Chapter 17 I Saw a Sword (2-in-1)

To foster more interactions between Chen Yi and Lin Xueru, Xia Wanwan and Duchess Xing, Zhu Yu, let them ride together in a carriage alone.

The two ladies, being in-laws with similar stunning looks, resembled more sisters than relatives.

Zhu Yu's slightly baby-faced smile emerged as she faintly heard voices coming from the carriage behind:

"Yi Er is so smart at such a young age, no wonder he has gained the Emperor's favor."

"It was just luck that day," Xia Wanwan recalled the scene on the city tower with lingering fear, "Afterwards, my husband even wrote expressly to instruct that Yi Er should stay at home."

After giving it some thought, Zhu Yu came to an understanding.

"Lord Chen is right; with the Emperor's grace extending in all directions, even Yi Er has caught attention along with it—it's only natural to keep a low profile."

"However, my in-law doesn't need to worry, since Yi Er is Lord Chen's son and also the son-in-law of Duke Xing's Mansion, he naturally will not be let down."

Upon saying this, Zhu Yu paused and asked, "I heard there was an incident during Yi Er's Foundation Establishment evaluation a few days ago?"

Xia Wanwan hesitated for a few seconds before nodding, "Indeed, there was a mishap, but he's alright."

The attempted assassination of Chen Yuan and Chen Yi on the day of their Foundation Establishment evaluation had spread throughout Kyoto Prefecture.

Moreover, the Old Lady had even instructed uncle Chen Lixin to report it to the authorities...

She did not need to keep Zhu Yu, the in-law, in the dark.

"Do you know who was behind it?"

"I do not."

Zhu Yu nodded knowingly, pondered for a few seconds, then turned to her and said, "Where there's a first, there could be a second. Sister Wan Wan should be careful."

"If there's any need, just speak up, my husband and I will stand with Yi Er."

Xia Wanwan's heart was touched, she nodded and smiled, "I will remember that."

She hadn't thought much about it, only knowing that with the support of Duke Xing's Mansion, Chen Yi would be able to take things a little easier in the future.

At least much more useful than she could be as a mother from a poor family of Beizhi heritage...

...

Ever since the Buddha's son descended, the incense offerings at Dakong Temple exceeded those of the past.

Following the trend set by the nobility to worship Buddha, all the wealthy merchants in Kyoto Prefecture found it as a stepping stone to get closer to the high officials and nobles.

From Buddha platforms and statues to prayer beads and cushions, anything in Dakong Temple that could earn incense money was bought out by them.

It was said that a cushion once used by Master Kongjing, the abbot of Dakong Temple, was purchased for a hefty sum.

Despite later being proven as fake, the city's merchants were still enthusiastic.

As the locals in Capital City joked—these merchants were all sincere disciples of Buddha.

"Yi Er, take good care of Xue Ru."

"I know, mother."

Xia Wanwan and Zhu Yu went to burn incense and pray.

Chen Yi, holding Lin Xueru's hand, waited outside the courtyard, occasionally looking towards the Buddha stupa atop another hill.

The extraordinary phenomenon of the Buddha's son descending and illuminating the Lotus Platform above the stupa on his previous visit to Dakong Temple had left a deep impression.

This time, he couldn't help but take several more glances.

"Brother Yi, why are you still wearing your baby's first birthday grab test trinket?" Lin Xueru noticed the Little Jade Sword on his wrist and asked.

Chen Yi casually replied, "The altar in our ancestral shrine is already arrayed with a grab test trinket, there was nowhere else to place this one, so I kept it."

In fact, before the Foundation Establishment evaluation, the ancestral blessing on the Jade Sword had been exhausted.

Chen Yi had intended to return the trinket to the ancestral shrine, but discovered that after his Foundation Establishment, his body could wield Swordsmanship, Sword Qi, and even Sword Intent.

Although limited by his True Qi to only three sword moves before exhausting his strength, he was very content.

Compared to the past, when he could only rely on the single sword strength blessed by the ancestral trinket, he was much stronger now.

Hence, Chen Yi decided to keep the Little Jade Sword for times of need.

Lin Xueru pouted and said, "I wanted to keep mine too, but father wouldn't allow it."

"Duke Xing is very strict, isn't he?" Chen Yi asked, turning his head.

Now that he and Lin Xueru were engaged, he was bound to deal with Lin Han Song in the future.

It was better to understand a bit more in advance.

"Yes, my father is very strict," the little girl opened up, her childish voice recounting her father's various affairs.

Her seemingly incessant chatter sounded like she was pouring out grievances, yet also finding a bit of security in his presence.

Through her stories, Chen Yi roughly sketched out the true image of Duke Xing, Lin Han Song.

At home, Lin Han Song was mostly stern-faced, whether facing his wife and daughter or his elders, keeping his dignity as a Duke.

This was very different from Duke Wuan, Chen Taiping.

Furthermore, Lin Han Song rarely made friends, and visitors to his home were few.

At least that's what Lin Xueru claimed—only during Mid-Autumn Festival and Lantern Festival would a few guests visit their home.

Aside from Lin Han Song, Lin Xueru also talked about several other family members.

She talked mostly about her second brother, Lin Jixin, who had been immersed in poetry and books from a young age, entering Kyoto Academy by the age of ten.

Not only was he learned and well-liked by the Academy's teachers, but he was also skilled in archery and music, a Scholar proficient in both arts and martial skills.

What made her happiest was that Lin Jixin would always bring pastries home from the Academy.

Chen Yi thought, this must be the key point.

With several guards from the State Duke Mansion and Duke Wu'an Mansion like Ding Sansi around, the two children waited and chatted casually, getting along quite well.

After a while, seeing that the day was getting late and there were fewer pilgrims coming to the temple, Chen Yi decided to go in and look for Xia Wanwan and the others.

"Shall we go in?" Lin Xueru asked with a mix of excitement and anticipation.

"Let's go."

Chen Yi signaled to Ding Sansi and other guards to follow, then led Lin Xueru into the courtyard.

As soon as they entered, he sensed something was different.