Chapter 355: A Good Man Will Have Heaven's Help (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 355: The Lucky Star of the Mountain Folk (Seeking Monthly Patrons)

A half-step smile, a twitch.

It is poison, it is a worm.

It is the mountain tribe’s refined insect venom.

They say the one who sows this worm will have his five organs devoured within a fleeting span.

And those worms, gnawing as they do, also numb the five senses with their poison.

No inkling stirs. Yet a strange, inexplicable ease spreads through the body, so that when death arrives, the face beams with a smile.

Chen Yunfan had surveyed the Ma family’s affairs, deliberately pressing his hand to their corpses to confirm their chests were hollow.

He rose, flicking rainwater from his sleeves, murmuring, “The mountain folk are unlikely to be woven into court affairs.”

“This matter may yet require long deliberation.”

Red sleeve saw him, too, understanding that a mere twitching smile couldn’t confirm it was the mountain tribe’s doing.

Yet with clues emerging, she would not relent.

Han Ruihui glanced at the two, frowning, “The Ma family’s case mirrors Xu Ji’s…”

Chen Yunfan arched a brow, then turned on his heel: “Lead the way.”

Red sleeve reacted swiftly, her feet swift as wind, racing toward the gate.

Han Ruihui, seeing them depart, shook his head and ordered the pursuing executioners:

“Meng Chuan, take two guards to stay and watch. Don’t rouse the villagers.”

“Jun Xuan, ride south to the city gates and fetch Wu Zuo for verification…”

Not long after.

Chen Yunfan, Red sleeve, and Han Ruihui stood before Xu Ji’s residence.

Listening at the door, the three exchanged a glance—relief flooding their faces.

“Xu the Secretary’s household is unharmed, a blessing amid misfortune.”

One scholar official slain, along with his kin, would stir the realm.

If the killer perished and took others with him, the case would spiral beyond containment.

Even Chen Yunfan, unaware of the executioners’ inner workings, grasped this truth.

What of Red sleeve and Han Ruihui?

Red sleeve, hearing children’s laughter within the courtyard, felt a pang of sorrow.

Yet she quickly smoothed her robes and knocked gently.

Han Ruihui inhaled deeply, following suit.

Chen Yunfan leaned against the eave, watching rain darken the sky, a wry sigh escaping him.

Such executioners—cold as iron.

Even as Xu Ji lay dead, they came to investigate.

Chen Yunfan muttered about the young master’s kindness, his mind elsewhere, dwelling on Ma Shuhuan.

Yesterday, upon learning of the incident, he’d given it little thought.

Today, Ma Shuhuan had been dispatched to the censorate, then slain—he found it hard not to connect the threads.

Yet doubts lingered: Why had Ma Shuhuan targeted Chen Yi before the massacre?

“Had Yi wronged him? Or was it about the Cloud School?”

“Yet Yi must have known something.”

Chen Yunfan’s mind drifted to memories of Ma Shuhuan’s final moments, fixed on Yi’s face as he heard commotion outside the arena.

“Surprise?”

“It seems Yi also didn’t expect Ma Shuhuan’s death—or perhaps… he didn’t foresee such sudden demise.”

As Chen Yunfan pondered, suppressed sobs drifted from the courtyard. He furrowed his brow, then relaxed.

No one could bear to see a loved one weep.

Moments later, Red sleeve and Han Ruihui emerged, a woman in coarse hemp robes trailing behind.

Her eyes swollen with tears, clutching her mouth to stifle sobs: “Sir, he was no evil man. Pray, see reason!”

Red sleeve turned, her voice calm: “Xu the Secretary was killed in the street. No appeal remains.”

The woman’s sobs grew louder: “B-but you said Ma Shuhuan and Ma Xue were already seized by the censorate. My lord—perhaps…”

Before Red sleeve could speak, Han Ruihui waved her off: “The reasons require further inquiry. Xu, remain still. Await word from home.”

“Th-that—”

In few words, Han Ruihui dismissed the woman.

The gate closed behind them.

On the road back, Chen Yunfan broke the silence: “What did that woman know?”

Han Ruihui shook his head: “She said Xu Ji had been restless lately, irritable, troubled in spirit.”

“Nothing else.”

Chen Yunfan nodded slowly. “Xu Ji’s assassination of Ma Shuhuan was planned long ago.”

Han Ruihui hummed: “The exact timing—we’ll need to question the censorate.”

No sooner had Han Ruihui finished than Red sleeve spoke: “The mountain folk must be investigated.”

Han Ruihui sighed, turning to her: “Thousand-householder, the mountain people are different. Without solid proof, we cannot march into the Gobi Mountains.”

“I know.”

“First, question those in the capital.”

Red sleeve nodded, well aware of the mountain clans’ influence in Shu.

She said plainly: “If we don’t trace this to the mountain folk, this case may end as a cold tomb.”

Han Ruihui shook his head: “It’ll be difficult.”

“The mountain folk here number many. Investigating each would take time—by then, the killer would’ve fled to the Gobi.”

“And the mountain folk are tightly knit. Even if they know the culprit, they won’t aid us.”

“Then, as Han says, we abandon the search?”

“You—”

Seeing the two clash, Chen Yunfan choked out a laugh, raising a hand to halt them:

“I have a plan.”

Han Ruixuan checked his words and clasped his hands, saying, "Please speak, Councillor Chen."

Chen Yunfan pointed toward the north and said, "That granddaughter of Granny Shan from the Mountain Clan happens to be at the Xiao manor."

"If she were to step forward, the Mountain Clan people within the prefectural city would surely heed her command."

Little did he know that the moment he finished speaking, the expressions of both Han Ruixuan and Fang Hongxiu shifted slightly.

"This... is perhaps improper..."

Chen Yunfan looked at the two, raising an eyebrow as he said, "If you wish to investigate the Mountain Clan, you cannot possibly bypass Pei Guanli. What is improper about it?"

"It is not Miss Pei, but rather..."

Fang Hongxiu stole a glance at Han Ruixuan and did not continue any further.

Han Ruixuan let out a bitter smile, using the excuse of returning to the yamen first to deliberate at length.

Had they not paid a visit to the old master at noon, they might still have gone to seek out Pei Guanli of the Mountain Clan.

To go at this moment, they suspected the people of the Marquis of Dingyuan's manor would likely throw them out.

Chen Yunfan guessed that the two were concealing something, so he pressed no further, thinking silently to himself:

"This matter is far too bizarre... it might just require Brother Yi to step forward..."

...

The overcast rain drizzled softly.

Outside the Xiao family estate, there was a ceaseless coming and going of carriages and horses.

Some days ago, it had been the grand and lesser clans from within the Shuzhou prefectural city; of late, it was mostly the powerful families from the neighboring prefectural counties and towns.

Such as the Fu family of Guangyuan County.

Such as the Lin family of Guang'an County.

Old Master Xiao had, intentionally or otherwise, leaked some tidbits of news, and so these people all came knocking on his door.

So numerous were the carriages that Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er's own carriage had to wait a brief moment before finally driving into the front courtyard.

Xiao Wan'er was still somewhat shaken.

The scene from earlier had truly struck a chord within her.

It was not merely Ma Shuhan's murder and Xu Jitong's suicide, but the sheer velocity with which events had turned.

One moment, Ma Shuhan had targeted Chen Yi, publicly grading him at the fifth tier in the annual examination.

The next moment, emissaries from Tang Xixin of the Provincial Surveillance Commission arrived, intending to take Ma Shuhan away.

Yet before Ma Shuhan could even reach the Surveillance Commission yamen, he was decapitated right in the middle of the street.

And the one who stabbed him to death was actually a fifth-rank official of the Surveillance Commission itself.

Though Xiao Wan'er had been frail and plagued by illness since childhood, growing accustomed to the warmth and coldness of human nature, and had even survived a catastrophe when abducted by Du Cang.

But a turn of events as labyrinthine as today's was something she was experiencing for the very first time.

Chen Yi naturally perceived that Xiao Wan'er was distracted, so while keeping an eye on the stirrings outside the carriage, he patted her hand to comfort her, saying:

"There is no need for eldest sister to worry overmuch. The yamen officials were all present today, and Commissioner Yang was there as well. I believe they will certainly investigate until the truth comes to light." Xiao Wan'er felt the warmth upon the back of her hand and raised her eyes slightly to gaze at him, not pulling away as she used to.

"Do you think the affairs of the world change too quickly?"

"Flawed though School Chancellor Ma may have been, for him to go so suddenly..."

She looked at Chen Yi's gentle smile, her words faltering as she said, "If I were to also... Qingzhou, I..."

Before Xiao Wan'er could finish, Chen Yi reached up and pinched her lips shut. Her eyes widened instantly, the sorrowful gaze turning into one of astonishment.

"Eldest sister, speak less of such ill-omened things."

"Besides, you are different from Ma Shuhan."

"Ma Shuhan's sins were unpardonable; if he did not die outside the examination grounds, he would have died inside the yamen."

Chen Yi paused his speech, his fingers tightening slightly to make Xiao Wan'er's lips pucker. Meeting her bashful gaze, he gave a light chuckle and said:

"Eldest sister is a person of virtue who enjoys Heaven's favor; you are bound to live a long life of a hundred years."

As he spoke, his fingers traced several strokes into Xiao Wan'er's palm, writing out a few characters:

Leave everything to me.

Enduring the ticklish itch in her palm, Xiao Wan'er barely discerned those few words, gave a soft murmur of assent, and lowered her head.

Yet within her heart, there remained a touch of melancholy.

Buddhist Nun Jingci had once told her that even with the solar fire of Mount Wumeng shining upon her, it would be nigh impossible for her to survive past the age of twenty-five.

From now until then, less than four years remained.

Chen Yi, however, was not thinking so far ahead.

Though his mastery of the medical arts was great, it could not radically cure Xiao Wan'er, but once his medical path reached absolute perfection, perhaps there would be a way to heal her completely.

If that still failed, he would simply break through to the next realm.

Xie Tingyun watched the carriages outside the estate gates while eavesdropping on the voices drifting from behind, nudging Shen Huatang with her elbow.

When Shen Huatang turned her head, Xie Tingyun winked and gestured soundlessly: "The second son-in-law and the eldest miss..."

Shen Huatang turned her head back expressionlessly: "Boring."

Finding herself snubbed, Xie Tingyun could only vent her frustration on others, shouting at the top of her lungs:

"Steward Lu, the eldest miss and the second son-in-law have not yet eaten their midday meal..."

Xiao Wan'er chided gently, "Tingyun, it does not matter if we wait a little longer."

"Miss, the damp chill is heavy on a rainy day, which is unfavorable to your health."

"Then..."

Fortunately, Lu Guan outside the estate gates had already heard her.

Flustered, he hurriedly ordered men to pull the other carriages aside, welcoming Xie Tingyun to enter the estate a step ahead.

Stepping down from the carriage, Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er shared an umbrella as they walked through the front courtyard together.

The passersby who caught sight of them stopped to bow in greeting.

Xiao Wan'er recognized several among them, returning the greetings with a faint smile while introducing Chen Yi along the way.

"So you are Master Qingzhou? I have long looked forward to meeting you."

"The honor is mine, the honor is mine..."

Chen Yi had often cooperated with Xiao Wan'er in receiving outside guests previously, so he was well-versed in the routine, and his superficial courtesy passed muster well enough.

Stopping and starting.

As the two bypassed the central courtyard, they came face to face with Wang Lixing wheeling Xiao Xuanshuo toward them.

The two bowed in greeting, "Second Uncle."

Xiao Xuanshuo nodded flatly, studying their expressions as he asked, "Did something occur outside the examination grounds?"

Xiao Wanz'er hesitated slightly.

Chen Yi nodded in agreement: "Ma Shuhuan was assassinated, and the authorities are investigating."

Xiao Xuánguāng, who had heard the news, turned to him and asked, "They say your writings had offended Ma Shuhuan?"

"Indeed."

"Touching a nerve, then. Ma Shuhuan was a man who courted controversy, always seeking to flaunt his name and gain acclaim. Had he lived, who knows how many scholars he might have tormented with his schemes?"

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "Yes, eldest uncle, you speak truly."

He had expected Xiao Xuánguāng to scold him a few times, but instead, the elder offered him words of consolation.

Xiao Xuánguāng, unaware of his inner thoughts, chatted lightly before saying, "In a few days, Father is preparing a banquet at the manor. When the time comes, you may come aboard the light boat and join us."

Chen Yi paused, taken aback. "Me?"

Xiao Xuánguāng nodded, signaling Wang Lixing to lead him away. "Your father specifically asked for your presence. If you prefer not to appear, you need not."

Chen Yi muttered something about being unable to, then watched them depart.

Why had the old master invited him to the banquet?

The old master, perhaps, sensing Xiao Zhonghong’s absence from the manor, had summoned this son-in-law to present himself?

Chen Yi could not fathom the reason.

Xiao Wanz'er, however, beamed with pleasure. In her eyes, having Xiao Chen attend the family gathering was a good thing.

She laughed and said, "In the past, Grandfather only ever sent Younger Sister to accompany him."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Could the eldest sister not attend?"

"Not that she couldn’t, but it would be inconvenient."

"Grandfather doesn’t often host banquets for guests. The last time was the recent birthday celebration, and before that, four years ago when he had just driven back the barbarians, he wished to express gratitude for the stabilization of Shuzhou, hoping they would lend their strength..."

Chen Yi listened to her finish, feeling increasingly puzzled.

If his guess was correct, this banquet must be an opportunity for the old master to display his prowess.

To appear at such an occasion... it seemed rather odd.

After some casual talk, they parted ways, each returning to their respective residences.

As Chen Yi entered the Spring Lotus Garden, he heard faint sounds coming from the Bamboo Grove.

Tingling, tingling.

"Miss Xiao, your body is too stiff. Relax, relax. Look—Liu Er and Master Xu’s grandson, she—she’s already reached the ninth grade of the lower stage."

"And there’s still no Gou, his stance work isn’t bad either..."

In the midst of it all, a weak voice came from Xiao Pei: "Miss Pei, I—I can’t keep up. I have no talent for martial arts..."

Chen Yi chuckled silently, thinking to himself, *That girl’s got spirit.*

Not only did he need to teach Xiao Pei martial arts, but he’d also be taking Yuan Liu’er back to the Xiao household.

He shook his head and, with his umbrella, called out, "Xiao Pei, Xiao Wugou, and Pei Meilou!"

Xiao Pei immediately replied, "Master, I’m here."

One by one, they emerged.

Chen Yi gestured for them to follow, leading the way into the pavilion.

Xiao Pei rushed forward to take his basket of books and carried them to the study, then went to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Xiao Wugou sat beside Chen Yi, inquiring about his civil service examination results.

Pei Meilou pulled Yuan Liu’er forward to bow respectfully, one calling her "Younger Brother," the other "Master."

Chen Yi responded to each in turn, his mood light, momentarily forgetting the commotion outside.

When Xiao Pei returned, all five sat down to eat.

They chatted and laughed over the meal.

Pei Meilou recounted how she had praised Yuan Liu’er at the Bureau of Life Medicine, showering her with compliments.

Yuan Liu’er, caught off guard, felt a flush of embarrassment. After they finished, the young woman asked a few questions about medicine.

Fearing someone might overhear, Chen Yi gave only vague answers, directing her to a particular book.

After their discussion, Xiao Pei spoke of matters at the manor.

"The judicial officers came to visit the Patriarch, saying they wished to take a prisoner from the dungeon."

"The Patriarch refused, and drove them out of the manor..."

Chen Yi smiled to himself.

The old master seemed determined this time, his stance far firmer than before.

Previously, he would have found a way to refuse, offering a compromise, but now he dismissed them outright.

It was a good thing, indeed.

After hearing everyone’s accounts, Chen Yi replied a few times, finished his lunch, and led Yuan Liu’er to the study.

Yuan Liu’er sat awkwardly in a corner of the room, her head bowed as if in apology.

Chen Yi knew she was uncomfortable in the Hou family’s estate but said nothing to comfort her. Instead, he asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Then, using the art of sensing breath, he examined Yuan Liu’er, clearly gauging her martial progress, though his expression held some dissatisfaction.

Yuan Liu’er’s martial talent was exceptional; in just a few days, she had already reached the ninth grade of the lower stage. Truly, she was making rapid strides.

Even Chen Yi himself, when he first began practicing martial arts, had achieved no better speed.

Yuan Liu’er lifted her eyes slightly and met his gaze, speaking softly, "Master, I don’t have any particular plans. I just want to stay at the Bureau of Life Medicine and study medicine in peace."

Chen Yi nodded without agreeing or disagreeing. "Your aptitude for medicine is certainly remarkable, but you must not neglect other areas..."

(Chapter Complete)