Qin Jiyue's eyes flickered with unease and a sense of understanding, as he took all of Qi Shou's reaction in.
It only brought him one conclusion: Qi Shou's memories remained sealed but something happened.
Although they used to be good friends, they were brother-in-law now, so they had to follow a sense of propriety during their normal conduct.
Qin Jiyue, however, had his memories as a cultivator.
Cultivator often were free by nature and cared little for such matters, and his mindest had become similar without himself realizing it.
"What's on your mind?"
These sudden words from Qin Jiyue jolted Qi Shou a bit too much as he seemed to have a hard time picturing his stern brother-in-law to change his way of talking to that of between long-term friends or brothers.
'Well, he oight to have been a cultivator or something,' Qi Shou could only dismiss it with this exaggerated explanation.
"Well... I was just wondering... things seem a bit different around here nowadays..."
Qi Shou replied vaguely, not sure if mentioning anything directly would be too sudden or how Qin Jiyue might react.
This was Qin Jiyue's turf and they could only afford to drink such expensive tea inside this private room because the entirety of the teahouse belonged to Qin Jiyue.
'He's my wife's brother, he won't do anything to me...'
Qi Shou steeled himself once again with the same thought to get through the current situation.
Qin Jiyue, on the opposite end, stayed silent. It seemed he was trying to contemplate Qi Shou's words, or maybe he was mulling over his own words before speaking.
If only the two had shed their useless pretenses and gotten straight to the point...
Alas...
"You're right. Things aren't peaceful," Qin Jiyue unusually agreed, but not before adding, "However this has nothing to do with us. Commoners shouldn't worry about something for the officials to worry about."
Qin Jiyue's smile as he finished those words and put the cup on the table made Qi Shou feel goosebumps all over.
For some reason, he felt intimidated.
Was this the aura of an antagonist?
Qi Shou didn't know and didn't want to figure it out.
"You're right," he nodded at Qin Jiyue and left under that scrutinizing gaze.
"If only you knew what happened..." sighed Qin Jiyue, his eyes darting to where Qi Shou sat just a few moments earlier before a few more words flowed, "Things would've been easier with just you... Not to mention that reckless lass."
His eyes contained a hint of longing as his lips curved into a melancholic arc.
"A pity," he claimed, losing to himself for some time.
...
Qi Shou didn't know any of it as he had left a bit hurriedly and almost bumped into an old man.
Thankfully, he moved aside in time for the old man to go forward without any reaction.
It was as if he hadn't even noticed Qi Shou's presence, but the latter didn't have time to think of a random stranger on the road.
Qi Shou had bigger things to mull over.
"How do I take this?" He mumbled to himself, as he crossed the streets and ended up closing in on the shop that sold good from different regions.
"Huh? Why's it so empty?" He exclaimed, surprised to find the usually bustling shop empty.
"Child, the shop didn't get any new goods due to the recent trade regulations and rising banditary outside the cities."
The old worker of the shop explained patiently, but no one knew how many times he had to repeat the thing by now.
Mostly everyone knew it, but those who didn't ended up asking him, so he just sat outside, telling others.
The shopkeeper knew it all, but it wasn't like one wouldn't know after entering so it was better to just send them off.
"Oh," Qi Shou nodded, though a bit dazed.
It seemed everything was going differently than his expectations.
Now, he wasn't so sure who'd take the blame for the system rewards he would have to take out.
Maritime trade was already heavily restricted with even land trade being highly taxed.
Not to mention the usual rogue bandits, even some rogue cultivators drooped to do such things.
It was never a safe business, but rising taxes and risks made it all the more unbearable.
Most wouldn't risk it anymore.
This wasn't any of Qi Shou's concern, though.
He wasn't buying anything from them, nor did he plan to.
Of course, he'd browsed through the streets and knew all thwse shops like the back of his hand to not be caught up in his lie.
He'd even gone the extra step to sell some unusual stuff in these shops under different disguises.
Only then would his lie become the "perfect lie" as it would have some-parts truth added to it.
However, it was never foolproof and today, it showed its most obvious loophole.
Who'd waste time and resources to spare good childcare products in such a remote area?
Even capital city of their Empire may not have enough rich patrons, let alone such a obscure region.
'Damn, how did I even muddle through until now?' Qi Shou wondered himself, unable to believe it could be so easy.
Like the loophole was right there, just how did it not get exposed.
Unbeknownst to him, Father and Mother Qi had long since noticed the abnormalities but didn't mention anything, having been through too much unbelievable things to care.
Qin Hanliu didn't care as long as Qi Shou loved her and their daughter.
What did the source of such good stuff matter?
Her husband could spend money like water for all she cared.
As long as it didn't harm their daughter or themselves.
What mattered if he was a little mysterious or had his own sources?
Didn't she also earn silver to support her family before marriage and continued to support herself after marriage.
Being a bit unconventional was just fine.
Yet, Qi Shou had no idea how different and blessed he was to have such parents and wife.