Chapter 27: I Won't Bully You

Including Wang Gu, only five of the fifteen Embroidered Uniform Guards remained, all wounded and unable to stand or walk. Min Ning sent several men from the Eastern Depot to carry them.

The reinforcements from the Eastern Depot split into two groups. One group carried either the surviving infants from the baby tower or the injured Embroidered Guards, while the other group shepherded a crowd of villagers.

Chen Yi sat astride his horse, gazing towards the distant capital.

Of the fifteen Embroidered Guards, ten had died. This matter could be explained thoroughly, or it might be difficult to justify. Yet the truth was on his side, with both witnesses and evidence intact. At worst, the Ding’an faction would file a few complaints against him and incite their scholars to slander him.

Looking at the guards still wailing and at Wang Gu, now a cripple, Chen Yi frowned slightly.

More than worrying about denunciations or slander, what truly troubled him were attacks like today’s assassination attempt.

Today it was Wang Gu; what about tomorrow? The day after?

Who knew if an expert of fifth rank, or even fourth rank, might appear?

Before today, although Chen Yi anticipated the Ding’an faction’s hostility, he never imagined they would be so bold as to try to kill him outright before he even assumed office, all for control of the Eastern Depot.

From time to time, Min Ning glanced sideways at Chen Yi, sensing his thoughts but not daring to disturb him.

When Chen Yi looked up again towards the distance, she removed her shawl and handed it to him.

“Put this on,” she said calmly.

Chen Yi hesitated briefly, then noticed Min Ning’s gaze. During the recent fight, his clothes had been torn and tattered in many places.

“Alright.”

He took the shawl and wrapped it around himself.

“So many Embroidered Guards... they kill on a whim.”

Min Ning turned to glance at him.

“There were also two squad leaders among them.”

Chen Yi replied,

“They struck first. It was a moment of desperation; they had no choice.”

After speaking, Chen Yi turned his face slightly and smiled teasingly.

“Seems like you care about me a lot?”

Her heroic features flushed a shade redder. She retorted indignantly,

“What else is on your mind besides that?”

Chen Yi said nothing.

The long procession slowly approached the capital. As they neared the city gate, Chen Yi pulled out the “Cangshan Fist” manual from his bosom and handed it directly to Min Ning.

She was stunned by this gesture, staring at the book of martial techniques in disbelief.

“…Why?”

Having longed for this manual, Min Ning felt a surreal sense of disbelief.

“Consider it a reward for your concern.”

Chen Yi chuckled and patted her shoulder.

“A reward? A reward for caring about me?”

Min Ning’s cheeks flushed with a mix of shyness and anger. She snapped,

“What do you take me for? A maid?”

Chen Yi feigned surprise and countered,

“Why a maid? I think you’re quite handsome…”

Min Ning was momentarily speechless, her face flushing even deeper, the black, silky ends of her hair unable to hide the redness at her ears.

Chen Yi quietly chuckled to himself.

After a moment, Chen Yi said,

“I’m giving it to you. Not okay?”

Min Ning was utterly taken aback.

Such a valuable manual, he actually gave it to her outright?!

She tightened her grip on the reins, her thoughts swirling, speechless for a time.

If he really gave it to her so freely, how could she ever repay him?

The Min family motto was brief, just eight characters: first, self-reflection; second, gratitude and repayment.

But at this moment, Min Ning could not think how she might repay him.

“Why so silent?”

Chen Yi asked softly.

Snapping back to reality, Min Ning gave him a bitter smile.

How was she to repay him... Did she have anything he desired?

Nothing... except perhaps herself. If she were to repay him, it would mean lowering her head and serving him obediently...

She must repay him...

But was she only capable of such lowly acts?

If not, then how else could she repay him... how?

“I...”

“No, I don’t want it.

You give it to me, and I can’t repay you.”

Min Ning pushed the manual back, turning her face away to avoid looking,

“I’ll... exchange something with you instead.”

Chen Yi looked at her with pity, then took back the manual, already forming a plan in his heart.

...

After leaving the Eastern Depot office and handling matters concerning Wang Gu and others, dusk had fallen.

Chen Yi hurried to a bookshop. After some inquiries with the shopkeeper, he selected several books: one was a storybook, another a collection of supernatural tales, and the remaining two were popular folk novels.

Yin Tingxue had made such a request that day; he had seen it and could not ignore it. Besides, his complete archive of female protagonists certainly could not be without her. Whether for her sake, for a flawless life, or for his own martial arts cultivation, he could not disregard this request.

Next, Chen Yi stopped at a restaurant to pack some food, then walked home.

Opening the door, Chen Yi was surprised to find Yin Tingxue sitting alone in the main hall, having left her bedroom.

She sat quietly in the main seat, her head resting against the chair’s back as if dozing lightly, her small, jade-like feet gently swinging in the air.

Not wanting to wake her, Chen Yi quietly set the food box aside. As he approached, she suddenly awoke.

She rubbed her eyes, looked at Chen Yi, and wrinkled her nose.

“You... killed again?”

Just awakened, Yin Tingxue stretched slightly and mumbled.

Chen Yi was surprised at the girl’s sharp perception.

“I took several baths before coming back.”

He said this while lifting one of the books and placing it before her. The cover read “The Tale of the Three Foxes.”

“I brought you some books.”

Yin Tingxue softly responded with a hum, her thoughts somewhat tangled, and unexpectedly said,

“I had a dream.”

Chen Yi did not expect Yin Tingxue, his enemy, to speak of dreams with him.

Perhaps she was still groggy from just waking.

“What dream?”

Yin Tingxue said,

“I can’t remember clearly... only that you were walking with a one-armed woman. You two seemed to be arguing, and that woman insisted on taking me away. She didn’t like you, hated you, just like...”

Yin Tingxue stopped there, afraid to continue, only casting him a clever glance.

Chen Yi understood she meant to say: just like someone else.

As for who that “someone” was, Chen Yi knew well—there was a woman before him who disliked and hated him.

“Was the woman in your dream someone you know?”

Rubbing her eyes, Yin Tingxue brightened somewhat and asked,

“My dreams have always been accurate, just like when I dreamed you were coming...”

Chen Yi took her small hand, holding it gently in his. She did not resist; she had been much more obedient lately.

“She is Zhou Yitang.”

At first, Yin Tingxue paid no mind, but then her eyes showed confusion followed by sudden shock.

“Yinjian Mountain... Sword Armor? Ninth on the Martial Ranking...”

Yin Tingxue looked at him as if to say, “How do you know her?”

Chen Yi smiled softly and said,

“I know her, but she might not know me yet. There will be a chance.”

Hearing this, Yin Tingxue calmed down and said,

“Oh.”

“Get up and eat. I bought steamed lamb, salted baked chicken, some vegetable dishes.

Oh, and a bowl of bird’s nest honeydew soup—you often drank this in the Wang residence, didn’t you?”

Yin Tingxue was startled; these were all her favorite dishes.

Why was he being so good to her?

No way—he must have some ulterior motive...

Suspicion gnawed at her, leaving her puzzled.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Chen Yi patted her head and said,

“Better rest well and recover. I won’t bully you for a while.”

After some time...