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Yi Huawei remained calm, as if the title of "innkeeper" wasn't applied to him at all. His deep eyes held no emotion, only a knowing indifference. He didn't even glance at the innkeeper; his gaze was fixed on the few slender bamboo stalks in the courtyard of the inn, as if those were the only things worthy of his attention.

This calm only amplified the strange ripples in Shan Meixian's heart. She took a deep breath, suppressing her unease, and quickly regained her usual gentle composure on her elegant face. She nodded slightly to the frightened innkeeper and said in a gentle voice, "Innkeeper, you've misunderstood. Please open two superior rooms, somewhere quiet."

"Yes, yes, yes! I understand! I was just being foolish!"

The innkeeper, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, wiped away a cold sweat and hurriedly bowed to lead the way: "This way, esteemed guests! Rooms A and B of the Heavenly Class are the quietest and most comfortable; we guarantee your satisfaction!"

Shan Wanjing glared angrily at the shopkeeper's back, her little mouth pouting so much it could hang an oil bottle. Following behind her mother, she secretly glanced at Yi Huawei's calm profile, then at her mother's seemingly calm but actually straighter back than usual, and felt inexplicably more stifled.

That idiot shopkeeper! What's with all that yelling! It's made her... it's made her mother... act weird!

Yi Huawei followed at the back with a leisurely pace, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over the pillar at the entrance once more.

The two superior rooms were quickly arranged, and the two rooms were placed next to each other. Opening the window, one could see the bamboo groves in the courtyard and a corner of blue sky.

Shan Meixian handed one of the room keys to Yi Huawei, her eyes regaining their clarity and seriousness: "Young master, please rest for a while. I will settle Jing'er in and then discuss the rest of the itinerary with you later."

Yi Huawei took the keys and nodded slightly.

"Thank you, Madam."

Pushing open the door, Yuebai's figure disappeared behind it, leaving Shan Meixian and Shan Wanjing, who was still sulking, standing on the corridor.

Outside the corridor, the afterglow filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled golden light. Shan Meixian gazed at Yi Huawei's tightly closed door, recalling the innkeeper's abrupt "Master and Madam," and the ripples she had forcibly suppressed in her heart seemed to resurface silently. Gently brushing aside the non-existent stray hairs at her temples, she turned and took her daughter's hand, saying softly, "Jing'er, let's go back to our room."

Shan Wanjing gave a muffled "hmm" and was pulled away by her mother, not forgetting to turn back and glare at the shopkeeper again.

...............

An hour passed quietly in the unique, damp twilight of Hangzhou.

There were no lights on in Yi Huwei's room. He stood quietly by the window, gazing at the shadows of the swaying bamboo in the courtyard, the lanterns that gradually lit up on the street outside the inn, and the faint sounds of the bustling city. His eyes were deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

“Tuk tuk tuk…”

A soft, restrained knock sounded on the door.

Yi Huawei did not turn around, but simply said, "Please come in."

The door was gently pushed open, and Shan Meixian appeared in the doorway. She had restyled her hair and changed into a more casual lotus-colored brocade jacket, which made her complexion appear gentle and radiant.

"Why isn't the lamp lit, young master? I thought you had gone out."

Shan Meixian entered the room, leaving the door open and maintaining a respectful distance. She lowered her voice and said, "I just received news that my mother... is currently in Jiangzhou (Nanjing) handling some urgent matters. Does the young master intend to rest here for two days, or should he set off for Jiangzhou to find her immediately?"

After saying that, his gaze fell on Yi Huawei's back.

Yi Huawei slowly turned around. The dim light coming through the window outlined his tall and straight figure. His expression was indistinct in the light and shadow, but his deep eyes calmly met Shan Meixian's gaze.

He pondered for a moment: "In that case, let's rest here for two days. The journey has been tiring, and the lady and young lady need to recover their strength."

A fleeting, barely concealed joy flashed across Shan Meixian's eyes! Though brief, it clearly reflected the turmoil within her—as if she had received some unexpected, small satisfaction. She wasn't even aware of the slight upturn of her lips; she only felt a weight lifted from her heart, and even her breathing became lighter.

"I am grateful for your kindness, young master."

She quickly concealed the slight unease in her voice, which remained gentle but now carried a more genuine tenderness: "Then I will go and arrange dinner. Please wait a moment, young master."

She gave a slight curtsy, her movements seemingly lighter than usual, then turned and left, gently closing the door behind her.

Yi Huawei's gaze lingered on the closed door for a moment, something flashing rapidly in his deep eyes before returning to stillness. He turned back to the window, where the lights of Hangzhou flickered in his eyes.

Not long after, Shan Meixian knocked on the door again. This time, she was followed by a waiter carrying an exquisite food box, and Shan Wanjing, who looked both curious and a little awkward.

"Young master, dinner is ready. We're traveling, so please keep things simple and don't find it too much trouble."

Shan Meixian led the waiter to place the food box on the round table in the room and personally laid out the dishes.

The dishes were not extravagant, but extremely exquisite, clearly prepared with great care by the kitchen at the manager's special request.

A plate of steamed sea bass, its flesh snow-white and tender, drizzled with amber-colored sauce; a plate of Biluo shrimp, the shrimp translucent and glistening, garnished with emerald green peas; a bowl of ham and bamboo shoot soup, its broth clear and its aroma enticing; a plate of stir-fried lotus root slices in vinegar, refreshing and appetizing; and a plate of Hangzhou-style scallion pancakes and a plate of seasonal fresh fruit.

"Mother said that the young master might prefer a lighter diet, so she specifically asked the kitchen to use less oil and salt."

Standing beside her mother, Shan Wanjing added softly, her eyes involuntarily glancing at the tempting plate of shrimp, then quickly stealing a glance at Yi Huawei, a hint of girlish naiveté in her expression. Clearly, she was still bothered by the shopkeeper's misunderstanding, yet she couldn't help but want to speak.

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam."

Yi Huawei walked to the table and sat down. He looked at the steaming, delicious-looking dishes on the table, his gaze lingering for a moment on Shan Meixian's gentle face, and nodded slightly: "Very good."

The three sat down, without any distinction of rank, more like... a family meal.

Shan Meixian sat to Yi Huawei's right, gracefully picked up her chopsticks, and first placed a piece of the tenderest fish belly meat on the small plate in front of him: "Please enjoy, young master."

Dan Wanjing sat on the other side of her mother, picking up a shrimp for herself and eating it in small bites, but her eyes couldn't help but dart between her mother and Yi Huawei. When she saw her mother putting food on Yi Huawei's plate, she felt a strange... indescribable feeling in her heart.

Yi Huawei did not refuse. He picked up his chopsticks, his movements still calm and elegant, as if he were tasting not the dishes of an inn, but imperial cuisine. He picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth, savoring it carefully. After a moment, he said, "The cooking time is just right, the fish is tender, Madam is very thoughtful."

His tone was calm, and then he very naturally picked up a soup spoon and ladled a small bowl of fresh bamboo shoot soup for Shan Meixian, placing it in front of her:
"The soup is also clear and fresh, Madam, please try it." Shan Meixian's hand holding the spoon paused almost imperceptibly. Looking at the bowl of steaming soup in front of her, and then at Yi Huawei's calm and expressionless face, the ripples in her heart stirred again, deeper and warmer than before. Lowering her eyes, her long eyelashes concealed the complex light in her eyes, and she only responded softly, "Thank you, Young Master."

I picked up the soup bowl and sipped it slowly; the soup seemed even more flavorful than before.

Dan Wanjing was a little stunned. Looking at her mother's slightly red ears and then at Young Master Yi's matter-of-fact expression, she felt that this meal was more unsettling than practicing swordsmanship! She quickly picked up a large piece of lotus root and stuffed it into her mouth. The crisp chewing sound seemed a bit abrupt in the quiet room.

During the meal, Shan Meixian softly introduced the sights and sights of Hangzhou, while Yi Huawei occasionally responded with a word or two. Although he didn't say much, he always touched on the essentials, creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere. Shan Wanjing gradually relaxed and couldn't help but chime in with interesting stories she had seen on the way, her cheerful laughter adding a touch of liveliness to the simple dinner.

Under the dim light, the shadows of the three people were cast on the wall, intertwined and overlapping.

Yi Huawei ate quietly, occasionally glancing at Shan Meixian's gentle profile and Shan Wanjing's youthful smile. Beneath the calm in his deep eyes, he seemed to quietly blend into the warm atmosphere of the room.

Outside the window, the night in Hangzhou is gentle, and the evening breeze, carrying moisture, passes through the window frame, ruffling the hair and clothes of the people at the table.

...............

The next day, the sky was clear and the breeze was gentle. Hangzhou awoke in the morning light, the air thick with the moisture of the Jiangnan region, carrying its unique warmth.

Shan Meixian changed into a more elegant light blue silk dress, her hair loosely styled and adorned with only a small pearl flower, making her appear even more gentle and graceful. Shan Wanjing, on the other hand, wore a pale yellow dress, looking lively and spirited.

Yi Huawei was still wearing that moon-white brocade robe, spotless, walking beside the mother and daughter. His transcendent demeanor was out of place with the surrounding bustling atmosphere, yet strangely blended in, attracting the attention of passersby.

They rented an exquisite painted boat and the three of them sailed on West Lake.

A gentle breeze stirred, and the water rippled not. The painted boat pushed through the emerald green lake, slowly sailing towards its center. In the distance, the mountains were shrouded in mist, while nearby, lotus leaves stretched out in abundance, interspersed with a few early-blooming lotus flowers standing gracefully, their pink and white blossoms fluttering in the air. The outlines of the Broken Bridge and Leifeng Pagoda appeared and disappeared in the thin mist, and the Bai Causeway stretched across the water's edge like a jade ribbon.

Willows and painted bridges, emerald curtains in the wind. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, Spring Dawn on the Su Causeway, the Shadow of Leifeng Pagoda... the beautiful scenery of Jiangnan unfolds slowly before your eyes.

"Above there is heaven, below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou. The scenery of West Lake truly lives up to its reputation."

Shan Meixian leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, admiring it sincerely, her brows showing a rare sense of relaxation and ease.

"Mommy, look! What a huge koi!"

Dan Wanjing leaned over the gunwale, pointing excitedly at the schools of colorful fish swimming in the water.

Yi Huawei's gaze swept over the picturesque scenery, but his deep eyes seemed to reflect something even more profound. He casually picked up the fish food prepared by the boatman, pinched off a few grains, and tossed them into the lake, causing the fish to frolic and fight over them.

"Jiangnan is a prosperous land, a land of fish and rice, and a vital granary and source of wealth for the nation."

Yi Huawei's calm voice broke the tranquility and leisure on the pleasure boat, and the topic suddenly turned to the heavy reality: "Unfortunately, such a peaceful scene may not last long."

Upon hearing this, Shan Meixian felt a slight chill and turned to look at Yi Huawei: "Why do you say that, young master? Jiangnan is far from the war in the Central Plains, but... after Yang Guang's southern tour, his control over the local areas has indeed been greatly weakened. I have heard that in the Yuhang and Wujun areas, local powerful families are now entrenched, each with their own agendas."

After all, she had been in charge of the Dongming Sect for many years and had dealt with various forces along the coast, so she was not entirely ignorant of the situation in the south.

"Emperor Yang was tyrannical, and the people were disloyal and alienated. His dragon boat tour to the south seemed majestic, but in reality, he was already at the end of his rope. The day he left Jiangdu was the day his control over the south would completely collapse."

Yi Huawei's gaze swept across the lake and mountains, past the gentry and commoners strolling leisurely along the embankment, and finally settled on the sturdy city wall that symbolized the power of the local magnates. His eyes were calm and unwavering, carrying a sense of detachment as if looking down upon the world.
"Several southern tours have exhausted the people's strength and drained the central government's resources. Now, this place is nothing more than a piece of unclaimed fat meat."

He paused, his tone calm, yet each word was like a knife: "Shen Faxing of Wuxing is nominally a Sui official, but in reality, he is a separatist. He has been entrenched in Wu County for a long time, coveting Yuhang. This man's foundation lies with local powerful clans. He appears to have a strong army, but in reality, he is confined to a corner, short-sighted, and unlikely to achieve great things. His desire to occupy Yuhang burns brightly, but he does not know that this place will become his shackles, bringing disaster upon himself."

Shan Meixian was shocked! She naturally knew about Shen Faxing's movements, but Yi Huawei's few words had analyzed his situation, ambitions, and fatal weaknesses so thoroughly! This was a level of insight that no ordinary martial arts master could possess!
Yi Huawei's gaze seemed to pierce through space, looking further north:

"Jiang Huai Li Zitong, though of humble origins, possesses the bearing of a ruthless hero. His power is like wildfire, expanding rapidly. Du Fuwei, who holds a stronghold in Liyang, guards the strategic pass, seemingly blocking his advance, but in reality... Li Zitong's ambition to move south is unstoppable."

He paused slightly, his tone carrying a chilling insight into the future: "Yuhang is prosperous, crisscrossed by waterways, making it a place they will surely seize. Within six months, this place will surely be ravaged by war."

"As for Shen Faxing and Du Fuwei, they are like the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. If Shen Faxing wants to take Yuhang, he will inevitably run into Li Zitong. Du Fuwei will either sit on the sidelines and watch the tigers stalk, or take advantage of the chaos. With the three sides vying for power, pulling and tearing each other apart, this place will become a bloodbath. Today's West Lake scenery and the bustling city are all like a dream, turning into dust in an instant once the war starts."

His words were not passionate or impassioned, but rather a calm and detached statement of facts. Every judgment was as certain as a nail in a coffin, carrying an unquestionable authority and foresight! It was as if he were not speculating, but reiterating a predetermined fact that was about to unfold!

Shan Meixian unconsciously tightened her grip on the fan, her knuckles turning slightly white. Yi Huawei's analysis was meticulous and to the core! This was hardly the insight of a martial arts practitioner; it was clearly the perspective of an emperor standing high above, overlooking the chessboard, understanding the rise and fall of the world, the struggle for supremacy among heroes! His moon-white figure, reflected in the lake, seemed shrouded in a divine radiance that seemed to perceive the secrets of heaven and disregard the common people.

Dan Wanjing had long since stopped laughing and was now leaning on the railing, her sapphire-like eyes fixed on Yi Huawei, her mouth slightly agape, filled with disbelief and shock! Although she was not an expert on the affairs of the world, Yi Huawei's commanding presence and his ability to view all heroes as mere pawns made her heart flutter. She felt as if the person before her was a god in the clouds, and the world she had previously known was nothing more than a palm print in his eyes!

"Young master... truly..."

Shan Meixian's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. She took a deep breath to steady herself: "...Insightful! Although I knew this place was unstable, I never saw it so clearly and far-reachingly. Your words, sir, have cleared away the clouds and brought the sun to the surface!"

Her mind was in turmoil. What Yi Huawei displayed was not only unpredictable martial prowess, but also wisdom that seemed to control the universe and foresee the future! This made her feel that Yi Huawei's identity and purpose were even more unfathomable.

Yi Huawei turned his gaze from the distance to the shimmering lake in front of him: "The situation is what it is, and it cannot be changed by human effort. Madam, you must make preparations as soon as possible. Dongming's foundation is overseas. This place is in turmoil, so we should avoid it."

Shan Meixian nodded solemnly: "Your words of wisdom, sir, will be forever etched in my heart!"

She was already quickly calculating in her mind that the Dongming Sect's business network in Jiangnan needed to be expanded as soon as possible.

The painted boat continued its leisurely journey across West Lake. The distant Leifeng Pagoda was reflected in the lake, serene yet weathered.

Looking at Yi Huawei's calm and composed profile, Shan Meixian's eyes were filled with shock and awe, and an indescribable sense of admiration—how could there be such a person in this world?
The pleasure boat fell silent, with only the sound of the lake water gently lapping against the gunwale and the faint sounds of city life in the distance.

(End of this chapter)