Chapter 458 - 280: It’s Really You?
Chapter 458: Chapter 280: It’s Really You?
Wang Lixing naturally hoped for the same, but he was more rational.
"My fear is that the Barbarian Race will use the matter of that Crown Prince as a pretext to attack with their army."
"Aren’t you overthinking this, Brother Xing? There’s been no word from outside Mengshui Pass to the south. Things probably won’t get to the worst-case scenario."
"Let’s hope so..."
After those few brief words, Chen Yi bid them farewell and left the Marquis’s Mansion, heading toward North City.
Although the city was currently in some turmoil, it wasn’t chaotic overall.
The Noble Families and scholars, in particular, were worldly and knowledgeable. They wouldn’t be stirred to action by a few mere rumors.
If they remained calm, the vast majority of the city’s populace wouldn’t panic.
And if the people weren’t in turmoil, the few major grain merchants wouldn’t be too anxious.
Chen Yi had anticipated this long ago.
That was why he had prepared for so long.
’When things reach an extreme, they reverse. To take, one must first give... It’s fine to let them be happy for now...’
Mulling this over, Chen Yi wound his way to a residence next to the East Market.
Wang Ji was already waiting there.
Chen Yi greeted him and, while applying a disguise, asked, "Have you heard from Zhang Dabao?"
Holding up a brocade robe that had been prepared earlier, Wang Ji said respectfully, "They have already rendezvoused with Dabao."
"As you instructed, they’ve split into two groups, one in the west and one in the south."
"They’re just waiting for your order to act."
Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment. "Good, as long as the items were delivered."
"Rest assured, my lord. How could this lowly one dare to delay the tasks you’ve assigned?"
Wang Ji bowed and continued, "It’s just that the disciples of the Celestial Sect have only just arrived. This lowly one is worried they might leak information."
Chen Yi smiled. "I’ve met Xue Duanyun and the others before. With them there, it shouldn’t be a big problem."
It wasn’t that he subscribed to the principle of ’trusting those you employ,’ but rather that he believed Xue Duanyun and the others wouldn’t dare.
Even though the task he’d given Zhang Dabao was of great importance, based on what Xue Duanyun and the others had learned about him these past few days, they would at least try to carry it out first.
If they sensed something was wrong, they’d have an escape route.
Besides, the disciples of the Celestial Sect were all Jianghu People; they rarely concerned themselves with matters of the Imperial Court.
As long as it wasn’t treason or wantonly taking lives, they would do it, even with apprehension in their hearts.
Chen Yi had already considered this point and had made preparations long ago.
That’s why he had Wang Ji deliver the Immortal Drunk and Qingfeng Drunk—to ensure they wouldn’t have to harm anyone.
A short while later, Chen Yi had finished his preparations and looked at his reflection in the Copper Mirror.
His features were handsome, his demeanor calm and extraordinary. He said, "Remember, from now on, if anyone asks, you are to say that I visited the Old Marquis today only to discuss the expansion of Hundred Herbs Hall."
Wang Ji acknowledged, "Understood," and asked, "Then, what about the young miss?"
"Tell her the same thing."
Chen Yi had his own plans. He knew there were some things he could discuss with the Elder Master but couldn’t reveal to Xiao Wan’er.
"This lowly one will remember."
"Good. Let’s go."
Soon, Wang Ji drove the horse-drawn carriage out of the residence.
Chen Yi sat upright, leaning back in the carriage and looking outside.
The late autumn wind occasionally blew the curtain aside.
At some point, a light rain began to fall.
The pedestrians on the road quickened their pace.
But there were also many bold members of the Jianghu who, relying on their Cultivation, ambled along unhurriedly, stopping and starting as they pleased.
Most of them carried bamboo hats on their backs, their clothes disheveled, looking travel-worn.
Those traveling in groups would talk about Jianghu matters.
The most discussed topic, naturally, was "Immortal Bai"—his purpose for coming to Shu State, when he might arrive, and so on.
But it was clear they were bound to be disappointed.
"Immortal Bai" had not only come, but had already left.
Seeing there was no new information, Chen Yi focused his mind, his handsome face settling into a calm expression.
A moment later, the carriage stopped outside the Xiao Mansion.
Wang Ji went forward and exchanged a few words with the Third Steward, Lu Guan, who was guarding the entrance. The main gates then swung open.
Without waiting for Wang Ji to return, Chen Yi stepped down from the carriage.
Lu Guan sized him up and greeted him with a smile, "Boss Chen, it’s been a while. You’re looking as sharp as ever."
Chen Yi bowed slightly without speaking.
Seeing as he had brought the Xiao Mansion a considerable amount of silver, Lu Guan didn’t find his silence arrogant.
He led the way.
Chen Yi and Wang Ji followed behind him.
The three of them had just crossed the front courtyard when they saw two people approaching from a short distance away.
It was none other than Liu Hong and Zhao Liuan.
Lu Guan stopped, whispered their identities, and then bowed respectfully to Liu Hong.
"Lord Liu."
Chen Yi followed suit and bowed as well.
Liu Hong nodded with a smile, but his gaze was sizing up Chen Yi.
Liu Hong didn’t recognize Chen Yi, but he did recognize Wang Ji and knew he was the Shopkeeper of Hundred Herbs Hall.
It wasn’t difficult, then, to guess Chen Yi’s current identity.
Clearly, however, a mere merchant wasn’t worth more than a few words, so he hurriedly left the Marquis’s Mansion with Zhao Liuan.
"My lord, that man must be the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall, Chen Yu."
"Mm."
"His visit to the Marquis’s Mansion today... could it be that the Old Marquis..."
"It’s of no concern. The Xiao Family’s finances now rely heavily on the profits from Hundred Herbs Hall. The Old Marquis summoned him, most likely for the sake of silver."
Liu Hong glanced back at the grand, high-gated mansion, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
For a mere merchant to be received with the main gates of the Xiao Mansion wide open was a clear sign of the Xiao Family’s decline.
Zhao Liuan noticed his expression and made an inference.
"My lord, are you returning to your residence or going to the Government Office?"
The smile vanished from Liu Hong’s face. He looked toward South City and said, "No rush. Let’s make a trip to Spring Rain Building first."
Zhao Liuan froze, a look of alarm on his face.
"My lord, for you to go personally would be a breach of decorum. It would be better to let your subordinate go instead."
Liu Hong shook his head. "For some matters, the result is not important. The attitude is."
Lately, he had tried every possible way to find Asutai, but he still couldn’t locate him.
With the deadline Du Cang had given him fast approaching, he had no choice but to seek some outside help.
Of course, this was more about showing something to Du Cang.
That he, Liu Hong, was not afraid of a little slander.
’History has always been written by the victors. As long as I win, who will gossip?’
’And who would dare?’
Chen Yi, of course, was unaware of the pressure Liu Hong had been under recently. He was sitting quietly in the main hall of the Qingjing Residence, waiting for the Elder Master.
He was as calm and composed as he had been when he first met Xiao Wan’er as "Chen Yu."
Although he had never thought of himself as an equal to the Elder Master, he had indeed come today with the intention of showing a bit of what he was capable of.
However, while his face was calm, his ears were burning slightly.
The Elder Master, in the inner hall, was not being discreet about his guest at all, "whispering" with the Commander of the Secret Guard, Xiao Jing.
"Is it him?"
"Your subordinate... um... your subordinate cannot be certain."
"However, your subordinate can feel the aura about him. His Cultivation is a great deal stronger than mine."
After hearing Xiao Jing’s words, the Elder Master nodded lightly and stood up to walk outside.
As he walked, he gestured. "You come as well."
Xiao Jing hesitated slightly before acknowledging the order and following behind him.
Normally, as the Commander of the Xiao Family’s Hidden Guard, he wouldn’t meet with outsiders, or even members of the Xiao Family outside the main branch.
An order from the Elder Master was the only exception.
Before long, the two of them entered the main hall. Chen Yi calmly rose and bowed. "Chen Yu of Hundred Herbs Hall greets the Marquis, and... Commander Xiao."
Elder Master Xiao’s initially calm smile vanished, and his eyes widened slightly as he sized him up.
In contrast to his master’s composure, shock was written all over Xiao Jing’s face.
"You... you... it really is you?!"
Chen Yi naturally knew who he was talking about. He cupped his fist. "I hope Commander Xiao can forgive me. The situation was urgent, so I had to act according to the circumstances and hide my identity."
Before burning the summer grain of the Three Towns, he had rescued Xiao Jing from the Imprisonment Department.
Although Xiao Jing didn’t know his identity at the time, after witnessing him in action several times, he could deduce his general identity.
Especially since he had also revealed some information back then.
Xiao Jing stared at him, still in shock. "Then, why did you..."
Before he could finish, the Elder Master raised a hand to interrupt him, a smile returning to his face as he looked at Chen Yi.
"Heroes have always emerged from the younger generation."
"I didn’t believe it at first, but seeing you today, I know you are worthy of the title ’young hero’."
In his eyes, whether it was "Chen Yu" or "Liu Wu," both were personas belonging to someone from the Jianghu.
And for doing so much for their Xiao Family, the young man before him was certainly worthy of being called a "young hero."
"I have only done a few small things. I am unworthy of the Marquis’s praise."
"Heh heh, someone who dares to hire Bright Moon Building to burn the summer grain of the Three Towns doesn’t just do ’small things’."
The Elder Master spoke meaningfully, then leaned on his cane and sat in the seat of honor.
Chen Yi watched his back, knowing that last sentence carried a warning, so he didn’t rush to speak.
Seeing this, the Elder Master nodded to himself in approval and gestured for him to sit.
"Since you’ve already decided to be open and honest with me, you must have come today to discuss a matter of great importance."
"Speak..."