Chapter 20: Hidden Guards, Secret Letter, and the Blushing Pei Guanli

Chapter 20: The Hidden Guard, the Secret Letter, and the Blushing Pei Wanli

Jiaxing Courtyard?

Chen Yi stared at the contents on the panel, thinking to himself, "That Hidden Guard really knows how to find places."

Of the ten courtyards in the Hou Estate's backyard, only Jiaxing Courtyard had the loosest guards because Xiao Wanzhen and Shen Huatang were not there.

Chen Yi recalled the night he had visited Jiaxing Courtyard before, knowing that the rockery pond was just beyond the wall of his Spring Lotus Garden. He made up his mind then.

Even for the sake of fortune, he had to take a look at that so-called "Hidden Guard" to see who they truly were.

Upon reflection, Chen Yi steadied his spirit, waiting silently for the duration of one incense stick. After confirming that Xiao Biaozhu and the others were sound asleep, he rose again and slipped away from the wooden pavilion.

This time, thanks to his "Dancing Dragon and Phoenix" agility, his movements were even lighter and swifter. In barely five breaths, he reached the western courtyard wall of the Spring Lotus Garden.

He carefully surveyed the surroundings, noting no movement from the soldiers outside, and only then climbed over into Jiaxing Courtyard.

Yet he failed to notice a figure peering into Xiao Honghong's chamber, who glanced at him with a puzzled expression.

"Brother, what are you sneaking around for?"

Pei Wanli tilted her head, pondering for a moment, then a sly smile spread across her face. She quietly left the chamber and followed Chen Yi.

On the other side.

Chen Yi crouched in a corner of Jiaxing Courtyard, hidden among a cluster of bushes, waiting silently for the "Hidden Guard" to appear.

To his surprise, before he had even settled in, a figure emerged from the direction of the Spring Lotus Garden.

Assuming it was the "Hidden Guard," he squinted carefully—only to realize it was Pei Wanli.

Chen Yi fell silent.

But speaking now would be inappropriate; he couldn't be sure if the "Hidden Guard" had indeed arrived at Jiaxing Courtyard.

Reluctantly, he tossed a stone to create a faint commotion.

Fortunately, Pei Wanli was clever enough to follow the sound, and upon seeing him, she opened her mouth to speak.

"Brother—"

Before she could finish, Chen Yi covered her mouth with a hand, pulling her into the thicket, pressing close to her ear in a whisper: "Shh. Just watch."

The scorching breath made Pei Wanli's ears tingle. She waved her hand in acknowledgment.

Chen Yi released her, saying nothing further, and pointed toward the rockery pond, gesturing for her to watch without speaking.

Pei Wanli glanced in that direction, though she couldn't discern what to look for. She knew she couldn't make a sound at this moment, so she crouched obediently nearby.

Chen Yi paid her no mind, his eyes fixed intently on the rockery pond, waiting for the "Hidden Guard" to arrive.

During this quiet waiting, in the stillness of the bush thicket.

Pei Wanli couldn't help but recall the scorching sensation at her ear, her heart fluttering rapidly.

She touched her slightly flushed cheeks and glanced at Chen Yi.

Seeing him calm and focused on the distant pond, she pressed a hand to her chest, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, trying to compose herself.

What a useless woman I am, Pei Wanli. I've never seen a man before.

Besides, he's Xiao Hongzhong's husband... Stop it, don't think that!

Lost in her thoughts, Pei Wanli didn't notice a towering figure had quietly approached Jiaxing Courtyard.

Chen Yi spotted the newcomer immediately, held his breath, his eyes locked on the man, a familiar feeling stirring in his heart.

Who is he?

He had encountered few soldiers in Hou's estate. Apart from Wang Liying and others, the only others were those few guards who had accompanied him to the southern Shu City.

Matching the memories, a familiar image flashed in his mind—himself?

Soon, as the figure stood beside the pavilion by the rockery pond, Chen Yi confirmed his suspicion.

Though the man wore armor and a helmet, with a face guard, Chen Yi could be certain: it was Liu Si, the one who had given them their carriage!

"Fourth Brother? Hah, a personal guard from Hou's estate, selected from the military, yet hiding as a traitor all these years."

Only then did Pei Wanli notice someone at the rockery. She jumped back, clapping her hands over her mouth, nearly shouting. She glanced at Chen Yi, saw his grave expression but no movement, and quickly shrunk back, fearing she might be discovered.

Not long after.

Liu Si circled the area with the keen eyes of a hawk, then swiftly withdrew a stack of papers from his sleeve, slipping them into a crack beneath the pavilion's outer wall.

After finishing, he observed the surroundings once more, then exited Jiaxing Courtyard through the main gate.

Seeing this, Pei Wanli was about to move, but Chen Yi was quicker, his hand clamping down on her neck, leaning close to whisper: "Don't move. Wait a bit longer."

The breath against her neck made Pei Wanli dizzy. She frantically pressed the pendant at her throat, her small face flushed.

In just ten breaths, Liu Si returned, like a ghost, stationed at the entrance's shadowed doorway, scanning the area.

After confirming no one had noticed, his expression settled, he nodded once and left Jiaxing Courtyard again.

But Chen Yi remained motionless, his hand still on Pei Wanli.

Not because he doubted or suspected, nor because he understood the "Hidden Guards" in Hou's estate.

But because, up until now, he had received no sign of fortune.

Indeed.

After nearly one incense stick had passed, Liu Si returned to Jiaxing Courtyard a second time, heading straight for the rockery pond. He deliberately poked his head out to feel the secret letter tucked in the pavilion's exterior, then departed with relief.

[Seeing the Hidden Guard's keen and careful movements and ghostly skills, understanding the essence of their techniques. Reward: Dancing Dragon and Phoenix skill upgraded to the Mystic level, +12 to fate.]

[Evaluation: A man who is blatantly lecherous, his desire to steal is too strong, a natural pervert.]

As the illusionary text flashed before his eyes, Chen Yi's mind suddenly absorbed more about the Dancing Dragon and Phoenix technique.

Since he had already practiced this skill, he quickly recalled the differences. Believing he could soon advance his progress with the new technique, he stood up.

After scanning the area, he walked toward the pavilion.

Pei Wanli snapped back to her senses and followed, "Brother, you're amazing."

"How did you know he'd come back? Did you notice him before, so you understand him well?"

"Who is he? Is he a traitor hiding in Hou's estate? Can I tell Xiao Hongzhong?"

Chen Yi, annoyed by her questions, frowned and muttered, "Be quiet."

Pei Wanli obeyed, but couldn't suppress her excitement. In this brief moment, she had already imagined a tale of a quietly devoted, world-shaking, heart-wrenching love story.

—How could a brother with such skills, all for "love," willingly choose to enter Xiao's family, so devoted to Xiao Hongzhong's sister? He must be incredible!

Xiao Hongzhong would surely be moved, right?

Pei Wanli clung to Chen Yi like she had uncovered a grand secret, trailing behind him as he retrieved something from the pavilion. She crept closer to peek at what he'd found.

"Brother, what is this?"

Upon the secret missive, mere twenty-eight characters spanned across four sparse lines, yet they were but cryptic codes like Jia-One and Yi-Bing-Three.

Chen Yi shook his head, utterly at a loss.

Evidently, deciphering the letter required a codebook; without that key for reference, unraveling its contents in short order would be an impossibility.

After a moment of contemplation, an idea struck him.

He returned to the study at once, fetched brush and ink to append a few characters to the missive, and then restored it to its hiding place beneath the pavilion.

Pei Guanli had followed him in silence throughout, but upon clearly discerning the words he had added, she could suppress herself no longer and burst into a fit of giggles.

"Brother-in-law, you—you are truly wicked, haha..."

(End of Chapter)