How could someone be unhappy living in a matriarchal society?

Chapter 12 The Enchanting Chu Ci

The next day, when Chu Ci delivered the deer, Tian Jiang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"Not only a deer, but a live deer! Lady Chu, you're amazing! You got it so quickly."

"Just good luck."

Tian Jiang smiled and said, "This is more than just luck."

She looked Chu Ci up and down for a long time before finally drawing a conclusion.

"Madam Chu is a capable woman."

Chu Ci humbly bowed, took the money without saying a word, and left.

On the way home, I also bought a string of candied hawthorns to bring to Shi'an.

She received another wave of touching moments from her husband.

To express her gratitude, Shi An went to great lengths to prepare delicious meals for Chu Ci during dinner.

Chu Ci is happy again.

Halfway through the meal, Shi An glanced at the woman's expression and brought up an idea that had been troubling him for a long time.

"Master wife."

"Ok?"

"When you go to town to buy meat in the future, can you take me with you? I'm planning to embroider some handkerchiefs to sell in the county town."

Chu Ci agreed without hesitation.

"sure."

Shi An was surprised. He originally thought that even if Chu Ci agreed, he would hesitate for a while.

To my surprise, she agreed so readily.

That's too fast.

Chu Ci saw his expression and smiled.

"Why are you so surprised? Do you think I won't agree?"

The man shook his head.

"No, I... it's just that it's not good for men to show their faces in public."

The woman reached out and ruffled Shi An's hair.

"It doesn't matter to me. Do whatever you want. You are free."

People from the martial arts world don't care about such trivial matters.

Upon hearing this, Shi An's eyes widened, and he remained unsettled for a long time.

This world imposes far too many restrictions on men.

It is not allowed to show one's face in public at will.

After marriage, one must obey the wife's orders in everything and cannot disobey.

Most people believe that men should stay at home to take care of their wives and children, serve their wives, and be filial to their parents-in-law.

There won't be many opportunities to go out and work.

Actually, the main reason he was interested in Chu Ci was because her parents had passed away.

She lives alone and has few interpersonal relationships.

My departure in the future will not have much impact or hindrance.

But Shi An never expected that Chu Ci would be such a good person!

The gentle and kind woman in front of him filled him with gratitude.

She not only didn't look down on his lowly status, but also cared for him so much with kindness and consideration, which made him feel incredibly warm.

Shi An looked at Chu Ci, her throat tightening, too excited to utter a single word.

He wanted to express his inner feelings of emotion, but felt that any words would be superfluous.

Shi An secretly rejoiced that she had met such a kind person, and at the same time marveled at the wonderful arrangement of fate.

He never imagined that such a kind woman existed in this world, and that he would have a connection with her.

At that moment, he felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

He couldn't help but recall the suffering and discrimination he had endured, and the indifference and cruelty of those people left him disheartened.

Now, faced with Chu Ci's care and kindness, he felt as if he were in a hot spring.

The feeling was so wonderful that he was even reluctant to leave.

The next day, Chu Ci didn't hunt any deer, but instead brought back a lot of rabbits and pheasants.

Shi An, on the other hand, diligently made handkerchiefs from the leftover fabric from making clothes at home.

I did about ten.

The next day, the two went to town to set up a stall together.

When they went there, Chu Ci specially borrowed a donkey from the Liu family in the village for Shi An to ride.

So Shi An wasn't tired.

Because it was Shi An's first time setting up a stall, and because she was wearing a veiled hat, not many people bought anything.

However, he wasn't in a hurry. He took a small stool and sat down next to Chu Ci, waiting for customers with him.

Chen Hua passed by them on his way home from school at noon and came over to chat.

"Chu Ci, who is that man next to you?"

Although this person was wearing a veil, he had a very good figure and seemed to be quite good-looking. If he weren't married, she could get to know him.

“This is my husband.”

Chen Hua was shocked. "Huh? This is my brother-in-law?"

"Ah."

"He came out to set up a stall with you."

"Correct."

Chen Hua was a little worried, "Have you run into trouble recently?"

"No."

"That means they are very short of money."

"Not really lacking."

She has over ten taels of silver in her hands now, which makes her quite wealthy.

"Then why do you let your husband show his face in public?"

"he……"

Before Chu Ci could explain, Shi An spoke up first.

"It was my own idea to sell embroidery; it wasn't my wife who forced me to."

Chen Hua was taken aback. In this day and age, there are still young men who want to go out and work on their own.

See you soon.

"You are truly a strange young man."

Shi An gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Chu Ci frowned, clearly displeased.

"Hey, if you're not going to buy anything, don't come here and join the fun. You're annoying."

"Okay, okay, I won't join in the fun. I won't say anything more."

Now, Chu Ci's mere glance is enough to terrify him.

She wouldn't dare mess with her.

Chu Ci's meat sold out in no time.

But Shi An only sold a few handkerchiefs.

Chu Ci figured she had nothing better to do than help him out.

"let me help you."

The woman took a handkerchief from her bamboo basket and began to call out, "Any young men or women who need a handkerchief? We sell handkerchiefs here, of excellent quality, and honest service."

Anyone want to buy a handkerchief?

Perhaps because her voice carried far, a number of people gradually came to the stall and began to make their selections.

Most of them were young men.

One of the bolder ones even acted coquettishly towards Chu Ci.

"Sister, can you help me pick one? Your choice will definitely be beautiful."

Chu Ci didn't understand his other meaning at all and agreed directly.

"Oh, okay."

She noticed that the young man who was speaking was dressed in a blue robe, so she picked out a blue handkerchief for him, embroidered with butterflies.

"What do you think of this?"

I thought this pretty young lady was just using her looks to attract young men to buy things, but I didn't expect her handkerchiefs to be actually quite good.

This embroidery skill is unmatched even by the best embroiderer in Lotus Town.

Yanqiu couldn't help but raise her hand to stroke it, carefully studying the acupuncture technique.

"It's so beautiful, I really like it."

Chu Ci smiled and said, "That's good."

The two chatted and laughed back and forth, creating a very harmonious atmosphere.

Standing to the side, Shi An: "..."

My mood suddenly turned sour, and I didn't want to continue selling.

But that won't work; we need to raise money.

He also needs to save up for travel expenses.

After taking two deep breaths, Shi An gritted her teeth, took off her veil, and her outstanding appearance stunned the men around her for a moment.

He smiled and took out a handkerchief from his pocket, then gently wiped Chu Ci's sweat.

"My lady, are you tired? Would you like to rest for a bit?"

"!!" Yanqiu frowned, staring at him. "Wife?"

Shi An smiled at him.

"Yes, we just got married. I sewed this handkerchief myself. If you like it, I can give you a discount."

"Ha!" Yanqiu sneered.

He grew up in brothels and could tell what the man was thinking at a glance.

His deliberate display of intimacy with this woman in public was a clear signal to those around him not to have designs on his wife.

That was truly terrible acting.

Unfortunately, Chu Ci was susceptible to this approach and felt very warm inside.

"Shi An, I'm not tired. You rest. I'll sell for you for a little while longer."

The man smiled shyly, "My wife is so good to me."

"It should."

Yanqiu wasn't happy about their endless displays of affection.

He swayed his hips and moved a little closer, smiling sweetly at Chu Ci.

"Sister, can you help me pick another one?"

"Okay."

Chu Ci, attracted by the business, started talking to Yan Qiu again.

In the blink of an eye, the two exchanged names.

Standing behind him, Shi An clenched her fists unconsciously, and almost lost her smile.

After noticing his condition, Yanqiu decided to provoke Shi An further and make him make a fool of himself, so she deliberately spoke loudly.

"Sister Chu, your hands are so beautiful, so slender and long, just like they're made of jade." After saying that, he raised his hand to touch them.

Just as his fingers were about to touch the back of Chu Ci's hand.

Shi An suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Chu Ci's hand before he could.

"My lady, are you cold? The temperature seems to have dropped a bit."

“I’m not cold, but you are…” Chu Ci took off her outer garment and draped it over the man’s shoulders.

"Your hands are cold, don't catch a cold."

Shi An blushed and glanced at Chu Ci, then reached out and pushed him aside.

“I’ll sell them myself. Could you please go to the shop across the street and buy me some pastries? I’m a little hungry.”

"Okay," Chu Ci readily agreed without much thought.

After she left, some of the young men paid the money and left with the handkerchiefs.

The remaining young men who had come to watch the spectacle also left.

Only Yanqiu remained unmoved in front of the stall.

Shi An glanced in the direction Chu Ci had left, then turned and stared coldly at the person opposite him with a blank expression.

"I know what you're thinking, but I advise you to give up on that idea."

Yanqiu pouted, clearly unconvinced. "Really? But why should I listen to you?"

Shi An narrowed his eyes, and his aura changed.

"I knew you came from a brothel the moment I saw you, and the red mark on your collarbone still proves you are innocent."

"You came here simply to find someone to redeem you before you lose your virginity, but what will your father do if I tell him you want to leave?"

Yanqiu's pupils contracted instantly, and her face turned extremely pale.

He was young and still a virgin, and his father was counting on selling his first time for a high price.

If I had known he wanted to find someone to redeem him, I would have punished him severely.

Yanqiu didn't want to experience that kind of beating a second time.

But the Chu Ci was the prey he had finally found after observing it for so long.

Good-looking and capable.

He's a hunter, so he must be very strong and able to protect him.

Yanqiu was counting on the Chu Ci (Songs of Chu) to help her escape her misery.

But to his surprise, this woman already had a husband.

Moreover, this husband was quite difficult to deal with, and he went straight for his weak points from the start.

Damn it! He can't afford to gamble.

He absolutely couldn't let his father know that he wanted to redeem himself before his first night.

If he's exposed, he's finished.

Yanqiu gritted her teeth, her fingernails almost piercing her palm.

He glared fiercely at Shi An, cursing inwardly.

Damn man!!!

You ruined his plans!!

He'll remember this grudge!

Sooner or later...

"You just wait!" After uttering this harsh remark, Yanqiu flicked her sleeves and left.

Shi An watched his furious back as he slowly curled the corners of her lips into a smile.

Having lived two lives, dealing with such insignificant people was a piece of cake for him.