NOVEL NEXT Chapter 4: Hidden Fortunes
Chapter 4: Hidden Fortunes
Lu Yuan studied Su Liyan with fresh appreciation. She wasn’t quite like the divine Nuwa of legend, nor did she possess Zhao Linger’s innocent purity. No—Su Liyan embodied something different: the alluring presence of a queen, captivating and magnetic.
Su Liyan met his gaze with wonder. Though confused by his intense scrutiny, she recognized something profound in his eyes—not the disgust or contempt she’d grown accustomed to from others. Happiness bloomed within her as she shyly lowered her head, her grip on Lu Yuan’s hand tightening instinctively.
Returning to the moment, Lu Yuan addressed the bewildered village chief. “We’ll take our leave now. We’ll come to the ancestral hall this evening for the ceremony. Ensure it’s prepared for us.”
With that declaration, he led Su Liyan away. Behind them, the matchmaker bounced with delight, calling out: “Liyan! Come find me at noon! I need your parents’ location to bring them the news!”
Su Liyan glanced back, her cheeks flushed. “I will, Auntie…”
The villagers of Shigezhuang watched their departure with complex emotions. The men felt undisguised envy—snake girl or not, supposedly unlucky or otherwise, beauty like hers seemed worth any price. The women seethed with resentment, particularly those who had arrived with Su Liyan seeking matches. Despite Lu Yuan’s modest circumstances, his neat appearance and educated manner set him apart. Though currently just a scholar of limited means, what if the imperial examinations elevated him? How had Su Liyan secured such a promising match?
But beneath these varied reactions ran a common thread of confusion: when had the timid scholar become so bold? The assertive stranger who’d just commanded the village’s respect seemed nothing like the submissive youth they’d once bullied without consequence.
This world was vast and strange. In the northern territories, imperial forces battled orc invaders, reminiscent of Zhu Yuanzhang’s Ming Dynasty campaigns against the Northern Yuan remnants. The empire teemed with spirits and monsters of every description.
Yet where supernatural threats existed, so too did countermeasures. Battle-hardened soldiers who’d survived the blood-soaked northern fronts carried an aura that repelled even the most brazen spirits. Buddhist monks and Taoist priests wielded sacred arts to banish malevolent entities. Court officials in crimson robes could traverse haunted waters alone, their righteous presence terrifying the lake-dwelling specters into submission. Scholars who passed the imperial examinations could bind ghosts to immobility with mere citations from ancient texts.
Indeed, spirits generally feared humans—particularly humans of power and status. Ordinary folk remained vulnerable, but those with official backing enjoyed supernatural protection.
Lu Yuan’s great-grandfather had served as county magistrate here. Though he’d held office under the previous dynasty, his posthumous honors and elevated rank granted him spiritual authority. Even from his grave, his presence shielded Shigezhuang, creating a sanctuary where malevolent forces dared not trespass. Evil spirits lurked beyond the village boundaries but never within.
Thanks to this protection, Shigezhuang had grown prosperous over decades, becoming the region’s largest settlement. Families from surrounding villages sought marriages here for their daughters, drawn by the security and prosperity.
This ancestral connection explained Lu Yuan’s confidence before the village chief—and the chief’s reluctant tolerance. As for his newfound attitude toward the villagers, it stemmed from the integrated memories revealing their past treatment of him. The brick house where Lu Yuan now lived represented the last remnant of his family’s former prosperity. The rest had been swindled, “borrowed,” or outright stolen by neighbors exploiting his previous timidity.
Though these events predated his consciousness transfer, Lu Yuan couldn’t help feeling outraged on behalf of his former self. Besides, he harbored no plans to remain here permanently. Once he acquired sufficient wealth, he would leave this place behind. Why maintain pretenses of goodwill toward those who deserved none?
“We’re home. This is your home from now on.”
Lu Yuan led Su Liyan to a property near the village center. She gasped at the sight, red lips parting in astonishment.
The brick house before them was far more impressive than she’d anticipated. After hearing descriptions of her prospective husband’s poverty, she’d expected a humble mud dwelling. Instead, she found three brick structures surrounding a courtyard paved with polished bluestone.
“My great-grandfather served as county magistrate,” Lu Yuan explained with a smile. “This is his legacy. My parents were merchants who traveled south several years ago but were attacked by bandits on the road. They never returned. It’s just the two of us now, so we’ll make our own rules.”
Su Liyan nodded mutely, following him into the courtyard.
“You rose early to travel here from your village. Have you eaten breakfast?” Lu Yuan asked as they walked.
Women like Su Liyan came from nearby settlements, brought by matchmakers to larger villages like Shigezhuang seeking favorable marriages. Those who secured matches moved directly into their husband’s home; the unsuccessful found temporary lodging before proceeding to the next village.
Su Liyan responded with a shy murmur of acknowledgment.
Lu Yuan pointed toward the chickens pecking in the yard. “I’ll slaughter one later and prepare chicken soup for you. You need nourishment—you’re too thin.”
Startled, Su Liyan quickly shook her head. “No, please don’t! Whatever you have is fine. We must be practical…”
The thought of having a chicken killed on her first day—before she’d contributed any work—troubled her deeply. Despite the house’s grandeur, she recognized signs of declining fortune in the absence of ornaments and luxuries. Chickens were kept for eggs, not casual consumption.
Lu Yuan felt a surge of satisfaction at her frugal mindset. Perhaps this explained part of her [Multiplier: 9] value—her exceptional household management and considerate nature.
Nevertheless, he had decided about the chicken. He stopped walking and turned to face Su Liyan, who halted beside him. Leaning closer, he watched her beautiful face flush crimson in response. Though intensely shy, she lowered her head slightly but didn’t withdraw—a gesture of charming acceptance that captivated him completely.
“Eat whatever you wish,” he said softly. “Our family is wealthier than it appears. From now on, with me, you’ll enjoy fine food and drink, with meat at every meal!”