Chapter 542: Women Change Greatly After Eighteen

The old man Ji Yuan met upon entering the city was merely a brief interlude. Afterward, as he walked through the streets and alleys, he didn't encounter any more acquaintances, which was normal. Ji Yuan wasn't one to wander aimlessly in Ning'an County, and even if people knew him, they were mostly concentrated in the Tianniu neighborhood.

What surprised Ji Yuan was that on the small street outside Tianniu neighborhood, Sun Ji's noodle stall, which rarely missed a holiday opening, wasn't set up in its usual spot. Only the large water tank Sun Ji normally used for washing remained, standing alone.

Ji Yuan walked to the water tank and paused for a moment. Seeing the wooden lid intact, the tank full of clear water, he performed a quick calculation, shook his head with a smile, and didn't linger. He then walked across to the neighborhood gate and returned to Tianniu.

It was morning. Those who were going out had already left, and it wasn't time for people to return home yet. There weren't many people moving through the already quiet Tianniu neighborhood. Only when passing Shuangjingpu could one still see women doing their laundry and other washing, chatting animatedly and gossiping about local and faraway matters.

The deeper he walked into Tianniu, the quieter it became. In the distance, he could already see the familiar expanse of green foliage. As if sensing Ji Yuan's return, the branches of the large jujube tree swayed gently, surrounded by a spiritual breeze.

Arriving at the courtyard gate, Ji Yuan glanced at the plaque of Ju'an Pavilion. He then took out his key, unlocked the gate, and gently pushed it open. This time, unlike before, no dust fell.

Just a glance at the familiar scene in the courtyard brought a natural feeling of coming home. Perhaps in all the world, only Ju'an Pavilion could evoke such a feeling in Ji Yuan.

The little paper crane had already flown out from Ji Yuan's embrace, circling the large jujube tree. The tree's branches also swayed with a highly nuanced rhythm. Watching this scene, Ji Yuan sometimes even wondered if the paper crane and the jujube tree could communicate, not just through simple displays of emotion, but truly "hearing" each other's "words."

At that moment, the little paper crane seemed to be recounting its journey to the jujube tree, telling it where it had been with its master, what they had done, and whom they had met.

Ji Yuan then took out the Sword Intent Calligraphy and hung it on the outer wall in front of the main house. Immediately, the small courtyard became lively.

"Wow, we're home!"

"To Ju'an Pavilion!" "We're back, we're back!"

"Quick, count the dates to see if any were stolen!"

"Yes, yes, quick, count them, count them!"

"Who would dare steal them?" "You never know, there might be a fool!"

"Form ranks, form ranks! Time to recruit soldiers and horses!"

"Wait for us!" "Form ranks, form ranks!"

Some of the small characters circled the jujube tree, while others began to line up and form formations, about to start a new round of "battles."

Ji Yuan watched for a while, then went inside the house alone. In the bundle he carried were two other sets of clothes, one green and one white. Instead of putting the bundle into his sleeve, Ji Yuan placed it on the indoor table, then began to tidy the room. Although there was no dust, the bedding and other items still needed to be taken out of the cupboard and rearranged.

That afternoon in Ning'an County, Sun Yaya walked through the streets with a book in her hand, feeling low-spirited and listless. She merely wandered aimlessly. When acquaintances greeted her, she could only muster a forced response before hurrying past, as if she didn't want to talk much.

Even so, Sun Yaya, dressed in a deep peach-colored gown, was considered outstanding in Ning'an County for both her intellect and beauty. Walking through the streets, she naturally drew attention. From time to time, acquaintances, or even those she didn't know well, would come over to greet her, much to the annoyance of someone who was seeking peace and quiet.

'Where in Ning'an County can one find peace and quiet anymore…'

Sun Yaya was somewhat lost in thought. As she walked, her path unconsciously, or perhaps naturally, led her towards Tianniu neighborhood. Only when she saw the large water tank opposite the Tianniu neighborhood gate did she pause, startled, realizing she had reached the spot where her grandfather used to set up his noodle stall. She turned her head and looked across from the water tank, at the old stone gate with the three large characters "Tianniu Neighborhood" inscribed on it.

"Mr. Ji isn't here again, there's nothing much to go to in Tianniu…"

Sun Yaya murmured, but ultimately, as if by some strange impulse, she entered Tianniu. Since she was seeking peace and quiet anyway, sitting in front of Ju'an Pavilion would be good; at least there were fewer people there.

Walking through Tianniu, Sun Yaya still inevitably encountered acquaintances. There was no avoiding it; not only had she often visited here as a child, but with her grandfather's stall directly opposite the neighborhood, there were many people in Tianniu who knew her. Fortunately, the deeper she walked into the neighborhood, the quieter it became.

Passing Shuangjingpu, crossing the Daluo Gate, and walking through the familiar narrow alley, she could see Ju'an Pavilion in the distance, a hundred paces away, along with the large jujube tree that seemed to form a forest by itself.

Strangely, even though Ju'an Pavilion was quite a distance from the ordinary houses in Tianniu, no new houses had been built nearby over the years. Although she had heard it was due to bad feng shui, Sun Yaya didn't believe such nonsense. How could Mr. Ji's home have bad feng shui?

Upon arriving, Sun Yaya truly felt a sense of relief, and the vexation in her heart seemed to dissipate temporarily. However, just as she reached the gate of Ju'an Pavilion and before she could sit down, her eyes scanned the courtyard gate and she suddenly noticed that the lock was gone.

'Could it be…'

Sun Yaya stood stunned for a long time, her heart suddenly beginning to beat a little faster. She swallowed, then cautiously reached out to touch the courtyard gate, and gently pushed it forward.

With a soft creak, the pavilion's courtyard gate was gently pushed open. Sun Yaya's eyes instinctively widened. In her sight, a man wearing a loose-sleeved grey robe and a black jade hairpin in his topknot sat in the courtyard, drinking tea. She rubbed her eyes hard, but the scene before her did not disappear.

"Come in, why are you standing dumbfounded at the entrance?"

Ji Yuan's calm and gentle voice came, and Sun Yaya's eyes immediately welled up with tears.

"Sir, you're back? I, I, I forgot to knock…"

Ji Yuan looked at her and nodded.

"Come in."

"Mhm!"

Sun Yaya quickly, and rather inelegantly, wiped her face with her sleeve, then walked into the pavilion with a slight restraint. At the same time, her eyes meticulously observed Ji Yuan. Mr. Ji looked exactly as he had before, as if their parting had been just yesterday.

Ji Yuan also carefully observed Sun Yaya. The girl's figure was now much clearer in his eyes, not to mention her other changes.

"A girl changes greatly between childhood and womanhood. Ji was almost unable to recognize Yaya."

"Hehe, Sir, have I become prettier?"

Ji Yuan tutted and joked.

"You were cuter when you were little. At least you never cried then!"

"Sir, these are tears of joy! It's different!"

Sun Yaya retorted immediately. Within a few exchanges, she felt familiar with Mr. Ji again. He was still the same Mr. Ji. She directly sat down at the stone table in the courtyard, and just as Ji Yuan was about to pour her tea, she quickly took the teapot.

"Sir, I can do it myself, hehe!"

Pouring the tea, inhaling its fragrance, and then taking a sip, Sun Yaya felt as if all her worries had been cast aside, and her heart settled into tranquility.

After a long while, she opened her eyes and saw Ji Yuan flipping through the book she had brought. The book was titled "On Female Virtues," and Ji Yuan knew from a quick glance that its content was essentially similar to the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" doctrine.

Seeing Sun Yaya looking at him, Ji Yuan placed the book on the table.

"Why are you reading this kind of book?"

Seeing Mr. Ji abruptly pull her back to reality, Sun Yaya could only manage a strained smile.

"I can't help it, this dreadful book is very popular now. Besides, Mr. Ji, I'm already eighteen, and I have to get married eventually. This book… ugh, it's so annoying!"

Watching Sun Yaya cover her ears and shake her head, Ji Yuan was amused. She seemed like the same child he remembered. And she was eighteen already?

"Matchmakers must have almost worn out your doorstep, right?"

"Indeed! It started when I was sixteen, and it's only gotten worse… Even my grandfather…"

Sun Yaya said, clearly annoyed, then paused before continuing.

"Even Grandfather actually said that since I'm eighteen, if I don't marry soon, no one will want me anymore… Mr. Ji, you should see our house, the atmosphere… Ugh, never mind that. By the way, Sir, when did you return? Why didn't you let Yaya know?"

"I just got back and finished tidying the house."

Sun Yaya nodded, picked up the book from the table, and a wave of irritation swept over her again. She pointed at the book and said,

"Sir, do you know what's most infuriating? This book was written by a woman! It was only published and circulated a few years ago, written by a woman!"

Sun Yaya's words were filled with indignation, giving Ji Yuan a sense of "why do women make things difficult for other women." However, similar books had existed before; perhaps this one was simply more "subtle." Even with Master Yin in Dazhen, society was still rather feudal, and many deeply ingrained ideas were difficult to change in a short time.

"That's not even the most infuriating part, Sir, do you know? Some of the families who came to propose marriage are quite influential. When the matchmakers came, it felt like they were doing us a favor, as if I should be shameless and eager to comply. And my parents are the same! My grandfather is a bit better, but he also wants me to marry into a wealthy family…"

As she spoke, Sun Yaya tilted her head and flopped onto the stone table, rolling her eyes.

"Sir, do you understand how I feel?"

"I am not a woman, so it might be difficult for me to truly empathize, but I do understand."

Sun Yaya smiled; Mr. Ji was reasonable after all. Then her eyes darted.

"Oh, Sir, have you eaten? Would you like some braised noodles? I can go home and get some for you."

Her thoughts jumped quite quickly, clearly indicating that Sun Yaya's spirits had recovered.

"Uh, Ji is not hungry. Not for now, thank you."

As soon as Ji Yuan finished speaking, Sun Yaya immediately picked up the conversation.

"Well, you'll still need dinner, won't you? The house was just cleaned, so it must be missing everything, and you certainly can't light a fire. How about… you come to my house for dinner? You've never been to Yaya's home before, and Yaya hasn't neglected her calligraphy practice all these years. It would be a good chance to show you my progress!"