“Brother Qian, we have known each other for decades. I suggest we finalize the wedding date today.”
Guan Lin leaned slightly, looking at Qian Cheng with a face full of smiles.
“Alas, Brother Guan, it mainly depends on the wishes of the children.”
“Qian Ge, what do you and the Second Young Master think?”
Qian Cheng turned his head to look at Qian Ge and Guan Bu, who were sitting next to each other.
“Father, according to Guan Bu and my thoughts, we want to get married immediately after Guan Bu wins the Young City Lord Contest.”
Upon hearing this, Second Madam smiled happily: “Good, good, Qian Ge, I like hearing you say that, Auntie.”
“Qian Ge, it is too early to discuss the Young City Lord matter. Be mindful of your words.”
Although Qian Cheng reprimanded her verbally, a smug look still remained on his face.
Guan Lin glanced at Guan Xun and Guan Yi, then spoke with some helplessness: “Fine, once the Young City Lord Contest is over, you two shall marry.”
Guan Xun looked up and glanced at Guan Yi upon hearing this. He saw the corner of Guan Yi’s lips twitch slightly, and Guan Yi remained silent.
The laughter and joy in the main hall seemed to have nothing to do with Guan Yi. Guan Yi had not spoken a word since entering.
After eating and drinking his fill, Guan Yi stood up to leave, but Guan Lin frowned slightly.
“Guan Yi, Uncle Qian Cheng is still here. Where are you going?”
Guan Yi said faintly: “The date is set anyway. If there’s nothing for me to do, I’ll go attend to my business first.”
“Hmph, what business is there to attend to? Isn't it just going to the Drunken Dream Pavilion to listen to music.”
As Guan Yi passed by Guan Bu, Guan Bu said somewhat mockingly.
He merely smiled faintly, showing no other reaction.
After Guan Yi left the main hall, Guan Lin quickly explained to Qian Cheng: “The child doesn't know the rules. I will educate him properly when he returns.”
Qian Cheng shook his head and chuckled lightly: “The Little Young Master is still young, it’s fine, it’s fine.”
Qian Ge, who was beside Guan Bu, tightly gripped her wine cup, secretly cursing in her heart: “Stop acting so aloof. Once Guan Bu takes the position of Young City Lord, we’ll see how you fare.”
At this moment, Chu Canyuan was immersed in a world of quiet delicacies, experiencing a unique feast for the taste buds.
“The Little Young Master’s arrangements are truly thoughtful. I don't need to spend any money on food, clothing, or lodging at the Drunken Dream Pavilion for these past two months.”
With a ‘bang,’ the door to Chu Canyuan’s room was kicked open by Guan Yi.
Seeing this, Chu Canyuan was slightly puzzled. He stood up, closed the door, and then spoke.
“I heard from the people at the Drunken Dream Pavilion about this matter. I don't know how to comfort you.”
“As for why you, Little Young Master, do not wish for the Second Young Master to win the Young City Lord Contest, it isn't entirely because of Miss Qian Ge, is it?”
Guan Yi lay tiredly on the bed. His lips did not move, yet a voice entered Chu Canyuan’s ears.
“Since you already understand my relationship with Miss Qian Ge, you must have also heard about my Mother and the other Madams, right?”
Chu Canyuan froze in place upon hearing this, greatly shocked internally: “Sound Transmission!?”
“Yes. I should have realized it earlier. If he can see my karma, he is certainly not an ordinary person.”
Guan Yi was not surprised by Chu Canyuan’s reaction.
“It was Second Madam who poisoned my Mother and me.”
Chu Canyuan was first startled, then transmitted his voice: “Why didn't you tell the City Lord?”
“Even if I told them, who would believe me? Without concrete evidence, they would only think it was the ravings and malicious revenge following the grief of losing my mother.”
Chu Canyuan transmitted his voice in confusion: “Then how did you discover it?”
“I once saw an unfamiliar incense in my Mother’s room, but I was young then and just assumed it was something Mother bought recently to aid sleep.”
“But after this incense was placed in my room by Second Madam and Second Brother, my body also became increasingly frail, which made me suspect this item.”
“Unfortunately, Second Brother seems to have noticed something and hasn't placed this incense in my room again. Because of this, I cannot produce actual evidence.”
“I can only look for another opportunity…”
Chu Canyuan sat beside Guan Yi and tentatively asked: “Incense? Capable of deceiving all of you… Could it be God Devouring Incense?”
Guan Yi asked, confused: “God Devouring Incense?”
Chu Canyuan nodded and replied: “God Devouring Incense looks no different from normal incense.”
“When burned, it only emits a faint bamboo fragrance, but it can slowly erode the Divine Soul of the person inhaling it until the body can no longer sustain it, ultimately leading to death.”
“Even after burning completely, the God Devouring Incense leaves no residue or any trace.”
Guan Yi was shocked: “There is such an evil thing?”
“But…”
Chu Canyuan was puzzled.
“But this item is produced by the Poison Demon Sect. How could Second Madam and the Second Young Master possess it?”
Guan Yi sat up abruptly upon hearing this: “Poison Demon Sect? Are you sure?”
Seeing Chu Canyuan nod firmly, Guan Yi became somewhat lost.
“How could it be related to the Poison Demon Sect… Could it be…”
“If that is truly the case, I am even less likely to let Guan Bu take the position of Young City Lord.”
Chu Canyuan looked at Guan Yi with some sympathy.
“Why tell me all this? You trust me so much?”
Guan Yi paused slightly. This time, he did not use Sound Transmission, and his voice carried a hint of a smile as he said: “I trust you!”
In the garden of the City Lord's Mansion, amidst lush flowers and winding paths, Guan Bu and Qian Ge stood together. The servants all covered their mouths to stifle their laughter upon seeing them.
“Second Young Master and Miss Qian Ge are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple.”
“Yes, yes. Although Miss Qian Ge is slightly younger than the Second Young Master, her cultivation talent is not lacking at all.”
“Hurry up and go, hurry up, don't let the Second Young Master hear us.”
“Elder Brother Guan Bu! Look at Guan Yi’s attitude tonight. He doesn't take you seriously at all.”
Qian Ge clung to Guan Bu’s arm and acted spoiled.
“Elder Brother Guan Bu, do you want to teach him a lesson? If Father and Mother can’t discipline him, let us teach him a good lesson.”
Upon hearing this, Guan Bu struck Qian Ge’s tender, fair face with his palm.
“Are you speaking ill of my father?”
Qian Ge hurriedly waved her hands to explain: “That’s not it, Elder Brother Guan Bu. It must be that Guan Yi is ill-intentioned and undisciplined…”
Guan Bu did not wait for Qian Ge to finish explaining and immediately gripped her neck.
“I will settle the score with him tonight. You don't need to order me around.”
“Also, you are nothing more than a second-hand item. Do what you are supposed to do, and marry me obediently after I secure the position of Young City Lord. Don't meddle in other matters.”
With that, Guan Bu dusted off his lapels and turned to leave, leaving Qian Ge alone in the garden.
Qian Ge stared fiercely at the departing Guan Bu, muttering curses under her breath.
“You actually believed a few sweet words. I want to see what you have to fight those two brothers with.”
“If you lose the Young City Lord Contest, I will repay the pain I suffered a hundredfold.”
Meanwhile, Chu Canyuan had already been forcefully dragged by Guan Yi to listen to music.
“It’s a pity that the Courtesan Queen Zhi Yu is unwell and unable to appear, but the dancing and zither skills of Xiang Xue and Yuan Ying are also exceptional.”
“When there is a chance in the future, I will definitely let you listen to the music played by Miss Zhi Yu.”
Guan Yi still held the Glazed Bottle containing Snow Cliff Dew, as if he could never finish drinking it.
“Little Young Master, please enjoy yourself slowly. I feel a bit sleepy and will take my leave first.”
Guan Yi waved his hand upon hearing this, and Chu Canyuan got up and headed toward his room.
Just as he reached the door of his room, a figure happened to pass by, and the faint, elegant orchid fragrance emanating from them made Chu Canyuan turn his head curiously to look.