Women in Da Kang held low status. A man who neither beat nor scolded was already a dream life. Few women across the land had ever heard sweet words.
Even Jin Feng’s remarks, hardly romantic, moved Guan Xiaorou and the others deeply.
Guan Xiaorou’s face glowed with happy smiles. Her watery eyes brimmed with tenderness and attachment to the man before her.
Tang Xiaobei’s gaze burned hot. Jin Feng felt that, were they not outside, she might pounce the next second.
As for Tang Dongdong, lacking intimacy with Jin Feng, she was more reserved. She blushed, head down, fingers unconsciously twisting her hem, lost in thought.
In his previous life, Jin Feng was a pure engineering nerd. When had he enjoyed such treatment?
His heart itched like a cat scratching.
Guan Xiaorou, married to Jin Feng for so long, knew this side well. One look at his eyes told her what he wanted.
She was a typical feudal woman. Despite Jin Feng’s education, she remained conservative. Nights were fine, but days she resisted.
Spotting his odd gaze and Tang Xiaobei’s eager stance, she feared he might drag them inside in broad daylight.
She quickly changed the subject. “Husband, you’ve kept Xiaobei so long. Next time I go to the county seat, shall I handle the marriage papers for you?”
Tang Xiaobei heard this and her eyes lit with expectation.
Strictly speaking, she followed Jin Feng without name or status.
Like a rich man’s kept woman outside, discardable when tired.
Only with marriage papers would she be his legal wife.
Tang Xiaobei cared, despite claiming otherwise.
From her brothel background, she valued status more than village girls.
But knowing Jin Feng’s busyness, she sensibly never raised it.
“Marriage papers?”
Jin Feng paused slightly.
To him, they were just coarse paper, little difference with or without.
He had never considered it.
But seeing the thick expectation in Tang Xiaobei’s eyes, guilt struck. He rubbed her hair. “Xiaobei, sorry. Too busy lately, overlooked this. Tomorrow we’ll go to the county seat and get the papers.”
“Husband, I told you never to say sorry to Xiaobei this lifetime. You forgot again?”
Tang Xiaobei pouted in mock reproach.
“Alright, my fault.” Jin Feng pinched her cheek.
Seeing sparks fly, Guan Xiaorou interjected. “Husband, no need to go yourself. I can handle it.”
By Da Kang law, the principal wife with papers and a concubine’s token could manage it for the husband.
Amid Da Kang’s many taxes, this was one of few clerk duties without bribes or hassle.
Guilty for forgetting, Jin Feng shook his head to compensate Tang Xiaobei. “No, this is my wedding with Xiaobei, once in a lifetime. I’ll go with her.”
“Husband…”
Tang Xiaobei’s voice choked, eyes reddening.
“I’ll check the iron workshop, see how Mancang is. Xiaobei, help Xiaorou store the silver.”
Jin Feng hated girls crying. Seeing her like this, he fled.
Having promised, fearing forgetfulness, he cleared his schedule next morning. With Guan Xiaorou and Tang Xiaobei, he took the carriage to the county seat for papers.
The carriage barely left West River Bay when someone bolted down the opposite hill at the village entrance.
Halfway there, County Lieutenant Zhao and the others got word and gathered.
“Sir, Jin Feng left West River Bay, heading for Jinchuan.”
Without sitting, Master Zhu urged. “Sir, let’s talk to Jin Feng?”
Previously opposed, the lieutenant paused, then nodded slightly.
Since the suppression team blockaded the three lairs, none had slept soundly.
In days, the bandit groups tried breakouts several times, paying heavy prices, all repelled.
After Iron Pot Mountain’s fall, they sent men to erase evidence at supported lairs.
But if bandits were captured, Jin Feng had witnesses.
They could not confirm no other evidence remained.
Given Jin Feng’s current stance, he showed no mercy to bandits or backers. Once lairs fell, their doom loomed.
Even the calm lieutenant had stress blisters.
They forgot anger over lost income, fearing for lives.
Master Zhou’s fate loomed. They dared not beg mercy at West River Bay.
Finally Jin Feng emerged. They had to try.
“Since he’s out, we’ll talk.”
The lieutenant said. “By time, he arrives in an hour. I’ll send men to watch the gate. We plan first.”
“Yes, plan to avoid his huge demands.”
Masters Peng and Zhu nodded repeatedly.
They discussed over half an hour, set their bottom line, then waited for scouts.
But after an hour and a half, no scout came.
Impatient Master Peng sent someone to the gate. Word: Jin Feng never came to Jinchuan, turned to Tiger Head Mountain.
“What?!”
Master Zhu nearly collapsed, clutching sleeves. “Sir, we agreed to stand together. Don’t abandon me.”
Tiger Head was his backed bandits. Jin Feng going there, perhaps to strike?
“Old Zhu, don’t panic. Scouts said clearly, Jin Feng has only ten guards. How to attack Tiger Head?”
Master Peng said. “He must have other business.”
“What business now?”
Master Zhu paced frantically. “Sir, with only ten guards, perfect chance to kill him! End it all!”
The lieutenant’s eyes narrowed sharply.
