Chapter 1530 - 821: I'm Going Too

A night of blissful clouds and rain.

Chen Yi, for not giving her a birthday, said many things and was much more gentle. Yin Weiyin found it very comforting.

Thus, all the tangled mess of worries were quietly set aside, and the female crown no longer needed to silently chant the Supreme Forget Love Technique to maintain her rationality.

At that time, not a word was spoken, nor did he reveal anything, fearing that poking through would cause him to explode with anger and suppress his rage. He is someone who only responds to kindness, never force. Only with a carrot in one hand and a stick in the other can one achieve their goals with him. And there might be a chance that if not exposed, he would feel guilty; once exposed, he wouldn't even pretend, openly wanting to intertwine her with the East Palace.

During the moment he vanished throughout last night, Yin Weiyin even thought of the name for the child with Miss Donggong... necessary to be raised at her knee.

Fortunately, according to Chen Yi, nothing happened between them.

Yin Weiyin moved her body within the bedding, feeling sore and aching, she pouted, feeling exhausted for no reason.

Turning her eyes, Chen Yi was already off the bed. Yin Weiyin rose and dressed, tying her belt when the door lightly sounded. Chen Yi entered carrying a copper basin of hot water for washing, his steps soft.

He placed the copper basin on the stand, wrung the cloth in his hand, walked over and naturally wiped her face and the back of her neck, his actions meticulous. Yin Weiyin allowed him to handle her, her gaze falling on his profile.

"I'm going out today." His hand paused not, opening his mouth.

Yin Weiyin only made a sound of "Mm," casually asking, "Where to?"

"Golden Immortal Temple." Chen Yi replied, "Asked Iron Abacus yesterday, that place was abandoned a hundred years ago, but perhaps some traces can still be found at the old site."

"Oh."

After washing, taking a careful look, Chen Yi's hands paused slightly, placed the cloth back into the basin, and turned to tidy the outer robe he had casually draped over the chair back last night.

She was unconcerned about this.

Golden Immortal Temple, an abandoned Daoist temple site from a hundred years ago, indeed sounds unimportant.

But moments later, she suddenly thought of something, lifting her gaze to Chen Yi, asked:

"Are you... bringing Miss Donggong?"

Chen Yi, after tidying the outer robe, was tying his hair, and nodded in response without hesitation, "Of course bringing her."

Earlier beneath the Dragon King Temple, Donggong Ruoshu pointed out the hidden path, allowing him to meet Lu Ying. The Dragon King Temple has peach branches similar to Xuan Long Adept's methods; Lu Ying appeared there... it's all too coincidental. Since going to the potentially Xuan Long Adept-related Golden Immortal Temple site, bringing her might lead to other serendipitous discoveries or... meeting Lu Ying again.

Even without these, merely due to her overwhelmingly strong fortune, having her along would only make the journey smoother.

He did not notice the slight, imperceptible fixation in Yin Weiyin's gaze.

Yin Weiyin slightly pressed her lips together, the hidden worry pushed down by last night's warmth silently resurfaced, but she quickly suppressed it, her expression returning to normal, even calmer than before.

Faced with Chen Yi as he turned around, she clearly stated:

"I'm going too."

Chen Yi, organizing his cuffs, raised his head in surprise, "You're going too?"

"Mm." Yin Weiyin nodded, her expression calm as she explained, "Golden Immortal Temple is a thousand-year-old Daoist Temple, and involves figures like Xuan Long Adept. If there are any leftover arrays, talismans, or traces of cultivation, my understanding of the Taoist sects far surpasses yours by tenfold. I can see things you can't."

Indeed, her statement is true; regarding the history, sects, and magic of Taoism, Chen Yi indeed finds it difficult to match her.

Chen Yi was silent for a moment, then merely nodded slightly.

"Alright then."

The matter was thus decided.

After the three had breakfast, did a bit of tidying, they left the guest courtyard together.

The morning light was just breaking, and there were early risers, carriages and horses already in the streets outside the wall. Chen Yi walked in front, Yin Weiyin was half a step behind, while Donggong Ruoshu followed beside Chen Yi, holding a half piece of leftover morning pastry, nibbling as she walked, seemingly oblivious to any tension about the trip to the Golden Immortal Temple, her curiosity evident as she looked around.

They didn't ask Zhang Mansion to prepare carriages; Yin Weiyin had her own methods.

As they approached the side gate where their carriage was, a few intricately cut yellow papers silently slipped out from the female crown's sleeve, spiritual light flickered at her fingertips, quickly folding and transforming them.

The yellow paper fell to the ground and instantly grew, transforming into two imposing paper horses, their fur and flesh appearing genuine, snorting spiritedly.

Yin Weiyin and Donggong Ruoshu first boarded the carriage, where the space inside was expanded with talismans, making it quite spacious. The paper horse raised its head, silently ready to depart, waiting for Chen Yi to board before calling out the paper man as well.

Just as Chen Yi was about to board the carriage, a slightly urgent set of footsteps was heard from the direction of the side gate. He turned his head to see a housekeeper from Zhang Mansion leading someone quickly towards them. As he saw the person's face clearly, Chen Yi couldn't help but furrow his brows.

The visitor was dressed in a Confucian robe, with greying hair and beard. It was the old Confucian scholar he had seen in the study of the Han Prince Mansion, whom the Han King referred to as Wu Baha'er.

Not overseeing the prince's studies at the Han Prince Mansion, what's he doing running to Zhang Mansion early in the morning? Chen Yi wondered.

Wu Baha'er approached and first glanced at the peculiar paper carriage and paper horse, as well as the two women in it, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, though he quickly composed himself.

He cupped his hands towards Chen Yi in a standard bow and said, "Mr. Chen, what a coincidence, I was just looking for you."

Chen Yi returned the gesture and straightforwardly asked, "Mr. Wu, what brings you to me?"

His mind was focused on the Golden Immortal Temple, not wanting to engage in idle chatter.

"Having known each other for days yet without exchanging names, my name is Shiju, courtesy name Shufang, the third in my family,"

Wu Baha'er stroked his beard, a face usually troubled due to teaching the Han King, now appeared more solemn. He lowered his voice slightly:

"What you said yesterday at the Prince Mansion, although... hmm, unconventional, greatly impressed His Highness. Watching you, I see you're no ordinary magician but a knowledgeable and adaptable person."

Listening to this, Chen Yi wasn't sure what Wu Baha'er was hinting at.

"Thus, I've come boldly today to discuss the taste of horse meat with you."

"Taste of horse meat?" Upon hearing this, Chen Yi felt even more bewildered, instinctively repeating it.

Has this old Confucian come early in the morning just to discuss the taste of horse meat? What is the taste of horse meat?

His unmistakable confusion on his face evidently surprised Wu Baha'er as well. Just as Wu Baha'er was about to speak again, a cool and calm divine sense transmission suddenly echoed in Chen Yi's mind; it was the voice of Yin Weiyin from inside the carriage:

"'Do not eat horse liver, yet not unaware of taste.' This is a Han Dynasty anecdote, meaning carnivores don't need to taste horse liver to be knowledgeable of meat. It's a metaphor that understanding the fundamental principles is sufficient without probing into certain skewed, dangerous, or trivial branches. He's using the anecdote you mentioned yesterday to imply he wants to know about what you told Yu Wen Yuan regarding the Emperor."

Only then did Chen Yi come to a realization.

When scholars speak, it's truly one anecdote after another; without systematic study, it's truly incomprehensible. Wu Baha'er used this anecdote yesterday, hinting that he shouldn't delve too deeply into certain matters. Today, he arrives saying "discuss the taste of horse meat," using it as a pretext to explore matters concerning Yu Wen Yuan. This old fellow likely worries Chen Yi might mislead Yu Wen Yuan.

Chen Yi wasn't worried; after all, Yu Wen Yuan wasn't his disciple.

Moreover, with the Han King's cunning comparable to new triple schemes, Chen Yi found it difficult to succeed.

Understanding the underlying connections, Chen Yi felt an absurdity and dullness, especially as such matters never truly concerned him deeply.

Thus, he showed a somewhat uninterested expression and decisively shook his head.

"Mr. Wu, you are too kind." Chen Yi spoke in a flat tone, "I have no intention of delving into such matters. His Highness the Prince Han is ordained, possessing talents akin to Yao and Shun, alongside esteemed scholars like yourself providing guidance. Why should a mere man of the wild like me speak out?"

Saying this, he turned to board the carriage.

Wu Baha'er watched him, stunned, then displeased, with a flash of urgency in his heart.

The Han King's stubbornness and unruly temperament had long exhausted him, especially with Emperor Jianji's imminent return, pressing time. Only assuming this person sought high official rank with insistent flattery.

He took a step forward, his greying beard slightly moving with emotion, showing the stubbornness of a scholar:

"Although you have no interest, I do, and it's a pressing interest!"

His gaze burned into Chen Yi,

"Though His Highness's talents… are lacking, his status is noble, tied to the nation's foundations. The matter of teaching concerns not only His Highness but also a portion of stability for the land and regimes.

As you possess extraordinary talents valued by His Highness, you ought not to mislead Yu Wen Yuan.

Otherwise, our Da Jin's century-old Han laws will all go up in smoke."

Wu Shiju's face was solemn as if the nation's affairs were his sole burden, yet he witnessed that person not even turning back, leaving just a single phrase,

"That's fine."