Chapter 31: Profound and Vast

Prime Minister Zhangsun’s Residence.

The entire household was stunned, faces filled with disbelief, as they watched Zhangsun Chong and his two servants—who had set out in high spirits that morning—now being carried back like lifeless dogs.

“Tsk… Who would have thought the young master would end up beaten so miserably?”

“I wonder which family’s son could have done this, striking so mercilessly, with not a hint of restraint…”

“Thinking about it, it can only be the young lord from the Cheng family…”

Everyone in the residence was whispering among themselves, some feeling a tinge of sympathy for Zhangsun Chong.

Unbeknownst to Cheng Chumo, he had become the scapegoat for Li Yi’s actions…

Who could say what Cheng Chumo would think if he knew?

By the sickbed, Madam Zhangsun gazed at her son’s bruised and swollen face—so battered it was almost unrecognizable—and her heart ached beyond words. “Chong’er, tell your mother, who did this to you? I will see justice done for you!”

Her face was flushed with anger and distress. She usually couldn’t even bring herself to scold her son, but now, to see him beaten so cruelly was simply unbearable.

Tenderly, she wiped his face, her rage barely contained.

“Mother, it was Li Yi! That useless Li Bo’an!” Zhangsun Chong grimaced, trying to speak, but his swollen lips and face rendered his words nearly unintelligible.

Madam Zhangsun bent close, straining to catch his words, but she still could not make them out.

“Don’t worry, Chong’er. I’ll see to this myself!” she said, her heart throbbing with pity as she cast him one last glance. Then she straightened, her face cold, and ordered the maidservant at the bedside, “Take good care of the young master!”

“Yes, madam.” The maidservant nodded in fear, not daring to be careless.

After all, none in the household had ever seen Zhangsun Chong in such a sorry state—nor Madam Zhangsun in such fury.

“Chong’er, focus on recovering. Leave everything to me. I will see justice done for you!” she reassured him before leaving the room and summoning the household guards to find out what had happened.

But the two servants who had accompanied her son out were themselves so battered they could barely speak, looking even more miserable than Zhangsun Chong.

No matter how she questioned them, she gained nothing.

—

So Madam Zhangsun sent people out to gather information, while ordering the maid to summon the steward.

“Tell me, who has Chong’er had conflicts with recently?” she asked, her expression severe, her presence chilling the air and making the steward tremble.

“Madam,” the steward answered, bowing his head and thinking carefully before speaking, “the young master has always been at odds with the eldest son of the Cheng family. If this old servant may hazard a guess… it must have been the eldest Cheng who beat him…”

He spoke without much certainty, for he knew little of the actual events, but judged by past experience.

“Cheng Chumo, the eldest of the Cheng family?” Madam Zhangsun’s brows knitted sharply.

“Yes, madam. I believe there can be no mistake,” the steward replied. “The Cheng boy is hot-tempered and never knows when to hold back. Judging by the young master’s injuries, it must have been him!”

“Hmph, the Chengs truly are a family of brutes, utterly lacking in manners!” Madam Zhangsun snorted coldly, her face set. “Send someone to the Cheng residence to settle this at once!”

“Yes, madam!” The steward bowed and hurried off with several attendants toward the Cheng estate.

—

Li Residence.

After chatting idly with Miss Du, she and Madam Du departed from the Li household with smiles.

As expected, in the training yard, Li Yi was once again thoroughly thrashed by Lady Hongfu, who was in excellent spirits.

“Mother, I give up—no more, no more…” Li Yi, face full of woe, returned his weapon to the rack and pouted in protest. “Whenever I spar with you, I get beaten black and blue. I can’t even put up a fight! Mother, you’re bullying your own child!”

He was helpless, falling back on his usual tactic of feigned protest. He hadn’t expected that Lady Hongfu, in such a good mood, would be even rougher than usual.

Only now did he realize just how profound her martial arts truly were—far beyond the ordinary. Even with his knowledge of Taiji, he could not defend himself at all.

“Well then, let’s end today’s training here…” Lady Hongfu put away her horsetail whisk and looked at Li Yi, a smile in her eyes. “Sanlang, I’ve already discussed with our in-laws—your wedding with Xiaomei is set for next March.”

“Ah…” Li Yi froze, thoroughly caught off guard that she would bring up such a matter, completely unrelated to what he’d just said—so be it…

“What’s wrong, are you anxious?” Lady Hongfu thought he was displeased that the wedding was so far off, so she explained gently, “Next March, Xiaomei will finish her period of cultivation at the Daoist temple. I’ve checked—March fifth is an auspicious day!”

Li Yi was left speechless.

Lady Hongfu had become utterly obsessed with settling his marriage prospects; there was no reasoning with her.

“Go bathe now. When your father returns, we’ll visit the Du residence together and finalize the betrothal,” she said, smiling as she instructed Yue’er to accompany Li Yi.

“Very well, Mother decides everything. I take my leave,” Li Yi replied with a resigned bow and withdrew to bathe.

“Go on, then…” Lady Hongfu waved him away, her face beaming.

Watching his departing figure, she suddenly felt that today’s sky was especially bright.

After bathing, Li Yi, now practicing calligraphy, felt a pang of hunger. He absently called to Yue’er, who was massaging his shoulders, “Yue’er, I’m hungry.”

“What would you like to eat, young master? I’ll have the kitchen prepare it right away,” she replied softly.

“Oh.” Li Yi grinned mischievously.

“???” Yue’er was bewildered, her hands still on his shoulders, pausing in confusion. After thinking it over, she still couldn’t grasp his meaning, so she asked curiously, “Young master, what does ‘oh’ mean you want to eat?”

Li Yi’s mouth twitched. Was he being a bit inappropriate? A simple, innocent girl like Yue’er would never understand the subtlety and layers of meaning hidden in the Chinese language.

Best not to tease her…

He put down his brush, turned around, and looked at her. “Yue’er, do you want some chicken?”

“Uh…” Yue’er paused, then realized he meant to eat chicken, so she nodded sheepishly, “I’ll go to the kitchen and have them prepare one for you right away.”

With that, she glided out of the room, heading straight for the kitchen.

Li Yi could only stare after her in astonishment.

Watching her quick figure vanish, he could only shake his head and smile wryly.