Li Jin is dull

 Chapter 10

Earlier, after He Yunxiao helped Jiang Wuyou by massaging her shoulders, he was discovered by Yang Qi. Because of his sharp senses, Yang Qi immediately sent Qian Yuan to invite Li Jin, the son of the Minister of Rites.

The Matter Involved the Chancellor and the Eldest Princess, Qian Yuan dared not delay and hurried to the Li Mansion.*

[T/N- Qian Yuan Yang Qi Li Jin every one here is belongs ministry of rites it means they are in the Eldest Princess faction and He yunxiao father is in the chancellor/prime minister faction so his scandals will greatly benefit Eldest Princess]

At that moment, Li Jin was studying in his study.

On his left were famous works by great scholars, on his right were poems from various schools, and in the middle lay the laws of the Great Qi Dynasty.

He was secretly playing Go*[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_(game)] under the books.

Knock, knock, knock.

"Young Master!"

Li Jin was so frightened that his hands shook and several chess pieces were messed up. He didn't even bother to put them back in place. He quickly covered the chessboard with a book and pretended to be calm and said, "Who is it? I'm studying!"

"It's me, Qian Yuan!"

"Oh, Brother Qian Yuan!"

Li Jin smiled broadly and got up to open the door.

"Ah, it's Brother Qian. I thought it was my father."

If He Yunxiao heard this, he would definitely tease Li Jin. But Qian Yuan, being a retainer, didn't dare think in such a way.

Li Jin invited Qian Yuan inside, proudly revealing the Go board hidden under the book.

"How about a game?"

Qian Yuan had no such interest.

"Young Master, it's about He Yunxiao!"

"Oh, that handsome guy."

"He Yunxiao and Jiang Wuyou!"

"Jiang Wuyou? Oh, the dancer."

Seeing that Qian Yuan wasn't interested in playing Go, Li Jin sat back down and resumed his game.

"Young Master, He Yunxiao actually humbled himself to massage Jiang Wuyou's shoulders."

"Ah?" Li Jin was surprised for a moment, then nonchalantly said, "That's typical of He Yunxiao. It'd be strange if he massaged a man."

"Young Master, Yang Qi told me that there's unrest in the court. The Eldest Princess and Chancellor Han are fiercely fighting. This is an opportunity!"

Li Jin looked puzzled, "My aunt and Chancellor Han? What opportunity?"

"An opportunity to suppress Chancellor Han!"

"How?"

"He Yunxiao's father, He Yuanhao, is our dynasty's great general. If the Eldest Princess can seize the opportunity of He Yunxiao's mistake to weaken He Yuanhao's position in the military or his ties with Chancellor Han, it could significantly reduce the Chancellor's influence in the army."

Li Jin stroked his chin and confidently said, "You make a good point."

Qian Yuan pressed on, continuing to paint the big picture.

"Catching He Yunxiao's mistake is a great merit! Everyone at Spring Breeze Tower saw what He Yunxiao did, and Brother Yang Qi and Brother Shen Kuan were there as well. Witnesses are no issue. If you go to Spring Breeze Tower to confront He Yunxiao, the merit of upholding justice and suppressing evil, as well as undermining the Chancellor, will be yours."

Li Jin slapped his thigh, "My father and aunt always think I'm stupid. With such a great merit before me, I'd be a fool not to seize it!"

"Let's go!" Li Jin immediately urged, then took out a token and said, "Brother Qian, take this token to Commander Yang of the Imperial Guards."

"Commander Yang?"

"Yang Zhe! He's my aunt's trusted aide and usually looks down on me. Tell him to come to Spring Breeze Tower and witness my righteous act!"

...

Jiang Wuyou naturally opposed He Yunxiao fighting Chu Fan.

A seventh-rank fighting a ninth-rank and giving three moves' advantage?

Chu Fan could easily knock He Yunxiao down with one serious move.

But He Yunxiao couldn't let the kind Sister Jiang ruin his plan, so he coaxed her, "Sister, don't worry. I already have eighth-rank strength. Fighting a few moves with Chu Fan is no problem."

Jiang Wuyou still worried, held onto He Yunxiao's sleeve, and escorted him to the stairs leading down from the martial arts platform.

Seeing Jiang Wuyou like a worried wife, He Yunxiao felt helpless.

He couldn't reveal his collusion with Chu Xiaoxiao, so he had to persuade her.

"Don't worry, Sister. I'll be right back."

Jiang Wuyou, no longer stern as usual, softly said, "If you can't win, just surrender. If you act tough, I won't forgive you."

Watching He Yunxiao go downstairs, Jiang Wuyou whispered to the warrior Ya hu next to her, "He Yuanhao's son is very important to our Yan Kingdom. Even if you have to reveal your true strength, you must ensure his safety."

Ya Hu looked puzzled at He Yunxiao, thinking: This spoiled young master, even He Yuanhao might not want him. How could he be important to our Yan Kingdom?

But his excellent qualities as a secret agent kept him from questioning his superior's decision.

Executing the mission perfectly was his duty.

"I understand."

He Yunxiao went downstairs and walked straight to Chu Fan's table.

Chu Fan's area was originally secluded, but after he displayed his martial arts talent, a crowd surrounded him, trying to engage in conversation.

Chu Fan, naturally introverted, was the opposite of the socially adept He Yunxiao.

But Yang Qi and others kept the conversation lively, making the scene quite harmonious.

He Yunxiao noticed Chu Xiaoxiao still maintaining her cute sister persona, quietly sitting beside Chu Fan, eyes shining as she watched him.

However, only He Yunxiao noticed her right hand half-hidden in her sleeve, covering the fresh bite mark on her palm.

Seeing her docile appearance, He Yunxiao silently sighed in his heart , as he imagined the author of "Girl, I Just Want to Cultivate."

A well-behaved girl in public, a demoness in private.

Damn, how could someone come up with such a Yandere character? What had the author experienced?

As He Yunxiao approached, the lively conversation ceased.

Chu Fan stared at He Yunxiao, Chu Xiaoxiao looked nervously at Chu Fan, and He Yunxiao casually glanced at everyone present.

Recalling the original owner's memories, he could recognize only a few people.

The slender, sharp-nosed one was seventh-rank* official Yang Qi. The round, squint-eyed one was Shen Kuan, son of the Yanjing Prefect. The one with a fan in hand despite the cool weather was Liu Feiyun, young master of the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

[T/N- not strength but officer pay-grade ranking in Qi Kingdom Court, like a imperial guard is 6-4 rank , a governer would be 3rd rank like this]

The scholarly yet muscular one, looking like a cultured brute, was Tie Weiqi, deputy leader of the Yanjing Iron Eagle Gang. The thin man was Yan Cong, a retainer of Prince Qi.]

These people were among the talented youths of Yanjing, unrelated to the likes of He Yunxiao.

< /p>

Seeing He Yunxiao's nonchalant approach, each had their own thoughts.

They were all trying to curry favor with Chu Fan, the rising star of Great Qi's martial world, hoping to show off their abilities.

With a ninth-rank martial skill, he could easily secure a sixth-rank position as an imperial guard instructor.

Although sixth-rank instructor wasn't worth currying favor with, but Chu Fan's youth and talent made him a near-certain grandmaster in the future.

A grandmaster could become a fourth-rank Imperial Guard Commander, in charge of palace security.

Although a fourth-rank position, it was also a close advisor to the Emperor, Eldest Princess, and Empress Dowager.

A few words could make or break someone's career.

That's the power of a close advisor.

If he thought of not pursuing an official career, with grandmaster strength, he could easily establish a sect, making today's goodwill a strong future alliance.

Prefect's Shen Kuan, seeing He Yunxiao approach, gritted his teeth, intending to resolve this for Chu Fan. He greeted the marquis' son with a smile, "Brother He, there must have been some misunderstanding between you and Miss Chu earlier. Why not let it go for my sake? Let's toast and forget it ever happened."

He Yunxiao frowned, "Who are you?"

Shen Kuan, knowing He Yunxiao's arrogance and disregard for others, continued, "I'm Shen Kuan. My father, Shen Kaiyun, is the governor of Yinjing Prefecture."

He Yunxiao arrogantly asked, "What rank is for a Governer?"

"Third-rank."

"Not interested. Move aside, I have business with Chu Fan."

Shen Kuan didn't want to yield. Normally, he wouldn't confront He Yunxiao, but now, to curry favor with Chu Fan and with support from Yang Qi and others, he decided to stand firm.

"Brother He, you were wrong to insult Miss Chu earlier. Now that Brother Chu doesn't want to pursue it, let's drop the matter."

He Yunxiao laughed.

"You knew I was wrong but didn't stop me? Now that Chu Fan's talent and prospects are clear, you stand up for Miss Chu?"

He Yunxiao ignored Shen Kuan's livid face, pushed him aside, and approached Chu Fan.

Loudly, he said, "Chu Fan, listen carefully. I, He Yunxiao, came here this time to apologize to Chu Ch-Miss Chu!"

Damn, almost slipped. Thankfully, I'm quick-witted.

Everyone was stunned, even the two dueling on the martial stage paused to look over.

They all had one question.

How can someone apologize so arrogantly?