Cyan Yuan Sect.
dicine Hall.
Yuanqing Courtyard.
Yuanqing Courtyard was the na Yang Chan had given his small courtyard. He was mostly just following the example of others, who all had nas for their own courtyards. At least it sounded more refined than just "So-and-so’s residence."
Inside the courtyard, Yang Chan instructed a maid to prepare hot water for bathing and so food. The newly acquired maid, Xiaoxiang, was also led away.
Yang Chan listened to Han Bingyu’s report.
"Nothing major has happened within the Cyan Yuan Sect, but there’s an unconfird report from the borderlands. I’m not sure if it’s true."
A hesitant look appeared on Han Bingyu’s face, and she didn’t elaborate imdiately.
Unconfird news could be false, so she waited to see if Yang Chan wanted to hear it.
"Go on. What is it?"
Seeing her expression, Yang Chan understood her reservations and replied with a smile.
If Han Bingyu had definite news, it ant the situation was significant—perhaps even more so than anticipated.
"It’s said that outside Jinyun City in Lan State, the Jin ng Empire’s troops have gathered. They haven’t attacked yet, but they may be planning to besiege the city."
"Based on the intelligence we’ve received, it’s estimated that the two sides will clash within one or two months."
"Reinforcents are also being sent from Qi State and Yu State."
"So of this information ca from the Han Family, and so was gathered from within the Sect, but none of it has been confird."
"One thing is certain, though: the marriage alliance has not improved relations between the Court and the Jin ng Empire. In fact, things may have gotten worse."
Han Bingyu relayed the news she had gathered, but since the final outco was still uncertain, she was careful not to jump to conclusions, keeping her words asured.
"Oh, right. There’s one more thing that just ca in today. While it’s not fully confird, it’s highly probable—there’s at least an eighty or ninety percent chance it’s true."
"The Jin ng Empire’s envoy, the Prince, and the bride-to-be, Princess Lan Yue, have all disappeared near the Qingyuan River in Qing State. The Six Gates is still searching for them, and I’ve heard they’ve already sent people to look in the direction of Yu State."
Han Bingyu added, as if suddenly rembering.
This happened within Qing State’s borders, so of course, the Cyan Yuan Sect had received word of it.
Even if the Six Gates wanted to suppress the news, this was within the Cyan Yuan Sect’s sphere of influence. The Sect had plenty of ways to obtain the information it wanted.
In White Jade City, the Cyan Yuan Sect’s thods were limited by many restrictions, but things were different in Qing State. This was the Cyan Yuan Sect’s territory, filled with its affiliated forces and planted agents.
Basically, nothing that happened here could escape the notice of the Cyan Yuan Sect’s spies.
Yang Chan was well aware of this, which was why he had followed the principle of proximity when dealing with Princess Lan Yue. He had investigated Xiaoyuan Village, and only after confirming there were no Cyan Yuan Sect spies there did he choose to settle her in the village. Afterward, he resolved the issue of her identity, giving her a legitimate reason to be a resident of Qing State.
"I’ve heard about that too. I ran into so people from the Six Gates on my way back, so it must be true. Keep an eye on it and let know if you hear anything new."
Yang Chan replied, ntioning his own experience on the road.
He had planned his travel route to be traceable, so there was no need to hide the fact that he’d encountered n from the Six Gates. Besides, there was even less reason to hide it from Han Bingyu.
There was no need to hold back information he could share. As for what he couldn’t, he would take those secrets to his grave and pretend they never happened.
"Alright, I’ll continue to monitor the situation."
Han Bingyu nodded.
"The Yu State Comrce Association should be finished by now, based on the tiline. We should get word back in the next day or two and know the result."
Han Bingyu hadn’t forgotten the task Yang Chan had given the Han Family: to purchase Ghost Spirit Grass and Fragrant Celestial Flower in Yu State. She was keeping a close watch on it.
She had proactively reported the situation before Yang Chan even asked. Her handling of matters was becoming more and more mature, which naturally pleased him.
’It’s like having a secretary who handles everything without needing constant reminders. It saves a lot of trouble.’
"Good. Keep a close eye on the Han Family’s side of things. The trip to Yun City was a success—I’ve already obtained the Ghost Spirit Grass and Fragrant Celestial Flower. I’ll try refining the Three Revolutions Nourishing Viscera Pill next."
"Also, the maid I brought back today is nad Xiaoxiang. From now on, she’s just an ordinary maid. You can arrange her duties as you normally would."
By ntioning Xiaoxiang, Yang Chan was telling Han Bingyu to treat her normally, with no special attention.
With Princess Lan Yue hiding in his residence, it was imperative she not draw any attention to herself. He would help conceal her, and in return, get what he wanted from her.
"Yes, I understand."
Han Bingyu nodded.
With no other useful information to discuss, Yang Chan walked out of the room and saw a maid waiting to the side.
"Pharmacist Yang, the hot water is ready. You may bathe at any ti."
"The food has also been placed inside the room."
The maid outside bowed her head and spoke after seeing Yang Chan and Han Bingyu erge.
"Good, I understand. Prepare so hot water and food for Xiaoxiang as well."
Yang Chan rembered Princess Lan Yue and gave the instruction.
There was no need to trouble her over minor things. After all, Princess Lan Yue still had sothing he wanted.
"You, co inside with ."
"Help scrub my back. I haven’t had a proper bath after all these days of travel. It’s the perfect ti to give it a good scrub."
Yang Chan’s gaze fell on Han Bingyu as he spoke with a smile.
On the road, he had longed for a hot bath—especially one where a beauty would scrub his back, letting him feel her warmth and softness.
"...Mmm."
Hearing this, Han Bingyu’s face turned beet red. She lowered her head and followed Yang Chan into the bathing chamber.
The maid to the side watched with eyes full of envy, wishing she could take Han Bingyu’s place.
A mont later, the sound of pleasant "music" drifted out, causing her to blush slightly. But rembering Yang Chan’s orders, she didn’t continue eavesdropping and went to carry out his instructions.
In Yuanqing Courtyard, Yang Chan was the sky. His orders had to be followed to the letter, or she might be thrown out, which would be disastrous.
After all, here in Yuanqing Courtyard, they only had to serve Yang Chan. They also received his protection, and their monthly allowance was extrely high—enough for one person to support a family of six without any problem.
If she were lucky enough to catch Yang Chan’s eye, she would soar to the heavens, never having to worry again for the rest of her life. That was why she was so incredibly envious seeing him take Han Bingyu into the bathing chamber.
But she also knew the gap between her and Han Bingyu was imnse; they were practically incomparable.
...
「That night.」
In the study of Yuanqing Courtyard.
Princess Lan Yue had changed into a clean set of brocade clothes, a far cry from the tattered rags she wore in Xiaoyuan Village. After changing, she felt much better.
Her ragged clothes had been infested with fleas. If not for her will to survive, fortified by the many hardships she had endured, she wasn’t sure if she could have held on.
"I trust you understand why I’ve brought you here."
Yang Chan sat in the main seat, his gaze fixed on Princess Lan Yue.
On the road, the timing for certain matters had not been right. Besides, he needed to prevent any accidents.
Soone like Divine Constable Jin Feihua of the Six Gates, whose cultivation was stronger than his, could have disrupted his plans or even seen through Princess Lan Yue’s disguise. That was why he had traveled at top speed and hadn’t asked too many questions.
’After all, walls have ears.’ If the news got out, a cascade of trouble would follow, which was not what Yang Chan wanted.
Therefore, even after obtaining a few pill formulas, he didn’t press for more.
But now that they were back in the Cyan Yuan Sect, their safety was more secure. Furthermore, he could detect any disturbance near his residence.
The Cyan Yuan Sect’s Sect Leader, Liu Xuan, and a Supre Elder had taken many disciples to Silver State. Now, only two Supre Elders in the sect had higher cultivation than him. Although they were also at the Inner Refining of the Five Viscera realm, they had not reached Five Viscera Perfection. If they got close, he could still detect a trace of their presence.
Yang Chan was confident of that much.
Once his cultivation advanced another step, even soone at Inner Refining Five Viscera Perfection using a breath-concealing technique wouldn’t be able to completely hide from his Spiritual Sense.
"I know."
Princess Lan Yue nodded. She was well aware of Yang Chan’s purpose; in fact, she had known from the mont she arrived at the Cyan Yuan Sect.
Although she had escaped the dangers of the Jin ng Empire and the Court, the man before her was not soone to be trifled with. One could even call him ruthless.
’If I don’t satisfy him, things will not go well for .’
’After all, a man who would force to take the Three Flower Insect Divine Pill is no saint.’
"The cultivation technique I have, which allows one to cultivate to the Martial Saint realm, is the Imperial Family’s *Emperor’s Shocking Book*. It’s the cultivation technique my father, the Prince, practiced. He obtained a relatively complete version of it from the Crown Prince when he got involved in his affairs."
"When my father sensed that things were going wrong, he gave the *Emperor’s Shocking Book* to , hoping I could escape with it and preserve a sliver of hope for the future."
"The version of the *Emperor’s Shocking Book* in my mory is the one the Crown Prince used to break through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Realm. Therefore, I only know that the Bone Marrow Cleansing portion is fine. As for whether there are problems with the later parts, I don’t know."
"Before his rebellion, the Crown Prince used this version of the *Emperor’s Shocking Book* to break through to the Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster Realm. But given how calculating the Old Emperor is, it’s hard to say if there’s a problem with the later parts of this technique."
"Do you still want it?"
Princess Lan Yue revealed so of the truth, then looked at Yang Chan and posed the question.
She hadn’t thought this at first, but from the start of the Crown Prince’s rebellion to its swift suppression, the whole process was so fast that it made her suspicious of the *Emperor’s Shocking Book* she had received from Crown Prince Yang Qian.
If the Old Emperor had deliberately arranged for the *Emperor’s Shocking Book* to fall into the Crown Prince’s hands, it was possible he had tampered with it.
The more she thought about it, the more terrifying the possibility seed.
Now, facing Yang Chan, she didn’t hide this secret. By presenting him with the choice, she was also seizing the initiative.
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