Chapter 751

"What's special about it?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qian Fugui gave a mysterious, sly grin, "My lord, this—let me say, I really can't explain it; my lord, you'll know once you see it."

"What mischief are you up to again?" Chen Wuji suddenly suspected.

He saw Qian Fugui's expression and felt something was off.

It's just a courtyard—what could need so many servants?

A rough count put the number at thirty or more.

"My lord, I really can't explain this," Qian Fugui protested.

"Fine, you arrange it. If you stir up some messy nonsense for me, I'll personally have you beaten with the military rod!" Chen Wuji said.

Qian Fugui hehehed, "My lord, you probably can't hit me with that rod."

"That's not certain; go ahead and arrange it."

"Yes!"

Qian Fugui clasped his fists in assent, then led those girls mightily into the courtyard.

Chen Wuji had just been feeding the fish some bait when Qian Fugui came back.

"My lord, it's all arranged!"

Chen Wuji grunted, lifted his foot, walked around the water corridor, and entered the courtyard.

On either side of Baopingmen, six or seven girls stood holding melons and fruit, wine, while two others held palm-leaf fans.

"Sir."

The girls bowed in unison, calling out in clear voices.

Chen Wuji's sturdy frame shuddered violently.

With this display, it's no wonder those with power and influence enjoy such things.

Indeed, it's somewhat… one could call it enjoyment.

Chen Wuji grunted, stepped forward, and the girls carrying things immediately followed at a steady pace.

"Have you investigated the backgrounds of these servants?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qian Fugui stepped forward and said, "I checked. After we took Zhuque City, I looked into whether any had been forcibly abducted, and I told them clearly that if they wanted to go home, I'd give them travel expenses to return."

"Indeed, quite a few were seized by Yu Ren, but most didn't want to leave; altogether fewer than twenty departed, while the rest chose to stay."

"Why is that?" Chen Wuji frowned and asked.

Qian Fugui followed closely behind Chen Wuji, "Most can't find their homes, have nowhere to go, so they can only stay here for now."

"Yu Ren left only women in the manor, not a single man. I originally wanted to find them husbands, but then I thought, my lord, upon arriving at Zhuque City, the manor would certainly need some servants to attend to things—we can't have the personal guard do everything—so I kept them all."

"You're really thoughtful—am I still lagging behind?" Chen Wuji said deliberately.

Qian Fugui immediately straightened his face, "My lord, heaven and earth as my witness, dismissing servants isn't your usual demand; carrying out your orders certainly comes first."

"Just joking with you—later, tally the manor's servants; if any wish to marry, we'll find suitable soldiers in the army to settle them down." Chen Wuji instructed.

"Don't force them together; let them decide for themselves."

Qian Fugui answered with a yes, "My lord, shouldn't we keep some on the estate as well?"

"As usual, raise their pay and see if they volunteer." Chen Wuji said, "We don't need that many servants around us either—just a few cooks in the rear kitchen and one or two to sweep the courtyard will suffice."

"Yes!"

As they spoke, the group had already reached the rear courtyard.

Passing through that gate, there was an open-air hot spring surrounded by various lotuses, and a large indoor bath covering a great area.

Along the way, aside from those maids behind him, Chen Wuji saw two people at each room's doorway; overall it was quite ordinary and normal.

"Is that all? What's special about this courtyard?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qian Fugui raised his hand and pointed ahead, "My lord, the special part lies ahead; that place isn't convenient for the deputy general and others to enter, so please go alone. I've investigated their backgrounds thoroughly and guarantee with my life that there will be no assassins."

Chen Wuji's brows furrowed slightly, "All this mystery—what exactly is going on?"

"My lord, you'll see once you look; I really can't say." Qian Fugui said, blocking Chen Li and the others, "Eleventh Uncle, why don't you few wait at the door? Inside really isn't convenient."

Chen Li shook his head, "The lord's safety cannot afford the slightest negligence!"

"Alright, then I won't urge further—just take a quick look and you'll know." Qian Fugui didn't obstruct further, stepping aside to let them pass.

Chen Wuji eyed it suspiciously, suddenly forming a guess in his mind.

"Could it be the same kind of bath as Emperor Ling of Han?"

With that suspicion, Chen Wuji entered the bath.

Inside is a hot-spring bath, also called the bath.

As soon as he stepped inside, Chen Wuji was nearly blinded by sheets of white.

Sure enough, it was no surprise.

It truly was the same bath as Emperor Ling of Han.

Chen Li reacted quickly—just a brief glance and he swiftly barred Chen Yiyi and the others, having them stand guard at the door, not entering.

Qian Fugui hehehed, "Eleventh Uncle, I told you so!"

"You should have clarified this earlier; moreover, you little brat are acting like a sycophant." Chen Li said speechlessly, "In the histories, those who do such things are never good people."

"I'm not trying to give my lord a surprise!" Qian Fugui sprawled onto the nearby stone pillar, speaking nonchalantly, "Although I really do resemble a sycophant, my lord isn't that sort of person—he won't become addicted to this."

"For the sake of the people under heaven, my lord has had few chances to rest on this journey. Though he can be stern and selfless, we servants should understand and let him occasionally enjoy himself, relax."

"I've screened the women inside—those of unknown background or involved with Yu Ren have been transferred elsewhere; Eleventh Uncle needn't worry about that."

Chen Li nodded, "What you say makes some sense, but exactly how to do it still depends on the lord's wishes; our discussion won't change anything."

"That's true, but I truly hope my lord can enjoy himself." Qian Fugui said wistfully.

"The realm is a tangled skein, the people mired in fire and water. Gazing over the Lingnan Six Commanderies, only my lord alone sincerely wages war for the people, fights for all beings; he should lead us farther, out of Lingnan, to contend for the Central Plains, marshal the four borders, and reset the mountains and rivers."

At the right moment, my lord truly needs to rest properly and enjoy himself a little.

Chen Li fell silent for a moment, then nodded, saying, "Your words are not something a sycophant could utter."

Qian Fugui broke into a grin, "It doesn't matter to me if I'm called a sycophant; as long as my heart is clear as a mirror, that's enough. Lingnan is such a vast expanse of land, with so many talented people, yet it truly is only my lord alone!"

"Yang Yu, though he has a reputable name in the world, in my eyes he is merely a pretentious fraud; he does not deserve those few words."