Chapter 421 - 263: A Thorough Autumn Cleansing
Chapter 421: Chapter 263: A Thorough Autumn Cleansing
Chen Yi said with a smile, "I’ve fulfilled my promise. The painting I said I’d make for you is complete."
"Really?"
Xiao Wan’er’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly handed the blueprints to Shen Huatang and carefully unrolled the painting.
Six figures seemed to leap off the paper.
There was Xiao Fengchun, imposing without being angry, and the elegant Fu Wanqing, both seated on chairs. Squatting beside them was Xiao Wuge, grinning from ear to ear.
Behind them stood a valiant and heroic-looking Xiao Jinghong, a gentle and delicate Xiao Wan’er, and, standing between the two women, Chen Yi.
—Just as he had painted himself the night before, he was dressed in black brocade robes, his features strikingly handsome.
As Xiao Wan’er looked at the portrait in her hands, the images of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing reflected in her eyes, which began to mist over.
"Fa-Father... Mother..."
Chen Yi watched Xiao Wan’er, who was on the verge of tears, and sighed internally. He decided not to mention the other uses for his Minor Achievement Painting Dao.
He didn’t want her worries to fester into a sickness of the heart.
It was a pity he couldn’t yet reveal that Fu Wanqing was deep in the territory of the Barbarian Race; otherwise, he could have given Xiao Wan’er something to be happy about.
Beside them, Shen Huatang and Xie Tingyun glanced at the portrait and naturally sensed a trace of Heaven and Earth’s Spiritual Mechanism emanating from it.
While marveling inwardly, they didn’t dare say much.
After a long while, Xiao Wan’er finally came back to her senses, turning to the side to wipe the corners of her eyes.
"You... Brother-in-law, please forgive me. I... You... Your painting is just too good. For a moment, it made me think of Father and Mother."
Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment and said comfortingly with a smile, "As long as you’re not blaming me for taking the liberty of painting myself in."
Only then did Xiao Wan’er notice Chen Yi in the painting. After a brief look, a blush inexplicably appeared on her face.
"You... You are Jinghong’s husband. Of course, that also makes you my... our family."
’But why did this scoundrel paint himself with both arms outstretched?’
’It looked as if he had his arms around both of us sisters.’
Chen Yi, of course, was aware of that little "flaw." He said nonchalantly, "As long as you’re satisfied, Eldest Sister."
"I also painted an extra one for my wife. In a few days, I’ll have someone deliver it to her."
While carefully putting the portrait away, Xiao Wan’er nodded. "Calculating the time, Second Sister’s reply should be on its way."
"After you and I have read her letter, we can write a reply and send it along with the painting."
Once Xiao Wan’er had calmed down, Chen Yi explained the reason for his visit.
"Yesterday, I heard from Wang Ji that Boss Chen Yu is returning today. I’m going to head over and check on things later."
"If everything goes smoothly, Guangyuan County should be the first stop for Hundred Herbs Hall’s expansion."
Xiao Wan’er thought for a moment. "You can make the decision."
She then explained apologetically, "Right now, I’m spread too thin. All my attention is on the Medical Dao Academy."
"If you don’t mind, could you help me by checking in on Hundred Herbs Hall more often?"
This was exactly what he wanted.
Chen Yi, of course, wouldn’t refuse. "The partnership between Hundred Herbs Hall and the other medicine halls has already taken shape, so there isn’t much to do."
"Of course, this ultimately concerns the Xiao Mansion’s finances. After I see Boss Chen Yu, I’ll ask about his plans and let you know."
Xiao Wan’er gazed at him with limpid eyes and nodded gently. "Thank you."
"There’s no need for thanks..."
Watching the two of them, Xie Tingyun had an "I knew it" expression all over her face.
In her eyes, the way they were acting right now could only be described as "lovey-dovey."
So, after watching a moment longer, she couldn’t resist nudging Shen Huatang with her elbow.
’Junior Sister, I was right, wasn’t I? The relationship between these two... is unusual.’
Shen Huatang shot her a sidelong glance and mouthed silently, "Don’t be ridiculous."
But still, Shen Huatang recalled what she had seen and heard that day in Tonglin Town and had to admit to herself that Xie Tingyun was right.
’The Eldest Miss and the Second Sister’s husband are just... This is beyond me!’
After a few more lighthearted words, Chen Yi stood up to leave.
Xiao Wan’er saw him out of Jiaxing Garden, handing him an oil-paper umbrella as she reminded him:
"When you see Boss Chen Yu, say hello for me."
Chen Yi nodded in agreement, then opened the umbrella and left the Xiao Mansion.
This time, without Cui Qingwu’s meddling, he had no desire to let Liu Si’er and the others follow him.
He disappeared alone into the rainy crowd, doing his best not to attract attention.
However, just as he rounded Chuansi Street, Chen Yi surveyed the surrounding pedestrians and couldn’t help but frown slightly.
He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination.
But he had a feeling that there were far more Wandering Martial Artists on the streets today than usual.
Moreover, based on their accents, it wasn’t hard to tell they were all from outside Shu State.
Chen Yi scanned the area, then slightly relaxed his Black Tortoise Concealment Technique, revealing his Eighth Grade Realm cultivation.
He infused his ears with True Essence to listen carefully to their conversations.
"I never expected a place like Shu State, so far from the Central Plains, to be this prosperous."
"It is a State Capital, after all. Even on the frontier, the Imperial Court and the powerful nobles still have their reach."
"Besides, there are many Noble Families here. Naturally, they benefit the region by building bridges, paving roads, developing the local economy, and so on."
"That’s true... As I recall, the family with the longest legacy in Shu State is the Xiao Family of Duke Dingyuan, right?"
"That’s them."
"But that was in the past. Ever since the previous Patriarch, Duke Dingyuan Xiao Fengchun, died on the battlefield, the current Xiao Family’s old are old and its young are young. They’re already in decline."
Chen Yi glanced at the few Wandering Martial Artists with obvious Jiangnan accents, then turned his head to listen elsewhere.
"...Immortal Bai appeared in Xiangyang City, north of Jing State, the day before yesterday. And he performed a divination for someone."
"Who was so unlucky?"
"They say it was someone from the Evil Demonic Dao. No one knows their name, but the prophecy got out."
"What did it say?"
"A fate of wealth and status; if not rich, then noble."
"HISS! Doesn’t that mean that person is going to die a horrible death?"
"Isn’t that the truth? We’ll see what becomes of them in a few days. We’d better be careful, too."
"Yeah, Immortal Bai unintentionally revealed he’s coming to Shu State. We’re just here to watch the show, we can’t afford to lose our lives here..."
After listening to a few more idle conversations, Chen Yi finally understood why all these Wandering Martial Artists had come to Shu State.
—It was all because of Immortal Bai of the Wind and Rain Tower!
Realizing this, Chen Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Yesterday, when he’d heard the news from Pei Qian, he hadn’t thought much of it. But now, it seemed the influence of Immortal Bai—the number one figure in Martial Arts who had dominated the Jianghu for decades—far exceeded his imagination.
’I wonder what his purpose is for coming to Shu State.’
’It couldn’t possibly be to deal with the Xiao Family, could it?’
The moment the thought appeared in Chen Yi’s mind, he quickly shook his head to banish it.
The Jing State Liu Family, the White Tiger Guard, and the Ji State Trading Company were already enough of a headache for him.
If Immortal Bai was added to the mix, he’d really just throw in the towel.
With these thoughts, Chen Yi walked straight to the residence behind the tailor shop in the West Market.
Zhang Dabao had been waiting there for a long time.
Chen Yi didn’t linger. He sat down in a chair and had the man apply his disguise.
As Zhang Dabao worked quickly on him, he reported, "The Shopkeeper came by first thing this morning."
"What was it about?"
"He told me to tell you that suspicious people have been seen outside that residence in the East Market recently."
"That residence?"
Chen Yi frowned slightly. The residence in the East Market was the very place where he had tricked Xiao Dongchen into signing the contract.
He hadn’t been back there since. He had even specifically instructed Wang Ji to send the seller out of Shu State and have him watched.
He never thought that after all this time, someone had actually found the place.
After a moment of thought, a pensive look crossed Chen Yi’s face. "It can only be one of two parties."
’First, the White Tiger Guard. After all, Xiao Dongchen is one of their Silver Banner Officers, so it’s reasonable they’d follow the clues he left behind.’
’Second, the Liu Family.’
’Or more specifically, Liu Hong.’
’Comparatively, the latter is more likely.’
’After all, after Liu Wen’s death, interested parties have investigated his affairs quite thoroughly.’
’The three hundred thousand taels of silver that ended up in the Xiao Family’s hands is a clear clue in itself.’
Thinking of this, Chen Yi gave an order: "A while ago, didn’t you get in touch with some beggars? Just have them keep an eye on the place."
Just as Zhang Dabao was about to agree, he suddenly remembered something and said with an embarrassed expression:
"My lord, I’m afraid those men won’t dare to help me anymore."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"You’ve forgotten, my lord. That day, they followed those two horse bandits from Poshisu Country to Heiyu Lane, and afterward... a lot of them died."
Zhang Dabao gave a bitter smile. "Afterward, the Shopkeeper had to give them a lot of silver coins to keep them quiet."
Chen Yi chuckled in spite of himself. "In that case, just have someone else watch it."
’Aside from Liu Lang, only the Guards from the Celestial Sect have the necessary strength right now.’
After some thought, Chen Yi continued his instructions, "Later, go to Hundred Herbs Hall and summon Wang Ji, Liu Lang, and a few disciples from the Celestial Sect. Tell them... that I want to see them."
"As... who?"
"Chen Yu!"
Chen Yi pointed to his face—now handsome and serene—and said, "This will do."
Zhang Dabao understood. He quickly put down another mask and replied while tidying up:
"Please wait a moment, my lord. I’ll go right away."