The guard handed the money pouch to Xi Yu.

Xi Yu took it, gave Liu Xu a thumbs-up, "Boss Liu truly is a heroine, I misunderstood you before."

"Misunderstood?"

Liu Xu squinted her eyes, keenly catching the keyword.

Xi Yu strangely felt a chill down his back.

Quickly explained, "I thought you were a weak woman needing protection, didn’t expect you’re so formidable, truly a misunderstanding..."

Talked dryly, then forced a smile, trying to make his words more believable.

Liu Xu didn’t press further.

She turned to speak with the guard instead.

Xi Yu silently breathed a sigh of relief, if Liu Xu knew how he used to judge her.

His fate might not be much different from the little thief lying on the ground.

Thinking about it, Xi Yu got nervous again.

Always felt like a sword was hanging over his head, uncertain when it would fall down, piercing him all over...

When Liu Xu glanced over, Xi Yu immediately stopped his chaotic thoughts.

Returned her a graceful smile.

As soon as that gaze moved away, the tense string inside his body relaxed again.

Women who could fight, he’s seen them, but not many.

Xi Yu racked his brains and couldn’t think of someone who would be like Liu Xu, normally dignified, gentle, with no difference from a lady.

But behind the scenes, so... liberal and unrestrained.

If he hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he couldn’t imagine there’s such a dual-natured woman in the world.

Xi Yu felt intense curiosity, wanting to know what else Liu Xu would do to leave him jaw-dropped.

After properly putting away the pouch.

Though lacking silver, he didn’t want to become a Money Scatterer.

If someone needed it, he might give them some silver taels, but outright robbery, no matter the difficulty, he wouldn’t sympathize!

Took a glance at the thief under Liu Xu’s foot, "Give him a chance to turn over a new leaf, send him to the official bureau."

Liu Xu still worried whether Xi Yu would have a fit of compassion wanting to let the person go.

After hearing him say this, she was immediately relieved.

She then relaxed.

Waved to the guard, "You’re familiar here, leave this person to you."

The guard was from the General Mansion, letting them handle it was indeed appropriate.

The thief who snatched the pouch was already bloodless, trembling, "Spare me, noble one, I have old and young at home, people waiting for silver to buy life-saving medicine, if I’m locked in the bureau’s jail, how will they live?"

This is not a reason for wrongdoing.

Liu Xu was not soft-hearted, neither was Xi Yu.

If hardships were justification for robbery, who would seek justice for the victims?

This wasn’t logical.

Liu Xu patted nonexistent dust off her hands, "As far as I know, Yanzhou City has a charity house, sheltering countless displaced orphans, if your family is genuinely innocent and can’t survive, the official bureau won’t just watch them die, adults must be accountable for their actions, you go at ease."

Wave her hand, let people take the thief away.

Carrying on would simply be him pleading pathetically, it’s talk Liu Xu didn’t want to hear.

Call her heartless, inhumane, whatever.

Whoever dared offend her and her friends, no matter their plight, she wouldn’t sympathize.

But this incident reminded her, "Let’s visit the charity house first."

Back in the capital, Mingzhu frequently donated silver to the charity house.

She had no intention of seeking fame, but as word spread, many in the noble circle praised Mingzhu.

Saying she was the orphan of a military family, having her father’s great spirit.

Those words, Liu Xu had heard long ago.

Arriving in Yanzhou, Mingzhu donated to the charity house monthly, becoming a well-regarded figure amongst the populace.

As soon as Liu Xu entered Yanzhou territory, news about Mingzhu trickled to her ears.

If placed in modern times, Mingzhu would undoubtedly be a philanthropist.

Liu Xu originally planned to donate a hundred taels of silver, at this moment reconsidering, felt a bit stingy.

Thus multiplied it by five.

If this trip wasn’t fruitless, she could earn back however much silver.

As long as it supported Mingzhu’s endeavors, helping those in need was good.

Xi Yu touched his pouch; it contained fragmented silver and some silver notes.

Not much, but still over tens of taels.

For ordinary households, just a few taels could sustain a family for a year.

Not comparing with extravagant spenders, tens of silver taels already a considerable sum.

Finally, passed the pouch to Liu Xu, "Please trouble Boss Liu to donate with me."

Touched by someone, didn’t feel right inside.

Better donate and put things to rest.

Liu Xu teased, "I went through all that effort to recover it, and you just give it away, wasn’t my effort wasted then?"

Xi Yu lifted his chin, "I want to."

Liu Xu feigned a smile, "Divine Doctor Xi, you’re kindhearted, later I’ll surely promote this well for you, earn you a good name, so you can marry a wife."

Knowing Liu Xu was jesting, Xi Yu still blushed.

Stammered, "I’m a man, what good name to earn."

Only young ladies were taught that good reputation led to choosing the right marital family.

No man around Xi Yu constantly thought of maintaining his reputation.

If reputation was so crucial, how could Xie Yunzhen have married?

Quickly reconsidered.

Xie Yunzhen used means back then, didn’t marry normally...

Liu Xu unaware of his thoughts.

Said, "Men marrying consider the woman’s family, appearance, character... might even inquire about her reputation, likewise, women marry and seek similar information."

"Old saying goes, men fear entering wrong profession, women fear marrying wrong man, many value a man’s reputation."

"Otherwise, look at those foppish young masters, all having great family backgrounds, yet no woman willing to marry, just because they lack good reputation."

"Divine Doctor Xi, tell me, shouldn’t you earn this good name?"

She explained eloquently, reasoning well, Xi Yu, led by the nose, truly considered managing his reputation.

Touched his chin.

"I’m already handsome, suave, charming like an exiled immortal, if my reputation were also excellent, wouldn’t the young ladies come rushing, eager to pack me home, wouldn’t I be in danger then?"

Liu Xu almost choked on her saliva.

Why didn’t anyone tell her, the renowned Divine Doctor Xi, was also a narcissist!

Cleared her throat, Liu Xu earnestly stated, "Young girls adore handsome lads, Divine Doctor Xi, you... are too mature and steady."

"Of course, some girls appreciate the mature and steady type, Divine Doctor Xi, be careful outdoors."

Xi Yu: "..."

It was the first time anyone bluntly told him he’s old.

Xi Yu felt entirely unwell.

Wanted to argue, but couldn’t find suitable words.

Thought about it for a long while, then said, "Young girls shortly after coming of age might find me old, those of comparable age to Boss Liu should not, right?"

"Wrong."

Liu Xu never felt ashamed of her age.

She’s just over thirty!

She’s very fine!

In Xi Yu’s puzzled gaze, Liu Xu seriously stated, "Even at my age, prefer handsome young men."

Xi Yu: "..."