Chapter 064: Matriarchy (5)

“Move aside, move aside!” A shout rang out in the lively street as a cart laden with goods wove its way through the crowd.

Liu Qingyun, utterly absorbed in watching Le Yixian and unwilling to blink even once, paid no attention to the commotion behind him.

Pedestrians hurried to avoid the cart, and one accidentally bumped into Liu Qingyun. He stumbled, nearly toppling over to the ground.

Le Yixian reacted swiftly, stepping forward to grasp his hand and steady his waist, pulling him securely into her embrace.

She glanced at the adorable whorl atop her little lover’s head, secretly wondering what age he was this time.

Eleven? Twelve?

No matter; the height she’d struggled to achieve in her last world had shrunk once more. This time, he barely reached her chest.

Liu Qingyun felt his cheek pressed against something astonishingly soft. He subconsciously rubbed against it, only realizing what it was when the person before him stiffened. His limbs froze as understanding dawned.

Le Yixian noticed the flush creeping up his ears, and any lingering annoyance from moments before melted away.

“Are you alright?” she asked, her gaze lowered, catching a faint scent of medicine. Her hand brushed his waist and her brows furrowed—so thin.

She remembered that Liu Qingyun’s character in the novel was frail and sickly.

How did he finally recover?

Medical care combined with a harmonious life?

Liu Qingyun said nothing, staring blankly at her face. Just then, Xiao Liu’s urgent voice sounded in his ear: “Shameless! Let go of our young master!”

He charged forward, face determined to protect his master at all costs.

Le Yixian released her hold and sidestepped his attack.

Seeing her retreat, Xiao Liu didn’t pursue further, instead shielding his young master and asking anxiously, “Miss… Miss…” His expression was agitated as he turned to Le Yixian: “You scoundrel, where did you just touch?”

Liu Qingyun regained his composure, stopping Xiao Liu from confronting Le Yixian. He shook his head, “I’m fine.”

“What are you shouting for? You look like a delicate maiden who’s just been assaulted,” Le Yixian had no intention of exposing their disguise, and instead rolled her eyes at Xiao Liu before turning gently to her little lover, “Little sister, are you hurt anywhere?”

“No, thank you, big sister,” Liu Qingyun replied softly. “My name is Xiaoyun. May I ask how I should address you?”

Xiaoyun?!

Le Yixian felt herself melting at her little lover’s earnest self-introduction. “Just call me Sister You.”

“Alright, Sister You,” Liu Qingyun hesitated briefly, then called out.

The youth’s voice, still untouched by puberty, was crisp and clear, setting Le Yixian’s heart alight.

“Are you out for a stroll too, Xiaoyun? Why not join us?” she suggested.

Rarely encountering her beloved again, Liu Qingyun would not easily let the opportunity slip by, and nodded in agreement at once.

Xiao Liu tried to stop him but failed.

The temple fair was bustling; in front of the temple, performances unfolded—breaking stones on the chest, sword swallowing, fire breathing.

Liu Qingyun watched, eyes shining. “Sister You, look how amazing they are…” His voice trailed off.

He had met a pair of smiling eyes, gazing at him with a hint of indulgence.

Recalling his childish behavior, Liu Qingyun felt his cheeks warm.

“Yes, they’re really impressive,” Le Yixian paid little attention to the performers, her eyes fixed on her little lover.

She had secretly instructed Gou Sheng to take plenty of photos, intending to print them out and hang them at home once returned to reality.

After watching the show, the two continued onwards.

Suddenly, a shrill voice rose ahead.

They looked over to see a woman, adorned in gold and silver, her features delicate, standing with one hand on her hip and pointing at a man in white robes, berating him.

“I’ll say it again: I’ve already divorced you. You don’t need to keep searching for me.” The woman’s once delicate face was twisted with disdain and her eyes were filled with contempt.

“I’ve married you for three years, yet you’ve never managed to give me a child. What use are you?”

“Main wife, please give me another chance…” The man’s face bore a pleading expression. He took a yellow talisman from his robe: “I prayed before the Goddess of Fertility for three days and nights. She finally bestowed upon me this talisman. I am wearing it now, and if I try harder, I’m sure you’ll bear a child.”

“No need.” The woman flicked her hand, sending the talisman flying from his grasp. “I have decided to marry your cousin as my husband. There’s no need for you to entangle yourself with me.”

“What?” The man’s eyes widened. “You and Dali—when did…”

“When?” She raised an eyebrow. “When you couldn’t give me a child. Don’t you know my family owns hundreds of thousands of acres waiting for my daughter to inherit? I don’t have time to play with you.”

“Before marrying me, you clearly promised to spend a lifetime with me,” the man clung tightly to her robe.

“A lifetime together is only possible if you give me a daughter. If not, what use are you?” Her tone was cold. “Leave, and don’t show yourself before me again.”

With that, she swept her robes and departed.

The man in white was left standing alone, gazing at her retreating figure—a scene that tugged at the heart.

Witnessing this, Le Yixian was filled with emotion.

It reminded her why she had written this novel years ago.

She had seen countless misogynistic comments on forums, coupled with the popularity of female-dominated fiction at the time, and thus this story was born.

Yet, after watching this scene, her gentle-hearted little lover must be feeling unsettled.

Indeed, the little lover beside her moved.

He walked up to the man, picked up the talisman now covered in dust, and handed it to him. “Since she doesn’t cherish you, why bother?”

“But… she promised to love me for a lifetime,” the man’s eyes brimmed with tears, his face wreathed in sorrow.

“A lifetime?” Liu Qingyun flashed a disdainful and scornful smile. “You actually believe that? Never trust a woman’s words. In the future, find someone who will truly care for you and live well. Take this.”

“Thank you,” the man sobbed, tears streaming down as he trembled while accepting the talisman.

Liu Qingyun ignored him, and as he turned away, his expression shifted instantly. “Sister You, let’s go have some fun.”

Le Yixian nodded.

After they had walked some distance, Liu Qingyun looked back. The man in white had vanished, replaced only by the endless flow of people.

A resolute look shone in his eyes. If someone who had made a promise to him dared to abandon him, he would cut her down first, then take his own life if he must—never letting her go easily.

Otherwise, he’d lock her away, so she’d never see anyone else again.