Chapter 87: Reciprocity

Young Master, what are you looking at?

Li Yùwǎn felt a bit embarrassed under Chen Yan's gaze, she reached out her little hand and grabbed the Commandery Princess's arm, then turned her head and whispered a question.

"Marquis of Weinan..." the Commandery Princess called out softly, as a polite reminder.

Chen Yan came back to himself, scratched his head embarrassedly, and said, "Sorry, I just remembered something and spaced out."

Having said that, he quickly changed the subject: "Right, as the Commandery Princess, you should be seated at the highest place at the banquet, so why are you sitting in this... uh, little corner with me?"

Could it be that the palace maids overlooked this?

Commandery Princess Pei explained with a smile: "It has nothing to do with the palace maids; I personally prefer a bit of quiet, so I'm just sitting here temporarily."

"I'm afraid I'll have to go back later."

Chen Yan feigned realization on the surface, but deep down he didn't believe it.

As the Jiangxia Commandery Princess, she ranks just below the Prince's Consort among the outer noble ladies—how could she possibly sit in a corner with him just because she likes quiet?

You should know that even if Empress Changsun's birthday banquet isn't a grand affair, its requirements in every aspect are extremely strict.

Where could one just sit anywhere?

I'm afraid the Jiangxia Commandery Princess sitting here has other reasons behind it.

However, he isn't the type to meddle in others' affairs.

Since she said so, he'll just take that as the reason.

"Marquis of Weinan, we meet again!"

Suddenly, a voice sounded beside him, startling Chen Yan.

He turned his head and saw Li Chunfeng sitting down beside him with a smile.

Chen Yan's forehead showed a black line as he snapped, "I say, you old Daoist priest, how do you walk around without making a sound?"

"Don't you know that scaring people can scare them to death?"

Li Chunfeng showed a hint of apology: "Sorry, I've grown accustomed to walking like this; I probably won't change it anytime soon."

"Why don't you get used to it, Marquis of Weinan?"

Chen Yan pondered: "Actually, I've had a question buried in my mind for a long time; I wonder if I could ask the Grand Historian to answer it."

"Oh?" Li Chunfeng suddenly became interested: "In this world, there's actually a question that could stump the Marquis of Weinan?"

"Go ahead and say it; if I can answer, I will certainly hold nothing back."

Chen Yan laughed heartily: "I'm not like you old-timer; being a present-day immortal, it's normal to be stumped by some questions."

"Eh eh!" Li Chunfeng waved his hands repeatedly: "Marquis of Weinan, you think too highly of me; I can't be called a present-day immortal, at most just a cultivator."

"Well, go on and tell me what your question is."

Chen Yan nodded solemnly and asked: "My question is......"

"What exactly are you staring at all day long?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

His forehead suddenly bulged with two veins, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Three times, exactly three times!

They have met three times in total, and each time Chen Yan hits him with that line.

Although it's not even a provoking remark, he basically doesn't need to care.

But when Chen Yan says it, for some reason it just feels infuriating.

I originally thought Chen Yan would ask something profound, or a question containing the ultimate truth of heaven and earth, like the turning of the seasons, the ebb and flow of the sun and moon, or Dao and principle.

But I never expected Chen Yan to hit him with that line: 'What exactly are you staring at all day long?'

"What the hell does what I'm staring at have to do with you?"

"And I wasn't even looking at your wife."

"......"

"Oh dear, Grand Historian, your expression looks off—are you angry?"

Chen Yan's smile widened: "Please don't mind, Grand Historian; I'm just not good with words, and I probably won't change that anytime soon."

"Why don't you just get used to it a little, Grand Historian?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

A sudden tinkling laugh rang out; Chen Yan and Li Chunfeng both looked over and saw Li Yùwǎn, this little guy, giggling away.

Even the Commandery Princess couldn't help but smile.

Li Chunfeng's head was full of black lines.

This kid really won't take any loss at all.

"Grand Historian, don't look at me like that—this is what we call reciprocity." Chen Yan pinched a delicate pastry and shoved it into Li Chunfeng's hand.

"Come, eat a piece of pastry to calm your shock; you're a grown adult, don't quibble with a baby over two hundred months old."

Li Chunfeng: "......"

"According to what the Marquis of Weinan says, I'm also just a baby over four hundred months old; why won't the Marquis of Weinan cut me some slack?"

Chen Yan sneered: "Old Li, it's not me saying this—I thought I was already shameless enough, but I didn't expect you to be even more shameless than me."

"Over four hundred months, you must be pickled to perfection by now."

"What, do I have to call you 'little brother' now?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

He could no longer recall how many times he'd been left speechless today.

Li Chunfeng didn't want to keep arguing with Chen Yan; he turned his gaze to Li Yùwǎn beside the Commandery Princess and said softly: "Marquis of Weinan, your gaze just now toward that little girl was very strange."

"It seemed to carry intense resentment, a hint of frustration at failing to mold steel, a trace of regret, and...... a barely perceptible respect."

He paused, his tone serious: "This humble daoist is curious—why would the Marquis of Weinan show such emotion?"

Upon hearing this, Commandery Princess Consort Lady Pei looked doubtful, glancing at Chen Yan and then at her own daughter.

Just now...... did the Marquis of Weinan really show so much emotion?

And why would he show such emotion toward his own daughter?

Chen Yan clicked his tongue, "Old Li, you aren't the Grand Historian, are you?"

"Why would you ask me such a question?"

"You just work it out on your fingers, don't you?"

Li Chunfeng shook his head. "You overestimate this humble daoist; I can't figure out everything."

"Especially......" he sighed, "How could this humble daoist possibly figure out someone like the Marquis of Weinan, an Exiled Immortal of the mortal realm?"

"An Exiled Immortal?"

Chen Yan found it amusing, ignored his words, and gave a slight chin gesture toward Li Yuwan, saying, "Since you can't figure me out, why not try figuring her out?"

"Cast a hexagram for her, and you might just learn why she made that expression."

Li Chunfeng closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. "This humble daoist has already calculated it."

"Figured it out?" Chen Yan asked.

"I've figured it out perfectly!"

"Since you've figured it out, why are you still asking me?"

Li Chunfeng paused, then replied, "This humble daoist mainly wants to confirm whether the Marquis of Weinan has the ability to see through or calculate others' fates."

Chen Yan's face turned strange, "I said I don't have it—do you believe me or not?"

Li Chunfeng glanced at him and didn't reply.

Damn it, there's none.

You're taking me for a fool, huh?

Chen Yan asked again, "Why do you insist on confirming whether I have that ability or not?"

Li Chunfeng said solemnly, "This humble daoist is worried."

"Worried about what?"

"If the Marquis of Weinan had such an ability, he'd compete with this humble daoist for a livelihood. You know how tough times are—work is hard to come by."

Chen Yan: "......"

"......"