"Today, my foot is almost healed. Can I go out for a walk?" Yunna looked at Xael happily as she asked.
"I'll ask the servants to prepare the carriage. After you drink your medicine, I'll go out with you."
"Okay, no problem."
Half an hour later, Yunna sat in the carriage, lifting the curtain and looking at the street on both sides. She thought the town was quite lively.
There were mostly men on the streets. Women were very few, and the ones she did see were always surrounded by groups of men. Some even had bodyguards with them.
She remembered that the original Yunna always went out with four or five companions who were lazy and always up to no good. Sometimes, she would even tease young men on the street. Whenever she came out, the shopkeepers in town would rather shut their doors tight than deal with her.
"Yunna, my sister said there's a teahouse in town with really good snacks and storytelling. How about we go there?"
"Sure!"
Then Yunna thought for a moment and said, "Xael, do you have a handkerchief? I want to cover my face. That place, Heyi Teahouse, I caused a scene there before. The people might not let me in."
The original person had really done some damage. It was a nice and elegant place, and she had heard it belonged to the county lord's spouse. It was a good thing the original Yunna was a woman. If she were a man, her grave would probably be covered in weeds by now.
"It's fine. Heyi Teahouse belongs to my aunt's spouse. They won't say anything. My sister said that my aunt and her family are planning to give it to me as part of my dowry. It will be yours too in the future." Xael smiled as he spoke.
"What? That teahouse will be yours?" Yunna asked in surprise.
The county lord's spouse was really generous. The county lord must be very good to Xael.
"It'll be ours in the future."
"No need. It's your dowry. You should manage it. I won't take advantage of your dowry." Yunna said firmly.
Xael looked at her directly. He was sure now. This person was definitely not the original Yunna.
The original Yunna had gambled away a shop and got kicked out of her home. Heyi Teahouse might not be the biggest in the county, but it was definitely a busy and profitable place.
But in her eyes, there was only surprise, not even a hint of greed.
"I'll find my own way to prepare a wedding gift. And after we get married, I won't let you be the only one supporting us. I'll find a way to earn money too." Yunna said.
She truly didn't want to put all the burden on anyone, even though Xael treated her well.
This place was kind to women, but only if they could have children. She didn't want to become a baby-making machine. The thought of being trapped in the backyard forever, giving birth non-stop, made her feel like she would go crazy.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yunna asked, noticing Xael staring at her.
"You're not Yunna. Who are you?" Xael looked into her eyes and asked.
Yunna was startled, and her eyes showed a flicker of panic. Did he figure it out? But he never spent time with the original Yunna. How could he know she wasn't the same?
"What are you talking about, Xael? If I'm not Yunna, who could I be?" Yunna quickly calmed down and said.
Xael saw the brief panic in her eyes and started to have doubts, but he didn't say anything more.
"You're really different from the rumors. I just said the wrong thing. Don't be mad." Xael smiled and apologized.
"I was really awful before. I'll change. Can you let go of the past and not believe those rumors?"
"Alright. I haven't seen how you were before, so I shouldn't have let the rumors affect me. That was my mistake. I won't do it again." Xael's voice was low.
"It's okay. Everyone gets curious sometimes. I'm not angry." Yunna replied.
She let out a breath of relief. She had passed this test for now.
The original Yunna's reputation was terrible in this county. It wouldn't be easy to change people's views quickly. She also couldn't act too differently, or people would start to question her. This place probably feared anything related to spirits or taking over someone else's body.
If they burned her for being a monster, that would be even worse.
"Young master, we've arrived at the teahouse." the driver said from outside.
"Yunna, let's get down." Xael said.
"Should I really not cover my face?" Yunna hesitated a little. Xael's question earlier had made her nervous. She was worried others might also notice how much she had changed.
"What are you afraid of? Even if the people here don't like you, the law is clear. No one can hurt a woman without facing punishment. They wouldn't dare."
"Oh right. I was overthinking. Let's go then." Yunna replied.
She realized that women were so rare here, there was nothing to be afraid of. Even when the original person came and made trouble, the workers at the teahouse never dared to touch her.
Xael stepped down from the carriage first and held out his hand at the door, waiting for Yunna.
Yunna took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and placed her hand in Xael's. Step by step, she came down from the carriage.
People on the street stared at the luxurious carriage in front of Heyi Teahouse. When they saw a stunning man get down and hold out his hand, they all got curious about what kind of woman was inside.
As soon as Yunna showed her face, those who recognized her gasped. Some even turned and walked away immediately, feeling unlucky.
One of the teahouse workers saw her and his face instantly turned pale.
Xael didn't care about the worker's reaction. He calmly took out a jade pendant from his waist and handed it over.
When the worker saw the jade, he immediately bowed to Xael and Yunna and nervously said, "I didn't know the young master was coming. I'll go get the manager right away."
"Yunna, let's go inside." Xael smiled at her.
"Alright!"
A middle-aged man appeared at the door and respectfully bowed. "This humble one is the manager of Heyi Teahouse. Greetings to the young master and Miss Yunna."
"Please prepare a private room for me and Miss Yunna."
"Certainly. This way, please."
Xael and Yunna entered Heyi Teahouse.
Outside, the people watching started whispering among themselves.
"Who is that young master? Has Yunna found someone powerful to rely on?"
"He's probably not from our county. So handsome... why would he fall for Yunna?"
"Who knows what tricks she used to fool him. That man's going to regret this."
"Seems like he's newly arrived and has some connection with the county magistrate. They're living in the house near the third alley."
"Weren't they the ones who rescued Yunna a few days ago?"
"...."
Rumors spread quickly among the crowd.
Meanwhile, Yunna and Xael were now seated in the outer room of a private suite on the third floor of the teahouse.
"Young master, the main family has already informed us. From now on, you and Miss Yunna are the owners of this teahouse. Our contracts will also be transferred to you. Did you come today with any specific orders?" The manager spoke very respectfully.
Yunna didn't say anything out loud, but she was shocked inside. Was Xael's family always this efficient? Weren't they just preparing her dowry?
Even the county magistrate moved this fast? Handing over an entire teahouse, including the servant contracts?
If only people in the modern world worked this quickly. No need to run around all day for one task.
It seemed like Aunt Yang really favored Xael. What a powerful supporter.
"I understand. Today I'm just accompanying Miss Yunna for a stroll. Just serve us the usual tea and snacks."
"Understood, young master."
"What are you thinking about?" Xael asked when he noticed Yunna lost in thought again after the manager left.
She really liked to space out.
"Nothing much. Just thinking that Aunt Yang treats you really well. She just gave you such a big teahouse like it was nothing."
"My aunt's family, the Yangs, are very wealthy in Yang City. When she married into my family, her dowry was huge. They own businesses all over Yang City. Having ten or more shops here in Yi County is nothing. When my father was still alive, Aunt Yang would send us things every year, and we'd visit her too."
"No wonder. It's so nice to have someone like that in your family." Yunna said with a bit of envy.
In her mind, county magistrates were always strict and serious. She never expected Aunt Yang to be so caring toward younger relatives.
She had heard Aunt Yang was an extraordinary woman. Back in the day, she was recommended by her clan and earned the Empress's favor, which is how she got appointed as a county magistrate.
Women could be officials in this country, but it was still harder for them than for men.
Fenglun didn't have an exam system. It was all based on family background and recommendations. People with real knowledge and talent were highly respected here, especially scholars.
"We'll be living in Yi County from now on. Aunt Yang is basically your elder too." Xael looked at Yunna, who still seemed envious.
"I think I'd better not. Last time, Aunt Yang punished me with a few strikes. I still feel nervous when I see her." Yunna said helplessly.
The original version of her had once flirted with a young man in public and accidentally hurt another woman. When the case was brought to court, her mother had already paid compensation, but Aunt Yang still had Yunna punished with five strikes to teach her a lesson.
"Did it hurt back then? Were you badly injured?" Xael asked at once.
"It was earlier this year. I got hit five times and rested a few days. I was being really reckless back then. I deserved it." Yunna sighed.
"Young master, the refreshments are ready." Before Xael could say anything else, a knock came from outside.
"Come in."
The server entered quietly, keeping his head down, and began placing the snacks on the table.
There was another server outside, brewing tea.
"There will be a storyteller today too. Yunna, let's enjoy the snacks and listen to the story later." Xael said after signaling the server to leave.
"Sounds good!"
Chunri went inside and opened the window, then set the snacks near it.
Yunna walked over and saw that from there, they could see the stage in the center. She hadn't noticed it earlier when they came up the stairs , the main hall had a round stage.
Soon after, a man in a long green robe sat down at the storytelling table and began talking about the current Empress's wise rule.
Yunna didn't know much about this world, so she listened with great interest. It helped her learn more about the times they lived in.