Exile with Storage Space: Family Fortunes in the Barren Lands-Chapter 674 - 627: What if I’m serious? (2)

The parchment was covered with lines and some words were written on it.

Mu Yuanxiu picked up the parchment, shook it open, and upon taking just one glance, he immediately cupped his fists towards the Big Master and thanked him, "Thank you for the generous gift, Big Master!"

This piece of parchment was sewn together, larger than a dining table of the Eight Immortals by a circle.

It was painted with mountains, rivers, forests, and many words were written over it.

At the top, it was titled "Complete Map of Zhen An Prefecture."

It turned out to be a map!

Li Yuzhu was surprised.

Although it was an ancient map, it was painted with extraordinary detail, with every mountain and county marked out clearly on the other side of every river.

Li Yuzhu didn’t know much about maps, but Mu Yuanxiu did. He said to Li Yuzhu, "Yu Zhu, this is a treasure of a map, the most detailed map of Zhen An Prefecture’s mountains and rivers I’ve ever seen."

Seeing Mu Yuanxiu happy with the map, Li Yuzhu immediately thanked them, "Thank you for the generous gift, Big Master."

The Big Master laughed heartily, "I am a man from the wild, having roamed the mountains and forests of Zhen An Prefecture since childhood. After understanding the mountains and rivers here, I drew it down. It was originally a guide for the people in the village, to prevent getting lost while escorting goods. But two years ago, our escort business stopped, and the people in the village found new paths. My health isn’t what it used to be, and this map is useless to me now. I thought it might be of use to you."

After leaving the Big Master’s residence and returning to the small courtyard, Mu Yuanxiu found Li Xingsheng and told him about the map.

Li Xingsheng was secretly astonished upon seeing the map, "What a treasure! This map is even more precious than the box of golden beads Ling Yuezi gave. Too precious!"

Seeing his delight, Li Yuzhu laughed and said, "If Second Brother likes it, I’ll give it to Second Brother. Yuanxiu and I don’t need it."

Li Xingsheng glanced at Li Yuzhu, chuckled, and said, "Then I won’t be polite."

He looked at the map with pleasure.

Li Yuzhu and Mu Yuanxiu lived the leisurely life of mountain folks, unconcerned with other matters, so the map wasn’t of much use to them.

But Li Xingsheng, his heart tied to the affairs of the court and country, regarded this map as a priceless treasure.

This map detailed the major mountains and rivers of Zhen An Prefecture and noted some of the geographical features of Nanyue.

It was even more detailed than the map in the study of the Prefect of Zhen’an, Mr. Lou.

.

The next day at noon, Li Xingsheng would leave with Li Yuzhu.

That evening, Ling Yuezi prepared a farewell drink for Li Xingsheng at the Lianyue Residence.

She dismissed the maids, leaving only her and Li Xingsheng in the room.

Outside, the night was hazy, and insects chirped softly.

Inside, under the flickering candlelight, Ling Yuezi lifted her wine cup to toast Li Xingsheng, "I wish you a smooth journey, Mr. Li."

Li Xingsheng smiled lightly, lifted his wine cup, and teased her, "Not calling me husband anymore?"

Ling Yuezi awkwardly said, "As wise as you are, surely you knew our marriage ceremony was just a charade?"

Li Xingsheng raised an eyebrow slightly, "Oh, I didn’t know, my dear wife and I were in a fake marriage?"

Ling Yuezi, "..." Faced with Li Xingsheng’s surprised gaze, she was at a loss for words, "I..."

"What do you mean, ’I’? You’re not planning to divorce me, are you? What’s my fault? Hmm?" Li Xingsheng set down his wine cup and looked at Ling Yuezi seriously.

Ling Yuezi, under his pressing gaze, felt even more uneasy.

She lowered her eyelids, "You’re not at fault, it’s me who’s wrong. I just used you to drive away the second in command, I’m not sincerely marrying you. Besides, we’ve never even..."

They had never consummated their marriage, just shared a bed, staying on their respective sides.

After nearly four months together, she knew he wasn’t a bookworm, so why was he asking like this?

He had helped her a lot, and Ling Yuezi couldn’t bear to fall out with him.

"What if I said, I’m serious?" Li Xingsheng looked at Ling Yuezi without a blink.

The man’s gaze was gentle, his voice magnetic and husky.

Ling Yuezi looked up, inadvertently meeting his gaze, then quickly looked away.

She, a person wielding swords and spears all day, had dealt with many men, but it was the first time she was defeated by a man’s gaze.

And from a seemingly weak man at that.

Ling Yuezi took a deep breath, stood up, and turned her back to Li Xingsheng, not looking at him.

"We are not a good match. You and I are from different backgrounds. You don’t need to be serious." Ling Yuezi said, trying to calm her mind.

If she guessed correctly, he must have come from a distinguished family.

From his attitude towards money as dirt and power as a game, it was apparent.

At first, she thought he was eyeing her money and agreed to the fake marriage, but later she gradually realized that he didn’t care about money.

He quietly shared the money she gave him with the village’s elderly and children.

Despite being her nominal husband, he showed no interest in wielding power in the village, choosing instead to be equal with the others.

It showed that power and money were common to him.

Only what is common is disregarded.

"What if I insist on being serious?" Li Xingsheng said stubbornly.

"I will give you some compensation." Ling Yuezi replied without turning back.

Li Xingsheng suddenly smiled, and downed his cup of wine in one go, "Oh? How will you compensate me?"

He leisurely watched Ling Yuezi’s back.

This girl was so interesting.

Far more interesting than the pretentious women in the Capital.

Those women spoke to him only because of his family background and his face.

They liked his money and status, or they liked his face, how sincere could they be?

They fought tooth and nail for him, but when his family faced difficulties, none stood up to speak for them.

As the saying goes, true feelings are seen in adversity.

But Ling Yuezi, with her frankness, calling fake what was fake, truly made him look at her with fresh eyes.

"What do you want? I’ll do my best to compensate you, how about that?" Ling Yuezi said, counting to herself, the drug should take effect by now, right?

Bang—

Something hit the table with a loud bang.

Ling Yuezi turned back, only to see Li Xingsheng had collapsed on the table.

The drug she put in the wine had taken effect.

"Mr. Li, tonight is a good night to consummate our marriage." she said softly.

Ling Yuezi walked over, lifted Li Xingsheng, and half dragged, half carried him to the bed.

She had just removed his shoes and was about to take off her own clothes when Li Xingsheng opened his eyes and said groggily, "What does my wife intend to do?"

Ling Yuezi was frightened, quickly retracting her hand, hurriedly tying the half-untied belt, "You... you’re not drunk?"

Li Xingsheng rubbed his forehead, "A little drunk, but after being dragged and pulled by you, I’ve sobered up."

Ling Yuezi, "..." She had used a lot of the drug, how is he not asleep? "I... you..."

"What do you mean, ’I’ or ’you’? Right, I remember you said earlier that divorcing me meant compensating me, what compensation?" Li Xingsheng tilted his head, looking at Ling Yuezi with hazy eyes.

If he were unconscious, this matter could have been settled.

But since he was awake, how was she supposed to proceed?

Ling Yuezi was in a quandary.