Chapter 150: A Gentleman Is Not Allowed to Pursue

Chapter 150: A Gentleman Does Not readily Accept a Match.

Three women in a single play.

Yet within the confines of Spring Lotus Garden, the number of women present had already exceeded a handful.

Men, however, were but one and a half.

One was Chen Yi; the other half—Xiao Wu Ge.

In such a scene, how many men could respond with grace?

Either monks whose six roots were pure and serene, or children bewildered and ignorant, or those raised from infancy in the gilded halls of beauty.

Chen Yi did not belong to any of these categories. His ability to manage a few extraordinary ladies relied entirely on Xiao Wa Er standing nearby.

Consider this:

When one woman, radiant beyond all measure, stood beside you, would you still take notice of the others?

It was, in essence, the tangible manifestation of the "light-shadow effect" under a lamp.

With Xiao Wa Er’s brilliant lamp glowing in the pavilion, her silence and subtle smile dimmed the other women’s allure.

In Chen Yi’s eyes, only his own wife, Xiao Jing Hong, could rival Xiao Wa Er’s brilliance.

Had Xiao Wa Er known his thoughts, she might not have dwelled on them further.

For she might naturally think: The patriarch’s judgment is sound; Xiao Wa Er, compared to the two ladies, is undeniably inferior.

Perhaps her face bore a shy smile, believing Chen Yi’s placing her beside Xiao Wa Er and Xiao Jing Hong was cause for joy.

After all, within an afternoon or two hours,

Chen Yi merely followed the basic etiquette of a host, sitting properly beside Xiao Wa Er, casually managing these supposedly illustrious ladies.

There was the wife of Tang Zi Xin, the censor of Shuzhou’s Provincial Affairs Office, from the Zhang family.

The wife of Bai He Lin, the logistics supervisor of Shuzhou’s Military Commissioner Office, from the Sun family.

And the young lady of the great clan that had ruled for generations in Shuzhou, Wan Ruo Ruo.

The first two were older, around forty.

The latter, though not young either, was twenty-five or six, her bearing refined yet unmarried.

Perhaps due to similar circumstances, Xiao Wa Er and Wan Ruo Ruo seemed particularly close.

Of course, in this setting, Xiao Wa Er would not show it overtly.

Most of the time, she deferred to Zhang and Sun as elders.

Especially the Zhang wife.

Her husband, Tang Zi Xin, served as Shuzhou’s censor, overseeing the inspection of officials, wielding a sword of justice.

Yet as Zhang wife recounted, Tang Zi Xin had been diligent in his duties lately, as if nothing urgent demanded his attention.

Still, his status and the Tang family’s standing were undeniable.

Others, regardless of their deeds, would give her and the Tang family some measure of courtesy.

However, Zhang wife was clearly well-versed in matters of propriety, never displaying arrogance, her words and deeds fittingly composed, never causing offense.

"My son entered the prestigious Cloud Court Academy last year after passing the imperial examination, and since then, he listens to nothing but books, absorbed entirely in study."

"Alas, he is slow-witted; last year he failed the provincial exam and will not attempt it again for two years, though he remains diligent."

As Zhang wife spoke these two sentences, her gaze lingered on Xiao Wa Er, her words inevitably carrying hope that Chen Yi, the scholar’s instructor, might take up the matter.

Tang?

Chen Yi recalled the student from Shufei, Tang Ye.

At fourteen, his learning was considerable, though his handwriting was undeniably legible.

The evaluation of his calligraphy practice scrolls, if I recall correctly, was "slightly above average"—clearly legible.

Given his age, he must have labored diligently in calligraphy.

Xiao Wa Er noticed Chen Yi’s silence, his expression a calm smile, and spoke naturally:

"My brother-in-law has just arrived at the academy today, perhaps still unfamiliar with the place. But it need not be a problem; there is plenty of time ahead."

Seeing Zhang wife smile faintly, Chen Yi bowed slightly: "Tang Ye is the youngest student in Shufei. His handwriting is quite good."

"Is it so?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang wife’s smile widened.

Not only because of Chen Yi’s praise, but also because he remembered her son’s joy.

After a modest reply, her words carried hope that Chen Yi would guide Tang Ye with care, surely wishing for his success in both literature and martial arts.

"Those who have ambition will achieve their goals. My lord, your heart is noble, and you will surely become a great talent."

Lest Chen Yi added the word "great," this sentence might sound overly grand.

Zhang wife’s smile grew more dignified: "There is no need for your excellence to rival Master Light Boat’s. A little talent suffices."

This, of course, was also modesty.

For in the Tang family, only minor talent could preserve their lineage’s momentary stability.

Only those with great talent could elevate their family further.

On this point, Chen Yi and Xiao Wa Er both understood, and they laughed it off with ease.

In the meantime, the other two women also spoke up.

Sun wife came from a lesser background, at least compared to the Xiao and Tang families; her household, Bai, was but a minor clan.

Yet the granary office under Bai Yu Tang was a vital department of the Dingwu Army.

Both the patriarch and Xiao Jing Hong valued his influence.

Thus, Chen Yi and Xiao Wa Er naturally harbored no intention of slighting her.

At least, Xiao Wa Er, raised in the family, would not overlook this Sun wife.

As for Sun wife’s request, it was simple:

She hoped her son, Bai Yu Tang, could enter the academy and study under Chen Yi.

Though she spoke delicately, Chen Yi knew her son had previously looked down on him.

To hear it politely, it was "respecting scholars lightly" or "literary merit not first." To hear it bluntly, it was "what can a son-in-law teach?"

Thus, Chen Yi did not agree, referring the matter to the academy’s headmaster, Yan Mingshi, etc., politely declining.

That Sun wife, too, understood her son’s standing; though disappointed, she did not press further.

It seemed she sought other avenues, determined to place him in the academy.

After all, the appearance of a scholar achieving both literary and martial prowess at the prestigious Cloud Court Academy was truly astonishing.

As for the ever more perceptive scholars of the world, the more learned they are, the clearer it becomes how arduous the path to mastery in the Way of Books is. Talent, effort, fortune, and the guidance of a master—none can be spared. Clearly, in the eyes of these great families, who had so little time to unravel the intricacies of history and lineage, Chen Yi was the very embodiment of fortune and a master’s tutelage combined. Who would wish to miss such an opportunity? Even if it were but a fraction, a mere one-hundredth or one-thousandth of a chance. As for the final, the wealth of ten thousand families, Lady Wanrou of the Wang household—she seemed to have come merely to pay a visit, following Xiao Wan’er’s lead throughout the entire encounter. When mentioned Chen Yi, she did not so much as allude to whether any of her relatives or brothers were studying at the prestigious Cloud School. Instead, she merely praised Mr. Chen, saying how few teachers in history have mastered the Way of Books, and how few have ever been able to teach it. It was as if she had come specifically to laud the Xiao family. Yet Chen Yi knew well that Wanrou’s visit to the Xiao household must have been for some purpose. He surmised it had something to do with the assassin who had been discovered by the Ministry of Justice—the one responsible for the murder of Liu Jing. After all, that assassin was a guard from the Wang family’s Nianlin Monastery. As he pondered this, Chen Yi found himself glancing at Wanrou several times, intending to see when she would reveal her purpose. Yet before she could speak, it was Xiao Wan’er’s glare—hot with suspicion— that met his gaze instead. Chen Yi realized she had misunderstood something and reinned in his expression. You are the patient one; you speak, and all must yield. Thus, the host and guest were mutually pleased. As evening approached, the two ladies, Madam Zhang and Madam Sun, departed in succession, each having gained something, their spirits naturally light. Yet Wanrou also rose to leave. Throughout the entire encounter, she had uttered not a single word about the Nianlin Monastery or the Cloud School. Thus, Chen Yi’s suspicions remained unfulfilled. After the guests had departed, Xiao Wan’er did not return to the mansion at Xingzhou but instead made her way back to the Spring Lotus Garden. She instructed the young maids, Xiao Er and Cui Er, to prepare the evening meal, all the while keeping her bright eyes fixed on Chen Yi. Once the maids had gone, Chen Yi met her gaze, glanced down at his attire, and smiled, asking, “Is there something amiss?” Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er offered no reply. She sat at the stone table in the pavilion, scrutinizing him as though seeing him for the first time. Chen Yi arched an eyebrow slightly, his curiosity piqued, and settled beside her with a smile. “The matter at the Cloud School was merely an accident.” “Though I did teach them the Way of Books, the first lesson was merely an outline, merely to introduce them to the path.” “A young scholar who had unexpectedly achieved mastery in the Way of Books—I was taken abroad, and somewhat troubled, knowing that visitors like those of today may not be few in the future.” “As for the Cloud School itself, Master Yue Ming and the others, the students—they, too, will surely not let me idle.” When he finished speaking, Xiao Wan’er did not pursue the subject further but instead inquired, “Why have you been staring at Lady Wang all this while?” “Ah…” Chen Yi paused, recalling her earlier gaze, and replied, “The lady’s glances at me just now—were they in contemplation of this matter?” Xiao Wan’er’s face flushed slightly, yet she maintained a composed expression. “Who has been staring at you?” “Just now there was an outsider present; your lingering looks at Wanrou were rather improper.” “If word spreads of it, people might think… might think you and the younger sisters are at odds.” Chen Yi fell silent, a helpless laugh escaping him. He said nothing, merely staring back at her. One breath, two breaths, three breaths… Xiao Wan’er glared at him, her face growing even redder, her head tilting slightly as she muttered about the impropriety of such things. She then tried to explain gently, “Lady Wang is older than me, and has yet to marry—not for lack of marriage prospects.” “It is merely that the suitor she had previously betrothed to her, a gentleman from the Wang family, passed away a decade ago, so she has…” As she spoke, Xiao Wan’er noticed Chen Yi’s expression—half-smiling, half-serious—and growled, “Were you listening at all?” Chen Yi nodded with a smile. “Of course I was. It’s just…” He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye, and turned the conversation. “You see, fair lady, a gentleman ought to find a suitable match…” Before he could finish, Xiao Wan’er turned her head and fixed her gaze on him, urgently interjecting, “Such words are hard to put into words!” “What kind of ‘fair lady’? What kind of ‘suitable match’? Forbidden!” Upon seeing the fire in Chen Yi’s eyes, Xiao Wan’er recovered her composure, her face now flushed all the more brightly, her eyes turning slightly red. It was not shame, nor anger—she could not tell. Chen Yi, unable to decipher her mood, abandoned his playful intent and smiled, his expression softening. “Earlier, I happened to meet someone from the Ministry of Justice at the palace gate.” “They said the Ministry had identified the assassin responsible for Liu Jing’s murder—the man was a guard from the Nianlin Monastery.” “When I saw Lady Wang, I couldn’t help but glance at her twice.” Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er finally understood. Yet her mind still replayed their earlier exchange. Most of it, she realized, had not been Chen Yi’s provocation—rather, her own overblown reaction. It was embarrassment, self-consciousness, shame… shame that had driven her to such a state. Not that she blamed Chen Yi, but rather herself for being so slow to perceive and losing her composure. Xiao Wan’er did not dwell on it further. After a moment of silence, she turned and rose from the pavilion, departing without looking back. “Understood.” “Your brother-in-law is busy all day—go rest early; I’ll return.” Chen Yi watched her go, astonished. “My elder sister, you said you asked Xiao Er and Cui Er to prepare dinner here?” Yet as soon as he spoke, Wanrou’s footsteps faltered, then quickened their pace. If not for her frail constitution, she would have sprinted straight back to Xingzhou Mansion.

This man... had turned away from him.

Let him go be "delicate and refined, a gentleman of good character."

It was just as well she hadn’t said that, for once she did, Xiao Wan’er found herself thinking of that poem again.

The whole of her blushed crimson—

so much so that she abandoned propriety and scurried back to Jiaxing Garden.

In the end, she had truly become a proper lady.

As Xiao Wan’er’s figure finally vanished at the end of the corridor, Chen Yi smiled, lowered his gaze, and muttered under his breath.

Something like, "The eldestMiss has a habit of teasing."

Though of course, he could only say such things to himself.

If he’d spoken them aloud to Xiao Wan’er, he’d have faced at least a scolding.

Yet, knowing Xiao Wan’er as he did, he was certain she wouldn’t truly be angry.

At most, she might ignore him—though even then, her tongue and heart rarely aligned.

At dinner.

Xiao Wan’er indeed failed to appear.

And she instructed Yu’er to serve dinner at Jiaxing Garden, while explicitly leaving Pei Qingwu and Xiao Wugou behind.

Thus, within the grounds of Chunhe Garden, only Chen Yi and Xiao Di remained.

Xiao Di naturally didn’t overthink it; instead, she felt as though she’d returned to the days when Master was confined.

Back then, as tonight, they’d eaten and discussed which dish was better, which was overcooked.

Chatting and laughing, the sky grew dark.

Pei Qingwu bounded in, her silver bell at her neck jingling merrily, clearly in high spirits.

"Brother, did you make the eldestMiss angry again?"

Chen Yi arched an eyebrow. "Why do you say that? What did the eldestMiss say tonight?"

Pei Qingwu chuckled slyly: "She didn’t mention you, but kept talking about Wugo, telling him not to learn bad habits from that scholar."

"Learning calligraphy and music isn’t an issue—except he shouldn’t study poetry. And she wants to hire a teacher to instruct Wugo in proper etiquette."

"..."

Chen Yi mused, "She’s truly irritated."

It seemed that after his earlier "ignoring her," he’d need to add days to the punishment.

Last time he’d glimpsed something he shouldn’t have, Xiao Wan’er had given him half a day of silence.

This time, perhaps a full day?

Two days, maybe three—no one could say.

Chen Yi pondered, then turned to ask: "You didn’t lose to Shen Huatang and Xie Stopcloud today, did you?"

Pei Qingwu’s smile vanished. She pouted: "Brother, I now know why the eldestMiss wouldn’t let you eat with her."

"You—you bring up the topic yourself."

Chen Yi flicked her forehead. "No fight, no fight—nothing to be ashamed of."

He couldn’t let Xiao Wan’er have it.

Still, the wild girl could be tamed.

Pei Qingwu pressed her forehead. "It wasn’t a fight—I didn’t use true energy, only techniques. I lost."

Chen Yi thought of the scene and laughed. "Your cultivation isn’t up to par. Your strength and skills aren’t no match for those two senior sisters."

Pei Qingwu’s eyes gleamed, her gaze fixed on him: "Brother, help, help, help..."

One breath, twenty "help"s.

Chen Yi glared. "What help? I’m just a weak scholar—should I draft a battle scroll for you?"

Pei Qingwu pouted, realizing he wouldn’t confess. Her whole posture sagged.

Seeing that, Chen Yi sighed, dipped his hand in water, and scrawled a few characters on the table.

"First cultivate. We’ll talk when there’s an opportunity."

Pei Qingwu read it, her face brightening instantly. "I knew my brother was the best—he always spoils me!"

"…Virtue."

...

In the blink of an eye, several days passed.

August was near.

The weather in Shuzhou burned like an oven.

Even Chen Yi, a martial artist of considerable skill, felt a hint of dryness in the air. How much more so for others?

Xiao Wugo was first to buckle. That night, he moved to Jiaxing Garden, claiming it was closer to Xiao Wan’er—and thus cooler.

This prompted Xiao Wan’er to swat him twice, though she could only relent.

Because of this, the wall separating Jiaxing Garden and Chunhe Garden—once bridged by Xiao Wugo as a messenger—now stood like a chasm, severed entirely.

For several days, they lost all contact.

Precisely, Chen Yi could occasionally catch fragments of Xiao Wan’er’s words through his keen hearing.

Whether Xiao Wan’er could hear his—he could not know.

Still, due to the matter of Wanrou, Xiao Wan’er remembered that line: "Delicate and refined, a gentleman of good character."

In addition, many good tidings had reached the mansion these past few days.

First, the Patriarch’s visit to Liu Shi, head of the Execution Division, the next day eased the tension within the Xiao and Liu families.

Though unspoken, the dispute between the two clans seemed poised to resolve peacefully.

Chen Yi understood this fully.

As long as Liu’s faction in Jingzhou accepted that the "killer" wasn’t from the Xiao family, no major conflict would arise between them.

Even if they refused, the provincial governor of Shu, Liu Hong, couldn’t press the Patriarch further.

This much could be gleaned from Li Huizhou’s latest letter:

"Reports from the capital: the three prefectures’ summer grain tax, calculated at the lowest rate of two coins per mu."

That’s roughly ten thousand mu of grain—five times the usual yield.

It was likely that the Xiao family and the three towns, though reluctant, would still have to pay the tax grain.

Secondly, in the last few days of July, the profits from the Xiao family’s apothecary through Bai Caotang’s share arrived.

In total, from the sale of thirty-three thousand two hundred silver dollars worth of teas, after deducting costs and applying a fifty-percent profit margin, the Xiao family gained fourteen thousand silver dollars.

When Wang Ji mentioned that Xiao Wan’er had paused for a moment upon seeing the silver receipt and oddly inquired whether it had been miscalculated, it was clear that her surprise was not over the amount of money, but rather the remarkably low cost of those teas.

Chen Yi, however, paid it no heed.

If he weren’t afraid of startling Xiao Wan’er and the Xiao family, he could have reduced the costs by another four thousand silver dollars.

Indeed, the production cost for over thirty-three thousand two hundred dollars worth of teas sold was less than a thousand silver dollars.

Precisely, it was five hundred and thirty-two silver dollars.

The rest—hiring laborers, building storage, and transportation—cost almost nothing.

Not to mention Xiao Wan’er, even Wang Ji found it hard to believe when calculating Bai Caotang’s monthly profit.

It was just right, a profit of thirty thousand silver dollars.

And this was merely from Bai Caotang itself, not to mention the five apothecaries under the Xiao family across the Prefecture of Shu.

If he followed Chen Yi’s earlier plans to expand Bai Caotang across Shu and into the nine prefectures of Dai Wei, the daily profit…

When Wang Ji considered such possibilities, his eyes instantly filled with tears.

Without Chen Yi’s orders, he had already decided to open Bai Caotang in nearby prefectures and counties next month.

Chen Yi did not stop him, merely cautioning him to watch his own safety.

As for the formulas, he was untroubled.

Even if someone were to uncover them, Bai Caotang’s head start and the Xiao family’s apothecaries would still leave them behind.

After all, he could always develop new tea formulas, enhance their effects, and refine their flavors.

Or continue with the distribution model, enlisting local gentry and scholars to expand Bai Caotang.

Whatever the method to counter commercial competition, he had many.

Lastly, a good piece of news: Xiao Chonghou sent back a letter stating that the market survey for the mutual market was complete, and construction would begin soon.

It was scheduled to start on the first day of August.

Once the foundation of the mutual market was solid, Xiao Chonghou would return, hoping to finish before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Seizing this opportunity, it was the fourth day when Chen Yi first met Xiao Wan’er.

It was, after all, a decent piece of news.

At least the two had managed to speak to each other, hadn’t they?

Beyond that, Chen Yi had not stayed entirely shut away these past few days.

Avoiding the constant visits from noble ladies and scholars of low status, he had taken the opportunity to eat melons and gain some intelligence.

Though these were all yellow-level intelligence, with little opportunity and rewards limited to low-grade martial arts techniques, they were better than nothing.

Most importantly, that night.

Chen Yi’s cultivation breakthrough reached the seventh grade, upper tier.

"In the martial world, this makes him a second-rate master."

"If he were to complete martial arts entirely, he would step into the ranks of first-rate masters."

Just like "Blade Madman" Liu Lang.

His cultivation was only at the fifth grade, yet his blade work was complete, making him a notable figure in the martial world.

If he were to break through to the upper third grade, he would be a top-tier existence among first-rate masters.

If his blade work advanced further, he could become a "monarch of one region," a name that would echo widely.

Near midnight.

Chen Yi stood and walked to the window, gazing at the dimly lit Spring Lotus Garden, watching the night breeze stir the leaves. "It looks like rain is coming."

In such a scene, his face remained calm, though his mind wandered.

"The bandit Wei’s scheme to sow discord between the Xiao and Liu families had failed."

"Xiao Dongren would certainly not let it rest. As for Geo San… after he went to the Flower City to pay a visit to that young lady, he brought up the Xiao mansion."

"It seems he’s been plotting something recently."

After some thought, Chen Yi made a decision—tomorrow, when he went to the academy to teach, he would stop by Bai Caotang.

Liu Lang’s injuries had healed, after all, it was time to ask about his progress.

And…

Before he could finish his thought, a flash of light appeared before his eyes—

[Daily Intelligence Report: City-grade Lower Quality: At the time of the hour of the Snake, five o’clock, in the western market, a tailor shop, Wei conspires a major plot. Can obtain abundant opportunities.]

(The chapter ends.)