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 scene of great families fighting tooth and nail for power from the dramas of his previous life was about to unfold. His spirits could not help but rise a few notches.

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

"Ah." Qiao Yaoyao sighed. "It would have been possible, 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 stunned. "Since when did my Qiao Household have an attendant surnamed Yang?"

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

"Oh?" Only then did Second Uncle Qiao seem to notice Yang Yi's presence. His eyes swept over him. "This little brother is in the Mistblood Realm as well?"

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

"If so, then there is certainly no problem. This old man was blind." Second Uncle Qiao looked at Yang Yi and asked, "How old are you, little 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 looking him up and down.

Yet very soon, a strange look flashed through the eyes of both Second Uncle Qiao and Shen Qian, concealing their astonishment.

There it was 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 unfortunate..." Second Uncle Qiao pondered briefly. "Though there is an order to all things, first come, first served, this old man has already spoken and cannot take his words back. My grandniece's words are likewise golden, and she cannot break her promise. What should we do?"

He wore an embarrassed expression. Shen Qian stepped forward and said, "Second Fort Master, Young Miss, 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, "We people of the martial world are at the peak of our vigor, and we must contend for everything. Since the Second Fort Master and Young Miss are in a difficult position, why not let me spar with this little brother Yang? We shall see whose methods are superior. Whoever wins may move into Cuiwei Residence."

Second Uncle Qiao nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense..." He looked at Qiao Yaoyao. "What do you say, grandniece?"

Qiao Yaoyao's face grew grave. She knew that this was probably no coincidence. Who knew how long Second Uncle Qiao had been listening outside? He had burst in at the crucial moment because he had been waiting for precisely 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 test, he was still young after all. 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, with this grand drama having reached this point, he ought to step forward, give Shen Qian a vicious lesson, and crush Second Uncle Qiao's swagger.

Thus, he immediately cupped his fists and said, "Young Miss need not trouble herself. Yang Yi came from a small mountain village. So long as I have a place to shelter, that is enough. I can live anywhere."

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

Besides, Shen Qian carried a longsword, and the calluses on the tiger's mouth of his hand were thick and heavy. He did not look like someone easy to provoke. He would have to be mad to fight someone for no reason.

Hearing this, Shen Qian immediately revealed a disdainful 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. Grandniece, look..."

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

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

"Wuwang, take Attendant Yang to Bamboo Garden." After this episode, Qiao Yaoyao seemed to be in a poor mood as she instructed Qiao Wuwang.

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

"I know." Yang Yi shook his head.

"Actually, there is not much difference between Cuiwei Residence and Bamboo Garden. Cuiwei Residence is merely closer to the heart of the Inner Fort, making it easier to come and go among people. I was just..." Mainly, it was closer to him, making it easier for him to find Yang Yi. "Ah, once you have stayed in the fort for a while, you will slowly understand. Let's not talk about this for now."

The Inner Fort was enormous. It took a full two quarters of an hour before Yang Yi arrived before Bamboo Garden.

Looking at the 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 leaped in a single bound out of the small mountain village of Yang Family Hollow and arrived at a place he had never even dared dream of before.

Bamboo Garden was a courtyard compound with five successive sections, containing dozens of rooms large and small. Flowers and plants grew throughout, their fragrance fresh and pleasing. Beyond Bamboo Garden lay a vast bamboo grove as well, making for an exceptionally beautiful setting.

What delighted Yang Yi even more was that Bamboo Garden stood close to steep cliffs. Though leaving it required walking a little farther, it was also all the more secluded and tranquil.

"If you think this won't do, we can change places. There are still several locations in the Inner Fort to choose from. I only need to mention it to Big Sister." Qiao Wuwang led Yang Yi around to familiarize him with the surroundings as he spoke.

Satisfied—extremely satisfied. What was there to be dissatisfied about?

If he really went to Cuiwei Residence, cultivating might not be so convenient for him.

"The attendant's supplies will be delivered shortly. Meat will be provided daily; since it must be eaten fresh, it will not all be given to you at once. This is your attendant's identity plaque. Keep it safe. You will need it to enter and leave the Inner Fort, as well as when you travel outside."

Qiao Wuwang explained every detail, including where in the Inner Fort Yang Yi could go and where he could not.

Because Yang Yi needed to go to the Outer Fort to bring his eldest uncle's family over, Qiao Wuwang soon departed, agreeing to return that evening.

After seeing Qiao Wuwang off, Yang Yi immediately set out for the Outer Fort inn and brought his eldest uncle's family into the Inner Fort.

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

Only when Yang Yi led them into Bamboo Garden did Eldest Aunt's mouth open wide enough to fit an egg inside.

"Xiaoyi... Is this really for the few of us to live in?" Eldest Uncle was equally stunned.

Though he had known on the way here that Qiao Family Fort had arranged them a place to stay, he had never imagined it would be somewhere so large and luxurious.

The whole of Yang Family Hollow could fit inside this single courtyard.

Yang Yong and Yang Ya were younger. Though they did not lose their composure as badly, 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 of people approached. Leading them was a fair-faced man with a short beard, appearing to be in his fifties.

Knowing that 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 you are Chief Steward Qiao." Yang Yi returned the greeting. Qiao Wuwang had just mentioned this man to him. He was the chief steward of all Qiao Family Fort, overseeing countless miscellaneous affairs within the fort.

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

Yang Yi had already seen the servants and maids. Seeing so many people carrying and shouldering various items, he guessed these were the supplies the Qiao Household had prepared for him.

"Sorry for the trouble, Chief Steward Qiao," Yang Yi thanked him.

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

Yang Yi thought for a moment, then took out a handful of silver from his robe. Just as he was about to offer it over, Qiao Yingquan waved it away with a smile. "Attendant Yang need not do this. Everything I do is part of my duty. I only hope that, in the future, Attendant Yang will have opportunities to relieve Young Miss's worries and help her overcome difficulties. Then this old man will have done his job well."

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

He did not insist. Putting away the silver, he took out two pelts from his robe—the two sable pelts. "Chief Steward, you are merely doing your duty, but Yang Yi will surely trouble you often in the future. A mountain man has nothing good to offer, only a few local specialties. Chief Steward, please do not refuse them."

"Sable pelts..." Qiao Yingquan's eyes lit up. After a brief consideration, he reached out and accepted them. "Then I thank Attendant Yang for your kindness. These two pelts are useful to me, so this old man will not stand on ceremony."

With the gift accepted, 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 Eldest Uncle's family staring blankly at him.

Eldest Aunt cried inwardly, Different, truly different. After leaving the mountains and meeting these nobles and dignitaries, they did not even dare breathe too loudly. Yet Yang Yi could navigate every side with ease, speaking and laughing as calmly as if nothing had happened.

Was this still that second boy who never talked back no matter how she scolded him? It was as though he had become a completely different person.