Chapter 417 - 261: Overestimating Oneself
Chapter 417: Chapter 261: Overestimating Oneself
"The rules for this year’s Annual Examination are so strange. There’s no guarantee that old scoundrel Liu Hong isn’t up to something."
"Besides..."
Chen Yunfan stopped talking. He lay back on the bed and grumbled,
"Besides, Brother Yi is also taking the Annual Examination this time."
"If someone sets him up, he could even lose his Scholar title."
Chun Ying covered her mouth and chuckled. "Wouldn’t that be for the best? Then Young Master Yi would have to bow to you, Young Master."
"Hm? Are you looking down on me?"
"If I’m going to defeat Brother Yi, I’ll do it fair and square. How could I resort to such underhanded tactics?"
"You are right to scold me, Young Master. I was wrong."
"It’s good that you know you were wrong. As punishment, you’ll finish all the paperwork in my study for me."
"And you’re not allowed to rest until it’s done."
Chun Ying was both annoyed and amused, but seeing that he had already pulled the covers over himself, she could only agree and turn to leave the room.
She took a few steps, then paused, a strange look flickering in her eyes.
’Defeat him?’
’In what way is Young Master Yi stronger than the Young Master?’
’The Young Master isn’t planning to compete with Young Master Yi in the Calligraphy Dao, is he?’
’That would be... truly overestimating himself...’
...
「Spring Rain Building.」
Lou Yuxue made her way back to her private chamber. Just as she was about to shut the door, a figure abruptly appeared before her.
"You... Liu Wu?!"
The visitor was none other than Chen Yi, dressed in a black cloak. He stood outside the chamber, looked at the surprised Lou Yuxue, and said with a smile,
"We meet again, Miss Yuxue."
Lou Yuxue let go of the door and huffed, "I had no desire to see you, you bastard."
She had long grown accustomed to Chen Yi’s habit of appearing and disappearing like a ghost, so seeing him now wasn’t entirely a surprise.
Chen Yi walked into the chamber unconcerned and closed the door. "If you truly didn’t want to see me, why would you seek out that Miss Cui to purchase grain?"
Lou Yuxue’s brow furrowed. "You followed me?"
The words had barely left her mouth when she suddenly pointed at Chen Yi and demanded, "Did you go to the tailor shop again?!"
Chen Yi sat down calmly at the table and waved his hand. "Don’t be so surprised. Didn’t you already know that I have some knowledge of your White Tiger Guard?"
"So, you already know the Lord Pavilion Master wants to invite you to join the White Tiger Guard?"
"Of course."
"Then you..."
"I refuse."
Chen Yi looked at her with a half-smile, then changed the subject. "However, I am curious to hear how you plan to persuade me."
Lou Yuxue rolled her eyes at him and sat down opposite him.
"Since you don’t want to join, nothing I say will be of any use."
"How do you know if you don’t try? Maybe I’ll change my mind."
"Joining the White Tiger Guard means pledging loyalty to the Pavilion Master and the Holy Emperor. You also have to accept deployments, many of which are life-threatening..."
Before Lou Yuxue could finish, Chen Yi waved his hands dismissively.
"Never mind, never mind. The requirements for your White Tiger Guard are too steep. I’m not worthy."
’Pledging loyalty and all that is one thing; it’s just words.’
’But things like deployments would only add a ton of trouble to my leisurely life.’
’Besides, there’s nothing in the White Tiger Guard that I want. Joining would be more trouble than it’s worth.’
With this in mind, Chen Yi said, "Enough chatter."
"I came to find you this time not only to ask when that shipment of grain will arrive in Shu State, but also because I need your help with something."
Lou Yuxue’s expression eased slightly. "Before we talk business, shouldn’t you explain why you killed Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao?"
"Do you have any idea how many things their deaths have affected?"
"If the Lord General finds out about this, do you know what kind of punishment I’ll face?"
Chen Yi took off his mask, looking completely shameless as he said with a smile,
"If you were so worried about all that, why did you cover for me?"
"You... Hmph!"
Lou Yuxue fumed.
’She never should have covered for this bastard. Even more, she shouldn’t have taken the initiative to discuss buying grain with Cui Qingwu before he showed up.’
Chen Yi knew she had indeed taken some risks for him, so he said with a serious expression,
"I promise you, once the grain arrives, I’ll tell you everything about Lv Jiunan and Ge Muxiao."
"Before that, I need you to spread some rumors."
Lou Yuxue’s expression improved. "What kind of rumors?"
"Not many. Just two."
"First, that King Landu intends to lead the Peacock King Banner in an attack on Shu State."
"And second, that the son of the Barbarian Left King Mu Hage is currently in Shu State..."