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Chapter 88: Eighty-Eight Treasures

This philosophical question left everyone stunned. Some argued that the ship built from old planks was the true one, as the planks were the essence, while others believed the continually refurbished ship was the original.

The neighbor pondered for a while before saying, "Both... both are black ships, right?"

Xu Zhen was delighted; usually, people picked one, but this neighbor chose both!

She agreed, "Then it's the same with the axe. Since your neighbor repaired it and returned it, it's like a new black ship made from new planks. The axe is still your axe, unchanged, so stop trying to charge him."

Xu Zhen's lengthy and complex analogy left the neighbor speechless, unable to find a flaw in her logic. After a long pause, he grudgingly took out thirty coppers, tossed them on the table, and said, "I have a question too! Tell me how I can make my neighbor pay!"

Bright-eyed at the sight of more coins, Xu Zhen quickly pocketed the previous thirty coppers without any objection from the crowd.

The neighbor urged, "Hurry up!"

Xu Zhen, in a serious tone, advised, "If you want him to pay, it's simple! If he uses my words against you, destroy his house and tell him that after repairs, it's still his house..."

The neighbor suddenly understood.

The original questioner, furious, started cursing. The spectators, expecting a fight, rushed to intervene, only to find the man grinding his teeth as he handed over another thirty coppers, desperate for more advice...

In this cheeky manner, Xu Zhen earned quite a bit, while the rent collectors, initially there to stop her stall, became so engrossed in the spectacle they nearly forgot to collect the land tax.

No one expected that this seemingly down-and-out person had such wit.

Why someone so talented wouldn't become a strategist was beyond them. Some even noted down Xu Zhen's words, believing there was profound meaning in them.

As the day wore on, the crowd dispersed, still in awe of what they had witnessed, while the rent collectors remembered they had spent the entire afternoon with Xu Zhen and had forgotten to collect taxes. Annoyed, they fabricated a charge against her, taking all her money as a penalty.

Xu Zhen was left speechless and near tears.

Just then, someone approached her stall, squatted down, and asked, "I heard you say that an axe, when repaired, is still the original axe. Can the world, once repaired, become the original world too?"

Xu Zhen, sitting on the steps mourning her lost earnings, recognized the familiar voice. She looked up to see a young woman with a calm demeanor, embroidered sleeves, and several jade pendants on her waist.

Seeing Xu Zhen's silence, the young woman asked again, "Well?"

After a moment of surprise, Xu Zhen replied, "Returning the world to its original state is possible, but bringing it back to how you remember it might be a challenge."

The young woman, whether she understood or not, spent some time squatting there before taking out thirty coppers from her sleeve and placing them on the stall as a consultation fee.

These thirty coppers became Xu Zhen's only earnings for the afternoon, and she brightened up at the thought. As evening approached, the heat was stifling.

Xu Zhen overheard people discussing Chang'an and the affairs of Zhenbei and Yongzhou.

When they mentioned Chang'an being breached, Xu Zhen listened intently, but before she could hear much more, she saw Little Beggar standing at the alley entrance, looking dashing in her white Hu attire.

Xu Zhen waved from afar and packed up to head home, recounting the day's events to her.

Xun Qianchun listened attentively to Xu Zhen's story.

Xu Zhen complained about the unruly rent collectors and the unfair taxation of Jiangnan. Then she asked, "If I had really been taken away, what would you have done?"

Xun Qianchun, without hesitation, smiled and said, "I'd come to find you."

Xu Zhen teased, "Really? And how would you find me?"

Xun Qianchun looked at Xu Zhen seriously. As they passed under a willow tree, its budding branches brushed against Xun Qianchun's face. She raised her hand to move them aside, gazing at Xu Zhen, and after a moment, she said slowly, "I'd ask for directions and find where they took you."

Xu Zhen, seeing how earnest Little Beggar was, realized it was a well-thought-out plan.

She couldn't help but laugh, "You're really something. I thought you'd say you wouldn't let me get caught again."

Xun Qianchun chuckled, "I'm not perfect; I can't guarantee that. But in the future... I'll keep a closer eye on you."

Xu Zhen nodded, accepting this realistic promise.

A couple of days passed, peaceful and uneventful. With some money saved up, Xu Zhen and Xun Qianchun stopped working, though their reputation had spread. One known for her eloquence, the other for her martial prowess, they started attracting attention.

Fortunately, they were disguised at the time.

After they stopped working, Xu Zhen removed her disguise, feeling relieved. During their free time, they visited the headmaster at Qinglong Mountain Academy, only to be shooed away due to his busyness. At night, after some playfulness, Xu Zhen, half-asleep, reminisced about the snowy night in Chang'an when they shared a drink.

Now that they weren't vying for the world and the poison was cured, why not set a date for their wedding?

Xu Zhen imagined their wedding, complete with traditional attire, and giggled to herself on the bed. Xun Qianchun, her gaze soft and cheeks flushed, asked what was so funny.

Feeling a bit giddy, Xu Zhen ruffled Little Beggar's hair, saying, "I'm not telling you. I'll give you a surprise someday."

Xun Qianchun nodded, smiling genuinely, "The Han people love this kind of thing. When I was in the northwest, people spoke their minds directly."

Xu Zhen almost blurted out her wedding plans, but quickly realized Little Beggar was trying to provoke her.

This Little Beggar had indeed learned to be sly, catching her off guard.

Xu Zhen, a bit annoyed, said, "Well, I do love this kind of thing. If you don't like it, stop teasing me so much."

Xun Qianchun agreed softly.

The sky was already painted with red clouds, golden light filtering through and bathing them both. As Xu Zhen looked up, she saw Xun Qianchun's serene face, reminiscent of a celestial being.

"What are you thinking?" This celestial being suddenly leaned down, asking softly.

Xu Zhen laughed, "I was just thinking, with you being so beautiful, I'm really lucky to share a bed with you."

Xun Qianchun's smile widened, "If you like it, I'll try my best."

Xu Zhen asked, "How will you try?"

Xun Qianchun replied, "By trying to look even better."

Xu Zhen reached out to touch the scar near her eye, pulling her down to kiss her gently. This move always worked wonders with Xun Qianchun, who, momentarily, forgot about the surprise Xu Zhen mentioned, her mind occupied with other thoughts.

...

Their days remained peaceful, but living in chaotic times meant that even if they wished to avoid the strife, circumstances wouldn't always allow it.

The next morning, at dawn, as roosters crowed and bells tolled, two old acquaintances dressed in fine clothing arrived at Xu Zhen's small earthen house, bringing a jug of wine, some news from Chang'an, and a head full of ideas, ready to reminisce.