Chapter 126: This Miss Cui

Chapter 126 This Young Miss Cui...

Upon learning that Chen Yunfan was still unconscious.

Chen Yi found it amusing, yet he felt the power of the Immortal’s Intoxicating Wine was indeed formidable.

Though he had, when first devising that formula, harbored the intention of amplifying its potency.

Yet for a martial artist of only third-grade merit to fall into a coma for several days, it would inevitably draw the attention of some vigilant souls.

Not to mention others, but if Chen Yunfan were to awaken, he would surely desire a bottle of this divine elixir for protection.

Hmm... It seems he does indeed possess one.

Chen Yi, absorbed in such thoughts, saw no need to decline.

"I'll go inquire with the apothecary's horse doctor later."

"No need to trouble, Elder Brother. The horse doctor from our Bǐ Shì Pharmacy once served in the regions of Wū Méng Shān for many years, his skills quite renowned."

Of course, Chen Yi understood the implication fully.

Fortunately, with his behind-the-scenes influence, "saving" Chen Yunfan was no difficult matter.

Li Huaiguo, upon hearing this, beamed with relief and bowed politely: "Many thanks for your assistance, Elder Brother Light Boat."

Chen Yi gestured dismissively with a wave of his hand, smiling: "How could I refuse? You are my elder brother, after all."

Though Chen Yunfan being his elder brother was merely one of the reasons Chen Yi decided to act.

More crucially, Chen Yunfan was the top scorer of the current year, an envoy of the Shǔzhōu Affairs Bureau, and likely still under imperial edicts.

If he continued to slumber without awakening, it might indeed invite unnecessary troubles.

Li Huaiguo nodded with a smile: "In that case, I feel much relieved."

In truth, over the past few days, Chen Yunfan's aides had scoured every renowned pharmacy in Shǔzhōu, yet to no avail.

They were so desperate they even considered transporting him back to the Jiāngnán Prefecture.

When Li Huaiguo had visited him yesterday, he saw such a state and promptly reported to Yang Ye.

The two had discussed and agreed to seek out some renowned physicians, hoping to coax Chen Yunfan into waking.

And this time, he came seeking Chen Yi as a last-resort horse doctor.

After a few moments of idle chatter,

Chen Yi deliberately steered the conversation toward Bǐ Yún Shūyuàn, inquiring whether Master Jué was still muttering about him.

Li Huaiguo's expression flickered slightly: "To speak plainly, since his marriage, every time he meets the Master, he urges me to serve as a go-between for your family."

"Had it not been for the recent busyness of the Affairs Bureau, I would have paid him a visit long ago."

Li Huaiguo paused here, then continued persuasively:

"Brother Light Boat, Master Jué once invited you to serve as a tutor at Bǐ Yún Academy, though it may have some private motives, it is surely for your own benefit."

"To speak bluntly, if you were to leave your post or take up arms, it would inevitably invite certain suspicions from others."

"But within Bǐ Yún Academy, you need not worry about such matters."

"You can focus entirely on your studies, display your talents, and gain some renown."

These words were spoken with genuine concern.

Normally, according to Li Huaiguo's nature, he would have treated Chen Yi as a brotherly acquaintance.

Yet with Master Jué's entreaties and Chen Yi's support, he felt moved to speak from the heart.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi's expression eased.

With Li Huaiguo's words, accepting Master Jué's invitation became all the more natural.

Yet as he contemplated his future life, there were boundless reflections in his heart.

Were it not for the presence of Yǐn Wèi, and the events of last night, even if Xiao Zhēngghōng pressed him, he could have found a way to evade.

But reality was different; plans could not keep pace with change.

Seeing that the daylight was already waning, Chen Yi proposed visiting Chen Yunfan.

Li Huaiguo readily agreed.

The sooner Chen Yunfan awoke, the sooner affairs at the Affairs Bureau could be addressed.

After a few moments,

When Chen Yi had finished writing a formula in the study using Ma Liáng's handwriting and tucked it away, he instructed Little Butterfly to take Xiao Wúgē to Jiacheng Yard.

Only after he saw the person departing did he straighten his umbrella and, with Li Huaiguo, left Chūn Héyuán.

Just as they stepped beyond the courtyard, Chen Yi noticed the officials in the residence's vicinity wore expressions of unusual gravity, as though facing some dire threat.

A faint suspicion stirred within him.

It should be the news of Liu Jǐng's death that had caused such alarm.

Even Li Huaiguo beside him had discerned something amiss.

Yet, being within the distant marquis's household, where many eyes watched, he dared not speak further.

At that moment, they encountered two elderly masters, Xiao Wàng arriving with several men in bright crimson brocade robes.

Xiao Wàng wore a long black gown, his demeanor commanding without anger. He glanced at Chen Yi and Li Huaiguo, then passed on without a backward glance.

Chen Yi paused, glancing back. A faint glimmer flickered in his eyes.

By employing the Eye Technique, the aura of those men in crimson robes was unmistakably discernible.

Two seventh-rank, two eighth-rank...

Members of the Ministry of Justice?

Chen Yi pondered, turning back.

It seemed the patriarch and Xiao Wàng had indeed prepared for some contingency.

Yet, based on his estimation, even if the Liu family sought to exploit the situation, the timing would not be so urgent.

First, they needed to consult Liu Hóng's stance in Jingzhou. Second, Xiao's response would be critical.

For both the Xiao and Liu families were powerful clans; if they truly resolved to act, the number of involved parties would far exceed one or two.

Li Huaiguo noticed his uneasy expression, and in a restrained manner inquired: "Is it ill luck that I came today?"

Chen Yi understood his meaning and shook his head: "All is well at the pharmacy. Let us first fetch the horse doctor."

Li Huaiguo nodded, seeing no need to press further.

Thereafter, Chen Yi led him into the carriage, heading toward the East Market.

At that moment, dark clouds still loomed overhead.

Lightning flashed, thunder boomed, and a torrential downpour ensued.

Through the haze, Chen Yi noticed more officials and mandarins on the streets than usual.

They mostly held portraits, questioning each passerby.

Chen Yi glanced around, seeing the images of the five men who had been robbed by him the previous night, and paid them no heed.

In this world, the methods for solving cases are few, yet none prove truly efficient.

Especially after he took deliberate steps to clear away all traces the night before, the likelihood of the execution bureau finding him was slim.

With the added cleansing of a torrential rain, the footprints of those few hulking men should have been few left.

The clues available were scarce beyond count.

In such circumstances, aside from relying on luck, Chen Yi could think of no other course of action for the execution bureau.

However, some matters without clues tend to make people’s imaginations run wild.

Take, for instance, the Liu family of Jingzhou and the Liu family of Shuzhou.

The more the execution bureau failed to find the culprit, the more they would conclude it was the Xiao family’s doing.

After all, his mere presence had struck like a butterfly’s wingbeat, stirring up a great tempest.

Soon, the carriage came to a halt before Ji Shi Pharmacy.

Chen Yi departed alone to seek Ma Liang, whispered a few instructions, and set off with him toward Chen Yunfan’s manor.

These physicians Chen Ji had gathered—though their medical skills were lacking—excelled in the art of performance and stratagem.

Their minds were sharp, their schemes cunning.

Fortunately, Chen Yi had never revealed himself, issuing commands through Chen Ji’s name, which had managed to evade suspicion.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped in a lane to the west of the city.

Chen Yi and two others alighted.

“Is this your brother’s residence?” Chen Yi asked, eyeing the door marked with the character “Chen,” then glancing around. “It’s reasonably secluded.”

But when the arrival of Chen Qingying and her entourage was announced, he immediately retracted that thought.

Inside, the sounds of rain, the melodies of lutes and flutes, and the tinkling of wind chimes continued endlessly, nothing like the quietude he had expected.

In this state of mind, Chen Yi noticed the several carriages parked in the courtyard.

Beyond the one bearing the Chen family’s seal, the other three carriages were also adorned with golden silk and embroidered with the emblem of a “Map of the Setting Sun over the River.”

Their arrangements suggested the carriage of some noble lady.

Qingying seemed to notice his gaze. She led the way ahead, murmuring softly:

“Lord Participant, Sir Yi, your arrival is most fortuitous. The mansion has just received a physician for the young master.”

Li Huiguang smiled. “No matter. We’ll wait a moment.”

“If their skills are matchless, even if they restore young Yunfan’s life, it would be a blessing indeed.”

Chen Yi nodded, though his thoughts lingered on the identities of those present.

“But who might they be? They do not appear to be from Shuzhou’s territories.”

Qingying glanced back at him, hesitating. “If I may speak plainly, Sir Yi, they are from the Cui family of Qinghe.”

Chen Yi’s eyes widened. A strange expression crossed his face. “Could it be… that person?”

Qingying nodded without a word, then quickly led them to a side hall before directing them to another chamber.

As Chen Yi watched her depart, his gaze lingered on the room.

The Cui family of Qinghe—where Chen family matriarch Cui Yu belonged, and where the bride-to-be for Chen Yunfan resided—was also a lineage centuries old.

In every regard—official posts, networks, wealth—they stood far above the Chen family.

Compared to them, the Xiao family, with its two-century legacy, was but a mere “wealthy upstart” in their eyes.

Meanwhile, from the distant chamber emerged three women and an elderly man dressed as a physician.

The foremost woman was even more striking than Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan’er.

She had a delicate, egg-shaped face, bright eyes, and wore a pink gown, approaching them with several attendants.

Qingying followed, soothing her:

“My young master is in good health, and the physicians have diagnosed him thus—please, mistress Cui, find peace of mind.”

The woman bowed. “I shall attend to Yunfan upon my return. I have already dispatched men to seek a skilled physician; he will arrive within two days.”

Qingying exhaled in relief, spotting Chen Yi and the others nearby. She called out:

“Today, another physician has arrived—Lord Participant Li Huiguang, accompanied by Sir Yi. You…”

Before she could finish, the Cui maiden halted, glancing toward the side hall, her brow furrowed.

“Nonsense. What kind of physician could come from Shuzhou’s lands?”

Chen Yi fell silent with a low chuckle. This Cui maiden must be the bride-to-be Chen Yunfan had yet to formally take as his wife.

Though—after all.

Upon hearing those words, Chen Yi suddenly understood why Chen Yunfan had kept the matter of this engagement so tightly sealed.

(Chapter Complete)