"I know, but it seems they aren't interested," the female city lord said with a hint of displeasure. She never expected that she, the dignified City Lord of Phoenix City, would experience unrequited affection.
Fu Xinci had just finished trading rice and flour with her companions when she sensed something was amiss. She immediately closed the billboard panel and withdrew from the space as quickly as possible.
Lying in her warm bed, recalling the feeling, she realized she had experienced something similar before.
Ha, after five years, just when she had forgotten what upgrading was, her space gave her a big surprise: it had upgraded again.
The upgrade process seemed to take a long time. She felt like she had waited forever, yet the space was still under refinement.
She was incredibly sleepy, her eyes unable to stay open. She decided not to wait any longer and fell asleep in her cozy bed.
Spring nights seemed more bustling than winter nights, and the stars twinkled tirelessly.
When Fu Xinci was awakened by the chirping birds squabbling on the eaves, the sky was already bright.
She had been oversleeping lately, and she couldn't tell her family it was due to staying up late.
Alas, it was a long story.
Fortunately, the space upgrade was complete. The moment she entered, her face lit up with a silly grin.
"Wow." There were at least a hundred mu of fertile land, and at the end of the fields lay rolling mountains.
Just as she was about to teleport over for a look, she heard Han Xue's voice outside the door, "Miss, are you awake?"
Fu Xinci could predict Han Xue's next move but still replied helplessly, "I am."
"Your maid will come in to help you with your morning ablutions."
She was accustomed to saying no, but Han Xue always had her own way.
Alas, borrowing a phrase Han Xue often used, "This maid is far luckier than others of my station. I eat well, I live well, and my only task is to serve Miss. If I were lazy now, I would be struck by divine retribution."
Fu Xinci couldn't outtalk her. A simple washing routine could be elevated to divine retribution. How could Fu Xinci refuse her?
Alas, after being served during her morning ablutions, Fu Xinci could finally leave her room.
In reality, she wished she could find a secluded corner, free from interruption, to thoroughly examine her upgraded space.
When she saw her father and Yu'er, who were home on their day off, she knew she wouldn't have the time during the day.
After Meng Village was upgraded to Meng Town, Fu Yu gradually noticed the increasing number of children in the town.
After careful consideration and discussion with his own father, he decided to use his own money to build a quiet courtyard on the other side of the small river, establishing the sole academy in Meng Town.
The father and son, relying on the small river beside the academy, emulated the ancients and gave the academy a very elegant name—Qingxi Academy.
The academy admitted boys over six years old, charging a nominal tuition fee of three copper coins per month.
Thus, the academy was successfully established and quickly enrolled twenty children, including two familiar faces: Yu'er and Bao'er.
Fu Yu taught the children literacy, writing, and arithmetic, while Grandpa Meng would occasionally give lessons.
His lectures, however, were on his twenty years of official experience.
Furthermore, for three fixed days every ten days, the guard post would send people to teach the children martial arts and archery.
Fu Yu also followed the practice of formal academies, taking every first day of the month off.
Today was another day off, and father and son were both at home.
Upon seeing his sister, the young boy's face instantly lit up with excitement.
"Sister, Father and I have the day off today. Shall we go to the seaside together?"
Fu Xinci knew that since Yu'er had suggested it, her family had already given their consent. How could she dampen their spirits? She immediately agreed.
Han Xue and Chun Yu, who followed behind her, looked delighted and accompanied the mother and daughters to prepare buckets and baskets.
Fu Xinci, however, paid no mind to those preparations. She went with Yu'er to the stables, led out two horses, and the siblings rode off first.
When Ning'er, with tears in his eyes, searched for his brother and sister, his scoundrel siblings had already reached the seaside.
The tide had not yet receded, and the wreck of the ship that had run aground last time was nowhere to be seen. It was unclear whether it had been pushed further out by the sea or had sunk.
"Sister, look, is there something over there?"
Yu'er had not dismounted, standing by the pine forest, shielding his eyes with his hand as he gazed towards the distant sea.
The young boy had excellent eyesight. With just one glance, he spotted an area on the sea that was distinctly different from the rest.
After her space upgraded last night, Fu Xinci's wood element ability had also advanced.
Hearing Yu'er's voice, she followed the direction of his finger and looked as far as she could.
When she clearly saw two ships, one after the other, the elation in her heart was quickly replaced by another possibility.
"Sister?"
"Those are two ships."
"Two ships?" Yu'er clearly recalled the events of the past few days. The expression on his small face also turned solemn.
A moment later, Yu'er looked at his sister's profile and asked softly, "Sister, what should we do next?"
"Wait a moment." Fu Xinci did not want to be overly cautious. She activated her wood element ability and climbed to the top of a tree.
When she clearly saw through her telescope that both ships were filled with Wokou, her eyes filled with a cold glint.
Yu'er had been watching his sister's expression. When he saw her descend from the treetop with a dark, somber face, he knew they were Wokou ships.
"Sister?"
Looking at the young boy's stern, small face, Fu Xinci solemnly instructed, "Yu'er, I will stay here and observe their movements. You ride back now and tell Grandfather and Father and Mother not to come to the seaside. Then, go to the Qianhu's office and find Uncle Qi. Clearly explain to Uncle Qi that two ships have appeared here and that they are filled with Wokou."
"Yes, I'll go immediately." Yu'er finished speaking and turned his horse to run back. However, concerned for his sister's safety, he stopped.
"Don't worry, Yu'er, I'll be fine." Seeing the worry in the young boy's eyes, Fu Xinci smiled and comforted him, "Don't you remember, Yu'er? Sister can not only protect herself, but she can also ensure that those invaders never return."
"Mm." Yu'er recalled what Brother Qi had said and added, "Sister, you must hide well. I'll go find Uncle Qi and Brother Qi."
"Mm, hurry."
Watching Yu'er's receding figure on horseback, Fu Xinci's face also seemed to be covered by a layer of frost.
She first led her mount into the depths of the forest and tethered it, then quickly returned to the edge of the forest.
When she climbed to the treetop again, using the branches and leaves for cover, she took out her telescope and observed more closely.
She estimated that these two ships were much larger than the one that had run aground last time. There were more than a dozen people playing on the deck.