Chapter 326: Closer Than a Biological Father (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 326: More Like a Father Than a Father (Seeking Monthly Votes)

Compared to the leisurely and bright charm of the Spring Lotus Garden, a cool breeze prevailed.

The Rain Pavilion seemed particularly serene and refined.

The crispness of deep autumn, scattered leaves and fallen blossoms strewn haphazardly across the stone-paved road, yet flowers still bloomed vibrantly along both sides.

Chen Yunfan wore a pure white long robe, the sash loose, his hair unbound, slowly swinging his long sword.

Light-footed yet carrying an unmistakable, sharp aura of deadly intent.

He was unaware that Chen Yi was plotting to draw closer to him.

He only knew that great upheaval awaited Shuzhou.

Thus, he kept his doors closed, entertaining guests sparingly, intending to venture out later, lest his actions be discovered.

—The corpse of Lü Ninenan, along with the evidence of his and the deputy governor of Shuzhou, Zhu Hao, was presented by him to the imperial inspector of Shuzhou, Tang Zixin.

One reason was his distrust of the Affairs Commissioner's Office and the Magistrate's Office; the other was that he directly sent the documents to the Kyoto Prefecture, without explaining the source of the information.

After much thought, Tang Zixin became his best choice.

By sending the person and evidence through the Office of the Imperial Inspector to Kyoto Prefecture, regardless of how the Son of Heaven might investigate or decide afterward, he would not become the target of everyone's arrows.

Though the credit would be split by the Office of the Imperial Inspector, Chen Yunfan surmised that his share would not be small.

He did not believe that the White Tiger Guard would bestow such a grand gift upon him, only to have the entire scheme undone by an imperial inspector.

If his assumption was wrong, then it would be even better.

He would continue serving in the Affairs Commissioner's Office.

With Li Huigu, that restless master, as a colleague, he could find some leisure and ease.

"The gate of Gao Men Zhu's household is no longer in human hands; a single cup of wine, a flute, and a sword—let him walk freely."

Lin Zhong smiled broadly, the young lord of the sword path nearing completion, his poetry making no progress at all.

Yet Lin Zhong seemed to have guessed Chen Yunfan's intention and dared not provoke him at this moment.

Imagine a young lord of a noble family, discovering that everything he possessed had been arranged in advance by others—shouldn't his temperament be somewhat volatile?

He could only hope that someday Chen Yunfan would figure things out on his own, stepping on Lü Ninenan, Zhu Hao, and others, soaring upward to nine ten thousand feet.

Beside him, Chunqing stood upright, her tray holding tea, a towel, and snacks in perfect order.

Since that day, she had become very careful.

Not out of fear or trepidation, but to set her position correctly.

She suddenly realized she had never truly seen the great Chen family prince, Chen Yunfan, despite being by his side for so long.

She had assumed Chen Yunfan was simply unruly, unprincipled, and cold-hearted, careless in his actions. Now she discovered that was merely the surface.

Beneath the surface lay profound affection and genuine nature, a will to act decisively.

The depth of it was such that even Chunqing, a fellow in white robes, had glimpsed it once.

Thus, she felt compelled to change tactics, for otherwise, her only path would be to be sent back as the "White Robe Chancellor."

Fortunately, there was still room for maneuver, and time was sufficient.

Not long after.

Chen Yunfan sheathed his long sword and walked directly toward the chamber, passing by Chunqing without even looking at her, yet taking a handkerchief to wipe his face.

After walking a few steps, he turned his back to the others and spoke: "Chunqing, go boil some hot water and attend to my changing clothes."

Chunqing nodded and silently followed him.

Lin Zhong watched the two walk away, scratching his beard in thought.

"The young lord's nature has truly changed, hasn't it? I hope my decision was correct..."

Inside the room.

Chen Yunfan sat in the bathtub, shirtless above the waist, his eyes closed as Chunqing poured hot water over him.

One bucket after another, until it reached his chest.

Chunqing then scattered flower petals, dabbed at his nose and forehead with the towel, and softly said, "My lord, you're all set."

Chen Yunfan hummed in his nostrils, his eyes still closed.

As Chunqing was about to leave, he spoke: "Has there been word from my father's side?"

Chunqing hesitated slightly: "Not yet."

"Rest assured, my lord, your commands will not be neglected by the White Robe Chancellor."

"Let it be so."

Chen Yunfan opened his eyes, glanced at her, and asked in a flat voice: "How about the Office of the Imperial Inspector?"

Chunqing bowed her head: "Ning Yu is still there keeping watch. Once there's news, he will report to us immediately."

"Though, calculating the days, there should be word from Kyoto Prefecture by now."

Chen Yunfan lowered his gaze, his face calm as he looked out the window: "The sooner there's a result, the sooner I can return to my duties."

Chunqing bit her lip, daring not to persuade her as she had before.

Chen Yunfan sensed her intention but offered no consolation.

Each day he did not clarify the schemes of the White Robe Chancellor, his father, and the White Tiger Guard, he could not relax.

Not only him, but also Chen Yi.

In recent days, whenever Chen Yunfan recalled his experiences in Shuzhou, he began to understand why Chen Yi concealed his identity and acted in secret.

In secret, the White Tiger Guard was watching; on the surface, there were officials in Shuzhou's bureaucracy and nobles stirring up trouble.

If he had entered the Xiao family as a son-in-law, he would have acted with equal caution.

Yet, in truth.

Understanding is understanding.

Chen Yunfan still felt somewhat discontented.

For when he asked himself, if he truly were in Chen Yi's position, would he not... should he not have done better than Chen Yi?

Especially regarding the recent events in Shuzhou—the plague, the grain shortage.

No matter which matter it was, Chen Yunfan would scratch his head in frustration.

To have him treat those infected with the plague?

A joke.

He would be fine if he didn't catch the plague himself.

To have him stabilize grain prices?

Also impossible.

Beyond seeking Liu Hong or imploring the Chen family or Cui Qingwu of Jiangnan Prefecture, he had nearly exhausted all avenues.

"Human strength falters at times—better a single sword strike to the heart, don’t you think?"

No way out.

Chen Yunfan, holding the formal title of vice president of the Bureau of Justice in the capital, wore his role like a rigid cage, every rule binding him tighter than Chen Yi’s detached ease.

Even knowing Zhu Hao’s treason, he could only act within the bounds of protocol—never a chance to truly execute Zhu Hao in Xuan Yuan County.

Silence stretched.

Chen rose, waving dismissively. Chunying bowed, wiping sweat from his body, then fetched fresh silk robes and a belt to replace his stained clothes.

As she moved, he studied himself in the bronze mirror.

"How often has Li Huaiyu visited?"

"Lord, the Deputy Premier has come four times these past few days."

"Four times?"

"The Bureau of Justice here has much business."

Chunying paused, glancing sharply at him. Gathering courage, she said, "Lord, the Bureau faces turmoil."

Chen fixed his gaze on her, forcing her to lower her head further. Then he scoffed:

"I thought your white robes meant you’d return home by now."

"I dare not, my lord."

"Hope you’re truly unable to."

Adjusting his robes, Chen stepped outside, asking as he walked: "What turmoil has befallen the gates?"

"Liu Hong must be in trouble."

"Oh?"

Intrigued, Chunying pressed on: "They say he stayed up all night, his face aged tenfold—as if his very spirit had been drained."

"And—"

Chen frowned, mulling over the Bureau’s affairs. "He’d cause trouble?"

"Liu’s family still holds power in Jingzhou, the Imperial Concubine Liu remains—how could he fall?"

Chunying nodded. "Your lord speaks wisely."

"Liu does err, yet as Shuzhou’s Commissioner with Ershi rank, any minor charge against him would barely dent his standing."

"Like when Liu Wen burned the three cities’ summer grain stores—after Liu and Xiao’s clans clashed, the Emperor merely issued two edicts to each."

"Has your man sent word?"

"Not yet."

Chen nodded once, stepping into the courtyard to stretch.

"Liu’s hands are free of politics—the Bureau’s affairs are managed by Yang Ren. No wonder Li’s visited repeatedly."

Without needing to ask, Li must be urging him back to the gates.

Chen muttered a prayer of relief.

Just as he sought Chunying to brew tea in the pavilion, the sound of hooves echoed outside.

"Lord, visitors arrive—"

"Turn them away."

Niushan, startled, added, "It’s Cui Miss."

Chen halted, glaring silently.

Chunying and Lin Zhong bowed low, their lips twitching upward in faint smiles.

Niushan scratched his head, suddenly realizing his blunder. "My lord, forgive my haste."

Chen barely flicked his eyelids, dismissing the brute without a word. "Ask Cui Qingwu."

Niushan bowed, then scurried away.

Soon, he returned, leading a middle-aged man in blue robes.

Chen studied him, raising an eyebrow. "He’d come to Shu?"

Lin and Chunying recognized the man instantly—Song Jinji, a food-tribute retainer of the Cui clan in Qinghe.

Once a renowned swordsman of Jiangnan, known for righteous deeds and noble character, he’d broken through to Sanpin at nineteen after clearing bandits in Taizhou.

All assumed he’d soon challenge the "Snow Sword Lord" Ye Gen, yet after a heroic stand, he’d joined Cui’s household.

They all took in his figure—Song Jinji, seeing them, bowed deeply.

"Song Jiaobei humbly presents himself to Chen Gongzi and Lin Zhong."

Chen scoffed, gesturing toward the rear courtyard.

Song bowed again, following Niushan.

Chen watched his silhouette, guessing his purpose. Likely a messenger from Cui.

Whether to return to Qinghe—or not—Chengdu’s unease troubled him.

Sighing, Chen turned, his sleeves swaying, heading back to his chambers, leaving no time for tea.

Chunying nudged Lin, following close behind.

Lin stood still, listening toward the rear.

Soon, voices drifted from the courtyard.

"Uncle Song, what brings you?"

"My lord, when shall Lady Cui return to Qinghe?"

"Her father?"

"Before the New Year."

Lin couldn’t catch the rest, but knew Cui Qingwu neared Qinghe’s Cui estate.

He looked back at Chen, shaking his head.

"The Chen-Cui marriage was arranged by the Patriarch and Matriarch—Young Master may never—"

Accept it?

Perhaps.

As Lin prepared to report, a rustle near the courtyard made him turn.

Ning Yu hurried over, "Where is the prince?"

Lin Zhong pointed behind him, "Inside."

Ning Yu saluted and dashed into the chamber.

Just as he was about to report, Qingying, eyes flashing, quickly gestured toward the wall, indicating an ear.

Ning Yu understood and went to the study, fetching paper and ink to write a few words.

[The Emperor’s decree has reached Guangyuan County. Zhuao disobeyed the imperial order, plotting escape, and was beheaded by Xiao Jinghong with a single sword stroke.]

After reading, Chen Yunfan paused.

"Xiao Nü… she’s in Guangyuan? When did she go there?"

Ning Yu shook his head, indicating he knew nothing.

Qingying pondered for a moment and wrote a few words, "Likely after the Xiao family’s turmoil some days past."

"Back then, when ‘Dragon Tiger’ Liu Wu killed ‘Jackal Wolf’ Du Cang, perhaps the Xiao family realized Zhuao’s deal with the Prince of Kongzhu’s banner."

Chen Yunfan blinked in understanding—this aligned perfectly.

The evidence against Zhuao, officially from the White Tiger Guard, was arranged by them.

Yet the messenger was Chen Yi.

Given his knowledge of Chen Yi, if he knew the news, how could he fail to warn the Xiao family?

Thus, Xiao Jinghong’s presence in Guangyuan made sense.

Once he grasped everything, Chen Yunfan’s face bore a faint smile. "Now this is interesting."

One achievement, three parties sharing the reward—he truly wanted to see how the White Tiger Guard would react upon learning this.

If they still dared to appoint him a deputy commander in official capacity, he’d accept.

"Damn it, if that’s the case, the Emperor’s either old or foolish."

"More dear than my own father?"

"How sweet that would be."

Chen Yunfan muttered these words to himself, glancing toward Guangyuan County, smiling now and then.

Sisters appearing there—truly an unexpected joy.

……

Though Guangyuan County was a county, its city wasn’t small.

Nestled at the confluence of Shu, Jing, and You provinces, it was Shu’s throat, bustling with merchants.

Thus, many settled here to make a living.

The salt transport, horse caravans, and salt merchants gathered here, along with various martial artists, making the region’s affairs complex.

Often, even ancient noble families, deeply entrenched here, handled matters timidly, lest they offend a powerful faction.

Yet these concerns meant nothing to Xiao Jinghong.

They were mere nobodies and commoners, beneath the caliber of Fengyuan Tower, let alone the Shu Provincial Military Commissioner’s office.

Still, she could overlook such people—though she couldn’t ignore the Shu Provincial Military Commissioner’s office.

Especially after she slew Zhuao herself.

Even if the Emperor ordered Zhuao’s capture, she still refused to hand him over alive.

But by now, events had reached this point. Xiao Jinghong remained composed, waiting quietly for news from the capital.

By her side was Xiao Xuanxiang, who accompanied the imperial edict team.

Though he harbored resentment toward many in the Xiao family, he heartily accepted Xiao Jinghong—this niece.

Thus, he spoke cheerfully of matters in the capital city.

"……When I went to the capital, father had already ordered the prefecture to handle the plague, so it should be fine."

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, pondering, "You said the message came from Liu Wu?"

"He returned to Shu?"

Xiao Xuanxiang nodded, "He sensed the plague’s spread early, and through diagnosis, provided a cure."

"Without him, the capital city would’ve been chaos."

Xiao Jinghong gazed toward the capital, thinking, "How convenient."

She was in the capital when Liu Wu was absent.

A few days after she left, Liu Wu returned—and resolved a major crisis.

Thinking it over, Xiao Jinghong dismissed the thought, blaming it on coincidence.

After all, aside from sharing a similar name, she and Liu Wu had never met.

She couldn’t fathom why he’d deliberately avoid her.

"Besides the decree for Zhuao, has the Emperor issued any other orders?"

Xiao Xuanxiang smiled, "He couldn’t hide it from you."

"The Emperor also issued an edict punishing Liu Hong…"

(Chapter Complete)