Chapter 257: I, I Will Take Revenge! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 257: I, I Seek Revenge! (Please vote monthly)

In the blink of an eye, five days had swiftly passed.

The weather in Shuzhou shifted from clear skies to overcast.

Gray clouds loomed like rolling waves, stretching endlessly, with a pale halo around the sun barely visible.

The wind did not blow, leaving the city slightly stifling.

Just as the people traveling between the east and west markets felt a touch of sorrow on their faces.

"The price of grain has risen again."

"Five days ago, a stone of fine grain cost five silver dollars. Three days later, it climbed to two. Today, the Lin family's granary opened at a price of two silver seven cents."

"In my opinion, tomorrow it might go up to three silver dollars per stone of grain."

"Damn it, these greedy merchants!"

"When grain prices fell, they were slow to lower them, but when they rose, they did so at a racing pace!"

"If this continues, we'll run out of food at home."

"Oh, my child had been grumbling all these days, saying his stomach was hungry. I can only carry a day's worth of sandbags to buy him a bowl of noodles..."

Such conditions naturally drew the people's complaints.

Especially the poor and destitute.

They toiled day and night, earning just enough to eat a single meal, let alone feed a family.

"Damn it, wasn't this year's harvest supposed to be good in Shuzhou? Why is there a grain shortage?"

"Well, it was good, but natural disasters and human misfortunes can't be helped."

"Not long ago, heavy rains caused the Red River to breach the levees downstream, flooding three counties' fields."

"If the Governor hadn't sent a decree, allowing the county offices in those areas to distribute grain, they would have faced famine."

"And to add to that, in our city..."

"It's said that the eastern market's granary was burned a few days back, forcing the merchants to raise prices out of desperation."

"Who told you that?"

"I heard it was because the grain in Tie Bi Town was burned, and Lord Xiao bought a large quantity to replenish supplies, causing the price hikes at several granaries."

"Lord Xiao? Impossible!"

"Yesterday morning, someone from the Xiao family had already posted a notice at the office, stating that the military supplies in the three towns had other sources. How could it be the Xiao family?"

"They said, 'Believe it or not?' I said, 'I believe it was them.'"

"Hmph, even the Xiao family dares to fabricate stories. I think you've gotten soft!"

"You... Hey? Wait a minute, I... I was wrong..."

What seemed like a farce was, in fact, a recurring occurrence in all parts of the city.

Most people naturally didn't believe the Xiao family was responsible for the grain price hikes, but as more people spoke, some inevitably followed blindly.

Especially the hungry, they would point their fingers at the Xiao family and the merchants in the east and west markets.

Regarding this situation,

the Xiao family knew the truth, but the majority's opinion would sway everyone, so they posted notices and couldn't stop all the people's tongues.

"My lord, do you think those people are doing this on purpose?"

Xiao Di clenched her fists, her voice filled with righteous indignation:

"Even though the three elders had already posted notices at the office entrance, they still refused to believe it, insisting that the burning of grain in Tie Bi Town and Lord Xiao's purchase of a large quantity were the cause of the price hikes."

Chen Yi stood at the desk, drawing on the paper with a brush while smiling:

"My dear, don't listen to those from outside the city. Just hear what they say, don't argue with them."

"Now, with grain prices in the city rising by several times, many people can't eat properly, their hearts filled with anger and nowhere to vent, naturally they'll be exploited by those with ill intentions."

Xiao Di's expression softened slightly, asking: "My lord, do you mean someone is stoking the fire behind the scenes?"

"Perhaps."

"Anyway, when the sky falls, someone tall will stand on top to hold it up. This matter should be resolved by the elders in the city."

Chen Yi said, finished drawing a sketch, set down his brush, and dried the ink on the cloud-shaped paper with a pine branch.

These days, he spent most of his time practicing his art, mastering the skills of ink wash, outline drawing, and color painting to a proficient level.

He could use ink wash to depict vast mountains and rivers, outline drawing to capture a person's features, and color painting similarly.

However, he had yet to reveal his artistic prowess, unsure of the effects when infusing the spirit of the world into his paintings.

Since Xiao Wanyu didn't press him, he also didn't rush to complete the portrait of the Xiao family's main household.

Chen Yi glanced at it, nodded approvingly, and called to Xiao Di: "Look, how does it look?"

Xiao Di stopped mid-sentence, leaned forward to look at the painting, her eyes widening with doubt.

After seeing the portrait clearly, she opened her mouth slightly, pointing at herself:

"My lord, this... is it me?"

Chen Yi smiled and nodded, handing her the painting: "A gift for you."

Xiao Di took it, her heart filled with joy: "Thank you, my lord."

She looked at it again and again, her face flushing with two red cheeks.

"Though you've drawn me very beautifully, my lord. Xiao Di isn't this pretty, is she?"

"And look, why is the Xiao Di in the picture wearing a yellowish-yellow dress? Today, Xiao Di has already changed into a thicker jacket!"

Chen Yi gathered up the desk's clutter, smiling: "Why so many questions? Just take it."

He didn't tell Xiao Di that his deepest impression of her was from when she was confined.

That time, Xiao Di's appearance was cute, but it also captivated him completely.

Day after day, she stared at him while copying the Xiao family's regulations.

He feared he would never forget it in his lifetime.

Xiao Di didn't think of that, assuming he had drawn her more beautifully, her face still flushed red.

"My lord, your painting is truly excellent."

"Is it excellent because of your painting, or because you're pretty?"

"Of course, of course, it's because your painting is good..."

After a few jokes.

Chen Yi also organized his study, then went outside to the wooden pavilion, looking up at the sky:

"I'll go out for a trip. You stay in the garden."

Xiao Di heard the sound and hastily followed after him, handing him the umbrella hanging beneath the door lintel:

“Uncle, it might rain today. It would be better to take an umbrella.”

She did not ask where Chen Yi had gone, her thoughts still lingering on the painting.

Chen Yi took the umbrella, gave a few instructions, and left the Spring Lotus Garden with quiet steps.

In these days, he spent most of his time at the Xia Family’s mansion.

During this period, he had only once left when transferring Shu A Su and the man named Ceng Zhi Feng from Liu Hong to a residence on Chuanxi Street.

At all other times, he painted by day and practiced the Way of Martial Arts by night, going to the Guixing Academy to teach the Way of Literature at the appointed hour.

A life untroubled by worldly affairs.

Yet in truth,

Chen Yi had long been gathering information about the city’s affairs through various channels.

The rising grain prices, the actions of several grain merchants, the Xia Family’s responses, and Liu Hong’s movements.

The first three were hardly worth mentioning, almost exactly as he had anticipated.

But Liu Hong’s side was different.

Chen Yi had not expected him to be so reckless.

To find Shu A Su, in five days, the magistrate’s office, the execution bureau, and the city guards had practically turned the entire city upside down.

Searching house to house.

Had it not been for Chen Yi’s timely response, and ordering Zhang Da Bao to dig a cellar at the residence on Chuanxi Street, Shu A Su and Ceng Zhi Feng had been moved there together.

By himself, Bai Meng Lu would have long since been discovered by those officials, tracing Shu A Su’s footprints.

This was not all.

What concerned Chen Yi most was that some strangers had suddenly appeared in the city.

In Liu Rong’s words, those people came out by day and hid by night, their strength not ordinary.

Though most of them were low-ranking martial artists, their equipment was far more refined than ordinary folk in the martial world.

They seemed more like soldiers from an army.

Adding to this, their cultivation techniques were unusual, possessing combo skills, few in the martial world could counter them.

At first, Chen Yi suspected they were disciples of the Five Poison Sect.

But after personally observing them, he determined these elusive individuals were all under Liu Hong. Knowing that the Xia Family held an official title and commanded the military of Shuzhou, yet only had three hundred personal guards, without maintaining private armies.

Liu Hong, by comparison, was more formidable.

“Maintaining private armies, hah, Liu Hong’s courage is truly not ordinary.”

Chen Yi pondered these matters, a smile gradually forming on his face.

If not for this, his plans would have been far less effective.

Not long after,

Chen Yi arrived at the courtyard, spotting Xiao Wan Er and Cui Qing Wu approaching from afar.

Behind them, following, were Shen Hua Ting and Cui Qing Wu’s maid, Huan Er.

They spoke and laughed as they walked.

Chen Yi stopped, waiting for them to draw near, then bowed slightly: “Lady Cui, Sister Xiao.”

Xiao Wan Er had seen him early, her smile brighter than ever, asking:

“Brother-in-law, are you going out?”

Chen Yi smiled: “Time flies. The Bai Caotang had gone to Guangyuan to investigate before, likely received some news. I’m going to ask.”

Xiao Wan Er paused, then suddenly said:

“It must be Yan Hai, the landlord?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Then you’d better go quickly and return quickly.”

Chen Yi shook his head, about to leave, when Cui Qing Wu spoke up:

“I’ve heard there’s some chaos in the city now. Mr. Qin Zhe, going out of the mansion alone, should be careful.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan Er took it to heart, her voice tinged with worry:

“Xiao Qing Wu’s words are true. The city has erupted in unrest due to the rising grain prices.”

“Brother-in-law, perhaps let the personal guards drive the carriage for you.”

Chen Yi nodded with a smile, not refusing.

As he spoke, he cast a silent glance at Cui Qing Wu.

Seeing her smiling, as if merely offering a casual warning, Chen Yi felt a strange suspicion.

How could his brother-in-law, Chen Yun Fan, who hadn’t even entered the house, seem to harbor some resentment toward him?

Though not much, he could sense it.

He didn’t know, these days, Chen Yun Fan had often been speaking of his name behind Cui Qing Wu’s ear.

Making her increasingly annoyed, unable to find a reason to explain.

Thus, she had said those things now.

What did she mean?

She didn’t have many ill intentions.

Just wanted to check through the Xia Family’s white tiger guards whether Chen Yi had met Chen Yun Fan privately.

Chen Yi, unaware of this, confirmed he had not compromised himself, so he didn’t dwell on it further.

After bidding farewell to the others, he went to the courtyard, greeting Liu Si Er, then mounted a carriage to go to the Bai Caotang.

After giving an excuse and dismissing Liu Si Er,

Chen Yi had Zhang Da Bao directly deliver him to the residence on Chuanxi Street.

After a thorough search, the situation in Shuzhou city had improved.

He should go meet the son of the tribal left king, Shu A Su, and Liu Hong’s guard.

About half an hour later,

Chen Yi completed his disguise, donning a black overcoat, a black iron mask on his face.

Bai Meng Lu could feel her eyes burning, wanting Zhang Da Bao to disguise her as well.

Chen Yi found it difficult to refuse her, so he agreed.

“The disguise is fine. For the coming days, you should appear in this form, it’ll help avoid people discovering your identity.”

Bai Meng Lu sat upright, letting Zhang Da Bao apply a mask as thin as a cicada’s wing, saying: “Brother, you just be at ease.”

“These days, I’ve kept my doors closed and windows sealed, afraid any trouble might affect your affairs, I’ve been driven nearly mad.”

Chen Yi saw her lips puffed out, nearly ready to hang an oil lamp, and smiled to comfort her.

He promised her some rewards once things settled down, and so on.

"What kind of benefits?"

"When the time comes, you'll know."

Chen Yi rarely made such promises, fearing he might fail and bring trouble upon himself.

But with Hu Diao Tou, he felt no such worry.

After all, based on his understanding of her, even a simple painting would make her happy.

They chatted idly.

Chen Yi then ordered Bai Mu to stay outside, and took his seat in the quiet chamber beneath the earroom bed.

In the dim light of yellowed candles, the small chamber held a long bed.

Three figures lay sprawled upon it: Lü Jiān, Asu Tài, and Zeng Zhi Feng.

All three were deep in a drunken slumber from the divine wine.

Chen Yi scanned the room, then drove a silver needle into Asu Tài’s body at several acupoints.

After a simple twist, Asu Tài blinked awake, his eyes cloudy, and weakly sat up.

He spotted Chen Yi’s figure and his dark face instantly showed suspicion.

"You—you—what, a person?!"

Asu Tài’s voice was clearly off, his tone awkward and strange, his words muddled.

Chen Yi understood, sat cross-legged across from him, his exposed eyes subtly observing.

Asu Tài’s frame was nearly identical to his own.

His face, though rugged, bore the youthful features of a typical young Wei dynasty man.

Yet the crude brand mark on his cheek and the weariness from hardship lent him an older appearance.

After sizing him up, Chen Yi waved him down, saying, "It doesn’t matter who I am—just know I’m here to help you."

"Help, help me?"

Asu Tài glared viciously: "A Wei person—untrustworthy!"

Chen Yi merely chuckled, realizing he still harbored resentment over the incident where the nearby Zeng Zhi Feng had killed his kin.

He thought a moment, then pointed at Zeng Zhi Feng: "I’m not like him."

"All of us are Wei people—what, then, is different?"

"He’s tainted by the Ma bandits and Pò Shì Suo Guo, while I am not."

Asu Tài’s face flushed, then he stared sharply at Zeng Zhi Feng, baring his teeth in a low growl:

"Bandits—kill!"

Without hesitation, he punched Zeng Zhi Feng’s abdomen.

Chen Yi blinked, yet did not move to stop him.

Zeng Zhi Feng, though now stripped of his cultivation, still possessed a body of considerable strength, enough to withstand a blow.

Though perhaps not entirely.

Chen Yi, after all, had ways to preserve his life here.

Asu Tài cared little for such concerns, and without a second thought, unleashed a flurry of punches, hammering Zeng Zhi Feng into a trembling heap.

Even under the influence of the divine wine, Zeng Zhi Feng’s eyes danced with each blow.

Seeing Asu Tài in such a killing frenzy, Chen Yi waved his hand, sending a palm wind that pushed him back.

"Enough. He’s useful for now, but you can’t kill him yet."

Asu Tài panted heavily, his copper-bell eyes blazing with bloodshot veins.

"Then you may—let me—kill him?"

"If you agree to my conditions, I’ll give you a chance for revenge—how’s that?"

"I—I want to avenge!"

(The chapter ends.)