Bamboo Garden

They're here! They're here!

Ever since Second Uncle Qiao had led Shen Qian inside, Yang Yi, who had been watching the show with cold eyes, raised his brows. The scenes of great Lineages fighting over power and profit from the opera tales of his previous life were about to begin. His spirits could not help but rise a little.

"Why not? Isn't Cuiwei Residence sitting empty?" Second Uncle Qiao seemed puzzled.

"Ah." Qiao Yaoyao sighed. "It could have been, but just now, I already promised Attendant Yang that he and his family could move into Cuiwei Residence."

"Attendant Yang?" Second Uncle Qiao was utterly astonished. "Since when did my Qiao Household have an Attendant surnamed Yang?"

"This is young brother Yang Yi. He only joined our Qiao Household today as well. Before Second Uncle arrived, we were discussing this very matter."

"Oh?" It seemed Second Uncle Qiao had only just noticed Yang Yi's existence. His eyes swept over him. "This young brother has reached the Mistblood Realm as well?"

Qiao Yaoyao said, "Tie Shan tested him. He is indeed in the Mistblood Realm."

"If that is so, then there is certainly no issue. This old man has poor eyesight." Second Uncle Qiao looked at Yang Yi and asked, "How old are you, young brother?"

"Sixteen!"

"Hiss..." Second Uncle Qiao sucked in a sharp breath. Even Shen Qian, who had not given Yang Yi a proper glance since entering, could not help turning his head and sizing him up from top to bottom.

Yet very quickly, a strange look flashed through both Second Uncle Qiao's and Shen Qian's eyes, concealing their astonishment.

Here it came again!

Yang Yi frowned. Qiao Wuwang had looked much the same upon hearing his age. Now Second Uncle Qiao and Shen Qian were exactly alike.

What was wrong with his age?

"This is rather inconvenient..." Second Uncle Qiao pondered briefly. "Though all things have an order of first come, first served, this old man has already spoken and cannot take his words back. My eldest niece has likewise given her golden word and cannot break her promise. What should we do?"

He wore a troubled expression. Shen Qian stepped forward and said, "Second Fort Master, Young Lady, this subordinate has a suggestion, though I do not know whether I should speak it."

"What suggestion do you have?" Second Uncle Qiao looked at him.

Shen Qian said, "Those of us in the martial world are at the age of hot-blooded vigor, and we fight over everything. Since the Second Fort Master and Young Lady are in a difficult position, why not let me exchange pointers with young brother Yang? We can see whose methods are superior. Whoever wins may reside in Cuiwei Residence."

Second Uncle Qiao seemed thoughtful. "That makes sense..." He looked toward Qiao Yaoyao. "What do you say, eldest niece?"

Qiao Yaoyao's expression turned grave. She knew the current situation was likely no coincidence. Who knew how long Second Uncle Qiao had been listening outside? He had burst in at precisely the crucial moment—he had been waiting for this.

If she refused, she would appear unfair. But if she agreed...

She turned to Yang Yi. Though Yang Yi had passed Tie Shan's assessment, he was still young. She feared he would be no match for Shen Qian.

Yang Yi looked at his nose, his nose looked at his heart. He knew that, at this point in the grand drama, he should have stepped forward, fiercely taught Shen Qian a lesson, and crushed Second Uncle Qiao's swagger.

Thus, he immediately clasped his fists and said, "Young Lady need not be troubled. Yang Yi came from a small mountain village. As long as I have a place to shelter myself, it is enough. I can live anywhere."

Watching a play was fun, but performing one for others to watch was no fun at all.

Moreover, Shen Qian carried a longsword, and the calluses at the base of his thumb were thick and heavy. He did not look like someone easy to provoke. He would have to be crazy to fight someone for no reason.

Hearing this, Shen Qian immediately revealed a contemptuous expression.

Second Uncle Qiao raised his brows and looked at Yang Yi. "You are a lad who knows when to advance and when to retreat. Eldest niece, look..."

Qiao Yaoyao said expressionlessly, "Then Attendant Shen Qian shall reside in Cuiwei Residence, while Attendant Yang shall move into Bamboo Garden."

"Then it is settled." Second Uncle Qiao was undoubtedly pleased with this outcome. After saying a few more words, he departed with Shen Qian.

"Wuwang, take Attendant Yang to Bamboo Garden." After this episode, Qiao Yaoyao seemed to be in a foul mood as she gave Qiao Wuwang the order.

"Alright!"

The two left the room and headed toward Bamboo Garden.

Halfway there, Qiao Wuwang suddenly cursed viciously, "Fuck!"

Yang Yi pretended not to hear.

Qiao Wuwang then apologized, "Brother, I wasn't taking my temper out on you. Don't take offense."

"I know." Yang Yi shook his head.

"Actually, there isn't much difference between Cuiwei Residence and Bamboo Garden. Cuiwei Residence is simply closer to the Inner Fort's core, making it more convenient to interact with people. I just..." Mainly, it was closer to him, making it easier for him to find Yang Yi. "Ah, once you've stayed in the fort for a while, you'll slowly understand. Let's not talk about this for now."

The inner fort was enormous. Only after a full two hours did Yang Yi arrive before Bamboo Garden.

Looking at this courtyard, which covered at least several acres, Yang Yi's feelings were complicated.

A man truly needed fists. It was precisely because he had fists that he had leapt in one step from the little mountain village of Yang Family Hollow to a place he had never even dared imagine before.

Bamboo Garden was a five-courtyard residence, with dozens of rooms large and small. Flowers and plants were planted throughout, their fragrance delightful. Beyond Bamboo Garden lay a vast bamboo grove as well, making the surroundings exceptionally beautiful.

What pleased Yang Yi even more was that Bamboo Garden lay close to the mountain cliffs. Though going out required a bit more walking, it also had an added measure of seclusion.

"If you think this won't do, brother, we can switch again. There are several other places in the Inner Fort to choose from. I only need to tell my elder sister." Qiao Wuwang led Yang Yi around to familiarize him with the surroundings as he spoke.

Satisfied—more than satisfied. What was there to be dissatisfied with?

If he truly went to Cuiwei Residence, cultivation might not even be as convenient.

"The Attendant supplies will be delivered shortly. Meat will be supplied daily; since it has to be eaten fresh, it won't all be given to you at once. This is your Attendant token. Keep it safe. You'll need it to enter and leave the Inner Fort, or whenever you go outside."

Qiao Wuwang gave meticulous instructions, including where within the Inner Fort Yang Yi could go and where he could not.

Since Yang Yi needed to go to the outer fort and bring his uncle's family over, Qiao Wuwang soon left, agreeing to return in the evening.

After seeing Qiao Wuwang off, Yang Yi immediately set out. He made a trip to the outer fort inn and brought his uncle's family into the inner fort.

They were country folk, and upon suddenly entering such a place, they naturally felt constrained. All along the way, they looked as though they had committed some offense, not daring to raise their heads.

Only when Yang Yi led them into Bamboo Garden did his aunt's mouth fall so wide it could nearly fit an egg.

"Xiao Yi... Is this really for the few of us to live in?" His uncle was equally shocked.

Though he had known the Qiao Family Fort would arrange lodging for them when they came, he had never imagined it would be such a grand and luxurious place.

This single courtyard could house everyone from Yang Family Hollow.

Yang Yong and Yang Ya were younger. Though they did not make too great a spectacle of themselves, their eyes still did not know where to look.

"This is Bamboo Garden. From now on, we are its masters," Yang Yi said.

"Attendant Yang." At that moment, a group approached. Leading them was a fair-faced man with a short beard, appearing to be in his fifties.

Knowing Yang Yi did not recognize him, he greeted him and introduced himself. "I am Qiao Yingquan, chief steward of the Qiao Household. Greetings, Attendant Yang."

"So it is Chief Steward Qiao." Yang Yi returned the greeting. Qiao Wuwang had just mentioned this man to him. He was the chief steward of the entire Qiao Family Fort, managing its many internal affairs.

"First, congratulations to Attendant Yang. You are indeed young and accomplished." A gentle smile hung on Qiao Yingquan's face as he pointed behind him. "Eight male servants and eight maidservants, all of whom have signed contracts of sale. You may dispose of them as you wish. All their food and living expenses will be borne by the fort, so Bamboo Garden need not trouble itself. In addition, Attendant Yang's supplies for this month have been delivered together. Please sign for them."

Yang Yi had already noticed those servants and maidservants. Seeing quite a few people carrying and bearing various items, he guessed these were the supplies the Qiao Household had prepared for him.

"Sorry for the trouble, Chief Steward Qiao," Yang Yi said in thanks.

Qiao Yingquan waved a hand and instructed the servants to carry the items into Bamboo Garden.

After some thought, Yang Yi took a handful of silver from his robes and was about to offer it over, but Qiao Yingquan waved him off with a smile. "Attendant Yang need not do this. Everything I do is part of my duties. I only hope that, in the future, the Attendant may have opportunities to relieve the Young Lady's worries and solve her difficulties. Then this old man may be said to have done his work well."

With a single sentence, Yang Yi understood where he stood.

He did not insist. Putting away the silver, he drew two pelts from his robes—the two purple sable pelts. "Chief Steward, you are only doing your duty, but Yang Yi will have many occasions to trouble you in the future. A mountain man has nothing good to offer, merely a few local specialties. Chief Steward, please do not decline."

"Purple sable pelts..." Qiao Yingquan's eyes lit up. After thinking briefly, he reached out and accepted them. "Then I thank the Attendant for his kindness. These two pelts are useful to me, so this old man will not stand on ceremony."

Having accepted the gift, the atmosphere became harmonious. The two chatted and laughed for a few more moments before Qiao Yingquan finally took his leave.

Yang Yi watched him go, then turned around to find his uncle's family staring blankly at him.

His aunt cried out inwardly: Different. He was truly different now. After leaving the mountains and meeting these high officials and nobles, they did not even dare breathe too loudly, yet Yang Yi could navigate every side with ease, chatting and laughing without restraint.

Was this still that second boy who never talked back no matter how she scolded him? He was practically a different person.