Chapter 209: Ripples in the Dark

"It's been so long, and you haven't cleaned up yet?"

Su Yi's slightly dissatisfied voice came from outside the building.

Tea Jin's expression froze, and she hastily walked out.

When she saw Su Yi lying in the rattan chair, she inexplicably felt a bit shy and embarrassed. She leaned against her hairpin and said, "Young Master, about last night..."

Su Yi glanced at her and said, "Go buy breakfast."

Tea Jin: "..."

Her embarrassment, shyness, and joy suddenly vanished. She felt a vein pulsing on her forehead. So this guy has been thinking about having her buy breakfast all this time!

"Okay."

She nodded and turned to leave.

Su Yi paused, suddenly noticing that Tea Jin seemed a bit awkward in her movements, like a clumsy duck.

Immediately, Su Yi couldn't help but burst into laughter, full of teasing and mirth.

Tea Jin heard the laughter, first stunned, then realized what was going on. She blushed and covered her face, embarrassed, and walked away.

...

Gunzhou City, Yu Family residence.

Early in the morning, the governor, Xiang Tianqiu, personally paid a visit.

"I heard that you and the Sixth Prince have fallen out?" Xiang Tianqiu got straight to the point as he sat in the grand hall.

Yu Baiting smiled and said, "Indeed, isn't that what you wanted to see, Brother Xiang?"

Xiang Tianqiu couldn't help but burst into hearty laughter and said, "Well, would Brother Yu be willing to join the Second Prince's camp then?"

Yu Baiting picked up the teacup and took a sip, sighing lightly. "To be honest, Brother Xiang, I am currently focused on how to deal with Su Yi. I haven't considered other matters for the time being."

Xiang Tianqiu pondered for a moment and said, "I once said that if the Sixth Prince doesn't deal with that little brat, I won't agree either!"

Yu Baiting sighed and said seriously, "Brother Xiang, Su Yi is not as simple as you imagine. From what I can see, it's better for you not to get involved in this matter."

Xiang Tianqiu was taken aback for a moment and smiled, "Brother Yu, you don't need to provoke me. Since I dared to say that, I naturally won't go back on my word. Besides, that Su Yi is just a young boy. Even if he's powerful, how could he possibly contend with us old fellows?"

Yu Baiting's expression turned serious. "Brother Xiang, I'm not underestimating you. It's just that Su Yi may not be an ordinary person despite his young age."

Saying that, he revealed the incident of Su Yi killing "Old Wen."

After hearing this, Xiang Tianqiu's expression changed repeatedly.

Old Wen was one of Yu Baiting's most trusted subordinates, a Martial Grandmaster in the Second Stage. Yet, he was killed by Su Yi!

This was completely beyond Xiang Tianqiu's expectations.

After a while, he pointed at Yu Baiting and laughed, "You old fellow! You chose the perfect time to tell me this news. Now I don't even have time to regret it."

Yu Baiting couldn't help but laugh and said, "In my opinion, Lord Xiang is not someone who regrets, nor will he be scared by this Su Yi."

Pausing for a moment, he solemnly said, "Let me put it this way. It's precisely because this young man is so capable that the Sixth Prince regards him as a confidant. If Lord Xiang is willing to help get rid of this kid, I, Yu Baiting, will lend a hand at the Tea Gathering in eight days to assist Lord Xiang!"

Xiang Tianqiu's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "Good! I don't believe that there's anything we can't resolve on the ground of Gunzhou City!"

Yu Baiting changed the topic and asked leisurely, "Lord Xiang, from what I know, the Sixth Prince is very confident about the Tea Gathering. How are your preparations going?"

Xiang Tianqiu revealed a confident smile and said, "Let's put it this way, even if there are some variables during the Tea Gathering, the Sixth Prince is destined to have no way out!"

"Oh?"

Yu Baiting pondered and said thoughtfully, "It seems that Lord Xiang has some hidden cards that I don't know about."

Xiang Tianqiu laughed heartily and said, "Only with enough hidden cards can we adapt to any situation. This Tea Gathering involves the selection of the new governor and the power struggle between the Second Prince and the Sixth Prince. I won't dare to be careless."

After speaking, he stood up and took his leave.

After personally seeing Xiang Tianqiu off, Yu Baiting returned alone and sat there lost in thought.

The Tea Gathering would determine the selection of the new governor.

Currently, among the top five influential families in Gunzhou City, the Zhao family, the Bai family, the Yu family, and the current governor, Xiang Tianqiu, had all chosen to stand with the Second Prince.

The Zheng family and the Xue family sided with the Sixth Prince.

The neutral Chi Lin Army's Yun Guanghou, Shen Jiushong, would not involve himself in the conflict between the Second Prince and the Sixth Prince.

In terms of the overt power balance, the Sixth Prince was already at a disadvantage.

But Yu Baiting knew that the Sixth Prince must have other hidden cards.

The only thing that puzzled him was the hidden cards in Xiang Tianqiu's hands. He dared to reveal such a confident attitude.

Yu Baiting whispered, "When the Tea Gathering begins, perhaps everything will become clear."

...

Governor's residence.

After returning, Xiang Tianqiu also fell into contemplation.

"Su Yi... Why does this name sound familiar..."

Xiang Tianqiu suddenly remembered the girl named Wen Lingzhao whom his son liked. She seemed to have married a young man named Su Yi.

"Is Ming'er at home?"

Xiang Tianqiu asked.

An old servant whispered, "Young Master hasn't returned since he went back to Tianyuan Academy the day before yesterday."

Xiang Tianqiu nodded and said, "Tell me, if you were the Sixth Prince, would you give up the support of the Yu family for the sake of a young boy?"

The old servant was taken aback and said, "That would depend on whether it's worth it."

Xiang Tianqiu said, "This young man is named Su Yi, and he possesses the strength to kill Martial Masters at the second rank. His potential is bound to be terrifying."

The old servant pondered and said, "If it's merely his personal strength, it's destined to be less important than the support of the Yu family. If I were the Sixth Prince, I might be willing to sacrifice this Su Yi to gain the support of the Yu family."

Xiang Tianqiu nodded and said, "I also think so, but it's strange that the Sixth Prince would rather give up the support of the Yu family to protect this Su Yi. It's out of the ordinary."

The old servant whispered, "My lord, this young man's surname is Su. Could he have any connection with the Su family in Yujing City?"

Xiang Tianqiu's pupils suddenly contracted, and he sat upright with a grave expression. He said, "If this Su Yi is indeed from the Su family... that would be troublesome..."

The Su family in Yujing City!

They were a towering force standing at the pinnacle of the entire Da Zhou Dynasty, capable of influencing the entire Da Zhou world!

Their terrifying background was beyond imagination.

"My lord, I remember that the head of the Su family promised the current Emperor Zhou twenty years ago not to involve themselves in the struggle for the throne. They have kept their word all these twenty years and have never taken sides to support any prince."

The old servant spoke in a low voice, "In my opinion, if this Su Yi is truly a scion of the Su family, how could he choose to serve under the Sixth Prince?"

Xiang Tianqiu's gaze flickered, and he said, "The Su family is vast, with thousands of members of the clan. The forces attached to their banner are spread throughout the territory of Da Zhou."

"Among the Nine Kings from outside the imperial family, the Su family holds three positions."

"Among the Eighteen Feudal Lords from outside the imperial family, the Su family holds five positions."

"A clan of such power can wield enough influence to affect the entire situation in Da Zhou!"

At this point, Xiang Tianqiu's eyes burned, and he continued, "But this doesn't mean that there won't be some brainless fools in the Su family. What if this Su Yi is truly a scion of the Su family?"

After a moment of silence, the old servant said, "My lord, shall I personally investigate the background of this young man?"

"No, a few days ago, the eccentric person by Yu Baiting's side, Wen Laoguai, tried to find out the details of this young man and ended up dead. I don't want to see you meet the same fate."

Xiang Tianqiu thought for a moment and made a decision, "Forget it, I will personally write a letter to inform the Second Prince, and he can send someone to investigate the Su family. Then the truth will be revealed."

...

After having breakfast bought by Cha Jin, Su Yi spent his time as usual, immersed in cultivation.

It seemed that after the events of last night, there was no change in him whatsoever.

At first, Cha Jin still felt a bit embarrassed and uneasy, but seeing Su Yi acting as if nothing had happened, she felt a sense of relief mixed with a hint of disappointment.

Does this guy really think that nothing happened last night?

Or maybe he simply doesn't care about me?

Cha Jin spent the whole day pondering over these annoying questions, feeling restless and absent-minded.

Until nightfall.

Cha Jin suddenly realized a question.

What would it be like if today's Su Yi suddenly started showing concern and tenderness towards her?

"That would be no different from seeing a ghost!"

After a moment, Cha Jin came to the conclusion, finding it both funny and helpless. Su Yi was lazy and proud, how could he possibly change his ways to please a girl?

Yesterday, when she cried so much, Su Yi remained indifferent and unwilling to reconcile. It was evident that he was not the kind of person who would say cheesy sweet words.

"If he were to suddenly become a smooth-talker, it would actually be disappointing... It's better that he stays proud and impolite because that's when he seems more genuine. This way, at least I don't have to worry about him turning into a man full of lies and hypocrisy..."

With such thoughts, Cha Jin felt relieved in her heart.

After dinner,

Cha Jin prepared the bathwater and fresh clothes for Su Yi and was about to leave when she heard him casually say, "Come to my room later."

Cha Jin's beautiful face immediately turned red, her crystal-clear ears heating up. She became flustered and stammered, "Master, I... I haven't recovered yet..."

Su Yi glanced at her with annoyance. "What are you thinking? Do you really think you can understand the secrets of the Mixed Abyss Nine Profound Scripture on your own?"

"Uh..."

Cha Jin was taken aback and dumbfounded. She hesitated and said, "Is the master planning to guide me in cultivation?"

Su Yi replied, "What do you think?"

Cha Jin felt extremely embarrassed and wished she could find a hole to hide in.

Until Su Yi finished bathing and grooming himself, Cha Jin gently knocked on the door and entered his room.

"Come here."

Su Yi lazily lay on the bed, "Take out the first page of the Upper Volume of the Mixed Abyss Nine Profound Scripture. Listen carefully, I will explain it to you only once."

Cha Jin hurriedly approached, discarded all distractions, and listened attentively.

The night was as dark as ink, and time flew by.

When dawn broke,

Cha Jin groggily woke up from the bed, looking at the unfamiliar bed curtains and the unfamiliar blanket on her body, she couldn't help but pause.

Only then did she remember that last night, she somehow ended up staying in Su Yi's room without knowing how it happened.

...