Don't disturb me, I won't be a concubine

Dong Jiafu had always thought that Qin Fangsui was a very smart person, but what she said was too chilling. Not only the old lady, but also the people in the Duke Dingguo's Mansion were offended.

"She has been in Xinzhou for many years, and we don't know what kind of temperament she has. Grandmother also took good care of them because of her friendship with Old Madam Qin and because she felt sorry for them."

"But I didn't expect that I had made a mistake. Those words must have been in her mind for a long time. Because I exposed her, she said them out in a moment of excitement."

Cui Qi Yan doesn't care about Qin Fang Sui, but he cares about another thing.

"Afu, did she say anything unpleasant to you?"

Seeing Dong Jiafu hesitate, he knew something was wrong and said nervously, "She is deliberately provoking me. Her words are nonsense. You must not take them to heart."

Dong Jiafu said, "Actually, what she said is not entirely wrong. You and the Duke's Mansion will indeed need a mistress who can take care of affairs in the future. But no one has ever taught me these things, and it is impossible for me to only focus on these things."

Cui Qiyan leaned forward and took her hand. "Afu, I know exactly what I need now. I don't need a housekeeper. I just want someone who loves me. You don't have to worry about the Duke's Mansion. My mother is here. If you want to learn, she can teach you. If you don't want to deal with those trivial matters, just let her do it."

"I like all of you. Even if we get married in the future, I hope you'll be happy and do what you like, instead of compromising yourself just because you marry me."

Dong Jiafu had never thought that he could say such a thing. She held his hand and said, "I don't want you to be embarrassed in the future."

"No, we can let someone we trust do the housekeeping. I'm really glad that you consider our future. And this," Cui Qiyan took out the new purse she gave him from his arms, "Did you spend a lot of effort to make it?"

"Why aren't you wearing it? Why are you putting it in your arms?" Dong Jiafu asked instead of answering.

"I can't bear it. I can't bear to wear it out again. I can't bear to ask you to make it for me again so that I can keep it forever."

Dong Jiafu didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she heard this. "Purses are meant for people to use. How can you hold them in your arms like this?"

"It's different. This one was made by you. There is only one, and I am the only one who owns it." Cui Qi Yan took the purse back like a treasure.

Dong Jiafu couldn't help laughing out loud.

Seeing her smile, Cui Qiyan felt relieved after a long journey. "You are not angry with me anymore, right?"

"When have I ever been angry with you? But if you want to have any contact with other women in the future, you must tell me clearly in advance. I can't guarantee that I can trust you every time."

"How can there be any other woman?" Cui Qiyan sat up straight and swore, "I swear there won't be another one, or let me..."

"Don't say that--" Dong Jiafu stretched out her hand to stop him from continuing.

Cui Qiyan smiled and kissed the palm of her hand.

Dong Jiafu's palm felt itchy, so she immediately withdrew it.

At dusk, they entered Xizhou City.

Many people were leaving the city, but only a few were coming in. There were many guards at the city gates, checking everyone in and out.

Dong Jiafu and her companions entered the city smoothly. The few pedestrians on the road were all in a hurry and the shops on the roadside had closed early.

Ji Bai led the way, found an open inn, went in and booked a few rooms.

There shouldn't be many people staying in the inn, so the owner specially selected a few rooms for them.

After they went back to their rooms to pack up, it was dark when they came out.

Cui Qiyan called the waiter to order food. He mentioned a few dishes, but the waiter said none of them were available.

At this time, the shopkeeper came over and apologized, "I'm really sorry, the city is not peaceful right now, and the person who has been delivering vegetables to our store has not been seen for a few days. We couldn't find anyone else to deliver, so we went out to buy some ourselves this morning."

"As you can see, our business is not good. We dare not buy too many vegetables. Besides, everything outside is ridiculously expensive. Please bear with us."

"Then just pick a few dishes you have available." Cui Qiyan said.

"Hey, sir, please wait a moment. The food will be here soon."

The shopkeeper went downstairs to prepare, and after a while he served them five dishes and a soup.

"From your accents, you sound like you're from other places. These are our Xizhou specialties. Please try them."

Dong Jiafu raised her head and took the opportunity to ask, "Thank you, shopkeeper. Can I ask you something?"

"Just ask, young lady. Our inn has been open for more than ten years. Business was pretty good before, with many people coming and going, and they know a lot of things. As long as I know, I will tell you everything." The shopkeeper was very enthusiastic.

"Where can I buy fresh snow spirit grass?"

"Are you here to buy Snow Spirit Grass? This Snow Spirit Grass is indeed a kind of medicinal herb unique to our Xizhou, but because it grows in the cracks of the cliffs, it is not easy to find, let alone pick. Therefore, even in our Xizhou, Snow Spirit Grass is very precious, and this fresh Snow Spirit Grass is even more rare."

"Go east from our inn, there are several large medical clinics. If someone gets the Snow Spirit Grass, most of them will sell it to them. You can try your luck there, but it may be difficult to find it in the chaos of war."

The situation was more difficult than Dong Jiafu had expected, but she would never give up.

"Thank you for telling me, shopkeeper. If we go to pick the snow spirit grass ourselves, where should we find it?"

"You want to pick them yourself?" The shopkeeper waved his hands, "Oh, no, no."

"Why not?" asked Tan Hao on the side.

"Most people who pick snow spirit grass go to the Eight Immortals Mountain. The reason why the Eight Immortals Mountain is called this is because it has eight peaks connected together, which are high and steep. If you don't live at the foot of the mountain and are not familiar with the place, you will get lost if you go in."

"And I heard there are many poisonous snakes and fierce beasts up there. If you're not careful, you'll lose your life. Not to mention the need to look for herbs there. Even if you find any, you may not be able to pick them. In short, unless you're very brave or can't make a living, most people don't dare to go up there."

The shopkeeper advised: "You are from a foreign land and are unfamiliar with the place. It is better not to take risks."

"Thank you for the reminder, shopkeeper, but we came all the way to Xizhou just for this medicine. Besides, I am a doctor and I used to collect herbs in the mountains." Tan Hao was not scared at all. He was actually eager to try.

Dong Jiafu admitted, "We are looking for this herb to save lives."

"So that's how it is," the shopkeeper stopped trying to persuade him. "Then I wish you guys to find the Snow Spirit Grass soon and leave here as soon as possible. We don't know when the Northern Di people will attack us again."

"Alas, even our Great Yin's famous ever-victorious general was abducted by them. I'm afraid Xizhou City is in great danger. If I hadn't been reluctant to leave this inn, I would have left the city with my family to seek refuge long ago."