Chapter 197: No, You

"Truly, youth knows no fear—reckless and unrestrained; it makes this old man recall his own youthful days."

"Do you remember the ambition of your youth, when you swore to be the finest in all the world?"

"But Ji You, once you truly take root among the great clans, once you have descendants and blood kin, once you must consider the continuation of your family, you will learn that no human nature is beyond change."

"Over the centuries, this old man has seen many like you in the Qingyun Realm—but in the end, they all bow before me."

"When you reach that age, I will make you regret every choice you made."

At the third hour of the noon, the Southern City Spirit Inspectorate witnessed the representative of the Yunzhou Spirit Stone Guild depart in fury.

Along the Southern City road, a mud house had been smashed to rubble; as bricks and tiles collapsed, dust spread instantly along the street.

Seeing this, everyone understood.

The Xia Dynasty rejected both proposals from the Yunzhou Spirit Stone Guild; instead, they chose to reroute through Fengzhou, and Ji You openly participated without the slightest concern for provoking the Yunzhou clans.

As the three directors of the Director's Office had once said, everyone now sensed a kind of madness in Ji You.

"Earlier, many in the office thought Ji You might become the Lu family's son-in-law—but after this, it's clearly impossible."

Qin Rong lifted his head: "It was never possible to begin with. Ji You never responded to Lady Lu, and rumor now says the courtyard has taken in another woman."

Lang Hetong had also heard the news; his brow furrowed slightly: "I wonder which family's daughter could have made Ji You, who turned down Princess Changle and Lady Lu, bring her home?"

At that moment, Ji Jingyao arrived, dust-covered from travel: "The Yu Danzong delegation has been received; all elixirs have arrived."

"Thank you, Brother Ji. Have the esteemed guests from Yu Danzong been settled?"

"They've been lodged within the courtyard. Also, the Yuan siblings said they wished to visit a friend in the inner courtyard—I had someone guide them there."

Lang Hetong paid it no mind, thanked him again, then picked up a go stone to place.

But soon he froze, then looked up to find Qin Rong equally stunned across from him.

"Who is she visiting?"

"Of course Ji You. Didn't everyone in the office whisper they admired each other? Didn't they say Ji You wanted to become a son-in-law of Yu Danzong? Now it seems the Yuan girl shares that wish."

"But Ji You's courtyard already has a woman…"

"?"

In the afternoon sun, on the snowy, melting path of Nishan, the Yuan siblings were ascending the mountain under the guidance of a Director's Office disciple.

Today, Yuan Caimei wore no elixir robe, but a silver-cloud brocade long gown, adorned with a gilded kingfisher-dusted dangling hairpin, her eyelids lightly dusted with gold powder—elegant and delicate—as she now arrived before an inner courtyard residence.

When the disciple departed, Yuan Caimei reached out to knock—but her ivory fingers hesitated as they neared the doorframe.

Though she and Ji You had exchanged many letters, meeting in person still made her slightly nervous.

Yuan Chen had no such reservations; seeing his sister hesitate, he pushed open the courtyard gate without delay.

But the next instant, Yuan Chen quickly stepped back, pulling the gate shut behind him, his face flickering with shock.

Yuan Caimei frowned: "What's wrong?"

Yuan Chen swallowed: "Sister, maybe I opened the door the wrong way…"

"Is Ji Young Master not wearing clothes?"

"Sister, are you hoping for that?"

Yuan Caimei muttered "Go away," then pushed open the gate, scanning the courtyard—and froze.

Now she understood why her brother had opened and shut the door.

For the young master of Lingjian Mountain, dressed in a tiny floral jacket, sat in Ji You's courtyard, one hand holding a knife, the other a potato, having already peeled half of it, now gazing up.

Her clear, bright eyes first revealed a simple, sweet charm, like a gentle new bride—but soon turned cold and wary…

At that moment, on the second floor of Hongding Tower in the city.

The scions of Jingcheng's great clans and the disciples of immortal sects who had attended Prince Chong's banquet gathered together.

The Yu Danzong caravan had just arrived at the Heavenly Book Academy; Zhao Yunyue had pre-arranged this banquet and used years of connections to summon guests from the inner courtyard.

The Qianyuan Elixir was always rare and highly sought-after.

Aside from the fixed quotas allocated to the Six Immortal Sects, Yu Danzong always kept a reserve stock.

Because the higher the quality of a spirit elixir, the more unstable its structure—and the higher its rate of damage—even with a top-tier alchemist escorting it, accidents could still occur.

Liu Junchi was eyeing that reserve stock.

Since the Yuan siblings had already delivered their full quota to the Heavenly Book Academy, the reserve meant for the academy could now be traded.

But many others held the same idea; to avoid delays, they had arranged this banquet early.

Ding Shaojie, who had just returned from the Spirit Inspectorate with his elders, was also invited to the banquet, his expression icy, his gaze sharp.

"Will the Snowland Demon Stones truly be transported through Fengzhou?"

Ding Shaojie clenched his fist: "Yes. Those were the exact words of the Spirit Inspectorate."

Zhao Yunyue raised his wine cup coldly: "Ji You truly gives no one's face any consideration."

Ding Shaojie lifted his eyes: "He's just a rustic private cultivator. Had my father not stopped me, I'd have had his head cut off long ago!"

Liu Junchi looked up: "This is before the Heavenly Book Academy's gates, Brother Shaojie—keep your voice down."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?"

"The Heavenly Book Academy is the most image-conscious of the Seven Immortal Sects. You may seek revenge, but you cannot humiliate them—otherwise, why else would they have sent envoys to Lingjian Mountain over a few unknown disciples?"

Ding Shaojie fell silent for a long while, then drained his cup of clear wine.

He didn't truly care about the spirit stone trade—he cared about Lu Qingqiu. That was why he hated Ji You so intensely.

When he returned, his father said merchants care only for profit and loss; though Yunzhou's guild was large, it wasn't worth provoking a holy sect like the Heavenly Book Academy, and there were plenty of ways to make Fengzhou's transport route unviable.

But emotions aren't business—they can't be weighed by profit and loss. That's why his teeth ground with fury.

Liu Junchi looked at Ding Shaojie and chuckled softly: "Frankly, I don't think Ji You is all that impressive."

"Oh? You think so too, Brother Liu?"

"Of course."

Liu Junchi straightened his posture: "His Tongxuan Upper Realm talent is extraordinary, but he's still only Tongxuan Upper Realm. Had he not been born in Fengzhou, where no other great clans dwell, how could he have the arrogance to point fingers?"

Ding Shaojie lifted his head: "Brother Liu speaks truly—he's merely riding on his position. Only fools think he's noble; the wise scorn him. If he were in Yunzhou, he wouldn't even be fit to hold my boots."

"Still, in some ways, Ji You is indeed clever."

"How so?"

"He's used Chuhe's reputation to his advantage, staged rumors of wanting to become a son-in-law of Yu Danzong, and today leveraged the Snowland Demon Stone route—all seemingly reckless, yet quietly elevating his name and status."

Liu Junchi lifted his head: "Several elders of Lingjian Mountain have long wanted to take him in. His path, which seemed to be narrowing, has quietly widened. Imagine—if he hadn't put on this show, he'd merely be an ordinary inner disciple of the Heavenly Book Academy, receiving two-tenths of the tax revenue. He's truly calculating."

Ding Shaojie opened his mouth: "What rumor about becoming a son-in-law of Yu Danzong?"

"When Qiling was in turmoil, Ji You saved the daughter of Yu Danzong's patriarch. Afterward, whispers began that he and Miss Yuan had grown fond of each other, and he intended to become a son-in-law."

"I had several fellow travelers who heard this rumor. On the boat ride here, they told me they planned to host Ji You and befriend him, to buy elixirs directly from Yu Danzong. I just smiled and said nothing."

Zhao Yunyue glanced sideways: "Brother, that's going too far. Ji You does have some standing with Yu Danzong."

Liu Junchi set down his tea cup: "What do you mean, Sister?"

"When the eldest daughter of Yu Danzong went missing, he rescued her."

"But I heard Yu Danzong paid him. After she returned, they settled the matter with money—so cold and distant. How could that be 'standing'? It's just trading rumors for favors."

Zhao Yunyue pondered this, realizing she'd only nursed resentment at being rejected, never truly considered the matter.

Now, hearing Brother Liu's analysis, it made some sense.

She'd heard before that Ji You wanted to become a son-in-law of Yu Danzong—but since then, there'd been no word. Now she wondered if it had been his own delusion.

Especially today: Yu Danzong had been here for hours, and many scions knew—but Ji You was still at the Spirit Inspectorate discussing transport routes. He clearly didn't know Yuan Caimei had arrived.

If they truly had any special bond, how could he not even know she'd come?

Thinking this, Zhao Yunyue suddenly saw a clear pattern—and felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

Princess status, Lingjian Mountain's foreign disciple—these were noble, but not comparable to a daughter of Yu Danzong.

Had Ji You truly wanted to become a son-in-law, and rejected her for that reason—only to be rejected in turn, now ignoring the matter entirely and keeping some unknown woman in his courtyard?

Princess Changle lifted her tea cup and sipped.

The invited guests had not yet arrived; no one could drink yet, so they sipped tea and chatted.

During this time, Ding Shaojie and Liu Junchi conversed merrily, finding each other's words increasingly pleasing.

But as the sun shifted, Liu Junchi grew increasingly uneasy—wondering if the Yuan siblings had been invited elsewhere.

His primary goal was to buy Qianyuan Elixirs. If someone else had already claimed them, he'd return empty-handed.

At that moment, a Director's Office disciple arrived at Hongding Tower and placed a carved spirit stone ruyi on Zhao Yunyue's table.

The jade ruyi was the size of an adult's palm—not large, but Ding Shaojie, from a spirit stone clan, recognized its purity: flawless, translucent, a high-grade piece.

Lingzhou had many mines, but even from the same vein, spirit stones varied in quality—the closer to the main vein's core, the purer.

Why were demon clan spirit stones so high-quality? Yunzhou's spirit stone guild had long speculated.

Beneath the Snowlands lay a ten-thousand-year spirit core, untouched by humans, nourishing countless surrounding veins with overflowing spiritual energy.

This jade ruyi, by their guild's standards, would be classified as third-grade—a product of the mid-vein.

But Ding Shaojie noticed Princess Changle's smile vanished upon seeing the spirit stone ruyi.

"Princess, I apologize—the gift previously received is being returned."

"Did Lord Wei not meet the Yuan siblings?"

The Director's Office disciple smiled softly: "He did meet them. He spoke with them on the mountain and mentioned the banquet—but they declined."

Zhao Yunyue looked up: "Did you tell them it was hosted by my senior brother, Liu of Lingjian Mountain? A Rongdao Upper Realm cultivator, likely to enter Yingtian Realm?"

"Of course I did—but… they were in a hurry to visit Ji You. I don't know if they even heard."

"They went… to do what?"

The Director's Office disciple pressed his lips: "To visit Ji You. They arrived and knocked—but didn't realize he'd moved courtyards."

The rumors originating from Yu Danzong's daughter and a private disciple of Tian Shu Academy mostly claimed the latter was to become a son-in-law.

From both reason and status, many assumed Ji You was the one eagerly clinging to them.

After a long pause, Zhao Yunyue lifted her gaze and smiled faintly: "If Wei Shixiong hasn't seen him, just say so—I won't blame you. I'll find someone else to fetch him."

The Zhongshi Yuan disciple opened his mouth: "I really did see them. I was the one who brought them into the inner courtyard."

"But Ji You is currently inside the Si Xian Jian."

"I know that, of course—it's about the Snowfield Demon Stone. I told them before we even climbed the mountain, but they said they'd wait in the courtyard and asked Tian Shu Academy not to notify anyone, so as not to disturb him."

It was already the hour of Wei; the sun had begun its descent.

Ji You emerged from the Si Xian Jian and walked northward with Kuangcheng.

The Si Xian Jian planned to repair the imperial road in Fengzhou after the new year, and the preliminary preparations fell to Kuangcheng—indeed, only Kuangcheng could be trusted to handle it, so both sides could rest easy.

After all, such projects inevitably attracted many seeking to skim profits.

Moreover, after the barbarian forces withdrew, the Zhenbei Army preparing to leave the northern frontier would soon be stationed in Fengzhou.

On one hand, this would guard the road repairs; on the other, it would fulfill Ji You's promise to protect the people of his mountain village.

As the two returned to the northern outskirts of Shengjing, they saw countless people lining the streets, offering invitation slips.

Ji You didn't understand what was happening and felt bewildered, but seeing many women with glistening eyes, he couldn't help feeling relieved.

"Thank goodness I didn't bring Yan Shuyi today."

Kuangcheng couldn't help lifting his gaze: "Why not?"

Ji You clicked his tongue: "Because the whole street is full of cats with their tails up—if she saw this, she'd probably tear me apart tonight."

"Yan Xianzi won't let you take concubines?"

"No, she even helped me pick them out myself—I'm just afraid I won't live long enough to marry them…"

Ji You couldn't help admiring his own foresight: "Every step on this street is a trap. Better to stay in the courtyard—nothing bad can happen there."

Kuangcheng glanced at the street: "Why not eat somewhere here before heading back?"

"No, I'll go back. I haven't even made lunch yet—if I wait any longer, someone's going to explode."

"It seems neither free wine and food nor hard-won silver can match Ji Brother's true preference."

Kuangcheng sighed, thinking Ji Brother may seem carefree, but he'd surely make a good husband. He smiled softly—then noticed Ji You, clutching countless invitation slips, had suddenly stopped and pressed a hand to his eye.

First his left eye, then his right—he held it there for a long while.

Kuangcheng turned to look: "What's wrong?"

Ji You blinked: "I don't know why my eyelid keeps twitching."

"Unwell?"

"Probably from cooking every day for days—smoke got in my eyes. Nothing serious."

After speaking, Ji You bowed to Kuangcheng and headed toward Nishan.

Back at Tian Shu Academy, countless students stared at him intently, whispering among themselves—he couldn't help glancing back several times.

Ji You assumed word of his visit to the Si Xian Jian had reached the academy and paid it no mind. He passed through Wanying Linhai and entered the inner courtyard, then returned to his own villa.

With a creak, the courtyard gate opened.

He stepped inside—and froze. The table was piled high with shredded potatoes, forming a small mountain, beside which lay an empty sack.

Why did she shred so many potatoes? I bought them to last until after the new year.

Ji You picked up the sack and walked toward the kitchen—only to see an even more startling sight.

Yan Shuyi sat cross-legged on the floor mat, holding several hand-drawn cards, while Yuan Caimei sat opposite her, also holding cards.

They were playing "Beat the Tiger, Chicken Eats Worm," while Yuan Chen sat beside them, trembling.

An hour ago, he and his elder sister had come up the mountain to find their brother-in-law. He'd opened the door to see the Master of the Mirror slicing potatoes—and thought he was hallucinating. But when his sister entered, he realized it was real.

The Master of the Mirror, the solemn Weapon-Bearer of Lingjian Mountain, was really peeling potatoes in the courtyard.

Yuan Caimei had also been stunned for a long while. Though she quickly regained composure and politely greeted the young Master, Yuan Chen saw the panic in her eyes.

The man trying to court the sister had been caught by the sister…

At that moment, the young Master had smiled warmly and greeted them, exchanging updates.

In that instant, Yuan Chen felt he'd witnessed the Empress's calm authority—as if silently declaring: This courtyard and this man are mine.

Now Ji You stood in the courtyard, watching the two women playing cards, and a famous scene flashed into his mind.

I came at a bad time.

No—you came at the perfect time.

Yuan Caimei had written ahead to tell him she was coming to deliver elixirs to Tian Shu Academy—but he never imagined she'd choose such a precise moment.

He glanced at Yuan Chen and saw Yuan Chen staring back, the word "brother-in-law" stuck in his throat, unspoken.

"Master Ji has returned?"

"Miss Yuan, long time no see. You look beautiful—came here to take my life, didn't you?"

Ji You lowered his voice to himself, then added: "Thank you for preparing the elixirs last time."

Yuan Caimei shook her head gently; the jade pendant at her ear swayed: "No need to thank me. I merely did what I could."

"You came to deliver elixirs?"

"Yes, to deliver elixirs. Yuan Chen insisted on seeing you, so I came with him. Didn't expect you to be away—so the Master of the Mirror was here, and we ended up playing cards."

Yuan Chen held his breath the moment his sister shifted blame onto him.

It was her who was eager to come—and dressed up like a peacock! Now it's all my idea?

Yan Shuyi looked up: "Still so playful, Yuan Chen?"

Yuan Chen nodded: "I wanted to come."

"Then stay for dinner tonight? I chopped so many potatoes today…"

Ji You glanced at her, thinking: Those potatoes could fry three pots. "You play. I'll go chop wood and light the fire."

Yuan Chen didn't dare stay—he leapt up: "Brother-in-law, let me help! I'm great at chopping wood!"

As Ji You stepped outside, Yuan Chen pulled him aside: "Brother-in-law, how come you live with the Master of the Mirror?"

"She got restless during her cultivation seclusion, came to Shengjing to hibernate with me—she's been staying here a long time. But you two—why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"We wanted to surprise you. Sister dressed up like a flower just to seduce you…"

Ji You lifted the pot lid: "The Master of the Mirror can hear every word you say."

Yuan Chen immediately bowed his head: "I'll go chop wood."

Yuan Caimei sat inside, tossing cards while glancing at Yan Shuyi: "I didn't know Master Ji could cook."

The young Master rested her chin on her knees, speaking calmly: "His cooking's passable. I've eaten it many times—shredded potatoes are the best."

"Didn't his hands get injured?"

"Yes. He was injured and unconscious for days. When he woke, he couldn't move at all. Now he's recovered quite a bit—using spiritual energy, cooking is no problem. But wielding a sword still seems difficult."

Yuan Caimei took from her bag an ancient book and a single elixir: "I found some ancient formulas at home and brewed an elixir to nourish the meridians. With the right technique, it should aid Master Ji's arm recovery."

Yan Shuyi regarded her calmly: "What technique?"

"Swallow the elixir, activate the four qi points with its energy, direct the medicine's effect straight to the arm, nourish for three days."

"Four qi points?"

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

Yan Shuyi narrowed her eyes like a cat guarding its food—this woman, Yuan Caimei, had clearly come prepared.

(End of Chapter)