From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"You little slut, you were so loud last night, I couldn't sleep well in the next room. Don't you know how to tone it down? Aren't you afraid of being overheard?"

"What am I afraid of? I'm just a maid, not a lady of the noble family. Why should I be afraid of what others will say?"

"You little hussy! You're implying I'm talking about you, aren't you? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"

……

Inside the carriage, Xiao Fengxiao angrily scratched Yun'er because she felt itchy.

Yun'er dodged everywhere, still pursing her lips with a defiant look.

Chen Shi rode alongside, watching the master and servant bickering, and couldn't help but rub his back.

It feels a bit sore and weak.

No wonder Xiao Fengxiao was able to persuade Yun'er; it turns out the two of them had agreed that each would spend one night.

They were all getting along well, but they treated Chen Shi like a beast of burden, keeping him up every night.

The journey then proceeded smoothly.

The daytime was filled with laughter and the nighttime with the chirping of birds. More than ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and the group returned to Yongqiu City.

Even after entering the city, the distinction between master and servant remained clear.

"I'll take my leave."

It was getting late, so Chen Shi informed Xiao Fengxiao and went straight home.

He was gone for a month, and Cui Nong waited for him at home the whole time.

No matter how far Chen Shi went or how many women he had outside, Cui Nong was always his home.

As soon as I arrived at Jinwu Lane, I could see Cui Nong looking out from the doorway.

When Chen Shi entered the city, someone brought him news.

"The food is ready."

Taking a few steps forward to meet Chen Shi, Cui Nong opened her mouth, her heart filled with a thousand words, but in the end she only uttered this one sentence.

"Okay, let's go home for dinner."

Chen Shi nodded, tossed the reins to a servant, and led Cui Nong through the door.

In the side hall, the dishes on the table were still warm and not particularly lavish, but Chen Shi recognized that Cui Nong had cooked them herself.

There was also a jar of wine, which Chen Shi usually liked to drink.

After dismissing the servants, only Chen Shi and Cui Nong remained, sitting opposite each other, pouring drinks for themselves, just like in the small courtyard in Sweetwater Lane before.

When the wine was half-finished, Cui Nong smiled and got up to leave. She returned a moment later, already dressed in a flowing gown, and danced to entertain the guests.

As Chen Shi drank his wine, watching Cui Nong dancing gracefully around him, he felt a surge of excitement.

Chen Shi finished the remaining wine in his cup, stood up, picked up Cui Nong, and carried her to the back.

Cui Nong, blushing shyly, nestled quietly against Chen Shi's chest.

……

The next morning, Chen Shi, with the help of his maid, burned incense and took a bath, then changed into a black robe.

Cui Nong came over, tidied up Chen Shi's hair again, picked up a black cloth crown from the tray held by the maid, and slowly put it on Chen Shi, carefully straightening it and smoothing out the tassels.

"how."

After everything was settled, Chen Shi stretched out his arms and asked with a smile.

"Excellent."

Cui Nong nodded, and couldn't help but burst into tears of joy.

Today, with his coming-of-age ceremony, Chen Shi is now a true man!

Chen Shi's birthday is April 27th, which has actually passed long ago, but Chen Shi was away at the time. Now that he has returned, Cui Nong is making up for it by holding this coming-of-age ceremony for him.

At twenty, one is given a capping ceremony, signifying adulthood.

Logically, it should have been a very solemn occasion, with a banquet for guests and his father personally bestowing three crowns upon him in turn.

But Chen Shi's father was no longer alive, and his mother and brother were even further away. After much thought, Cui Nong realized that only she could do the job. Since she was the one to do it, it didn't have to be complicated; she could simply get the gist of it.

"Oh, right."

Immediately afterwards, Cui Nong picked up a sheet of folded paper from the tray held by the maid next to her and handed it to Chen Shi with a smile.

"You've been given a courtesy name since you've reached adulthood, as a sign of respect for your given name. Now that you've been capped, how can you not have one? This is a courtesy name I asked a renowned scholar in the city to choose for you. Take a look and see if you like it. If not, we can choose another one."

"Since you handled it yourself, I naturally like it."

Unfold the paper, and you'll see the words "Shuoqing" written on it.

"His surname is Chen, his given name is Shi, and his courtesy name is Shuoqing..."

Chen Shi muttered to himself, nodding in agreement.

The word "shi" in his name carries both the connotation of honesty and steadfastness, and the meaning of fruitful results; abundant fruit is called "shi".

"Very good! From now on, my courtesy name will be Shuoqing!"

Chen Shi was overjoyed and couldn't help but grasp Cui Nong's hand.

"Shuoqing".

Cui Nong looked at Chen Shi and tried to call out softly.

"Nong'er."

Chen Shi smiled and changed his form of address as well, then pulled Cui Nong into his arms.

The maids covered their mouths and chuckled, then tactfully turned and left.

A moment later, Chen Shi came out of the house.

He had just returned, and there were still many things to do at the Marquis's residence, so he dared not delay any longer.

Upon exiting the gate, a carriage was already waiting.

Upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, Chen Shi first went to see Gu Tingshu.

Although Xiao Fengxiao's trip was a private matter, it was approved and supported by Gu Tingshu.

After all, as a daughter-in-law, Xiao Fengxiao's expansion of her business would also greatly benefit the Jing'an Marquis's mansion.

However, after all, she was just a daughter-in-law, and Gu Tingshu was still somewhat wary of Xiao Fengxiao.

The purpose of questioning Chen Shi at this time was to ascertain Xiao Fengxiao's situation along the way.

Chen Shi reported the truth, but of course, he didn't mention a word about what happened between him and Xiao Fengxiao that night.

After listening, Gu Tingshu pondered for a moment before waving his hand.

"I'll take my leave."

Chen bowed and turned to leave.

After leaving Gu Tingshu's place, Chen Shi returned to the Lijin Hall and sat down.

Several servants stood below, reporting on the main events that had occurred in the manor over the past month.

After he finished speaking, Chen Shi asked a few more questions, and it was already noon.

After having lunch at the Likin Hall, the managers from various departments came over one after another, mainly to report to Chen Shi on the procurement expenditures for the past month.

Jin Bingren and Zhou Bingzhi have already helped handle these matters, but Chen Shi, as the head of the Likin Office, still needs to know.

By the time these accounts were reviewed, it was already evening.

Chen Shi stretched and got up to leave.

A moment later, they arrived at the medicine hut.

As the sun set, Mu Yunsheng had finished her work for the day and was sitting there enjoying the sunset while sipping water.

He remained seated when he saw Chen Shi approaching.

Chen Shi went inside, took out his usual cup, poured himself a glass of water, took a sip, and gazed at the sunset. He couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"She messaged me a while ago, saying that everything was fine."

After a moment, Mu Yunsheng said something indifferently.

"It's good that you're all well."

Chen Shi nodded, but his brows furrowed involuntarily.

With only seven months left until the deadline given by the dragon, how can things be peaceful?

"for you."

While pondering, Mu Yunsheng took out a palm-sized brocade box from his bosom and placed it on the table.

Chen Shi picked it up and opened it. Inside was a pill with a jade-like color and a faint medicinal fragrance, somewhat like a nourishing pill.

"This is the Hundred Herbs Pill, with the same effects as the Nourishing Pill, but with stronger medicinal power. Just take this one pill and absorb it slowly; the nutrients will be enough to help you cultivate to the fifth rank."

"Such wonderful things! Thank you so much, Miss Mu!"

Chen Shi's face lit up with joy. He picked it up and swallowed it in one gulp. It was much more convenient that he no longer needed to spend the Nourishing Pill after each cultivation session.

I smacked my lips, but it didn't seem to have any special taste.

After finishing the meal, I remembered and couldn't help but ask with a smile.

"This elixir must be extremely precious. Why are you suddenly giving it to me?"

Consider it your coming-of-age ceremony.

Mu Yunsheng glanced at the black cloth crown on Chen Shi's head and said calmly.

"There are very few people I can get along with, and you are one of them."

Thank you.

Although it can't even be called praise, these words coming from Mu Yunsheng's mouth are a great recognition.

Chen Shi smiled, then looked pleased.

"By the way, I have a courtesy name now, it's Shuoqing."

"...That's quite fitting."

Mu Yunsheng glanced at Chen Shi and said something.