I meet all the requirements for becoming a god in this world!

Chapter 255 Cao Ying

On the first morning after his marriage, Cheng Laiyun was awakened by the sound of a knife.

When he opened his eyes, it was still dark, and a sharp whooshing sound came from outside the window.

That was the sound of a blade slicing through the morning mist, followed closely by the sound of clothes rustling in the wind as the blade was sheathed.

Xu Jiayin was still fast asleep in his arms, one leg draped over his waist, her breathing even and long, completely undisturbed by the gusts of wind outside the window.

Last night was the first night after she, Gao Heyun, and Xu Miaozhen married into the family.

The four of them tossed and turned all night.

Xu Miaozhen's cultivation level was high, so she didn't need to rest. She would get up before dawn to meditate.

Gao Heyun has a very strong sense of time; even if she is still a little tired, she gets up early.

Only Xu Jiayin remained in Cheng Laiyun's arms, unwilling to get up.

Cheng Laiyun gently stroked the young lady's face.

He then carefully removed her legs from his waist, tucked the blanket in, put on an outer robe, and went out the door. Under the old locust tree in the backyard, Gao Heyun had already finished practicing a complete set of Northern Border Sword Techniques.

She wasn't wearing her usual dark-colored martial arts outfit today; instead, she wore a moon-white training uniform. Her long hair was tied up high with a silver hairpin, and a few fine beads of sweat clung to her forehead.

Hearing footsteps, she sheathed her knife, turned around to look at Cheng Laiyun, and raised an eyebrow slightly:

"Did I disturb you?"

Cheng Laiyun leaned against a pillar, smiling and shaking his head:

"No, I just got up to watch the sunrise. Do you practice your sword at this time every day?"

Gao Heyun nodded and swiftly sheathed the knife back into its scabbard on the stone table.

As the two were talking, the door to the main room creaked open.

Xu Miaozhen came out carrying a pot of freshly brewed tea. Today she was wearing a light blue casual dress, her hair was loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, and a few strands of hair fell beside her ears. Her face still had that gentle smile.

She placed the teapot on the stone table, picked up the three teacups, pushed one in front of Cheng Laiyun, one in front of Gao Heyun, and kept one for herself. Then she sat down and slowly took a sip.

Cheng Laiyun asked with a smile, "Was Ah Zhen also disturbed by the sound of sword practice?"

Ah Zhen... This is the unique way Cheng Laiyun and Xu Miaozhen address each other after they get married.

To be honest, Cheng Laiyun was a little awkward.

But there was nothing Xu Miaozhen could do; she forbade Xu Miaozhen from calling her "Master" anymore.

After thinking it over... I can only call her Ah-Zhen.

Xu Miaozhen put down her teacup, smiled and shook her head: "I always get up at this time to practice my skills. Today I'm only half an hour earlier than usual, so it's not noisy at all."

Gao Heyun picked up her teacup and nodded slightly to Xu Miaozhen, her gaze calm.

"May I ask Sister Zhen for some guidance on inscription techniques another day?"

"I've long heard of the power of the Ink Clan's inscriptions and have always wanted to see them for myself."

Xu Miaozhen smiled and replied, "Okay."

Cheng Laiyun sat on a stone bench. To his left, Gao Heyun was wiping a knife, and to his right, Xu Miaozhen was drinking tea. The morning light filtered through the branches of the old locust tree and fell on the three of them.

He suddenly felt that if this scene could continue indefinitely, none of the court struggles, the implementation of new policies, or the rebellions of vassal kings would seem to matter anymore.

But this thought lasted less than three breaths before it was interrupted by a scream coming from the west wing. "My flowerpot!"

Xu Jiayin rushed out of the house wearing an overcoat, her bare feet stepping on the blue brick floor. She pointed at a row of broken ceramic pots under the window, her face turning red with anger.

Those were several pots of roses that she had carefully selected from the flower market a few days ago, saying she wanted to grow them in the backyard to add some color to the yard.

She squatted down in front of the broken flowerpot, picked up a rose seedling with its roots exposed, and looked up at everyone in the yard with a look that said, "The culprit is among the three of you."

Gao Heyun paused slightly as she wiped the knife, and Cheng Laiyun placed the teacup on the stone table. The two exchanged a glance.

Gao Heyun remained expressionless, but Cheng Laiyun noticed that her knife-wiping motion was a beat slower than usual.

Xu Jiayin stood up, holding the rose seedling, her gaze fixed on Gao Heyun, and asked her aggressively:

"Sister Gao! Were you practicing your knife skills in the backyard?!"

"Hmm." Gao Heyun put down her teacup, her tone as calm as ever. "The flowerpot was too close to the practice area, so the blade whistled a bit when I sheathed my sword. I haven't had time to clean it up yet."

Xu Jiayin looked down at the rose seedling in her arms, then looked up at Gao Heyun.

Cheng Laiyun thought she was about to have a fit, and was about to speak up to smooth things over.

Xu Jiayin suddenly shoved the rose seedling into his arms and strode up to Gao Heyun: "Sister Gao, will you teach me how to use a sword?"

???

Cheng Laiyun looked at Xu Jiayin blankly.

I don't understand why she changed so quickly.

Gao Heyun remained calm and composed.

"Practicing swordsmanship is tough. Every day I get up at dawn and stand in a horse stance for half an hour."

"I'll stand up!" Xu Jiayin straightened her back.

"I've already mastered the seventh-grade Mo Cultivation technique, what am I afraid of in a horse stance?"

A very faint smile appeared on Gao Heyun's lips:

"Okay. Tomorrow at 5:00 AM, under the old locust tree in the backyard, don't be late."

"A latecomer is a puppy!" Xu Jiayin said, then suddenly remembered that she was still holding the rose seedling in her arms. She quickly turned around and ran back to the door of the west wing, squatted down and began to refill the soil.

...Breakfast was prepared and cooked by Granny Zhao herself.

Cheng Lingqiao was helping to chop vegetables in the kitchen, Hu Zi was chasing a tabby cat that had run over from next door in the yard, sweating profusely, and Zhao Huaili was squatting by the well washing dishes, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing two thick arms that had been tempered by an anvil for decades.

Cheng Laiyun had given the order countless times.

There are servants in the mansion; these tasks can be left to them.

But this family preferred to make the servants stand rather than let Cheng Laiyun stand, so they could cook for him themselves...

Qi Dazhuang was also there—he was leaving for Qingzhou tomorrow, and today was his last meal.

"Dazhuang, are you really not staying a few more days?"

Cheng Laiyun sat at the dining table, looking at Qi Dazhuang's honest face:

"You rarely come to the capital, and I haven't even shown you around properly yet."

"No, I have cases waiting at the yamen, I can't delay."

Qi Dazhuang picked up the teacup, took a big gulp, put the bowl down, and grinned:

"Besides, you're married now. If I stay here, your three sisters-in-law will probably find me in their way." "Who's finding you in their way?"

Xu Jiayin peeked out from the kitchen, holding a plate of freshly sliced ​​braised pork hock.

"Dazhuang, if anyone bullies you in Qingzhou, just write to me and I'll have Cheng Laiyun send someone to deal with him."

"Don't worry, Miss, who dares to bully me?" Qi Dazhuang puffed out his chest.

"I'm now a Left Guard in the Tongpan Division, and I have dozens of people under my command."

Cheng Laiyun smiled and shook his head, then took a sealed letter from his sleeve and handed it to Qi Dazhuang:

"Please deliver this letter to Lord Zhou on my behalf. Inside is a list of thank-you gifts for my wedding."

When he got married, Zhou Linghe, the general of Qingzhou and Hu Zi's mentor, also sent a congratulatory gift.

"There is also a return gift for the brothers of the Qingzhou Prefectural Office; take it back with you."

"Okay." Qi Dazhuang tucked the letter into his pocket, hesitated for a moment, and then lowered his voice:

"Laiyun, you hold such a high position in the capital, and I can't help you much in Qingzhou."

"If there's anything you need me to do for you, just let me know." "Taking good care of my sister's family is the biggest favor you can do for me."

"Of course!" Qi Dazhuang patted his chest.

"Sister Cheng is like my own sister, and Hu Zi is like my own nephew. If anyone dares to lay a finger on them, I, Qi Dazhuang, will be the first to object."

Cheng Laiyun was truly helpless.

He tried his best to persuade Cheng Lingqiao's family to stay in the capital, offering them accommodation and arranging an official position for his brother-in-law, Zhao Huaili, in the Regent's Office.

Unfortunately, Zhao Huaili, his cousin Cheng Lingqiao, and even his grandmother were all people who were absolutely devoted to Zhao Huaili.

I absolutely refuse to stay here.

At the dinner table, Grandma Zhao sat in the main seat, with Cheng Lingqiao's family on her left and Cheng Laiyun and his three brides on her right.

Xu Jiayin sat down next to Cheng Laiyun, Gao Heyun sat next to Xu Jiayin, and Xu Miaozhen sat next to Gao Heyun.

Grandma Zhao looked at the people at the table, her hand holding the bowl still trembling slightly.

She was very excited.

She glanced at Xu Jiayin serving her food, then at Gao Heyun pouring her tea, and then at Xu Miaozhen holding the bowl and smiling gently at her. Finally, she couldn't help but wipe her eyes with her sleeve. "Lai Yun is blessed to have married three good wives."

"My mother-in-law is blessed too!" Xu Jiayin immediately added.

"From now on, let's live a good life as a family."

"Okay, okay, all good, all good." Grandma Zhao nodded repeatedly, her hands still trembling as she held the bowl.

After breakfast, Cheng Lingqiao and Granny Zhao cleaned up the dishes and went to the kitchen. Hu Zi ran out again to chase the tabby cat.

……

Cheng Laiyun lived this leisurely life for about ten days.

That morning.

Cheng Laiyun changed into his official robes and prepared to go to the yamen.

Just as I reached the door, I heard hurried footsteps behind me.

Before he could turn around, Xu Jiayin had already caught up with him and shoved an oil paper package into his arms.

"I made scallion pancakes this morning; take them to the yamen as a snack." "Hai Wuyai said you forget to eat when you get busy, so I'll bring you a pack every day from now on. If you dare not eat them—"

She tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek, then ran away blushing.

Cheng Laiyun stood at the door, reached out and touched the spot where he had been kissed, watched Xu Jiayin run back into the house, shook his head with a smile, put the oil paper package into his pocket, and turned to step out of the courtyard gate.

Upon arriving at the Regent's Office, Hai Wuyai was leaning against the entrance of Laiyun Hall, yawning. Seeing him arrive, he quickly stood up straight.

"Oh, the boss's here?!"

Cheng Laiyun nodded: "Mm."

"Has anything happened at the yamen during this time?"

"I'm perfectly fine!"

Cheng Laiyun went to his bedroom and spent some time flipping through official documents in Laiyun Hall.

As he was looking, a familiar voice came from outside the door.

Tang Lu strode in, plopped down in the chair opposite Cheng Laiyun, picked up the teapot and took a huge gulp straight from the spout, then wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his voice so loud it could lift the roof off:

"Brother Cheng, you've only been married for ten days and you're already at the yamen? Isn't that a bit disrespectful to your bride? When I got married, I stayed in the mansion for a whole month without leaving!" "Then Brother Tang is truly blessed."

Tang Lu raised an eyebrow, about to speak.

Geng Yan strolled in through the door, fanning himself with a folding fan, his smile as calm and collected as ever.

"Brother Tang didn't not want to go out back then; he was kicked out of the house by his sister-in-law on the very first day of his marriage—this was something the entire Regent's Office knew about."

"Geng Yan! Shut the hell up!" Tang Lu's face flushed red, and he slammed the teapot on the table.

"That's a friendly sparring match! A friendly sparring match between husband and wife! Don't you understand?!"

"I understand." Cheng Laiyun picked up his teacup and added with a smile:

"So Brother Tang was sent out after being challenged by his sister-in-law."

The room was filled with laughter.

Geng Yan tapped Cheng Laiyun's shoulder with his fan, speaking in his usual unhurried tone:

"Inspector Cheng's mouth has become even more eloquent since he got married."

"However—" he paused for a moment before saying:

"There might be some trouble regarding the position of commander."

"Oh?" Cheng Laiyun raised an eyebrow upon hearing Geng Yan's words.

He looked up at Geng Yan, his gaze calm:

"Inspector Geng means..."

Geng Yan approached Cheng Laiyun and said in a deep voice:

"Yesterday in court, Prime Minister Zhang recommended you to His Majesty to take over the position of commander, but this was met with opposition from the court officials."

"The Crown Prince was immediately displeased and almost got into a fight with them in the court."

"Objection?" Cheng Laiyun frowned.

Who would object?

Since arriving in Beijing, he has made many enemies.

But there aren't many people who can truly stop him at this critical juncture. "Hmm." Geng Yan nodded, his gaze deep.

"What those people mean is that the position of commander is of great importance, and can only be held by someone of the third rank, and you..."

He only said half of what he wanted to say.

But Cheng Laiyun already understood.

This is the excuse those people have.

"Moreover, they also jointly submitted a memorial recommending Cao Ying, the chief eunuch of the Imperial Study, to take this position."

"Cao Ying??" Cheng Laiyun asked, somewhat bewildered.

This was the first time he had heard the name.

"He was sent to the northern border by His Majesty five years ago to guard the border with the Prince of Zhenbei. I don't know how he came back at this critical juncture."

Cheng Laiyun squinted.

He could glean a lot of information from Geng Yan's words.

Cao Ying was a confidant of Emperor Jianye. His assignment to the northern border to assist the Prince of Zhenbei in guarding the frontier... definitely had an element of surveillance involved.

And what can we say about coming back at this critical juncture?

Naturally, Emperor Jianye wanted to reclaim the power of the Regent's Office and bring him back.

Just as he was about to speak.

A series of hurried footsteps sounded, followed by Hai Wuya's voice:

"Boss, a eunuch has come to Laiyun Hall. He says he's here to see you!"

Hai Wuyai had barely finished speaking.

The people in the hall all looked up.

Cheng Laiyun and Geng Yan exchanged a glance.

"Who?"

"He said his name was Cao Ying, and he came to visit Inspector Cheng. However, I noticed he was carrying a brocade box, which doesn't seem like he's here to deliver an imperial decree."

Cheng Laiyun exchanged a glance with Tang Lu and Geng Yan. The newcomer was clearly up to no good.

Geng Yan closed his folding fan, tapped it lightly twice in his palm, and the same nonchalant smile still lingered on his lips, but a hint of seriousness appeared in his eyes:

"Inspector Cheng, this Eunuch Cao has been in the northern border for five years and has only been back for less than half a month. The first thing he does is come to visit you—you must have quite a bit of influence."

"Whether someone has a lot of face or not depends on what's in their brocade box."

Cheng Laiyun stood up, straightened his clothes, and nodded to Hai Wuyai:

"Please invite Eunuch Cao in. Brother Tang, Brother Geng, please have a seat. I'll go and greet him."