After stepping ashore, the first thing that came into view was a peach blossom forest, though now it was laden with ripe fruit, ready for picking and enjoyment.

When Jiang Xue followed Shui Yixuan into the peach blossom forest, she watched in disbelief as it underwent a mysterious transformation. Could this be the legendary Peach Blossom Formation?

Sure enough, Shui Yixuan’s seemingly random steps were actually filled with tactics and formulas. Jiang Xue was smart and had also learned such Eight Trigrams Array, but she didn’t have the heart to say she had already seen through the eye of the formation, as it would be an impolite act to visit someone and reveal that on their turf. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Beyond the Peach Blossom Formation, the situation was somewhat unbearable to look at, but one could faintly see that there used to be a large expanse of thatched huts here.

Shui Yixuan timely turned back to introduce, "This used to be a place where grassroots clan members temporarily stopped to rest. Now you see, it’s all ruined, but everyone is working overtime to rebuild,"

In the crowd at a distance, Jiang Xue saw Wang Yongqiang and Zhang Yonggang. It turned out they had arrived here long ago and voluntarily helped with the reconstruction. Naturally, they also brought followers from Yi Garden, Yage, and Changchun Hall. These people had signed death contracts with them, making them their own. Being able to enter the periphery of Holy Water Manor was already an extraordinary experience.

It was evident that Shui Yixuan truly did not consider her people outsiders. She was very grateful to him and naturally asked them to work diligently, as they might have to stay here for at least six months to a year.

Now, not only do they need to rally, the entire Holy Dynasty does as well. It will take at least a year and a half to hope to restore its former glory.

Beyond this nearly ruined front courtyard was a very unique manor, akin to a Royal Garden. However, the stone door had cracks, and some of the buildings inside were perfectly intact while others were askew, tirelessly managed by a uniform crowd of people in white, indicating that the prosperity of a prominent family relies on longstanding rules.

Upon hearing the Young Master had returned, the people inside all came out to welcome him, allowing Jiang Xue to meet the legendary Manor Master and his wife. As expected, the man was handsome and the woman charming. Even with a son as old as Shui Yixuan, their unparalleled elegance was still hard to conceal. With such good looks, why did they have only one child?

Not having more children is definitely a pity.

This was the first time Shui Yixuan brought a girl home, and such a fair girl at that. Not only was Shui Wuhen pleased, but even his wife warmly held Jiang Xue’s hand, showering her with care. Maybe because the handshake lasted too long, Jiang Xue could tell that the reason the Manor Master’s Wife only had one son, Shui Yixuan, was due to health reasons—severe uterine cold. Having such a son was already extremely difficult, let alone having more.

After all this travel, her feet were covered in large blisters, requiring carrying to walk. Upon arriving at the manor, Shui Yixuan personally prepared medicine for her, all but applying it himself. Jiang Xue was quick to realize, fearing too much enthusiasm from him might cause others to form opinions about her, so she sent him away.

While bathing, her feet hurt to the point of trembling, but she had to endure, for she hadn’t taken proper care of herself for months—a bath was a must.

After bathing, Dong Yao came in with a basin of medicine. They grew up together, so she naturally wasn’t used to others serving her, and with Dong Yao around, Jiang Xue felt completely at ease.

"Miss, the Shui Clan Young Master is really good to you, not only preparing a foot soak but also giving me ointments to apply. The people in their clan are all secretly talking about your background!"

Jiang Xue was very tired. "These past few months have been unbelievably bizarre, Dong Yao. Let them talk; we’re just staying here temporarily. Learn whatever you can, it might be our foundation on the outside. Don’t worry about other things, don’t ask too much, and if they ask you, just say you don’t know. Leave the medicine and let me handle the rest myself. I’m exhausted; I need a good rest."

In the end, Dong Yao insisted on applying the medicine, and when she was done, Jiang Xue had already fallen asleep. Seeing her emaciated frame, Dong Yao tenderly moved her to the bed and covered her with a blanket.