You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

Chapter 435: Chapter 270: Trying to Steal a Chicken, Only to Lose the Rice

Shen Huatang cleared the table with Xiaodie, Cui’er, and the others.

Chen Yi, meanwhile, sat in the living room chatting with Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Wuge.

Today, Xiao Xuanshuo was busy, giving Xiao Wuge a rare day off, so he didn’t go to the Martial Arts Arena.

However, Xiao Wuge had gotten up before dawn to practice his Pile Skill in the courtyard.

He could certainly be called diligent.

So now, Xiao Wuge was recounting in great detail everything he did at the Martial Arts Arena.

It wasn’t exactly boasting, but there were definitely things worthy of praise.

At least, Xiao Wan’er looked gratified after hearing his story.

"Wuge, Second Uncle is teaching you so diligently. You must not let him down in the future."

"Don’t worry, Big Sister. I’ll definitely work hard."

Xiao Wuge puffed out his chest and promised, then turned to look at Chen Yi.

"Brother-in-law, when is Sister Guanli coming back? She promised to teach me her Step Technique. She hasn’t forgotten, has she?"

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "Her? She’s probably been held up by something."

"But don’t worry. I’ll go ask her about it later. I’ll make sure she teaches you her best moves."

"That’s good..."

Just as he spoke, Xiaodie hurried back, a panicked look on her face.

"Young Miss, Young Master-in-law, Young Master, something’s happened outside..."

Xiao Wan’er froze, raising a hand to signal for her to slow down.

Without catching her breath, Xiaodie quickly said, "Just now, word came from the central courtyard... they said... they said..."

"Said what?"

"They said the Barbarian Race might be massing troops at Mengshui Pass!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan’er’s expression changed. Her eyes couldn’t hide the confusion, sorrow, and unease that surfaced.

"How could that be... Xiaodie, who did you hear this from?"

"Young Miss, a few Armored Warriors said it. They also said... they also said the Old Master has already given the order to place our mansion under lockdown."

After hearing Xiaodie’s words, Xiao Wan’er’s face paled, causing that trace of gentle, sunny warmth about her to dim.

Seeing this, Chen Yi naturally knew the reason. He asked in a calm, gentle voice:

"Xiaodie, was it an urgent report from Mengshui Pass?"

Xiaodie shook her head. "No, it wasn’t."

"They said it’s the son of some Barbarian Left King. He’s in Shu State right now, and he’s even been branded as a slave."

"So, many people in the mansion are guessing that the Barbarian Race might launch a full-scale invasion to get revenge for that ’Crown Prince’."

"Crown Prince?"

’Since when did a lowly barbarian slave who herded cattle and sheep on the fringes of the Black Bear Tribe become a Crown Prince?’ Chen Yi chuckled to himself.

At this thought, he let out a laugh, drawing the gazes of the others.

"If that’s the case, I believe this matter requires further investigation."

Xiao Wan’er’s beautiful eyes were fixed on him, her hands clasped at her chest, her expression unable to hide her worry.

She truly did not want to see war break out in Shu State again, especially a large-scale barbarian invasion from the north.

Never mind the long history of Xiao Family members who had died on the barbarian battlefields.

In the last great war alone, she had personally witnessed the deaths of many relatives.

Her father, her mother, her Fourth Grand-uncle Xiao Zhan, her Third Uncle Xiao Rui, and many, many other elders from the branch families.

Most of them had died in battle.

"Is that so?"

"Mm, as far as I know, the Barbarian Race is currently embroiled in internal strife over the position of Barbarian King."

"The several heirs are each fighting for themselves, and all have numerous supporters. Even the Barbarian Left King, Mu Hage, is not exempt."

Chen Yi gently patted Xiao Wan’er’s hand and said comfortingly, "Sister Wan’er, please try not to worry. Believe me, we haven’t reached the worst-case scenario yet."

Meeting his gaze, the anxiety that had just gripped Xiao Wan’er’s heart was soothed by a wave of warmth.

She nodded gently, slowly pulling herself away from the scars of her past memories. "You’re right."

Composing herself, she looked at Xiao Wuge, Xiaodie, and the others, forcing a smile.

To reassure herself, and to reassure them.

"We haven’t reached the worst point yet. We should wait until Grandfather and the others have investigated clearly."

Xiao Wuge, for his part, showed no signs of fear.

He even seemed eager for a fight. "If they dare to invade again, Second Sister will surely beat them so badly that not a single piece of armor remains!"

Xiao Wan’er smacked him lightly and chided, "Don’t talk such nonsense."

"On the battlefield, blades have no eyes. Even someone as powerful as a Grandmaster faces the risk of falling, let alone your Second Sister."

Xiao Wuge clutched his head and muttered an "oh," then sullenly fell silent.

They chatted idly for a few more moments.

Seeing that they had calmed down a bit, Chen Yi stood up to leave.

Hearing that he was leaving the mansion, Xiao Wan’er instinctively followed him. "You... you should still take some Guards with you."

"Even if the horse bandits from the Barbarian Race and Poshisu Country don’t attack, I’m afraid the city isn’t safe either."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "Don’t worry. Even if they do invade, nothing will happen here in the Prefecture City."

"Take some Armored Warriors with you. Only then will I... I be at ease."

"Alright, I’ll listen to you."

As Chen Yi spoke and was about to leave Jiaxing Garden, he saw two figures approaching the gate.

It was none other than Cui Qingwu, whom he had just met last night, and her Maid, Huan’er.

’What a coincidence,’ Chen Yi thought. He then said smoothly, "Sister Wan’er, Miss Cui is here."

He didn’t forget to add, "This is a good chance for you to ask her for news from outside."

Xiao Wan’er hummed in agreement, reminding him to be careful, then stepped forward to greet them.

"Little Sister Qingwu, please don’t be offended. I was just held up by something and couldn’t greet you at the main gate."

Cui Qingwu quickened her pace and said with a smile, "Sister Wan’er, what are you saying? I wouldn’t dare have you come out to greet me."

After speaking, she noticed Chen Yi looked like he was about to head out, so she greeted him and asked,

"Is Mr. Qingzhou heading out?"

Chen Yi nodded, calmly said, "I’ll let you two talk," and walked away.

’This woman... instead of handling her proper business, she comes running here. She’s really...’

’Forget it. It was my suggestion, anyway.’

’There’s not much I can say about it now.’

’Besides, even without Cui Qingwu, I have other plans in place. It doesn’t really affect the outcome.’

Meanwhile, Cui Qingwu watched his expression and felt a flicker of displeasure herself.

’She was, by all rights, Chen Yi’s nominal sister-in-law. Why did he still have that "can’t be bothered with you" look on his face?’

With that in mind, her eyes darted, and she said, "Sister Wan’er, isn’t it a bit inappropriate for Mr. Qingzhou to be going out at a time like this?"

Xiao Wan’er was taken aback. "What’s wrong?"

"It’s almost chaos outside right now."

"Because of the Left King’s son?"

"Oh, Sister Wan’er already knows. Yes, that’s it."

"I also heard that the Barbarian Left King, Mu Hage, has learned that his son is in Shu State and is already amassing his forces."

"Really?"

"I..."

Chen Yi, who hadn’t gone far, couldn’t stand to listen anymore. He turned back and interrupted them.

"Miss Cui, I was wondering, where might my elder brother be at present?"

Cui Qingwu paused, looking at him with a half-smile. "Mr. Qingzhou still acknowledges Brother Yunfan as his elder brother? How could you not know his whereabouts?"

Chen Yi knew she was trying to stir up trouble for him. He calmly clasped his hands in a salute and said,

"If my brother is willing to acknowledge me, I am naturally grateful."

"It’s just that he is, after all, an Advisor to the Governor’s Office. I wouldn’t want to disturb him. I hope Miss Cui can inform me."

’Now that’s more like it,’ Cui Qingwu thought. She looked up at the sky and said, "Brother Yunfan will be going to the East Market at noon."

Chen Yi faltered. ’The East Market?’

"Is he going there... on official business?"

"Mm. I heard Lord Yang asked him to go keep an eye on those grain stores. I’m sure Mr. Qingzhou has heard that the price of grain in the Prefecture City is too high right now."

After hearing Cui Qingwu’s words, Chen Yi’s heart gave a strange leap.

But he looked up at the sky, saw that it was still a while before noon, and breathed a sigh of relief.

’It makes no sense.’

’It can’t be such a coincidence.’

’Even if Immortal Bai is going to read someone’s fortune, it shouldn’t be Chen Yunfan, of all people.’

Thinking this, Chen Yi bid farewell to the group and left Jiaxing Garden directly.

Cui Qingwu watched his retreating figure, feeling that his actions just now were a bit baffling.

But after hearing what Xiao Wan’er said next, she understood.

"Little Sister Qingwu, quickly, tell me more. What other news is spreading outside? Are the barbarians really coming?"

"Oh, Sister Wan’er, I was just making things up..."

Cui Qingwu wasn’t stupid. The moment she realized what was happening, she understood Chen Yi’s intention.

She certainly couldn’t keep making Xiao Wan’er worry.

But as she thought about this, Cui Qingwu couldn’t help but have some strange thoughts about Chen Yi.

’After coming to Shu State, how did this Chen Yi become so frivolous?’

’Isn’t it enough for him to be the husband of the Xiao Family’s second daughter? Does he want Xiao Wan’er as well?’

’Isn’t he afraid of trying to steal the chicken, only to lose the rice?’

...

Chen Yi, of course, had no idea what Cui Qingwu was thinking.

After arriving at the front courtyard, he followed Xiao Wan’er’s instructions and found Liu Si’er to drive him to Jishi Medicine Hall.

Originally, he had planned to go to Hundred Herbs Hall first.

But hearing that Chen Yunfan would be at the East Market at noon made him feel a little uneasy.

After all, that Immortal Bai had quite a reputation.

’What if he were to tell Chen Yunfan something like "Your official career will be smooth sailing," or "You are destined for wealth and honor"? Who knows what the consequences would be?’

Not long after.

Liu Si’er brought the horse-drawn carriage, and they departed from the Marquis’s Mansion with Chen Yi inside.

"Huh?"

"Why is he here again?"

Hearing Liu Si’er’s mutter, Chen Yi lifted the curtain to look and also raised an eyebrow slightly.

’Liu Hong?’