Chapter 86: Chapter 87: A Fire at the City Gate Spells Disaster for the Fish in the Moat

Xiao Wan’er was much stronger than Chen Yi had imagined.

After learning that the medicinal herbs had been stolen, she only froze for a moment before getting up, pulling Shen Huatang inside, and asking for the details.

Chen Yi listened in on the whole story, gaining a clearer understanding of the people and events that transpired on the Chishui Riverbank last night.

The "Saber Madman," Liu Lang. He first made a name for himself in the Northern Desert. His Saber Technique was fierce and powerful, and he had always enjoyed challenging famous figures in the Jianghu.

He had done a few things in the Northern Desert that earned him the praise of Jianghu People. From their perspective, he should be a renowned and respected figure.

But from the Xiao Family’s current standpoint, Liu Lang was nothing more than a vicious Jianghu bandit, a common thief.

Last night, he had lured Shen Huatang away.

Or, in Shen Huatang’s own words, *she* had tried to lure Liu Lang away.

In the end, she did indeed get her wish.

However, Liu Lang had not come alone last night. An Evil Demon from the Illusory Sound Sect, a branch of the Southwest Demon Sect, had also made a move.

As a result, everyone from the Xuanwei Escort Agency guarding the herbs was killed, and the medicine was stolen.

Shen Huatang survived not because she was particularly strong, but because Liu Lang had no intention of killing her.

From this, Chen Yi learned of the "Saber Madman" Liu Lang’s Cultivation and Technique—Upper Fifth Grade, with Great Success in Saber Dao.

In the greater Jianghu, that would only be considered the peak of the second-rate, but among his peers, he was an undisputed prodigy.

However, what unsettled Chen Yi was the last thing Shen Huatang said.

"Before that Liu Lang left, he said he was going to find the Second Young Miss for a duel."

"First Young Miss, Huatang has failed in her duties. Please punish me."

After hearing everything, Xiao Wan’er was silent for a long time before forcing a smile and comforting her, "It’s not your fault."

Clearly, these words had little effect. Shen Huatang remained standing in the hall with her head lowered.

A moment of silence passed.

The color drained further from Xiao Wan’er’s already pale face. Her aura visibly weakened, and she looked even more haggard.

Chen Yi took this in and spoke up, "Big Sister, this is a serious matter. We should inform Elder Master Xiao as soon as possible."

"And about Liu Lang, we should also write to inform Madam so she can take precautions."

He could see that Xiao Wan’er was planning to shoulder this burden herself, taking all the blame.

But the theft of the medicinal herbs was not an attack on Xiao Wan’er alone; it was clearly aimed at the entire Xiao Family.

At a time like this, it was best to let Old Marquis Xiao understand the whole situation.

Xiao Wan’er snapped back to her senses at his words. Forgetting about comforting Shen Huatang, she got up and walked out.

"I’m going to find Grandfather."

Seeing this, Shen Huatang followed, still with the air of someone ready to face the consequences of her actions alone.

Chen Yi watched their departing figures, thought for a moment, then turned to Xiao Wuge and said calmly, "Go and listen in. Be discreet, and tell me what you hear when you get back."

Xiao Wuge looked at him blankly, but once he understood, he nodded quickly and hurried after Xiao Wan’er.

Although Xiao Wuge was young, he knew that something major had happened to the family.

He was powerless to solve it himself, but in his heart, he believed Chen Yi could. This was especially true after seeing Chen Yi’s expression just now.

It was a look he had never seen before, nothing like his usual gentle and carefree demeanor.

Just sitting there calmly, Chen Yi exuded a reassuring presence that put him at ease.

After everyone had left,

Chen Yi did not linger in Jiaxing Garden. He got up and returned to Spring Lotus Garden.

With such a major incident, Elder Master Xiao’s Qingjing Residence was bound to be bustling with activity.

The second and third branches of the Xiao Family, as well as people from the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, the Imprisonment Department, and the City Guard Army, would all likely be coming. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

However, with his status as the Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law, he was not qualified to be present.

Oh, and the several guests staying in the residence weren’t either.

So, as Chen Yi sat down in the pavilion, asked Xiaodie to boil water for tea, and prepared to calm his mind by fishing, Duke Qian, Zhang Xuan, and Sun Fu arrived at Spring Lotus Garden.

Chen Yi paused for just a second before returning to his normal expression and inviting the two to sit.

The three of them tacitly avoided discussing the robbery, sticking to drinking tea, playing chess, and fishing.

But their thoughts were all on different things.

Chen Yi acted as he always did—indifferent, as if he couldn’t care less about anything.

’In reality, his mind was already meticulously analyzing the reactions of various people both inside and outside the residence.’

Duke Zhang’s mind was clearly still on the calligraphy copybook. Two out of every three sentences he spoke were directed at Chen Yi.

"This old man will be returning to Guangyue Prefecture in a few days. Ah, Qingzhou, you must remember to come for my birthday feast."

"Inconvenient? Oh, it’s fine if you can’t make it in person. But a birthday gift is a must."

Only Elder Sun felt that something was off.

After observing for a moment, it dawned on him—Chen Yi was *too* normal.

If it were Old Marquis Xiao acting this way, it would be one thing.

But this was Chen Yi, a young man who had just come of age. To learn of a major crisis in the residence and not be curious, not ask a single question, and carry on as usual...

’That level of self-composure is truly impressive.’

But thinking more carefully, Elder Sun couldn’t help but recall other strange things about Chen Yi.

You could say he was polite and proper, but he didn’t seem to pay much mind to them, an Old Duke and a former Governor.

You could say he was exceptionally learned, but he always had blind spots when it came to minor details of culture, geography, and history.

But to say he was unlearned? That was clearly impossible.

His Calligraphy alone was beyond what any ordinary Confucian Scholar could achieve.

In the end, Elder Sun couldn’t quite figure Chen Yi out. He just felt there was something strange about him.

Therefore, taking advantage of a moment when Chen Yi stood up to drink his tea, he asked, "Qingzhou, what is your assessment of the Xiao Family’s current situation?"

Chen Yi was a bit surprised by the question. "Elder Sun is referring to...?"

Sun Fu saw his caution and couldn’t help but curse him as a little fox internally. "Just give me your assessment."

Chen Yi gave him a strange look as he sipped his tea. ’Is this some kind of test?’

After a moment of thought, he gave a vague reply: "Tolerable."

He had no sooner spoken than Sun Fu laughed and chided, "If Ju Yi were here, this old man would have him beat you with a paddle."

Chen Yi wore an innocent expression, as if he didn’t understand.

Sun Fu shook his head. He knew the young man was just playing dumb and didn’t press the matter.

Duke Zhang, as if only just hearing them, pulled his attention away from the chessboard and chuckled.

"What’s there to say about Old Xiao’s family? They’ve suffered a heavy blow, but they have a successor. Once Wuge grows up, they can rally their forces and restore the might of Duke Dingyuan."

Chen Yi and Sun Fu glanced at him, then at each other, and nodded repeatedly.

"Lord Duke is right."

Duke Zhang raised an eyebrow. "Old Sun, it’s not my place to criticize you, but a test like that is a bit insulting to Qingzhou’s intelligence."

Sun Fu shook his head and sighed. "Let’s play chess. Let’s play chess."

Chen Yi chuckled, now having a better grasp of Duke Qian’s temperament. He probably disliked schemes and machinations.

But then again, Chen Yi had recently been pondering the very question Elder Sun had just asked.

It could be summed up in four words: "internal and external threats."

If this had only been his own speculation before, Elder Sun’s question had all but confirmed it.

’As Chen Yi considered this, he also assessed his own situation—for now, I’m just an irrelevant bystander.’

’But when the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat are bound to suffer.’

’If I want to live a peaceful life, I’m afraid I’ll need some real skills of my own.’

Xiaodie watched the three men talk and laugh from the side. She knew nothing of the residence’s troubles, but she was full of admiration for the Young Master.

’If it were her, if it were her...’

’She was afraid she could never handle herself as effortlessly as the Young Master in front of Duke Zhang and Mr. Sun the Elder.’

’No, forget handling herself, she probably wouldn’t even be able to speak.’

’Good thing she’s just a maid. Hee hee.’

...

「At Qingjing Residence」

The situation was much as Chen Yi had guessed.

Upon learning of the robbery, Elder Master Xiao was in a foul mood but managed to remain composed.

After offering a few words of comfort to Xiao Wan’er, he summoned Second Master Xiao Wang, Third Master Xiao Shen, and the Xiao Family’s Second Lord, Xiao Xuanshuo.

Xiao Dongchen and the others had to be on duty at the Government Office, so it was inconvenient for them to be at home.

Xiao Wang was naturally furious. "A petty Jianghu thief dares to target my Xiao Family? They must have a death wish!"

Xiao Shen of the third branch was a rather portly elder with a plump face and a round belly. He leaned back in his chair, observing everyone in the hall.

"First Brother, this matter can be either big or small. If we don’t handle it well, I’m afraid the Xiao Family’s prestige will suffer."

For the Xiao Family’s medicinal herbs to be stolen within the borders of Shu State was no different from being slapped in the face.

If word got out, they would certainly lose face.

Xiao Xuanshuo’s expression was just as grim, but with his father and uncles present, he only listened.

Xiao Wan’er sat by Elder Master Xiao’s side, looking a bit better. But she couldn’t think of a solution and was still worried about the affairs under her management.

With the medicine gone, the business of the five Medicine Halls would be affected. She had to find a way to replenish the stock and keep the halls running.

This would require a sum of silver coins, and the money on hand wasn’t enough. She would have to dip into the reserves she had stashed away.

Xiao Wuge stood quietly in a corner like an invisible little presence, focused on silently memorizing everything as Chen Yi had instructed.

A moment of silence passed.

Elder Master Xiao made his decision and ordered, "Second Brother, mobilize the men from the Punishment Hall and find out who is behind this."

Xiao Wang paused, then replied grimly, "Yes."

Elder Master Xiao continued, "Third Brother, you will go to the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office. Have Liu Si arrange for experienced government officials to track down those Jianghu People."

"The medicinal herbs must be recovered, and the culprits must be caught."

"And Xuanshuo, you will stay in the residence and be the one to deal with any visitors who come calling."

Seeing them nod, he dismissed them to their tasks.

Xiao Wan’er looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Before she could speak, Elder Master Xiao looked at her, a slight smile appearing on his face. "Still worried?"

Xiao Wan’er nodded silently. "Your granddaughter has disappointed you, Grandfather."

The Elder Master waved his hand and stood up to stretch his body. His movements were slow and stiff, but his spirits were high.

"Wan’er, you must learn to look at the bigger picture and keep your heart steady."

"In this regard, Jinghong does better than you."

This was unpleasant for Xiao Wan’er to hear, but she knew it was difficult for her not to worry.

The Elder Master naturally understood her thoughts and didn’t press the point. He turned to Xiao Wuge with a smile and asked, "Eldest Grandson, what do you think?"

Xiao Wuge was taken aback. He stood, bowed, and thought for a moment like a little adult before saying:

"Brother-in-law once said that unusual events always have a sinister cause. Your grandson thinks a demon must be making mischief."

The Elder Master hadn’t expected him to hit the nail on the head. The lecture he had been about to give got stuck in his throat, and after a long moment, he shook his head with a wry smile.

"That brother-in-law of yours... a basket full of strange sayings, but a lazy good-for-nothing at heart."

Though you couldn’t say he was truly lazy. It was more like he was *forced* to be lazy.

’What a pity he isn’t truly one of the Xiao family yet.’

Xiao Wuge found this interesting and made a mental note to tell Chen Yi about this assessment later.

Finally, the Elder Master finished what he had to say.

"Wan’er, Wuge, you two just carry on as usual. Do what you need to do."

"As long as this old man is still around, neither the residence nor Shu State will fall into chaos."