Heaven rewards diligence; he fought his way through chaos to become a saint.

Chapter 89 News (Long Chapter)

The next day.

The sky was just beginning to lighten, the morning light was sparse and faint.

A thin mist drifted through the streets and alleys, and the bluestone pavement was moistened with a layer of cool water vapor, as if it had been soaked in light ink.

Shen Yixi stood gracefully beside Ye Ci in front of the Commandant's Mansion. Her plain dress was covered with morning dew, her hair was slightly damp, and her skin appeared even whiter in the hazy light of the day.

Upon seeing her emerge, the coachman hurried to greet her.

"Miss, get in the car."

Shen Yixi raised her eyes slightly, then glanced at Ye Ci beside her, and said in a flat tone, "No need, I'll walk back."

Knowing her personality, the coachman assumed she didn't want to ride with Ye Ci and advised, "Miss, you didn't get a good night's rest. Let me take you back—"

Unexpectedly, Shen Yixi seemed to know what he was thinking and shook her head, saying, "Don't misunderstand, I just want to talk to Master Ye alone. I'll go back with him."

She slightly raised her eyes, their gazes met, and then they each looked away.

Seeing this, Ma Chemei couldn't say anything more, so she greeted the three of them and drove away with a "Giddy up!"

The sound of horses' hooves was gentle, and the streets and alleys were quiet.

The two walked side by side toward the Shen residence. Ye Ci quietly observed the girl. Her features were exquisite and clear. Enveloped in the morning mist, she resembled a fairy in a painting. From afar, she was like smoke; up close, she was stunning.

The girl was wearing a simple dress, unlike other women who wore heavy makeup, and she was still beautiful in a clean and simple way.

"Miss Shen, please forgive me, I shouldn't have listened to Feng Ji."

Ye Ci was the first to break the silence.

Shen Yixi slightly raised her eyes, avoiding the topic: "Thank you for coming to fetch me, Venerable Ye."

The wind was gentle, and so was her tone, as if the grievances she had suffered at the hands of Feng Ji earlier were none of her concern.

After walking for a while, Ye Ci stopped and asked, "Did you go to buy 'White Jade Snow Lotus'?"

Shen Yixi stopped, looked straight ahead, and shoved the box into Ye Ci's arms: "I've been holding it all night, and you're only asking now? Does this brute not know how to cherish a woman, or is he just oblivious?"

The two rhetorical questions carried a hint of the girl's coquettishness.

Ye Ci was speechless, then took the wooden box and hugged it to her chest: "I'm sorry to have wronged you."

She finally turned her head, glanced at him, and smiled faintly.

Her eyes were clear and bright, like cold stars.

"I'm not being wronged. Since I got involved in Guangzhilin's affairs, I should be questioned."

"Don't worry about what Ye Gongfeng said."

After saying that, she stretched out her fair little hand and made a gesture as if asking for something.

"Give it to me."

"What?"

What do you think?

Ye Ci: "???"

"The marriage certificate? Didn't the Commandant send someone to inform you that I wanted you to annul the engagement?"

"without."

Qin Lie took this as a quarrel between the young couple and treated it as a joke. How could he have actually told Ye Ci about it?

"I took the white jade snow lotus from Feng Ji for one reason."

"I request that you, Master Ye, return the marriage certificate to the Shen family. I do not wish to marry."

"...

The morning breeze swept through the streets and alleys, lifting the strands of hair at her temples and letting them fall onto her fair and pretty cheeks.

"If you didn't bring it, give it to me when you get home."

Shen Yixi continued walking forward.

Ye Ci hesitated slightly, but seeing that she continued to walk forward, he had no choice but to follow.

He truly didn't understand women's thoughts and was speechless for a moment.

Resign! Resign!

How can someone use the influence of another person's elders to force a girl to marry them?

It's not good to keep holding onto the marriage certificate; what if the other person really has someone they like?

The two walked side by side, and the atmosphere was slightly awkward.

Shen Yixi suddenly asked, "You don't look well. Are you injured?"

"It's alright. Manager Chen from the pharmacy examined them yesterday. They're all minor injuries. The person who did it went easy on them."

"Would Feng Ji's men show you any mercy?"

"It was Mumu's family who came and injured me, but they were very careful. Moreover, they are also experts. Yesterday, they personally circulated their energy to heal my injuries and cleared my meridians. Today, I am mostly recovered. With the help of medicine and medicinal baths, I will be fully healed in one or two days at most."

After Ye Ci finished speaking, he himself was a little surprised that he had explained it so clearly to Shen Yixi.

But Shen Yixi didn't seem to be dwelling on the matter of any expert. Instead, she asked softly, "Your childhood sweetheart was someone you snatched when you were little? So, your family is angry?"

"Found it."

"Hmm."

Shen Yixi remained noncommittal.

"Have you ever bullied her?"

Ye Ci raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that he would occasionally give her a good whack on the head, so he nodded and said, "I've bullied her a few times."

After returning to the manor, Shen Yixi took the marriage certificate and left.

Ye Ci couldn't wait to take out the white jade snow lotus. Its petals were as white as snow, and its heart had a faint purple luster. It was indeed that treasure.

After carefully sniffing it again, Ye Ci called Steward Chen over. The two of them confirmed that the item had not been tampered with. Only then did Ye Ci put the treasure away, intending to take it after his injuries healed.

A moment later, Li Hu came to the mansion again and brought three more white jade snow lotuses.

Ye Ci's eyes burned with passion.

Unexpectedly, I obtained four white jade snow lotuses in the process. Doesn't that mean my speed in breaking through to the Transformation Realm will be even faster?

*****

Noon.

Inside the main hall of the Shen residence.

Smoke curls upwards.

Shen Wanzhou sat upright at the head of the table, his face solemn, while his son Shen Zonghan sat beside him with a complicated expression.

Shen Xin sat below, her eyes lowered, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

Seeing Shen Yixi enter, Shen Wanzhou finally sighed and beckoned to her: "Yixi, come here."

Shen Yixi lowered her eyes and curtsied, saying, "Grandpa, Father."

"Grandson, why did Master Ye return the marriage certificate to you?"

"It was my grandson who wanted it back."

"Snapped!"

Shen Zonghan slammed his hand on the table and roared, "What nonsense are you spouting! You and Feng Ji from Guangzhitang were arrested by the Commandant, and yesterday the Commandant's mansion sent Ye Gongfeng to fetch you back! My aunt just said you burned my Shen family's marriage certificate, and you still have the nerve to take it back?"

"Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. Everyone in the big families of Songjiang County knows about you! Aren't you ashamed?"

The roar echoed through the hall, showing that Shen Zonghan was truly enraged.

Ultimately, he believed Ye Ci was a good match, especially since he had the connection with the Commandant, so even if Feng Ji's Guangzhitang was raided, it wouldn't implicate his daughter.

Outsiders, unaware of the truth, can only judge based on their own assumptions.

Therefore, he was even more convinced that the marriage was not to be called off.

In the future, the family can rely on the Commandant in the county. Who knows, their eldest son, Shen Mo, might not be able to master martial arts in the prefectural city and will eventually have to return to the county to get married and have children. It would be good to have the Commandant's support.

Seeing her father's anger, Shen Yixi pursed her lips: "I have nothing to do with Guangzhitang's affairs—"

"Didn't I tell you to keep yourself pure and not get close to that scholar Feng?"

Before Shen Yixi could finish speaking, Shen Zonghan interrupted her: "Do you know that the Han family patriarch has always wanted to marry his third son's daughter to Ye Ci! You are engaged to Ye Ci, yet you secretly meet with other men. Where does that leave the Shen family's reputation?!"

He pointed angrily forward: "No wonder they wanted to break off your engagement!"

"I got the marriage certificate back."

Shen Yixi raised her eyes, her tone becoming firmer: "Father, I want to make my own decisions about my marriage. I won't agree to you making decisions for me. Besides, the Commandant didn't explain yesterday's events in detail because there were other hidden reasons, not what you think."

"If it's other families gossiping, let them gossip!"

"Esi————"

Finally, Shen Wanzhou spoke, sighing, "At such a young age, Ye Gongfeng has already reached the level of Inner Strength, which is enough in this county. Moreover, he has the Commandant backing him up. Isn't that good enough for you?"

"you----"

Shen Yixi pursed her lips, then took a deep breath: "You are all elders, I wouldn't dare say my perspective is limited—"

But can the Commandant really continue to support him? A few days ago, Commandant Qin withdrew the checkpoints along the route, thus consolidating his forces to protect the county town. Now, the Commandant is leaving—”

"Are you leaving?"

Shen Wanzhou asked suspiciously, "I haven't heard of this, and besides, this is military secret. How did you find out about it?"

Shen Yixi hesitated for a moment, then said, "I've heard that Qin Lie came from the 'Sacred Martial Armory' in his early years. This time, the Jianwu Army has suffered repeated setbacks and retreats, even requiring the transfer of the Divine Martial Army from the west to maintain balance. Now, at a time when manpower is needed, it's illogical that someone of Qin Lie's background is merely guarding a county town."

"Previously, when the Commandant hosted a banquet that forced Ye Gongfeng to take action, I guessed something was amiss that day. I had also used my connections to check Ye Ci's travel permit; he was from the Jianwu Army's 'Leopard' division, a soldier returning home from the vanguard. If someone like that could return alive—Commander Qin would surely be interested, after all, the Commandant has been away from the battlefield for a long time and is unfamiliar with frontier affairs."

"hiss----"

Shen Wanzhou took a quiet breath in the seat of honor, feeling that he didn't know his granddaughter well enough.

He was shocked because he knew about Ye Ci and the Gale Camp.

"Um?"

At this moment, Shen Zonghan calmed down from his rage, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "You mean, the Commandant is leaving, and that Ye Ci—hidden strength—"

After hearing what her daughter said, it's not surprising that she didn't like it.

However, without Qin Duwei's support, Ye Ci's skill seems to be nothing more than a slightly more powerful hidden force.

Seeing her father's expression, Shen Yixi seemed to have guessed the outcome. Her face remained expressionless as she looked at Old Master Shen and said, "Flowers bloom on their own, they don't need to meet everyone. So it is for him, and it is for me."

Shen Wanzhou was taken aback.

But Shen Zonghan's tone remained icy: "I'll give you six months. If you still don't intend to get married, or can't find someone better than Ye Ci, I will marry you off to that young master in the prefectural city."

As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Xin glanced at Shen Zonghan.

What young master?!

She knew about this matter; it referred to the person Shen Mo had introduced to Shen Yixi. He was a master of the Transformation Realm from the Jinling Sect in Fucheng. Although he was over thirty years old, he was an inner disciple of the sect, came from a good family, and held a high position.

Most importantly, marrying him would greatly benefit her elder brother, Shen Mo.

Shen Yixi also broke off that marriage.

"If you mention that person again, you might as well just kill me."

Shen Yixi slowly raised her eyes, a cold smile appearing on her lips. She glanced at the people present, then gave a curtsy without any expression.

Ignoring her father's angry shouts, she walked out of the main hall.

In that instant, she suddenly felt a chill in her heart.

She was a woman, a woman taught the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" and to be "gentle and compliant," even her crying had to be measured, and she could not freely express her grievances.

In her father's eyes, the books she had read and the skills she had learned were nothing more than bargaining chips to increase her "value".

In this world, there has never been a place for women.

They are defined, arranged, and bought and sold like commodities from birth. From their father's home to their husband's home, they depend on others their whole lives and cannot even control their own lives and desires.

She wanted to question, she wanted to rebel.

After leaving the main hall, she found a corner and slowly squatted down, burying her face in her knees, not daring to disturb anyone.

"Miss."

Manager Chen saw her, walked over, and called out, "Why are you squatting here?"

Shen Yixi tilted her head back and said calmly, "I saw an ant. It's quite interesting—"

******

Over the next two days, Ye Ci heard some things at Tingzhuxuan.

It's likely that the young lady had a fight with her elders, moved out of the Shen family mansion, and went to live alone elsewhere.

He didn't inquire about it and stayed at home to recover from his injuries.

During this period, Shen Wanzhou visited Ye Ci several times in person. The first time was with his eldest son, Shen Zonghan. During their conversation, he asked Ye Ci why she broke off the engagement.

Ye Ci had no choice but to tell her that Shen Yixi did not want to marry him, and that it was inconvenient for him to force her to marry him.

The second time, Shen Zonghan did not visit again.

Later, when Steward Chen from the manor came to deliver medicine to Ye Ci, he mentioned that he hadn't been coming these days and had gone to live outside with the young lady.

Day three.

The morning light is slightly dew.

Shen Wanzhou appeared alone at Tingzhu Pavilion. Ye Ci was stretching his muscles and bones, feeling that he had recovered and could begin cultivating.

"Young Master Ye————"

Old Master Shen slowly raised his hand in greeting, then brought it down heavily.

"Old Master Shen, you've arrived so early, is there something you need?"

Ye Ci stopped what he was doing and asked.

Shen Wanzhou nodded, indicating that he should go to the study, and said, "Sit for a while, there are some things I want to talk to you about, young master."

"it is good."

The two entered the study.

The morning light slanted in through the window, but the hall was still a bit chilly.

Before long, Murong Yanyu brought a cup of tea for each of them. Shen Wanzhou glanced at her and nodded slightly.

After she left, the old man suddenly sighed and said to himself, "Before she even stepped into Yizhou Prefecture, she sent a personal guard over, demanding that they gather 3,000 shi of grain and 50,000 taels of silver in military pay within three days. She also said that if they were late, they would be punished for disobeying orders and neglecting the army."

He grumbled, a bitter smile curving his lips, and continued, "Over here, Commandant Qin is about to set off, and he's asked the county to raise another sum of money, but he only needs ten thousand taels in total. If everyone contributes, it won't be much."

After listening to Shen Wanzhou for a while, Ye Ci finally understood.

It turns out that Commandant Qin is leaving. This news was made public yesterday because he asked the wealthy households in the county to give him a farewell party.

"Whom are the three thousand shi of grain and fifty thousand taels of silver that you mentioned, sir, for?"

"The newly arrived captain, formerly the General Who Conquers the South—in the past, when Captain Qin asked for money, he would hold a banquet to entertain him, putting on a good show. But this general is truly unscrupulous."

"General Who Conquers the South —"

Ye Ci's eyes narrowed slightly.

He never imagined that the person who switched positions would be Zhang Guan's men.

Shen Wanzhou spoke slowly and deliberately: "The message from the personal guard is that the general has been demoted to Songjiang and ordered to garrison the area. His soldiers need provisions. In addition, I heard that he has received urgent military orders and will be fighting again. Therefore, the grain and silver are temporarily borrowed from wealthy households and will be repaid when the military pay arrives."

"How can you lend grain or silver without even a written IOU, and then demand that the money be raised within three days?"

Shen Wanzhou slightly raised his eyelids: "The Han family sent someone with 60,000 taels of silver, saying it was to welcome the general."

Ye Ci slowly picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said, "In this way, it's a free gift, so there's no question of returning it. Let that general gain a reputation for being respected."

Shen Wanzhou picked up his teacup and slowly said, "Our five great families have connections with the prefectural city, and our goodwill over the years carries weight within the sect. But when we encounter this general, no one dares to speak. This is because his father was granted the title of Marquis and is favored by His Majesty, enjoying the height of his power."

Have they really become so muddle-headed?!

Ye Ci shook his head secretly.

"The reason the Han family agreed so readily is that they knew his background."

Shen Wanzhou's tone became more serious: "Although General Zhang Guan was demoted to Songjiang, he still took many of his personal guards with him. He is violent and ruthless. Just now, one of his guards vaguely revealed that when he passed through a certain county, some local gentry refused to pay their taxes. Overnight, their entire families were confiscated, the men were sent to the army, and the women were enslaved."

"Is nobody going to do anything about it?"

Ye Ci pondered for a moment, then asked again.

He believed that these wealthy families, even those only located in the county, could not possibly be completely without resources.

Old Master Shen sighed: "All the civil and military officials in the past have given face to local families. After all, being an official isn't for life, and they all have wealthy relatives. If the Li family is destroyed today, the Zhao family can be destroyed tomorrow. My Shen family also had ancestors who served as officials in the capital, which is why we have such a fortune. As is customary, every family has its decline. It's the rule to give each other face and not push too hard."

As he spoke, he took out a secret letter from his sleeve and tossed it to Ye Ci: "Take a look for yourself. This is information that my little granddaughter obtained."

Ye Ci's gaze swept over the handwriting on the paper. After reading the contents of the letter, even though he had expected it, he was still shocked.

>