Chapter 231 : Ye Qingmei
Chapter 231: Ye Qingmei
“‘Thanks for letting me win.’”
Chen Ming sheathed his sword but didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he sat with Xia Mudan at the stone table in the pavilion, drank some tea, and asked, “How are things going on your side, Leader Xia?”
A trace of worry appeared in Xia Mudan’s eyes as she shook her head and said, “Still no news.”
“Does the Qian Money Gang have any other experts? Can you ask them to support you?”
“The Qian Money Gang originally had three Elders. Two of them were my mother’s people, and they were captured and imprisoned by my father. The remaining one must remain at the gang to hold the fort and cannot leave.”
Chen Ming was unwilling to give up and asked again, “What about the Jiang Family? Can’t they send even one expert?”
Xia Mudan replied softly, “The situation with the Jiang Family is rather complicated. In short, none of them can leave either.”
He felt disappointed. Originally, he had hoped she could ask a First or Second Grade expert to come and help break this deadly calamity.
But now it seemed not just the Qian Money Gang, even the Jiang Family was likely facing their own troubles.
Chen Ming continued asking, “Then do you have any close friends in this city?”
Xia Mudan cautiously shook her head. “I’m afraid someone might notice something, so I don’t get close to others.”
That was understandable. After all, she had to play two roles alone. If she made particularly close friends, she might slip up someday.
She said with a bit of shame, “I’m sorry, Brother Gu.”
“Did you do something wrong? Why are you apologizing for no reason?”
Chen Ming rolled his eyes at her, then suddenly remembered something. “Right, how did you disguise yourself as a man? I couldn’t detect any flaws at all.”
Xia Mudan took out an item from her bosom — the silver ornament she used to wear around her neck — and said, “This is a rare artifact I found as a child in a deserted garden while visiting my grandfather. As long as it’s worn, one can disguise themselves as someone else. Even a Divine Repository Realm expert wouldn’t see through it. I relied on it to remain undiscovered all these years.”
“Can I take a look?”
“Here.”
Xia Mudan placed the silver ornament in his palm. Their fingers accidentally brushed, causing her long eyelashes to flutter, and two faint blushes appeared on her cheeks.
Chen Ming didn’t notice her odd reaction. He was busy examining the silver ornament, which looked like some kind of divine beast — though he couldn’t recognize which one.
Since it was a rare artifact, then—
He activated the Controlling Artifact Art, and immediately sensed the mystery within the silver ornament. It was as if a consciousness communicated its function and method of use to him.
He felt delighted. This item would be extremely useful to him. “Sister, could I borrow this for a while?”
Upon hearing this, Xia Mudan raised her head and said, “Brother, what are you saying? If you like it, then it’s yours.”
“How could I accept that?”
“Anyway, the world has no more need for Jiang Wushuang.” Her voice was very soft. After saying that, she quickly glanced at him. Seeing he had no particular reaction, her heart sank with slight disappointment.
Chen Ming stood up and said, “I still have things to do, so I’ll head out. You stay home and rest. Don’t go out.”
Xia Mudan rose to send him off, watching as he disappeared into the distance.
At this moment, Zhi Qin grumbled, “That Young Master Gu is too much. Miss, your body hasn’t fully recovered and he already wants to spar again. What if you get hurt?”
“Enough.” Xia Mudan defended him, “Brother Gu means well. He just wanted me to stretch my limbs a little. Don’t forget, I’m a Third Grade martial artist — not some fragile flower.”
“……”
Zhi Qin felt like she couldn’t win either way.
...
In a flash, several days passed.
Xia Mudan’s body had mostly recovered, but her mood remained restless. She didn’t know what Brother Gu had been busy with — he left early each day and returned very late.
Each morning, before she was even up, he was already gone. He didn’t come back until deep into the night.
Though she had been resting at home, she still heard from Zhi Qin about the recent turmoil at the Six Doors Authority — a prison break had occurred. All the inmates were freed, including a First Grade expert.
It was said that the Six Doors Authority suffered heavy casualties.
In the five hundred years since the founding of the Great Jin Dynasty, this was the first time something like this had ever happened at the Six Doors Authority in Xiazhou City. The entire city was shaken.
Xia Mudan couldn’t help but feel anxious for Brother Gu. No wonder his five subordinates that day looked like they were reporting a death.
Later, rumors spread that Brother Gu had rendered great merit and killed two First Grade experts.
Upon hearing this, she couldn’t help but worry. It was most likely false. The strength of a First Grade expert was overwhelming — could a Third Grade martial artist really kill them?
She feared that someone inside the Six Doors Authority wanted to harm Brother Gu.
Those criminals surely had accomplices. They might seek revenge later.
Gaining this kind of fame brought no benefits at all.
Worry clouded Xia Mudan’s heart. She sat in front of the mirror, unconsciously frowning, her face filled with concern.
Zhi Qin stood behind her, holding a purple sandalwood comb to brush her long, black hair, which flowed like a waterfall.
Sigh!
The young maid couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Ever since meeting Young Master Gu, her lady had frowned more times than in the past few years combined.
She truly couldn’t understand why her lady would care so deeply for such a man — joy was rare, sorrow common. Why put herself through that?
“Miss, something interesting happened in the city recently.”
Zhi Qin tried to lift her lady’s spirits by sharing amusing news. “A few days ago, a stunning beauty arrived in the city, calling herself Ye Qingmei. She declared that with her three-foot sword, she would defeat all the top experts in the world. Despite her young age, she already has Third Grade cultivation. On her first day, she defeated several young Third Grade martial artists.”
“Oh?”
Xia Mudan raised her brows, clearly intrigued. “Which sect or school is she from? How bold.”
Zhi Qin replied, “Ye Qingmei claims to be unaffiliated. It’s said her swordsmanship is superb and her movement skills extraordinary. She has even grasped the concept of sword intent. Over the past few days, she’s defeated more than a dozen Third Grade experts. She’s quite the sensation.”
With a touch of yearning, Xia Mudan said, “There really is such a remarkable woman in this world! What a pity—” Her tone was tinged with regret.
Zhi Qin understood what she was lamenting. Now was not a good time to reveal herself. She couldn’t face off against such a woman.
She said, “Once this matter is settled, you’ll definitely have a chance to meet her.”
Then came the voice of her lady, “I wonder if Brother Gu will make a move?”
Why bring him up again?
Zhi Qin was helpless. She had tried to steer the conversation away, but everything circled back to Young Master Gu.
“I also wonder what Brother Gu has been busy with these past days...”
At that moment, a maid came hurrying to the door and reported, “Miss, the Gu—uh, Young Master Gu is here.”
In private, they all called him “Brother-in-law,” since they had already performed the wedding ceremony. They just didn’t dare use that title in front of the young lady.
Upon hearing this, Xia Mudan stood up in excitement, her face beaming with joy.
“My lady, please!”
Zhi Qin quickly grabbed her. If she dashed out like this, still half-dressed, how improper would that be?
Xia Mudan realized her mistake and quickly said, “Brother Gu, let me change clothes first and I’ll be right there.”
Sure enough, Brother Gu’s voice came from outside. “Alright.”
...
A short while later, Xia Mudan had combed her hair and changed into fresh clothes. She came out to meet Chen Ming, her gaze soft as water. She gave a graceful bow. “Good morning, Brother Gu.”
“Morning.”
Chen Ming was sitting at the table outside the courtyard, eating pastries. He gestured for her to come over and said, “I had someone buy these pastries early this morning. Try them.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
Xia Mudan sat across from him, picked up a pastry, and took a bite. She praised, “Delicious! Which shop are these from?”
Chen Ming said, “I’m not sure. One of my subordinates bought them. I figured you’d like them, so I brought them over. As long as you enjoy them.”
“I do like them.”
“Take a look at this.”
Chen Ming pulled out a long, ornate brocade box from his robes.
“What is it?”
Xia Mudan opened the brocade box and found a white jade hairpin lying inside. It was flawless, elegant, and understated.
Her eyes lit up with joy, a mix of anticipation and disbelief. “Is this—?”
Chen Ming smiled. “I picked it just for you. Do you like it?”
“Yes!”
Xia Mudan nodded vigorously, her face slightly flushed with excitement, her eyes sparkling with a blend of shyness and joy. “I love it.”
He said, “Try it on.”
She did as he said, inserting the jade hairpin into her hair, then looked at him expectantly.
“Beautiful.”
Chen Ming studied her for a moment, nodded, and confirmed his judgment — this hairpin truly suited her.
It wasn’t cheap either. He had spent all his money on it.
“You gave me that rare artifact, and I’ve felt uneasy ever since. I wanted to find a suitable gift in return. When I saw this hairpin, I thought of you. So I bought it specially.”
It was a return gift.
Xia Mudan said, “Thank you, Brother.”
Seeing her radiant with happiness, Chen Ming couldn’t help but be infected by her joy. He asked, “How’s your recovery these past few days? Are your injuries better?”
“Much better now. Thank you for your concern.”
“That’s good.”
Seeing that he seemed about to leave, Xia Mudan said, “By the way, I heard a woman named Ye Qingmei has arrived in the city and is challenging local experts. Have you gone to meet her, Brother Gu?”
A strange expression flashed in Chen Ming’s eyes. He said, “I’ve heard of her, but I’ve been busy with official duties lately and haven’t had the time. I must go now. Lord Hong just sent someone to summon me. I can’t delay.”
“Then go ahead, Brother.”
Xia Mudan rose to see him off. After he left, she remained standing there, reluctant to return. She took the jade hairpin out, gently rubbing it in her palm. As she stared at it, she slowly became lost in thought.
...
After leaving the house, Chen Ming followed a blue-clad officer to the Six Doors Authority.
He hadn’t lied — Hong Yuze had indeed sent someone to summon him for an important matter.
Once he arrived at Zeshi Hall, he met Hong Yuze, along with two other First Grade purple-robed Inspectors — one man and one woman.
The man had a square face and a dignified air.
When Chen Ming saw him, he couldn’t help but be shocked.
This man was the very same Inspector who appeared in one of the five killing calamities shown to him by the tortoiseshell — the one who would kill him.