Chapter 286: Love Fills the Entire City's Autumn (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 286: Autumn Filled with Love (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

Huan Er had prepared the car and horses.

After Cui Qingwu mounted the carriage and departed from the manor, she paused as they passed through the courtyard. "Stop the carriage," she said, her voice soft but firm.

Huan Er tightened the reins. "Madam?"

"Hand me an umbrella."

"Of course."

Cui Qingwu dismounted, gave a couple of brief instructions to wait a moment, then stepped into the courtyard, lifting the oil-paper umbrella with practiced ease.

As before.

In the courtyard, beside the faux mountain and pond, the training ground enclosed by gray-tiled, white-walled structures was where Qing Meng, Ning Yu, and Niushan stood beneath their umbrellas, watching the scene below.

Chen Yunfan, clad only in trousers, bare-chested and drenched, practiced his sword forms in the rain.

Cui Qingwu glanced up, her cheeks faintly flushed, then lowered her umbrella to shield her eyes.

Seeing her, the three women immediately bowed. "Miss Cui!"

Cui Qingwu nodded, joining their side, her gaze fixed on Chen Yunfan.

Unlike before, he no longer refined his sword techniques with flamboyant flourishes. Instead, he returned to basics—simple thrusts, slashes, and parries.

They seemed elementary, yet each stroke carried an effortless grace, as though that figure and his longsword had merged seamlessly with the rain itself, leaving no trace of discord.

Cui Qingwu watched, her expression shifting to one of quiet astonishment. "Yunfan—his swordplay… it’s nearing its breakthrough, isn’t it?"

She, too, had cultivated the sword path, though only to the minor completion stage. Yet she could still sense the subtle stirrings of the Dao.

—A power surpassing even the major completion realm.

The three women exchanged glances. Ning Yu broke the silence first. "Perhaps Sir Chen has reached some insights these days. A breakthrough may not be far off."

She spoke cautiously, using the word "perhaps."

To Cui Qingwu, however, it felt as though Chen Yunfan’s mastery of the sword path was merely a matter of time before he attained the Mature Realm.

The martial world valued profound understanding above all.

Some attained the ultimate realm with a single enlightenment.

Others labored their entire lives without breaking through.

Such was the way of things.

And Chen Yunfan—he stood at the threshold of the Mature Realm, needing only the right catalyst.

"Yunfan’s been working so hard…"

She gazed once more at him, still immersed in his training, then turned to leave.

"I have matters to attend to. When Yunfan has time, I’ll come again."

She had resolved herself to retreat into seclusion for cultivation once her duties were done.

The ultimate goal of reaching the Mature Realm’s perfection remained distant, but she would not rush it.

Ning Yu watched her depart, then relaxed her posture after a moment. She raised a hand in a subtle gesture, signaling that the secret of the "White Clothes" method—capable of being passed to Chen Yunfan but never revealed to outsiders—had been successfully transmitted.

Especially not to Cui Qingwu.

Even though she was Chen Yunfan’s fiancée, it could not be allowed.

After all, the Cui family of Qinghe—were they not a lamp that never needed oil?

...

Changyuan Barony’s Spring Lotus Garden.

Unlike the diligent Chen Yunfan, Chen Yi appeared far more at ease.

He sat upright in the reading chair, eyes fixed on the pages of a book titled *The Biography of Sang Moon*.

Rain fell steadily, a steady drumming sound.

The spacious study was lit by four oil lamps, their light bright and steady.

A gap in the carved window allowed a draft to slip in, causing the candle flames to flicker.

The chair swayed gently, casting shifting reflections across Chen Yi’s calm face.

"The Biography of Sang Moon—the conflicts between the Sang and Yue states, the strife between north and south in the Central Plains… it records many heroes."

This tome, akin to *The Spring and Autumn Annals* or *Records of the Grand Historian*, chronicled events from a thousand years prior, when the land of Dà Wèi was divided between the rival kingdoms of the Sang and Yue states.

It recounted their struggles against northern nomads and southern barbarian invasions, and listed numerous heroes—sages, nobles, great generals, and even martial artists of that era.

"A few strokes, yet capturing a lifetime."

"Success and failure, right and wrong—all pass like wind. Is this not the way of the world?"

Chen Yi let out a soft chuckle, closing the book. He glanced toward the window.

It was already late.

He rose, preparing to return to the main chamber.

At that moment, Xiao Duo entered quietly, carrying a bowl of ginseng soup. She set it gently on the table.

"Lord Chen, the soup was delivered by Lady Xiaotang, as requested by Miss Cui. She said to have it while it’s hot."

Chen Yi looked at the bowl, smiling. "I spend my days locked within these doors, never venturing out. What need have I for such sustenance?"

Xiao Duo shook her head, her twin buns casting four shadows in the lamplight.

"It’s not to be refused, Lord Chen. Miss Cui has been reading hard of late, and she wished you to take care of your health."

Chen Yi fell silent, then accepted the bowl without further protest. He lifted it to his lips and drank in one sip.

The warmth flowed down his throat.

But soon, the nourishing qualities of the ginseng soup were swiftly metabolized.

With his current cultivation, the soup and water were mere trifles, unable to mend his body’s weariness.

Only the endless currents of the Dao, the inexhaustible vitality of the world, could replenish his physical form.

Xiao Duo knew none of this, but she was glad when he finished his herbal soup.

"Master, did you go to Guiyun Academy today to inquire about the age exam?"

"Yes, I have a rough idea."

Compared to the imperial academy and provincial exams, the age exam focused on the school itself.

Though there were degrees of difficulty, it mostly showcased one’s own learning.

No need for such a long time.

A day’s exam, then the papers were graded by Ma Shuhuan and others, and on the third day the results were posted.

If there were no major issues, Ma Shuhuan would only stay in the prefecture for five days, then move on to other counties in Shuzhou for the next age exam.

Xiao Duo clenched her fists, steeling herself. "Master, you must have no problems."

"Perhaps… no, you will surely be first in the age exam."

Chen Yi glanced at her, patted her forehead, and walked out of the study room, smiling. "I’m not someone who seeks fame, Master. Go wash up and sleep."

Xiao Duo pressed her hand to her forehead, watched him disappear beyond the door, and a smile spread across her pale, rosy face.

"Even the Master, who doesn’t care for fame, is now famous everywhere. Haha."

Besides keeping up with affairs in and out of the prefecture, she spent most of her time listening to tales about Chen Yi.

After his masterpiece *Water Melody Ode* spread to some other prefectures and counties, the reactions of scholars and sages followed.

When Chen Yi’s mastery of the “Complete Realm” secured his place among the foremost calligraphers of the great Wei dynasty, that too.

And various rumors, some true, some not.

Whether praise or criticism, she savored every word.

Even Xiao Duo recorded the most flattering accounts of Chen Yi, along with her notes on his deeds, in a small booklet she had compiled.

She would occasionally flip through it.

For this, she even named the booklet *The Biography of the Second Master of Wuhou Mansion*.

Though in her heart, she preferred its full title: *The Biography of the Second Master of Wuhou Mansion and the Maidservants*.

Such thoughts made her face flush with heat, even the thought of them.

In the end, she compromised and settled on a name.

"When I get married someday, I’ll give it to the Master… unless I never get married and stay by his side forever."

"Ah!"

Xiao Duo’s face turned red, quickly averting her gaze toward the door, tidying up the study room, and left swiftly with her small bowl in hand.

Shy, shy, her heart full, the autumn night embraced her.

At the hour of Hai, when all was quiet at the Wooden Tower,

Chen Yi pressed his ear to the door for a moment, then changed into a black robe. In the faint light, he disguised himself as Liu Wu.

That night he had many matters to attend to, so he left the Spring Blossom Garden early.

"The news that Lü Nine Nan was still alive had reached the grain merchants there by afternoon."

"Of course they had prepared for that. They were just keeping tabs on things in the city; they couldn’t have anticipated going after Cui Qingwu."

"They must wait until Lü Nine Nan appeared in person."

Chen Yi had planned this for several days, his schemes well thought out, and he was confident in his strategy.

His sole purpose in all these schemes was one thing—to make those grain merchants release their supplies as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, how could he dig up that pit for the people of Jizhou Commercial Office?

He thought so.

Yet, when Chen Yi finally arrived at the Rainy Season Building, he received a surprising report from Cui Qingwu.

"You’re saying the Lin family’s grain stores have already sold all their supplies to you?"

Cui Qingwu frowned at his surprised expression. "Is this not your doing? I even wanted to ask how you managed it."

Chen Yi didn’t answer at once. After a moment of thought, he nodded and smiled.

"Looks like I underestimated their brains."

"Such clever people after all."

Cui Qingwu and Lou YuXue exchanged a glance, and Lou couldn’t help asking, "What happened?"

"This time, you told me to wait until they came to you, and to make sure I agreed to their requests."

"If you changed your mind, you owe me back the silver you lost."

Chen Yi waved his hand. "Changing my mind isn’t necessary. I just didn’t expect it to happen so quickly."

Cui Qingwu furrowed his brow slightly. "They came here not because of you?"

"Yes, and not because of you either."

Chen Yi forced a smile. "I only spread the news that Lü Nine Nan wasn’t dead, intending to slow down the rising grain prices, to pressure them into seeking you out next."

"I never thought they’d sell their supplies to you without verifying the message first."

"Well, now my chances are greater."

"Though…"

"Wait!"

Before Chen Yi finished speaking, Lou YuXue suddenly realized the key point, narrowing her eyes at him. "Who do you mean hasn’t died?"

Chen Yi paused, then repeated, "Lü Nine Nan hasn’t died."

Cui Qingwu reacted, "Lü Nine Nan? But he was killed, wasn’t he?"

Lou nodded. "That day, you shot him dead with a single bullet."

Chen Yi’s smile grew wider. "You’re right about that."

"That day, he was indeed near death. But later, I saved him."

"Saved… you…"

Cui Qingwu opened his mouth, thinking of his medical skills, realizing such things were possible.

But what surprised her more was—Liu Wu had already planned all this at that time.

How else could he have saved Lü Nine Nan?

Lou YuXue was equally stunned. "You, you, you…"

"Why didn’t you tell us about such a big thing earlier?!"

Do you happen to know... just a little bit, that... the Lord of Lan is seeking other masters to handle you?

Chen Yi glanced at her, smiling as he asked: "Did Xiangxing find you last night, didn’t he?"

Lou Yuxue’s face flushed with sudden emotion, her voice trembling: "How... how did you know?"

"You tracked me last night, didn’t you?"

Chen Yi fell silent, a faint laugh escaping his lips as he shook his head: "I’m not that idle."

"Then how did you find out?"

"It’s simple. Yesterday, you and I had agreed—he would appear at the Prefect’s Office this afternoon. Clearly, it wasn’t Du Cang who found him."

"After all that, it must be you who came to discuss something with me."

Lou Yuxue understood, her lips still set in stubborn silence: "Then what did Lord Xiang wish to discuss with me?"

Chen Yi studied her, his smile ambiguous: "Do you truly want me to say it out loud?"

She turned her head away: "You couldn’t possibly guess."

Seeing her still so tight-lipped, Chen Yi sighed, then spoke: "I suppose he came to discuss joining forces to ambush and eliminate Du Cang with the bandits from Lan’s faction."

"You..."

Before Lou Yuxue could answer, Chen Yi pressed on: "Though I think you, with your sharp mind, wouldn’t agree to it."

"But as his subordinate, you can’t simply refuse outright, can you?"

"So you sent him that letter?"

Lou Yuxue widened her eyes, her fingers trembling as she pointed at Chen Yi, as if staring at some demon.

"You... you... you even guessed that?"

Chen Yi arched a brow slightly: "From your reaction, that letter must be quite important to you."

"Important enough to make Lord Xiang abandon his deal with the Lan forces?"

A flush of both red and pale washed over Lou Yuxue’s face. After a long pause, she finally slumped:

"I don’t know."

She didn’t truly know what Xiangxing intended—only that she had made some guesses.

Chen Yi smiled at her, choosing not to press further.

A letter in exchange for the grain from Zhou Qingwu—worth about thirty million silver strings—hardly a loss.

Yet he wondered how the White Tiger Guard would handle such a letter.

Would they use it to investigate the deputy commander of the Shu Prefecture, Zhu Hao?

Or keep it as a weapon to wield?

Chen Yi couldn’t know for certain, but he was certain the White Tiger Guard would harbor other schemes once they broke their deal with the Lan forces.

"Tell me, what plans does this ‘Lord Xiang’ have in mind?"

Lou Yuxue instinctively glanced at the alert Zhou Qingwu, her voice rough with effort:

"The lord hopes to join you in ambushing and eliminating Du Cang."

Chen Yi felt no surprise, clapping his hands: "That’s exactly what your White Tiger Guard should do."

"What’s the plan?"

"The lord has already sent word to the Lan lord, feigning agreement with his demands, revealing your whereabouts to Du Cang, luring him out."

Chen Yi understood: "So you want me to be the bait?"

Lou Yuxue nodded: "If you want to find Du Cang, this is the swiftest path."

Chen Yi didn’t dispute it.

But usually, he was the one calculating others, never the one to be "calculated" from behind—he felt a strange unease.

After a moment of thought, he nodded: "Then we’ll follow your plan."

"How do we proceed?"

"Say... five days from now, I’ll meet Liu Lang again at the Red River for a contest."

"Again?"

Lou Yuxue glanced at the tracks they’d seen on the riverbank earlier, realizing: "It’s you and Liu Lang."

Zhou Qingwu, hearing their words, chuckled softly: "Besides him, who else could stir up such a commotion?"

The entire city of Shu Prefecture... no, the whole of Shu—who else but the ‘Dragon Spear’ Liu Wu could shoot a hundred feet into the air with a single arrow?

Silence fell.

Lou Yuxue finally composed herself, then spoke: "There’s one more thing today."

Chen Yi raised a hand, signaling her to speak plainly.

"At noon, someone left a substantial deposit at the foot of Bright Moon Tower."

"For what purpose?"

"That person sought to find the Miao clan prince, Asutai!"

"Oh?"

Chen Yi looked at her with mild surprise, then asked after a pause: "What do you think his identity might be?"

Lou Yuxue thought a moment, then shook her head: "He showed no face."

"But... his age seemed young."

"Anything else?"

"Nothing else..."

"His servant beside him seemed familiar to me—I have a feeling I’ve seen him somewhere before..."

(The chapter ends here.)