Destruction is always easy.
The courtyard was destroyed in the blink of an eye, but rebuilding it will take a very long time.
More than ten days have passed since the demons ran rampant, yet Taiyuan Prefecture has still not been rebuilt from the ruins.
An air of decay and decline hung thick, refusing to dissipate.
"An order from the Mansion Master!"
"Due to the chaos caused by the demon disaster and the resulting hardships of the people, one year of taxes will be specially waived to allow the populace to recuperate."
"This matter..."
The shouts came from outside the courtyard, gradually fading into the distance.
These were the messengers from the City Lord’s Mansion, fanning out through every street in the city to proclaim the City Lord’s Mansion’s decrees.
"This is wonderful!"
"Finally, we can have a few good days!"
"The City Lord cares for the people! He’s a good official, an honest official, our great blue sky!"
"..."
Everyone who heard the news was filled with joy, and for a time, much of the resentment in the city dissipated.
Some even praised the City Lord’s benevolence.
Because so many houses had been destroyed, Zhu Ju was now dining with the two aunts and his several younger siblings.
When the voices reached them, he spoke slowly:
"What do you all think?"
"A tax exemption?" Aunt Zhou from the second household smiled.
"This is a good thing. The family’s finances will certainly be a bit easier, and we won’t be so stressed about rebuilding the house."
As they spent more time together, she had grown less formal around Zhu Ju.
"Yes."
The third aunt nodded, then added:
"But haven’t all the major merchants in the city already paid next year’s tax silver in advance?"
"The tax on commoners is waived," Zhu Ju said.
"It says nothing about waiving the commercial tax."
"This..." The two aunts froze, exchanging a look before shaking their heads wordlessly.
"If the commercial tax isn’t waived, what’s the point?"
"Brother," Zhu Ying, the eldest of the younger siblings, asked, her eyes shifting, "why is it that the Qingyi Gang collects the taxes, but the City Lord’s Mansion announces the tax exemption?"
"You’re very observant." Zhu Ju smiled and explained:
"Tax silver is hard to collect. Sometimes it requires beating, smashing, and robbing. This would tarnish the City Lord’s reputation and damage his lofty image, which is why he lets the Qingyi Gang and Sanhe Gang collect it for him."
"And they’re willing to do it. After all, only a portion of the tax silver they collect is handed over to the City Lord’s Mansion. The rest is theirs to keep."
"Oh!" Zhu Ying understood, nodding slowly.
"Brother."
Zhu Zhenzhen spoke up suddenly.
"I feel like Qian Hu has been a little strange lately."
"Qian Hu?" Zhu Ju paused his chopsticks.
"What’s wrong with him?"
"I can’t quite put my finger on it." Zhu Zhenzhen pursed her lips.
"He just seems odd. Especially his eyes, they don’t look like ours."
"Hmm..." Zhu Ju narrowed his eyes.
"I heard his martial arts have been progressing very quickly."
"Yes." Zhu Zhenzhen nodded.
"His strength is increasing rapidly. Nursing Director Zhang said he’ll be able to achieve Grade Entering in less than a year."
A year’s time wasn’t considered fast.
But.
Qian Hu was still a child. To achieve Grade Entering before his bones were fully developed meant his potential was immense.
The four Zhu children were nourished with Great Medicine daily, yet only Zhu Zhenzhen was truly capable of Grade Entering before the age of fourteen or fifteen.
Even without any background, Qian Hu would very likely reach the Seventh Grade, or even the Sixth Grade, in the future.
"I understand."
Zhu Ju’s thoughts churned as he nodded slowly.
"Young Master." At that moment, a servant came to report:
"Miss Zhou invites you for a drink."
*
*
*
Tavern.
"Young Master Zhu, this way, upstairs please."
"CREAK..."
He went up to the second floor and pushed open the door to a private room, where a graceful figure had long been waiting.
"It’s you?"
Zhu Ju frowned and subconsciously turned to leave.
"BANG!"
The figure flashed before him, her fair hand reaching out to shut the door. She leaned against it and raised an eyebrow.
"You’re already here, what’s the rush to leave?"
"Men and women should keep their distance," Zhu Ju said.
"A lone man and woman in a room together... I don’t mind, but I’m afraid it might damage your reputation, Miss Nie."
"People of the Martial World don’t sweat the small stuff." Nie Leyao waved her hand dismissively, a hint of provocation in her beautiful eyes.
"You didn’t have so many scruples when you were out with Ru Xuan."
"Heh..." Zhu Ju chuckled. Seeing that she was blocking the door, he simply pulled over a chair and sat down.
"Did you need me for something, Miss Nie?"
’This past year, she’s been like Zhou Ruxuan’s little follower, yet today she asked me out alone.’
’And she even used Zhou Ruxuan’s name to do it.’
"I do."
Nie Leyao’s pretty face flushed slightly. She gave a light cough to compose herself, then clasped her hands behind her back and began to pace.
"I want you to help me."
"Help you?" Zhu Ju was confused.
"How?"
"The same way you help Zhou Ruxuan," Nie Leyao said.
"The Nie Family is no worse than the Zhou Family. From now on, if you’re with me, the Nie Family will protect the Zhu’s Cloth Workshop."
Huh?
Zhu Ju was taken aback.
He subconsciously touched his cheek.
This body of his was handsome, though a bit delicate-looking. But since he started practicing martial arts, he had developed a masculine aura that not only compensated for the original body’s weakness but also elevated his appearance and temperament to a new level.
Speaking of which.
’Since I transmigrated, I’ve yet to meet anyone more handsome than me.’
"Miss Nie, I appreciate the offer..."
"Don’t be so quick to refuse." Nie Leyao waved her hand.
"On the day of the demon disaster, something happened to the Zhou Family. Ru Xuan’s father, Patriarch Zhou, was gravely injured. Even if he survives this, he doesn’t have much time left. Otherwise, why do you think she hasn’t come to see you for so long?"
"Is that so?" Zhu Ju nodded.
"In that case, I should pay a visit to offer my regards."
"Hmph!" Nie Leyao snorted coldly.
"It seems you still don’t get it."
"Ru Xuan has a high status in the Zhou Family because she’s her father’s favorite. But things are different now. If something happens to Patriarch Zhou, her position will be affected, and she might not be able to protect Zhu’s Cloth Workshop anymore."
"Her standing in the Zhou Family is not as good as mine in the Nie Family. You’re better off with me than with her."
"I’s afraid you’ve misunderstood, Miss Nie." Zhu Ju chuckled lightly.
"My relationship with Ru Xuan is not what you think."
"Heh..." Nie Leyao rolled her eyes.
"I’ll tell you the truth. Zhou Ruxuan told me she never planned on marrying you from the very beginning."
"She’s just using your name to avoid getting engaged."
"Then using the silver from Zhu’s Cloth Workshop and the resources from the Zhou Family, she plans to break through to the Sixth Grade before she turns thirty. Didn’t she tell you she doesn’t want to get married before she’s thirty?"
"Mm-hm." Zhu Ju stroked his chin.
"Miss Zhou is very ambitious. It’s admirable."
"She’s playing you for a fool!" Nie Leyao moved closer, her beautiful eyes wide.
"If she really reaches the Sixth Grade before she’s thirty, do you think she’ll still give you the time of day?"
"And if she can’t..."
"Are you going to wait that many years for her? When the time comes, she can just make up any excuse to cast you aside. After all, you two have no engagement. To her, you’re just a tool to be used."
’The feeling’s mutual!’
’I’m doing the same thing.’
Zhu Ju’s expression remained unchanged.
"I’m different."
Nie Leyao took a deep breath, her face bright red.
"If you’re with me, we can get married this year."
"BANG!"
The words had barely left her mouth.
When the door was kicked open from the outside, and a panting, red-faced Zhou Ruxuan appeared before them.
"Nie Leyao!"
"You bitch!"