Chapter 135: Let's See If He Takes the Bait

Chapter 135: Will He Fall for It?

After listening, Chen Yì showed no signs of joy. Instead, he waved his hand and smiled, saying, “I dare not call you Boss Wang.”

“After all, the affairs of Báicǎo Hall and Xiao Family Pharmacy are all discussed between Boss Wang and Lady Xiao. I merely run errands for them.”

Even though Liu Rong was now wounded, his residual qi had likely lost its smooth flow. Yet, with his ears alone, he could still catch the sounds from the floor above.

No matter how many protective measures the quiet chamber had undergone, they were all in vain.

In fact, it wasn’t just Liu Rong.

At this moment, Chen Yì himself could faintly hear sounds from the outside, though they were too weak to discern clearly.

Wang Ji, upon hearing this, blinked. But when he saw Chen Yì gesture downward with his hand, he quickly understood.

“The gentleman is joking. Outside just now, I could still call him the shopkeeper. In private, it might be improper.”

“If Lady Xiao were to find out, I’d have to take a beating without fail.”

Chen Yì made a gesture to hold his position and continued, “As long as the person’s abilities are sufficient, the cost in silver is no concern.”

“Rest assured.”

Wang Ji nodded in agreement, pointing at Liu Rong, “It’s just like Liu Yuan. That person’s abilities will not disappoint you.”

Chen Yì smiled and said, “After the events at the Lingyin Sect last time, it’s a good thing Boss Wang is cautious.”

“Says who—”

The two spoke in hushed tones on the second floor, their voices drifting down into Liu Rong’s ears.

Listening to the flattery from the Xiao stepfamily brat and the Báicǎo Hall shopkeeper, he couldn’t help but sneer:

“A scholar? No wonder few dared believe him. How could a scholar be so worldly?”

Liu Rong increasingly felt Chen Yì unworthy of Xiao Hong.

Not just in intellect, but in every way—he was unworthy of the esteemed General Xiao Hong.

“Before, I always heard the saying, ‘A fresh flower placed in cow dung.’ I thought it was just a metaphor. Now I’ve actually seen it.”

“It’s nothing short of exceptional.”

As Liu Rong listened to the conversation above, he couldn’t help but complain to Xiao Hong in his heart.

Thinking of it, he then turned his thoughts elsewhere.

“How rare are those who can match Xiao Hong in this world.”

And then his thoughts shifted to listing the people he could think of—those whose background, status, appearance, and strength could stand with Xiao Hong.

“The young lord of Duànjiàn Mountain Monastery, only twenty years old, his cultivation has reached the upper third tier. They say he’s quite handsome.”

“Though Duànjiàn Mountain Monastery pales in comparison to Dingyuan Count’s manor, it can only rank last.”

“The second prince of Luòjiā in Jiangnan Prefecture also counts. His background is illustrious, his looks, status, and cultivation all top choices.”

“There’s also ‘Flower Sword’ Gao Xuán…”

Fortunately, Chen Yì didn’t know what Liu Rong was thinking in his heart. Otherwise, he’d have spilled an entire bottle of Immortal Wine and sharpened his knife in a fury.

Once he confirmed the identity of the person skilled in disguise, he instructed him to settle the matter first.

Wang Ji smiled and nodded, “The gentleman is just over there in the courtyard.”

“By the way, he’s capable too. Besides that skill, he once made wine.”

“Though his craftsmanship was merely passable, only slightly better than common rice wine.”

“A well-rounded fellow.”

Saying this, Chen Yì pondered and said, “Though he’s capable, it’s not quite suitable for him to stay in the courtyard. Find another place for him.”

Wang Ji paused, then agreed, “Tomorrow I’ll find him a proper place.”

Chen Yì nodded, then inquired about Báicǎo Hall’s current situation, got the gist of Wang Ji’s plans, and rose to leave.

On his way down, he reminded, “Master Ma, along with several other renowned doctors, are now treating patients at Xiao Family Pharmacy, drawing great attention.”

“Later, you’ll need to give Boss Wang some attention too.”

Wang Ji’s heart stirred slightly, “You mean…”

“For instance, his family or neighbors, they must be acknowledged somehow.”

Chen Yì spoke indirectly, merely reminding him that someone was keeping tabs on Ma Liang, so he could settle things neatly.

Wang Ji nodded in agreement, “I’ll arrange it soon, certainly can’t neglect them.”

“Alright.”

Upon reaching the floor below, Chen Yì glanced at Liu Rong, who still looked languid.

Thinking for a moment, he approached and smiled, bowing slightly, “Just now, I’ve been listening to Boss Wang praising your brother’s strength.”

“Upon closer inspection, your brother does have a certain presence.”

Liu Rong glared at him and said flatly, “Fine, fine enough.”

“Chen the shopkeeper, I know little of the ways of the world. I wonder, in the world of martial affairs, where does your brother currently stand?”

“Lacking in comparison to the top, but superior to those below.”

Chen Yì smiled and asked, “Upper third tier?”

Liu Rong’s eyes widened, and a curse nearly slipped from his mouth.

You dare say you reached upper third tier? You’re just a common turnip!

“Chen the shopkeeper is just joking. My brother is only at the middle third tier, nothing more.”

Chen Yì paused, smiled and said, “Such strength is already remarkable, far surpassing the Xiao family’s personal guards.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Rong’s face darkened: “Chen the shopkeeper truly doesn’t understand the ways of the world. Most soldiers begin cultivating after adulthood. Their martial prowess isn’t high, that’s quite normal.”

“Is that so…”

Seeing Chen Yì didn’t rush off, Wang Ji didn’t press him either, merely chimed in from beside him.

After a while of idle chatter,

Chen Yì straightened his expression and asked, “I notice your brother doesn’t look well, and there’s something…” Before he could finish, Liu Rong’s eyes flickered slightly, “Chen the shopkeeper has misjudged. My brother’s health is quite good.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yì said no more, muttered a quick farewell, and walked away.

Wang Ji followed, whispering softly, “Sir, is he unwell?”

Chen Yì smiled and shook his head, “I only knew a bit about Ma the physician earlier. It seems I misjudged.”

He patted Wang Ji’s shoulder, as per usual, and sent him to keep watch, then walked westward.

Despite receiving such a severe injury, he showed no urgency…

Could it be that Liu Rong came to Báicǎo Hall not merely to heal his wounds?

Or perhaps he knew well enough that ordinary physicians could not cure the wounds upon his body?

How strange.

Chen Yì thought this, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Let's lay a bait first, see if he'll take the hook."

When the person had left.

Liu Rong sat in contemplation for a moment, his palm unknowingly pressing against his chest.

"Did the young master of the Xiao family truly discern the injuries I bear, or merely speak idle words?"

After some thought, and once Wang Ji returned from outside, he hesitated before speaking.

"Master, that fellow who claimed to know medicine—did he really see my injuries, or was he just guessing?"

Wang Ji paused, scrutinizing him, and replied, "What do you think?"

Before Liu Rong could answer, Wang Ji strode up the stairs.

Whether Chen Yì knew medicine or not, others might not know, but could he not know?

Even the crippled "famous physicians" like Ma Liang could manage to seem somewhat competent, so how could Chen Yì be unaware of medicine?

Liu Rong furrowed his brow slightly, recalling the earlier words, and made up his mind.

"The physicians at Jishi Pharmacy, Ma Liang—perhaps I should pay him a visit sometime... who knows?"

...

The entire afternoon.

Chen Yì remained in Chunhe Garden.

More precisely, he stayed in his study.

After practicing some regular script and Wei Qing's style, cultivating the Four Symbols Gong again, then playing Go with Xiao Wugou.

After dinner, as usual, he instructed a few people to rest.

Xiao Dié and Xiao Wugou obeyed, but Pei Mulai, like others, seemed to have lost patience, inquiring how much longer she would wander.

Chen Yì was at a loss, only managing to hint that she should rest for another three or four days.

"That's good."

"Ge Lao San seemed to have grown suspicious today, keeping a watchful eye on me."

Chen Yì raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

Pei Mulai paused, "I forget now."

"Earlier, I went to the southern city's Flower and Bird Street with Xing Yun Auntie and the others..."

Before she could continue, Chen Yì interrupted, "If it were me, I'd be keeping an eye on you too."

What sort of girl from this city would roam about Flower and Bird Street?

Pei Mulai looked bewildered, "Why, what's the reason?"

"Because you're pretty."

"Heh... brother, even though I'm not the first to compliment me like that, I'm very glad."

Smack.

Chen Yì bonked her on the head, irritably saying, "Enough chatter, go rest and sleep."

"Oh."

Pei Mulai pouted, then skipped merrily out of the wooden building.

But not long after, she peeked her head back at the door, her round face beaming with a smile:

"Brother, do I really look pretty?"

"More beautiful than real gold."

"Heh... heh..."

Pei Mulai seemed even happier, bouncing and skipping away, her jingling bells growing fainter with each step.

Chen Yì smiled and shook his head, returning to the chamber, making no stay, beginning to prepare for the evening's affairs.

Black battle robes, a cloth, and the elixir of immortals.

Though outside, a black long robe was still worn, to serve as a cover.

When the hour of Yu, not yet passed, Xiao Wugou and Xiao Dié were still not asleep, he quietly left Chunhe Garden.

Luckily, his cultivation had improved somewhat, and having completed the martial path's ultimate stage, he could silently evade Pei Mulai, passing through the purple bamboo forest without performing the Meteor Flower Butterfly Step.

It was fortunate that Pei Mulai was there.

If it were Xie Stop Cloud or Shen Huaotang, they would have likely discovered his whereabouts long ago.

He wound his way past the outpost, arriving at the south street, then from the courtyard where Liu Jing resided, he went to the hall behind the mansion.

Yet before he reached the hiding spot he had seen during the day, he heard several voices in the distance.

"Master of the Hundred Households, the subordinate has found someone who once saw Liu's guard."

"According to his recollection, that night, Liu's guards had gathered near the hall, as if waiting for someone."

"Who was it?"

"Oh, he lives not far behind the hall."

"Bring me there!"

(End of chapter)