Chapter 206: Sincerity Is the Ultimate Move

Chapter 206: Sincerity Is the Ultimate Move

What was that voice!?

Chen Yigu didn’t think twice, directly pulled aside the curtain to look outside.

Under the dim light of the sky, rain fell like a curtain.

A carriage approached from the front-left.

The horse was a short Southern one, calm and slow-moving.

The carriage body was a common reddish-brown wooden structure, plain and unadorned, with no family emblems or visible history.

Compared to the Chen Yigu household’s grand hall, it was clearly a world apart.

In this clash of sizes and opulence, as the two carriages crossed paths, Chen Yigu’s gaze met that of the person inside the other carriage.

How to describe that person’s appearance?

Brown hair slightly curled, rugged eyebrows, a pear-shaped face, a hooked nose, and gray eyes.

An obvious foreigner from the Poxi Suo region.

Yet he wore a simple, short-sleeved outfit typical of Wei Dynasty martial artists, not the garish, multicolored robes of his homeland.

Both remained unchanged, their expressions and faces the same.

The difference lay in their demeanor: Chen Yigu smiled gently, as if having just opened the curtain to admire the rainy scenery.

The man across from him, however, wore a blank face, his eyes cold and indifferent, as though seeing Chen Yigu no more than a mere passerby.

After the carriages passed, a low, deep voice echoed, “Hmph, the Xiao family…”

Chen Yigu lowered his gaze without a sound, closed the curtain, and thought, “Hmph, it was him.”

Chen Yigu wouldn’t forget that voice—raspy and deep, with an odd, rising inflection at the end.

He had once assumed it was a mountain dweller or someone from a dialect region far from the Central Plains.

Now he realized—the tone was the Poxi Suo accent, a lingering trace from their homeland after learning the Central Plains speech.

The Poxi Suo people…

Practitioners of the sinister art that manipulates the previous body to escape marriage…

It seemed the martial arts of the Poxi Suo were largely akin to demonic and evil methods.

There were alchemists who cultivated poison techniques by ingesting toxins, those who severed limbs to refine bone-melting arts, and others who specialized in forbidden head-binding practices.

Techniques to manipulate others’ minds also existed, though not entirely unheard of.

What troubled Chen Yigu, however, was not just the man’s Poxi Suo origin, but the reason behind his sabotage of the Xiao family’s marriage arrangement.

And in his recollection, the man’s disdainful words held a keen understanding of the Xiao family and Xiao Jinghong.

As Chen Yigu pondered these clues, an unfamiliar smile tugged at his lips.

At last, some threads began to unravel.

People feared the unknown.

For all known people or matters, there was always a way to resolve them—only a matter of time.

For Chen Yigu, the same applied.

He lacked nothing: methods to solve problems, and patience.

The only difference was whether one life or many needed to be taken.

At that moment, Xiao Wan’er noticed Chen Yigu’s distraction, her thoughts halting mid-sentence, lowering her head slightly, and whispering softly,

“You, do you think I’m a bit melancholic?”

Chen Yigu blinked, turned his head, and realized his wandering had caused her to overthink. He smiled and replied,

“If the mansion had more people like the eldest lady, there would be far fewer troubles.”

“Me?”

“Yes, the eldest lady is sensible, kind, respectful of elders, considerate of relatives, gentle with people, and impartial…”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er opened her mouth, her earlier sorrow fading by seventy percent, a faint blush spreading across her cheeks, “I, I don’t compare to your praise!”

“Everyone knows it, everyone is aware of it. If it weren’t for your diligent efforts in the mansion, even eating would be a problem, let alone the monthly allowance.”

“And you’re skilled in management, wise in acquiring wealth, handling all affairs in the mansion…”

In truth, Chen Yigu wasn’t adept at making girls happy.

He had no experience, no training in flirtation or emotional manipulation.

He knew nothing of skinship, of tugging at heartstrings.

The only thing he knew was sincerity.

Thus, under his sincere praise, Xiao Wan’er’s cheeks grew even rosier.

She tucked her hand beneath her sleeve, lifted it, then hesitated, wondering whether to cover Chen Yigu’s mouth.

Not that it was only her.

The two seated in the front of the carriage, Xiao Zhiyun and Shen Huatang, upon hearing such words, were left speechless.

Sister-in-law, second nephew, this mouth of his—shh, it’s too much!

Sister, second nephew, perhaps he wasn’t wrong. The young lady truly was like that.

Sister-in-law, sometimes the more accurate the words, the more they sink into the heart…

Clearly, Xiao Wan’er had taken it to heart.

After much hesitation, she extended her hand to silence Chen Yigu’s mouth, her face flushed with shyness, “No, please, stop saying it.”

Chen Yigu blinked, his gaze dipping downward, signaling he should say no more.

Xiao Wan’er quickly withdrew her hand, then tucked her head deep into her fur collar, leaving only her eyes wide and lost.

Seeing this, Chen Yigu also ceased his praise, lest she gasp for breath.

After a brief pause, he turned to the matter at hand: “Yesterday, I spoke at length with that Mr. Chen, and I’ve conveyed the eldest lady and the patriarch’s wishes. Mr. Chen…”

Chen Yigu noticed Xiao Wan’er quietly peeking out, her earlobes bright red, and let out a subtle sigh.

Xiao Wan’er, seeing him pause, couldn’t help but glance sideways at him.

Their eyes met, and Chen Yigu’s smile was half-lit, half-dark.

Xiao Wan’er, flustered, instinctively reached out to pinch his waist, scolding, “What did Mr. Chen say to you?”

Such a childish gesture—she’d never done it before.

She had clearly been flustered by Chen Yigu’s actions.

Chen Yigu, too, understood.

Earlier, his irritation from that Poxi Suo man had dissipated, his mood now calm.

Chen Boss said that Bai Caotang had already prepared to make the rounds in Shu Zhou, taking a look at the conditions in various places, so that they could coordinate with the authorities afterward.

He also mentioned that no matter the present or the future, Bai Caotang would always keep a watchful eye over you and the old patriarch, and the profit-sharing ratio could be discussed, though it would depend on the circumstances...

After all, these are just empty words; Chen Yi only said them off the top of his head.

In business, the final outcome still hinges on the written contract. Once signed, it would safeguard Bai Caotang’s interests with the Xiao family.

Xiao Wan’er had no real objections, and after slightly calming her spirits, her face no longer bore such a flush, she pondered aloud:

“What about Chen Boss’s background? Is there any issue?”

Chen Yi paused, weighing his words carefully: “I can’t say for sure.”

“But he’s a master of the medical arts; surely there can’t be any problems.”

“As far as I know, there aren’t many masters of the medical arts in the entire Daxi Dynasty. No one would dare let him cause trouble in front of you and the old patriarch.”

Xiao Wan’er stared at him in surprise: “A master of the medical arts? Chen Boss is so young, yet his skills are so remarkable?”

Chen Yi smiled: “It must be his teacher who’s particularly accomplished.”

Xiao Wan’er nodded, her eyes brightening as if something had just occurred to her: “Then tell me, can Chen Boss serve as a teacher at the Medical Academy—or perhaps even as its director?”

No.

Absolutely not.

Chen Yi nearly startled at her suggestion. He had been plotting and planning, and unwittingly, Xiao Wan’er was considering recruiting him as well.

If he had known that Xiao Wan’er was unaware of Chen Boss’s true identity, he would have found ways to sabotage the Medical Academy’s affairs.

Xiao Wan’er seemed to sense his unease, her brow furrowing with concern: “Why can’t he?”

Chen Yi’s thoughts raced: “It must be impossible.”

“Before departing, Chen Boss had promised his master—he would travel the four seas and save ten thousand lives.”

“So he can’t stay in Shu Zhou for the time being.”

“Really?”

“Of course. That night on the boat, Chen Boss said it plainly.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er could not help but show some surprise, praising him: “No wonder Chen Boss rarely appears in Shu Zhou; he has such grand ambitions.”

“If only I had his medical skills.”

Chen Yi muttered something under his breath, then consoled her: “Everyone has their own strengths, sister. There’s no need to envy others.”

“Besides, ‘Give a man a fish, and he will hunger for more; teach a man to fish, and he will never hunger.’ Once the doctors at the Medical Academy achieve their goals, how many lives could they save beyond that ten thousand?”

Xiao Wan’er nodded, her eyes glinting with anticipation, clearly envisioning the future establishment of the academy.

She then presented the blue-bound scroll to him: “Brother, these are the contents I’ve compiled over the past few days, based on what you mentioned earlier. Please take a look.”

Chen Yi would not refuse, and after quickly flipping through it, he felt a certain relief.

Should he say something?

The regulations Xiao Wan’er had compiled this time were quite detailed.

Not only had they categorized the matters they had previously discussed, but also recorded some precautions and ideas.

“Overall, there are no major issues. Specifics would need to be adjusted based on the academy’s structure—its director, teachers, and relevant texts.”

“That’s what I thought too, though there are a few points I’d like your opinion on.”

“For example, this one…”

They huddled over the scroll’s contents, with Xiao Wan’er mostly listening as Chen Yi spoke, her taking careful note.

When the carriage finally stopped at the Gui Yun Academy, Chen Yi closed the scroll, smiling: “A journey of a thousand li begins with a single step. Your sister has already taken that first step with these materials.”

Xiao Wan’er nodded, her eyes bright and smiling, her countenance as radiant as a just-bloomed snow lotus.

Beautiful beyond measure.

Chen Yi glanced at her twice before dismounting, gathering up those more than twenty lacquer boxes filled with calligraphy scrolls, preparing to deliver them to Master Yue.

At that moment, Xiao Wan’er followed suit, approaching the signboard bearing the characters “Gui Yun Academy,” hesitating slightly: “May I come in to see it?”

Chen Yi noticed her intent and nodded: “Of course.”

He then offered a more fitting reason: “It’s inconvenient for me to carry so many scrolls alone. Could you help me with them?”

“Certainly.”

Xiao Wan’er smiled, taking the two lacquer boxes, then instructed Shen Huaotang to help carry several more, keeping Yu Tingyun to guard the carriage.

Together, the three of them entered the academy.

Xiao Wan’er glanced at the boxes in her hands and said: “Earlier, Xiao Di mentioned a few things—apparently they were wrapped and packaged, didn’t expect them to be so elaborate.”

“These are for the exhibition hall?”

Chen Yi nodded:

“I’m not sure how much space Master Yue and others have prepared, so I wrote several extra, just in case.”

“If they wrote too many, your sister could keep them for now. If they wrote too few… well, then the directors can write a few more scrolls themselves.”

Upon hearing the word “keep,” Xiao Wan’er couldn’t help but recall the poem she had “borrowed” from Chen Yi’s studyroom, her ears reddening as she shrank back.

Chen Yi, unaware of her thoughts, nodded politely to the academy’s students as he led Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huaotang deeper into the grounds.

The students, whether familiar or not, bowed respectfully upon seeing Chen Yi.

But upon seeing Xiao Wan’er, many seemed a bit awkward.

Even those roving playboys, who prided themselves on their charm, all felt a sort of awe, as if encountering a celestial being.

“Is the woman beside Master Qingzhu his wife?”

“…That lady is Xiao Lao Hou’s granddaughter, Xiao Wan’er. She’s not Master Qingzhu’s wife.”

“Just as the rumors said—Xiao Wan’er is indeed stunning, but a pity…”

“What a pity, brother? What do you mean?”

“Alas, her red bloom is fleeting. I’ve heard Xiao Wan’er has been ill since childhood, and the finest physicians can’t cure her.”

“How is that possible? She… she…”

“If not for that, she wouldn’t still be secluded in the inner chambers until now. Oh, how heartrending.”

The students of Gui Yun Academy were mostly from Shu Zhou, so the Xiao family was hardly unknown to them.

To Xiao Lao Hou, Xiao Wan’er, and Xiao Jinghong, they were all well-known.

But Chen Yi, the Xiao family’s son-in-law, was the one who had just become familiar to the academy’s students.

Amidst the faint murmur of hushed discussions.

Chen Yi arrived within Master Yueming’s residence accompanied by Xiao Wan'er and Shen Huatang, only to find the place entirely deserted.

Upon inquiring with two passing scholars, he finally learned that Master Yueming and the others were gathered outside the academy’s library tower, reportedly preparing a new study hall.

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, murmuring to himself that they certainly moved with impressive speed.

It had been a mere three days since he discussed the exhibition hall with Master Yueming and the rest. Could it really be ready already?

On second thought, however, he surmised it was likely converted from an existing building, and so he dismissed the thought.

He then turned about with Xiao Wan'er and Shen Huatang, cradling the copybooks as they made their way toward the library tower.

Perhaps because she rarely visited such academic sanctuaries, Xiao Wan'er found everything about the place entirely novel.

As she surveyed her surroundings, she remarked with great interest, "Those talented young scholars all bow in respect to you."

Chen Yi nodded with a smile. "After all, I am now an instructor of the academy, making me their senior in rank."

"Yes, the literary aura here is so profoundly dense. If Wuge could study in a place like this, it would surely benefit him."

"Perhaps..."

He figured that if Xiao Wuge were to hear this news, the boy would undoubtedly leap straight from his room into the courtyard pond out of sheer joy.

In truth, Xiao Wan'er could hardly be blamed for her reaction.

From childhood to adulthood, her frail constitution meant she rarely ever stepped beyond the gates of the Xiao residence.

It was only after she journeyed to the Taoist temple on Mount Wumeng to harness the world's utmost yang energy to soothe the absolute yin severed meridians within her body that she was finally able to venture outside.

Even then, the number of times she left home each year could be counted on a single hand.

Most of those excursions were merely to purchase supplies or to visit medical halls and similar places.

As for the Guiyun Academy... this was the very first time Xiao Wan'er had ever set foot here.

Before long.

The trio located Master Yueming and his companions.

Just as Chen Yi had guessed, this study hall, measuring roughly five Zhang in length and width, had already been freshly plastered. The interior was completely vacant, supported by nothing but four central pillars.

After exchanging greetings with one another, Master Yueming pointed to the perimeter of the hall and inquired, "Qingzhou, take a look at this place. What do you think?"

Chen Yi scanned the room and nodded. "It will do well enough."

He harbored no extraordinary requirements for the exhibition hall; it merely needed to be spacious enough and bright enough.

After all, this was a place specifically dedicated to displaying calligraphic copybooks. If it were too cramped, it would inevitably make Guiyun Academy appear small-minded and petty.

"Since that is the case, I shall have men furnish this place properly in a short while."

As Master Yueming spoke, his eyes kept darting toward the brocade boxes held by Chen Yi and the two women.

Chen Yi understood well enough, so he distributed the dozen or so brocade boxes he held to Master Yueming, Master Zhuoying, and the others.

"The copybooks I previously promised to leave for this exhibition hall are all here."

Delight swept across Master Yueming’s face, and heedless of the current setting, he promptly opened one of the brocade boxes in his hands.

Instantly, a dense, shimmering glow illuminated the entire study hall.

A line of gleaming, golden characters in the Wei-Qing style faintly materialized from the copybook.

Master Yueming scanned the text, his eyes lighting up as he praised in admiration:

"The mountain of books has a path, diligence is the path; the sea of learning has no bounds, hardship is the boat..."

"Good, marvelous indeed. The calligraphy is exceptional, and the verses are beautifully crafted. They shall serve well to exhort the scholars of our academy."

Unable to wait any longer, Master Zhuoying also opened the copybook in his own hands, displaying it to the gathered crowd:

"The sharp edge of a sword comes from grinding; the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold."

"Qingzhou's Wei-Qing style is entirely natural and divinely formed. It will surely allow those scholars who visit the academy to gain great insight."

Several instructors nearby were mostly familiar with Chen Yi, and they offered plentiful praise for these copybooks.

Yet, there were two individuals dressed in long scholars' robes—one old, one young—standing to one side, watching in silence.

Seeing several copybooks pass by, all in the Wei-Qing style and all reaching the realm of grand mastery in calligraphy, the handsome youth among them could not help but mutter:

"What is so extraordinary about calligraphy of this level? Compared to my grandfather, it is not much superior."

As he spoke, he looked toward the elder beside him. "Uncle Han, if it is only like this, there was no need for me to travel thousands of miles from Yanzhou to Shuzhou, was there?"

Upon hearing this, the elderly man smiled wryly and signaled to him, "Zhaoye, do not speak nonsense. We shall discuss this matter later."

However, their conversation had already drawn the gaze of Master Yueming and the others.

Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er naturally noticed the presence of the pair, though they evidently had no inkling of their identities.

Master Yueming took a clear look at the two, paused for a brief moment, and stepped forward to introduce them. "Qingzhou, Lady Wan'er."

"These two are guests who have traveled from afar, from Yanzhou. Han Zhe, Han Zhangping. You may address him as Master Zhangping."

"He is an instructor at the Yuelu Academy, having deeply studied Confucianism for many years."

Chen Yi offered a formal bow, and once the elder named Han Zhe returned the gesture, their greetings were concluded.

Master Yueming continued his introduction, "As for this one..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the youth took a proactive step forward, bowing as he said, "Student Pei Zhaoye greets the masters."

Master Yueming paused, cast a brief glance at Han Zhe, and only then looked at Chen Yi, saying, "The Pei family of Yanzhou. Surely Qingzhou must have heard of them."

It was clear that as the head of the academy, he was rather displeased by Pei Zhaoye’s habit of interrupting at will.

Chen Yi, however, minded it little. After a moment of thought, he asked, "Could it be the 'Pei' of Master Pei Qiaosong from Yuelu Academy?"

Without waiting for Master Yueming to speak, the youth Pei Zhaoye lifted his chin proudly and said, "Precisely."

The crowd fell into a brief silence, though most did not pay it much heed.

After all, they were all men of learning; pulling rank based on age was not something they were inclined to do.

The only one displeased was Master Yueming, who, having been interrupted twice, already harbored a hint of vexation.

The elder, Master Han Zhangping, was naturally aware of this. He pulled the youth behind him and performed a deep bow:

"Zhaoye is young and callow. I hope Principal Yueming and the masters will not take offense."

Pei Zhaoye curled his lip, muttering to himself about how he hadn't done anything wrong.

Seeing this display, no matter how good Master Yueming's temper usually was, a spark of anger was ignited as he spoke bluntly:

"Zhangping, did you not just say that Qingzhou's calligraphy possesses no novelty?"

"Then how about taking a look at this piece in my hand?"