He started as a shepherd and took on countless jobs.

"The intrusion failed." Pei Si lowered his head.

The Lu family member was cautious and immediately cut off contact.

Pei Si interrogated Lu Qiong's male body but found no information about the original body.

The Yin-Yang Lu family, could it be that men can cultivate the Yin body and women can cultivate the Yang body?

Pei Si put away the fire fan.

Pei Si looked up at the sky and listened to the female Taoist priestess Miaoyin say that this secret realm was a two-story structure, shaped like a tower.

The three-story building is located at the bottom floor.

The hierarchy is strict, with higher-ranking cultivators enjoying more generous resources and inheritances.

"Then I will thoroughly search the bottom floor," Pei Si muttered to himself.

…………

Pei Si woke up and shook his head, which felt a little throbbing.

Pei Si felt a soft touch on his arm and glanced sideways. The face looked somewhat familiar.

Xu Zhi?

Are you kidding me?

Startled by Pei Si's actions, Xu Zhi opened her eyes, wrapped her arms around Pei Si's chest, and said softly, "Why did you get up so early, husband?"

husband?

Upon hearing this, Pei Si felt as if his head was about to explode.

He's a shepherd!

Every profession has its rules; his lineage may indulge in women, but they are forbidden from marrying.

Pei Si subconsciously tried to form a hand seal to summon Bai Xiao, but there was no response.

"My husband, I've noticed that you seem to have changed."

"These past few days, I've been doing some weird hand gestures when I'm bored." Xu Zhi stared intently at Pei Si.

Could my husband have joined some kind of cult?

Pei Si's heart sank suddenly. "My wife, I've been feeling dazed lately and seem to have forgotten quite a few things."

"What did I do before, and how did we meet?"

Xu Zhi placed the back of her hand on Pei Si's forehead, then tried it on her own, and nodded.

My husband's head does feel a bit hot.

"My husband, have you forgotten? You're a mountain runner."

"My father suffered a mishap on the mountain, broke his leg, and almost lost his life. You were the one who carried my father back."

"Once we've met, we've gotten to know each other."

Xu Zhi got up and dressed.

"Cui'er, come and pour some water," Xu Zhi called out.

"Miss, you're here." A voice responded from the outer room.

A short while later, a pretty maid came in carrying a bowl.

Xu Zhi took the teacup, fed Pei Si some water, and said softly, "Husband, drink some hot water to soothe your throat first."

"Please have a doctor come and take your pulse later."

Pei Si suppressed his doubts and decided to remain inactive for the time being.

"Is my husband determined to take a concubine?" After feeding Pei Si, Xu Zhi put down the teacup and looked at him with a resentful gaze.

Pei Si: "?"

Taking a concubine?

Why would he take a concubine?

Seeing Pei Si's bewildered expression, Xu Zhi pinched Pei Si's waist, squeezing his waist... He said, "She's the female shopkeeper who sells lanterns in Yang'an County next door."

"red light!"

Pei Si's lips twitched.

When did the red light become a lantern seller's booth?

Pei Si: "Then, is my wife willing?"

"Whatever you say, I'm the legal wife anyway." Xu Zhi raised her head and helped Pei Si get dressed.

It's quite interesting, actually.

Rumors of her husband wanting to take a prostitute as a concubine spread throughout the streets and alleys, even giving rise to comments like "small horse" and "big cart".

"Let's eat first," Xu Zhi said softly.

Pei Si followed behind Xu Zhi; the furnishings here were the same as he remembered.

Pei Si sat down and ate and drank to his heart's content, until he was completely stuffed.

"My husband, you should rest at home for now. I will go and take care of the shop's business."

"I have already instructed Cui'er to fetch a doctor."

After saying this, Xu Zhi left home.

Pei Si's gaze was deep and unfathomable; a new memory had appeared in his mind.

His name is Pei Si, and he is a mountain runner. In his early years, he learned from an old mountain runner.

One day, the old mountain runner went up the mountain alone and there was no news of him for a day and a night. When Pei Si went up the mountain, he found the old mountain runner's body, which was covered with marks from being torn apart by a tiger.

From then on, Pei Si went up the mountain alone.

On that very day, he bumped into Xu Xi on the mountain, stumbled and broke his leg.

Pei Si naturally recognized the face of the manager of Qingzhitang.

He carried Xu Xi home, and through this opportunity, he met Xu Zhi.

Xu Xi regarded Pei Si as his savior, and seeing that Pei Si and Xu Zhi were mutually in love, he arranged for Pei Si to marry into the family.

Xu Xi was infinitely tolerant of Pei Si. When he learned that Pei Si wanted to take a concubine, he immediately prepared the betrothal gifts.

Life is good!

Pei Si's treatment was the envy of everyone in Qingcheng County, young and old.

I've never heard of a son-in-law taking a concubine, and the father-in-law even providing a bride price.

Pei Si wandered around the mansion and came to his study.

The Four Treasures of the Study are all available.

His desk and bookshelves were filled with classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections, suggesting that he intended to pursue the path of the imperial examinations.

"Master, Physician Lin has arrived." A maid stood outside the study.

"Please invite the doctor to the study." Pei Si nodded.

Lin, a physician in his thirties, took Pei Si's pulse. Looking at the faint bags under Pei Si's eyes, he sighed inwardly.

Young people are just so unrestrained.

"Ahem, young master is just too weak. I will write a prescription for you, and you can just get the medicine according to the prescription." Doctor Lin took out paper and pen, wrote down the prescription, and handed it to Pei Si.

Afterwards, Physician Lin took his leave.

Pei Si glanced at the medicines on the prescription; they were all highly nourishing.

Half a month later, Pei Si took the owner of the red lantern shop as his concubine and took over the most popular lantern shop in the city, becoming the most prominent figure in the city.

The teahouse patrons all say he was born with a life of wealth and could make a fortune through women. They even say that if he takes another concubine, he could buy the entire Qingcheng County.

Pei Si embarked on an official career by participating in the imperial examinations, and by sheer luck, passed and entered officialdom.

Pei Si was always among those promoted.

In just ten years, Pei Si became the Marquis of Baili and the magistrate of Qingcheng County!

He's going to take his ninth concubine, everyone in the city knows that. This new concubine is a popular actress from the Misty Rain Pavilion, named Hua Dan.

On his wedding night, Pei Si invited many guests.

Given his status, everyone in Qingcheng County had to give him face.

Countless people offered treasures to celebrate, and countless others smiled and flattered.

Wedding night.

The beautifully dressed actress sat on the edge of the bed, and Pei Si lifted her veil.

The young actress, petite and charming, nestled close to Pei Si.

"My husband, I never expected you to keep your word!"

Pei Si laughed heartily, put his arm around the actress, and said with a smile, "As the magistrate of this county, my word is law."

"only……"

The actress looked up in confusion, gazing at Pei Si's profile, and pressed for an answer: "Just what?"

"I just find it boring." Pei Si shook his head.

The actress, puzzled, asked, "Why is it boring? My husband, do you know how many people envy you?"

Pei Si sneered, his gaze gradually sharpening. "What do you envy about me?"

"It's nothing more than wealth, power, and beauty."

The actress lowered her eyes, not understanding why people in the world strive so hard to climb the social ladder for these very reasons.

Including her, who climbed to the rank of county magistrate, she no longer needed to perform on stage for others.

What's wrong with that?

Pei Si stood with his hands behind his back, leaving the actress with only his back to him, and said softly, "These ten years have passed, and that's all there is to it."

The exciting chapter "Chapter 123 Taking a Concubine" is now available online. Click to read it now!