_Midnight_
I was meticulously cleaning my sword, the soft glow of the lantern casting a warm light on the blade. Liyu entered my room, her footsteps quiet on the floor.
"Master, everything is ready. We can leave now," she said, her voice low and urgent.
I nodded, sheathing my sword and standing up. "Good, let's go," I replied, following her out of the room.
After a night and a day of traveling, we finally reached Tianxia Guo. I took a deep breath, gazing out at the unfamiliar city.
"It looks like this place has changed so much," I said, my eyes scanning the crowded streets.
I asked Liyu, "By the way, which place have you chosen for us to live?"
She replied, "I found a good area for the shop where everything is settled. The shop area has a beautiful back garden with a serene pond and a good-sized room where we can live very comfortably."
"Good, but what about workers?" I inquired.
"There is also a spacious room for workers, Master," she said.
I nodded, satisfied. "Nice."
Suddenly, a voice came from outside, asking where we were going and where we came from. I looked out the window of the carriage and saw some official soldiers.
I asked Liyu to handle the situation, and she went out to speak with them. "What is going on? Why are you making a scene?" she asked.
One of the soldiers stepped forward and said, "The road you're using is only for the emperor and official officers, not for normal people."
Liyu explained, "We just entered the city, so we don't have any idea about the rules. Sorry for the trouble. We are leaving now."
Their leader came forward and said, "You can't leave like this. You have to pay for this."
Liyi was taken aback. "What! I said that I don't have any idea about it, so why should I pay for this?"
He replied, "Myself Han Rui. If you have any problem, then you can go to the emperor, but I think he won't even hear you."
Liyu was left speechless.
I stepped out of the carriage and said, "You're Han Rui?"
He replied, "Yeah, do you have any doubt?"
[[[Han Rui was the only son of the wealthy Han family, who owned a successful clothing business and held significant power in the city. He had become a normal soldier three years ago, which was quite unexpected.]]]
I said, "No, I don't dare. I just heard about..."
He interrupted, "What did you hear about?"
Liyu and everyone else looked curious.
I said, "I heard that you're the only son of the great Han family, and I heard that Han Rui is such a handsome young man. And finally, I know why they said this, because you're really handsome."
Han Rui smiled, clearly pleased. "Okay, because you're new here, I'll let you go this time."
I sat back in the carriage, relieved. The other soldiers looked shocked and started staring at Han Rui.
Liyu asked me, "Do you know him, Master?"
I replied, "Not personally, but yeah, I know him."
She asked, "We have a lot of money, then why did you show up?"
I replied, "Here, our business is not settled yet, so we can't waste money."
Liyu nodded in understanding.
*Bao lai new shop*
Liyu said, "So, this is the shop, Master. Let's see it from the inside."
I nodded, and we stepped inside. The shop was super amazing, and I really loved it. We checked one by one all the rooms, and I asked Liyu to prepare for the opening.
She said, "Okay, Master. Just give me 2 days. I'm going to find some workers here."
"Okay, you can go. I'd like to take a rest," I replied.