The Green Sea Chan Clan.
Chan Chi Yuet was sitting on a fur couch inside her room. She lounged on the couch in thin pajamas, looking tired and sleepy, without any of her usual energy.
A few moments later, Uncle Goh knocked on the door and entered. He saw Chan Chi Yuet dozing on the couch in fatigue and got worried. He frowned and said, “Yuet, have you not been sleeping well?”
“I’ve been sleeping okay,” said Chan Chi Yuet. There was a small table by the couch filled with all sorts of information and reports. The woman was still as beautiful even without makeup, but her complexion was clearly pale from fatigue. It was heartbreaking to see her like that.
Siu Ji had successfully ascended to Martial Mortal realm as well. The power of the pill had allowed her to reach intermediate Martial Mortal upon ascension. It was precisely because of this debt that she owed her mistress that she cared for her more than anyone else. She said worriedly, “The mistress only slept for two hours the entire night. Of course she’s worn out.”
Chan Chi Yuet only found out that this incident involved the daughter of the head of the Hung Clan after returning yesterday. Moreover, a Martial Spirit was also involved now. It was only natural that she was worried. This incident had troubled her the entire day and kept her up at night as well.
All because of that young boy who she knew for less than a month.
Uncle Goh let out a heavy sigh and tried to sit down on Chan Chi Yuet’s bed. However, she immediately protested, “Uncle Goh, your clothes are dirty.”
“Really? You’re calling me dirty?” said Uncle Goh as he rolled his eyes at her. He decided to just sit down on the ground like a kid instead. No wonder people often said that the older you get, the more childish you become.
Chan Chi Yuet ignored him and rubbed her temples with three fingers to relieve her headache. Siu Ji saw this and immediately stepped forward to help her.
Chan Chi Yuet said, “I got reports back from the origin house this morning. Someone has been spreading fake rumors that Hung Yu Fei is under house arrest in the capital as punishment for pranking the prince. The truth is that she secretly left the capital with a group of guards. However, as they approached Green Sea Town, she drugged the guards with laxatives and slipped away. She then met Wun Fan and the two of them went adventuring in Green Sea Forest.”
Chan Chi Yuet couldn’t help but feel a little dejected when she said this. If only she could be just as selfish and cast aside the Chan Clan to go on adventures with him.
Uncle Goh was good at reading people’s emotions. He knew Chan Chi Yuet was feeling down and quickly changed the topic, “Regardless of whether Hung Yuk Huen is Hung Yun Gak’s personal maid, it is probably true that she is a peak Martial Spirit. You might have heard this from Wun Fan, but his mentor is an alchemist of Grade Eight at the minimum. He should be able to sense her strength accurately. He was probably also the one who told Wun Fan.”
“Mm, that’s exactly why I’m concerned about this incident,” said Chan Chi Yuet as she moved her neck around and cracked it. She then cracked her knuckles as well.
Uncle Goh couldn’t help but point out, “You’re not just concerned because there’s a Martial Spirit in town. You’re concerned that Wun Fan is going to be forced into a marriage by that Martial Spirit, aren’t you?”
“So what if I am?” said Chan Chi Yuet boldly without any hint of embarrassment. She was completely honest with her intentions. So what if she did like an eleven-year-old boy?
No one could change her feelings!
Uncle Goh was surprised by how forthright Chan Chi Yuet was and was speechless for a moment. He then stuttered, “You…you had best be…a little careful. Rumors can be devastating.”
“I, Chan Chi Yuet, have never cared for what others say,” said Chan Chi Yuet calmly. She had always done what she wanted to do. Otherwise, she would never have been able to last so long in the Chan Clan, nor support the entire Green Sea Chan Clan on her shoulders.
This was an amazing feat, considering that she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl! That’s right, she was still a few days shy of her nineteenth birthday.
“Alright, alright, alright,” said Uncle Goh. He knew what Chan Chi Yuet was like and didn’t say anything else on the matter. Instead, he muttered to himself, “Whatever, I’ll just keep an eye out for this boy for you. Can’t let someone who can give you a kid— I meant someone who can do business for the Chan Clan slip you by.”
“Uncle Goh!” said Chan Chi Yuet as she blushed all the way to the tips of her ears. She couldn’t help but think of Wun Fan’s tiny frame. If they really…
“Okay, I just received new information. Hung Yun Zak has left his mansion with Hung Yu Fei and the Martial Spirit. They seem to be heading for the Wun Clan,” said Uncle Goh suddenly. The news shocked Chan Chi Yuet and shattered her composure.
“Why didn’t you say so earlier!” said Chan Chi Yuet. She hastily took out a bottle of pills from her storage ring. Uncle Goh laughed at her and said, “Really? Pills of Invigoration?”
“Uncle Goh, do we have time?” asked Chan Chi Yuet as she closed her eyes to recover her energy.
Uncle Goh knew why Chan Chi Yuet was asking this question. However, all he could see was a tough, determined girl’s facade falling away. He continued to tease her, “Oh my. I thought our Chi Yuet was always calm and composed.”
Chan Chi Yuet ignored him and swallowed a pill. She immediately recovered her strength and said, “Siu Ji, choose my outfit. Elegant and noble, light purple color palette.”
“Yes, mistress,” said Siu Ji.69Please respect copyright.PENANAtvIIa7T1De
There was no denying that the Wun Clan servants were extremely efficient. They had all the writing tools prepared in an instant, saving Wun Ching Yeung the trouble of making conversation while they waited. If he said the wrong thing, it might just reignite the conflict.
“It’s almost spring now, why don’t we use ‘spring’ as the theme?” said Wun Ching Yeung. He had a burst of inspiration when he saw the scenery outside his window.
“That’s brilliant! Spring is my favorite season, simply filled with life!” said Hung Yun Zak with a smile. Wun Fan heard this and felt nothing but irony.
“Hmph! I’ll go first!” said Hung Yu Fei as she volunteered to show off her talent. She picked up a brush and started writing. Her words were neat, round and tidy: When the spring wind blows, plum and orchids see not chrysanthemums and bamboo.
People of ancient times often said that one should see plums and orchids during spring and chrysanthemums during fall. It is best not to see bamboo at all.
That is why this is such a magnificent verse!
“Haha, excellent verse, Miss Hung! Plum, orchids, chrysanthemums and bamboo: the four noble flowers. Elegant, humble and refreshing.”
Siu Lan shrugged. She immediately stepped up and picked up her brush. Her movements flowed like water and soon, she was done writing: When the spring flowers bloom, words and poetry leave not instruments and paintings.
Poets often use spring flowers as themes and motifs in their works. Flowers bloom when they are happy and flowers wither when they are sad. On the other hand, artists often use fall flowers as subjects of their paintings and music. This was a brilliant verse as well!
“Calligraphy, poetry, song and art. The four pastimes. A contemplative and sincere verse. More importantly, it matches the previous word beat for beat. Impressive,” said Hung Yun Zak as he nodded, “Not bad. The girl might have a sharp tongue, but she does have some talent with words after all.”
Wun Fan felt inspired to write something as well. He looked around him and had an idea. He flashed a mischievous smile and picked up a brush. His words were ugly, like squiggling worms on the paper: When the spring verses match, ghost and demons meet with spirits and monsters!
The great elder smiled when he saw this and lost his composure. He slapped the table and laughed out loud, “Ghost, demons, spirits and monsters. Four villains, each with their own thoughts. Haha! Kid, only you are bold enough to make fun of all of us!”
Wun Ching Yeung and Hung Yun Zak looked at each other and smiled bitterly. They never expected to get mocked when they suggested writing verses. Hung Yun Zak quickly changed the topic and said, “Haha, I see that young people today have excellent literary talent. I suppose I’ll sit this one out then.”
“Right, why don’t you young people go ahead and show us your verses. I and the mayor will drink our tea and enjoy your performance,” said Wun Ching Yeung. He knew it was time for the both of them to step out of the spotlight. Hung Yun Zak was here to help Hung Yu Fei win Wun Fan’s heart, but there was no way he could force the issue if Wun Fan insisted, right?
After all, the fruit that is forcefully plucked is not sweet.
Although there was a lot of tension earlier, the truth is matters of romance came down to the two people involved. It was better not to intervene. Moreover, Hung Yun Zak could tell that Wun Siu Lan and Wun Fan had an unusually intimate relationship. It was best not to get involved in something messy like this.
Siu Lan heard this and immediately started writing on the paper. She licked her lips proudly as she showed what she wrote: Hung nests and chirping birds, faes in the heat of spring!
The verse was a double entendre. Remove a few words here and there, read between the lines and you could tell that Siu Lan was saying that Hung Yu Fei was in heat!
Wun Fan felt a headache coming on when he saw this. He rubbed his forehead as he thought to himself, I thought people said that harems were the best thing ever. Why is it such a headache to be fought over.
Hung Yu Fei might be a little clumsy at times, but she was not stupid. In fact, she was incredibly sharp when people were mean to her. She immediately saw through the hidden insult behind Siu Lan’s verse. She quickly picked up the brush opposite Siu Lan and wrote: Winter goes to die in spring, sealed lands bloom with life.
Go die, Siu Lan!69Please respect copyright.PENANAyBXRBahKUo