Chapter 182: That's Way Too Shameless for an Old Person

Chapter 182: How Shameless Old Man Can Be

Is this some sort of inspection?

Or perhaps something else?

Chen Yi suddenly realized.

But seeing the old master’s serious expression, he naturally had to straighten up and respond appropriately.

It was just the situation under Shu Zhou.

Describing it as a tangle of messy hair would not be an overstatement.

On the surface, the Xiao family stood alone as the dominant force in Shu Zhou, wielding heavy troops, while all other noble families and officials, both high and low, bowed to them.

But behind the scenes...

Since Xiao Fengchun and others had perished, the stalwart forces of the Xiao family had been extinguished for generations, leading to various restraints and probes from some of Shu Zhou’s noble families and officials.

Moreover, there were those who prided themselves on having some power and influence, either with rebellious spirits or seeking more benefits.

Even some harbored the thought of "taking their place."

Yet, in such circumstances, there were still those secretly stoking the flames.

Like the Yinwu and the Liu family of Jingzhou.

Chen Yi understood the situation in Shu Zhou, but he couldn’t possibly lay it all out.

First, it was difficult to explain the source of his information.

Second, he feared that saying too much might raise the old master’s suspicions, which wouldn’t be favorable.

Thinking this over, Chen Yi carefully chose his words: "It seems there are some disturbances."

Such an answer clearly couldn’t satisfy the old master. "How do you know Shu Zhou is not peaceful?"

Even Chen Yi, a man of letters, could easily say the words "not peaceful."

But this wasn’t the answer the old master wanted to hear.

Or rather, he wanted to hear some unusual insights.

Chen Yi glanced at him, smiled, and said, "Seeing the big picture in the small."

"Some time ago, several murder cases occurred in the prefecture city, and the medicinal herbs from the Xiao family’s apothecary were stolen, reportedly by the Huan Yin Sect and other demonic forces."

"Qingzhou thought such things were not uncommon, especially within and around Shu Zhou’s prefecture city."

"If it were in the Jiangnan prefecture, not to mention the capital, even in Su and Hang, such demonic forces wouldn’t dare show their faces within the city."

He couldn’t voice some of the hidden truths he had discovered, so he could only offer logical deductions based on known facts.

But the old master remained unsatisfied. "This is just an isolated case, not representative of Shu Zhou’s unrest."

This time, Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "People often say, when a nation is on the brink of collapse, demons and evil spirits emerge; the same applies to Shu Zhou."

"If Shu Zhou were truly peaceful, the Huan Yin Sect and similar forces wouldn’t dare appear within or outside the prefecture city, nor cause chaos. What do you think?"

The old master’s expression subtly shifted, suddenly understanding the meaning behind Chen Yi’s "seeing the big picture in the small."

At the same time, he recalled the situation in Shu Zhou during the time when Xiao Fengchun and others were still alive.

After considering the past and present, it became clear—five or ten years ago, in Shu Zhou, at least within and around the prefecture city, there had never been any demonic disturbances.

Most incidents occurred in the upper reaches of the Monmon Forest or the Red River area.

Mostly, they were hunts by mountain clans and foreign demonic forces.

"Qingzhou, do you know the reason for such occurrences?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi’s face showed a hint of peculiarity—the old master was asking a question he already knew the answer to.

But he clearly couldn’t reveal the Xiao family’s reasons.

After thinking, he answered, "Many factors."

"For instance, after the war with the Barbarian clans, Shu Zhou is weak, its armies, city defenses, and judicial forces, not to mention the people, all need time to recover and recuperate."

"Also, disturbances from outside Shu Zhou."

"The Mede countries, the Barbarian clans, or the sea bandits from the southeastern coast—they all wish to see chaos to gain benefits."

"However, I believe it is only temporary. Once Shu Zhou recovers its former might, those small pests will have nowhere to hide."

The old master showed a slight smile. "If I don’t want to wait."

"Qingzhou, how do you think we can make Shu Zhou peaceful again?"

Chen Yi didn’t hesitate and said, "Kill one to scare a hundred."

"Kill one to scare a hundred... hehe."

Though the old master was somewhat disappointed, finding Chen Yi’s answer too vague, it still passed the test.

In his own judgment, Shu Zhou’s situation indeed showed signs of unrest.

Not only were these demonic forces causing trouble, but many noble families and officials in the background had their own movements.

Even outside Shu Zhou, a demonic wind was blowing.

In the court, Jingzhou, and even in the Guangyue prefecture and Jiao Zhou, where the Duke of Qiangguo, Zhang family, presided, there were events unfavorable to Shu Zhou and the Xiao family.

Not to mention the meddling and restless Mede countries and Barbarian clans.

In such circumstances, the old master wanted to "kill one to scare a hundred."

The chosen target would be debatable.

Families like the Jingzhou Liu clan could also be considered.

But such a move would be too large-scale, attracting attention from the court and various parties, likely ending in nothing.

If the target were too small, the effect would be greatly diminished.

So the old master only held the ace up his sleeve, never finding a suitable opportunity to act.

He paused slightly, looked at the "Jingting Zhiguang" in his hand, and spoke: "Qingzhou had eaten lunch here at noon before returning, which is fine, without the halberd as well."

Chen Yi had nothing to say.

Xiao Wugou was the same.

But their moods were different.

Chen Yi felt a sense of relief; the old master’s inspection had been successfully deflected.

Though it seemed he couldn’t follow Sun Fu’s advice, he should avoid visiting Qingshou Courtyard more often in the future.

Moreover, the old master had previously said to Xiao Wanyue—he should have someone investigate the owner of Baiya Teahouse, Chen Yu.

From now on, he needed to be more cautious and low-key.

They chatted and laughed, and the meal went smoothly. Yet, for some reason, Chen Yi felt that the old master’s many words carried hidden meanings.

"When Jinghong returns, this old man will join you in welcoming her back."

"Qingzhou was born at the very end of the first year of Anhe; he is no longer a child."

"The Guiyun Academy is a place you may or may not go. That old scoundrel Yue Ming harbors ill intentions—just look at the commotion in the estate now."

"You would be better off spending more time in the Spring Lotus Garden, especially at night."

"And furthermore..."

Words of this nature left Chen Yi unable to fathom the true intent behind them.

Was this an admonishment to frequent the academy less, lest he bring trouble upon the family?

Yet why specify day and night?

In the end, he merely dismissed it as the ramblings of an aging grandfather whose mind drifted wherever it pleased.

After all, it was impossible that the elder was urging him to consummate his marriage with Xiao Jinghong.

That would be far too shameless for an old man.

...

As dusk approached.

Ominous clouds gathered once more in the sky above Shuzhou, which had only just cleared.

The stagnant water, scorched by the blazing sun for most of the day, rose as steam and transformed into a protective layer of stifling heat, rendering the interior and exterior of the prefectural city utterly suffocating.

Even when occasional gusts of wind blew from all directions.

The moisture and dry heat mingled within them caused those walking in the city to sweat profusely.

Even in the courtesan quarters to the south of the city, adorned with lush vegetation, the patrons and the courtesans were largely in the same state.

Particularly those women who took the stage to perform.

Whether they were the pure courtesans playing instruments and singing, or the lightly clad maidens leaping and shifting in dance, all bore beads of sweat upon their brows.

As a single piece of music concluded.

They would drink a bottle of Zhimei tea to dispel the heat.

In the span of a mere half-day, a single brothel would consume an entire cartload of Zhimei tea.

The madams, however, felt no distress over the cost.

Though Zhimei tea was by no means cheap, compared to the Shenniu tea and Wangji tea they sold, such a minor loss was a mere drop in the bucket.

One must understand that while the courtesans drank a cartload of Zhimei tea, the patrons would consume two or three cartloads of Shenniu tea.

Silver and coin poured into the brothel counters like water, and after being counted, were transported to the Xiao Family's Jishi Pharmacy or the Baicao Hall.

After all, through these past days, tea beverages had become the reigning fashion of the courtesan quarters.

The brothels were clearly well-acquainted with this entire process.

If other establishments were so, it was even truer for the Spring Rain Pavilion, the most prosperous house in the courtesan quarters with the greatest number of top-ranking women.

At this moment, before night had even fallen, the entrance was already teeming with crowds.

A continuous stream of patrons came and went without end.

Some were led by the welcoming servants and madams to take their seats in the main hall, while others were guided by familiar pure courtesans and handmaidens toward the private rooms in the rear, or to even more magnificent and costly courtyards.

The top floor of the brothel facing the street, however, presented a stark contrast to the bustling scene below.

Those passing through were mostly tall, imposing figures of the martial world, each either masked or wearing conical bamboo hats, moving almost entirely without a sound.

Even the clamor from below failed to echo here; it was so quiet that a falling needle could be heard.

Coupled with the tightly closed doors and windows on all sides, the place remained dark and serene even during the day, illuminated only by individual lamps and lanterns.

Rings of dim yellow light bordered one another, like sentries on guard, watching over their respective territories.

This caused the light and shadow to rise and fall along the corridors of the top floor.

Deep within the corridor, inside a quiet room, Black Fang sat upright before a desk, a small slip of paper unfurled in his hand.

By the light of the oil lamp on the desk, he read it carefully three times before putting the note away and speaking:

"So, the visitor from the Liu family of Jingzhou indeed wished to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao family, but was refused by the old Marquis?"

Sitting opposite him was none other than Lou Yuxue, wearing a jade-white mask.

She nodded slightly, her tone lacking her previous coquettish, low murmurs, sounding much colder and more composed.

"Indeed."

"According to the spy concealed within the Xiao family, first it was Liu Yu of the second branch who paid a visit, proposing the marriage alliance to the old Marquis face-to-face."

"Afterward... which is to say, at noon today, Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue went together to visit the old Marquis at the Xiao estate, presumably for the same matter."

The eyes of Black Fang, concealed behind his iron mask, shifted slightly. "And the outcome?"

Lou Yuxue let out a soft laugh. "I heard that when Liu Wen left, his face was ash-green."

"Before he had even stepped out of the Xiao estate, he cursed more than once, some directed at Liu Zhaoxue, and some using veiled insults against the Xiao family."

Black Fang chuckled quietly. "In that case, the miracle healer from the night before last was indeed a member of the Liu family."

Upon hearing this, Lou Yuxue shook her head. "It cannot be certain yet."

After a pause, she continued, "At the very least, we must rule out the possibility that he comes from the Xiao family."

"After all, this business is of great consequence. If he is a spy arranged by the Xiao family, not to mention those wicked heretics, even you and I would be in danger."

Black Fang replied indifferently, "Even if the Xiao family is unaware now, they will know it was our doing after the event."

"By then, both you and I will have to go into hiding, lest we perish under the Xiao family's furious retaliation."

Just as Lou Yuxue was about to agree, she heard Black Fang continue, "However, your concern holds some truth."

"It would be wise to further ascertain the background of that miracle healer."

Lou Yuxue glanced at him. "Since you agree, I will send someone to test Liu Wen tonight."

"Testing the Liu family is fine, but I wish to know when you intend to strike?"

"Once Liu Wu's identity is confirmed, I will begin making arrangements."

"Very well, I shall fully cooperate with your actions in this matter. I hope you do not disappoint me."

Seeing Black Fang looking straight at her, Lou Yuxue laughed. "That is only natural."

"However, I fear my spies will all be ruined after this time; the financial matters will still require your effort."

"That is easily settled. I shall collect the silver tomorrow night."

As Black Fang spoke, his gaze shifted to the other side, and with a slight exertion of force, he crushed the paper in his hand to pieces.

"In any case, the rules of the Bright Moon Pavilion shall not be broken."