Chapter 134: Talkative, and Glib too

Chapter 134: Many Mouths, Also Poor Mouths

The morning after the rain, which had fallen for two days, finally arrived with clear skies. When the sun rose, the clouds on the eastern horizon blazed with a riot of colors. Yet this splendor lasted barely a moment before giving way to a sky as clear and bright as polished jade, dotted with countless pristine white clouds drifting and shifting in the breeze.

Like always, Xiao Di and Xiao Wugou were up before the rooster crowed, tidying themselves before the appointed hour. Xiao Di’s delicate feet pattered merrily across the cobblestones, her silver bell swaying with each step.

Ding-dong, ding-dong—the bell chimed steadily.

Hearing it, Xiao Di lifted a finger to her lips and pointed toward the building. Xiao Nulü nodded, cradling the bell with a gentle smile, settling herself at the table with quiet grace. “Has your brother not woken yet?”

Xiao Di inclined her head. “Perhaps he slept deeply after wandering through Fei Yun Academy yesterday. I checked on him early and saw he was still fast asleep.”

Xiao Nulü hummed in understanding, exchanged greetings with Xiao Wugou, and began eating the breakfast laid before them. She was a native of Shu Zhou, accustomed to fiery dishes. Once, back in the mountains of Wu Meng, her mornings began with chili paired with millet pancakes—she could eat several bowls. When their village lacked fine flour, they’d simmer wild greens in soup, too, piling the chili high in each bowl. After such meals, her porcelain-like face would flush rosy red, earning her the village nickname, “Hongmeier,” the red-faced girl.

Xiao Wugou paused mid-sip of congee, curiosity sparking in his eyes. “Nulü Sister, does white porridge with chili taste good?”

“It’s delicious,” Xiao Nulü replied, scooping a spoonful of chili and dropping it into his bowl. “Try it.”

Hesitating briefly, Xiao Wugou stirred the mixture and took a sip. The heat flooded his mouth instantly.

“Spicy, so spicy, it’s burning, burning, burning…”

His face flushed a deep crimson, eyes watering. He gestured for Xiao Di to fetch him water.

At such moments, Xiao Di couldn’t simply offer plain water. She rummaged around, then produced a bottle of Wang Ji Tea and handed it to him.

He sipped it twice, the burning ebbing. Xiao Nulü smiled indulgently, blinking slowly. “Your face is red too. From now on, I’ll call you ‘Hong Ge Er,’ the red brother.”

Thus, in the noble house, there would be “Hongmeier” and “Hong Ge Er,” two red-faced souls bound by their love of spice.

Xiao Wugou shrugged off the title with a grin. “Too spicy, Nulü Sister. Are you not afraid?”

“I’ve eaten like this since childhood,” she said, her gaze drifting to his empty cup. A fleeting memory stirred in her mind. “This tea’s been quite popular lately. I’ve seen many people carrying it around town these past few days.”

Xiao Wugou took another sip, then replied, “The pharmacy under my management stocks it—it’s produced by Bai Caotang.”

He offered a detailed explanation, but Xiao Nulü paid little heed, her ears tuned only to the word “good.”

“Let me try it.”

“I’ll fetch it.”

Xiao Di dashed to the storeroom and returned with two ceramic bottles—one of Wang Ji Tea, the other of Zhi Mei Tea.

“Which would you prefer?”

After choosing the Zhi Mei, she uncorked it at once, her eyes brightening. “Tart and sweet, so good!”

“Back in our village, I loved eating wild mountain peaches—they tasted just like this.”

Soon, she finished the bottle. She’d have asked for another, but the daylight was fading, so she wiped her lips and hurried toward the Cha Xing Yuan.

“I’ll stop by the street later and pick up a few more.”

Xiao Wugou watched her stride off, her youthful energy evident even in her adult bearing. “Nulü Sister, you’re quite the whirlwind.”

Xiao Di laughed softly. “‘Whirlwind’ suits a man or a soldier, not a woman.”

“Should she take up arms, I’d wager she’d measure up to even Er Nü.”

After their meal, they found Chen Yi still asleep. Xiao Wugou sent Xiao Di ahead to Cha Xing Yuan.

They’d grown accustomed to Chen Yi’s habits. On idle days, he’d sleep until noon. Once the gardens of Spring Lotus Pond fell silent, he’d let out a long, contented sigh, straightening his posture to gaze beyond the window.

The sunlight bathed the verdant expanse of the garden. Lotus leaves rippled across the pond, and occasionally, golden koi broke the surface, sending up droplets that scattered across the water or startled the birds drinking at the edge, who chirped and flitted away. The place had been swept clean of fallen leaves and petals, making it seem all the more pristine.

Chen Yi took in the scene, his spirits at ease.

“Rain cleared and sun shining—a good omen,” he murmured.

But his tranquility evaporated the moment he stepped into the purple bamboo grove. Centering himself, feet planted firmly, he began practicing the Da GunZhu technique.

Though his progress in this method yielded only marginal gains in power, it served to better activate his body’s energies. Bones, sinews, flesh, and limbs—all his physical being—could now be governed by the Xuan Wu Calming Technique.

After about two minutes, he concluded the exercise, feeling the blood and energy surge through him. He then turned to practicing the Chang Yue Quan and Bai Hua Shang—two distinct styles of martial arts. One explosive, one supple, their movements flowed naturally, harmonizing with his every motion.

These techniques, refined beyond his earlier attempts, now carried a richness of form and spirit. This was no mere improvement—it was the refinement born of his cultivation reaching a new stage, a subtle enhancement of his martial art’s essence.

Each movement set the true energy flowing, drawing in the celestial and terrestrial qi, shaking the land within a radius of five hundred feet.

With every punch and palm, his form shifting and contracting, a hazy phantom would materialize behind him.

This only amplified the might of his strikes, causing the surrounding bamboo to bow as if swept by a violent gale, then sway gently as though caressed by a light breeze, shedding leaves in clusters.

Chen Yi remained oblivious to all this, his focus entirely absorbed in the esoteric art of martial arts, striving to elevate his mastery of the collapsing mountain fist and the hundred flowers palm.

One moment, two, three—

Until the clock neared noon, when Xiao Die emerged from the Garden of Prosperity.

Chen Yi paused, breathing out the surging energy and internal force, letting the qi burn away his sweat.

In just three breaths, he restored his usual calm and composed demeanor.

Before Xiao Die could arrive, Chen Yi stood and walked out of the grove.

Xiao Die blinked in surprise but said nothing further, simply smiling and saying,

“Master, you’re awake. Are you hungry? The princess asked me to call you to dinner.”

Chen Yi nodded, adding casually, “There are still some fallen leaves in the grove I haven’t swept up. Please take care of that.”

Xiao Die let out a sigh, already preparing to fetch the broom and dustpan, though she had just cleaned the area that morning.

Chen Yi grinned. “Not urgent. We can do it after supper.”

Xiao Die hesitated, then shook her head. “Master, I’m not hungry. You go eat first; I wouldn’t want the princess to wait.”

So Chen Yi departed for the Garden of Prosperity.

As he walked away, Xiao Die watched him go, her expression turning serious. She seized the broom and basket and rushed into the purple bamboo grove, as if determined to battle those recalcitrant bamboos.

When she heard footsteps behind her, Chen Yi muttered an apology and hurried back to the Garden of Prosperity.

Unlike the vibrant Spring Lotus Garden, the Garden of Prosperity felt more secluded.

Lush foliage and trees adorned the grounds, designed like those of the Jiangnan Prefecture gardens.

Beyond the corridor lay a stone-paved path, flanked by modest trees that obscured the view ahead.

Further along, he found Xiao Wan’er standing before the wooden pavilion, awaiting him.

That day, she wore a fresh outfit: a white jacket over a yellow-green dress, her form glowing softly beneath the shade of the trees, her skin shimmering with a faint luminescence.

Her presence seemed warmer, her features more radiant. When she saw Chen Yi approaching, her lips curved into a gentle smile, and her complexion brightened further.

It was as if warmth had returned to her body, easing the worries and melancholy that once lingered in her eyes.

Xiao Wan’er waved at him from afar. “Good morning.”

She scowled playfully. “It’s already noon, and you’re still early?”

Chen Yi smiled as he drew nearer, speaking casually, “I overslept. Master Yue led me around Guiyun Academy yesterday, and I was too drowsy this morning.”

Xiao Wan’er understood, letting the greeting pass without further fuss. “How was it? Did things go smoothly?”

Before Chen Yi could answer, he noticed Xiao Wu Ge patting his stomach, clearly hungry. He simply nodded. “All went well.” Then he gestured toward the pavilion.

Xiao Wan’er nodded, ushering him inside. She called for the attendants to bring the meal.

“I suppose Master Yue would have mentioned it. If there were no issues, he wouldn’t have altered his plans.”

Chen Yi shrugged. “Changing plans isn’t a bad thing.”

“Yesterday, when I visited, I received a letter from your former master. It turned out Master Yue had indeed written to him.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er’s eyes sparkled with joy. “Then Yin Yi must have convinced you to take the post at Guiyun Academy?”

“Yes, and he said quite a few encouraging things.”

“Then all is well.”

The meal arrived, and they ate and chatted.

Xiao Wan’er asked, “Since you’ve gone to the academy, are you still managing the Pharmacy Hall?”

Chen Yi hesitated, then nodded. “I am. It brings in a decent monthly fee.”

“Don’t joke. If the academy isn’t busy, I’ll assign someone else to the Pharmacy Hall.”

“For now, it’s only four days a month. I can manage both.”

Before Xiao Wan’er could respond, Xiao Wu Ge laughed. “Brother, it’s been ages since you visited the Pharmacy Hall.”

“…Shut up.”

Seeing Chen Yi’s easygoing mood, Xiao Wan’er’s smile widened. “If that’s the case, you can keep the Pharmacy Hall position.”

This drew laughter from Xiao Wu Ge, Xiao Juan, and Cui Er.

Chen Yi feigned a sigh. “You all don’t know how hard I work.”

“Yes, yes… Brother, you’re always so busy.”

To others, it was mere jest. But Chen Yi knew the truth—he was born to toil.

He had once hoped to live a life of ease as a minor official in Hou’s household, but now, bound by present and future obligations, he had no choice but to labor.

After finishing lunch, Chen Yi didn’t linger in the Garden of Prosperity. He told Xiao Wan’er he was heading to the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy.

Xiao Wan’er walked him to the gate, cautioning, “Things aren’t safe in the capital. Be careful when you’re out.”

“Don’t go out alone like yesterday, without even a guard.”

She paused, hesitating. “If it’s because you wanted to meet the Hundred Herbs Pharmacy’s owner, you can postpone it.”

Chen Yi chuckled, bowing politely. “Understood. You go back to the Garden of Prosperity.”

“Master, you should stay warm. Like you are now…”

He gestured to her yellow-green dress. “It’s easy to catch a chill.”

Xiao Wan’er glanced down, her cheeks flushing. She was about to scold him, but Chen Yi had already smiled and walked away.

She swallowed her words, and with a light step, whispered two words:

“Stop it…”

And so they parted.

Leaving the Xiao family estate behind, Chen Yi naturally didn’t bring the soldiers.

Though if he had wanted to, he likely could’t have spare anyone—the estate was short-handed.

Because, as he observed, the mansion was even more solemn today than it had been yesterday.

Not only were those soldiers and guards standing rigid and grave at the residences and main roads, but even the maids and servants hurried about with hurried steps.

It was clear that until they had any inkling of Liu Jing’s death, the entire Xiao household would remain in such an atmosphere.

Chen Yi understood this fully, and for the moment had no real solution.

After all, he couldn’t simply let him go to the authorities and submit himself?

Though he couldn’t help with anything major, some smaller matters could still be addressed.

Or rather, he might try to resolve this crisis.

Since seeing that message the previous night and forming such a bold assumption about Xiao Dongchen’s deeds, Chen Yi had hatched a plan.

“Yin Wei could find a substitute ‘murderer’ for me, so naturally I could as well.”

Alas, time was running short; his temporary plan was to investigate the situation tonight first.

If a real ‘murderer’ connected to the Xiao family were to emerge, he might have to take some risks.

After all, he couldn’t let that ‘murderer’ become linked to the Xiao family.

Not long after,

Chen Yi arrived at the outer reaches of the West Market, his gaze sweeping over the area around the Meeting with the Ancients Tower, yet seeing no officials from the execution command.

After a moment’s thought, he did not rush straight to the Bai Caotang, but instead circled the surrounding streets, taking in the surroundings to understand the situation better.

Mostly narrow alleys or places where one could hide, places that would help him piece together what was going on.

Only once he had a clear picture did he finally enter the Bai Caotang.

Standing in the main hall to greet those entering and leaving was Wang Ji, who spotted him at once and smiled, stepping forward. “Chen Laoshu, how rare to see you.”

Chen Yi returned the smile with a polite nod, and followed him inside. In the corner of his eye, he noticed “Blade Crazy” Liu Liang, who, without hesitation, followed them up the stairs.

“This fellow’s injuries don’t seem to be healing well. How severe is it?”

As Chen Yi examined him, he could see that Liu Liang’s chest wound was barely improving.

His internal injuries were no better, as if some strange spiritual energy—or another force—was hindering his recovery.

As he followed Wang Ji upstairs, Chen Yi pondered this in his mind.

In the end, it was a good sign that Liu Liang could only sustain his injuries through spiritual energy.

At least he couldn’t freely unleash martial arts.

Upon reaching the study, Wang Ji closed the windows and doors, and with a respectful bow said, “My lord, the matter you ordered last time has been resolved.”

(The chapter ends here.)