Chapter 250 - 231: Ye Qingmei
"Thank you for letting me win."
Chen Ming sheathed his sword and did not leave immediately. He sat down at the stone table in the pavilion with Xia Mudan, drank some tea, and asked her, "How is Gang Master Xia doing?"
Worry flashed in Xia Mudan’s eyes as she shook her head, "There is still no news."
"Does the Money Gang have any other experts? Can you get them to support you?"
"The Money Gang originally had three elders, two of whom belong to my mother’s faction and were also captured and imprisoned by my father. The remaining one must stay to oversee the gang and cannot leave."
Unwilling to give up, Chen Ming asked again, "What about the Jiang Family? Can they send an expert over?"
Xia Mudan whispered, "The situation with the Jiang Family is complicated. All in all, they can’t spare anyone either."
Chen Ming felt a little disappointed. He had hoped she could find someone of the First or Second Grade to help eliminate this killing blow.
Now it seemed that the Money Gang and probably even the Jiang Family were facing considerable trouble.
Chen Ming asked, "Do you have any friends in this city with whom you have a good relationship?"
Xia Mudan cautiously shook her head, "I’m worried someone might see through my act, so I don’t make close friends."
This was understandable, considering she had to play two roles by herself. If she made particularly good friends, they might accidentally reveal her secret one day.
She said somewhat shyly, "I’m sorry, Brother Gu."
"Did you do something wrong? Why are you apologizing?"
Chen Ming gave her a sidelong glance and suddenly thought of something, "By the way, how did you disguise yourself as a man so flawlessly that I couldn’t detect any flaws?"
Xia Mudan took out a silver ornament from her bosom that she wore around her neck earlier and said, "This is a magical item I found in an abandoned garden at my grandfather’s place when I was a child. As long as it’s worn, you can disguise as someone else, and not even a Divine Treasure Realm expert can see through it. It has kept me undiscovered for so many years."
"May I take a look?"
"Here you go."
Xia Mudan placed the silver ornament in his palm, and her fingertips accidentally brushed against his palm. Her long eyelashes fluttered a few times, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Chen Ming didn’t notice her reaction; he was examining the silver ornament in his hand. It looked like some kind of Divine Beast, but he couldn’t identify which one.
Since it’s a magical item, then—
His thoughts activated the "Artifact Control Technique" within him, and he instantly sensed the mysterious aspect of the ornament, as if an intention had communicated its usage and function to him.
He was delighted; this item would be of great use to him. "Little sister, could you lend this to me for a while?"
Xia Mudan looked up and said, "What are you saying, big brother? If you like it, I’ll give it to you."
"How could I accept that?"
"Anyway, the world no longer needs Jiang Wushuang." Her voice was soft, and after speaking, she quickly glanced up at him, feeling a little disappointed when he showed no reaction.
Chen Ming stood up and said, "I have things to do, so I’ll be leaving. Stay home and rest well, and don’t go out."
Xia Mudan rose to see him off, but he had already walked far away.
At this moment, Zhiqin complained, "That Gu gentleman is something else. Miss, you’re not well, and he wants to spar with you. What if you get hurt?"
"It’s fine." Xia Mudan defended him, "Brother Gu also means well. He wants me to stretch my muscles and bones. Don’t forget, I’m a Third Grade, not that delicate."
"..."
Zhiqin felt caught in a difficult position.
...
Time passed quickly, and several days went by.
Xia Mudan had almost completely recovered, but she was rather agitated. She didn’t know what Brother Gu was busy with, coming and going at odd hours.
Every day, before she even got up, he was already out. He only returned in the dead of night.
During these days, while recuperating at home, she heard from Zhiqin about a recent upheaval at the Six Gates. Someone had broken into the prison and released the prisoners, including a First Grade expert.
It was said that there were heavy casualties at the Six Gates.
In the five hundred years since the founding of Great Jin, such an incident had never occurred at the Six Gates of Xiazhou City. It shook the whole city of Xiazhou.
Xia Mudan couldn’t help but feel nervous for Brother Gu. No wonder his five subordinates looked as if they had come to report a death.
Later, rumors spread that Brother Gu had achieved great merit by killing two First Grade experts.
Upon hearing this rumor, she couldn’t help but worry. It was unlikely to be true. The strength of a First Grade expert was so formidable; how could they be killed by a Third Grade?
She feared that someone within the Six Gates wanted to harm Brother Gu.
The villain must have accomplices seeking revenge on him later.
Gaining such notorious fame brought no benefits at all.
Xia Mudan couldn’t help but worry about Brother Gu. Sitting in front of the mirror, her brow unconsciously furrowed, her face full of concern.
Zhiqin stood behind her, holding a purple sandalwood comb to brush her hair, her long, silky hair cascading down like a black waterfall.
Sigh!
The little maid sighed inwardly. Ever since they met that Gu gentleman, her mistress had frowned more times than in all recent years combined.
She truly couldn’t understand why her mistress was so emotionally entangled with such a man, always having more moments of worry than of happiness. Was it really worth it?
"Miss, an interesting thing happened in the city these few days."
Zhiqin tried to cheer up her mistress by sharing an amusing story, "It’s said that a stunning beauty, claiming to be Ye Qingmei, came to the city recently and announced that she would defeat all the world’s experts with her three-foot sword. Despite her youth, she possesses Third Grade cultivation. On the first day, she already defeated several young Third Grades."
"Oh?"
Xia Mudan raised her brows, becoming intrigued, "Which sect or school does this woman belong to? To be so audacious."
Zhiqin said, "This Ye Qingmei claims to have no sect or faction, but her Swordsmanship is outstanding, and her Body Technique is incredibly special, she has even comprehended Sword Intent. Over the past few days, she has defeated over a dozen Third Grade fighters with her sword. Her reputation is unmatched at the moment."
Xia Mudan said longingly, "There is such an extraordinary woman in the world! It’s a pity—" Her tone carried a hint of regret.
Zhiqin knew what she regretted, the timing wasn’t right now, it was unsuitable to come forward, unable to spar with this extraordinary woman.
She said, "Once this matter is settled, we will certainly have the chance to associate with her in the future."
She heard the young lady say, "I wonder if Brother Gu will make a move?"
Why bring him up again?
Zhiqin was helpless, she wanted to find a fresh topic to divert her attention, but after circling around, it still ended up about Mr. Gu.
"I also wonder what Brother Gu is busy with these days..."
At this moment, a Maid quickly approached the door and reported, "Miss, Gu—Young Master Gu has arrived."
Privately, they all called him "Young Master," as they had already conducted the ceremony. However, in front of the lady, they dare not call him that.
Upon hearing this, Xia Mudan stood up with a joyful expression.
"Oh, my lady!"
Zhiqin quickly pulled her back, as if she were to rush out to see Mr. Gu in disarray, what would it look like?
Xia Mudan also realized this was inappropriate and hurriedly said, "Brother Gu, wait for me to change my clothes and I’ll come out."
Outside indeed came Brother Gu’s voice, "Okay."
...
After a while, Xia Mudan finished combing her hair, changed into new clothes, and came out to see Chen Ming, her gaze was like water, softly greeting, "Good morning, Brother Gu."
"Good morning."
Chen Ming was sitting at a table outside the courtyard eating snacks, inviting her over, and said, "These are the snacks I had someone buy early this morning, try them."
"Thank you, Brother."
Xia Mudan sat opposite him, picked up a piece of snack, tasted it, and praised, "It’s delicious, where are these snacks from?"
Chen Ming said, "I’m not sure either, a subordinate bought them. I thought you might like them, so I brought them for you to taste. As long as you like it."
"I do like it."
"Look at this."
Chen Ming took out a rectangular brocade box from his arms, it looked quite exquisite.
"What is this?"
Xia Mudan opened the brocade box, inside lay a flawless white jade hairpin, elegant yet understated.
Her eyes showed a hint of surprise, some expectation, and disbelief, "This is—"
Chen Ming smiled and said, "I specially chose it for you, do you like it?"
"Mm!"
Xia Mudan nodded heavily, her face slightly flushed with excitement, her eyes shining, joyful and shy, "I really like it."
He said, "Try it on."
She complied, placing the hairpin in her hair, looking at him expectantly.
"It looks good."
Chen Ming examined her for a while, nodded, confirming his choice, the hairpin indeed suited her.
This wasn’t cheap, he spent all his money.
"You gave me the other treasure, I felt uneasy. I thought about what to give you, saw this hairpin and felt it was perfect for you. I specially bought it for you."
It counts as a return gift.
Xia Mudan said, "Thank you, Brother."
Chen Ming saw her glowing with happiness, and couldn’t help but be infected by her joyous mood, asking, "How have you rested these past few days? Is your injury better?"
"Almost recovered, thank you for the concern, Brother."
"That’s good."
Xia Mudan saw he seemed to be about to take his leave, and said, "By the way, I heard a woman named Ye Qingmei came to the city, challenging the city’s experts everywhere. Brother Gu, have you met her?"
Chen Ming’s eyes flashed with a peculiar expression, and he said, "I’ve heard, but recently I have been busy with official duties, unable to make time. I must leave, just now Lord Hong sent someone to summon me. I can’t delay too long."
"Then you go, Brother."
Xia Mudan stood to see him off, after watching him leave, she remained there, unwilling to leave, she took the hairpin off, rubbing it in her hand, watching it closely, and became entranced.
...
After leaving, Chen Ming followed a blue-clad constable to Six Gates.
He did not lie, Hong Yuze indeed sent someone to summon him for an important matter.
When he arrived at Six Gates, inside the Zeshi Hall, he met Hong Yuze along with two other First Grade Governors, a man and a woman.
The man had a square face, exuding authority.
When Chen Ming saw him, he couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.
This person was in one of the five assassination plots depicted on the Turtle Shell, a First Grade Governor meant to kill him.