Chapter 274: Why Did He Hide (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 274 Why He Hid (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Chen Yi naturally knew nothing of the incident from last night when he had been seen by Bai Da Xian, yet he would not doubt the accuracy of the intelligence tip.

So, then.

He likely felt a certain regret—akin to choosing between watermelon and sesame, when both were within reach, yet only one was taken.

Even though Bai Da Xian had not pointed him out directly, the mere fact that he had managed to cultivate a friendship with Bai Da Xian would prove of immense benefit to his future.

It was the way of the times, the will of the heavens.

Chen Yi shook his head silently, and let the matter rest.

He glanced sideways at Chen Yunfan, and after a moment of thought, asked, "Brother, you haven’t eaten lunch yet, have you?"

Chen Yunfan raised an eyebrow and replied, "How—have you finally remembered that I’m standing here at the doorway of your brother’s pharmacy?"

Chen Yi fell silent, a rare, helpless laugh escaping him. He offered a nod to Liu Qu and the others, then led the way to a nearby tavern.

It was the same modest tavern where Xiao Wan’er had once brought him.

The place was small, the air thick with the scent of brewing and grilled meats.

Smoke and fire filled the air, and numerous figures from thejianghu sat crammed inside.

People from every corner of the world gathered there, and even the most reserved souls would be drawn in by the simple, lively atmosphere.

They’d chatted a bit, boasted a little, raised their cups in mutual respect, and drunk deeply.

Clearly, those who had originally come to pay respects to Bai Da Xian paid him no heed at all.

"Things have been quite lively in Shu Zhou lately."

"Bai Da Xian’s coming, so those bandits and barbarians will come too."

"Can’t be so hasty—if the barbarian tribes really do march into our lands again, they’ll bring destruction upon us."

"Indeed, better to speak of Bai Da Xian then..."

Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan, the two brothers, would not join in such idle chatter.

They had already seen Bai Da Xian.

They’d heard the tales of the King of the Moist and the Flower Kingdom, and the affairs of the barbarian tribes—all of which had been recounted before.

So they set aside their usual playful banter, sitting quietly and eating.

They spoke only now and then, and with their understanding and insight, a few words sufficed to convey much.

After three rounds of wine, Chen Yunfan set down his cup and smiled, saying, "Before coming to Shu Zhou, the last time we sat at the same table was five years ago."

"Back then, Father had just set out for the Western Regions."

"You had returned from Jinling."

"Mother had prepared a feast, inviting you, me, and the younger brothers, as well as the older ones."

When he spoke of this, Chen Yunfan looked at Chen Yi with a touch of nostalgia, continuing, "I’d always thought we’d meet again in the Prefecture of the Capital, perhaps even on that imperial platform."

"Unexpectedly, after that meal, when I went out to study, I didn’t expect to meet you again here in Shu Zhou."

Chen Yi smiled back at his gaze, "It is the will of time."

In his mind, the scene from that night resurfaced—

Cui Yu smiled gently, her expression the same for him as for the other brothers.

Chen Yunfan scratched his head, recounting the poem he’d written to bid farewell to Chen Xuanji.

The fourth brother, Chen He, was half a year older than Chen Yi, born of another concubine of Chen Xuanji.

He’d always been strong and robust, with a remarkable talent for martial arts. By fifteen, he’d already achieved seven ranks of cultivation.

At every meal, he spoke the least and ate the most.

The sixth brother, Chen Yu, was a year younger than Chen Yi, a younger sibling of Chen Yunfan by the same mother.

He disliked martial arts and didn’t enjoy studying, preferring instead the pleasures of the world.

What had begun as an ordinary dinner had, inexplicably, led to their imprisonment in the storeroom the next day.

Now, looking back, Chen Yi had begun to notice something amiss.

There were details about the incident that seemed odd, suspicious.

Chen Yunfan, ever untroubled, poured two more cups of wine and said, "It matters little now. What’s done is done—let it remain in the wine."

Chen Yi came to, lifted his cup, and clinked it against Chen Yunfan’s.

"Cheers."

They drank in unison, raised their heads, and smiled at each other. Then they picked up their chopsticks and began eating again.

"I hear you married into the Xiao family since then—has Xiao Jinghong been staying out much?"

"Yes, her military duties keep her close to the front lines, hard to get away."

"Is that truly the case, or is she deliberately avoiding you?"

"Perhaps... both."

"How do you feel about her?"

"Wait—let your elder brother guess—do you like her, or not?"

Chen Yi hesitated, a rare, uncertain expression crossing his face.

After a moment, he spoke plainly, "Yes."

Though he’d only met Xiao Jinghong once, he still remembered that afternoon clearly.

He stood by the pond, holding a worm in his hand.

In the soft, yellowed sunlight, he saw her silhouette.

She was graceful and extraordinary.

Even though he’d said nothing, the marriage had already been settled, Xiao Jinghong was destined to be his wife for life.

After all, he was a man of leisure, but he wouldn’t repay kindness with malice.

As long as he hadn’t wronged the Xiao family, he wouldn’t think of leaving.

Perhaps it was just as things were meant to be.

After all, this was his home.

Thinking this, Chen Yi turned to Chen Yunfan and said, "You tell me—how about you and Cui Xiaojie?"

Chen Yunfan’s playful thoughts vanished, his voice tinged with a quiet sigh, "I don’t know."

Pausing for a moment, he spoke with an air of solemnity. "If I truly reflect upon it, it is not Qingwu whom I despise, but rather the alliance between the Chen and Cui families."

An alliance...

The realization dawned upon Chen Yi, who now gathered the true measure of his companion's heart.

Perhaps in Chen

If you want to buy grain, go ahead—how much silver could it cost you?

The landlord?

I’ve returned. You wait here.

Chen Yi tipped his head without a reply and strode off.

He naturally understood the reasons for the fluctuations in the afternoon’s grain prices.

To the front, Liu Rongwang and Ji Li had been quietly buying in bulk; to the back, Cui Qingwu had made a strong entry.

Those in the grain trade would naturally respond accordingly.

Either they would sell off their stockpiles en masse right then, or they’d have to curry favor with Cui Qingwu, securing a share of the profits.

Clearly, those few grain merchants were still greedy—choosing to scoff at Cui Qingwu’s entry.

Fine then.

What a waste of my plans if they simply let it go.

Chen Yi thought these things through and hurried to the West Market Bai Caotang.

Wang Ji had been waiting there for quite some time, leading him to a quiet room upstairs.

Chen Yi didn’t waste words. “Has the Duke’s office replied yet?”

Wang Ji bowed and said, “My lord, just now a messenger from the Duke’s household staff arrived with a report.”

“The Duke has been unwell lately, so he wishes to meet you in five days.”

As he spoke, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

Whether the old Duke was truly ill, Chen Yi, this light skipper of a gentleman, couldn’t help but know.

This reply was merely an excuse.

Chen Yi nodded without surprise.

“The news from Shuzhou about the Manchu northward advance has the Duke rightly worried.”

Thankfully, this time it was merely to confirm a meeting time, not urgent.

After all, five days was just enough.

Sufficient to tie up loose ends.

Thinking this through, Chen Yi continued, “Has the money from Master Jia been sent to Liu Huwei?”

Wang Ji nodded. “By the time it arrived, I’d already delivered it to them, and led them to another warehouse.”

“Just…”

He hesitated. “But Liu Huwei’s side doesn’t seem to have succeeded—they went to several farms outside the city and haven’t received any grain.”

Chen Yi furrowed his brow slightly, then smoothed it out. “It seems these power brokers in Shuzhou have their own private interests.”

At such times, there were only two reasons for not selling grain: either their households were too full-handed, with surplus not enough, or they believed the price too low, waiting for it to rise again.

Clearly, the latter possibility was greater.

Let them proceed.

“Next, you’ll do one more thing on my behalf…”

Wang Ji paused, blinking in surprise, his expression a mix of confusion.

“My lord, you… what if someone finds out?”

Chen Yi waved his hand. “Just pretend to go through the motions.”

“Of course, this matter must be done as secretly as possible.”

Wang Ji nodded hesitantly, suppressing his unease, and took the task under his wing.

“My lord can rest assured. I’ll see it done properly.”

“Good. If you lack confidence, contact Zhang Daobao—he’ll tell you how to proceed.”

“Yes…”

After giving his orders, Chen Yi didn’t linger long and returned to the Xiao family.

As Wang Ji escorted him out of Bai Caotang, he paused for a moment, then bit his lip hard and summoned two guards to accompany him.

Everything now was under Chen Yi’s command.

Of course, he couldn’t refuse.

Besides, he’d long understood Chen Yi’s power and dared not do anything beyond what was asked.

“Do hope my lord doesn’t overstep.”

“If it’s discovered, well… that would be troublesome…”

Chen Yi knew why Wang Ji hesitated.

But to achieve his schemes, both strategy and guile were required.

Only through dual methods could the play be made to seem real.

“Time to calculate, Zhang Daobao’s side should be departing soon.”

“Hmph. Hope they can endure it…”

…

Before nightfall.

Chen Yi returned to the Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Wugou and Xiao Diao were waiting in the courtyard.

One practiced stances, the other cheered from the sidelines.

“Master, your progress is rapid—this stance practice is truly excellent.”

“Uncle Xiao also says the same, hehe…”

In the midst of laughter, they saw Chen Yi approaching and rushed over to greet him.

“Brother, you’ve finally returned—come see how my stance practice stands!”

“Aunt Xiao, Lady Xiao just said dinner’s been sent over there.”

Chen Yi nodded, then patted Xiao Wugou’s shoulder with a smile. “This stance practice is one no one else can master.”

The stances, named “Small Yellow Teahouse,” were clearly a Xiao family secret.

Even he could discern some flaws, but he wouldn’t call them out so plainly.

Yet seeing Xiao Wugou somewhat disappointed, Chen Yi smiled and added, “Since Uncle praised you, it means you’ve been doing well lately.”

"I think so too."

"What more? Just compliments, nothing more. Can't be arrogant or complacent."

"Don't worry, brother-in-law..."

Not long after, Chen Yi finished washing up and changed into a light outfit, bringing Xiao Gun and Xiao Die to Jiaxing Yuan.

As soon as Fu Yi saw Xiao Wan'er, he noticed her holding a letter, smiling and saying,

"Xiao Er's younger sister has sent a letter."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, taking the letter while asking,

"What did she say?"

"Xiao Er said, the market in the neighboring city will soon be completed, and she'll be returning to Shu Zhou soon."

"Returning?"

Chen Yi opened the letter and began to read.

[My lord, your kind attention is requested.]

[Recently, Hongbao has been occupied with the Wuyang market, and has seldom replied. I hope you can understand.]

[Fortunately, the mountain people have lent a hand, the market is not far from completion, about a month and a half, Hongbao will soon set off to inspect the three towns...]

At this point, Chen Yi turned his head to glance at Xiao Wan'er.

"Soon returning?"

"Probably, she'll pass through the prefecture city on her way to inspect the three towns..."

(Chapter End)