Chapter 70: Mandate of Heaven?

Chapter 70: Where Destiny Calls?

The fishing net had been found, and Chen Yi held it, casting it into the pond. Yet the outcome remained unfulfilled. Not only him—Xiao Diao, Pei Wulou, and even those watching from the sidelines, Zhang Xuan and Sun Fu, all gave it a try. A golden carp slipped free, and the net tore apart under their grasp. In the end, Xiao Wugou stepped forward, his voice light as a sigh, declaring, "Let me set things right." He snatched the tattered net and flung it aside.

The result, as if by design, was peculiar. The golden carps, like frenzied spirits, scrambled to wrap themselves within the mesh. Those too large to squeeze in clamped down on the net’s cords, thrashing their tails in protest. Chen Yi watched the ripples dance across the pond’s surface, his thoughts deep. It wasn’t his flaw, nor the fish’s—it was Xiao Wugou who bore the mark.

Zhang Xuan whistled low. Sun Fu, like Chen Yi, lingered on the edge of his thoughts, eyes drifting toward Xiao Wugou. Born with gifts, they were vessels of destiny’s will. Simply put—where destiny called?

Xiao Wugou, however, showed no surprise. He grinned, unbothered. "Brother, I’m impressive, aren’t I?"

Chen Yi set aside his reverie, thumbed his thumb upward. "Impressive." Then, with a soft chuckle, he added, "Your fishing prowess has reached the pinnacle. Better not use it again."

"Why?" Xiao Wugou asked, tilting his head.

Chen Yi took the net, now scattered with golden fish, and sighed. "Where else? It invites envy."

Xiao Wugou laughed again. "You said not being envied was the mark of a fool, didn’t you?"

Chen Yi flicked water from his sleeve onto Xiao Wugou’s face. "Wait until you’re famed across the land."

"Named across the land? Me?"

Xiao Wugou’s eyes lit up. "Do you think I could?"

Chen Yi nodded vaguely. "When the time comes, see for yourself." He then dismissed Xiao Diao to fetch him a wash and change his clothes.

After they departed, Zhang Xuan mused, "Truly gifted. With such skill, he’ll never lack for bread or shoes."

Chen Yi and Sun Fu exchanged glances, tension easing. "My lord," Sun Fu said, bowing slightly, "forgive the intrusion."

Zhang Xuan waved a dismissive hand. "Just as planned. Let’s not overstay."

Sun Fu ignored him, leading Zhang Xuan beyond the Spring Lotus Garden. "I told you to hold your ground, old friend. You promised to bow before Chen Yi for his calligraphy."

"Patience," Sun Fu replied, his voice laced with unspoken thought. "The day will come. For now, let it wait."

In his mind, he replayed the earlier spectacle. It seemed his departure from the Duke of Qingxiang’s estate would have to be postponed.

Zhang Xuan, unaware, muttered, "If that brat doesn’t show respect, I’ll—"

Chen Yi watched them fade into the distance, then folded the ruined net. He settled at the stone table, brewing tea.

What strange force drove Xiao Wugou? He couldn’t fathom it. Best left unspoken.

Pei Wulou crouched invisibly on the stone chair, noticing Chen Yi’s stare. He waved a hand near his eyes. "Brother, don’t forget what we spoke of last night."

"Rest assured, I won’t."

Chen Yi’s casual reply hung in the air. But the interruption sparked a new thought. Even if Xiao Wugou’s talents were prodigious, at his age, such feats couldn’t last. Yet these matters—he’d have to tend to them with care.

That afternoon, Shen Huaotang delivered the ledger of the Medicine Hall, along with tasks for him. "The princess said, Brother-in-law, take your time learning the Hall’s ways. No rush to take charge."

"Even if Wang Guan is gone, there are clerks and doctors there. No immediate trouble expected."

Chen Yi skimmed the ledgers, his voice light. "These records—all written by the princess? The ink’s still fresh, her handwriting delicate. She must’ve prepared them herself."

Shen Huaotang nodded. "She hopes you’ll handle it well, regardless of profit or loss."

Chen Yi bowed. "I’ll thank her. If I falter, I’ll seek her out."

Shen Huaotang bowed and left.

Pei Wulou watched her retreat, biting his lip. "Familiar… where have I seen her before?"

She’d never set foot in Shuzhou, nor entered the Xiao mansion. Yet the feeling lingered, then faded.

Chen Yi, unhearing, reclined on the chair, leafing through the Medicine Hall’s accounts.

The ledgers, though mathematically sound, were crammed with dense characters. Simple ledgers should be clear, yet these were a maze. Pei Wulou, clueless as ever, squinted and looked away.

"Brother, what are you staring at? Wilder than my aunt’s talismans. My head spins."

"Then rest. If your brother objects, you’ll need strength to flee."

"Heh. Sister, she’s kind. Just ask, and she’ll agree."

Nothing was absolute.

By dusk, Xiao Jinghong returned with Su Zhimeng. Upon hearing Chen Yi’s proposal, he shook his head.

My lord, had she wished to stay at other times, she would have stayed. But this time was different.

Chen Yizhao gave a helpless gesture toward Pei Wanglu and went off to arrange the evening meal with Xiao Huo.

Pei Wanglu, seeing this, still wanted to try again: “Sister Jinghong, even if I go back to the clan this time, Grandmother will let me out, right?”

Rather than waste time like that, let me stay, okay?

Xiao Jinghong calmly looked at her, paused for a moment, and explained, “I have a few matters to ask your help with on this trip to the mountain clan.”

Pei Wanglu pointed at herself, blinking: “Me? Help you?”

When had she ever had the ability to help Xiao Jinghong, the ruler of Shu Zhou?

Indeed.

In Pei Wanglu’s heart, Xiao Jinghong was the ruler of Shu Zhou.

Whether it was her martial arts cultivation, her personal guards, or the soldiers training in the military garrisons, all of them made people dare not provoke her.

This wasn’t just ruling over Shu Zhou, was it?

Unaware of her thoughts, Xiao Jinghong had already begun speaking, and could say a few more words.

“The matter of the mutual market isn’t simple, and involves great consequences, so our first discussion with your grandmother may not go smoothly.”

Pei Wanglu understood, “Sister Jinghong, you want me to help persuade?”

Xiao Jinghong shook her head, calmly saying, “It only requires preventing me and your grandmother from fighting.”

Fight…?

Pei Wanglu instinctively shrunk back, “Sister Jinghong, if you and your grandmother really do fight, I dare not stand in your way.”

She may seem like the untamed Xiao Huo, but she’s not foolish.

With her current cultivation, daring to intervene in a battle with a martial artist above the middle third tier would only lead to a grim outcome.

Xiao Jinghong knew she had misunderstood, “Rest assured, we won’t actually fight.”

Pei Wanglu sighed in relief, but then her face soured, “So I still have to go back, right?”

Can’t play with Uncle Chen anymore, it’s not happy.

If you don’t want to stay in the clan, once I’ve discussed the mutual market with your grandmother, you can come back with me.

Really?

Yes.

Seeing Xiao Jinghong nod, Pei Wanglu smiled and started counting on her fingers: “It takes ten days to go back, ten days to return, and you still have to discuss with my grandmother, so that’s half a day.”

Ah? Twenty days? That’s so long.

Xiao Jinghong’s eyes twitched, noticing Chen Yizhao carrying the tray with Xiao Huo, nodded and said, “If everything goes smoothly, it’s like this.”

How could it be so quick?

In half a day, she might not even meet the Mountain Lady.

Not to mention the contract terms, there’s also the selection and surveying of the market location and subsequent matters.

Each item and matter could be arranged within two months, which is already quite fast.

Of course, she wouldn’t tell Pei Wanglu about these.

Thinking this, Xiao Jinghong stood and took the tray from Chen Yizhao, carrying it to the pavilion with him.

“My lord, tomorrow I’ll lead people to the mountain clan. If there’s anything, you can ask the elder sister or grandfather.”

Before Chen Yizhao could nod, Pei Wanglu’s face grew even more sorrowful: “Tomorrow? Sister Jinghong, I-I don’t want to go back.”

Xiao Jinghong looked at her and said slowly, “It’s too late now.”

(End of chapter)