a dark hole, with no view of the scenery inside the Wangfu. Jing Yongfu kept her feet moving, paddling with her homemade oars, while saying, "Mother, can you imagine what kind of feelings Lord Yu will have when he stands at this hole looking out tomorrow morning?" When the small boat had drifted about five meters away from the Wangfu, she and Madam Ruo turned back in unison, only to see a dark hole, with no view of the scenery inside the Wangfu. Jing Yongfu kept her feet moving, paddling with her homemade oars, while saying, "Mother, can you imagine what kind of feelings Lord Yu will have when he stands at this hole looking out tomorrow morning?"

As for the dark sentinels outside the shop, their situation is even more unfortunate. With the early closure of the Natural Residence, the vendors in front naturally dispersed, and the carriages departed. They are left with nowhere to hide, feeling extremely awkward, not knowing where to place their feet or where to conceal themselves.

With both feet off the ground and the back of the neck being grabbed, Jing Yongfu had previously caught a cat in the same manner. That cat, once caught, behaved just like her now, obediently remaining still, merely waiting for the opportunity to counterattack.

Sister Shui was originally the daughter of a bodyguard, married to her senior apprentice. However, in the past decade, as she thrived in the bodyguard business, her husband, having accumulated wealth, successively took three concubines, making her increasingly displeasing to him. Additionally, her in-laws also resented her for not bearing children over the years. When Sister Shui's father was still alive, the two families managed to maintain a tenuous relationship, but shortly after her father's death, she was divorced.

Li Yi finally saw the expression he wanted to see, beneath the deliberately crafted smile of hers, a hint of panic flashed by

Jing Yongfu's eyes lit up, a female guard, so she is a woman skilled in martial arts? She escaped from the Jing Kingdom's royal palace at the age of ten, missing the best age for martial arts training, which is why Jing Yongfu admires all those who are skilled in martial arts, especially women

Jing Yongfu suddenly realized this, his heart in disarray, yet a smile spread across his face: "It is indeed hard to part, reminiscing about the bits and pieces of the past. To reach this point today has not been easy, so I kindly ask Lord Fang to offer a reasonable price for me..."

"This palace has always employed people without distinction of gender or age, regardless of status or identity..." Li Yi on the upper floor paused and said, "Do you gentlemen not think that this Miss Ping Dafuku is quite extraordinary? At such a young age, she can run such a lively hotel under your supervision? She guessed my identity yet remained composed and handled it with ease?"

It turned out to be Li Yi again. Hearing the commotion downstairs, he went down only to see Jing Yongfu crouching and peering outside. When he noticed the guards in the shop giving him a knowing look, he understood what had happened. At that moment, both amused and exasperated, he grabbed her by the back of her collar and lifted her up to question her

Li Yi clenched his fists, clearly filled with anger. Selling the store at a low price, he must be wishing he could sprout wings and fly away!

Memories surge like tides

In Fang Xiaochun's astonishment, Jing Yongfu smiled and said, "Thank you for your kind offer, young master, but there is a distinction between men and women, so it might not be very convenient... I will set off on my own." Jokingly, Jing Yongfu thought to himself, it is truly dangerous to travel with you, Li Yi; while one can evade the open arrows of King Li, one cannot escape the hidden daggers of King Pei. At that time, you, Li Yi, could easily grab her and use her mother as a shield...

If the lady tightly held onto Jing Yongfu's hand, Jing Yongfu gazed at Sister Shui and said: "I do not care how others perceive this name, for Da Fu is Da Fu himself, not anyone else!"

The assistant kneeling beside looked at each other in confusion, having never heard a whisper of news; the shopkeeper wants to sell the store

She sat dejectedly in the chair, one hand covering her face, and murmured, "So embarrassing!"

Your Highness ... ... "Xuanyuan Buer called out.

Li Yimei frowned; he was rarely rejected, especially given the generous terms he had offered. The other prominent figures in the "Three Kingdoms" private room also stepped out. Jing Yongfu quickly said to Fang Xiaochun, "Then it's settled; Lord Fang, see you tomorrow." After speaking, he darted away like a rabbit.

I know you mean well, but you need not worry about me. I will not seek death. I am merely contemplating how to live in the future. Sister Shui said calmly, "I have hands and feet, so I will not starve; it is just those rumors that trouble my heart!" In the patriarchal nations of Xie and Jing, if a woman is divorced by her husband, regardless of the reason, everyone will only humiliate that woman. Although Sister Shui is strong and does not fear being unable to find a way to survive, she is often enraged by the gossip she hears. "I have hands and feet, so I will not starve; it is just those rumors that trouble my heart!" In the patriarchal nations of Xie and Jing, if a woman is divorced by her husband, regardless of the reason, everyone will only humiliate that woman. Although Sister Shui is strong and does not fear being unable to find a way to survive, she is often enraged by the gossip she hears.

Fang Xiaochun took a breath and replied to him: "She offered a price of 1,000 taels, I found it too low, so I offered her 2,000 taels, but she insisted on selling the Natural Residence for 1,000 taels!"

The fellow received the order and immediately saw Li Yi pull open the shop door with a loud noise. "Everyone come in!"

Li Yi believed that Jing Yongfu was moved, and then said: "In this case, there will be no need to spend a single penny along the way. Once we arrive in the capital, my territory, I can also arrange a place for you to stay. So, little shopkeeper, I suggest you don't refuse right away!"

Upon hearing the words "Your Highness" from Jing Yongfu, the two fellows were so frightened that they fell to their knees. Jing Yongfu looked at them and, feeling a bit wronged, had no choice but to temporarily bend his little legs slowly.

Xuanyuan then followed Li Yi's gaze and was the first to notice the seal on the wine jar, which turned out to be the character "Tai"

Xuan Yuan, being the youngest, could not help but ask after hearing Li Yi's words following Jing Yongfu's departure: "Your Highness, what made you think of bringing her along?"

Li Yi gazed at the wine jar sent by Jing Yongfu on the table, and after a long while, he quietly asked, "Do you all think this girl has already guessed my identity?"

Jing Yongfu ultimately shook his head gently and said: "Once again, I thank Young Master Yi. Today is the first time I have met you, yet you are willing to help me so much; I am truly touched. However, I believe your journey must be quite different from that of ordinary people like us. Although my mother and I have been in the Xie Kingdom for a year, we have only stayed in Ziliu, and I have only heard of the many scenic spots in Xie, without having the pleasure of seeing them. Therefore, I plan to travel along the way, and I fear our journeys may not align." A woman with martial arts skills, rather than envying others, should cultivate her own. Jing Yongfu was very clear about this; it is best to have less involvement with the royal family of the Xie Kingdom.

Sister Shui's eyes sparkled with bright light

Jing Yongfu walked past Fang Xiaochun with Sister Shui, extending a single finger towards him. Fang Xiaochun was taken aback for a moment and extended two fingers in response, but Jing Yongfu shook his head, indicating it should still be just one finger

Indeed! However, Jing Yongfu felt restless inside, as he had heard everything and still asked. She was not a spy; leaving his sight earlier was also to avoid being scrutinized repeatedly by this suspicious prince

On the other hand, after finishing his laughter, Jing Yongfu walked out of the storeroom, surveying the dark and bright attendants both inside and outside the Natural Residence. He instructed the staff to close the shop early and to waive all the customers' meal fees. There were many complaints from the customers; they were displeased, and Jing Yongfu felt uncomfortable as well. However, it was the last day, and he needed to make a clean break.

Jing Yongfu peeked at the scenery outside through the crack in the door, but was suddenly lifted by someone from behind: "What is the little shopkeeper doing?"

Do you want to go to the royal capital

Jing Yongfu was taken aback. It should be noted that the shop door was secured with a wooden bolt and propped up with a wooden stick, yet Li Yi effortlessly completed the action of opening the door. Thus, Jing Yongfu blurted out, "Your Highness, what great strength you possess!"

The subsequent carpentry work and sewing proved to be a hardship for Jing Yongfu. She and Madam Ruo found a dagger in the storeroom; while it could not be said to cut through iron like mud, it was barely sufficient to break some wood. As for the sewing, it was entirely beyond Jing Yongfu's capabilities. Madam Ruo personally crafted two sets of men's clothing, while Jing Yongfu only managed to produce a failed semi-finished product, with not even a seam left for the sleeves.

Shall I guide you on your way

"Come back to your senses! Come back to your senses!" Fang Xiaochun lightly tapped Jing Yongfu's forehead with a finger

"No need, you are not sincere!" Li Yi lifted her wrist. Jing Yongfu withdrew her hand and looked at him with a smile. This person is down-to-earth, just like Tong Fangxiaochun, making him easy to approach, right

To the west of Luqishan lies the city of Eastern Jin. Jing Yongfu sold some jewelry in the city and then boarded a merchant ship bound for Jialin Pass with Madam Ruo. Madam Ruo's jewelry is more valuable than Jing Yongfu's, and some of it was not gifted by Jing Shenmao, holding certain commemorative significance. Therefore, the jewelry that Jing Yongfu decided to sell was his own.

Assess the situation and make informed decisions

Jing Yongfu was taken aback, caught red-handed, what a predicament. The young man always acted impulsively; how many times has the lady been told about this already

The dagger was worn down under Jing Yongfu's daily torment, but before it broke, it had accomplished its arduous task—nearly cutting through the wooden barrier beneath the sluice gate. For the sake of that successful strike, Jing Yongfu even specially wrapped the bow of the boat in cotton cloth, timing it precisely with the sound of the third watch.

The ship is docked at Houlun, in the western territory of Jingguo. ... After passing through Jialin Pass, one arrives at Xieguo ...

Li Yi revealed her snow-white teeth: "She has already rejected me, but I will not give up! What I have set my sights on, I will obtain no matter how difficult it is! Isn't she coming to the capital? I have plenty of time to win this girl over!"

Jing Yongfu chuckled and said, "Young Master Yi, could you please put down the little one before asking questions?"

How is that? Wasn't it meant for me?" Fang Xiaochun said jokingly. While Jing Yongfu was lost in thought, he also calculated how much silver he would accept from Tiantianju.

A-Jia, please tidy up and close the shop door. I will take the shopkeeper to the backyard first

Jing Yongfu thought for a moment and smiled, saying, "Sister Shui has become even more astute!" Sister Shui usually kept a low profile, but now that she was brought back, she naturally understood that the matters of selling the shop and leaving Ziliu were now unavoidable

Jing Yongfu turned around, his face already beaming with sunshine. "What advice do you have, Young Master Yi?" To be honest, this Crown Prince is quite good-looking, but no matter how Jing Yongfu looked at him, he just felt that something was off.

The good-hearted fellow asked, what's wrong

Li Yi sneered and said, "Interesting, interesting!" Then, he turned to Fang Xiaochun and asked, "What did she mean when she gestured to you before leaving?"

Thank you for your praise, Your Highness! In fact, Jing Yongfu is not being bold; rather, she has already made up her mind to escape, and having made her intentions clear, she has decided to go all out.

Li Yi then relaxed his expression and glanced coldly at the guards in the store at that moment. They were indeed not clever enough; in the event of an emergency, one should not expect these individuals to provide protection.

"The shopkeeper has closed up, why aren't you hurrying home? Your lady is waiting for you!" Dressed in the attire of a maid, Sister Shui exuded an imposing presence, and she was likely the only woman in the world who could wear a maid's outfit and evoke the essence of a general's robe.

Jing Yongfu was naturally capable of becoming a "shrewd merchant," which has nothing to do with age. Her talent for being a "shrewd merchant" first became evident in the pawnshop during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Later, Jing Yongfu also thought about it; that boss might scold her as a little trickster, but what did she actually deceive him about? It was clearly an item worth eight hundred taels, and she neither sold it for more nor less. If it weren't for his desire to take advantage, how could this deal have been made? She was quite courteous by not giving him a pile of stones.

The first two points were correctly guessed by Jing Yongfu, but she was mistaken in thinking that Sister Shui intended to seek death. Sister Shui was merely expressing her feelings upon seeing water; named Ji Shui, does she have to rely solely on men to survive

Little shopkeeper, do not refuse at the outset. On this trip, there is a female guard accompanying me, and you and your mother may dine and stay together with her

Do adults really want to send the young ones to the capital alone, without even a penny for expenses?" Jing Yongfu raised his eyebrows and made a face.

Li Yi turned the wine jar around and, amidst the silence, said: "At such a young age, she possesses such talent, navigating effortlessly among us, appearing shrewd and greedy, yet in reality, it is a form of disguise, concealing a certain ability within her. To summarize this ability in four characters, it is precisely—"

The fellow touched his head and left, while Jing Yongfu watched his back through his fingers. "You, it’s time to give your foolish head a good rub!" At first, she was too lazy to look for it herself, so she asked him to bring a jar of good wine. He asked which jar, and she said the one with the least writing on the seal. As a result, this fellow couldn’t find the one marked "1" but instead brought her one marked "Too"! Indeed, it was embarrassing! Jing Yongfu suddenly withdrew his hand and laughed a few times, thinking that the embarrassment was also Li Yi's! As a result, this fellow couldn’t find the one marked "1" but instead brought her one marked "Too"! Indeed, it was embarrassing! Jing Yongfu suddenly withdrew his hand and laughed a few times, thinking that the embarrassment was also Li Yi's!

This is our feeling, and he should be ashamed

Exiting the back door of the Natural Residence, Sister Shui held onto Jing Yongfu's hand and said as they walked, "You've gotten yourself into trouble, haven't you? Da Fu, what kind of person could force you to the point of selling the store?"

"What are you playing at? Mischievous fellow, hurry back." However, Sister Shui did not give Jing Yongfu time to haggle with others. Amidst the silent farewell of the crowd, Sister Shui angrily took away the little shopkeeper.

Sister Shui suddenly raised her head

Until she could no longer be seen, Xuanyuan Buer remarked: "This woman possesses extraordinary skills and has the demeanor of a great general! How come I have never seen her before?" His scrutinizing gaze fell upon the local official Tu Gang, who replied in a low voice: "Ping Dafu indeed came to Ziliu with his mother, Ping Shi. Shui Jie is her maidservant, a rough servant, while another maid named Xiao Cui accompanies Ping Shi closely. Additionally, there is a young servant named A Gen. When registering for household registration, only these five were reported, and the cooks and other staff were directly recruited in Ziliu."

A voice suddenly sounded from behind: "What are you talking about?" Li Yi had arrived without anyone noticing.