Yang Shifei hadn't wanted to be a kept man.
In his initial plans, even if Miss Luo genuinely took a liking to him and they logically proceeded with the marriage agreement, he couldn't allow himself to become degenerate. He would still need to find a respectable job in the future, or perhaps learn a superior martial art. In short, he had to be self-reliant, not dependent on the woman's support.
But, things didn't go as planned.
"…"
Yang Shifei held a heavy string of door keys, gazing at the considerably large, tranquil courtyard before him, feeling as if he were in a dream.
He had only just arrived in East City and spent one night, merely moved his lips a bit, and in the blink of an eye, he had acquired a residence.
This very one.
"Young Master, are you listening to me?"
A cool female voice snapped Yang Shifei back to his senses. He chuckled sheepishly and followed the servant girl leading the way. "My apologies, I didn't expect Miss Luo to actually entrust this residence to me. I'm truly overwhelmed by this favor."
Half an hour ago, he and Miss Luo had chatted about many more topics.
Although their conversation was somewhat scattered, the atmosphere between them was quite harmonious.
In the end, Miss Luo had very calmly accepted the marriage contract, agreeing to the marriage.
And this mansion was the 'betrothal gift' sent over.
"This is only temporary accommodation."
The pretty servant girl turned her head to look at him, her expression indifferent. "Although Miss has accepted your marriage contract, there is still a six-month observation period. Before then, she will naturally not live with you. This courtyard is merely provided for you to settle down and live in."
Yang Shifei composed himself and smiled. "I understand."
For that Eldest Miss Luo to allow him to stay here, it was likely due to a good first impression, and nothing more.
In other words, this 'blind date' had passed the first stage.
The pretty servant girl glanced at him, then continued to lead the way, showing him around and explaining things.
Yang Shifei followed quietly behind, listening attentively the whole way, and came to understand Eldest Miss Luo's intentions.
This residence had once belonged to the Niu family, but due to their declining fortunes two years ago, they had been forced to sell it. With nowhere else to go, Auntie Niu's family had moved back to Niu Family Village to resume their farming life.
Miss Luo, not fond of bustling environments, had simply spent a bit more silver to buy this residence, and it had remained empty and unused until now. Allowing him to stay here temporarily was also a way of honoring the marriage contract.
"Tomorrow, I will bring bedding and a few sets of clothes, as well as your three daily meals, which will be delivered regularly."
The pretty servant girl suddenly stopped in the main hall, her embroidered skirt swaying, as she gathered her hair and looked back. "Does Young Master have any dietary restrictions?"
"This humble one has no dietary restrictions. Thank you for your concern, Miss."
Yang Shifei smiled and cupped his hands. "I haven't yet asked for your name, Miss."
"You may call me Tanxiang."
The pretty servant girl calmly instructed, "My Miss's name is Luo Xian'er. Young Master, please do not forget."
Yang Shifei nodded in understanding.
Although the name was a bit common, it indeed suited that Young Miss. Especially when she handed over the keys to the mansion, she was truly an ethereal, fairy-like, and radiant as if a radiant glow surrounded her.
"Oh, right."
He mentally slapped his forehead to dispel stray thoughts and quickly said, "May I ask how to address the other two young ladies?"
"…Two?"
But Tanxiang's reaction was somewhat peculiar.
She furrowed her delicate brows slightly, hesitating. "There are only two servant girls in the Luo Residence. The other one is named Moli. I wonder what Young Master means by 'two'?"
Yang Shifei was taken aback.
—Something was wrong.
The puzzled expression on her face didn't seem feigned, and besides, there was no need for her to quibble with him over such a detail.
Yang Shifei thought back for a moment, an inexplicable chill creeping up his spine. The initial excitement of obtaining the residence instantly faded.
"Miss Tanxiang, are there truly only two servant girls in the Luo Residence?"
"Is Young Master perhaps jesting with me?"
Tanxiang narrowed her eyes coldly, appearing somewhat displeased.
But Yang Shifei quickly put on a grave expression. "Last night, I was led into the Luo Residence by a young servant girl. Could it be that her name is 'Moli'?"
"…"
Tanxiang's eyes gradually widened.
No.
Last night, Moli, like herself, had been in the Miss's bedchamber and had never left.
She had originally thought this man was ill-mannered, trespassing into the Luo Residence late at night. So, last night was…
"Miss?" Yang Shifei asked tentatively. "Does there seem to be some kind of misunderstanding?"
Tanxiang's expression calmed. "Young Master need not concern yourself. You may live here peacefully."
As soon as she finished speaking, she left the courtyard with hurried steps.
Yang Shifei watched her hastily departing figure, feeling puzzled and also a little cold.
The situation at the Luo Residence seemed even stranger than he had imagined.
If Miss Luo and her two servant girls were ghosts, then was the other servant girl who led him into the residence last night human or ghost? And were they part of the same group?
"Do ghosts even scheme against each other?"
Yang Shifei couldn't grasp the undercurrents of the situation and could only brace himself, pretending nothing had happened.
He was an ordinary person; he currently had no standing to interfere. Any more curiosity would just be asking for trouble.
"…Forget it."
Yang Shifei patted his somewhat stiff face, preparing to unpack his luggage and then go out to explore the town.
Although the allure of living off a wealthy woman was incredibly tempting, he couldn't really just freeload and wait for death, relying on a woman for his entire life. Moreover, whether the two of them would even end up together was still completely uncertain. He needed to be self-reliant.
So, finding a livelihood in town to support himself first was crucial.
As for practicing martial arts and venturing into the pugilistic world, that would have to be put aside for now.
He had specifically inquired with Miss Luo earlier and learned that the Luo family was not a martial arts1 lineage. Relying on his status as a 'live-in son-in-law' to obtain secret manuals and make a name for himself was ultimately unlikely.
Unless he could find a martial arts sect and join it. Otherwise, even if he genuinely had a divine skill manual in his hands, he might practice until he suffered a Qi deviation without even realizing it.
Yang Shifei sighed helplessly and went back into the room to tidy up his sleeping bed.
Traveling the world with a beauty by his side, sword in hand—what young man hadn't dreamed of such a life? But now that he had truly arrived in a world teeming with martial artists, his empty pockets felt like a heavy hammer of reality, slamming down on his forehead, as if telling him—
What sword, what saber? Just turn back and focus on the little rich lady.
The sun dipped below the western horizon, casting the world in the dim light of dusk.
After wandering around East City for the better part of the day, Yang Shifei returned home, lost in thought.
Since transmigration, he had spent almost all his time living in the remote Niu Family Village. His understanding of this era was still too shallow.
Now, having seen it with his own eyes, he finally understood what Auntie Niu and the others meant by a 'golden age of martial arts.'
Along the way, figures dressed as martial artists, both men and women, were almost everywhere. He even happened to witness a sudden brawl. Although he only saw it from a distance, the scene of flashing sabers and swords was exactly like the pugilistic world of his imagination.
"Although there is a government, it doesn't seem to strictly control armed confrontations."
Yang Shifei recalled a group of government soldiers rushing over at the time, but they only made simple arrests and left it at that.
And the surrounding commoners reacted as if it were a common sight. Martial artists fighting had even become a popular topic of their conversations.
"The imperial family of the Liang Kingdom seems to hold martial artists in high regard."
Yang Shifei casually placed the daily necessities he had purchased to one side, pondering inwardly.
The status of martial artists in the Liang Kingdom was not low.
If he could become a martial artist, never mind roaming the pugilistic world with a sword, he could even achieve something within the government.
However, almost all sects around East City limited their recruitment of disciples to those under fifteen years of age, including the government yamen. He had no chance. There were no martial arts manuals available for purchase with silver in the streets and alleys either. Unless a noble took him under their wing, that path was completely cut off.
"It seems I can only find an accounting job at the Yellow Crane Tower first… The small inn to the west isn't bad either, business is good, perhaps I can try there."
Regardless of whether he pursued a scholarly or martial path in the future, Yang Shifei planned to stabilize his employment first before considering his future.
After all, practicing martial arts required a large intake of meat to replenish energy, and scholarly pursuits required brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones—all of which cost money. And the little money he had left was completely used up today, not a single coin remaining.
But then again, he felt a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Before and after transmigration, he was always worrying about work. It was as if he were fated to work.
"—Heh."
A sudden chuckle startled Yang Shifei.
He quickly turned to look outside the room and saw the mysterious servant girl from last night leaning casually against the doorframe, sizing him up with great interest.
In an instant, unease rose in Yang Shifei's heart again.
This woman, when did she get in?!
"Who are you?"
His face tensed, and he said in a low voice, "Why are you here?"
The mysterious servant girl merely curled her lip, an inscrutable smile appeared on her pretty face. She tossed her shoulder-length hair and turned to leave.
Yang Shifei's mind raced, and he quickly gritted his teeth.
This woman's identity and intentions were unclear. If he didn't figure out her background soon, he definitely wouldn't be able to live peacefully here.
If he let her leave now, he was afraid it would only leave hidden dangers for himself.
"Wait!"
He immediately strode forward and grabbed her slender arm. "Last night, you actually—"
Before he could finish his sentence, an icy chill suddenly shot up from his palm.
Yang Shifei's eyes widened. As if electrocuted, he abruptly recoiled, frantically shaking his hand.
But in the blink of an eye, the coldness in his palm, like a maggot feasting on bone, drilled into his flesh, rapidly seeping into his muscles and bones, and even surged up his arm!
"What the fuck is this damn thing!"
Yang Shifei's face instantly contorted in pain. He felt an unimaginable soreness erupt from his right arm, as if ten thousand ants were gnawing at him. He almost blacked out and collapsed.
He nearly thought he was being killed by the female ghost, but the soreness came suddenly and receded just as quickly. After gasping for a moment, all that remained was a body drenched in cold sweat, as if the agony he had just endured was merely an illusion.
Yang Shifei panted heavily, shaking his head as if still in shock. He quickly focused his gaze and saw the mysterious servant girl, who had been about to turn and leave, now standing before him with her hands behind her back, staring at him with considerable curiosity. Their faces were quite close.
"What did you do to me just now?"
Yang Shifei clutched his arm and took a step back, his eyes even more wary.
He had no idea what strange abilities the female ghosts of this world possessed. Was it a spiritual attack, an illusion, or some kind of poison made from such insects
As his thoughts churned in confusion, he vaguely discovered that the cold energy which had brought boundless soreness had now spread throughout his entire body. Instead, it brought an inexplicable sense of fullness. All his fatigue was swept away, and his mind felt clearer and more invigorated than ever before.
Yang Shifei grew increasingly bewildered.
"I… didn't do anything."
The mysterious servant girl tilted her head, a chilling smile on her face. "It was you who 'bit' me."