Misty Rain of the Old Times

Tonight, the capital city is devoid of its usual hustle and bustle. Many taverns and brothels are closed, and almost every ordinary household keeps their doors and windows shut. The few pedestrians who do pass by are hurrying along, and an invisible atmosphere of tension and unease hangs over the capital.

The year-end season should have been bustling, but the market seemed rather sluggish.

All of this was caused by Zhou Hong and Jiang Yuan leading troops to storm the palace. Such a treasonous act would be a catastrophe if anyone were involved, and everyone would avoid it like the plague. Even if it had nothing to do with them, it was best to keep a low profile at this time. Once the storm had passed, things would go back to normal, and life would continue as usual.

Although Jiang Yuan and the others are dead, and Zhou Hong has received his just deserts, the matter is far from over.

Under the cover of night, the capital was ablaze with searches and arrests, targeting the families of soldiers who had stormed the palace. People were filled with fear, terrified that they would be the next victims.

This was the first riot of its kind since Emperor Shangxuan ascended the throne, and it was destined to be a sleepless night. Countless people would lock themselves in their beds and discuss it, keeping it to themselves the next day, not daring to inquire, lest they be accused of being accomplices and suffer the consequences.

As a result, Chen Xuan, who had left the palace, lost all interest in strolling around and missed out on a lot of fun. He could have at least watched the young ladies in brothels and pleasure houses posing seductively by the windows in the dead of winter. But alas, he decided to go back to sleep.

The new residence was unaffected, but the atmosphere here remained tense, even causing the craftsmen in the Ministry of Works to be somewhat distracted while working.

They've raised an army in rebellion! They even dared to storm the imperial palace. Even if this is the future residence of Princess Fuyao, it's hard to say they won't be implicated. After all, whether the coup succeeds or fails, it will lead to a major reshuffle...

"Master is back, come in quickly!" Su Roujia, who had been waiting behind the closed door, saw Chen Xuan return through the crack in the door and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, opening a crack to greet him.

She was just a country girl who had only been in the capital for a short time, yet she had already encountered something that even plays dared not portray. She was quite frightened. For her, rebellion was something too distant, but now she had actually witnessed it with her own eyes. It was inevitable that she would feel uneasy. After all, such things often meant turmoil for ordinary people, and if they were not careful, the good days of countless people would come to an end.

She immediately closed the door after Chen Xuan entered. He wanted to say it wasn't necessary, but her reaction seemed perfectly normal, so Chen Xuan changed his tune, saying, "Didn't I tell you? It's getting late, you should rest. Don't wait for me. If Master doesn't come home tonight, you can't wait all night, can you?"

"Yes, I remember. Master, are you alright?" She nodded obediently and asked with concern. She had been worried all day. Her master had taken the princess to the palace, which was shrouded in thick fog like a tsunami, and there was a pillar of light that seemed to pierce through the sky. There had been no news of them since. How could she not be worried?

It feels really good to be remembered. Chen Xuan smiled easily and said, "Do I look like I have something on my mind?"

"Master is a lucky man, he will definitely be alright," she was completely relieved. She had secretly observed him and found that he was perfectly fine, just like usual.

Within two sentences of entering, Chen Xuan turned around and saw Xia Mei and Steward Hua, who were still there. He nodded and smiled, "Commander Xia, Steward Hua, thank you for looking after things here today."

"It's my duty, son-in-law, there's no need for such formalities," Xia Mei said, bowing.

Steward Hua hesitated for a moment before asking, "May I ask, young master, where is Her Highness the Princess?"

"Don't worry, everything's fine. Qian Ning will stay in the palace to keep your father-in-law company. There are some things I can't say more about, so just pretend nothing happened," Chen Xuan said with a smile.

Treason is something that can't be discussed openly, and Steward Hua and the others understand that.

Since that's been said, they felt relieved. Manager Hua then said, "In that case, it's getting late. If the young master has no further instructions, we'll head back now. We also need to arrange for someone to attend to His Highness."

The implication is that since this has happened, the little princess's safety is of utmost importance, and she needs someone trustworthy to protect her at all times.

Nodding, Chen Xuan said, "Then I won't keep you any longer. Have you eaten?"

"Thank you, son-in-law. We've already had dinner."

"Alright, since we're all family, I won't stand on ceremony with you..."

After they left, Su Roujia, knowing her status and influence, dared not ask further questions and simply did her duty. She then asked, "Has the master eaten? The food is still warm for you."

"I've already eaten. I had two grilled fish at my father-in-law's place. They were dragonfish, and they were delicious. There are still more than a dozen left. I'll go and steal a few when I have time, so you can have a treat too," Chen Xuan said, still savoring the delicious taste. The fish melted in his mouth and was incredibly fresh and delicious.

Upon hearing this, the young maid immediately shook her head and waved her hands, saying, "No, no, I'll go prepare the toiletries for the master instead."

Tianle, eat dragonfish? She wouldn't even dare to mention it, let alone think about it.

Chen Xuan didn't bring up the matter that wasn't currently in the works, and instead asked, "By the way, Roujia, we're going back tomorrow. How are your preparations going?"

"It's all ready, but sir, what will we do here if we go back tomorrow?" the maid hesitated, after all, it cost five thousand taels of silver and was still being decorated.

"The fiber will handle everything here, and besides, it's not like we're not coming back, so it's very convenient."

"Oh right, Her Highness the Princess seems quite interested in this place."

"Actually, in private, Roujia can start addressing her as 'Madam,' and after the wedding ceremony in a few months, it will be perfectly legitimate."

Yes, hehe.

What are you laughing about?

"No, I thought of something happy..."

From now on, there will be a lady of the house, and the master will be taken care of. Good days are coming!

After washing up, Chen Xuan lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep. He wasn't dwelling on the coup during the day, but rather on Mr. Pei's words: "The imperial star is swaying, and a hidden star has appeared, indicating a potential to take over the central heavens."

Zhou Hong has failed, so it's clearly not his fault. Could it be that Mr. Pei made a mistake in his calculations based on the stars?

Or perhaps, the hidden star doesn't refer to Zhou Hong at all, but to someone else entirely. Who could it be? The position of Crown Prince is now secure; surely Prince Qing, far away on the frontier, can no longer pose a threat to him.

If Mr. Pei's calculations are correct, could something unexpected happen to Crown Prince Zhou Chen, allowing his own little princess to take advantage and become the empress?
That's ridiculous. Even if the little princess didn't have that kind of interest, she's definitely not cut out for it.

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. Chen Xuan simply stopped caring, stuck his butt out, and went to sleep. He figured he'd see the results in six months at most.

After finishing his morning tasks the next day, regardless of the raging storm outside, Chen Xuan, being lazy, went back to sleep without a care in the world.

They had agreed to head south home today, and the little girl had been getting ready since early morning. But the sun was already setting, and her husband was still asleep. She was speechless. What could she do? She was used to it; she couldn't very well drag him out of bed.

Still half asleep, Chen Xuan rubbed his eyes and pushed open the door, stretching and yawning as he asked, his clothes disheveled, "Roujia, what time is it?"

This is ridiculous; the more I sleep, the more tired I get.

"Master, it's already noon," the eager little maid said, quickly stepping forward to help him straighten his clothes.

Nodding, Chen Xuan, slightly more awake, said, "Well, it's still early. Let's pack up and go. We can make lunch when we get back. I've already said goodbye, so I won't go on and on about how we should say goodbye."

Is it still early, sir? Is your time different from mine?

It's not Chen Xuan's fault; his biological clock has long been a mess. When he was a page, he had a fulfilling life, going to bed early and getting up early every day. But after he stopped doing that job, he often didn't know what to do, just drifting through life aimlessly, not knowing when it would end.

After packing up, the master and servant headed south with a pile of local specialties from the capital.

Chen Xuan definitely didn't follow the usual path. He took the little girl with him, who was carrying a bundle, and they soared into the sky, practically flying back.

As they left the capital, high in the sky, Chen Xuan could see in the distance the direction of the North Gate. Zhou Hong and his family, carrying heavy shackles and chains, were setting off to be exiled to the harsh and cold northern desert. They had probably set off yesterday and had only just reached the North Gate.

Meanwhile, the annual grand court assembly of the Jing Kingdom was also in full swing in the Golden Palace. However, this year's grand court assembly had nearly a third fewer familiar faces than in previous years, and many more unfamiliar faces.

But none of this mattered to Chen Xuan; he was just a lazy bum...

Not long after, in Yang County, in a secluded alley a few hundred meters away from Taoyuanju, a little girl was leaning against the wall with one hand and patting her chest with the other. Her face was pale and she was vomiting so badly that she could barely stand.

Chen Xuan, standing beside her, gently patted her back, saying with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "I told you to close your eyes, why wouldn't you listen? See, you're suffering now."

"Cough cough... Master, I couldn't help myself. I came all the way from the capital to Yang County and came back in a flash. But I took a few extra glances along the way, and as soon as I landed, I felt nauseous. Oh, Master, don't look, lest you be offended. It looks awful. I'll be fine soon, it's nothing serious. Ugh..." Su Roujia said breathlessly.

She had her old problem of motion sickness, and she couldn't handle it the second time.

We were originally going to go straight home, but the little girl felt unwell and didn't want to bring the mess home, so she begged to find a secluded place to rest.

Seeing how uncomfortable she looked, Chen Xuan didn't shy away. He continued to gently pat her back and said, "Go ahead and throw up. You'll get used to it after a few more times."

It's just 'Little Fairy' vomiting, nothing serious. Back in the day, Chen Xuan lived in a place where excrement and urine were mixed together. Tsk, those were the days.

Once she had calmed down, Chen Xuan said, "Let's go, go back and make yourself a cup of plum juice, and you'll be fine."

"Master, I'm sorry, am I really useless? I threw up both times you took me on those long trips," the pale-faced maid said pitifully.

Chen Xuan dismissed it, saying, "It's no big deal. When I was a kid, I cried when I was beaten. I cried and screamed, and I even secretly peed a few drops. It really hurt. Don't go around telling everyone."

"Huh? No way, no, I swear I won't talk nonsense," the little girl's eyes widened upon hearing this. The master had such an experience? Surprisingly, he miraculously forgot about his stomach discomfort.

Chen Xuan said nonchalantly, "Why would I lie to you? I was young then and couldn't help myself. It's a pity that those bastards have been killed for many years. I didn't even have a chance to get revenge..."

Yangxian County is still covered in snow in winter, but the snow has begun to melt. The weather will not warm up completely until after the Spring Festival.

The master and servant chatted and laughed as they headed home, leaving behind two pairs of footprints, one large and one small, along the way.

The events that happened in the capital yesterday have obviously not yet reached the south. With the end of the year approaching, Yang County, covered in snow, is unusually lively, even more so than the capital last night. Children are playing and are surprisingly unafraid of the cold; they are quite resilient. Most likely, those who are not resilient have already died. Peddlers carry their wares along the streets, their heavy loads causing sweat to bead on their foreheads even in the dead of winter. Those shoulders carry the livelihood of their entire families.

"Though not as bustling as the capital, the everyday life of the city has its own unique charm... What a load of rubbish! Between black and white, it's nothing but a page full of suffering. It's the same everywhere. Small places have their advantages; there's not so much swordplay and bloodshed, no heart-stopping incidents all the time," Chen Xuan murmured sincerely as he walked down the street. The little girl, carrying a large bundle, wasn't tired despite having some martial arts skills, though it made movement a bit inconvenient. Not having heard him clearly, she asked in a daze, "What did you say, Master?"

"I said, many people around me are looking at me with strange eyes, clearly criticizing me for using the soft armor like a mule or horse," Chen Xuan said with a laugh.

Hearing this, the little maid immediately became displeased and huffed, "Who? Who dares to criticize Master? Do they know how good Master is? I took it myself. Besides, I'm Master's maid, and this kind of rough work is what I'm supposed to do."

"Looks are everything, right? If you're good-looking, people will think you shouldn't do such things."

"Hehe, really? Does Master really think I'm good-looking?" She asked expectantly, her cheeks slightly flushed.

"Your face is flushed red, like a teapot of bubbles," Chen Xuan flicked her forehead and said irritably, "What are you dreaming about? Go home and cook."

"Oh," the little girl pouted. She thought that satisfying the master's aesthetic would mean she could warm his bed and serve him, but it turned out she was just disappointed.

As Chen Xuan walked past a street corner, he saw a tofu stall. There, the assassin, Sister Du Juan, disguised as an honest middle-aged woman, was selling tofu. She was hunched over, her hands tucked into her sleeves, not calling out to customers, but just watching the passersby with longing eyes.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan almost burst out laughing. There would be no way she could sell like this. If she revealed her true face, her business would definitely be booming.

Suppressing his smile, Chen Xuan stepped forward and said, "Big sister, give me a piece of tofu. Perfect for hot pot when we get back."

Upon seeing him, Dujuan's eyes lit up, but she maintained her composure, awkwardly asking, "Which piece would you like, sir? My family's tofu is delicious, and it'll only cost one large coin."

In this era, tofu is one of the main sources of protein, and its price is almost the same as meat, so it's really not cheap.

"Whatever, Roujia will pay," Chen Xuan said casually, glancing at the tofu stall.

The young girl put down her package, took out some money, and said, "Master, would you like to have hot pot later? I remember we still have some dried mushrooms at home. Let's also go to the greenhouse and pick some vegetables. I haven't been home for a while; how's the greenhouse doing without heating?"

While seemingly casually buying a piece of tofu, Chen Xuan was actually having a brief, secret telepathic exchange with Du Juan.

"Injured? Could it be the Shadow Assassins have come looking for you? Didn't you say to come to my side if there was any danger?"

"Indeed, a few assassins from the Shadow Assassins Sect came looking for me. They were at the Day after tomorrow cultivation level, but I've already dealt with them, so there's no need for me to come to your place. There was a small accident during the cleanup. The injuries on my body weren't caused by those 'juniors,' but by an uninvited guest. He suddenly appeared the night before last when I was dealing with those assassin juniors. In that situation, he learned I was an assassin and immediately attacked. My cultivation level was inferior to his, but his experience and some unorthodox methods were not as good as mine, so I easily got rid of him. The injuries on my body are no longer a big problem. I still have some of the pills you left me at the beginning of the year, and they're working very well."

"Okay, then. Just let me know if you need any help. We still have some transactions to complete, so you can't just abandon us halfway through."

"Don't worry, I will definitely keep my promise to you. It's her, Su Roujia. She's truly blessed to be by your side."

"I'm lucky. I was just hoping she'd serve this good-for-nothing old man. Anyway, you seem to be doing alright. Come over and visit more often when you have time. Remember your true colors; we're neighbors, we should keep in touch, otherwise it'll be heartless."

"Um……"

They casually bought a piece of tofu from a street vendor, exchanged a brief chat, and then went their separate ways.

Chen Xuan was puzzled. How could the Shadow Assassins have tracked them all the way to Yang County? They're really bold. Du Juan was the coach I found for the little girl; I'm protecting her.

Then, Du Juan is at least a Xiantian cultivator. In this wretched place of Yang County, who else besides me has a higher cultivation level than her? Could it be Leng Bing? Judging by the days, they've been back for several days now. Did Du Juan not realize that the Gao family has a Xiantian expert when she came to Yang County to investigate? Or perhaps it's Gao Jingyu who came with her? It could also be an expert from the Prince's Mansion…

Back at the entrance of Peach Blossom Residence, Chen Xuan saw an acquaintance and greeted him, "Brother Hou? What are you doing here?"

Hou Jin, the gatekeeper of the Gao family, was strolling outside the small snow-covered grove. His leg had fully healed. Hearing the sound, he turned around and said, "Xuan-ge'er is back. I came to check on him, just in case no one is home and some fools come to cause trouble."

Before leaving, Chen Xuan had asked the Gao family to look after the place. He thanked them, saying, "Thank you for your help. It's cold outside. Come in and have a cup of hot tea."

"No, I'm glad Xuan-ge'er is back. I just happened to be passing by and stopped by. I still have to go back to guard the gate," Hou Jin waved his hand and said.

Chen Xuan tried to persuade him to stay, saying, "Since you're already here, sit down for a while. I'll let you know later. It's alright, you won't have your wages docked."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Xuan-ge, but I really don't need it. That wouldn't be right. You should go back now. I'm leaving now. Come visit me sometime; I'll treat you to some drinks."

Hou Jin insisted on leaving, and Chen Xuan had no choice but to accept it. He was an honest man who didn't know how to slack off or climb the social ladder. He was very dutiful, didn't achieve anything, and wouldn't make any mistakes. He just wanted a peaceful life.

"The Gao family is so kind; they even went out of their way to come and help look after things," the little girl said sincerely as she walked towards the house.

Chen Xuan nodded in deep agreement and said, "That's right. I didn't waste those years in the Gao family; I was well-liked."

"Yes, yes, Master is the best! Oh dear, he's been away from home for over twenty days, and there's snow everywhere. We're going to be busy!" The little girl was full of energy as she looked at the snow that was everywhere.

"No rush, fill your stomach and rest first. You were throwing up so much earlier."

"I've recovered now, otherwise people would gossip if I didn't work hard."

"Your skill in armor makes me look like a useless piece of trash."

"Master is a very capable man, not at all like what you say. Wow, home is so much more comfortable and warm. The mansion in the capital is nice, but I never really get used to it."

"There's no place like home, no matter how good it is. It's a bit lonely with just the two of us. I'll get another dog later. I want to experience the life of luxury and indulgence."

"Hehe, Master has been talking about getting a dog for half a year now, but there's still no sign of it. Master, you should rest first, I'll make you some tea and then cook dinner."

"You can't just casually get a dog; it has to be based on chemistry. And let me tell you, home is so peaceful. Roujia, I'm going to lie down for a bit. Call me when dinner's ready..."

Thankfully, there's a little girl who can talk and communicate with him. If it were just Chen Xuan alone, he might have become depressed after living alone for a long time.

He had only slept for half a day in Beijing that morning, and he could sleep soundly, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow. His sleep quality was enviable, and with the copper heating at home, it couldn't be more comfortable.

In his dazed state, Chen Xuan heard the little girl calling him.

"Master, master, wake up!"

"Is the food ready? So fast. I don't want to get up. I want to sleep a little longer. Anyway, I won't starve. Roujia, you can eat by yourself." Chen Xuan didn't even open his eyes. He turned over and stuck his butt out to continue sleeping.

The young maid hesitated and said, "No, sir, the meal will take a while. It's Sister Leng who's coming."

"Leng, the bodyguard?" Chen Xuan asked in surprise. He amplified his senses and indeed felt Leng Bing arrive, drinking tea in the living room.

That meant I couldn't stay in bed any longer, so I got up and said, "I'll go take a look."

“Sir, slow down, your belly is showing! Wow, it looks so good. No, it’s not appropriate to go like this,” the little maid said, quickly stepping forward to help him straighten his clothes.

My husband is used to being casual and unkempt. It would be a shame for him to go to see Sister Leng like this.

A girl with a good figure can make countless men drool, and vice versa.

Upon entering the living room, Chen Xuan greeted her from the doorway, "Miss Leng, you've arrived! Why didn't you give me any advance notice? Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."

“We’re not strangers, Brother Chen, there’s no need to be so polite,” Leng Bing said with a stern smile.

That's just her personality, Chen Xuan was already used to it. Her looks and figure were one in a million, but she was too cold. Her cultivation method was part of the reason, but mainly it was her personality. She was already aloof, and after that incident, she became like a block of ice, making her unapproachable.

Nodding, Chen Xuan sat down and asked, "When did you arrive? Was the journey smooth?"

"Of course, returning with Miss, no villains dare to offend us," she said in her usual emotionless tone, though her gaze towards Chen Xuan softened slightly, perhaps only a tiny bit.

After all, she had watched Chen Xuan grow up; otherwise, she would have been very sparing with her words and wouldn't have said a single extra word to anyone else.

Since she reached the Innate Realm, she has lived in seclusion in the inner quarters of the Gao family. Unless it is for important matters, she will not even step out of her residence. Apart from a few people, no one knows that the Gao family has such an Innate Realm expert as her.

Even though she had a good relationship with Chen Xuan and was a bit talkative, that was all. Before Chen Xuan could guess her intentions, she took the initiative and said, "Brother Chen, I've encountered a tricky situation recently. I need to protect Madam and the others in case of any accidents and I'm too busy to deal with them. That's why I rushed over as soon as I heard you were back."

This was the most Chen Xuan had heard her say in recent years. Hearing this, his heart stirred, and he nodded, saying, "Miss Leng, there's no need to be so polite. Please speak; it's my duty." He paused for a moment, then added, "Miss Leng, please call me Xiao Xuan. It's more intimate. Brother Chen is too formal."

"You're not a child anymore," she said expressionlessly, seemingly trying to force a smile, but unable to.

Without dwelling on these things, she stated directly, "The night before last, someone revealed the aura of a cultivator with innate cultivation. I went to investigate and found out it was an assassin from the Hidden Killing Sect. I originally intended to capture her and question her, but she was incredibly skilled and escaped in a single exchange. Although I injured her in the rush, she managed to hide. I'm worried that she's targeting Madam and the others. After all, who else in Yang County besides Madam and the others would warrant such an assassin? Even the slightest possibility is something we must guard against, and this potential threat must be eliminated. So... are you listening to me?"

It's rare for her to talk so much; it seems she's encountered something she cares about. Back then, she vowed to dedicate the rest of her life to protecting the Gao family.

It really was Leng Bing who injured Du Juan. Both of them are the kind of people who are devoid of emotion, so it's not surprising that they started fighting as soon as they met.

So he smiled and said, "I'm listening, Miss Leng, don't worry. I think I know the person you're talking about; it's probably a misunderstanding."

It's just a matter of saying a few words; once it's out in the open, everything will be fine. There's no need to go through all that trouble.

Leng Bing showed no reaction on her face, but asked with surprise, "Brother Chen knows him? In that case, I was overthinking it."

Come to think of it, Chen Xuan, whom I've watched grow up since childhood, is now a Grandmaster-level expert. How could he possibly miss any disturbance in a small place like Yang County? (End of Chapter)