Chapter 132 Yi Di, We're Getting Too Distant

As Ge Laosan watched him walk into Fengchun Tower, he breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling a little puzzled.

The fledgling bird clearly meant it wanted to go back to the manor with them, so why did it suddenly change its mind?

Although this was exactly what he and Xiao Dongchen wanted, he felt that the fledgling bird had been acting strangely lately.

Adding to the strange feeling was the smell of blood he had caught from the fledgling the night before.

I still need to find an opportunity to test him.

The other side.

Chen Yi, who had already entered Fengchunlou, was unaware of Ge Laosan's thoughts.

Of course, he knew that at this moment his attention was focused on the people around him, and he had no time to pay attention to Ge Laosan.

Since it wasn't Ge Laosan and Xiao Dongchen, the two hidden guards, discussing important matters in Fengchun Tower, it means there was a third hidden guard present.

Given that the entire discussion took less than a quarter of an hour, or even less, it's easy to deduce that Xiao Dongchen and the other hidden guard didn't discuss much.

Alternatively, exchanging intelligence would be a more appropriate term.

Chen Yi kept these thoughts in mind, but his face remained calm.

After looking around, he saw that most of the people sitting in the lobby were wealthy merchants and江湖客 (jianghu people, people from all walks of life), so he summoned a waiter.

"Sir, how many of you are there?"

"I won't keep you after class. Pack two servings of iced glutinous rice cakes for me to take away."

"Okay, please sit here for a moment, it will be ready soon."

The waiter led Chen Yi to a seat and called out two servings of shaved ice rice cakes as he headed towards the kitchen.

Chen Yi sat at the table, glancing around with his eyes while focusing his attention on his ears.

The Xuanwu Concealing Breath Technique is lifted.

One breath, two breaths, three...

Chen Yi's expression suddenly changed, and he once again used the Xuanwu Concealing Breath Technique to hide his aura.

Although the time was short, he could already hear several familiar voices in the upstairs private room, as well as many more unfamiliar presences and sounds.

Among them were Xiao Dongchen's laughter, Chen Yunfan's lazy and casual speech, and a soft whisper:

“Miss, I have found out that Ma Liangcai was originally a famous doctor in the Wumeng Mountain area. Later, he was found by Baicaotang and signed a contract.”

"Later, because of his connection with the Xiao family, he was able to practice medicine at Jishi Pharmacy."

"Oh? So he does have some skill?"

"There should be... um? A strange martial artist has come to Fengchun Tower!"

That's all I heard.

Chen Yi had already confirmed their identities—it was the Cui family girl and her maid whom he had met yesterday.

Leaving aside the reasons why she investigated Ma Liangcai.

Xiao Dongchen was clearly hosting a banquet for Chen Yunfan today, and his words were mostly congratulations and flattery, seemingly without any special significance.

Could it be him?

Are there other hidden guards discussing important matters in Fengchun Tower?

Chen Yi had no idea, and couldn't help but frown. "If that's the case, then my previous guess was completely wrong."

Just then, I heard a light footstep.

Chen Yi instantly calmed down, remaining calm and acting as if he were an ordinary customer waiting for his shaved ice rice cake.

Not long after.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a petite woman come down from upstairs into the lobby, seemingly checking out her surroundings.

It was none other than one of the maids who had followed Miss Cui yesterday.

The maid also saw Chen Yi. After a pause, a look of disgust appeared on her face, and she immediately turned and went upstairs.

Faintly, Chen Yi could only hear indistinct sounds through his own hearing.

“Miss, perhaps I am mistaken. There is no such martial artist in the building as before. However…”

"But what?"

“This servant saw the son-in-law of the Xiao family from yesterday downstairs.”

Before Miss Cui could speak, Chen Yi heard a clear voice ask, seemingly in surprise:

"The Xiao family's son-in-law? Is Yi-di downstairs?"

"……yes."

Then Chen Yi heard a sound of tables and chairs shaking, clearly indicating that Chen Yunfan was coming downstairs.

Chen Yi secretly pursed his lips, "My brother seems to care about me a lot."

Just then, the waiter came over carrying pastries. "Sir, your chilled eight-treasure glutinous rice cake will cost one tael of silver."

Chen Yi stood up, took the money, and handed it to him from his pocket.

Before the waiter could take it, Chen Yunfan walked over with a smile, "Wait, Yi-di, you don't need to pay this money. Keep it for me to pay the bill together."

Chen Yi paused, turned his head to look at him, and feigned surprise, saying, "Why is my brother here?"

After Chen Yunfan came over, he smiled and pushed his hand away, indicating to the waiter to put it on the bill for the private room upstairs, before saying:

"You're asking a question you already know the answer to."

"I have been in a coma for many days. Today I am on duty at the yamen. Tonight I will celebrate with my colleagues."

"Oh right, Xiao Dongchen is here too. Shall we go say hello?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi shook his head, gesturing to the pastries in his hand, and said, "No need, there are still people waiting for me to return to the manor."

Chen Yunfan asked with a smile, "Your wife isn't in Shu Prefecture. When you go back, you'll only have your maidservants with you. Who will be waiting for you?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, but didn't waste any more words with him. He bowed slightly and said:

"Brother, you should go back and take care of your colleagues. I am just a commoner and dare not bother you."

There were many people waiting for him to have dinner at the manor, including Xiao Die, Pei Guanli, Xiao Wuge, and Xiao Wan'er.

But these things obviously don't need to be explained to Chen Yunfan.

After saying that, Chen Yi turned and walked outside.

Seeing this, Chen Yunfan did not press the matter further. "Brother Yi, thank you for saving me yesterday. I have already asked someone to send the medical fee to Jishi Pharmacy."

Chen Yi waved his hand and walked straight out of Fengchun Tower.

Upon seeing Ge Laosan still waiting outside, he didn't mention going back to the mansion with the carriage.

"It seems we won't be able to find out what the hidden guards are discussing this time."

"I wonder who the hidden guard in Fengchun Tower is, besides Xiao Dongchen and Ge Laosan."

After saying goodbye to Ge Laosan, Chen Yi set off alone with an umbrella towards the Xiao family.

We might have to use some means to get Ge Laosan or Xiao Dongchen to talk.

Wait until he's gone.

Ge Laosan glanced around Fengchun Tower, his gaze landing on Chen Yunfan, who had already returned upstairs, his brows furrowing slightly.

This top scholar seems to be overly enthusiastic about the baby birds.

But upon closer reflection, this should be considered a good thing.

Maybe if it's dark in the east, it will be bright in the west.

at the same time.

Chen Yunfan returned to the side room and was about to speak when he noticed that Xiao Dongchen was not there. So he casually asked, "Counselor Xiao has left?"

Cui Qingwu shook his head: "He said he ran into an acquaintance and went over to ask for a drink."

Chen Yunfan said "Oh", "He has so many acquaintances. He's gone out several times already. I wonder if he's hosting me or someone else."

As he spoke, he ignored Xiao Dongchen, sat down, and started eating on his own.

While eating, he muttered to himself, "Yi Di and I are still quite distant. When I invite him to have a meal, he makes all sorts of excuses."

"Doesn't he realize that his older brother would never harm him?"

"Counselor Xiao happens to be here today. Let him come and make some connections. That will make things easier for him in the Xiao family in the future."

Cui Qingwu looked at him with his slightly narrow eyes, "Yunfan still treats Chen Yi with such deep brotherly affection."

"That's blood, thick blood."

"Furthermore, it was thanks to him that he brought a doctor yesterday to help me regain consciousness; otherwise, something terrible would have happened."

Chen Yunfan rambled on, saying, "I only found out today when I arrived at the yamen that Liu, the Left Envoy of the Provincial Administration Commission, had already made arrangements yesterday."

“Everyone is required to collect grain taxes in various counties and towns, and I even have arrangements to do so.”

"Fortunately, I was only put in charge of the towns and villages around the prefectural city, so I didn't have to be unlucky like Li Huaigu and have to go to the military town."

Cui Qingwu smiled slightly, "I am not familiar with the affairs of the Provincial Administration Commission, so I cannot say more."

"My only concerns are the powder that caused you to fall into a coma and finding that person."

Chen Yunfan glanced at her sideways, then pouted and said, "Mind your own business. I'll find it myself."

"Now that you are the Provincial Administration Commissioner, you are very busy with official duties. I can handle these minor matters."

"You? You should just go back to where you came from."

"I don't know if you're just bored. Does the Cui family of Qinghe not feed you or what? You actually came all the way to Shuzhou by yourself."

Cui Qingwu pursed her lips, then smiled and said, "I don't need to worry about things at home. I have nothing else to do, so it's nice to come here and keep Yunfan company."

"...I think you're just bored."

Cui Qingwu himself knew he was always busy.

In any case, she won't leave Shuzhou like this.

After Xiao Dongchen returned and they exchanged a few jokes, Chen Yunfan got up to say goodbye.

Not long after.

A carriage bearing the mark of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture was traveling ahead, followed by a carriage bearing the mark of the Cui family of Qinghe.

“Miss, since Young Master Yunfan is ungrateful, why bother…”

Slap him!

Snap, snap!

(End of this chapter)