Listening to music… To tell the truth, he had never really listened to the music here.
Thinking that he had just cast a divination for the other party without their consent, He Xiuyuan immediately nodded, “Then sing. Just sing…”
He Xiuyuan thought for a moment, realizing he didn’t know what songs were available here. “Just sing the most popular song.”
Listening to He Xiuyuan’s words, Gong Yuanyun pondered briefly, then extended her slender hand to pluck the pipa.
As the soft, gentle singing slowly began, He Xiuyuan couldn’t help but look up in surprise.
He Xiuyuan had initially thought that no matter how well she sang, it would just be so-so. However, what surprised He Xiuyuan was that her soft, delicate voice was actually so beautiful.
Such a voice was truly rare.
With this thought in his heart, He Xiuyuan settled down to listen, occasionally glancing at the street nearby.
After Gong Yuanyun finished her song, He Xiuyuan finally looked up and at Gong Yuanyun.
Judging by her attire, her family background didn't seem to be very good. Her palms looked as if they had endured hardships, but the backs of her hands appeared smooth and delicate.
From these signs, she seemed to be a Young Miss from a wealthy family who had fallen on hard times.
As for whether she was, He Xiuyuan could actually calculate it with a pinch of his fingers, but after thinking about it, he dismissed the idea.
“This is your reward.”
Seeing that she had finished singing, He Xiuyuan took out a tael of silver and placed it on the table, saying to Gong Yuanyun.
Gong Yuanyun’s gaze paused, and she was stunned to see the silver on the table. Then her expression became flustered, “Young Master, you don’t need to give so much, five copper coins would be enough…”
Gong Yuanyun nervously clasped her hands together.
However, He Xiuyuan didn’t care about this and waved his hand dismissively, “This is for you. Just take it.”
After speaking, He Xiuyuan had no intention of saying more to the other party and turned to go downstairs.
The waiter nearby, seeing this, immediately stepped forward and said, “You’re so lucky! Some of the gentlemen here are not short of money. Today you met a generous gentleman, so quickly take it.”
Gong Yuanyun wanted to say something else, but when she turned, He Xiuyuan was no longer there. Seeing this, she could only take the silver, then her face lit up with joy as she went downstairs.
With this silver, her father should be saved!
…The next day.
He Xiuyuan arrived at the cloth shop, where the waiter was already waiting. Seeing He Xiuyuan enter, he immediately greeted him, then led He Xiuyuan aside to look at the finished clothes.
When He Xiuyuan came closer, he saw the complete set of clothes hanging before him. Their ethereal and refined appearance made him nod repeatedly in satisfaction.
“Not bad, this craftsmanship is truly excellent.”
He Xiuyuan nodded. Seeing that there was a changing room here, he took a set of clothes and went inside to change.
When He Xiuyuan emerged again after changing into this set of clothes, the waiter waiting outside the door was stunned, his gaze fixed on He Xiuyuan, not moving for a long time.
He Xiuyuan looked at the waiter’s expression, then lowered his head and examined himself. “How are these clothes?”
“Young Master, wearing these clothes, you truly look like a banished immortal! No one else could possibly wear them with such grace as you!”
The waiter looked at He Xiuyuan before him and exclaimed sincerely.
He Xiuyuan smiled upon hearing this, “You, waiter, are quite good at complimenting people.”
“Young Master, this is the truth!”
The waiter said this with a serious expression, “If you, Young Master, were to stay here a little longer, when those young ladies or noblewomen arrive and see you, they will definitely send their maids to secretly inquire about your identity!”
The waiter was speaking truthfully.
He Xiuyuan was pleased to hear this. It seemed these clothes indeed looked good on him.
Moreover, these clothes were very comfortable to wear.
Seeing this, He Xiuyuan paid, then took his belongings and walked out the door.
The matter here was settled; it was time to go to Tianxin Prefecture.
He Xiuyuan walked out the door, then left the city, walking straight out.
“This weather is truly hot…”
After leaving the city, He Xiuyuan walked north.
With He Xiuyuan’s current Dao cultivation, he wasn’t afraid of this temperature, but the air at the moment felt very hot, making breathing a bit uncomfortable.
He Xiuyuan crossed several hills and was just wondering whether to rest under a tree when he saw that someone was already sitting and resting in a pavilion not far ahead.
When He Xiuyuan approached, the person in the pavilion also noticed He Xiuyuan, then immediately looked over, appearing very wary.
However, when the person in the pavilion saw that it was He Xiuyuan, they were stunned, then quickly greeted He Xiuyuan.
“Young Master, it’s you!”
Gong Yuanyun looked at He Xiuyuan and walked out with a surprised expression.
He Xiuyuan found the voice familiar, and when he saw Gong Yuanyun, he couldn't help but be surprised, “Why are you here?”
Gong Yuanyun was beaming with joy at this moment and quickly replied, “This humble girl is returning to Huoyun County, so naturally, I have to go back this way.”
He Xiuyuan was even more surprised to hear this, “Since you are not from Linyun Commandery, why did you come to this area to make a living?”
She was a woman, and not bad-looking. If she traveled so far, the road could be dangerous. If she encountered bandits, she could even be abducted.
Gong Yuanyun’s expression darkened, and she lowered her head slightly, sighing, “For the past few months, Huoyun County and its surrounding tens of miles have been in a severe drought. There’s no water in the fields, the land is cracked, and no water can be drawn from the wells.”
“Right now in Huoyun County, everything is increasing in price. This humble girl had no choice but to come here to earn some silver and see if I can buy some grain to take back.”
“Otherwise, with this little silver, buying grain in Huoyun County would mean getting one-third less grain, and… in Huoyun County, with this humble girl’s limited abilities, it’s also very difficult to earn silver.”
Gong Yuanyun said, her face filled with sadness.
He Xiuyuan was immediately astonished to hear this, “Huoyun County has been in a severe drought for several months?”
“Yes, it hasn’t rained for several months. If it continues like this, the crops in the fields will almost all die. If there’s no harvest in the fields this year, we don’t know how many people will starve to death after winter.”
Gong Yuanyun said, lowering her head, as if she could already imagine the scene.
He Xiuyuan frowned upon hearing this. The drought was so severe, what was the Dragon Lord doing? Was he delayed by something?
Never mind. Since he had encountered it, he would go and see. He couldn't just watch and do nothing.
“Where is Huoyun County? Take me to see it.”
“Young Master wants to go to Huoyun County?”
Hearing this, Gong Yuanyun was astonished. In Huoyun County right now, even a sip of water costs money. What would a noble Young Master like He Xiuyuan go there for?
