Chapter 197: No, you came just at the right time

"Truly a fearless youth, unrestrained and arrogant, making this old man think of his own youth."

"Knowing that in youth one has the ambition to reach the clouds, once promised to be the first-class in the human world?"

"But Ji You, when you truly take root among the aristocratic families, have descendants, have blood relatives, and have to consider the continuation of the family, you will know that there is no human nature that cannot be changed."

"For thousands of years, this old man has seen many people like you in the Azure Cloud World, but in the end, they always have to bow to me."

"Living until that time, this old man wants to see you regret not having done so earlier."

At noon, at the Nancheng Immortal Supervision Bureau, the representatives of the Spirit Stone Chamber of Commerce from Yunzhou left the Immortal Supervision Bureau in anger.

A mud house was cut down on the Nancheng road they passed, and as the bricks and tiles collapsed, the smell of dust instantly filled the street.

Seeing this scene, everyone in their hearts was more or less clear.

Great Xia chose neither of the two methods proposed by the Yunzhou Spirit Stone Chamber of Commerce; they chose to change the route to Fengzhou, and Ji You truly did not care about the possibility of being targeted and hostile by the Yunzhou aristocratic families, participating in this matter without any concealment.

Just like what the three managers of the Management Institute had said, everyone couldn't help but feel a kind of madness in Ji You.

"Many people in the academy previously thought that Ji You would likely become the son-in-law of the Lu family, but with such a fuss, it's probably impossible."

Qin Rong raised his head: "It was never possible in the first place. Ji You didn't respond to that eldest young lady of the Lu family before, and it is said that he is now keeping another woman in the courtyard."

Lang Hetong had also heard about this matter, his brow furrowed slightly: "I don't know which family's woman it is, that Ji You, who refused Princess Changle and the eldest young lady of the Lu family, actually brought her back."

Just at this time, Ji Jingyao walked in from the outside, dusty: "The Pill Sect people have been received, and all the medicinal pills have arrived."

"Thank you for your hard work, Brother Ji. Have the distinguished guests from the Pill Sect been settled?"

"They have already been arranged to stay in the courtyard. Also, the Yuan family's sister and brother said they wanted to visit a friend in the inner courtyard, so I called someone to take them there."

After hearing this, Lang Hetong didn't take it to heart, said another word of hard work, and then picked up a chess piece, preparing to drop it.

But soon he was suddenly stunned, then raised his head, finding that Qin Rong was also stunned opposite him.

"Who is she visiting?"

"Naturally Ji You. It was rumored in the academy before that they admired each other, and it was said that Ji You wanted to go to Pill Mountain to be a son-in-law. Now it seems that this Miss Yuan also has this intention."

"But there is a woman in Ji You's courtyard now..."

"?"

In the afternoon clear sky, on the Ni Mountain path where the snow was gradually melting, the Yuan family sister and brother were stepping up the mountain under the guidance of the Management Institute disciples.

Today, Yuan Caiwei was not wearing a pill robe, but had changed into a silver neon cloud brocade long dress, wearing a dangling hairpin with gilded kingfisher feathers, and a little gold powder on the corners of her eyes, exquisite and soft, and was currently following the Management Institute disciple to an inner courtyard immortal residence.

After that disciple left, Yuan Caiwei reached out to knock on the door, but her onion-white jade fingers couldn't help but hesitate when they touched the door frame.

Although she had many letters back and forth with Ji You, meeting in person would still make her feel a little nervous.

Yuan Yuanchen didn't have so many scruples; seeing his sister hesitate, he pushed open the courtyard door impatiently.

But the next second, Yuan Yuanchen, who pushed the courtyard door, quickly retreated, and even closed the door along with it, a look of astonishment flashing on his face.

Yuan Caiwei's brow furrowed: "What's wrong?"

Yuan Yuanchen swallowed his saliva: "Sister, it seems like the way I opened it wasn't quite right..."

"Is it that Young Master Ji isn't wearing clothes?"

"Sister, are you just hoping for this?"

Yuan Caiwei said "go to hell," then pushed open the courtyard door impatiently, her eyes searching the courtyard, and then she froze in place.

At this moment, she finally understood why her younger brother opened and closed the door.

Because the Little Appraisal Master of Spirit Sword Mountain was wearing a small flower-patterned padded jacket, sitting in Ji You's courtyard, a small knife in one hand, a potato in the other, having already peeled half of it, and was currently looking over.

In those clear and bright eyes, a trace of simple cuteness was revealed at first, as soft and beautiful as a new bride next door, but before long it became cold and vigilant...

At this time, on the second floor of Hongding Building in the city.

The children of the aristocratic families in the capital, as well as the Immortal Sect disciples who were guests at the Prince Chong Mansion that day, were gathered in one hall.

The Pill Sect caravan had just arrived at the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, and Zhao Yunyue had set up a banquet here in advance, and used the connections she had continuously made over the years to invite people from the inner courtyard.

Medicinal pills like the Qianyuan Pill have always been rare goods.

Except for the fixed share allocated to the Six Great Immortal Sects, which cannot be bought or sold, the Pill Sect would also often keep some spare items.

Because the higher the quality of the spiritual pill, the more unstable its structure, and the higher the damage rate. Even if escorted by a Fifth-Grade Pill Master in person, accidents might not necessarily not happen on the way.

What Liu Junchi was eyeing were those spare items.

Because the sister and brother of the Pill Sect had already handed over all the shares of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, the spare items prepared for the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan could be taken out for trading.

It's just that there were not a few people who had the same idea as him. To avoid long nights and many dreams, they had set up a banquet here early to wait.

Ding Shaojie, who had returned from the Immortal Supervision Bureau with his elders, was also invited to the banquet at this time, with a cold expression and sharp eyes.

"Are the Snow Region Demon Stones really going to be transported from Fengzhou in the future?"

Ding Shaojie clenched his fists: "Not bad, these are the exact words of the Immortal Supervision Bureau."

Zhao Yunyue picked up her wine glass with a cold voice: "This Ji You really doesn't give anyone face."

Ding Shaojie raised his eyes: "Just a wild private cultivator. If it weren't for my father stopping me, I would have already called someone to cut off his head!"

Liu Junchi raised his head at the sound: "This is in front of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan; Brother Shaojie had better keep a low profile."

"Why do you all say that?"

"The Heavenly Tian Shuyuan is the one that cares most about face among the Seven Great Immortal Sects. Seeking revenge is fine, but slapping their face is not; otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to my Spirit Sword Mountain to ask about the Dao for the sake of a few unknown disciples back then."

Ding Shaojie was silent for a long time and drank the clear wine in his cup.

Actually, he didn't care that much about the spirit stone business; what he cared about was Lu Qingqiu, and that was precisely why he was so jealous and hateful toward Ji You.

When he returned just now, his father said that businessmen value profit and loss the most. Although the Yunzhou Chamber of Commerce is big, it is not worth offending a Saint Sect like the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, and also said that there are plenty of ways to make the Fengzhou transport route fail.

But feelings are not business and cannot be calculated according to profit and loss, so he was so hateful that his teeth itched.

Liu Junchi looked at Ding Shaojie and couldn't help but chuckle: "Actually, that Ji You, in my opinion, is nothing remarkable."

"Oh? Brother Liu thinks so too?"

"Of course."

Liu Junchi straightened his waist: "His Upper Profound Realm talent is extraordinary, but in the end, it's just the Upper Profound Realm. If it weren't for the luck of being born in Fengzhou, which has no other aristocratic families, how would it be his turn to point fingers arrogantly?"

Ding Shaojie raised his head at the sound: "Brother Liu's words are very true. He just took advantage of his status. Only confused people would think he is noble and upright; clear-eyed people naturally disdain him. If such a person were in my Yunzhou, he wouldn't even be worthy of carrying my shoes."

"But having said that, Ji You can indeed be considered a smart person in some aspects."

"Where is he smart?"

"He came all the way here first by riding on Chu He's fame, and then self-directed and acted out the rumor of wanting to be a son-in-law of the Pill Sect. Today, he took the opportunity to get on the line of Snow Region Demon Stones. All kinds of actions seem eccentric and meaningless, but they have indeed invisibly raised his reputation and status."

Liu Junchi raised his head: "My Spirit Sword Mountain has several Elders who still want to take him under their banner. The road that seems to be getting narrower is vaguely widening. Just imagine, if he weren't so grandstanding, he would just be an ordinary inner courtyard disciple of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan now, sharing twenty percent of the tax, truly having some city-like depth."

Ding Shaojie opened his mouth: "What is the rumor about being a son-in-law of the Pill Sect?"

"When the Qiling incident happened, Ji You once saved the daughter of the Pill Sect Abbot. Later, some people began to spread rumors in secret, saying that he and Miss Yuan had mutual affection and wanted to be a son-in-law of the Pill Sect."

"I have several friends who traveled with me who also heard this rumor. When we came by boat together, they once told me they wanted to banquet Ji You and make friends with him, taking the opportunity to buy spiritual pills directly from the Pill Sect, and I just smiled and said nothing."

Zhao Yunyue looked sideways: "Brother, this is going too far. Ji You should have some face in the Pill Sect."

Liu Junchi put down his teacup: "Junior Sister, how do you explain this?"

"Back then, the eldest daughter of the Pill Sect went missing, and it was he who saved her."

"But I heard that the eldest daughter of the Pill Sect gave money, and after she came back, it was settled with him. With such a distant act, where does the face come from? It's nothing more than exchanging rumors for benefits."

After hearing this, Zhao Yunyue was thoughtful, thinking to herself that at the time she only harbored the resentment of being rejected, and didn't think about it properly.

Now listening to Brother Liu's analysis, it makes some sense.

I heard people say before that Ji You wanted to be a son-in-law of the Pill Sect, and later there was indeed no news. Thinking about it now, that might really have been his wishful thinking.

Especially today, the Pill Sect has been here for several hours, and many aristocratic family children already know about it, but this Ji You is still discussing transport routes in the Immortal Supervision Bureau. It seems he doesn't know about Yuan Caiwei's arrival at all.

If the two really had an unusual relationship, how could he not even know about her arrival?

Thinking of this, Zhao Yunyue seemed to have filled in a clear context, and suddenly felt a bit of relief.

The status of a princess, an external disciple of Spirit Sword Mountain, although noble, is naturally incomparable to the daughter of the Pill Sect.

Could it be that this Ji You really wanted to be a son-in-law back then and rejected her, only to be tragically rejected in the end? Now he doesn't even mention it, and is keeping a woman from who knows where in the courtyard.

Princess Changle picked up her teacup and took a sip of clear tea.

The invited guests hadn't arrived yet, so everyone at the banquet naturally couldn't drink first, and could only drink tea and chat like this.

During this period, Ding Shaojie and Liu Junchi chatted happily, feeling more and more that the other party spoke well.

However, as the sun moved, Liu Junchi's mentality gradually began to become a bit uneasy, not knowing if this Yuan sister and brother had been invited by someone else.

You must know that his most important purpose for this trip was to buy Qianyuan Pills. If he was targeted by someone else in advance, he would return empty-handed.

Just at this time, a Management Institute disciple invited by Zhao Yunyue arrived at Hongding Building and handed a Ruyi carved from spirit stone to Zhao Yunyue's table.

This jade Ruyi was the size of an adult's palm. Although it wasn't very big, Ding Shaojie, who came from a spirit stone family, could see that the Ruyi was crystal clear and had no impurities, which could be considered top-grade.

There are many mines in Lingzhou, but even for spirit stones mined from the same vein, the quality is different, because the closer the spirit stone is to the main vein spirit core, the more refined it is.

Why is the quality of the demon race's spirit stones so high? Regarding this question, the Yunzhou Spirit Stone Chamber of Commerce actually had guesses early on.

There should be a ten-thousand-year spirit core under the Snow Region. Because it is inaccessible, it has never been mined, so it nourishes countless spirit veins around it, making them overflow with spiritual energy.

And this jade Ruyi in front of them, in the standard division of their chamber of commerce, should be considered Third-Grade, a product of the middle section of the spirit vein.

However, Ding Shaojie found that Princess Changle lost her smile when she saw this spirit stone Ruyi.

"Princess, I'm really sorry, the item received earlier, I'm returning it now."

"Young Master Wei didn't see the Pill Sect sister and brother?"

The Management Institute disciple smiled softly: "I did see them. We talked a few words when going up the mountain, and I also mentioned the banquet invitation to them, but they were declined by the Yuan sister and brother."

Zhao Yunyue couldn't help but raise her head: "Could you tell her that it was hosted by Brother Liu of my Spirit Sword Mountain? Brother Liu, who is at the Upper Merging with the Dao Realm and very likely to enter the Responding to Heaven Realm."

"Naturally I said it, but... they were in a hurry to visit Ji You, and I don't know if they heard clearly."

"They went... to do what?"

The Management Institute disciple pursed his lips: "To visit Ji You. They went as soon as they entered the door, but they didn't expect Ji You to change courtyards."

The rumors about the daughter of the Pill Sect and the private cultivator disciple of the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan mostly told the story of the latter wanting to be a son-in-law.

From the perspective of reason and status, it led many people to feel that it was Ji You who was climbing up to them.

Zhao Yunyue was stunned for a long time before raising her eyes, then revealed a shallow smile: "If Brother Wei didn't see them, you could have just said so. I wouldn't blame Brother Wei; I'll just find someone else to invite them."

The Management Institute disciple opened his mouth: "I really saw them. I was the one who brought them into the inner courtyard."

"But Ji You is currently in the Immortal Supervision Bureau."

"I know that, of course, the Snow Region Demon Stone matter. I had already told them before going up the mountain, but they said they wanted to wait in the courtyard, and also told us Heavenly Tian Shuyuan not to inform him, lest it disturb his work."

It was already past 1:00 PM, and the sun began to move into the lower rotation.

Ji You came out of the Immortal Supervision Bureau and walked from south to north with Xiang Kuangcheng.

The Immortal Supervision Bureau plans to repair the official roads in Fengzhou after the New Year. The preliminary preparation for this matter fell on Xiang Kuangcheng's head. In fact, only Xiang Kuangcheng could do this, and both sides could be at ease.

After all, there are definitely many people who want to fish for oil and water in this kind of project.

In addition, after the barbarian race retreated, the Northern Border Army preparing to leave the Northern Border will subsequently go to Fengzhou to garrison.

On one hand, it can oversee the repair of the roads, and on the other hand, it can fulfill the promise made to Ji You to protect the people in his stronghold well.

At this time, the two returned to the north of Shengjing City all the way, and saw countless people on the street, handing over visiting cards forward.

Ji You didn't quite understand what was going on and was a bit confused, but seeing many women with glistening eyes among them, he couldn't help but feel a bit fortunate.

"Fortunately, I didn't bring Yan Shuyi today."

Xiang Kuangcheng couldn't help but raise his eyes: "Why is that?"

Ji You smacked his lips: "Because the street is full of cats with their tails up. If she saw it, I guess there wouldn't be any good fruit to eat tonight."

"Fairy Yan won't let you take a concubine?"

"No, she even helped me pick one herself. I'm just afraid I won't have the life to marry..."

Ji You couldn't help but admire his own foresight at this time: "Every step on the street is a hurdle; staying in the courtyard, there shouldn't be any more trouble."

Xiang Kuangcheng looked at the interface at this time: "Why not find a place on the street to eat before returning?"

"Forget it, I'd better go back. Lunch hasn't been made yet. If it's any later, I guess someone will be bristling."

"It seems that free wine and food, or silver obtained through painstaking efforts, can hardly compare to what Brother Ji likes in his heart."

Xiang Kuangcheng sighed, thinking to himself that Brother Ji seems dissolute, but he will definitely be a good husband. He smiled softly, but found that Ji You, who was holding countless invitations, suddenly stopped his steps, and then pressed one hand on his eyes.

First the left eye, then the right eye, pressing for a good while.

Xiang Kuangcheng turned his head to look: "What's wrong?"

Ji You blinked: "Don't know why these eyelids are always jumping."

"Uncomfortable?"

"Perhaps it's because I've been cooking every day these past few days and was smoked by the fireworks. It's fine."

After Ji You finished speaking, he bowed to Xiang Kuangcheng and then headed toward Ni Mountain.

Returning to the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan, countless students were looking at him with burning eyes, whispering, making him couldn't help but look back many times.

Ji You just thought it was because the matter of going to the Immortal Supervision Bureau today had spread back to the academy, so he didn't pay too much attention, passed through the ten thousand acres of forest, entered the inner courtyard, and then returned to his own courtyard along the way.

With a creak, the courtyard door was pushed open.

He took a step inside, his eyes stunned instantly, only to see the table full of shredded potatoes, piled into a small mountain, and there was an empty sack next to it.

Why were so many potatoes shredded? This was originally bought to be eaten until the New Year was over.

Ji You picked up the sack and walked toward the room, then saw an even more stunned scene.

Yan Shuyi was currently kneeling on the blanket in the room, holding several hand-drawn cards, while Yuan Caiwei was sitting opposite him, also holding several cards.

The two were playing "stick beats tiger, chicken eats worm," while Yuan Yuanchen sat on the side, shivering.

An hour ago, he and his sister went up the mountain to find his brother-in-law. As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw the Appraisal Master sister peeling potatoes in the courtyard. At that time, he thought it was a hallucination, but after his sister entered the door, he knew everything was real.

The instrument wielder of Spirit Sword Mountain, the Appraisal Master sister who didn't smile, was really peeling potatoes in the courtyard.

Yuan Caiwei was also stunned for a long time. Although she quickly returned to calm and politely greeted the Little Appraisal Master, Yuan Yuanchen saw panic in his sister's eyes.

The man who came to hook up with sisters was discovered by the sisters...

At that time, the Little Appraisal Master also greeted them with a smile and exchanged recent situations with them.

At that moment, Yuan Yuanchen seemed to see the calmness and majesty of the Empress, as if she was silently swearing that this courtyard and the man were all hers.

At this time, Ji You stood in the courtyard, looking at the two women playing cards, and a famous scene suddenly appeared in his heart.

Looks like I didn't come at the right time.

No, you came just at the right time.

Yuan Caiwei had written to tell him before that she was coming to the Heavenly Tian Shuyuan to deliver pills, but he really didn't expect this timing to be so accurate.

At this time, he glanced at Yuan Yuanchen and found that Yuan Yuanchen was also looking at him, and the "brother-in-law" stuck in his throat never dared to be called out.

"Young Master Ji is back?"

"Miss Yuan, long time no see, you're dressed so beautifully. As soon as you come, you want to take my dog life..."

Ji You lowered his voice for the second half of the sentence, just reciting it in his heart, then said: "Thank you for helping me prepare the pills last time."

Yuan Caiwei shook her head lightly, the jade pendant on her earlobe swaying: "You're welcome, I just did what I could."

"Are you here to deliver pills?"

"Yes, here to deliver pills. Yuan Yuanchen... insisted on seeing you, so I came with him. I didn't expect Young Master to be away, but the Appraisal Master sister was here, so we agreed to play cards together."

Yuan Yuanchen held his breath instantly when he heard his sister push everything onto him.

It was clearly his sister who was in a hurry to come, and even dressed up beautifully in advance. How did it all become his idea now?

Yan Shuyi raised her head at this time: "Yuan Yuanchen still likes to play so much?"

Yuan Yuanchen nodded: "It was my idea."

"Then stay for dinner tonight? Anyway, today I... shredded a lot of potatoes."

Ji You glanced at her, thinking to himself that the shredded potatoes you shredded were enough to stir-fry three pots: "You guys play, I'll go chop wood and light the fire."

Yuan Yuanchen didn't dare to stay here either, and hurriedly got up from the mat: "Brother-in-law, I'll go with you, I'm really good at chopping wood!"

Ji You stepped out of the door and was pulled aside by Yuan Yuanchen: "Brother-in-law, why are you living with the Appraisal Master sister?"

"She was a bit irritable from seclusion, so she came to Shengjing to find me to spend the winter, and has been living here for a long time. But you guys, why didn't you tell me when you came?"

"Originally I wanted to give you a surprise. Sister dressed up beautifully and intended to hook up with you..."

Ji You lifted the pot lid: "The Little Appraisal Master can hear everything you say."

Yuan Yuanchen lowered his head instantly: "I'd better go chop wood."

Yuan Caiwei was sitting in the room at this time, looking at Yan Shuyi while throwing cards: "I didn't expect Young Master Ji to know how to cook."

The Little Appraisal Master rested her chin on her knees and said calmly: "The craftsmanship is okay. I've eaten it many times, and shredded potatoes are the best."

"Weren't his hands injured before?"

"Hmm, he was injured and unconscious for several days. After waking up, he couldn't move at all. Now it seems he has recovered quite a bit. With spiritual energy assistance, cooking is no problem, but using a sword seems to still be a bit difficult."

Yuan Caiwei took out a set of ancient books and a medicinal pill from her bag at this time: "I found some ancient prescriptions at home, and then refined a medicinal pill to nourish the meridians. Supplemented with techniques, it should be effective for the recovery of Young Master Ji's arms."

Yan Shuyi looked at her with calm eyes: "What technique?"

"Take the pill, use the pill Qi to stimulate the four major Qi points, and apply the medicinal power directly to the arms, nourishing for three days."

"Four major Qi points?"

Yuan Caiwei nodded lightly: "Abdomen, heart, back, and waist."

Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes like a cat protecting its food, thinking to herself that this woman Yuan Caiwei was indeed prepared.

(End of chapter)