’A marriage proposal?’

’The Jing State Liu Family really wants to form a marriage alliance with the Xiao Family?’

Liu Lang recalled what Chen Yi had said at the Spring Rain Building and couldn’t help but feel amazed.

’Looks like the Boss is even more capable than I imagined.’

’He even knows about something as secret as the dealings between the Liu Family and the Xiao Family.’

’Now the Boss’s cover as a retainer for the Liu Family is solid. No one will be able to see through it.’

Just as Liu Lang was mulling this over, he heard Liu Zhaoxue ask, "What time are we going tomorrow?"

Liu Wen smiled. "Naturally, we’ll go at noon, when the most people are out."

"Aren’t you worried the Xiao Mansion won’t open its main gates for us, Second Brother?"

"Heh heh, whether I’m worried or not, Second Uncle is there to take the lead."

"Our generation is too far removed from the Old Marquis. If he’s truly that rude, it’s the Xiao Family that will lose face when word gets out."

As Liu Wen spoke, he seemed to have just remembered something and pointed to the woman beside him, saying:

"I forgot to introduce you."

"This is Lady Yu Zhen. Second Uncle specially sought her out from Third Uncle to be your Maid."

The woman named Yu Zhen gracefully stepped forward and curtsied. "This servant, Yu Zhen, greets the Third Young Miss."

Liu Zhaoxue sized her up briefly and nodded. "Thank you, Second Brother."

Liu Wen chuckled. "You’re thanking the wrong person. You should be thanking Second Uncle."

"Oh, then Zhaoxue misunderstood. I thought it was Second Brother who asked Second Uncle to send someone to protect me."

"You could see it that way, I suppose. Heh heh."

"Yu Zhen, hurry up and go to Zhaoxue’s side."

"This servant obeys..."

Listening to the two of them trade veiled barbs, even someone as unobservant as Liu Lang could tell that the relationship between these Liu Family siblings was not harmonious.

When he also recalled the members of the Five Poison Sect who had come looking for Liu Zhaoxue earlier, a playful smile touched his lips.

’I wonder if the Boss would be interested in this news.’

’He probably would be.’

Not long after, Liu Wen smiled and took his leave. Liu Zhaoxue stood silently in the courtyard for a moment before leading Yu Zhen back to the wooden building without a word.

Without hesitation, Liu Lang silently followed Liu Wen all the way back to a rear residence in the eastern part of the estate.

He followed him until Liu Wen entered a wooden building.

After checking the surroundings and confirming that the guards were only posted outside, Liu Lang finally approached the building.

He pressed his ear against the wall and listened for a moment.

He could faintly hear bursts of delicate laughter, which made it clear that Liu Wen was not alone inside.

’Looks like this Liu Wen is quite the womanizer.’

’Just like me... Tsk.’

After some thought, Liu Lang gently knocked on the door three times.

KNOCK, KNOCK-KNOCK.

The soft sound carried clearly into the building.

The delicate laughter stopped abruptly, followed by Liu Wen’s slightly displeased voice, "Who’s out there?"

"I... am Liu Er. My apologies for disturbing you so late at night, Young Master Liu."

"Who are you? What are you here for?"

"I’ve come specifically to relay a message to Young Master Liu on behalf of my master."

"Oh?"

As soon as the words were out, Liu Lang heard the sound of light footsteps from within. He simply pulled his bamboo hat lower and stood quietly under the eaves.

The door creaked open.

Just as Liu Lang was about to look up, he suddenly felt a sinister, icy aura wash over him.

Without a second thought, his hand was already gripping the long blade at his waist.

SHIING.

The blade was drawn three inches.

Its cold gleam cut through the darkness, illuminating the area in front of the wooden building.

It also shone on Liu Wen, who was charging forward with his sword raised.

"Great Success?"

Liu Wen stopped in his tracks, then took three steps back, a hint of apprehension on his sinisterly delicate face.

Liu Lang tilted his head up slightly, his eyes staring at him from under the brim of his bamboo hat.

"Young Master Liu, I meant no offense. I hope you will forgive me."

With that, he sheathed his long blade.

Even so, Liu Wen still watched him for a moment before a smile finally appeared on his grim face.

Although the smile wasn’t exactly warm, his aura finally calmed down.

"Brother Liu Er, what an impressive Saber Technique. This young master is truly impressed."

"Come, this is no place to talk. Follow me to the study."

Liu Lang bowed his head slightly and refused in a calm tone, "There’s no need. I will leave once I’ve said my piece."

A flash of displeasure crossed Liu Wen’s eyes, but he kept the smile on his face as he asked, "You just said you came to deliver a message for your master? Might I ask who your master is?"

"My master is Black Tooth of the Bright Moon Building."

To prove his identity, Liu Lang deliberately took out his Bright Moon Building Identity Token and showed it to him.

"I was sent this time only to relay a single message to Young Master Liu—my master will visit you tomorrow evening at the hour of Xu to discuss a matter."

"Oh, Black Tooth... No wonder Brother Liu Er possesses such a Sword Realm."

Liu Wen’s gaze swept over the Token, and he nodded slightly.

He had, of course, heard the name Black Tooth. He knew Black Tooth was an Elder of the Bright Moon Building and the person in charge of the black market in the Shu State region.

At the same time, he also knew that his sixth brother, Liu Jing, had previously cooperated with Black Tooth to plot against the Xiao Family.

Unfortunately, they ultimately failed.

After a moment of silence, Liu Wen sheathed his Long Sword and asked with a smile, "And what matter does your master wish to discuss with this young master?"

Liu Lang paused. Recalling Chen Yi’s instructions, he bowed slightly and said, "You will find out tomorrow night."

With that, he tapped his toes lightly, his entire body turning into a black shadow as he flashed out of the residence and fled into the distance.

Seeing that he had vanished without a trace, the smile on Liu Wen’s face gradually disappeared, and a frigid, biting aura emanated from him.

"Black Tooth, Bright Moon Building..."

The words had barely left his lips when two voluptuous women in revealing clothes walked over.

"Young Master, that man was so scary."

Liu Wen glanced at them and grinned. "Did you... hear what he just said?"

One of the women nodded timidly and pouted, "Something about Black Tooth, Bright Moon Building..."

Before she could finish, the tip of a sword suddenly appeared through her back. It was slowly withdrawn as she stood there, stunned.

Seeing this, the other woman immediately cowered in fear.

"Y-Young Master, you... I, I-I-I don’t know anything."

Liu Wen sheathed his Long Sword, the coldness on his face vanishing instantly. He smiled, walked over, and wrapped his arm around her, leading her toward the side room.

As they walked, he comforted her with a smile, "This young master prefers girls who are a little stupid and a little obedient, don’t you think?"

"Yes, yes, I’m stupid..."

’Black Tooth, I’d like to see just what tricks you have up your sleeve.’

’I hope whatever you have to say is worth the life of that beauty.’

...

The night passed without incident.

The rain stopped at midnight, and the gloomy clouds dispersed.

After dawn broke in the east, the skies above Shu State Prefecture City were clear and vast.

The area was already known for its beautiful mountains and clear waters, the air filled with the fragrance of plants and trees.

After being nourished by the rain, that faint fragrance was now mingled with a fresh, natural scent.

This was especially true in the lush Spring Lotus Garden.

At least, that’s how the courtyard would be before the sun was high in the sky and revealed the oppressive summer heat.

Early in the morning, Xiaodie was bustling about.

She swept the fallen leaves from the courtyard, cleared the weeds from the pond, washed and hung the clothes of Xiao Wuge and Chen Yi to dry, and deftly cleaned the two wooden buildings...

After busying herself for more than an hour, Xiaodie finally wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead, but she didn’t feel tired in the slightest.

She stood with her hands on her hips, looking at the clean and tidy courtyard, a smile gracing her pretty face.

"Time to call the Young Master and the Young Master-in-law for breakfast."

This morning, the kitchen had made her favorite griddle cakes, served with chili sauce from Guangyuan and dried fish from Jiao State. They were delicious.

Every time she thought about it, her mouth would start to water.

Xiaodie glanced at the neatly arranged breakfast on the table, swallowed unconsciously, and then quickened her pace, jogging up the stairs.

As was her routine, she first went to help Xiao Wuge wash up and get dressed before heading to Chen Yi’s room.

She carried a basin of warm water in her hands with a towel draped over her shoulder, yet she still moved with a light and quick gait.

She carefully pushed open the door, poked her head in, and saw Chen Yi sitting cross-legged on the bed.

’Is the Young Master-in-law meditating?’

Xiaodie looked at the calm-faced Chen Yi with a vague understanding, then gently placed the warm water next to the washstand.

CLICK.

A soft sound rang out.

Chen Yi’s eyes twitched slightly. He slowly opened them, met Xiaodie’s gaze, and asked with a smile, "What time is it?"

Seeing that she had woken him up after all, Xiaodie stuck out her tongue sheepishly and said, "Young Master-in-law, it’s already past the middle of the hour of Yin."

Chen Yi said, "Oh," got out of bed, stretched his limbs, and then let her help him get dressed.

Xiaodie nodded with a smile, went to the wardrobe, and asked him about his plans for the day as she rummaged through it.

She was probably trying to figure out if he was going out so she could decide whether he needed to dress more formally.

Chen Yi was just about to reply that he was staying in the mansion when a few lines of text floated across the light screen that had just appeared before him:

[Daily Intelligence · Profound-rank Lower Grade: At noon, in the Qingjing Residence of the Xiao Mansion, a group from the Jing State Liu Family will come to visit Duke Dingyuan, Xiao Yuan. A small amount of Opportunity may be obtained.]

After a quick scan, Chen Yi paused and then instructed, "Get me a slightly more formal long robe. I’m going to Qingjing Residence to pay my respects to the Old Master today."

Xiaodie replied with a "Yes," and took out a light blue brocade robe from the wardrobe, also finding a Jade Belt, a sachet, and other accessories to help him dress.

"Young Master-in-law, it really has been a while since you’ve been to Qingjing Residence."

"A while back, some people in the mansion were gossiping, saying that now that you’re an Academy Master and have gained great fame, you’ve become a bit arrogant."

"Is that so?"

While cooperating by raising his arms and legs, Chen Yi pondered who from the Jing State Liu Family was coming and what their purpose was.

’If it’s Liu Yu, it’s likely related to the summer grain tax of the Three Towns.’

’If Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue are among them, then the Jing State Liu Family probably hasn’t given up on the marriage alliance.’

However, Chen Yi actually hoped it would be Liu Wen.

’That way, I can go have a look and a listen. It’ll be good preparation for tonight’s meeting.’

After a simple breakfast, Chen Yi thought for a moment, then went to his study and wrote a piece of calligraphy for the Old Master.

From the look Sun Fu gave him before leaving yesterday, the Old Master already knew that his Calligraphy Dao had improved.

Sending over a piece of calligraphy now was a perfect opportunity.

However, compared to the birthday verse he wrote for the Old Master’s grand birthday last time, Chen Yi only wrote four words this time:

"Tranquility and foresight."

As the brush fell, the ink turned to gold, and a Mental Realm emerged—amidst continuous mountains and waters, ripples flowed around the mountains, serenely drifting toward the horizon.

There were no people, no voices.

This was the second time Chen Yi had displayed his Calligraphy Dao after reaching Perfection.

Compared to the poem he wrote for Sun Fu, "Farewell to Duke Changming in Shu State," these four words, "Tranquility and foresight," were what truly matched his free-spirited and casual state of mind.

When the Mental Realm manifested, any observer would feel as if they were physically there.

Furthermore, under the influence of the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, they would also feel their minds calm and pacify, which could be considered a form of enlightenment.

Chen Yi held the Yunsong Paper and examined it carefully. As understanding dawned on him, a smile couldn’t help but appear on his face:

"So the Calligraphy Dao has such a marvelous effect."

Just a few words, when written, possessed the power to influence the minds of others, a clear demonstration of Dao Realm True Intent.

’Perhaps after achieving Perfection in the Martial Arts Fist, spear, and blade, I’ll gain a similar power.’

’When the Mental Realm unfolds, I could use "True Martial Intent" to overwhelm the minds of others.’

Mulling over these things, Chen Yi waited for the ink on the paper to dry, then rolled it up and placed it in a brocade box.

He then tidied up a bit, called for Xiao Wuge, and instructed Xiaodie to remain at Spring Lotus Garden. Then, holding the brocade box, he headed for Qingjing Residence.

At this moment, the hour of Mao had just passed, so it was still a long time until noon.

Chen Yi chose to go at this time because he planned to stay at Qingjing Residence for a while.

This would also fulfill Sun Fu’s advice—to interact more with the Old Master.

Beyond that, he also intended to probe some of the Old Master’s thoughts.

For instance, his opinion of him, or his future plans for the Xiao Family.

Xiao Wuge didn’t know about any of this. Seeing Chen Yi holding the brocade box, he thought he should also bring a gift for the Old Master, so he first pulled him on a detour to Jiaxing Garden.

Naturally, Chen Yi didn’t refuse.

Who would have thought that upon arriving at Jiaxing Garden, he would see Xiao Wan’er looking somewhat exasperated.

"A lot of invitation cards were delivered to the mansion today. They’re all for you."

"Who are they from?"

"Are you going to see them?"

Chen Yi replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "Of course not."

Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er couldn’t help but chide him playfully, "You’re asking for a beating."