Pawning lifespan, starting from a low-level martial arts world to transform into a dragon.

Chapter 95 The sooner the better

Zhou Yun'e waited a few moments, but seeing that he still didn't intend to speak, she couldn't help but urge him, "What's your method? I need to know what it is before I can cooperate with you."

Chen Ye simply looked into Zhou Yun'e's eyes, smiled slightly, and said, "This matter is not suitable to be spoken aloud. Come closer and I will tell you."

Zhou Yun'e was overjoyed and leaned forward, putting her ear even closer to Chen Ye.

A faint scent of rouge mingled with the delicate fragrance of her hair, drifting almost imperceptibly into Chen Ye's nostrils.

Chen Ye pressed his lips close to her earlobe and revealed his plans one by one.

Zhou Yun'e felt a slight itch as her earlobes were teased by warm breaths.

She glanced at Chen Ye, seemingly unintentionally, her eyes filled with reproach, her expression becoming even more alluring.

Chen Ye didn't care and finished speaking seriously.

After learning about Chen Ye's thoughts, a strange light appeared in Zhou Yun'e's eyes. She stared at him intently, her gaze filled with admiration.

After a long pause, a slight smile appeared on her face as she asked, "Do you think this arrangement will work?"

"If the second master of the Lu family falls for our trick, then we'll have a 30% chance of success; if we can persuade the first wife to go to Xiangguo Temple to find him, then we'll have a 60% chance; and if, in the end, Feng Bainian on your side agrees, then we'll have an 80% chance."

After listening, Zhou Yun'e's words contained a hint of inexplicable appreciation, and her eyes subtly revealed a deeper dependence.

"You're so calculating—I really don't know how your brain works."

Chen Ye picked up his teacup and smiled noncommittally.

Zhou Yun'e didn't ask any more questions, but she was already convinced.

Chen Ye changed the subject and asked directly, "How is the First Madam doing lately? Has she suspected us?"

Zhou Yun'e shook her head and said, "I'm always extra careful when I go out, so Guan Rongci probably hasn't noticed yet. But she is, after all, the mistress of the house, and my unusual behavior will eventually become undetectable. So if you want to do this, the sooner the better."

"I understand." Chen Ye nodded and said, "After I find out the situation and finish the rest of the arrangements, we'll get started."

"Then I'll wait for your good news."

"You'd better not go out too often during this time, lest Guan Rongci become suspicious. Have someone from your courtyard come here to get medicine around Shenshi (3-5 PM) every day. If you decide to take action, I'll have him inform you."

"Okay. I have a steward named Uncle Zhou in my office. You've met him once before. Just tell him about it."

After saying that, Zhou Yun'e walked outside.

Watching her graceful figure sway as she left, Chen Ye remained silent.

He habitually placed his hands on the table and tapped his fingers rhythmically.

Although the Feng family cannot compare to second-tier noble families like the Cui family, they are still a prominent family with many capable individuals in their businesses.

If he could find an opening, it would be enough for him to enjoy for a long time.

After returning from Zhou's medical clinic, Chen Ye stopped going out and stayed at home.

He usually supervised Cui Kan's studies and did odd jobs as arranged by Cui Xijun.

As for that guy surnamed Wu from before, I don't know what happened to him in the end, but he moved out anyway.

Now, he is the only one living alone in the entire courtyard.

They were living quite comfortably.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

At this moment, Su Guang brought back some unexpected good news from Xiangguo Temple.

The second master of the Lu family is ill, and quite seriously so.

Inside the teahouse.

Chen Ye asked in surprise, "How many days has Second Master Lu been ill?"

"I have been resting quietly in the small courtyard behind Xiangguo Temple these past few days, and I have not seen any outside visitors," Su Guang replied. "I only learned of the news yesterday when I disguised myself as a pilgrim and asked to see Master Mingxin."

Later, he specially donated one hundred taels of silver as incense money before he would allow me to visit him once.

The second master of the Lu family was pale and coughing incessantly, unable to lead the chanting sessions, and had to stay home to recuperate. The monks in the temple all thought he had caught a severe cold.

"I'm much better now." Chen Ye's eyes gleamed slightly as he smiled. "This time, it really was God who helped me, saving us a lot of trouble."

.

"Since Master Lu is ill, Lu Cong, as his adopted son, will have to run around to both ends. Find a way to get close to Lu Cong without disturbing him, and you only need to get one thing."

"What is it?"

"His handwritten note." Chen Ye thought for a moment, then added, "It doesn't have to be a letter; even a simple note he wrote on the spot will suffice. As long as it bears his handwriting."

Su Guang didn't ask any further questions, only nodding and asking, "When do you need it?"

"The sooner the better. He's been taking care of the sick these past few days and hasn't paid attention to anything else. Find an opportunity to strike, and once you've succeeded, bring him to my place."

Chen Ye took out two hundred-tael silver notes from his pocket, pushed them in front of Su Guang, and said, "You've spent a lot of money on these things these days, so make up for it with these. Go ahead and do your job, and if you need anything, just come to me."

"Alright." Su Guang did not refuse and immediately accepted the silver note.

Chen Ye stood up and said, "Let's go."

To his surprise, Su Guang acted swiftly.

That evening, he obtained several pages of Lu Cong's discarded manuscripts from his calligraphy practice at home, totaling several hundred words, and handed them to Chen Ye.

In the room, Chen Ye spread out Lu Cong's letter on the table and examined it carefully for a moment by candlelight.

Lu Cong's handwriting is neat and upright, with a slightly deliberate roundness in the strokes, making it not too difficult to imitate.

The next day, after finishing his business at the manor, Chen Ye took advantage of a free moment at noon and went out with Lu Cong's manuscript.

In the southern part of Beijing, there is a narrow alley where an inconspicuous mounting shop is located deep inside.

The shop wasn't large, and the door panels looked somewhat worn, as if they had been there for many years.

Various colored papers and rubbings were piled on the counter behind the door.

Before even entering, a mixed smell of old paper and paste hit you.

The shop owner was an old craftsman in his forties or fifties, surnamed Jiang. It was said that his ancestors had worked as copyists in the Hanlin Academy. His skill in copying was quite famous in the neighborhood. He usually helped people complete incomplete calligraphy and copied old paintings. He was also very tight-lipped.

When Chen Ye entered, Old Man Jiang was bent over his desk repairing a yellowed painting.

He glanced at Chen Ye, noticing Chen Ye's simple robe and air of nobility, and quickly put down his brush to greet him, asking, "Do you need framing done, or would you like someone to write the calligraphy for you?"

Chen Ye didn't say much, but took out Lu Cong's discarded drafts from his pocket and handed them to Old Man Jiang.

"Write me a short letter based on the handwriting in this letter."

Old Jiang looked up at Chen Ye, wisely refraining from asking further questions. He picked up Lu Cong's letter and brought it to the doorway, carefully examining it in the light from the doorway. He concluded that it wasn't too difficult to read.

"What would you like to write, sir?"

"Just write it down."

Old Man Jiang spread out a sheet of plain paper, picked up a pen, and looked at Chen Ye: "Please speak, sir."

Chen Ye recounted the words he had carefully considered on the way, which were not many, containing only a few key words.

Old Man Jiang, with a suspended wrist, began to write down everything Chen Ye had said, filling more than half a page. He then pushed the page in front of Chen Ye and said, "Sir, please take a look. Is there anything that needs to be deleted or revised?"

Chen Ye glanced at it and said, "No need to revise it anymore, just leave it as is."

Old Jiang immediately nodded and put the draft he had already written aside.

Then, he picked up the handwritten note that Chen Ye had brought and carefully studied the strokes and brushwork. He then took a piece of scrap paper and tried writing numbers. After practicing a few characters and making sure he was confident, he began to write formally.

His wrist was steady as he wielded the brush, and the ink characters began to spread evenly on the paper, with the strokes almost indistinguishable from Lu Cong's original handwriting.

In no time at all, a letter purportedly written by Lu Cong was completed.

Chen Ye took it and read it word by word.

Every single character is exactly the same as Lu Cong's handwriting.

Even if presented to Lu Cong himself, it would probably be difficult to distinguish between the genuine and fake.

He was very satisfied and immediately circulated his inner energy.

A wisp of warmth emanated from the palm, slowly evaporating the remaining ink on the letter.

Chen Ye carefully folded the silver ingot and put it in his pocket, then took out another silver ingot and placed it on the counter.

Old Man Jiang accepted the money and said nothing more, only respectfully seeing Chen Ye to the door.