11: Chapter 11 People from the Wang Family Arrive

There were three ice heart pills left from Lin Qingxue; he didn't take any more and put them away.

Every day, he methodically refined the cold energy, grinding away and melting it bit by bit.

After ten days, the chill in his Dantian grew a bit heavier, and the blue halo within the white light at his fingertips became more apparent.

He brought Xiaoyu over from the West Courtyard.

It was the young girl's first time entering such a clean courtyard; she was a bit at a loss, standing at the door not daring to enter.

Ye Chen took her hand and led her around, showing her where the kitchen, the well, and her room were.

Xiaoyu stayed in the east wing, while Ye Chen stayed in the main room. For dinner that night, Xiaoyu cooked porridge, stir-fried some greens, and even fried two eggs.

The eggs were a bit burnt, but she was very earnest, using her chopsticks to pick the largest piece and place it in Ye Chen's bowl.

“Brother, you eat.”

Ye Chen didn't decline; he picked it up and ate it.

The egg was very fragrant; the burnt parts were a bit bitter, but he finished it all.

“It’s delicious,” he said.

Xiaoyu's eyes crinkled into crescents as she took small sips of her porridge.

After the meal, Ye Chen cleared the dishes and practiced his cultivation in the courtyard.

Xiaoyu brought a small stool and sat under the eaves, resting her chin on her hands and watching him, quiet and still, just watching.

After finishing his practice, Ye Chen was covered in sweat; he drew water to rinse off and changed into clean clothes.

Xiaoyu had already boiled the bathwater and mixed it with cold water until the temperature was just right.

“Brother, take a bath,” she said.

Ye Chen looked at the bucket of steaming bathwater and then at Xiaoyu.

Beads of sweat still hung on the young girl's forehead, and her Face was slightly soot-stained from the stove fire.

“Have you washed yet?” he asked.

“I have,” Xiaoyu nodded.

“I washed in the kitchen, wiped down with hot water.”

Ye Chen said nothing more and carried the bucket into the room.

At night, he sat on the bed in meditation. Xiaoyu slept in the east wing, her breathing light and steady.

The jade pendant on his chest was warm. The phantom of the jade booklet floated before his eyes; the bond log still had only one entry.

Lin Qingxue, bond Rank 'Like Old Friends,' no change.

He closed the log, shut his eyes, and continued refining the cold energy.

The tenth day, the first of the month.

Ye Chen rose before dawn.

After washing up, he practiced in the courtyard for a while, waiting until full daylight before returning to his room to change into clean clothes.

The clothes were newly bought yesterday, a green cloth robe; very ordinary, but washed and starched crisp without any wrinkles.

Xiaoyu had also risen, changing into a semi-new dress, her hair neatly combed and tied with a red ribbon.

“Brother, are you going to the Lin Manor?” she asked.

“Yes,” Ye Chen nodded.

“Stay at home and don't go out. If someone comes, don't open the door; leave through the back door and go hide at Aunt Liu's house next door.”

Aunt Liu was a widow in the neighboring courtyard, in her fifties, and a very kind person.

The day after Ye Chen moved in, he had taken Xiaoyu to visit her, bringing a bag of pastries and exchanging some pleasantries.

Aunt Liu was very warm, saying that since they were neighbors, he should just speak up if he needed anything.

Xiaoyu nodded vigorously: “I know.”

Ye Chen patted her head, turned, and walked out the door.

There weren't many people on the street; at this hour, most had just risen and were busy starting fires for cooking.

Ye Chen crossed through the alleys and turned onto the main street, his pace neither fast nor slow.

Several carriages were already parked at the entrance of the Lin Manor. The horses were high-quality Dragon Steeds with glossy coats, and the carriages were made of carved rosewood, looking very grand.

Several guards stood at the entrance; seeing Ye Chen, Scarface came out to meet him.

“Young Master Ye has arrived.” Scarface's expression was somewhat solemn.

“The Young Miss is in the meditation room. The people from the City Lord's Mansion have already arrived and are in the main hall. The Wang family people have also come; Wang Teng and his father Wang Mang are both here.”

Ye Chen nodded: “Understood.”

Scarface led him inside, not going to the main hall but circling around to the back and entering the meditation room.

Lin Qingxue was already waiting.

Today she wore a pale purple long dress covered by a moon-white jacket with a front opening. Her hair was styled in a simple bun fastened with a white jade hairpin.

A light touch of rouge on her Face made her complexion look a bit better, but that cold, aloof air remained.

“Sit,” she raised her hand slightly.

Ye Chen sat down across from her.

“Two people have come from the City Lord's Mansion,” Lin Qingxue said in a flat voice.

“One is a steward of the City Lord's Mansion named Chen, at the Meridian Opening Sixth Level. The other is the guard captain of the City Lord's Mansion named Zhao, at the Wheel Sea Realm First Level. These two were sent by the City Lord's Mansion to handle today's matter.”

Ye Chen nodded.

“Wang Mang and Wang Teng are also here,” Lin Qingxue continued.

“Wang Mang is at the Wheel Sea Realm Third Level, and Wang Teng is at the Meridian Opening Fourth Level. The Wang family also brought several guards, all seemingly around the fourth or fifth level of Meridian Opening.”

She paused, looking at Ye Chen: “Today's situation will not be easy to handle. Those two from the City Lord's Mansion are here to play peacemaker; they won't truly side with anyone. The Wang family, on the other hand, is here for your life. You must be prepared.”

“I understand,” Ye Chen said.

“In a moment, I will have someone call you to the main hall,” Lin Qingxue said.

“Once you're there, no matter what the Wang family says, don't be in a hurry to argue. Wait for them to finish before you speak. Speak with reason and evidence, neither humble nor arrogant. Although those two from the City Lord's Mansion are playing peacemaker, they also care about Face. If you have reason on your side, they won't openly favor the Wang family.”

“Yes.”

“Additionally.” Lin Qingxue took a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve and pushed it over.

“This is a ‘Qi Recovery Pill,’ which can quickly restore True Qi. If things come to blows later, take one first.”

Ye Chen took the porcelain bottle and opened it; inside lay three pale yellow Medicinal Pills with a strong medicinal fragrance.

“Thank you, Miss Lin.”

“No need for thanks,” Lin Qingxue shook her head.

“Today's matter started because of me. If I hadn't asked you to represent the Lin family in battle, the Wang family wouldn't have targeted you.”

Ye Chen said nothing, merely tucking the porcelain bottle into his robe.

Footsteps came from outside, and a maid said softly at the door.

“Young Miss, Steward Chen from the City Lord's Mansion is asking if Young Master Ye has arrived.”

“He has,” Lin Qingxue stood up. “Take him over.”

The maid pushed open the door; Ye Chen stood up and followed her out.

As they reached the door, Lin Qingxue suddenly spoke: “Ye Chen.”

Ye Chen looked back.

“Be careful,” she said, her voice very light.

Ye Chen nodded and turned to leave.

The main hall was large and bright.

In the center were two rows of grandmaster chairs. On the left sat two people; one wore a brown silk robe, was chubby, and had a small mustache—this was Steward Chen from the City Lord's Mansion.

The other wore black martial attire with a blade at his waist, had a square Face and thick eyebrows—this was the guard captain, Zhao Gang.

On the right sat two people. In the upper seat was a middle-aged man in a brocade robe with a square Face, a short beard, and a fierce gaze—this was Wang Mang.

In the lower seat was a young man in his early twenties, wearing red martial attire with gold trim, an air of arrogance between his brows—this was Wang Teng.

Behind Wang Mang stood four guards, each broad-shouldered and thick-waisted with sharp gazes.

Behind Wang Teng also stood two people, one tall and thin, the other short and fat, both wearing the Wang family guard uniform.

Lin Qingxue sat in the primary seat, with the Scar-faced Guard standing beside her.

Ye Chen walked in, and everyone's eyes fell upon him.

“Ye Chen greets Miss Lin and everyone else.” He performed a salute, neither humble nor arrogant.

Lin Qingxue nodded: “Sit.”

Ye Chen sat in the lowest chair on the left, directly facing Steward Chen and Zhao Gang.

Steward Chen stroked his small mustache and spoke with a smile: “This is Young Master Ye Chen? Truly a young talent, quite handsome indeed.”

Ye Chen didn't respond, only nodding.

Wang Mang snorted coldly: “Talent? A thug, more like.”

Steward Chen's smile didn't change: “Patriarch Wang, what makes you say that?”

“Steward Chen, Captain Zhao.” Wang Mang stood up and pointed at Ye Chen.

“Ten days ago, three guards from my Wang family went to the West Courtyard to collect an old debt from Ye Chen. This Ye Chen refused to pay and even resorted to violence, killing two of my guards and wounding one. If such a thug is not severely punished, is there still law in Qingyun City?”

Steward Chen looked at Ye Chen: “Young Master Ye, is what Patriarch Wang says true?”

Ye Chen stood up and bowed: “Steward Chen, what Patriarch Wang says is half true and half false.”

“Oh? Which half is true, and which half is false?”

“Ten days ago, three men in black indeed broke into my residence at night,” Ye Chen said.

“But it wasn't to collect any debt; they came to kill me. As for the debt, that is even more nonsensical. Though I, Ye Chen, am poor, I have never owed anyone money. Patriarch Wang says I owe a debt—does he have a promissory note?”

Wang Mang sneered: “A promissory note? Of course I have one!”

He pulled a piece of paper from his sleeve and slapped it onto the table.

“In black and white, Ye Chen borrowed one hundred Low-Grade Spirit Stones from my Wang family, agreeing to repay them in one month, with interest for late payment. Now that three months have passed, the total including interest is three hundred Spirit Stones. Ye Chen, do you admit it?”

Ye Chen didn't even look at the paper: “I do not.”

“You don't?” Wang Teng suddenly stood up and pointed at Ye Chen.