Chapter Twenty-Nine: Chen Zhi'an, Your Audacity Has Grown

The pale moon hung hazily in the sky, while the swift spring wind rustled the leaves of the parasol trees with a whispering sound. Xu Xiyue and Xin Tong arrived at Qihuang Street.

At Qihuang Street, the small courtyard of Chen Zhian was already illuminated. Finally feeling at ease, Xu Xiyue knocked on Chen Zhian’s door. Almost immediately, Chen Zhian came to open it.

He looked somewhat surprised to see Xu Xiyue standing there.

“Miss Xu, what brings you here? I was just about to visit your residence,” he said, ushering them inside.

Xu Xiyue’s expression held a subtle, inexplicable gleam as she regarded Chen Zhian today.

Gone was the coarse cloth outfit he had worn before; now he was dressed in a long moon-white robe embroidered with silver silk floral patterns.

The moon-white garment complemented Chen Zhian’s features, and combined with his clear, bright eyes, he possessed an extraordinary aura.

Perhaps noticing the gazes from Xu Xiyue and Xin Tong, Chen Zhian smiled and said, “This robe was a gift from Mrs. Wang, who sells fabric on the street. Her youngest son studies under my father at the academy.”

“I usually avoid wearing it while painting for fear of staining it,” he added.

Xu Xiyue nodded gently. “After enduring such great hardship and turning peril into safety, wearing new clothes is only fitting.”

“And besides, this robe... it truly suits you, Young Master Chen.”

Xin Tong peeked from behind Xu Xiyue and sighed, “Young Master Chen’s time in prison was truly hard on our mistress. She ran back and forth several times, but in the end...”

“Xin Tong,” Xu Xiyue interrupted, then asked Chen Zhian, “You mentioned just now that you planned to visit my family’s residence?”

Chen Zhian nodded, a faint blush coloring his cheeks while his eyes gleamed brightly. “The Xu household must have many guards. I hoped Miss Xu might help me inquire about someone’s whereabouts.”

“To inquire about someone else’s location?” Xu Xiyue frowned.

Chen Zhian’s lips curled into a small smile. “I’m here to discuss a transaction.”

“Who is it?” Xu Xiyue asked.

“Zhou Xiujing.”

—

By the time they left Qihuang Street, it was already late at night.

Xin Tong, filled with indignation, whispered behind Xu Xiyue, “Young Master Chen is really shameless. Our lady risked so much to save him—even giving up such a precious Chenglu ring—yet he didn’t even thank her. Instead, he openly asks us about Zhou Xiujing’s whereabouts, planning to do business with him!”

“Doesn’t he know the Zhou family is a mortal enemy of the Xu family?”

Xu Xiyue remained silent.

When they returned to the Xu residence, Steward Zhao Er was already waiting at the main courtyard gate.

“Has the item been delivered?” Xu Xiyue inquired.

Zhao Er shook his head but carefully handed over a small box.

Xu Xiyue opened it and found the Chenglu ring inside.

“What’s going on?” she frowned.

Zhao Er smiled wryly. “I went to see the deputy magistrate, but he said he cannot accept gifts without merit and refused to take this treasure.”

“As I was leaving the office, I happened to meet the warehouse supervisor. He said Chen Zhian, who was arrested today, had quite a bit of face.”

“Apparently, two important figures personally petitioned the magistrate on his behalf, and he was released.”

“Two important figures?” Xu Xiyue pursed her lips.

Zhao Er continued, “One of them is so prominent that even the supervisor hasn’t seen him. He said this person’s visit was significant enough for the magistrate himself to greet him at the door.”

“As for the second figure, it’s not a stranger but the Iron-Armed General of Qihuang Street.”

“The magistrate personally greeted this visitor? And the Iron-Armed General himself went as well?” Xin Tong behind Xu Xiyue exclaimed in surprise.

Zhao Er nodded. “Indeed, the Iron-Armed General personally went.”

Xu Xiyue’s cheeks flushed slightly. Usually gentle, she even shot a sharp glance at the meddlesome Xin Tong.

Xin Tong stuck out her tongue and muttered, “Young Master Chen really knows how to lie. He said he was just an ordinary boy from a small alley, yet which alley boy can get two bigwigs to plead for him at the magistrate’s office?”

Thinking it over, Xu Xiyue suddenly told Zhao Er, “Send someone to find out where Young Master Zhou Xiujing of the Zhou family is now.”

Zhao Er took her order and soon returned with news brought by his informants.

Xu Xiyue instructed, “You personally go to Qihuang Street and inform... no, better that I go myself.”

She returned to Qihuang Street. Chen Zhian seemed to be waiting in the courtyard; before she could knock, the young man had already opened the door.

The night was long; the moon above flickered between misty and bright.

Xu Xiyue told Chen Zhian about Zhou Xiujing’s whereabouts, her eyes occasionally darting away. “Young Master Chen, the Zhou and Xu families have always been business rivals. Doing business with him is not a good thing for the Xu family.”

“I don’t know what you want to buy, but if the Xu family can find it, there’s no need for a transaction—it’ll be a gift for you.”

Chen Zhian smoothed his long robe and shook his head with a smile. “What I want is not something the Xu family has.”

“Miss Xu, please return home. I still need to meet with Zhou Xiujing.”

With that, Chen Zhian bade farewell and left Qihuang Street.

Xu Xiyue boarded her sedan chair, intending to return to her residence, but for some reason, an unease stirred within her. She lifted the curtain and told the guards carrying her, “Take me to Rouge Street.”

—

Within the Sunan Mansion, the Clear Water River cut through the city. Its narrowest and slowest stretch lay to the south, where two streets were built along its banks: Rouge Street and Willow Tip Street, both famed for their misty willows and fragrant smoke.

Though past midnight, no curfew was imposed in Sunan Mansion, and these two streets remained brightly lit. Lantern-lit pavilions brimmed with women clad in red—each exuding the scent of rouge, stirring the heart.

Chen Zhian walked along the street, drawing sidelong glances from many pavilion women.

After days of cultivation, his body no longer frail, Chen Zhian wore a bright moon-patterned robe. His complexion was pale as jade, his brows and eyes serene, and the flowing hem of his garment resembled drifting clouds. From afar, he looked like an elegant and noble scion of a distinguished family.

Ignoring the gentle greetings from numerous women, he strode directly to the riverbank by the Clear Water River, before a large painted boat.

This boat was moored at the riverbank, never venturing into the river. People came and went constantly; through the hazy lantern light, many beauties danced gracefully while countless young masters and wealthy merchants drank heartily.

Chen Zhian boarded the boat, which was festooned with lanterns and adorned with many potted plants. The bow was draped in red silk, and under the bright lights, the boat exuded an aura of lavishness.

He passed through the noisy main hall without casting a glance at the dancing beauties, heading straight to a smaller pavilion.

The river breeze was gentle, not biting cold. Inside the pavilion were seven or eight tables, with the foremost table at the bow. A woman in red was dancing gracefully there, breathtakingly beautiful.

Young Master Zhou Xiujing of the Zhou family was surrounded on both sides, drinking heavily.

Everyone at the table were prominent scions of Sunan Mansion’s great families, clinking cups in lively merriment.

Perhaps in a foul mood, Zhou Xiujing had ordered the fierce “Qinghe Sorrow” wine. After a few cups, his cheeks were flushed.

He was unaware of when Chen Zhian had cultivated ties with the Iron-Armed General, enabling the general to personally intervene at the magistrate’s office on his behalf.

“How could the Iron-Armed General favor such a commoner!” Zhou Xiujing thought angrily. He downed another cup, then slammed his glass onto the table, shattering it with a clatter that drew sharp screams from the nearby women.

But Zhou Xiujing cared little. Snorting coldly, he ordered, “Refill the wine.”

The other young masters nearby fell silent, afraid to speak.

The reason was that the Zhou family had a powerful patron serving in the Xuantian Capital. For these merchant families, Zhou Xiujing’s backing was enough to support his arrogance.

As the women beside him poured wine, Zhou Xiujing tilted his head back to drink. In a fleeting glance, he caught sight of a familiar figure.

He looked closely and saw a young man standing far off by the ship’s railing, watching him.

“Chen Zhian?”

The spring wind seemed to sober Zhou Xiujing instantly. He stared at Chen Zhian, who met his gaze from a distance. Their eyes locked, and Zhou Xiujing suddenly laughed aloud.

“What are you doing here?” he called out.

Chen Zhian stepped forward and took a seat at the table.

The other young masters, unaware of who he was, merely noted his exceptional bearing and assumed he was a friend of Zhou Xiujing. Hastily, they made room for him.

Chen Zhian sat down, and a woman poured him wine. He drank without hesitation.

“Have you come to beg for mercy?” Zhou Xiujing squinted suspiciously, though he knew that was not the case. “I wouldn’t have guessed the son of a private tutor would change clothes and actually look somewhat the part.”

“But... no matter how finely a commoner dresses, when truly precious jewels are placed beside them, their dirt and grime become clear.”

The young masters exchanged glances, realizing Zhou Xiujing was accustomed to verbally crushing his opponents. Only now did they understand that the moonlit-robed youth before them was not Zhou Xiujing’s friend.

Some were about to rebuke Chen Zhian.

But Chen Zhian drank his wine, then looked up at Zhou Xiujing calmly. “Young Master Zhou, is this how big families conduct their affairs? Whenever displeased, resorting to murder?”

Zhou Xiujing recalled the letter from Li Fushu of the Li family in the capital, but his expression did not change. He nodded. “You accepted my gold but still flirted with the Xu family. You deserve death. You’re lucky—I don’t know how you, a poor boy, managed to win the Iron-Armed General’s favor and save your life.”

“But Young Master Zhou did not kill me.”

Chen Zhian’s face remained impassive as he smiled faintly. “How about this? I’ll give you the chance to kill me yourself.”

Zhou Xiujing was greatly surprised. “Speak on.”

Chen Zhian said, “With the Iron-Armed General here, you cannot kill me by relying on your family’s power. But if you personally take me on, I promise the Iron-Armed General won’t blame you.”

Zhou Xiujing suddenly laughed, slapping his thigh. “Chen Zhian, you’ve killed several Yellow Gate guards—you’re quite bold.”

But his laughter was cut short, his expression turning dark and severe.

“My true energy cultivation is such that killing you is like killing a chicken. You’re very bold, to challenge me to a duel!”