Chapter 64: You Only Show Up After I Reach Third Base

"Cai Duke… are you a Taoist from Lingnan?"

Chen Yan really didn't know what to say, so he forced himself to utter this sentence.

Lingnan Dao is what later generations call Guangxi.

Du Ruhui's manner at this moment was just like the hospitality shown by a Guangxi friend's parents when Chen Yan visited them in a past life.

They really insisted on slaughtering something to eat; you couldn't stop them.

The friend left carrying a briefcase; his father was killing chickens and fish, and his mother was scrubbing the pots until they shone.

Too enthusiastic.

Du Ruhui asked in puzzlement, "No, I am Du of Du Ling in the capital."

"Why does the Marquis of Weinan ask that?"

Chen Yan shook his head, offering no explanation, "Cai Duke, to be honest, I have already dined with Princess Jinyang many times before I came, and I simply can't eat any more."

"Moreover, the Empress's birthday is fast approaching, and I have to go back to prepare some things."

"How about this: once you recover, I'll visit you again, okay?"

Chen Yan didn't mention that he was opening a restaurant, fearing that Du Ruhui would feel obliged to give him gifts if he found out.

And after he brought up the Empress, Du Ruhui indeed hesitated.

He pondered for a moment, "Since the Marquis of Weinan has business, I, Du, will not keep you any longer."

"When my condition improves, I will atone by drinking three cups myself."

Chen Yan gave a helpless smile and nodded in agreement.

After that, Chen Yan chatted with the three for a while, then left with Xiao Sizi.

However, shortly after stepping out of Cai Duke's residence, he suddenly noticed a tea table placed under the nearby wall.

The old Taoist he had once met at Fengyang Pavilion was now smiling and looking at him.

Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, "What exactly are you staring at?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

His smile was stiff, and the corners of his eyes twitched uncontrollably.

Chen Yan carried Xiao Sizi over and sat opposite him without any courtesy.

"Speak, what do you want from me?"

Li Chunfeng said with interest, "How does the Marquis of Weinan know that this humble Taoist is definitely waiting for you?"

"Can't this humble Taoist think the scenery here is nice and pause to look?"

Chen Yan glanced at the tea cup before him; it contained tea brewed in the old Tang Dynasty style.

"Who would set up a tea table for a good person to enjoy the view and then place a cup of tea right opposite them?"

"Saying you're not waiting for anyone, probably no one would believe it."

Li Chunfeng gave a slight nod, neither denying nor confirming, "How can the Marquis of Weinan be sure that the one I'm waiting for is you?"

"What if this humble Taoist is waiting for someone else?"

Chen Yan grew impatient, his brows furrowing slightly, "Old Taoist, just say what you have directly, okay?"

"I have business, no time to chat about useless things with you."

Last time, Li Shimin's family visited his Marquis's residence, and Qing'er later told him that an old Taoist holding a compass had followed in, wandering around the residence.

Since Qing'er had seen that old Taoist in the Imperial Palace, she didn't drive him away,

until later the old Taoist suddenly left on his own.

Moreover, before he arrived at Cai Duke's residence today, there was no old Taoist here.

While he was inside checking Du Ruhui's wound, when he came out there was an extra old Taoist, who had even brewed tea.

Chen Yan then realized that this old Taoist was definitely waiting for him.

"......"

Li Chunfeng's expression was calm, and he chuckled lightly, "The Marquis of Weinan is right; this humble Taoist is indeed waiting for you."

Then he pointed to the main gate of Cai Duke's residence and said, "The Marquis of Weinan knows that the original master of this residence is supposed to die tomorrow."

"And now, his destiny has changed!"

"Destiny changed?" Chen Yan showed a hint of interest, "Then tell me, what has his destiny become?"

Even if the disaster star approaches the Grand Duke, heavenly virtue transforms the killing energy into blessed fate.

After fifty years, the gold‑water luck will flow, and the official star will sit steadily, enjoying a long life.

In his later years, pine and crane will accompany his zither and books, and his longevity will reach the venerable age, with worthy descendants.

In short, it means that Du Ruhui will have deep blessings, a smooth official career, and a happy, healthy old age.

Chen Yan shrugged, "Isn't that a good thing?"

"As a good official, this destiny seems fitting for Cai Duke."

Li Chunfeng shook his head, speaking gravely, "I do not deny that Cai Duke is a good official; I believe others would not deny it either. His being alive is a boon to His Majesty, to the Court, and even to the world."

"But destiny is set by Heaven, not easily altered, and now Cai Duke's destiny has changed!"

"Marquis of Weinan… what do you say caused this?"

Chen Yan stroked his chin, tentatively asking, "Because the Imperial Physician's skill is superb?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

A vein in his forehead bulged sharply, his anger evident.

The Imperial Physician's skill is terrifyingly superb!

That Imperial Physician is merely a waste who only rose to Chief Imperial Physician by performing a joint sacrificial rite.

His medical skill, damn it!

Li Chunfeng forced his expression to stay steady, gritted his teeth and said, "Marquis of Weinan, don't joke, everyone knows the Imperial Physician's skill."

"He certainly lacks the ability to heal Cai Duke, let alone alter fate."

"I, the humble Grand Historian Li Chunfeng, ask the Marquis of Weinan to be serious."

Hearing the name Li Chunfeng, Chen Yan was slightly startled.

He carefully examined the old Taoist before him, his eyes growing brighter.

"You really are Li Chunfeng?"

"Genuine!"

"Then you truly can tell fortunes?"

"Uh… I know a little," Li Chunfeng said with a modest smile.

"Damn!"

Chen Yan suddenly slapped his thigh, startling the Xiao Sizi in his arms, who, puffed up, thumped Chen Yan's chest.

Chen Yan, now uninterested in Sizi, said with deep melancholy, "Then why didn't you say it earlier?"

"If you had spoken earlier, I wouldn't have fallen to this point."

Li Chunfeng asked in confusion, "Marquis of Weinan, why say that?"

Chen Yan, feeling hopeless, said, "If you had told me earlier, couldn't I have asked you to calculate how I could break off the marriage with Princess Gao Yang?"

"Now it's too late; I've already reached third base, saying anything is useless."

Li Chunfeng: "......"

"Oh, right!" Chen Yan recalled something, his gaze sharp, "Earlier, you told His Majesty that my Eight Characters with Princess Gao Yang were a heavenly match, a destiny‑appointed marriage?"

Li Chunfeng sensed trouble, so he didn't reply, and returned to the previous topic, "Marquis of Weinan, shall we continue discussing Cai Duke's matter?"

"Cai Duke......"

"What's wrong with Cai Duke?" Chen Yan said lazily, "Cai Duke is perfectly fine."

"Given the current situation, he needs only about a month to improve."

"From then on, the Court will see Du Duan's return, His Majesty's heavy heart will be lifted, and the people will gain another good official who serves the country and the people."

"Isn't that good?"

Li Chunfeng's fingers beneath his wide sleeves paused briefly, his eyes deep, gazing at the young man before him, his thoughts unreadable.

After a while, his brows relaxed, and he clasped his hands and smiled, "I suppose I've been nitpicking."

"Cai Duke is safe and sound, indeed… a good thing, a tremendously good thing!"

"......"