Chapter 48

This sounds unfamiliarly familiar.

Where had I heard of this?

But the moment he was pushed onto the stage, I gaped.

"Oh. Handsome younger brother."

It was a young man, sixteen or seventeen. He was an impressive sight, tall and athletic with a lean physique that rippled with strength. His coal hair was tied in a ponytail and he was wearing a frayed kimono, with his hakama showing the signs of wear, one of its sleeves missing.

A Japanese! Much less a samurai warrior! Different from the imitation of cosplayers.

Was that what their nation was called before? Land of Wu? The land of the rising sun?

Currently, he was holding his Katana, that handsome youngster looks like a rabid dog ready to launch and kill.

Really, there's something strange about this.

And these people look like a child going to the zoo for the first time and seeing something exotic and unseen before.

"So this is what wa-jin looks like."

"Hm, I only heard of them."

"Heh. This person looks barbaric!"

"Kill him!"

"Do they usually dress in this manner?"

"Such a young kid, look at those eyes!"

The crowd erupted with a cacophony of cheers, laughter, and jeers.

But the young man in question frowned and turned to the people on the stage, "Oi ! ore wa hito no tameni asobanai senshi da!" [Hey! I am a warrior I do not play for people!]

It reminds me of when I watch anime. This voice as I watched with sub, it would really be a waste of my life not knowing who he is.

Just how on earth did he come here? Even his stature. Sigh. This impoverished young man.

It was no use, the play started and people are watching. They would not understand him, and although they may know what he wanted to convey from his expression, they will just let it be. Even I just understood the word he said, 'Hey.'

"What's wrong?"

ML whispered, pulling me back from my reverie.

Right, I should just calm down. If he finds anything odd, then he will not stop bugging me, creating some garbage in his mind again.

"Looks angry at us."

"Yes. Indeed he is."

"Aiya, how sad. Little brother looks unwilling."

"He is just unhappy because he misses his home."

Bai Ying Yue reasoned, making me sadder.

"He's just like me."

There is no nation that I truly belong to. In the first place, I should not have existed.

Hah.

"Miserable."

"Wife shouldn't feel sad, you have me, your husband."

"You have Yueyue too!"

I brightly grinned at them, fleetingly glancing at the prince who somehow stares at me intently.

What's wrong with this dude?

Beaming a smile at the three I nodded.

Your intention, I will remember.

But now, this youngster is the center of the event.

He snarled as they attack him the actors would look at the crowd making slips of comedies that made people laugh and goes back to heroically showcasing their moves appearing elegant and heroic.

The young man looks unwilling and burst forth slashing one of the men who have the most points in making moves of laughing, pointing his fingers, and swishing his swords as if he would kill the youngster promoting his patriotism and showcasing an exaggerated move more than the rest of the performers.

To be honest, it is quite horrendous watching it.

Even if I am not knowledgeable of Fengyue swordplay... Presently, what is its theme?

Bang.

I laughed.

"He took our big brother down!"

And that my friends, chaos erupted.

A performance broke into a fight with four of the performers ganging up on him. It does not matter if it is a play anymore, now it is for the pride and anger of these people.

"How dare you!"

"Does he want to kill one of our people while we watch?"

"Despicable!"

"Beat him to death!"

"Throw something at him! Stones!"

"Just one man yet dared to act presumptuous!"

"Barbaric fiends!"

These guys…

They are good at ignoring that it was their fellow 'people' who made the first move.

Brothers, your skins are so thick.

You cannot even acknowledge your mistake. Heh. To them, it must be deserving for this young samurai to be mocked.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk."

"Watch out!"

Aiya! Why here!

Bang!

Crash!

"Ugh."

"Wife, are you alright!"

"Yiying!"

I blinked.

I just felt being pulled harshly and the chair I was sitting on got broken.

Cough.

Cough.

"Kono yaro!"

[You bastards!]

Oh, I know that word.

Neh?

I was temporarily blinded by the sun, until the young warrior stepped in front of me, his body blocking the light. He tried to stand up, but his footing was unsteady and he ended up stumbling. A sharp crack can be heard when he moved his one foot, indicating it was injured.

I pulled away from ML's grasp and offered my hand. Moreover, we are just a half meter away it is no biggie to help. Yet he swatted my hand away.

Angrily glaring at me.

That slap was quite the sting.

"Iyana hitotachi!" [Disgusting people!]

Um.

Was he cussing again?

I laughed heartily, bold and stupid as I repeated the act of kindness. I used a soft cloth to carefully brush away the dirt on his clothes.

"Yiying..."

Bai Ying Yue.

"That's enough."

It becomes normal now to be pulled back by ML.

"Don't be like this."

I lightly complained and peered back at the youngster, who snorted and rubbed away the dirt I had just taken off his clothes as if I were the dirt itself.

"..."

Ok. Ok. No need to feel sour. Be understanding Jun Xue, it was you who approached him. It is expected.

Yes, yes, just building a rapport even if it failed.

Mm. That's it.

With a disdainful chuckle, the young warrior left, his body swaying with each step. Despite this, the fellow locals seem to think differently.

"You think so highly of yourself! Come on, beat him!"

"Yes! His eyes are filled with arrogance!"

"Who do you think you are!"

"You must be disciplined!"

"Hey..." is this what it was like? Discrimination in ancient times? This shvts ganging up on an injured person.

My eyes narrowed.

The people did not let go, and the young warrior barred his fangs raising his katana and injuring one of the people shouting and roaring in a language they could not understand. Behind him, one of the men struck his head as he kneeled down from the impact. They kicked him on the ground and laughed. Knowing he can't bear the brunt attack of many people he crouches down protecting his head with arms silently gritting his teeth.

These guys…really.

"Wife, don't stare. Let's move away."

I hate it.

I am feeling overwhelmed emotionally.

Watching them do so with this young man who in modern times should be in his senior year in high school in a land unbeknown to him even if I want to avoid it, the sudden thought that we have some similarities gave me a twisted comfort and helplessness at our situation.

This reminds me of when I just came here.

Those maids...

The coldness of everyone.

The only thing that differs from us is his spirit.

The fervent gaze of determination, the resolute desire to persevere while I often display obstinacy.

"Wife, should we go get your pen?"

I nodded but paused for a moment.

"Big sister, would you come with us?"

Bai Ying Yue giggled.

"If that is alright with your husband?"

I just asked out of childish temperament.

I turned to ML and pursed my lips.

Please do not invite them.

"It is alright."

He misunderstood again.

"Then I'll trouble you."

"No trouble."

Sigh. What could I say, "Li Jia Ying is very happy."

I beamed at them. Yu Shan is the quietest background character in the circle. It seems these two men had less to no conversation with each other and just accompany us like guards.

Is ML not interested at all that they are in his territory?

Well, never mind. It could be soon when the plots will be triggered.

Let us just go get the—"Ah!"

The pen! Right!

"Wife?"

"That little brother, it makes me sad."

I uttered, hugging him as I tip my toe and whispered, "The pen."

Being the ML he is, he already understood and went with my act. "Your husband will make sure that these kinds of situations do not occur again."

"Mhmmm."

"Yueyue, Su Lin let's get you a palanquin first."

"Hm? Are we all not going together?"

Not for now, and it seems risky to have it drafted as my potential business partner if I recreated something in the future.

Before ML reasoned out, I gestured a hushing sound before turning to Bai Ying Yue.

"You can't! Li Jia Ying will have a surprise for both of you!" I seriously said, looking at the disguised Prince Yu Shan and Bai Ying Yue then sighed in longingness.

"Li Jia Ying will not know when we will see each other again. Li Jia Ying feels unhappy thinking about it. So Li Jia Ying and husband will give you a surprise that way you won't forget me! Hmp."

Geez, it's so lame to say it. Urk.

"A gift?"

Hey, I can see your lips trembling, Do you think it is amusing?

"It's a surprise!"

I corrected.

"Yes, yes. Alright, it's a surprise as you say. Then we will be looking forward to it!"

"Good!"

Success.

***

"Thank goodness they left. I almost forgot our main intention."

I uttered, watching the palanquin grow smaller and smaller. I felt drained communicating with Bai Ying Yue.

"Then let's see the shop."

"Yes."

Since it's just in this area, there is no need to hire a palanquin. More so, it's good to stroll and watch this bustling area as every day I could see something new. The thing is, it seems peaceful with no havoc. I have never seen anyone causing commotion ever since I came here except what happened a while ago regarding that foreign warrior that this native seems to dislike.

"Greetings Young Master, and Young Lady, please come in."

"Wife, let's go in."

"Yes, sure sure. You take a look first. This shop seems to have other works."

ML nodded, ushering the servant as soon as we entered to summon her manager.

But I stopped dead, as something had just swept past me.

Oh?

A child.

He looks like a beggar. "Was he starving too much?"

Wait.

No way did my praise a second ago just backfired on me?

Come to think of it, in situations like this in stereotypes…

A child that bypassed or bumped you…

My fingers lightly grazed the pouch I had tucked away at my waist.

Empty.

Dagnabit, I got robbed! Well, that's fine. Let it be helpful for him. The ML got lots of money—"Aiya the hairpin! Kid, take everything just throw the hairpin!"

That is the only accessory Li Jia Ying had that I found well-kept and hidden under her bed before.

"Boy!"

I chased him, my shoes scuffing against the ground. It must be a memento of Li Jia Ying at least keep it in respect! I also quite like it and always kept it close.

"Wait up! Kid!"

"Wife!"

"Catch up!"