Chapter 173: Brother-in-Law, Just You Watch

Chapter 173: Brother-in-Law, Just You Wait and See

The letter was finished.

Chen Yi folded the paper in his hand, keeping up a casual conversation with Liu Lang while his mind weighed the steps ahead.

To send this letter to Xiao Jinghong by any ordinary means was, in all likelihood, impossible.

Apart from himself, everyone else—be it Liu Lang, the Tigress, or any of the other miscreants—was undoubtedly under the watchful gaze of Black Tooth.

And attempting to dispatch the letter from the Xiao manor carried the risk of premature exposure, which would inevitably startle the snake in the grass.

After pondering back and forth.

A figure materialized in Chen Yi's mind, and the faint, rhythmic jingling of bells seemed to echo in his ears.

It seemed far more secure to send the Tiger Girl back to her clan on the pretext of visiting relatives.

"Lately, Black Tooth and his lot will surely be on high alert, especially regarding the movements of you, me, and the others who know the truth. Be careful in all things."

Liu Lang looked at the letter in his hand and asked, "You don't need me to deliver it?"

Chen Yi replied testily, "If I could send you over, why would I have bothered writing this letter in the first place?"

A sheepish grin broke across Liu Lang's face. "I forgot."

"Just now, I was thinking of using the delivery to General Jinghong as an excuse to seek some guidance from her."

"..."

Chen Yi shook his head in silent resignation. These martial artists were mostly casual about conventions, straightforward and direct in their ways, often to a fault.

Little did they know that in any endeavor, details dictated success or failure.

More often than not, it was the overlooked trifles left undone that brewed catastrophic blunders.

"In any case, tomorrow when you scout out the whereabouts of Liu Wen, Liu Zhaoxue, and the others, take care not to be noticed."

Liu Lang nodded, seemingly embedding this counsel into his mind.

After a few more idle words.

Chen Yi sent Liu Lang on his way.

He watched the man recede into the distance, his gaze then settling upon the overcast rain outside the door, where he sat quietly for a brief spell.

He then summoned Zhang Dabao to strip away his disguise.

Taking advantage of this interval, Chen Yi calmed his mind.

Sensing the relaxation, he could not help but ask a few questions regarding the art of disguise.

Zhang Dabao held nothing back, teaching him some foundational techniques of the craft in earnest detail.

"Master said his art of disguise was passed down from the Thievery Sect—Thievery as in stealing. It is divided into three realms: countenance, form, and spirit."

"The simplest is altering the countenance. A false face and a few pieces of delicately carved fine bone can easily achieve it."

"Next comes the form. Legend has it that predecessors of the Thievery Sect from the previous dynasty could contract or expand their bones, altering height, build, and even gender."

"The hardest is the spirit. Master said that while the exterior can mimic the surface, the inner essence is difficult to change."

Zhang Dabao spoke even as he peeled away the false skin.

Chen Yi listened intently, asking with a smile, "To truly turn one person into another, are countenance, form, and spirit all indispensable?"

Zhang Dabao caught himself slightly, looking at him with a peculiar expression. "Does your Excellency wish to find a body double?"

"Merely casual conversation, I have no such intentions."

Though a double was like a man's shadow, convenient for his operations, a double was still a person, and a person would have their own thoughts and selfish desires.

Chen Yi had no wish to invite such trouble upon himself.

He asked purely as an "academic discussion."

Zhang Dabao suspected nothing more and nodded, "That is what Master said, though I have only grasped the surface."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "I always hear you mention your master, where is he now?"

"Gone to live as a wild crane amidst the clouds."

"Before departing, he declared my apprenticeship complete and charged me not to let the illustrious name of the Thievery Sect fall. Regrettably..."

Seeing the disappointment on Zhang Dabao's face, Chen Yi let out a silent chuckle. "Regrettably, you ended up following Wang Ji, is that it?"

"A little bit... I beg your Excellency's indulgence."

"I just feel that after studying the craft for so many years, now I only employ the art of disguise, while my other skills are bound to rust."

Chen Yi nodded in understanding; the youth simply felt he had no stage to display his talents.

But it made sense.

Though Zhang Dabao appeared mature and steady, he was ultimately a youth of seventeen or eighteen, and it was only natural to yearn for achievement and a resounding name.

"Learn what you can from Wang Ji for now. There will always be opportunities to show your worth in the future, so that the name of 'Two Fingers' may resound throughout Shu Prefecture."

"Heheh, many thanks, your Excellency."

A short while later, Chen Yi restored his original appearance and changed his attire.

After a moment's thought, he instructed:

"Tomorrow, go find Wang Ji and have him procure a residence in the Eastern Market and another in the north of the city respectively. We cannot stay here for the time being."

Zhang Dabao smiled and complied, seeing him off before turning back to the side room to resume his rest.

The young rarely harbored intricate thoughts; they slept the moment they touched the bed.

In his dreams, a faint smile graced his face, and he mumbled something about two fingers, two fingers.

It was, after all, a good dream.

Yet an adult like Chen Yi possessed a far more intricate web of thoughts.

Particularly while walking through the quiet, dim rainy night, he had to look both ahead and behind.

Even though he had sorted out the subsequent affairs, his mind was inevitably divided into several threads.

One thread connected to the present, preventing his trail from being discovered by the Judicial Commission, the Hidden Guards, or the Crescent Pavilion.

Another thread was tied to his loved ones.

He would wonder how Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, and the others would react if they ever discovered the things he was doing now.

And yet another thread held his own assortment of scattered ideas.

Like the "Speck of Winter Plum" used for angling, like the fact that among the arts of zither, Go, calligraphy, and painting, he was still missing the zither and painting skills, or like the need to replenish his stock of knockout powders and poisons.

Under the weight of all these matters, he naturally had to walk slowly and steadily in this rainy night, lest he step into puddles or be drenched through by the heavy downpour.

Taking nearly an hour, Chen Yi finally returned to the Spring Lotus Garden.

He washed, changed his clothes, and drank a cup of hot tea.

Only when his body and mind were thoroughly warmed did he let out a long breath and relax.

Though his time at the Xiao manor had been brief, the events he had experienced during this period, along with his companionship with those close to him, had given him a sense of belonging here, a sense of "home."

Chen Yi glanced at the sky outside the window, gave it a moment's thought, and quietly took the letter to the neighboring wooden house.

To avoid being noticed, he did not knock on the door but instead pried it open and hurried toward the chamber where Pei Menglu was staying.

Upon reaching the door, he pressed his ear to it and heard the steady, calm breathing of the tiger cub.

After a moment of hesitation, Chen Yi lifted his fingers and tapped twice.

Yes, yes—thud.

Though the dull sound was masked by the raindrops pattering, it was enough to rouse a martial artist.

"Who is it?"

"Me."

"Brother-in-law?"

Pei Menglu, without a second thought, climbed out of bed and opened the door.

Perhaps still half-asleep from her dream, her round face bore a faint look of confusion.

She was still wearing only the thin nightgown, and the heavy pendant at her neck swung gently, emitting a soft tinkling sound.

Chen Yi glanced at her, tilted his head, and coughed softly: "Change your clothes first. I'll wait in the living room."

He said this and descended the stairs.

Once he was gone, Pei Menglu muttered to herself, "Well, this will do."

But after rubbing her eyes to clear the drowsiness, she noticed the chill creeping up her body and looked down.

She let out a sudden yelp, followed by a flurry of tinkling bells.

Chen Yi chuckled at the sound but also knew that Hu Tiaotou was wild by nature and not particularly fastidious about men and women.

It didn't seem like she had done it on purpose.

Not long after.

Pei Menglu, face flushed and cheeks slightly puffy, descended the stairs and sat beside him, her head bowed: "Brother-in-law."

Chen Yi glanced at her and couldn't help smiling: "You're a grown woman now. It's time to think about marriage."

"Not yet!"

"Still not a grown woman, or still not ready for marriage?"

Pei Menglu, unable to help her embarrassment, wrinkled her nose: "I don't want to get married so early. Grandmother hasn't pressured me either."

Chen Yi didn't press the matter further. He combed her wild hair and smiled:

"There's an urgent matter that needs your help."

Pei Menglu patted her hair, her round, pretty face tinged with a faint red, yet her eyes sparkled brightly as she looked up at him:

"Brother-in-law, what is it?"

Chen Yi took out the letter and handed it to her, commanding: "I need you to deliver this letter to Lady Jinghong as soon as possible."

"For Lady Jinghong?"

Pei Menglu took it and read it character by character: "Fire burns three towns... blades go mad..."

Though the handwriting was warped and shaky, she still understood the meaning, and her face immediately lit up with excitement.

"Brother-in-law, there's another adventure!"

Another adventure?

Chen Yi nodded with a smile: "Something like that."

"But when you left, make sure to act as if you'd just happened to find this letter, and don't show that you knew about it beforehand."

"Still keeping Brother-in-law's secret from Lady Jinghong, right?"

"Yes, you can't let her know yet, so find a good reason to go there."

Pei Menglu nodded eagerly, laughing: "I'll say I'm visiting Grandmother and Brother. That's the reason... under the moon?"

"Right. Don't be too obvious or Lady Jinghong will suspect."

Chen Yi didn't know whether Hu Tiaotou truly understood or was just pretending, but for now, he couldn't find a more suitable person and gave her detailed instructions.

Pei Menglu memorized each step, rehearsing the scene meticulously:

"I'll do it like this, then like this, then casually drop the letter for Lady Jinghong..."

"And I should say I'm visiting Grandmother and Brother. The reason... under the moon?"

"Brother-in-law, this will work, right?"

After going over it twice, Pei Menglu grasped the whole plan.

"Then I'll leave right away."

"No need to rush. Wait until morning, tell the eldest sister, and have her prepare a horse for you."

"Yes, Brother-in-law, I've got this. It won't be a problem for me."

Chen Yi praised her confident demeanor:

"Lucky you didn't study opera. Otherwise, you'd be a perfect stand-in right now."

Pei Menglu laughed, her sharp teeth flashing, clearly pleased.

"I know, I know..."

After a few more instructions, Chen Yi told her to hide the letter and left.

Pei Menglu closed the door, glanced around, and slipped the letter out of her sleeve like a thief, then giggled softly.

"Brother-in-law, you can count on me."

"I won't let Lady Jinghong suspect a thing."

After muttering a few things to herself, Pei Menglu tucked the letter beneath her bell pendant, cradling it like a treasure.

Tink-tink, tink-tink...

From the study, Chen Yi heard the distant sound of bells from next door and smiled, shaking his head.

"Whether it succeeds depends on you, Pei Menglu."

……

As the hour of yin passed, the rain eased slightly.

Sun Rong, dressed neatly, carried the silk box inscribed with "A Farewell Poem to Long Ming Gong in Shang Zhou," and arrived at Qingxi Village.

Today he was setting out for Jinling, and before departing, he wished to speak with Xiao Houge.

In fact, he had already informed Xiao Houge of this matter a few days prior.

But at that time, he hadn't yet received the treasured item and lacked the courage for his journey to Jinling.

At least not with such vigor and enthusiasm as now.

When Xiao Elder saw him approach, washing up and dressing, he couldn't help but be surprised.

He looked him over from head to toe.

Old Master Sun let out a breath he had been holding: "Did you stay overnight in the Flower Fireworks Alley yesterday?"

Sun Fu’s face flushed with a mixture of anger and relief, his beard bristling as he glared.

"You old fool, a dog’s vomit can’t even spit out ivory!"

"My dear, this is what I call ‘when friends rejoice, the spirit soars.’"

"Joy? You recall that the other day he looked sullen and dejected, like a wilted leaf."

"What’s the matter? Has your son-in-law’s family had good news?"

"My old friend, I do wonder…"

The two old men exchanged a few idle words, as was their habit.

Sun Fu, knowing his friend’s bluntness, didn’t linger on the small talk. He set the embroidered box on the table and said, "Take a look—this is what I call ‘joy.’"

"Not just for me, but for you as well."

Xiao Hou leaned forward with a hint of curiosity. "Is this joy certain?"

"No trickery here—open it, and you’ll see. My health has improved somewhat, but I can’t stand sudden shocks."

Sun Fu ignored him, opening the box to reveal the cypress-textured paper inside.

After a brief pause, he spoke with solemn gravity: "Watch closely—don’t blink."

Xiao Hou squinted at the paper in Sun Fu’s hands, impatient. "Hurry up and open it."

"What treasure could you be hiding that makes you so secretive?"

Then, as Sun Fu unfurled the scroll, the first character materialized, and the dimly lit hall, illuminated only by candles, suddenly blazed with light.

In the haze, a voice chanted: "Thousands of miles… yellow clouds… white sunlight…"

At the same time, a ghostly scene unfolded on the paper: endless yellow sand veiling the sun, with figures standing below gazing upward.

The vision shifted—snow drifting, geese flying south, then a lone figure smiling as he walked, followed by a crowd.

The scene settled on the hill of Jinling City, where the man stood gazing into the distance.

Xiao Hou’s eyes widened as he recognized the figure—Sun Liangming, Sun Fu’s son!

His face wavered with emotion. "This—this is…?"

Before Sun Fu could explain, Xiao Hou’s cloudy eyes cleared, sharp as when he led troops into battle.

"Written by Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou, in the twenty-first year of Anhe, late autumn of the seventh month."

Sun Fu nodded approvingly, his expression softening.

"This is indeed joy," he said slowly.

Sun Fu studied his friend’s face, rolled up the scroll with care, and placed it back in the box. "But you don’t look like someone who’s just experienced joy."

"What? Your son-in-law has mastered the classics completely. Look at him—he’s on the verge of becoming one of the greatest scholars of our age. Aren’t you pleased?"

Xiao Hou’s gaze drifted toward the Spring Lotus Garden, sighing softly. "Of course I’m pleased. But…"

"Qingzhou’s talents are exceptional. The more outstanding he is, the more I worry."

Sun Fu laughed, his voice warm. "You old fool, are you afraid Qingzhou might have designs on the Xiao family?"

Xiao Hou hesitated, his expression awkward. "If Qingzhou truly has no ulterior motives, I fear he might overwhelm him."

"You’re overthinking it. Qingzhou is a fine young man."

"Still… I won’t keep it from you."

Sun Fu recounted the conversation he’d had with Chen Yi the previous day, ending with, "Now you can rest easy, can’t you?"

"Qingzhou has never entertained such thoughts."

"Instead of worrying about him, you’d do well to keep an eye on your second and third wives, and even Prince Qian and his household."

Xiao Hou straightened, his voice grave. "Is this true?"

Sun Fu clasped the box, scoffing. "I’ve never deceived you in my life."

Seeing his certainty, Xiao Hou’s expression eased.

A long silence followed.

He sighed deeply. "Poor Qingzhou."

"I’m glad you understand."

"If he ever becomes a world-renowned scholar, his name echoing across the land, you may have to rely on his favor to look after certain matters."

"Perhaps… it’s not impossible."

Apologies, the update is delayed.

I’ve finished the old book and prepared an extra chapter, but the first chapter’s update time is a bit off. I’ll try to post it by noon tomorrow.

(Chapter End)