25: Chapter 0025 is very promising

Perhaps it was because she hadn't discussed matters of the world with anyone for too long, but she had gotten carried away.

Moreover, she hoped from the bottom of her heart that Lin Xiao wouldn't suffer any losses, so she had taken the initiative to say a bit more.

What should she do? Should she confess?

But the moment she let this man know her identity, it would mean dragging him into a massive whirlpool, or perhaps even an abyss!

"I understand!"

Lin Xiao laughed heartily. "My wife must have been a lady from a wealthy family in the past, which is why you've read so many books, right?"

Xiao Qingxuan was stunned, then nodded as if possessed.

"Husband… has Husband guessed it?"

Xiao Qingxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

The imperial family surely counted as a wealthy family, right? No problem there!

Lin Xiao went along with it, saying, "From the fact that you can read and write, and can also appreciate my poetry, I knew your background wasn't simple."

To tell the truth, seeing the struggle in Xiao Qingxuan's eyes just now, Lin Xiao had felt a bit uneasy.

What if she confessed her identity as the Empress? How should he respond?

If she wanted to restore her country, would he help her?

Lin Xiao had only just started his career; even if he truly wanted to help Xiao Qingxuan regain the throne, he was powerless to do so.

Rather than agonizing over it, it was better to muddle through for now; there would be a way when they reached the mountain!

"My background was indeed decent, but my family encountered bandits, and I was the only one who escaped. I have no living relatives left."

Xiao Qingxuan spoke half-truth and half-falsehood, but the sorrow in her eyes was not the least bit fake.

Lin Xiao naturally understood why the woman would be feeling down; going from an Empress to a female slave, most people would have long since chosen to end their lives.

Xiao Qingxuan's willpower was already truly remarkable.

"Wife, am I not your family?"

Lin Xiao squeezed the woman's soft, slender hand and said with a smile.

Xiao Qingxuan's eyes reddened, and she nodded vigorously.

"By the way, Husband, should we go and speak with General Zhao? Purchasing supplies in Baishui is really quite dangerous."

Lin Xiao, however, shook his head. "It's fine, just let them go. I have it all under control."

Xiao Qingxuan was a bit doubtful, but seeing the man's confident appearance, she didn't try to persuade him further.

"Wife, it's very late; it's time to rest…"

Lin Xiao's mouth moved to the woman's ear, exhaling hot breath.

Xiao Qingxuan's delicate body trembled, her autumn-water eyes rippled, and her body began to go limp.

"Husband is very tired today…"

"Then, would Wife like to exert yourself a bit more?"

"Ho… how should I exert myself?"

"Come, Husband will teach you…"

That night, Xiao Qingxuan learned a lot.

So, it turned out that this business of serving people was really tiring!

Fortunately, Husband praised her in the end and even said she had a bright future, so it was all worth it!

The next morning.

Lin Xiao got up feeling refreshed and first refreshed the shop.

Although some cultivation techniques he hadn't seen before appeared, they were all only of mystic grade and couldn't even be upgraded.

When it came down to it, they weren't even as powerful as the two techniques Qin He had.

Lin Xiao wasn't in a hurry; after all, he only had 100 Prestige points left.

Of course, keeping an eye out for whether a "Mystery Package" had refreshed was also a key point.

"Husband, have I risen late?"

Xiao Qingxuan slowly sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her jet-black hair spreading across half the bed.

"Wife worked hard last night; would you like to sleep a little longer?" Lin Xiao said with a wicked smile.

Xiao Qingxuan remembered her absurdity the previous night and covered her face with the quilt.

Heavens, thank goodness he doesn't know my identity as the Empress; otherwise… it would be too embarrassing!

"Husband only knows how to bully Qingxuan."

"How is that bullying? I saw that Wife was very happy; your throat even went hoarse," Lin Xiao said with a grin.

"Oh! Stop talking. I'll get up and make you breakfast."

Xiao Qingxuan climbed out of bed, quickly put on her clothes, and went to the stove to get busy.

Actually, her culinary skills were very average—she could only be said to know how to cook—but there weren't many ingredients here anyway, so preparing something simple wasn't difficult.

Lin Xiao let the woman do as she pleased; since the Empress had come to be his cook, it would be inappropriate for him to be picky.

"Commander Lin!!"

"Mr. Lin! Are you home?"

Suddenly, shouts came from outside the courtyard gate.

Lin Xiao could tell it was some of the neighbors.

He walked out and opened the door, only to be shocked by the scene before him!

There was a massive crowd of nearly a hundred people, men, women, young and old, crowding at his doorstep!

"Fourth Uncle, Grandpa Liu, what is this…"

The few elders in the front were people who had watched "him" grow up, and Lin Xiao was quite familiar with them.

In their hands, some held red cotton quilts, while others carried various baskets of food; they were clearly here to bring gifts!

"Commander Lin, we only found out yesterday that you were married, so everyone wanted to come and congratulate you!"

"This is a red quilt we stitched overnight; please don't despise it."

"And these edibles—although they aren't anything fancy, they are the heartfelt sentiments of our fellow townsfolk and neighbors…"

Looking at the new quilt, stitched one needle and one thread at a time, and the pairs of sincere eyes, Lin Xiao felt a complex mix of emotions.

He actually didn't have much affection for the people of Stone Fortress; even with the memories, he felt that he was a transmigrator, an outsider.

But at this moment, he was still somewhat moved.

Admittedly, they were grateful to him for saving Stone Fortress and saving their lives.

But these people themselves lived in very tight conditions; being able to send these congratulatory gifts was already full of sincerity.

"Fellow townsfolk, I will accept your good intentions, but my wife and I cannot eat that much."

"Take the food back; I will accept the quilt and the wine."

Lin Xiao insisted repeatedly, so the crowd of people had no choice but to agree, and they thanked him profusely.

After everyone left, Lin Xiao carried the quilt back into the house.

Seeing all this, Xiao Qingxuan smiled beautifully and said, "Husband, you are now the great hero of Stone Fortress."

"Sigh, I didn't actually think that much. If I have the spare capacity in the future, I'll let them eat their fill."

Lin Xiao was very clear-headed; he wasn't here to be a savior. His primary goal was still to survive and live well himself!

"It is already very rare for Husband to have such thoughts," Xiao Qingxuan said with understanding.

Human nature is inherently selfish; in times of chaos, it is not easy to be a good person.

The two ate a simple meal, and Yao Gang came knocking again.

Last night, Lin Xiao had already requested that Yao Gang become his deputy.

"Lin… uh, Commander Lin."

"I told you earlier, in private there are no outsiders, just call me whatever," Lin Xiao laughed.

"It still must be done according to the rules; the General says this is called discipline." Yao Gang scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Fine, what is it?" Lin Xiao let him be.

Yao Gang said with a serious expression, "The people who went to Baishui to buy supplies yesterday have returned. The money was confiscated by the Baishui government, saying it was of unknown origin and temporarily seized!"

"The Governor of Baishui also sent a Sima over, and that Sima specifically named you, Commander Lin, to meet him!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingxuan immediately frowned and looked at Lin Xiao with worry.

Lin Xiao, however, was very calm and nodded, saying, "Fine, I'll go over now."

Seeing the man with such an expression, Xiao Qingxuan couldn't help but be stunned.

Could it be… that Lin Xiao was deliberately going to provoke Baishui?!