Chapter 21: Brother-in-Law Is Really Nice

Chapter 21: Brother, You’re Really Not Bad at All

“Me, you, go far away, hahaha... Brother, you’re more vulgar than a few of my aunties in the clan.”

Glancing at the irrepressible Pei Wanlu, Chen Yimo silently surveyed his surroundings.

His intent in penning those few lines on the sealed letter was simple: to rouse the slumbering serpent, to rein in those so-called “hidden guards.”

Whoever laid eyes on the letter, spotting the two classic curses scrawled across its surface, would instantly deduce their location had been compromised, setting in motion investigations, probes, and relentless pursuits.

Whatever plans they’d hatched, whatever schemes they’d plotted, would be derailed by this unexpected twist.

More crucially, it bought him precious time.

Once he was certain no threats lingered nearby, Chen Yimo’s fingers closed around Pei Wanlu’s face, pressing gently but firmly. “Stop smiling.”

Pei Wanlu, her laughter forcibly stilled, sniffled and pleaded: “Husband, I won’t smile anymore.”

Chen Yimo released her, murmuring softly, “I need your help with something.”

Pei Wanlu rubbed her slightly numb cheeks, her speaking eyes wide with curiosity. “Have you seen this sealed letter? It’s here. Someone will come for it later.”

“I need you to guard it, to observe who takes it and how.”

Had Chen Yimo not been truly without allies, had he not been so deeply entangled, he would never have entrusted such a critical matter to Pei Wanlu.

But circumstances...

Well, let this be a test, an assessment of her worth.

If she performed diligently, perhaps she could be deemed a fit assistant.

Pei Wanlu’s eyes lit up, gripping his hand with fervor: “An inside traitor in Duhou Mansion? Excellent, excellent!”

Chen Yimo’s eyelids drooped, pushed her palms away with a shake of his hand, cautioning, “Just verify their identity. Don’t interfere further.”

“Those people hold special roles and have lingered unseen within Duhou Mansion for years—likely powerful cultivators. Approaching them recklessly is perilous.”

“Rest assured, Brother. I may not excel at much else, but hiding one’s form and presence... that I’m adept at.” Pei Wanlu patted her chest, the faint chime of a decorative bell echoing softly.

Before Chen Yimo could speak, a voice boomed from outside the garden.

“Huh? Did I just hear a bell?”

“The wind chimes beneath the lanterns in Duhou Mansion’s quarters are always tinkling. The real question is identifying the thief who’s breached the mansion.”

“Catch him—I’ll handle him myself!”

“...”

Pei Wanlu shyly tucked her head, clutching the bell around her neck like a nest for an ostrich.

Chen Yimo chuckled inwardly, giving her a once-over—her odd, mismatched attire, her delicate feet. “Find a place to stay quietly. I’ll bring you meals during the day.”

Pei Wanlu’s face brightened. “Understood, Brother!”

Chen Yimo lingered not a moment longer. In the hush of night, his form glided back to the Lotus Pond Garden.

Pei Wanlu watched him vanish, her round, cherubic face alight with a smile, her hands waving joyfully.

She’d arrived at Xiao Fu’s mansion to celebrate Old Duke Xiao’s birthday, and already found herself entangled in such matters.

Hehe, the mountain maiden finally noticed her.

When she finished aiding Brother Chen, if her cultivation breakthrough came, would Sister Xiao Hong and Ah Ma still underestimate her?

Thinking this, Pei Wanlu scouted for a hiding spot, glancing back toward the Lotus Pond Garden, her heart murmuring:

Brother, you’re really not bad at all.

Sister Xiao Hong’s luck—finding a husband like this.

Back in her chamber, Chen Yimo lay quietly, his rest untroubled by the same fervor as Pei Wanlu’s.

Instead, curiosity gnawed at him—those “hidden guards” within Xiao Fu’s mansion, what purpose did they serve?

From Liu Si’er’s time there, it seemed unrelated to the one who’d orchestrated his escape from marriage.

Chen Yimo shook his head. “Can’t jump to conclusions yet.”

Yet tracing Liu Si’er’s path, he could uncover other “hidden guards” lurking in Xiao Fu’s mansion and throughout Shu Zhou. Through them, he’d learn their identities and aims.

After that...

Chen Yimo frowned slightly. His standing within Duhou Mansion, even if he uncovered their whereabouts, action would be constrained.

Better to wait until he’d seen Xiao Hong himself, then decide.

With Xiao Hong’s current status in the Xiao family, he’d resolve those “hidden guards” with ease.

With that thought, Chen Yimo steadied his spirit, slipping into slumber.

…

Before dawn’s first hour had passed, Xiao Duo had risen early, bringing a basin of cold water to Chen Yimo’s chamber.

Finding him still asleep, she paused, her footsteps light, setting the basin down gently, then standing at the window to gaze outward.

Only when she saw the armored figure of Wang Li xing approaching through the garden did she softly nudge Chen Yimo:

“Brother-in-law, wake up—Wang Guard is here.”

Half-asleep, Chen Yimo blinked awake, sitting up to peer outside. With Xiao Duo’s assistance, he donned his robes.

She smoothed his collar, asking, “Brother-in-law, has Wang Guard and his team found the thief who breached the mansion yet?”

Chen Yimo: “Probably not. But I suspect... he doesn’t pose much threat to the mansion.”

Pei Wanlu’s martial skills were no match for his own—if Wang Li xing and his men tracked her down, she’d likely end up in the mansion’s dungeon until Xiao Hong returned to rescue her.

“Brother-in-law is right. Wang Guard and his men are seasoned warriors, having slain countless barbarians. They’ll soon corner any scoundrel.”

Chen Yimo nodded, wiping his face with a handkerchief, then stepped outside.

“The sky’s still overcast. Let Xiao Duo rest a while longer; no need to wake him yet.”

“Understood. I’ll fetch breakfast for you both.”

Chen Yimo paused mid-step. “Bring twice as much as yesterday. These days I’ve been practicing pillar work intensely—it’s quite exhausting.”

Xiao Duo smiled, taking note.

Brother-in-law’s been working harder.

Good. That way, he won’t have to report to the Xuan Jia Army through the two elders.

Stepping out of the chamber, Chen Yimo nodded to Wang Li xing.

The two returned to the bamboo grove by the pond.

Wang Li xing swept his lantern-lit gaze across the area, spotting a clear set of footprints. He smiled:

“Brother-inlaw, your diligence must be paying off. Soon you’ll master bone and sinew, reaching the ninth grade below.”

“Hope so.”

Chen Yì noticed his gaze, moving silently around the bamboo grove, his hands and feet active as he erased each footprint from the ground.

It seemed the tribe Pei Lanlu belonged to was truly broke from head to toe, unable to even wear a single pair of shoes.

No wonder they’d gone to Xiao Jinghong to discuss the matter of an “open market.”

Thinking this, Chen Yì glimpsed Wang Lihang watching nearby and continued to affect his usual lazy demeanor.

It wasn’t that he lacked the desire to cultivate the art of the great cannon pole, but now that his skill had matured, he feared Wang Lihang might spot any flaws.

Polishing silver dollars, Chen Yì asked in passing, “Had they caught the bandit last night?”

“They let him escape.”

“Heard he came in via poison?”

“Let the master have a laugh,” Wang Lihang replied with a flush of embarrassment. “That scoundrel’s truly vile—during the shift change, he used hallucinogenic smoke to knock out every armored soldier along the road.”

Chen Yì smiled, thinking Pei Lanlu still had some cleverness.

Though poison and dizziness drugs could serve as a means of self-defense.

If the chance arose, he’d fetch some from her—might come in handy later.

Meanwhile.

Pei Lanlu was unaware she’d captured Chen Yì’s attention.

She crouched in a tree at the Jia Xing Estate, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on the pavilion’s direction.

For the task Chen Yì had assigned her, she was fully committed.

Not sleeping a wink all night, she felt no drowsiness, her eyes wide open, fearing she’d miss the one coming to collect the sealed letter.

She need not wait long.

Almost as Chen Yì and Wang Lihang were chatting idly, the gate of Jia Xing Estate was pushed open by someone outside, a hunchbacked figure dragging a wooden cart into the courtyard.

He walked slowly, occasionally clutching his mouth and coughing softly, as if ill.

After circling once, he set his belongings down by the cart and glanced left and right before heading toward the pavilion.

Pei Lanlu watched his approach and felt a nameless thrill: “There he is!”

(End of chapter)