149: Chapter 149 Leaving the City

Jiang Xun listened, did not refute, and just fell silent for a moment.

To continue demanding would be unreasonable of him.

Moreover, relying on negotiation or forceful words would not make White Fox Jiu yield.

It would only make her suspicious.

Seeing Jiang Xun's silent, dejected appearance.

White Fox Jiu said, "The Autumn Examination happens every year, why rush at this moment? Wouldn't it be better to rest and recover first?"

"But I can't wait," Jiang Xun said.

"Why can't you wait?"

"Husband, is there something you are anxious to complete?" White Fox Jiu furrowed her delicate brows. "Or are you saying that you have been misled by that Young Master Song?"

Her face sank slightly. "Husband, you must not..."

"No," Jiang Xun interrupted.

"I was not misled by him; it is I who wants to go!"

After a long while, Jiang Xun finally expressed his true thoughts, "I do not want to rely on my wife everywhere anymore."

White Fox Jiu was stunned. She said gently, "We are husband and wife! It is only natural for us to rely on each other."

Jiang Xun's words made her feel uncomfortable inside; she wanted Jiang Xun to rely on her completely.

She wanted Jiang Xun to have only her in his heart.

She wanted Jiang Xun to think of her in his leisure time, while walking, while eating, while sleeping—to have him thinking of her at every moment.

Only in this way could Jiang Xun be inseparable, whether beaten, scolded, or angered, and finally become her slave.

Jiang Xun said in a low voice, "I just don't want others to say that my wife is keeping a gigolo."

White Fox Jiu was stunned.

She opened her mouth to speak, wanting to comfort Jiang Xun, saying that she did not care.

But Jiang Xun spoke first:

"Helping in the front hall these past few days, I understand the looks those customers give."

"They don't say it out loud, but what they think is written on their faces. I am neither deaf nor blind."

He pressed his lips together tightly and finally said firmly, "I just want to do something to shut these people's mouths."

"To tell them that I, Jiang Hu, am also someone my wife can rely on."

White Fox Jiu was silent.

So that was it?

She knew Jiang Xun was a person with extreme self-esteem.

He would not rely on others.

If he liked relying on others, he would not have left Yan Qingning's side.

Otherwise, by relying on the vast resources of the Xuanxiao Immortal Sect, it would only be a matter of time for Jiang Xun to fully recover his cultivation from his previous life.

And he would not still be at the Foundation Establishment Realm now.

White Fox Jiu comforted him, "Husband, you don't need to care about others' gazes and opinions, as long as..."

"I want to prove myself," Jiang Xun raised his head and looked at her. "Not for others, but for myself. I don't want to be a burden."

White Fox Jiu knew she could no longer dissuade him.

Moreover, the more she stopped him, the more it would create a rift between them.

It would be better to go along with him.

In any case, he could not escape the palm of her hand.

White Fox Jiu stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes. She reached out to wipe them away. "Fine, Husband, whatever you do, I will support you."

She turned a page of the ledger.

"After we deliver the wine this month, I will give you one hundred taels."

Jiang Xun knew she was talking about the order signed with Ximen Shu.

"Thank you, Wife," Jiang Xun said gratefully.

Suddenly, he leaned forward and grabbed one of White Fox Jiu's delicate, jade-like hands.

"I, Jiang Hu, have obtained such a wife; what more could a husband ask for?"

White Fox Jiu shyly withdrew her hand and said, "During this time, just focus on your studies and don't worry about anything else."

Jiang Xun nodded and said no more.

He just looked at her with burning eyes.

...

A few more days passed.

Early this morning, Tao Fu hitched the donkey cart and waited at the entrance.

The cart was covered with straw, and dozens of empty wine jars were stacked on top, tied securely with hemp rope to prevent them from breaking on the road.

Jiang Xun was also helping on the side.

He was dressed neatly, clearly intending to go along.

The thousand catties of wine requested by Hecai Pavilion had already been brewed, and their trip was to collect the wine.

White Fox Jiu came out from the back room, holding a money bag, and handed it to Tao Fu.

"This is the money for collecting the wine."

Tao Fu took the money bag, weighed it in his hand, did not open it, and stuffed it directly into his bosom.

"Don't worry, Shopkeeper, I guarantee I will bring the wine back."

"Mm."

White Fox Jiu turned to Jiang Xun again and straightened his collar for him.

"Fengtian Village is not far; you can be back before dark. Listen to Uncle Tao on the road and don't run around."

"Understood."

Jiang Xun got on the donkey cart and sat next to Tao Fu.

In order to go on this long journey with Tao Fu, he had pestered this vixen for a long time, and finally, she had allowed him to leave the city with him.

"Wife, you are alone in the shop; don't open the doors today," Jiang Xun said. "Wait until we get back to open it."

"Why?" White Fox Jiu chuckled. "Are you afraid I'll be abducted by someone?"

"Yes," Jiang Xun nodded and said seriously. "My wife is so beautiful; if I were an outsider, I would abduct you."

White Fox Jiu covered her mouth and laughed. "Go early and return early."

"Wife, wait for me to return." Jiang Xun patted Tao Fu's shoulder.

Tao Fu flicked his whip.

The donkey snorted, flicked its tail, and slowly began to walk.

The cart wheels rolled over the wooden road, making a rumbling sound.

White Fox Jiu smiled, standing at the entrance, watching the donkey cart go further and further away until it turned the corner and disappeared before turning back.

Chun Cui was squatting at the entrance picking vegetables. Watching Jiang Xun leave, a sense of worry couldn't help but rise in her heart.

In her eyes, Jiang Xun was clean and handsome, but his physique was a bit weak. Going out on this trip, she hoped he wouldn't be swindled away by someone.

And she always felt.

People like Jiang Xun were very easily coveted by women.

...

After leaving the county town, the road became difficult to travel.

The dirt road was full of potholes, and the donkey cart jolted violently.

Jiang Xun grabbed the edge of the cart, his buttocks aching from the jolting, while Tao Fu was steady, one hand holding the reins and the other holding a thin whip.

"Uncle Tao, how much further is Fengtian Village?" Jiang Xun couldn't help but ask.

"A dozen or so miles; we can arrive before noon," Tao Fu said. "Young Master, if you are sleepy, just take a nap. This donkey knows the way; I don't need to drive it."

Jiang Xun lay down on the cart bed.

He looked at the fields on both sides of the road; the crops had been harvested, leaving only ankle-high stubble in the fields.

Someone was burning straw in the fields, and the smoke drifted onto the road, making people cough continuously.

"How is the harvest this year?" he asked casually.

"It's alright, not too good, not too bad," Tao Fu said. "Fengtian Village is by the river, the land is fertile, and the harvest is better than elsewhere, otherwise we wouldn't be able to brew wine."

Jiang Xun gave a grunt of acknowledgement.

He added, "Right, Uncle Tao, this Fengtian Village is your hometown, isn't it?"

"Yes!" Tao Fu said with a smile. "It was by helping the village sell wine that I was able to open a tavern in the county."

"Oh! No, no." Tao Fu suddenly patted his own mouth. "The shop owner now is Shopkeeper Bai."

"If it weren't for Shopkeeper Bai, our village's wine wouldn't sell."

Tao Fu corrected himself with a smile.

But in the end, he kept scratching his head, as if he had forgotten something.

Jiang Xun didn't respond.

Tao Fu was tactful and didn't continue, continuing to drive his donkey cart.