Chapter 86 - 77: To Stay or to Go (Part 2)

"Thank you, Master Ye. I’ll remember this."

Chen Cheng cupped his fist but said nothing more.

’All I need to do is form a Fourth Pillar of Blood Qi, and I’ll be able to generate Dark Force.’

’As for being the so-called number one expert beneath the level of Dark Force, whoever wants that title is welcome to it.’

’He couldn’t care less about securing a place in the Outer City... The South Outer City was currently a mess, all thanks to the remnants of the Red Moon Nunnery. If he got the chance, he was definitely moving to the Inner City.’

’In this world, safety and security are more important than anything else!’

...

「The Outer Hall.」

Shen Chongnian’s eyes flew wide open, his body trembling with excitement. A sharp glint flashed in their depths.

"Xiaowu, are you sure? That... that Chen Honored Elder, is he really in the Inner Hall?"

"It’s absolutely true!"

Shen Mi, who had just returned from making inquiries at the General Affairs Room, could barely contain her excitement. Her cheeks were flushed from her hurried return.

"A disciple from the General Affairs Room in charge of supplies just passed on the news. Chen Cheng, our Chen Honored Elder, was rated Three A+! He’s only the second Inner Hall Golden Plaque disciple to achieve this in the past ten years!"

"A Golden Plaque? Three A+’s? Wonderful! Wonderful! This is wonderful!"

Shen Chongnian was overjoyed, looking at Shen Mi with an expression of unprecedented approval and eagerness.

"Xiaowu! Recruiting a talent like Chen Honored Elder... you’ve done our third branch a tremendous service!"

"Fifth Sister, your eye for talent is incredible!"

Shen Xingwen chimed in eagerly.

"I’m willing to offer a monthly allowance of seven taels to have Chen Honored Elder take an honorary position at my fur business! Fifth Sister, you have to put in a good word for your brother!"

"Third Cousin, seven taels was Chen Honored Elder’s rate when he was still a Silver Token disciple in the Outer Hall."

Shen Mi smiled.

"Now he’s a Golden Plaque disciple with Three Pillars of Blood Qi, not to mention his record of Three A+’s from the Inner Hall. A mere seven-tael monthly allowance... I couldn’t possibly bring that up."

The smile on Shen Xingwen’s face froze. He rubbed his fingers together awkwardly, realizing he wouldn’t be getting that bargain.

"Fifth Sister,"

Shen Xingguo, on the other side, was quicker on the uptake and hurriedly spoke, offering a serious proposal.

"You met Chen Honored Elder before he rose to prominence, so your bond is special. Why don’t you be the one to negotiate with him? Ask him to become a Tributor for our entire third branch of the Shen Family, not just for the Yongsheng Store."

"Our families can pool our resources and give him a set amount... say, fifty taels of silver per month. What do you think?"

"Hmm, Eldest Cousin’s proposal... that might work."

Shen Mi pondered for a moment.

"However... whether or not it’ll work out, I’ll have to discuss it with Chen Honored Elder first. If he doesn’t agree, I can’t force him."

"Xiaowu! At a time like this, you have to step up!"

Shen Chongnian’s expression turned grim as he spoke in a deep voice.

"Chen Honored Elder has limitless potential! This could be our third branch’s chance to stage a comeback and return to the Inner City! We must seize this opportunity, no matter what! You... you have to find a way! Secure him at any cost!"

"Uncle..."

Shen Mi said, her fine brows knitting together slightly.

"We’re all family, so let’s be frank. Just give me the bottom line, sir. What’s the absolute maximum monthly allowance the third branch can offer combined? Once I have that number, I’ll have a better position to negotiate."

"This..."

Shen Chongnian’s face showed a hint of struggle and deliberation. After a few moments of silence, he lowered his voice and said.

"Our third branch is truly in a difficult position right now, as you well know... Seventy taels of silver a month, plus supplementary cultivation resources worth at least thirty taels of silver... We can’t go any higher..."

"I understand."

Shen Mi nodded. She was well aware of the third branch’s recent situation, and this price was indeed a show of their utmost sincerity.

"Uncle, I will do my best to negotiate. But I’m afraid nobles from the Inner City will be trying to recruit Chen Honored Elder... I really can’t guarantee what the final outcome will be."

"Mm, just do your best."

Shen Chongnian sighed. His earlier excitement had faded, and his aged face was now a mixture of hope and anxiety.

He knew all too well. They couldn’t even win over Lin Fengxiao, who was just starting to make a name for himself. Their chances of recruiting Chen Cheng were even more remote.

Shen Xingguo and Shen Xingwen exchanged a look, their faces filled with the same helplessness and anxious uncertainty.

Now, all their hopes rested solely on Shen Mi.

This Fifth Sister, whom they had often overlooked, had now become the very pillar they all had to rely on.

"Uncle, the other guests are already starting to leave..."

Shen Mi said, glancing around.

"Chen Honored Elder might not come out right away. Why don’t we head back first? I can arrange to meet him alone another day."

"No! Let’s wait! We’ll wait a little longer!"

Shen Chongnian shook his head, his eyes fixed on the small, red-lacquered door of the Inner Hall.

"If Chen Honored Elder does come out, at least he’ll be able to see our third branch’s sincerity... Wait! Everyone stand up and wait! Look sharp! Don’t embarrass us!"

...

「Meanwhile.」

Song Yingzhi had already learned of Chen Cheng’s performance in the Inner Hall from Fatty Fang. In order to wait for him, she hadn’t even gone to recruit Lin Fengxiao—though this was also partly because she was afraid Chen Cheng might misunderstand.

"Young Master, we’ve been waiting for so long..."

Yue’Er said, standing on her tiptoes and staring hopefully at the tightly shut door of the Inner Hall.

"Why don’t you go in and ask that young gentleman to come out? We can’t have my lady just standing out here, can we? It’s freezing!"

"..."

Fatty Fang gave a wry smile.

"That door to the Inner Hall isn’t one that just anyone can walk through... If this isn’t working, you should head back first. I’ll arrange to meet him alone another day."

"No, we’ll wait."

Song Yingzhi pulled her snow-white fox-fur cloak tighter, her composure unshaken.

"We agreed to meet today. If I leave without so much as a word, wouldn’t I be breaking my promise?"

"Master! The Master is coming out!"

Yue’Er suddenly raised her hand and pointed at the red-lacquered door. Song Yingzhi and Fatty Fang saw him too, of course.

Song Che walked over and asked in a level voice, "Are you waiting for Chen Cheng?"

"Uncle, you already know?"

Fatty Fang stepped forward with a nervous laugh, his demeanor visibly shrinking as he betrayed a guilty conscience.

The day before yesterday, Fatty Fang had deliberately picked a time when Song Che wasn’t home to tell Song Yingzhi about Chen Cheng.

Song Yingzhi, not wanting her parents to meddle in her marital affairs, certainly hadn’t told her father.

Who would have thought that Song Che would find out anyway.

Song Yingzhi shot Yue’Er a glare, and the young maid quickly lowered her head, avoiding her mistress’s gaze.

"You think you’re clever enough to hide things from me?"

Song Che said irritably.

"That Chen Cheng is a loyal one, I’ll give him that. After getting Three A+’s, Old Ye asked him what reward he wanted, and without a moment’s hesitation, he asked to have you transferred back to the Inner Hall."

"Oh?"

Fatty Fang’s eyes lit up when he heard this.

"Heh! I knew it from the start. That Chen Cheng is definitely someone worth getting close to!"

Hearing this, the look of anticipation in Song Yingzhi’s bright, beautiful eyes intensified.

But then, Song Che’s tone shifted. "But that kid has a lowest-grade Root Bone. You’re not unaware of that, are you?"

"I..."

Fatty Fang froze.

"I know... but..."

"If you know, how dare you try to set him up with Yingzhi?"

Song Che cut off any explanation, retorting coldly.

"Is the pearl of the Song Family so unmarriageable? Or have I, an Imperial Guard Official, fallen from power? That we should have to stoop so low to associate with his kind?"

"Father, are you certain about this?"

Song Yingzhi’s brows furrowed tightly, her face turning pale.

"Would I lie about something like this? Just look at Marquis Fang Wenhao’s expression and you’ll know."

Song Che said grimly.

"That Chen Cheng certainly has many strengths, but he has one flaw great enough to overshadow and nullify all of them!"

"Putting everything else aside, in his entire life, he’ll never even meet the minimum requirement to participate in the Martial Selection!"

Song Che looked at his daughter seriously, his tone becoming calm.

"I won’t force you. Think it over carefully... a man like that, could you truly see a future with him?"

"I..."

Song Yingzhi was at a loss for words, as if a bucket of ice water had been dumped over her head.

The light in her eyes quickly faded. She bit her lip gently.

"Cousin, let’s... just drop this matter. We’ll be leaving now."

"Al... alright. Take care."

Fatty Fang sighed, watching them walk out of the Middle Courtyard’s main gate.

「A moment later.」

The small, red-lacquered door to the Inner Hall opened once more, and a wave of fervent congratulations immediately erupted from the crowd.

"It’s Senior Brother Chen! Congratulations, Senior Brother Chen! Congratulations..."

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