74: Chapter 73 Qinghe 74: Chapter 73 Qinghe Qinghe, Beimang, nas identical to those of the present world, with similar statuses.
Beimang’s location had strangely shifted to the north, but the geography of Qinghe was very much in line with the present world.
When Zhao Changhe escorted Cui Yuanyang, a thought had erged in his heart: I’ve arrived in Hebei Province.
The location of the Capital was also extrely close to that of the Capital City in the present world, yet Beimang had moved further north.
Therefore, Cui Yuanyong had once said, although we don’t pass through the Capital on our way to Beimang, taking a detour there doesn’t really add much distance.
It was unknown how such a phenonon had ford, what relation it had with the present world…
Regarding the matters of the epoch, perhaps this ti he could truly take the opportunity to inquire with Cui Wenjing.
Yangyang might not be aware of these things.
Walking on the streets of Qinghe County, the road was extraordinarily spacious, bustling with endless streams of carriages and horses, cries of vendors hawking their wares on both sides never ceased, and palatial buildings and towers were everywhere.
This was the first prosperous city Zhao Changhe had seen in this world, several tis more flourishing than the town where he had previously stolen clothes.
He wondered just how much more impressive the atmosphere of the Capital would be?
The scenes Zhao Changhe had constantly experienced, the bloodshed of his entire family being slaughtered, the chaotic sights of bandits pillaging, the treacherous undercurrents of the Worldly Society.
Even the imagery once provided by the blind man, with thieves causing trouble and the Alien Clan committing atrocities, all seed incredibly distant from such a place, so far as to seem like a different world altogether.
If there were a haven in the midst of chaos, it was probably a place like this.
The Prefectural Governor of Qinghe County ca from the Cui Family, not Cui Wenjing himself but his younger brother, Cui Wenjue.
And the Cui Family had many other clan mbers, in-laws, disciples, and forr officials spread throughout the state and even the army, representing a truly cross-state, first-class power in the worldly society.
This was the Qinghe Cui.
Cui Wenjing himself held no official position in the Imperial court, maintaining an aloofness as the ninth-ranked person in the world, which even Xia Longyuan had to respect, both the individual and the power he led.
In the eyes of the majority, the image of the Cui Family Head was not the sa as the sly fox of a father Zhao Changhe had t.
Instead, he appeared to be a Divine Dragon rarely seen in full, remote as if perched atop clouds, commanding respect while also exuding a gentle warmth.
With modern knowledge, he was well aware that behind this prosperity lay extre ugliness—the re annexation of land could cause many to be displaced, and most dynastic cycles began this way.
In such a context, the Aristocratic Family was the absolute antagonist.
The other misdeeds, like bullying, debating lofty philosophies while disregarding governnt affairs, even colluding with Alien Clans, were all basic offenses.
The turbulent tis were to a large extent the burden of the Aristocratic Families.
Therefore, Zhao Changhe always had an aversion and even disdain for Aristocratic Families in his heart.
Yangyang might be cute, but that was an individual, and an individual could not represent a class.
However, witnessing the prosperity and peace here, entirely different from the outside world, he had to admit that his previous impressions were not entirely objective.
Things had two sides, and at least for the mont, this place truly was a serene haven.
The Cui Family estate was located to the east of the city, spanning an expanse too vast to asure, imposing in its grandeur.
Outside the gate, willows swayed in the breeze along the road, small bridges crossed over flowing streams, and within the solemnity, there echoed a touch of leisurely elegance—indeed, it possessed a style even more refined than the garden in the backyard of the Wei County Magistrate.
Cui Wenjing had not brought Zhao Changhe with him, having already gone sowhere unknown.
It was still Cui Yuanyang, brimming with excitent, who led her “Big Brother Zhao” into the estate.
Just the walk from the entrance to where her boudoir was located, Zhao Changhe felt it was further than circling Beimang Mountain stronghold three tis.
The estate workers trimming the flora along the way numbered even more than the stronghold’s inhabitants.
The epito of a rich young girl.
Cui Yuanyang could see the envy, jealousy, and hatred in his eyes and said with a grin, “If I had brought Big Brother Zhao here earlier, and asked about the marriage again, would you refuse to leave?”
Zhao Changhe honestly replied, “Most likely, I’d say, ‘Rich lady, I’m hungry, feed .'”
Imitating him in a rough voice, Cui Yuanyang said, “I, Zhao Changhe, will not live off a woman.”
“Eh, did I say that in front of you?”
“No need.
I could guess.”
“I feel like the image you have of in your mind might be a bit too glorified…
If you give money, I’ll really take it, for real…”
“Then have you ever said sothing like that?”
“…Yes.”
“Then it’s not glorified, is it?” Cui Yuanyang chucklingly took his hand, “Co on, let show you my room, it’s really cute…”
“Miss,” finally, a Maid could not hold back, “It’s not appropriate for Young Master Zhao to go to your boudoir…”
These maids and servants had been following behind in a grand procession for quite so ti, all with faces resembling those who had eaten excrent, as they watched the young boy and girl flirt and jest.
At this mont, Zhao Changhe was the toad lusting after the swan’s flesh, whom the master disdained as a bandit.
The three-year agreent had been set, and though it hadn’t been spread outside, rumors within the Cui Family had already begun…
In fact, the Cui servants never really believed he could make it onto the Human List within three years, which ant this engagent was virtually dead in the water.
Allowing you to co as a guest was in consideration of the fact that you are a benefactor of the young miss.
We didn’t cast you out—that was my father’s magnanimity.
Now you’re overstaying your welco and even want to enter the boudoir?
What do you plan to do in there, hm?
That’s why Cui Wenjing thought this proposal would embarrass Zhao Changhe himself.
He was truly concerned for Yangyang’s reputation, uncaring of his own face.
Cui Yuanyang was well aware of this.
The more it was so, the less she could stand others speaking ill of Zhao Changhe.
She turned around with her hands on her hips, furiously rebuking, “Whom I bring into my boudoir is my business, even my father hasn’t interfered—what concern is it of yours?”
A maid advised, “The family head is busy with endless matters and can’t be bothered with such instructions.
The young miss should cherish her own reputation.
Isn’t the lesson from leaving ho without permission painful enough…”
Soone else added, “Yeah, look, this man starts asking for money the mont he opens his mouth.
That’s just too…
Shaless.
He’s clearly of the bandit sort.”
Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but let out a wry laugh.
These words caused all of Cui Yuanyang’s rage to dissipate into laughter.
She pulled a piece of gold from within her robes and shoved it into Zhao Changhe’s hand, “He wants money, so I’ll give him money—who’s to manage that?”
As she spoke, she also tried to tip-toe for a kiss on Zhao Changhe’s face, “I’ll even kiss him.
Let’s see my father handle that!”
She couldn’t reach—it was too high.
Cui Yuanyang tiptoed, attempting a small jump, but Zhao Changhe pressed a hand against her forehead.
Cui Yuanyang puffed up with indignation as she looked at him, while Zhao Changhe said with a smile, “Trying to take advantage, huh?”
“Hmph,” Cui Yuanyang turned her head, dodging his hand, “Let’s go, ignore them.”
A group of maids stood there dumbstruck—there they were, kissing under the broad daylight…
Done for, after the young miss’s trip out, she really seems to have taken after the bandits, looking like she could claim to be a bandit leader’s wife and no one would doubt her…
Zhao Changhe’s voice could faintly be heard up ahead, “Okay, okay, it’s true that it’s inappropriate for to be in your boudoir.
Our arrangent was originally for the sake of your reputation.
Don’t ruin it yourself; it would give both and your father a headache.”
Cui Yuanyang pouted, knowing she had gotten overly excited, ntally treating the affair as an engagent.
Realistically, it couldn’t be considered as such and would instead be a sign of “turning her back.”
She couldn’t selfishly destroy the thoughtful effort of her father and Elder Brother Zhao.
She sighed faintly in a bit of disappointnt, “Oh…
then co with this way…”
“Where to?”
“The armory,” said Cui Yuanyang.
As she spoke, her eyes inadvertently glanced at the wine gourd that Zhao Changhe never left behind.
That gourd, battered by the storms of Worldly Society, was marked with scars of which even Zhao Changhe didn’t know how they ca to be.
Yet it remained surprisingly intact though increasingly worn, and he couldn’t bear to part with it.
She flicked her gaze towards it, saying seemingly offhand, “Elder Brother Zhao’s blade has been nicked, I’m going to find you the best sword that you can keep by your side forever!”
“Through many clashes, how could there be a blade that never nicks…”
You’re talking nonsense…
there definitely is one!”
Zhao Changhe had no idea that the young miss had such Asura-like determination at this mont.
Her wish to get a better blade truly surpassed all other interests.
Even if a bare girl lay before him now, he couldn’t be bothered, “Okay, okay, I’m talking nonsense, lead to see the swords!”
The Cui Family’s armory was not just a single room, but rather a complex of buildings, heavily guarded.
Beyond the armory lay a path to a slightly elevated hillock, on top of which, one could faintly discern a small temple built entirely of copper, hiding unknown treasures within.
Cui Yuanyang, leading the way to the armory, faced no obstacles from the guards.
As the legitimate daughter of the family head, she naturally had the privilege to take most weapons at will.
She had no intention of heading towards the copper temple on the hillock and rely pulled Zhao Changhe towards the rightmost room, chuckling, “Here is where the swords are kept exclusively.”
Zhao Changhe’s gaze shifted from the copper temple as he asked in a low voice, “What’s over there?”
“On the hillock, behind the copper temple, is our family’s ancestral shrine.
My father is inside presiding over an inspection…” Cui Yuanyang also unconsciously lowered her voice.
“As for the copper temple, it holds the Qinghe Cui Family’s most precious treasure, the Qinghe Sword.
Ah, right, there’s also a fad sword bestowed by Your Majesty, also stored there to show how much we treasure it.”
Zhao Changhe, having read countless novels, instinctively felt that there was more to this place.
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