Chapter 225 Cui Ji Yunqing Tower
Hidden Guards, or White Tiger Guards.
The more Chen Yi interacted with him, the more unclear his purpose in Shuzhou seemed.
Like the dark clouds outside the window that obscure the bright moon, the secrets behind them are not clearly visible.
Just as he had already determined that Hawk Ge Laosan and others wanted him to serve as an official, or to gain fame, or to occupy a place in the Xiao family.
The main reason was probably to give him "fame" and "power".
But what happens after that?
Was he used as a puppet to control the Xiao family, or something else?
If he is to control the Xiao family, the old master, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Wuge will inevitably have to get past him.
Unless the hidden guards kill these three people, even with his official position and reputation, he still won't be able to control the Xiao family.
So, after reviewing the Hidden Guards' plans against him these past few days, Chen Yi vaguely realized that a crucial link was missing.
Next are the two hidden guards, the female tiger and the phoenix.
The former is hiding in Mingyue Tower, his purpose unknown.
The latter came from the Cui family of Qinghe. Not only was her purpose in coming to Shuzhou unclear, but the reason why she joined the White Tiger Guard was also somewhat strange.
In addition, Chen Yi already knew the duties of the White Tiger Guard—to infiltrate enemy and neighboring countries, and to shoulder the responsibility of subversion and instigating conflicts between other countries.
And so on, following this line of reasoning.
Chen Yi came to two somewhat plausible conclusions.
One reason is that the White Tiger Guards treated Shu Prefecture as an enemy state, intending to lure in large armies from other prefectures to conquer Shu Prefecture.
Secondly, they wanted to lure in barbarian tribes, Vaishsa Kingdom, and other armies to attack.
Regardless of the purpose, chaos in Shu Prefecture was necessary.
Or rather, it requires using the Xiao family as a lever to stir up the entire Shu Province.
This is the most direct, effective, and quickest method.
"What exactly is their purpose? We'll find out once we try."
Thinking about all this, Chen Yi tidied up the mess in the purple bamboo forest, returned to his room, changed into clean and comfortable casual clothes, and lay down on the bed.
His eyes were slightly closed.
Then a chessboard as large as a mountain appeared in my mind.
At this moment, there are three more white pieces on the chessboard than before.
One represents the Mountain Clan, one represents the Tianshan Sect, and the other represents the Guiyun Academy.
Two powerful martial arts factions and a gathering place for scholars could both be used by the Xiao family through him.
There were two more black pieces.
The Five Poisons Sect, Bright Moon Pavilion.
Because of Yan Fusha and others, Chen Yi directly grouped the Five Poisons Sect with the Liu family of Jingzhou this time.
Mingyue Tower, needless to say, is a troublemaker.
They'll fight and kill anyone who pays them; there's really nothing more to say.
As for the last black piece
As it lands, it connects half of the black pieces on the board, creating a powerful position.
—This represents none other than the financier who previously funded and instructed the Black Fang of Mingyue Tower to burn down the three towns.
This refers to the "Anti-Xiao Alliance" that Chen Yi had become aware of.
However, he has only found a few clues about those people so far.
Such as certain officials within the Provincial Surveillance Commission, the Provincial Administration Commission, and the Prefectural Government, as well as some merchants in the East and West Markets.
He only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg regarding what lies behind it all.
Looking at the chessboard, Chen Yi pondered for a long time before his mind stirred.
He actually picked up the black piece representing "Hidden Guard," transformed it into a white piece, and placed it on "8 to 12."
"The White Tiger Guard is one of the players."
"They appear to be closely connected and form alliances, but in reality, they exist outside the influence of the major clans within Shu Prefecture."
"Therefore, they can become the support of those with ulterior motives in Shu Prefecture, and they can also be used by me."
Chen Yi calmly placed his piece, a slight smile appearing on his face.
"After my martial arts cultivation improved, I became much bolder."
...
Nothing was said that night.
Before dawn, the sound of rain pattering incessantly filled the Chunhe Garden.
It blended in with the chorus of frogs.
A cool breeze was blowing.
Xiao Die changed into a slightly thicker cloth outfit, quickly tidied up the two wooden buildings, and then went to help Xiao Wuge get up and dressed.
Pei Guanli, unusually self-disciplined, got up early and waded through the water barefoot in front of the building.
Laughter could be heard every now and then.
This prompted Xiao Die, who had led Xiao Wuge to the living room and was preparing to go to the kitchen to get breakfast, to glance at her and laugh:
Be careful not to catch a cold.
"No, no, it's just a light rain, it wouldn't make me sick."
Pei Guanli waved her hand without turning her head, still hopping and skipping through the puddles, the bell on her chest swaying incessantly.
Ding-a-ling.
Chen Yi woke up from his sleep when he heard the sounds coming from outside.
He glanced at the sky outside the window; the clouds were still heavy and the rain was incessant. He then got up and stretched.
He had a lot to do today, so it wasn't appropriate for him to stay in bed.
Dressed neatly.
Chen Yi went downstairs, greeted Xiao Wuge, and then pushed open the door and went out.
Xiao Wuge rubbed his eyes and followed behind him. "Brother-in-law, are you going out today?"
Chen Yi nodded casually. "I promised Fairy Tingyun yesterday that I would go to Baicaotang to discuss the arrangements for the Tianshan Sect disciples."
"It's the same with my eldest sister. The old master wants to see Boss Chen... I'll go over and ask."
It's useless to ask.
It's unlikely that his identity as the boss Chen Yu will be revealed anytime soon.
He will not appear as "Chen Yu" until Yan Hai and the others have finished their journey through Shu Prefecture and before the Baicaotang plans to expand.
During this period, he naturally had no chance to see the Xiao family.
Even the old man won't do.
Chen Yi knew that the old master had become suspicious and suspected that the owner of Baicaotang was secretly helping the Xiao family.
Under these circumstances, even a fool could tell that when he went to see the old man, he would be subjected to questioning and probing.
Therefore, keeping a low profile is the best option for him right now.
Xiao Wuge responded with an "oh," then hesitated before asking, "Brother-in-law, can I go out with you?"
Chen Yi looked at Pei Guanli, who was wading through the water, and replied, "No."
He paused, looked down at Xiao Wuge, and asked with a smile, "Did your eldest sister find you another new tutor?"
"It's not my eldest sister, it's, it's my second uncle."
"Second Uncle?"
Xiao Xuanshuo?
Chen Yi glanced in the direction outside Chunhe Garden and asked thoughtfully, "What does he want you to learn?"
"Martial arts."
"Hmm? I remember Xiaodie saying before that one needs to wait until the age of six to establish a foundation in martial arts?"
Xiao Wuge said with a bitter face, "My second uncle said that I will be going to Jinling next March and will not have much time to stay in the manor, so he wants to teach me some skills before then."
"That way, my martial arts progress might be faster after I reach the Foundation Establishment stage."
Chen Yi chuckled upon hearing this and said, "Second Uncle is right, you really should learn some fancy moves in advance."
"Oh? My brother-in-law thinks so too?"
"certainly."
"As the eldest son of the Xiao family, you will inherit the title of Marquis in the future. How can you not cultivate martial arts?"
"Even if you leave Shuzhou for Jinling, you can't neglect your martial arts. Be diligent in your training and try to catch up with your second sister."
Xiao Wuge looked up at him and said, "My second sister is so amazing, how could I possibly catch up with her?"
Chen Yi patted his head and said with a smile, "Planning is up to Heaven, but success depends on man."
"Perhaps your martial arts talent is even greater than your second sister's?"
"Furthermore, your second uncle is letting you familiarize yourself with martial arts in advance for your own good. Not to mention me, even your eldest sister wouldn't object."
Xiao Wuge hummed in agreement, a smile spreading across his face. "I'll listen to my brother-in-law."
Planning is up to Heaven, but success depends on human effort. Write this down.
Not long after, Xiaodie returned with the food, and the group sat together to eat and chat.
Most of the time, it was Xiaodie and Pei Guanli chattering away.
Eight out of ten sentences are related to Chen Yi.
It is said that the tune of "Shuidiao Getou" won the praise of some great Confucian scholar or the favor of some high-ranking official.
Secondly, the exhibition hall of Guiyun Academy was open, and people flocked to see the poem "Feelings After the Rain".
While praising the perfection of the calligraphy, those people were even more eager to see the calligraphy copybook of "Prelude to Water Melody: Mid-Autumn Festival".
At this point, Xiaodie couldn't help but ask, "Young master, where are the calligraphy samples you wrote?"
Chen Yi took a bite of the mooncake and said, "It's gone."
That night, he and Yan Fusha fought fiercely, and the entire painted boat was torn to pieces. How could a calligraphy copybook possibly have survived?
Xiao Die looked regretful. "I heard that the people by the Quchi Pond that night all said they saw a fairyland."
Pei Guanli said casually, "Brother-in-law, just write another one."
Chen Yi glanced at her and asked irritably, "You want to watch it again?"
Pei Guanli immediately gave an embarrassed smile and said, "No, no."
She didn't want to relive that night.
If Chen Yi hadn't rescued her in time, she would probably be dead by now.
"Speaking of which, I sent that letter back a long time ago, why hasn't Grandma replied yet?"
"Just wait patiently."
Chen Yi replied, finished his porridge, and continued, "Perhaps she's not in a hurry."
Pei Guanli squatted in front of the table, her mouth stuffed with mooncakes, and stammered:
"She loves me the most, she can't be unconcerned."
After finally swallowing the mooncake in her mouth, she continued, "Brother-in-law, don't worry, even if Grandma doesn't help, I'll find a way to avenge you..."
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yi tapped her with his finger. "What are you reporting? Stay in the manor these days and don't go anywhere."
Pei Guanli covered her head and obediently squatted down, muttering, "Fine, I won't go out then."
Seeing her get the short end of the stick, Xiao Die and Xiao Wuge laughed heartlessly.
Before their laughter could subside, they heard footsteps and the rumbling of a cart track coming from outside the garden.
Chen Yi's heart stirred slightly, and he wiped the corner of his mouth.
Then Wang Lixing pushed Xiao Xuanshuo to the front of the wooden building.
Xiao Xuanshuo didn't even glance at Chen Yi and the others, but only said to Xiao Wuge, "Come out and talk."
Xiao Wuge glanced at Chen Yi, and seeing him nod with a smile, he put down his chopsticks, stood up, and left the wooden building to bow.
"Second uncle."
Xiao Xuanshuo seemed satisfied with his attitude and nodded, saying, "I have already spoken to Wan'er."
"From today onwards, you must go to the training ground at 3:00 AM and return at noon."
"yes."
Listening to their conversation, Chen Yi knew that Xiao Xuanshuo was not only speaking to Xiao Wuge, but also to him.
He got up and went outside, bowed, and said with a smile, "Qingzhou greets Second Uncle."
"After Wu Ge starts practicing martial arts, will Chunhe Garden need to make any preparations? For example, his daily meals?"
Xiao Xuanshuo glanced at him, his face expressionless, but his tone was much gentler than before.
"Yesterday I already told Wan'er that you can just follow the preparations from Jiaxingyuan."
Chen Yi nodded: "Qingzhou has remembered."
He then patted Xiao Wuge on the shoulder and said, "Practice martial arts diligently. If you achieve something in the future, your brother-in-law will give you a gift."
"real?"
Chen Yi extended his palm and smiled, "A gentleman's word?"
Xiao Wuge met his palm strike with his own, saying, "I want 'Shuidiao Getou'."
"That doesn't count as a gift."
"What gift is my brother-in-law going to give me?"
You'll find out then...
After chatting for a few minutes, Chen Yi watched Xiao Xuanshuo, Xiao Wuge, and the others leave Chunhe Garden.
Time flies.
Before he knew it, half a year had passed since he arrived here.
In another six months, Xiao Wuge will set off for Jinling.
Hopefully, the Xiao family's situation would have improved by then.
Thinking about these things, Chen Yi lost his appetite for breakfast.
He reminded Xiaodie not to forget to ask Xiao Wuge about his diet at Jiaxingyuan, and then left Chunhe Garden alone with his oil-paper umbrella.
It's raining continuously right now.
Under the dark clouds, the winding pavilions and towers of the Xiao Mansion were shrouded in a layer of dim mist.
Although the flowers and plants are still lush and green, the fallen petals and leaves give it a somewhat desolate feel.
Chen Yi was completely unaware, and greeted the servants who bowed to him along the way with a smile.
With his mastery of calligraphy revealed, and the blessing of "Feelings After the Rain" and "Prelude to Water Melody", his reputation has recently soared.
This made his life in the Xiao family much easier.
Besides the praise Xiaodie brought back every day from so-and-so, the masters and mistresses of the various residences in the mansion also praised him highly.
As a result, the attitude of the servants and attendants towards him improved considerably.
Compared to his initial situation upon arriving at the Marquis's residence, it was like heaven and earth.
Although Chen Yi didn't care about this, upon closer reflection, he felt it was a good sign.
This at least shows that he is now considered a member of the Xiao family.
It's better than being constantly called "the runaway groom of the Xiao family".
About an hour later.
Chen Yi arrived outside Baicaotang in the West Market. Just as he was about to go in to find Wang Ji, he caught sight of a shop across the street.
He paused involuntarily and turned his head to look.
Outside what should have been a restaurant, several servants dressed in blue were hanging up a signboard.
What caught Chen Yi's attention was the inscription on the plaque: "Cui Ji Yun Qing Lou".
Cui Ji?
Yunqing Tower?
Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu?
Chen Yi's heart stirred slightly, and his gaze fell on the second floor of the restaurant, where he could vaguely see a busy figure.
She was none other than Cui Qingwu, the daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe, a hidden guard named Luanfeng.
"A tigress runs a wonton shop, a phoenix runs a restaurant, tsk, these hidden guards really have the same brains."
"It's just Cui's..."
"Cui Qingwu has even brought up the Cui family name. Is she planning to stay in Shu Prefecture permanently?"
Chen Yi glanced at it a couple more times, then walked into the Hundred Herbs Hall as if deep in thought.
Wang Ji stepped forward and was about to speak when he was interrupted by Wang Ji raising his hand, saying, "Manager Wang, Miss invites you."
It was certainly not true that Xiao Wan'er invited him to the mansion.
Instead, Chen Yi found a reason to have Wang Ji and Zhang Dabao drive the carriage to the house on Chuanxi Street in the north of the city.
With Cui Qingwu on the other side, he didn't want to say anything irrelevant that might arouse suspicion.
Not long after, the carriage left the West Market.
Cui Qingwu stood on the second floor and looked down. After thinking for a moment, he called Huan'er over and said:
"Go and ask Young Master Chen if he is free today, and invite him to Yunqinglou to try Langjiu."
"yes."
Cui Qingwu knew that Chen Yunfan cared about Chen Yi, so catering to his interests was a good approach.
This is also why she opened Yunqinglou outside Baicaotang.
"It should have been at Guiyun Academy, but unfortunately that woman is there."
Cui Qingwu watched the carriage drive away, a slight smile playing on his lips. "I underestimated that woman's resilience."
"She actually managed to run the wonton shop so well."
"In that case, I can't fall behind."
...
Chen Yi was unaware of the Cui family's daughter's ulterior motives. After deliberately passing by the Xiao family's gate in his carriage, he headed straight for the house on Chuanxi Street.
As soon as they sat down...
Chen Yi then instructed, "Wang Ji, go and call Guard Liu here."
"Knife Maniac" has been resting for so long, it's time for him to get moving.
There haven't been many updates these past two days, mainly because I've been working on the detailed outline.
Consider it a day off for me.
Starting tomorrow, there will be more updates.
(End of this chapter)
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