Chapter 36: Eating Gossip That Backfired on Myself

Chapter 36: Eating Melons and Getting Hit on the Head

The benefits of reaching the ninth level of the middle stage were many for Chen Yì, particularly in the refinement of his control over his body, qi, and internal force. His entire being—bones, sinews, and skin—felt as though fused into a single, harmonious entity. He could now effortlessly manipulate every fiber of his muscles and bones, channeling qi and internal power into his skin and even his hair. Though his qi remained faint, the arcane mysteries of the "Martial Dao Body" allowed him, at this early stage of cultivation, to weave a layer of qi within his skin for purposes of attack or defense.

Most strikingly, his internal force had surged from the strength of five oxen to ten, a force akin to that of an ox. A single punch could deliver the weight of two thousand jin—over thirteen hundred pounds. Even at this level, the ninth-stage cultivator Pei Wēnli would have had to dodge the blow if Chen Yì unleashed his full power with the "Mountain-Shattering Fist." A direct hit would have left Pei Wēnli, so slight in build, gravely wounded.

An hour of pillar practice passed swiftly. After consuming his early meal, Chen Yì strolled through the Spring Lotus Garden with Xiao Wúgē, Wang Lìxíng, and others. Meanwhile, Liu Sìr had not forgotten to seek an opportunity to apologize. His demeanor was earnest and upright, so much so that, at first glance, one might have taken him for a loyal and devoted guard. Chen Yì offered two gentle words of reassurance before smoothly brushing aside the matter. Xiao Wúgē, however, remarked in his typical childish manner, "Fourth Guard, to acknowledge one’s mistake and amend it—how noble!"

The comment nearly coaxed a laugh from Chen Yì. Over the past days, the young lord had not only improved his fishing skills but also grown more confident in his manner of speaking and conduct. To those who knew his age—five—he seemed almost a prodigy. To others, he might as well have been the reincarnation of some ancient demon. Even Xiao Wúgē’s sister, Xiao Bèi, sometimes found herself chuckling at the young lord’s casual gestures.

At that moment, Xiao Bèi lowered her gaze, her expression melancholy, and whispered, "My lord, did you hear that?"

Chen Yì, already contemplating how to seek out Duke Qian Gong and observe how he disciplined Zhang Héng, asked idly, "Hear what?"

Xiao Bèi lifted her chin and muttered to the nearby maidservants, "They’re still gossiping about you, my lord…"

Chen Yì merely hummed in response. Rather than reacting, he flashed a smile at the women, who hastily retreated. "Look at them," he said. "Anyone who dares to spread rumors behind your back is just a paper tiger."

Xiao Bèi glanced at the departing women, then at Chen Yì, and grinned. Xiao Wúgē, watching from the corner, had silently noted the words and smiled broadly himself.

"By the way, where is the Young Master today?"

After some thought, Chen Yì could offer no better solution than to name him directly. Xiao Wúgē stared at him oddly. "Brother, you don’t mean… you miss him, do you?"

To everyone’s surprise, Chen Yì nodded firmly. "Indeed. A day without seeing him feels like three seasons. Though the Young Master is young and impulsive, he’s a decent fellow."

The words were so absurd that neither Xiao Wúgē, who understood his nature well, nor Xiao Bèi and Wang Lìxíng, who knew him intimately, could believe them. Yet Chen Yì’s conviction was unshakable. He blinked at Xiao Wúgē and added, "Shall we go find him?"

By late afternoon, they had not yet reached Duke Qian Gong or Zhang Héng. If they delayed further, Chen Yì’s daily intelligence report would be marked "lazy" once again.

Xiao Wúgē, unaware of his intent, merely ordered Ge Lǎosān to continue accompanying Chen Yì through the manor.

It seemed the impact of Chen Yì’s earlier "kidnapping of a maiden" incident had been far greater than he’d anticipated. Every corridor they passed carried hushed conversations among the staff and maids:

"Second Duke, truly a troublemaker. His actions have even tarnished our family’s reputation."

"Indeed. When I went shopping yesterday, the shopkeepers who once smiled at us now sneer, muttering about the times and how the Duke’s family has produced a talent. It’s all his fault."

"What a pest! Why didn’t the Patriarch or Second Uncle intervene?"

"They tried. The Second Uncle wanted to lock him in the prison and beat him fifty times, but Sun Old Master intervened."

"If it weren’t for Duke Dongcheng and the Crown Prince’s presence in the Civil Affairs Office, things might have escalated. As it is, they’ve barely managed to let him off the hook."

"And what of Young Miss’s reaction when she returns to the manor…?"

What would she think?

Chen Yì wondered the same. If his wife, Xiao Jingghou, learned upon her return from inspecting the three prefectures that her husband had a son dubbed "the most shameless stepson in history," how would she react?

He found himself oddly anticipating it.

Soon, Ge Lǎosān returned, his face grim. "Young Lord, the Duke and Prince are kneeling in the Pure Dwelling."

Chen Yì’s eyes brightened.

Xiao Wúgē’s gaze sharpened. Without waiting for Chen Yì to speak, he resolved to go pay respects to his grandfather. But after taking a few steps, he paused and asked, "Brother, will you be coming too?"

"I’ll go, of course."

Chen Yì understood Xiao Wúgē’s concern—that he feared the elders might scold him for his past misdeeds. Yet Chen Yì felt no such worry. From his observations, only Xiao Wang and Second Uncle Xiao Xuánghuá, who oversaw the prison, had shown him any kindness.

Perhaps it was Xiao Jingghou’s influence, or perhaps they simply hadn’t fully trusted him yet—or perhaps both. In any case, the senior figures of the Xiao family, at least publicly, had been lenient toward him.

Without delay, they entered the Pure Dwelling. Xiao Bèi and Wang Lìxíng remained outside, while Chen Yì followed Xiao Wúgē inside.

Before they had crossed the hall’s threshold, they heard Zhang Héng’s sobbing from within.

"I’m sorry, Mother. I won’t ever do it again, oh, oh… I, I saw that small cup yesterday and just picked it up, and then I went to the Spring Lotus Garden, and then I eloped, and then Second Brother—he just touched me once, and it shattered."

What? Eating melons and getting hit on the head?

Chen Yì blinked, his expression shifting from confusion to a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief. This boy was far too adept at shifting blame. When had he ever seen a cup like that? And when had he ever broken one?

Stopping in his tracks, Chen Yì grabbed Xiao Wúgē’s arm and raised a finger to hush him. If he rushed in to explain this fascinating spectacle, it would end too quickly.

This was his chance to observe how the Xiao family’s key figures would react.

"Héng, is what you’re saying true?" Second Uncle Xiao Wang asked.

Zhang Héng sobbed, "Grandfather, Brother Sun would never lie. It was him, oh, oh…"

Duke Qian Gong furrowed his brow. "Is it true? Chen Yì, come answer for this."

"You tell me, Héng?"

Zhang Héng’s sobs faltered, unable to continue.

"Grandfather, I—I swear every word..."

Seeing this, the others all knew his scheme.

Sitting in the foremost seat, Xiao Longhuai’s expression darkened. He set down his tea cup, saying faintly,

"A cup shatters, it shatters. Qinyue, take Heng back."

But Xiao Qinyue acted contrary to expectation, shaking her head. "Uncle, the fault lies with Heng; Mother should punish him."

She then seized a switch, struck Zhang Heng across the face.

The hall fell silent, the sound of weeping and shouting ringing in the ears.

Chen Yi peered out, seeing the scene in the courtyard, observing the expressions of those present.

After a moment.

[ witnessed Xiao Qinyue chastising the child—for Zhang Heng breaking the cup bestowed by the Emperor upon Xiao Yuan, Xiao Qinyue laid on a heavy blow. Reward: Opportunity +8. ]

[ Evaluation: A man seen, a voice heard, the scene witnessed, yet the sentiment too sly—he is a lecherous soul. ]

Seeing this, Chen Yi smirked, patted Xiao Wugou, and turned to leave.

"Brother, shall we not go in?"

"I’m quite satisfied, why bother going in?"

"Ah?"

"You’re not satisfied?"

They exchanged a glance, both bursting into laughter.

After the laughter, Chen Yi furrowed his brow.

Not to mention Zhang Heng’s lie being uncovered, even just their reactions made it clear—Xiao Wang that old fellow loathed having a handle to seize.

And Xiao Qinyue...

That woman was fierce. Each stroke of the switch struck Zhang Heng without mercy.

"Though it was true Zhang Heng broke the cup the Emperor had given Xiao Yuan, such a heavy blow reeked of showmanship."

Thinking this, Chen Yi returned to the Qinghuang Garden, spotting a soldier standing at the entrance.

"Subordinate Yan Hong had seen the young master, second brother."

Before Chen Yi could speak, Xiao Wugou huffed, "I recall you—you’re the guard under second sister."

"Your lordship, indeed."

After bowing, Yan Hong looked up at them, respectfully saying,

"Second sister is returning to the mansion. I’ve been sent to deliver the birthday gifts for Lord."

(Chapter Complete)