Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Peng Yue stepped into the study, his gaze habitually sweeping across the room before he settled into the large armchair behind the desk.

The butler following behind him entered quickly, closed the door, and steeped a cup of fresh tea for his master.

The Inspector General’s voice was laced with an unconcealable weariness:

"Has anything happened at the manor these past few days?"

"My lord, the Eldest Young Master has sent a letter saying all is well in the capital. It is here for you to read."

"Mm."

"After attending the banquet for the Heir of Prince Cloud Mountain, the Little Young Master returned and flew into a rage on the training grounds. I suppose a few guards weren’t careful and provoked the Little Young Master—two were crippled... Then a maidservant came out of his room, having lost her mind. I have already handled the matter."

Peng Yue frowned and chided:

"What nonsense! Hmph, other servants are one thing, but if you don’t treat your own guards well, how can you rely on them in a crisis? Foolish! Put him in confinement for two days. I’ll personally go and appease those guards tomorrow. He’s always making trouble for me!"

As for the maidservant, however, he couldn’t care less.

The butler lowered his voice.

"Well... on the Madam’s side, I’m afraid she won’t want the Little Young Master to be confined..."

"He’s been spoiled rotten by his mother! A doting mother makes a ruined son. Sooner or later, that brat is going to cause a real disaster."

Peng Yue slammed a hand on the table, unable to stop himself from cursing.

However, he was not of high birth. The power of his father-in-law’s family had been indispensable for him to reach his current position. As a result, he had little power over his wife and hadn’t even taken a single concubine.

The study was divided into an inner and an outer room, with the inner one separated by a doorway and a folding screen.

Behind the folding screen, Xie Yuan and Situ Qin stood side-by-side, holding hands tightly, not daring to move a muscle.

They exchanged a glance, both feeling the other’s rapid pulse and THUMP-THUMPING heartbeat through their clasped hands.

It was too late to slip out. They had no choice but to duck into the inner room and hide, relying on Xie Yuan to push his Celestial Concealment Skill to its absolute limit.

Fortunately, Peng Yue never imagined someone would be in his study, and in his exhausted state, his guard was down. The two of them were eavesdropping from right behind him, yet they hadn’t been discovered.

Safe for now, Xie Yuan relaxed slightly. After listening for a while, he smiled and mouthed:

"So he’s henpecked after all."

Situ Qin was even bolder, finding their current predicament both thrilling and exciting as she mouthed back:

"That reputation of his is hardly a secret."

The two continued to listen. The butler reported on some household trifles, followed by who had sent gifts, who was requesting an audience, and who had delivered calling cards and invitations.

’It looks like Peng Yue just returned to his manor after several days on official business, so there’s still much to report. These high officials certainly have boundless energy.’

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin had no choice but to listen patiently, both hoping he would finish up soon and go get some rest.

After another little while, just as both of them were growing impatient, they suddenly heard:

"...The goods from Yunzhao have arrived."

Peng Yue’s alertness clearly sharpened, but he kept his voice low:

"Has it all been secured?"

"It’s all been settled safely at the villa," the butler confirmed.

"Excellent. I’ll go tomorrow."

Peng Yue’s voice was tinged with a smile.

Xie Yuan sensed something was off. He then heard Peng Yue continue:

"This Yu Chunsheng... he has good taste. Mm, has he written recently? If he has any requests, we can consider them."

Xie Yuan’s eyes flew open.

’This... it can’t be what I think it is, can it?’

’His wife is overbearing, he has no concubines, so...’

’Fuck. No wonder Yu Chunsheng managed to make this connection. Talk about backdoor access to the heavens!’

He looked at Situ Qin’s confused, inquisitive expression and mouthed sternly:

"Children shouldn’t ask so many questions!"

"His letter was just to send his regards. He said the medicine he requested from the manor last time is working very well, and that his problem will be solved soon. When he has Yunzhao in his hands, he will send more ’goods’ to you, my lord."

The butler’s voice drifted in.

Xie Yuan’s pupils constricted.

’So there *is* a problem!’

’Medicine requested from the manor...’

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin exchanged a look, both of them thinking of those draft papers.

’When we get back, we have to study them. We need to find out what these drugs are for and prepare ourselves!’

Peng Yue’s satisfied voice drifted over:

"Mm, good. This Yu Chunsheng, he’s a sensible man. We can consider arranging a transfer for him later. Hasn’t he always wanted to come to the provincial capital?"

"My lord, if he comes to the provincial capital, it might not be so easy for him to handle matters for you."

Peng Yue seemed to pause for a moment, then chuckled.

"I must be really tired. I’d forgotten about that."

"Mm, just have him stay in Yunzhao, then."

Xie Yuan listened as the two of them decided Yu Chunsheng’s entire future in just a few sentences. He wasn’t sure if what he felt was schadenfreude or something else.

’Although Yu Chunsheng deserves a thousand deaths, he schemed and toiled in the world of officialdom, only for his fate to be decided by another’s passing whim.’

’Is this Peng Yue really leaving Yu Chunsheng to wreak havoc in Yunzhao, all so he can plunder the people’s wealth—and even their sons and daughters—for him?’

A cold glint flashed in Xie Yuan’s eyes.

In the outer room, the master and servant spoke for a while longer before finally wrapping up. The butler took his leave.

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin finally let out a sigh of relief.

’It’s finally over. They really talk a lot.’

RUSTLE... RUSTLE... The sounds suggested Peng Yue was still flipping through documents.

The pair suppressed their impatience. After what felt like an eternity, they finally heard Peng Yue stand up.

Then, the footsteps turned toward the inner room.

Xie Yuan and Situ Qin froze as if struck by lightning. After a stunned moment, they frantically looked around.

But behind the screen, besides a standing cabinet and a set of a table and chairs, there was only a long daybed for napping. The space was completely exposed.

Where could they hide, besides climbing out the window? But trying to escape through the window now was impossible. No matter how relaxed Peng Yue was, with the hearing of a Qi and Blood Metamorphosis Realm expert, he would surely notice!

The color drained from their faces. ’What do we do now?’

Xie Yuan’s eyes darted around. His gaze lingered on the cabinet for a second before he shook his head. Instantly, he grabbed Situ Qin and pulled her with him, diving under the long daybed.