Central Province Imperial City

At this moment, not far outside the house.

A little girl with pigtails holds a sickle in her right hand and carries a small basket filled with weeds on her back.

She hummed an off-key tune as she skipped and hopped toward them, her big eyes looking around.

Little sister, what's your name?

Wow! Big sister, you're so pretty!

The little girl's eyes lit up when she saw Lu Shuang.

"My name is Xiaocui! When I grow up, will I be as beautiful as you?"

Xiaocui looked up, her eyes filled with envy.

"Yes, I will." Lu Shuang crouched down to look her in the eye. "Where have you been?"

I'm going to cut grass for the old ox at home!

Are you tired?

"I'm not tired! Look, sister!"

As she spoke, the little girl put down her basket and took out a handful of wild vegetables.

"This is clover, it's so delicious! I found so much today! Aren't I amazing!"

She proudly presented the bunch of wild vegetables to Lu Shuang.

"You live with your parents, isn't it hard? I've seen other kids in the village, and none of them have it as hard as you."

Hearing this, the little girl looked proud:

"I can do laundry, cook, cut grass, and do farm work all by myself! They even need adults to help them put on their clothes!"

"Sister, don't underestimate me just because I'm young! I'm actually very strong! None of the kids my age in the village can beat me!"

As Xiaocui spoke, she clenched her thin little fist and gestured with it.

Just then, Lu Shuang reached out and gently touched the little girl's head.

"Sister, why are you crying? Did someone bully you? Tell Xiaocui, and I'll get revenge for you!"

"No, sister... I'm happy."

Lu Shuang smiled broadly, but tears welled up in her eyes.

Then, she took out a pill from her bosom and held it in her palm.

Lu Feng, who was standing not far away, recognized it at a glance; it was a Body-Tempering Pill.

These pills were useless to them, and even to martial artists with Nei Jin, they had little effect.

However, for ordinary people, it is a rare and effective medicine. After taking it, they can strengthen their bodies and be immune to all diseases.

"Want some candy?"

"I wonder! Is this for me?"

Seeing Lu Shuang nod, the little girl grabbed the pill and stuffed it into her mouth.

"Delicious! Delicious! Thank you, sister! My house is just up ahead, I'll take you there to play!"

With that, Xiaocui took Lu Shuang's hand and skipped and hopped towards home.

"Mom! I'm back!"

Upon reaching the door, Xiaocui Cui called out to the house.

"Xiaocui Cui, what are you doing here again?!"

When Xiuniang heard her daughter's voice, she happily went out to greet her, but when she saw Lu Shuang and the other woman, her face immediately darkened.

"Mom! This lady is so kind; she even offered me candy!"

Xiaocui let go of Lu Shuang's hand and buried her head in Xiuniang's arms.

"Why do you smell so bad, covered in mud and grass!"

"No way! I just took a nice shower yesterday... Ah! It really is!"

With that, Xiaocui Cui dashed into the room.

"What are you doing here? I've already said you're not welcome in my home!"

Seeing Lu Shuang and the other person walking into the house, Xiuniang rushed forward and blocked the doorway.

"We meant no harm. What she said just now was just a test," Lu Feng explained.

"Now, she's ready to save your husband."

"Save my husband?!"

"Don't worry, your husband's injury is nothing to us."

Upon hearing that she could save her husband, Xiuniang knelt down with a thud, kowtowing as she said:

"I was blind and offended you two gentlemen! Please, sirs, save my husband! I'll agree to any conditions!"

Lu Shuang quickly stepped forward and helped her up.

"You are not only a good wife, but also a good mother."

After saying that, she turned and walked into the house.

Inside the house, Tie Niu looked at Lu Shuang with gratitude in his eyes. Clearly, he had also witnessed what happened outside.

Arriving at Shi Hu's bedside, Lu Shuang took out a Healing Pill and placed it in Shi Hu's mouth. Then, she pressed her palm against his back and activated her True Essence to dissolve the medicinal power.

Just a moment!

Shi Hu's eyelids twitched, and then he slowly opened his eyes.

"What am I doing...?"

"Tiger! You're awake! You're really awake! That's wonderful!"

Xiuniang rushed to the bedside, weeping with joy.

Xiaocui also ran over upon hearing the news, and the family hugged each other tightly.

Seeing this, Lu Shuang prepared to quietly leave the room.

"Etc!"

Xiuniang suddenly remembered something and turned around to kowtow to Lu Shuang again, but Lu Shuang stopped her.

"No need. His injuries are no longer serious. With two or three months of rest and recuperation, he'll be just like a normal person."

Upon hearing this, Shi Hu was so excited that he struggled to get up to express his gratitude, but unexpectedly, he grimaced in pain as soon as he moved.

"Brother Tiger, don't move!" Xiuniang quickly supported him.

Looking at the family embracing tightly, Lu Feng said softly:

"Alright, we should go now."

After saying that, Lu Shuang turned and walked out of the room.

As soon as she stepped out of the room, she leaped into the air and disappeared instantly.

Seeing this, Lu Feng quickly followed.

She landed on a flat area outside the village, tilting her head back and staring blankly at the moon, lost in thought.

"Are you alright?" Lu Feng came to her side and asked softly.

"I'm fine." Lu Shuang shook her head.

There are no outsiders here. If you want to cry, just cry.

Upon hearing this, Lu Shuang could no longer hold back, turned around and threw herself into Lu Feng, bursting into tears.

Why? Why...?

"Other mothers can share both joy and sorrow... other children have happy childhoods..."

"But I have nothing... I have absolutely nothing..."

Lu Feng gently put his arm around her trembling shoulders.

He didn't know what she had experienced in her childhood, but he could imagine it must have been an extremely unfortunate period.

After a long while, Lu Shuang's crying gradually subsided.

"Thank you. I feel much better." She took a half step back, raised her hand, and hastily wiped away the tears on her face.

"It's alright. It's getting late, let's go back."

Afterwards, the two returned to Tie Niu's house, one after the other.

The next morning, Lu Shuang quietly left twenty taels of silver, and the two set off again without alerting anyone, flying towards Central Province.

Three days later, the two finally arrived at the Central Province Imperial City.

Looking around, the city towers soared into the clouds, reaching a height of three zhang (approximately 10 meters), and several Grandmaster- level experts were stationed at the city gate.

Above the city gate, a faint white light curtain swirled, indicating that the entire imperial city's protective array was activated year-round.

The check at the city gate was not strict, and no Origin Crystal were required to enter the city. Lu Feng and his companion entered the imperial city without any problems.

The buildings in the city became increasingly magnificent, and the streets were wide enough for several horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side.

"I haven't been back for three years, and I didn't expect it to be still the same. Let me take you to my house first."

Lu Shuang was clearly familiar with the capital city, leading Lu Feng through a maze of turns, and soon they arrived at a magnificent mansion.

Above the gate of the mansion, three large gilded characters read "Jingnan Estate".

Strangely, this enormous palace had not a single guard at its entrance.