Chapter 91: Then Should I Leave?

Chapter 91: So What, I Should Leave?

In keeping with Chen Yi’s intentions, he truly didn’t want to stir, let alone wade into trouble.

Yet the current state of the Xiao family demanded he take precautions in advance.

The Bai Caotang was one, and himself was the other.

“When will a son-in-law have to rely on his own efforts?”

“Eating soft assignments up to my level—how many could there be left?”

With such thoughts in mind, Chen Yi bought a few items on Kangning Street, then went to the framing shop to collect the calligraphy he’d sent ahead of time, and returned home directly.

The wedding of Li Huiguo was the next day—he couldn’t afford to idle his hands.

Upon returning to the manor, he collided head-on with Liu Si Er, who was preparing to leave mounted on a cart.

Chen Yi nodded and stepped inside.

Liu Si Er paused, puzzled. Today, he was supposed to meet the groom at Dong Market—how had he returned so early?

After a moment’s thought, Liu Si Er set the cart aside and headed to the rear chamber, his expression calm.

When, when, clang.

The door creaked open. The uncle’s face was dark and sinister as he stared at him: “A second time.”

Liu Si Er’s expression remained unchanged, still cloaked in the guise of seeking help.

He spoke loudly, thanking him, while squeezing a few words past his teeth:

“The fledgling bird returned early—has the eagle’s plan still proceeded?”

The uncle seemed surprised, fell silent for a moment, then shook his head: “I’ll go to Dong Market later.”

Liu Si Er understood, said, “Hurry,” and departed.

When he was gone, the uncle paused, took something, closed the door, and slowly made his way outside.

The fledgling bird’s path today seemed favorable—for now, let it rest.

Chen Yi didn’t realize his leisure was sparing a trouble.

Even if he knew, it would only be a simple “trouble,” and he wouldn’t spare this one.

When he returned leisurely to the Spring Lotus Garden, he found two elders more relaxed than himself sitting in the pavilion playing Go.

Butterfly was attending them as usual.

Xiao Wu Ge sat watching, his face crumpled like a ball—hardly concealing his mood.

It must have been another setback from Sun Fu.

Upon seeing Chen Yi approach, Butterfly hurried over, taking a handkerchief from her sleeve to pat his face, brushing away the dust.

Xiao Wu Ge looked relieved, smiling as he rushed over: “Brother, you came back so early today?”

Chen Yi smiled and asked: “So, should I go?”

Xiao Wu Ge tilted his head, pitifully saying: “Take me with you.”

Chen Yi laughed, turning to the two teachers, Sun Fu and Zhang Xuan: “Look how they’ve treated our young master.”

In such a casual tone, Zhang Gonggu would surely scold them loudly.

But Chen Yi… he was just a brash kid with a bit of learning, nothing more.

Zhang Gonggu thought, and pointed at Sun Fu: “He’s done well, but instead of playing Go properly, he wants to test Wu Ge’s worthiness as a former history of the previous dynasty.”

Sun Fu laughed and scolded him, but couldn’t find words for Chen Yi.

After all, he still had people to rely on.

“Learning more history is beneficial, it’ll spare you a detour in growth.”

Sun Fu hadn’t asked casually.

His assessment of Xiao Wu Ge was the biography of a former marquis of the previous dynasty, whose circumstances mirrored the Xiao family’s—both ancient lineages, both martial lineage families.

Yet the previous dynasty’s marquis only led troops in times of crisis, usually remaining in the capital.

This suited Xiao Wu Ge’s upcoming situation in Jinling.

Such an assessment was certainly the result of careful thought.

Chen Yi understood his intent, patted Xiao Wu Ge’s head, led him to the two elders, and smiled:

“History as a mirror—truly beneficial.”

Sun Fu’s face brightened, turning to Zhang Gonggu: “Your turn—try again, make a move.”

Zhang Gonggu pinched his nose, then reclaimed the previous white stone: “Don’t backtrack on what I said.”

“….”

The two resumed their bickering, the atmosphere growing lively.

At least Xiao Wu Ge’s face had begun to smile freely.

This alone earned Chen Yi’s admiration.

When could he, like this elder brother, converse and laugh with a prince and an elder?

Chen Yi felt no particular significance, perhaps this was the principle of “where there is no desire, there is righteousness.”

He didn’t offend others, nor sought anything from them—naturally, he remained dignified.

Put simply, in this world, there were few people he held dear.

Within the Garden of Excellence,

Xiao Yan Er, seated in the pavilion cooling off, heard the laughter.

From a pile of ledgers, she lifted her head.

Leaning her ear, she frowned slightly: “He, returned?”

Nearby, Shen Huatang, who’d heard the voices earlier, replied: “The second prince returned moments ago, now he’s talking with Prince Zhang and Elder Sun.”

Xiao Yan Er looked at the ledgers on the table: “Has the Life-Saving Pharmacy’s business been unaffected?”

But that didn’t make sense.

She’d just seen the ledgers Liu Quan had reported yesterday, and the past two days’ sales were declining.

Shen Huatang thought of Chen Yi’s recent inquiry about the “Blade Demon” challenging Xiao Zhenghong, and his questions about the world’s affairs, hesitated, then said:

“Miss, perhaps the prince’s mind isn’t on the pharmacy.”

Xiao Yan Er nodded, continuing to read the ledgers, then took out a piece of cypress paper with her handwriting.

After writing, she handed it to Shen Huatang: “Give this to the second steward—have him contact the merchants quickly to prepare the materials above.”

Shen Huatang took it, leaving the garden.

Xiao Yan Er gathered her papers and brushes, gazing toward the Spring Lotus Garden, thoughtful:

Her brother-in-law was never a merchant, never a shopkeeper—he wouldn’t grasp the long-term impact of Ling Lan Xuan.

Ah, I wonder if the one who plunders medicinal herbs has any connection to Ling Lan Xuan.

She always felt this matter was far too suspicious.

"Later, I suppose I’ll have to inquire with Uncle Er. The Palace of Death has been investigating for several days now; there should be some news by then."

As she pondered these things, the laughter of the Spring Lotus Garden reached her ears, and she couldn’t help but feel a complex mixture of emotions stir within her.

Does he truly not care about the matters of the Life-Saving Pharmacy?

……

Outside the Pharmacy, Chen Yihun was suffused with a comfortable, relaxed energy.

After all, he merely stood in the Spring Lotus Garden.

Yet how could he resist the presence of flowers, grass, water, and the lively chatter of people?

Thus, the entire afternoon passed in good spirits for him.

Only after finishing dinner did he begin preparing gifts for Li Huaiwu.

At this season, wedding customs were numerous, especially for someone like Li Huaiwu—renowned for his merits and official rank. The procedures were intricate, stretching from dawn until dusk, and even the guests attending the banquet had to observe numerous protocols.

Ordinary folk, however, need not pay such heed. But given Chen Yihun’s current standing, he needed to be mindful.

First, he held an academic degree and a reputation; second, when venturing forth, he represented the Xiao family’s honor. Thus, proprieties demanded careful attention.

Therefore, he deliberately flipped through a book, following the customs to prepare for Li Huaiwu a calligraphy scroll and a stone inkstone.

The scroll was his own handiwork, completing the poem he had written: "If flowers bloom, one may as well fold them."

The inkstone, though modest in price, cost him two silver dollars.

It suited his status as a scholar and son-in-law.

Once prepared, Chen Yihun instructed Xiao Die to gather them up, smiling as he explained they would soon take her to the feast.

Xiao Die, that little gluttonous cat, nodded with delight.

She had no resistance whatsoever when it came to food.

Xiao Wangle also wished to accompany them, but was refused by Chen Yihun, naturally with the reason being to let him accompany Xiao Wan'er.

With Ling Lan Xuan’s recent developments, Xiao Wan'er must be quite troubled by now.

Though Xiao Wangle was a bit disappointed, going to Gaoxing Yuan was better than staying by Su Fu’s side.

In the evening, they returned to their respective rooms.

Chen Yihun glanced at the spiritual curtain, then began practicing the Xuanwu Quelling Breath Technique.

Having reached the eighth-grade cultivation realm, his internal qi and energy had transformed into true essence, and his martial arts practice underwent certain changes.

No longer was it primarily about increasing physical vitality and martial energy.

Or rather, the gains from the Pillar Training in martial energy had long since reached their limit.

Thus, he would henceforth focus on elevating his true essence, filling the Dantian and the lower cauldron—two great energy seas—to further channel the twelve primary meridians within his body, including the Ren and Du vessels.

By doing so, he could form a true essence circulation within his body, a small cosmic cycle.

Whether it was the Great Spear Pillar Technique or the Xuanwu Quelling Breath Technique, neither constituted a method for cultivating true essence.

He simply lacked a suitable technique for such cultivation, so he made do for the time being.

Compared to the former, the Xuanwu Quelling Breath Technique advanced through realms more swiftly.

Thus, Chen Yihun stood in the Xuanwu style continuously until the hour of zi:

[Daily Intelligence Report – Grade A (Mystic Level): At the wuxia hour in Luowei Lane, Suitor Li Huaiwu of the Exploration Flower ranks married Yun Xiang. A small amount of fortune may be gained.]

Chen Yihun glanced at the report and found it unsurprising.

The wedding of the Exploration Flower suitor, though late, had finally arrived.

Though upon careful thought, he too felt a bit troubled.

"The masters at Guiyun College, those gentlemen, seem quite troublesome. They’ll likely not abandon their pursuit of the calligraphy scroll."

(Chapter Complete)