A bustling stream of carriages and horses, merchant caravans from all over traveled the wide streets. Rare spices, jewelry, ingredients, and medicinal herbs—all could be found here.
This was Cangzhou. The most prosperous and developed place in the land, second only to the imperial capital itself.
【Host’s conquest progress has reached one quarter. Task rewards will be issued based on the conquest result.】
【Rewards issued: One Random Memory Fragment x1, Twenty Taels of silver pieces [1] Completion Rating: Acceptable.】
【Please adjust your approach, Host. Persevere and believe in yourself.】
“Cough, cough!”
Li Ruoshui hastily put down her hot steaming tea, covering her mouth as she coughed uncontrollably, seemingly choking quite badly.
What the heck? I nearly died several times and you’re just giving me a rating of ‘acceptable’? Why didn’t I know about this rating system earlier? (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
【The rating is related to the emotional fluctuations of the conquest target. Acceptable is already quite good. Please do not underestimate yourself, Host.】
【Success in the conquest mission does not depend on each individual rating, but on the final outcome. Do not be discouraged, Host. Work hard to go home.】
After coughing for a while, a slightly cool hand finally reached over to gently pat her back, the white jade prayer beads on his wrist jingling softly.
“Slow down.”
His voice was as soft as a warm stream. Others in the inn couldn’t help but sneak glances their way, their eyes showing astonishment before they turned back to whisper amongst themselves.
Once Li Ruoshui caught her breath, he withdrew his hand and picked up his chopsticks to continue eating from his bowl, a look of interest curving his brows.
“You’re sure the antidote is in Cangzhou?”
“Certain.” Li Ruoshui casually picked up a piece of roasted chicken for him. “I even know where it is. I just don’t know how to get it.”
In the original book, Lu Feiyue and the others brought Lu Zhiyao to Cangzhou. While ostensibly helping him find the antidote, their main purpose was to carry out a mission. They coincidentally discovered the Fire Blaze Grass in the mission target’s residence, which they then used to cure his poison.
If she wanted to cure herself of her poison, she just needed to wait for the right moment. Once the mission was completed, Lu Feiyue would obtain the Fire Blaze Grass.
However, it was too slow. The poison would flare up again before then and the pain was truly unbearable.
The Fire Blaze Grass was in a wealthy merchant’s home. She couldn’t afford to buy it outright. If she tried to steal it, Lu Feiyue would definitely object, and she herself had no martial skills…
“Are you interested in taking on a bounty mission right now? To help me get the antidote?”
Lu Zhiyao ate the food she had served him. His brows smoothened as his smile turned gentle.
“Saving you last time was my own choice. But this time, it costs money. I’m very expensive.”
Li Ruoshui clutched her newly acquired twenty taels, her face showing hesitation. “How expensive?”
Lu Zhiyao unhurriedly gestured a number. Hearing Li Ruoshui’s sharp intake of breath, his smile grew even more gentle.
“You’re way too ruthless! I took that needle for you! By all accounts, shouldn’t you help your savior?”
“Rather than discussing who owes the other more, how about we do this?” Lu Zhiyao put down his chopsticks, his expression serious.
“Give me your hair, and I’ll get the antidote for you.”
Lu Zhiyao attributed his good mood yesterday to her hair. If he could stroke it whenever he wanted, his mood would probably be much more relaxed.
“What do you want my hair for?”
Li Ruoshui covered her head and warily moved away from him as if she was a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her eyes full of disbelief. ‘(⊙_⊙;)
What the hell? In situations like this, people usually ask for money or for the person themselves. What kind of lunatic asks for hair?!
Lu Zhiyao thought seriously for a moment, a smile playing on his lips. “To make a doll. I can stroke it when I’m bored, and sleeping with it by my pillow at night would be soothing.”
Bathed in sunlight, he looked warm and cozy. As he mentioned sleeping soundly, his shoulders relaxed, as if just the thought could make him feel utterly comfortable.
Li Ruoshui bit her chopstick and looked at him, unable to suppress a swallow, her expression complex.
So he’s not just crazy, he’s a pervert too. She thought to herself: ‘My mission is just too difficult.’
“What kind of hair do you want? Long or short?” Li Ruoshui felt she could still try to salvage this.
“If I want it, it would have to be all of it.”
“Absolutely not.” Li Ruoshui refused sternly. “I’d rather endure the pain a few times than shave my head.”
Lu Zhiyao sat upright, the white jade prayer beads on his wrist gilded by sunlight. He wasn’t surprised by this answer at all. Instead, the corners of his lips curved up.
“Remember to come find me when it hurts.”
They were eating at the inn, while Lu Feiyue and the others had gone to advance the main plot.
Lu Feiyue had received a secret missive from the Investigation Bureau. The Zheng family in Cangzhou were imperial merchants. The Bureau suspected they were involved in an embezzlement case and wanted Lu Feiyue to search for evidence.
Unfortunately, the Zheng residence was currently on high alert due to the Second Young Master’s illness, making it impossible to infiltrate by posing as servants. Coincidentally, the Zheng residence was going to hold a marriage for the Second Young Master to try and ward off his bad luck with a joyous event. They wanted Lu Feiyue to seize this opportunity.
Two figures, one in black and one in blue, walked through the door, but they were standing far apart, each with their arms crossed, faces dark. It was Lu Feiyue and Jiang Nian.
They sat down on the stools without a word, picking up their bowls to eat on their own, with no communication between them.
Their table was by the window of the inn. Two cages of songbirds kept by the owner hung on the windowsill, chirping cutely.
They were raised specifically to amuse the guests.
Lu Zhiyao, as if unaware of the silence, was holding a string of red berries, teasing the birds and listening to their chirps as they hopped up and down to eat the fruit.
The atmosphere was too oppressive. Li Ruoshui put down her chopsticks and looked at Lu Feiyue. “Sister Lu, what’s wrong with you two?”
If she guessed correctly, Jiang Nian had probably seen Lu Feiyue’s mission orders.
This mission is undercover. It required Lu Feiyue to marry into the Zheng residence during their marriage lottery, infiltrate the enemy’s camp, and uncover the truth.
Jiang Nian’s face was expressionless, no longer as playful as before. He looked up and asked Li Ruoshui,
“Let me ask you, if your superior told you to marry into a place for an undercover mission, would you be willing?”
Although the question seemed abrupt, Li Ruoshui understood his meaning.
“It depends on the situation, but generally, no.”
Li Ruoshui wasn’t as straightforward as Lu Feiyue. For a shady secret order like this, she’d most likely find a way to weasel out of it.
But the original story was set up this way simply because the plot was moving too slowly, wanting to inject some excitement into the lives of the male and female leads.
Hearing her answer, Jiang Nian seemed to have found an ally and immediately nodded in agreement.
“That’s the reaction of a normal woman.”
Li Ruoshui fell silent. There was a reason Jiang Nian hadn’t managed to win over Lu Feiyue after all this time.
Who would openly compare the person they liked to someone else and say you’re not as good as her?
Lu Feiyue’s face was cold, her lips pressed tightly together. Her words were several degrees colder than before.
“I am a constable of the Investigation Bureau. Following orders is my duty. Ruoshui, do you think I’m abnormal?”
“Sister Lu is just… being responsible… Look, Lu Zhiyao doesn’t know how to feed the birds, I’d better go check on him.”
When a couple argues, it’s best for bystanders to make themselves scarce.
Li Ruoshui immediately put down her bowl and chopsticks and dashed right up to the window, secretly sighing in relief.
Sensing Li Ruoshui’s approach, Lu Zhiyao raised a smile and shook the string of red berries in his hand towards her.
“These are very sweet. Want to try one?”
Li Ruoshui pressed his hand down towards the birdcage. “I’m full. You should just feed the birds.”
Lu Zhiyao laughed. His black hair was blown behind him by the breeze, revealing his jade-like face. No other adornment was needed; just the curve of his lips was enough to make one fall for him.
Li Ruoshui propped her chin on her hand and looked at him. Even though she knew his true nature, she couldn’t help but be captivated by that face.
Feeling her gaze on him, Lu Zhiyao’s smile had initially deepened, but at a certain moment, it suddenly faded, the curve of his lips flattening slightly.
He plucked a red berry and, with a flick of his wrist, sent it flying.
What could make Lu Zhiyao show such an expression, even dropping his fake smile? Her curiosity skyrocketed, Li Ruoshui leaned halfway out the window to look, but found nothing.
“Ruoshui, the Zheng family’s martial arts contest for a marriage partner, is starting soon. I’m going to participate. Do you plan to stay here or come along to watch?”
Li Ruoshui considered it and nodded.
“Let’s go.”
Lu Zhiyao typically had no interest in such things, but he also nodded. Although Jiang Nian seemed angry, he still followed when the others left.
The Zheng residence’s contest stage was set up in front of a restaurant; clearly, they had booked the place.
On the restaurant’s second floor sat two dignified elderly individuals and a woman dressed in a lake-blue gauze dress. They were silently watching the stage, their expressions solemn
Despite a few random red silk ribbons hung on the stage, they lacked life. The place was devoid of any festive atmosphere. It looked less like a marriage contest and more like they were hiring bodyguards.
Logically, there should only be a few contestants participating in this kind of marriage-for-the-sake-of-luck event. However, because it was the wealthy Zheng family, over a dozen people were already warming up on the side.
Compared to the Zheng family’s silence, the surrounding spectators were extremely lively, packed three layers deep, even filling the nearby restaurants.
Some were cracking melon seeds, others were eating fruit but everyone was gathered around the stage and conversing loudly.
Lu Feiyue and Jiang Nian went to register, while Li Ruoshui and Lu Zhiyao were still struggling through the crowd.
Since Lu Zhiyao couldn’t see, Li Ruoshui tightly gripped his wrist and charged forward. Eventually, it became impossible, and she had to put her arm around his waist instead.
“Bear with it a little longer. We’ll break through to the front soon.”
Lu Zhiyao looked slender, but his waist was unexpectedly firm and powerful. It felt very nice to hold.
“You seem very afraid I might lose control?”
Li Ruoshui had inadvertently grabbed his waist and, without realizing it, also pressed down on his right wrist—in a way, she was indeed restraining him.
“Glad you noticed.” Li Ruoshui rolled her eyes.
Lu Zhiyao suppressed a smile and didn’t reply, letting her pull him forward. Now that he thought about it, it had been a long time since he’d used his cane.
After giving that perfunctory reply, Li Ruoshui put all her effort into pushing forward with him in tow. By the time they reached the front row, her hair bun was considerably disheveled.
The Zheng family’s martial contest followed a one-on-one elimination format. The final victor would be the winner and would marry into the Zheng residence three days later.
Women were already sparring on the stage. Their moves were fierce yet were not aimed at vital points. It was more like a martial discussion than a real spar.
“Knowing martial arts really does look so cool.”
Li Ruoshui couldn’t help but murmur to herself, sighing at how dashing these women were.
“You want to learn martial arts?”
Lu Zhiyao seemed to have heard something amusing, the smile on his lips appearing a touch more genuine.
“I’ve thought about it.”
“Shall I teach you?”
His attention turned completely to Li Ruoshui. She had no idea what he was thinking about now but his smile grew increasingly genuine.
Although looking at that smile made her want to refuse, she still nodded. “Alright. We can find time for it later.”
This was how conquering a target worked. Even if you were unwilling, if it could advance the relationship, you had to nod along.
Besides, she wasn’t that unwilling. As this book’s martial arts pinnacle, practicing with him would definitely teach her a lot. Maybe one day she could even become a master herself.
“Find time later?”
Lu Zhiyao turned his head towards her. His black hair slowly slipped forward, light glinting off his long eyelashes. The grin on his lips grew more sincere.
He unhesitatingly placed his sword in her hand.
“Go compete on the stage. Then I can teach you right away. Practical combat is the fastest way to learn.”
[1] 碎银 or sui yin. These silver pieces aren’t the official taels of silver governments of this era tended to use. It’s literally a broken piece of silver.
TLN: It’s almost Christmas~ Hope y’all had a good 2025. May many of your bucket list items be completed. I was swamped here with all kinds of events… a lot of them going to 3 am…
Anyways, more misunderstandings to come for Lu Zhiyao! Li Ruoshui is also surprisingly cunning… when she wants to be.
[1] [1]These silver pieces aren’t the official taels of silver governments of this era tended to use. It’s literally a broken piece of silver.