Chapter 197: Soft and Boneless (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 197: Soft and Fragile (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Love at first sight.

When Liu Wen spoke those four characters, the room fell silent.

A faint smile, hard to notice, flickered on Liu Zhao Sleeve's face, his eyes subtly shifting toward Xiao Wan Er.

There, the renowned lord of Qingzhou's Meng family, the daughter of the Meng family's estate, unexpectedly displayed a moment of surprise.

Just as she had anticipated.

Yet when his gaze settled on Chen Yi, a peculiar doubt stirred in his heart.

This young man from Qingzhou seemed far too calm.

Xiao Wan Er glanced at Liu Wen, her expression shifting to disapproval, then lowered her head and murmured softly:

"Though I am a woman, I know how to speak cautiously when venturing forth, to demonstrate the teachings of our family and my own cultivation."

"What you said, Master Liu, was that of the Meng Liang school—does it reflect the family tradition of the Liu clan of Jingzhou?"

In just two sentences, Liu Wen's face darkened, his features growing grim as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Wan Er.

A family's reputation, silent in its virtues, and lacking in cultivation—these were harsh words to hurl at someone of their station in this age.

"You..."

Before he could finish, Chen Yi smiled.

There was a hint of mockery and disdain in his smile, yet he did not look at the sly, venomous Liu Wen. Instead, he fixed his gaze directly on Liu Zhao Sleeve.

"The elder sister speaks wisely."

"But in my view, Master Liu is but the second son of the Liu family's second house in Jingzhou, and cannot represent the entire clan."

"On the contrary, Miss Xiao's conduct since arriving in Shu has been most dignified and proper—this is the true legacy of the Liu family of Jingzhou."

Liu Zhao Sleeve felt his words drawn to himself, his expression shifting slightly.

She was about to ease the tension in the room when Liu Wen suddenly stood, pointing at Chen Yi:

"What are you, some brat?"

"You're nothing but a discarded son of the Chen family in Jiangnan, or a son-in-law who fled to Xiao's household, living off Xiao's protection like a dog!"

"How dare you lecture me?!"

The words struck Xiao Wan Er to her core.

She rarely lost her temper, even in anger, and had never before engaged in such disputes. Even when Chen Yi fled his wedding, causing the old master to fall ill, she had merely thought it improper and later counseled the old master to persuade Xiao Zhi Hong.

But in this moment, upon hearing Liu Wen's disparaging remarks about Chen Yi, Xiao Wan Er's heart ignited with fury. Her usually gentle demeanor hardened.

Liu Wen, however, paid no heed to Xiao Wan Er, continuing to glare at Chen Yi with a cold, venomous stare:

"Don't think that writing well grants you the right to swagger."

"Master Qingzhou? Just a joke."

Chen Yi's eyebrows lifted slightly, his gaze still locked on Liu Zhao Sleeve, a mocking tone in his words:

"A fool who doesn't even realize it before death."

Liu Zhao Sleeve's face flushed with sudden color, his eyes wide with confusion.

What did that mean?

Who was he referring to—me, or Liu Wen?

Could he know the purpose of my invitation today?!

Yet before Liu Zhao Sleeve could regain his composure, before Liu Wen could speak further in his rage, Chen Yi had already looked away, gently pressing his hand against Xiao Wan Er's clenched fist:

"The elder sister, the banquet was ill-suited. Let's leave."

Though previously agitated, Xiao Wan Er felt the warmth of his hand through her chilled palm, a warmth stirring in her heart.

She glanced up at Chen Yi, who smiled kindly as usual, and nodded in agreement.

Chen Yi rose, taking her hand, and they began to leave.

Liu Wen shouted, "Stop!"

But neither Chen Yi nor Xiao Wan Er intended to argue further.

As they were about to depart, Liu Wen, overcome with rage and shame, hurled a punch straight at them.

The sound of the strike drew Chen Yi's attention, and with a swift motion, he cradled Xiao Wan Er's waist.

Just as he was about to move aside, the door burst open, and Zhuo Yun rushed in.

With a single palm strike, she sent Liu Wen's fist flying.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

Feeling the surge of qi from her palm, Liu Wen stumbled back, his eyes blazing with fury and shock:

"Y-You two!"

Zhuo Yun's expression was cold. "If you dare assault the Xiao family's daughter, you'll regret ever leaving Chengdu!"

In that moment, Liu Zhao Sleeve could not think clearly, and quickly stepped forward, pulling Liu Wen away, forcing a smile:

"Miss Xiao, forgive me. My younger brother is hot-tempered; he meant no disrespect."

Liu Wen waved his hand dismissively.

He opened his mouth to continue, but meeting Zhuo Yun's gaze and seeing Shen Hua Ting standing with a sword at her side outside the door, he let out a single, cold hiss.

At that instant, Xiao Wan Er, cradled in Chen Yi's arms, finally noticed what had transpired behind her.

She hesitated, then stepped back a few paces, whispering softly: "Let's go."

Chen Yi nodded, taking her hand and leading her away from the room.

Zhuo Yun glared at the silent Liu Wen, muttered something under her breath, and followed them, as did Shen Hua Ting.

Before they had even stepped out of Feng Chun Tower, a loud crash and shattering sound echoed from behind.

Chen Yi looked over at Xiao Wan Er and smiled: "The elder sister was quite commanding."

Xiao Wan Er's face flushed slightly, lowering her head: "I-I only didn't like the words he used."

"Hmm, but how was my scolding?"

"Ah, did I even scold him?"

"Compared to me, you're still a long way off."

"Swearing... is wrong, but I couldn't help it, especially with how he spoke of you..."

"Rest easy, evil has its own way of grinding down evil."

From behind, Xie Tingyun watched Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er's intertwined hands, her eyes turning knowingly before she immediately leaned in to whisper into Shen Huatang’s ear.

Shen Huatang paused in slight surprise after listening, then cast a strange look toward the two in front.

"They're having an affair, aren't they?"

"Don't talk nonsense, Senior Sister. It must be because of the peculiar situation just now."

"Absolutely an affair."

"Even if they are, you shouldn't use such scandalous words."

"Adultery?"

"...Shut up."

It was only when the Xiao family carriage had driven far away that peace finally returned to the Fengchun Pavilion.

The onlookers exchanged bewildered glances, none of them knowing what had truly transpired.

Meanwhile, in a private room upstairs.

Liu Wen was still in a towering rage; after smashing everything around him, his eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Liu Zhaoxue, demanding:

"You must be very pleased with yourself, aren't you?"

"Just now that dog of a man praised you, saying you are the true exemplar of the Liu family, cultured and knowing when to advance or retreat!"

Liu Zhaoxue shook her head, hesitating, "Second Brother, you..."

Before she could finish, Liu Wen brushed past her and stormed out.

"I will explain everything that happened today to Second Uncle and the family later."

"Prepare yourself to return to Jingzhou in a few days."

Liu Zhaoxue stared blankly as he walked out of the compartment, her face turning somewhat grim.

Second Brother, you truly are... a fool!

Just then, an ordinary-looking, portly middle-aged man walked in from outside.

He looked at the debris littering the floor and clicked his tongue, saying, "The Second Young Master strikes out in a fury, and the Eldest Miss of the Xiao family leaves in anger."

"Lady Zhaoxue, everything has gone exactly as you anticipated."

At this point, the middle-aged man shifted his tone, asking with a smile, "So, shall we proceed according to plan tonight?"

To his surprise, Liu Zhaoxue shook her head with a cold expression, "We hold our hands for now."

The smile faded from the middle-aged man's face as he asked solemnly, "Why is that?"

"Lady Zhaoxue should know that if we strike now, anyone would assume it was the doing of Second Young Master Liu."

Liu Zhaoxue still shook her head, the image of Chen Yi's calm yet sharp eyes flashing through her mind, inspiring a touch of dread in her heart.

"Wait a little longer. Striking tonight would appear too deliberate."

"Very well, then let the Eldest Miss of the Xiao family live a few days longer."

Liu Zhaoxue pondered for a moment before saying, "I need you to do something for me over the next two days."

The middle-aged man forced a smile and said, "Lady Zhaoxue, we are in the same boat now. Just give the order, there is no need for such courtesy."

"Help me investigate the Xiao family's live-in son-in-law."

"Oh? The one named Chen Yi?"

Liu Zhaoxue hummed in affirmation, "Help me uncover his true background."

The middle-aged man naturally nodded carelessly, "He is nothing more than a frail scholar anyway." "If Lady Zhaoxue finds him an eyesore, I can go slaughter him right now."

Liu Zhaoxue looked at him, "I advise you to act with caution. I have a feeling he is not as simple as he appears on the surface."

"Is that so?"

"Then I would like to see what makes him so feared by Lady Zhaoxue, haha..."

...

The outcome was exactly as Chen Yi had expected.

Today's trip to Fengchun Pavilion indeed harbored a bit of a conspiracy.

Although he was unclear about the specific details of the banquet Liu Zhaoxue had arranged, he knew her true target was Liu Wen.

It could only be one of a few schemes.

She likely intended to exploit today's clash between Liu Wen and Xiao Wan'er, so that when Liu Wen died afterward, the blame could be shifted onto the Xiao family.

Or perhaps her mind was even more sinister, and she meant to strike at Xiao Wan'er directly, forcing the Xiao family to deal with Liu Wen.

A classic move of killing with a borrowed knife.

The result would be the same—Liu Wen dying in Shuzhou!

However.

Liu Zhaoxue surely could not have foreseen that Xiao Wan'er would not attend the meeting alone today.

Musing over these thoughts, Chen Yi reached a decision; he would not let her have her way.

Just then, he felt a slight movement in his hand and turned his head to look.

He saw Xiao Wan'er burying her head inside her cloak, pretending to be nonchalant as she quietly tried to withdraw her hand from his grasp.

Amused, Chen Yi turned his head back toward the window, pretending to be oblivious while tightening his grip slightly.

Xiao Wan'er instantly froze, not daring to move.

She stealthily raised her head, her slightly flushed eyes catching sight of Chen Yi, who still seemed "lost in thought," and she softly breathed a sigh of relief.

Not noticed, thank goodness.

Xiao Wan'er thought to herself, shifting ever so slightly.

Seeing that she could still pull away a fraction, she continued to slide her burning palm out millimeter by millimeter.

Then Chen Yi tightened his grip once more.

Xiao Wan'er froze yet again, not daring to move.

After a brief moment.

She tried to test the waters once more.

But this time, Chen Yi not only added a touch of strength, but also mischievously squeezed her hand twice.

It felt soft and delicate, as if without bones.

Xiao Wan'er nearly cried out in surprise, feeling her entire body suddenly flush with a searing heat.

Even so, she did not dare lift her head, terrified of meeting Chen Yi's gaze.

If that happened, she truly did not know if she would die of embarrassment and wish for the ground to swallow her whole.

No way out.

After this, Xiao Wan’er was utterly unable to move, letting him hold her hand without protest.

A heart thumped thump-thump nonstop.

In addition to her heart being in a complete mess, it was the first time in her life that she felt time move so slowly.

It was merely two streets from Fengchun Tower to Duke of Qing’s mansion, yet it felt so long despite being so close.

When the carriage finally rolled into the duke’s courtyard, Shen Huaotang knocked twice and said, “We’re home,” and only then did Xiao Wan’er dare lift her head from her sleeve.

But when their eyes met Chen Yi’s inscrutable, half-smiling face, she instinctively shrunk back again.

Cute.

The word surfaced in Chen Yi’s mind, and he let out a soft chuckle.

Unwittingly, he had seen Xiao Wan’er’s rare expressions several times that day.

However, to be home.

Chen Yi released her hand, smiling as he said, “Sister, we’ve arrived at the mansion.”

Xiao Wan’er hastily pulled her hand back. “I—yes, I know.”

After composing herself for a long while, she nodded, leading the way down from the carriage.

Her face still bore a deep redness, likely still dazed.

Zhou Tingyun glanced at her, then at Shen Huaotang, and gave a knowing wink.

You see, I told you they’ve got problems, right?

Don’t speak of it.

Chen Yi, unaware of the thoughts of the two Tian Shan disciples outside, simply dismounted.

As he was about to speak, he spotted Wang Ji in the distance and nodded knowingly before waving him over.

“Brother Xiao, the shopkeeper from the Bai Caotang has received a reply—I’ll go check it out.”

Xiao Wan’er quickly glanced at him and Wang Ji, gave a sharp nod, and without a word, walked toward the courtyard.

Shen Huaotang followed closely behind.

Zhou Tingyun led the carriage to the stables.

Once the three had departed, Chen Yi merely nodded to his acquaintances nearby before following Wang Ji away from the Xiao family’s residence.

Xiao Wan’er walked far, not until she passed through the inner courtyard did she begin to feel the coolness.

She let out a long sigh.

Shen Huaotang noticed her state and hesitated, then whispered softly, “Miss Xiao, you and the second prince—”

A flush rose to Xiao Wan’er’s cheeks again, and she hurried forward a few steps.

“Huaotang, quickly sort out the mansion’s ledgers. The Mid-Autumn Festival is near—we must stock up on gifts for the various offices.”

“—”

Shen Huaotang’s cold face flickered with confusion at her demeanor.

Has the elder sister hit the nail on the head?

Could it be?

After all, it’s the younger mistress’s—

——

Not long after, at the Bai Caotang’s carriage.

Chen Yi slightly dispersed his spiritual energy, sensing no one nearby, then calmly asked, “Did Guo Huabei send you?”

Wang Ji bowed respectfully. “Yes, Guo Huabei said you had given prior instructions.”

Chen Yi nodded. “Take a detour to Chuanxi Street.”

Wang Ji instructed the cart driver, then added, “The several matters the elder brother mentioned this morning have been arranged.”

“The residences in Dongshi were purchased through a familiar tooth merchant from before; he’s since left the city for now.”

“Before departing, he bought three more residences, all near Chuandong Street.”

Chen Yi slightly bowed. “Make sure to clean them up thoroughly.”

Wang Ji’s heart stirred as he asked, “Sir, has something major about to happen in the city?”

Chen Yi glanced at him, offering no explanation, and commanded, “Have nothing to do with it.”

“Just manage the Bai Caotang well.”

“My lord, forgive me for speaking so freely.”

Soon, Chen Yi arrived at a residence on Chuanxi Street.

After Zhang Daobao completed his disguise, he summoned Liu Lang.

Not long after, Liu Lang rushed over.

“Boss, there’s news from Chunyu Tower.”

Chen Yi had expected this. “Tell me the details.”

“This morning, Hei Ya came to find me, asking me to inform you—they’re gathering at Chunyu Tower tonight.”

“Anything else?”

Liu Lang hesitated, “Nothing else—he only said that.”

Chen Yi turned his head slightly, prompting him, “The third floor.”

Liu Lang blinked, “I didn’t investigate the silver’s location.”

“Any anomalies?”

“Anomalies… there are some.”

“The third floor has several guards added—looks like they’re not from Chunyu Tower, but rather have some demonic aura.”

Chen Yi understood. Glancing at the bright sun outside the window, he mused, “Tonight, I’ll go there.”

“Though it might be later. Ask Hei Ya to explain.”

Liu Lang paused, “What are you planning to do?”

“I’m going to invite a honored guest to join me in going to the three towns…”

(The chapter ends here.)