Chapter 335: Chapter 229: Brother-in-law, You’re Good at Painting, Right?

Thoughts were just thoughts.

Chen Yi wasn’t too worried, though.

After all, he had overheard a great deal from the conversation between the General and Lou Yuxue that night.

All in all, he could deduce a few things and make preparations in advance.

It was just as he had always believed—known threats were not frightening. What was truly terrifying were the unknown troubles and schemes.

The unexpected attack by the Five Poison Sect, for instance, had left him in a rather difficult position.

But as he mulled things over on the way back to the Xiao Family residence, Chen Yi’s brow furrowed slightly.

’A Golden Banner Officer of the Hidden Guard has come to Shu State and is secretly in contact with someone who seems to be King Landu of Poshisu Country. They’re obviously plotting something big.’

’I’m afraid my plans will need some adjustments.’

’Fortunately, these three developments have surfaced relatively early...’

Three major shifts in one day. It made Chen Yi feel his luck was actually pretty good.

’The old master’s efforts to purchase grain for the Three Towns were obstructed. I can deduce this is the work of those "Financiers" hiding in the shadows.’

’The Hidden Guard wants to test me. I’ll have to find a way to completely dispel that Pavilion Master’s suspicions.’

’And finally, the General’s purpose for coming to Shu State...’

’Tsk. What a mess.’

Muttering to himself, Chen Yi returned to Spring Lotus Garden. He changed into a clean set of clothes, then went to his study and brewed a cup of hot tea to warm up.

He pondered for a long time.

Eventually, his expression eased considerably.

’Then there’s the Jing State Liu Family and the Five Poison Sect... It’s messy, to be sure, but it’s not an impossible situation to resolve.’

Chen Yi was well aware.

The more chaotic the situation, the more crucial it was to unravel it thread by thread. So long as he could sort out the key points, he would have a fighting chance.

Especially now, while he was operating alone, he absolutely could not afford to make a reckless move and tip off his enemies.

This was the only way he could resolve these problems quietly.

’When it comes down to it, I have to deal with the Jing State Liu Family first.’

The Liu Family was like a boulder blocking the Xiao Family’s path. Behind them hid countless people with ulterior motives, making it impossible to see the full picture, yet demanding constant vigilance.

Conversely, by dealing with the Liu Family, he could make an example of them to intimidate others, causing the so-called "Financiers" and anyone in Shu State with designs on the Xiao Family to have second thoughts.

Chen Yi watched the rain fall outside his window, a slight smile appearing on his face. ’You could say I’m trying to take the enemy general’s head from amidst a chaotic battlefield.’

’Xiao Jinghong, if you ever find out what your husband has done, please go easy on me.’

After watching for a moment longer, Chen Yi tidied up the study, then stood and returned to his room.

Just as he was about to sit cross-legged to begin his cultivation, a line of large, golden text floated before his eyes:

[Daily Intelligence · Yellow-level Top Grade: At the seventh mark of the Dog’s Hour, barbarian slaves will riot at the East Market Grain Store. A minuscule amount of Opportunity may be obtained.]

Chen Yi glanced at the text, taken aback.

’A barbarian slave riot?’

That was certainly a rare event.

He was, of course, familiar with the origins of the barbarian slaves—most were captured by horse bandits from Poshisu Country and sold in the Shu State region.

Their buyers were mostly Noble Families, who used them for plowing fields, farming, and other forms of hard labor.

Chen Yi recalled hearing about barbarian slave riots a few times before.

Apparently, every riot resulted in casualties.

But he had never seen one himself.

After a moment of thought, Chen Yi closed his eyes and began his Cultivation of the Four Symbols Skill.

’Yellow Level is still a level, I suppose. I might as well go see what a barbarian slave riot looks like. It’ll be an eye-opener, at least.’

’And it’s at the East Market Grain Store, of all places...’

...

「The next morning.」

The overcast sky above Shu State had cleared considerably.

A gentle rain fell.

Xiao Wuge was up unusually early. He had already climbed out of bed before Xiaodie even came to knock.

He dressed and washed up.

When Xiaodie arrived with a basin of hot water, Xiao Wuge was already dressed, though his hair was still down and disheveled.

He ran a hand through his somewhat messy black hair and said sheepishly, "Sister Xiaodie, I don’t know how to do my hair."

Xiaodie put down the basin, said, "Pardon me, Young Master," and quickly went to have him sit down and comb his long hair for him.

In this era, men and women alike had long hair.

The only difference was the hairstyle.

A man’s hairstyle would differ based on his status and age.

For someone like Xiao Wuge, the Heir of the Marquis Mansion who had not yet come of age, his hair only needed to be neatly combed and tied with a Brocade Belt.

So Xiaodie quickly combed his hair neatly, helped him straighten his clothes, and said with a smile,

"Are you up so early because you’re going to the Martial Arts Arena, Young Master?"

Xiao Wuge chuckled. "Nothing gets past you, Sister Xiaodie."

He had originally been somewhat resistant to Martial Arts practice, but after yesterday’s Cultivation and Chen Yi’s encouragement in the evening, his interest had grown significantly.

It was tiring, to be sure, but after thinking it over, he decided that practicing Martial Arts was better than studying in Jiaxing Garden.

It was only because the Martial Arts Arena was a bit more lively.

Besides his second uncle, Xiao Xuanshuo, and the others, there were also some children from the branch families. In his free time between Cultivation sessions, Xiao Wuge could even play around with them for a bit.

Xiaodie, of course, had no idea what Xiao Wuge was thinking. All she knew was that his willingness to practice Martial Arts was something to be happy about.

"As long as you enjoy it, Young Master."

"This way, the Marquis, the Eldest Miss, the Second Miss, and Master Chen will all be happy for you."

Xiao Wuge hummed in agreement and looked up at her. "Can I eat a bit more this morning?"

Xiaodie agreed wholeheartedly, but as she led him downstairs, she said with a laugh, "I’m afraid I can’t make that promise, Young Master."

"Huh? Why not?"

"Sister Huatang came over first thing this morning to say that the Eldest Miss has prepared breakfast and wants you and Master Chen to join her."

The smile remained on Xiao Wuge’s face. "Oh, I see."

"Then I’ll just go find my big sister and ask her to prepare some more for me."

"Don’t you worry, Young Master. The Eldest Miss gave the kitchen their instructions early this morning. They’ve made your favorite fried pancakes..."

Hearing the conversation from downstairs, Chen Yi also got up, washed his face, and got dressed.

He was going to the academy today, so he had put on a blue robe with deep cyan embroidery on the cuffs and hem.

He looked clean and sharp, projecting the refined and elegant air of a true scholar.

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