Building a Martial Dao Celestial Family by Laying Low

Chapter 331: Chapter 319: Scheming

On the painted boat.

Chen Li inwardly praised her. ’This Jiang Nanyue is remarkably perceptive.’

He stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "There is indeed a matter that requires Miss Nanyue’s mediation."

"Please speak, honored guest. Nanyue is all ears."

Jiang Nanyue’s smile was gentle, her expression focused.

Chen Li got straight to the point. "I would like Miss Nanyue to act on my behalf, find Zhao Yuanqi—the cousin of Zhao Yuanhong, the Acting Governor of Liyang County—and arrange for his help in seizing the Sun Family’s properties in Liyang."

As Jiang Nanyue listened, her expression showed no surprise. She was clearly accustomed to such requests.

But when she heard the name "Zhao Yuanqi," her slender, willow-like brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. A perfectly measured look of thought and confusion crossed her eyes, as if she were diligently searching her memory.

It lasted only a moment. Her gaze shifted, and when she looked at Chen Li again, an even deeper smile bloomed on her face. Her voice softened. "Honored guest, since you wish to make a move on the Sun Family’s assets, why take the roundabout way of finding a Dean? Wouldn’t it be more convenient and reliable to approach Governor Zhao Yuanhong directly?"

Hearing this, Chen Li raised an eyebrow.

’She’s offering a direct line to Zhao Yuanhong?’

This was unexpected. Keeping his composure, he followed her lead. "If we could trouble the Lord Governor directly, that would be for the best, of course. Is Miss Nanyue able to get in touch with Governor Zhao?"

"Naturally."

Jiang Nanyue was all smiles. "Some years ago, by a fortunate coincidence, I met Governor Zhao on several occasions. You could say we... share a certain friendship. If I were to pass a message along and make an introduction for you, I imagine Governor Zhao would still grant this humble servant that much face."

She had agreed so readily that a trace of vigilance rose in Chen Li’s heart.

He immediately pressed on, asking, "If I may ask, what sort of payment would I need to offer for Miss Nanyue to facilitate this matter? Please, don’t hesitate to say."

Hearing this, Jiang Nanyue covered her lips with her hand and chuckled, a hint of playful reproach in her tone. "What are you saying, honored guest? Your gift today was such a rare treasure, a gesture of profound goodwill. I haven’t even had time to express my full gratitude, how could I dare speak of payment?"

Her eyes danced with a perfectly measured sincerity. "I will do everything in my power to mediate this matter for you, honored guest. If you would not scorn it, I only hope you will remember my devoted efforts. Should our paths cross again, I would be content simply to have another chance to be of service."

Hearing this, Chen Li’s heart sank slightly.

’How could a shrewd and calculating woman like Jiang Nanyue possibly engage in a losing transaction?’

The more this "friendship" seemed to ask for nothing in return, the higher the price it would demand later—a price often immeasurable.

’What’s free is often the most expensive.’

He showed no change in expression, but his tone grew more insistent. He shook his head. "I appreciate Miss Nanyue’s kind intentions. But let’s keep things separate. The gift was from me to befriend you; it has nothing to do with this request. If you are unwilling to state your price, I will not be at ease, and we might as well drop the matter."

He had made it clear: either name a price or the deal was off.

He couldn’t afford to owe a vague favor with endless future complications.

The smile on Jiang Nanyue’s face faded slightly. Her bright eyes fixed on Chen Li, her expression thoughtful.

The cabin fell silent for a moment, the only sound the gurgling of water outside the window.

"It was I who was being pretentious. In that case, this humble servant will speak frankly."

A moment later, Jiang Nanyue laughed softly again. "To be honest with you, honored guest, in the matter you’ve entrusted to me, I am ultimately just a messenger, a broker. All I can do is convey your sincerity to Governor Zhao.

"Whether it succeeds or not, or what price Governor Zhao might require from you in exchange for his assistance—I dare not presume to guess, let alone make demands on his behalf. If I were to rashly agree to something now, I might instead jeopardize your important affairs."

After listening, Chen Li gave her a deep look and nodded. "It was I who was too hasty. In that case, I will trouble you to make the introduction. As for the rest, I will handle it myself."

"Rest assured, honored guest."

Jiang Nanyue’s smile brightened once more. "If it is convenient, honored guest, please wait at the northern docks tomorrow at Noon. You can depart for Liyang with me. I will send someone ahead immediately to deliver a calling card and arrange the necessary matters. What do you say?"

"Very well. I will await you tomorrow at Noon," Chen Li agreed.

Jiang Nanyue turned and instructed her maid, "Chun’Er, go fetch my prized Snow Peak Jade tea. And prepare some delicate pastries. We mustn’t neglect our honored guest."

After another cup of tea and some brief pleasantries, Chen Li rose to leave with Linglong and Bai San.

Jiang Nanyue personally escorted the three of them to the side of the painted boat, watching as they stepped onto the pier.

After leaving the painted boat, Chen Li’s face was calm, but a faint, inexplicable unease stirred in his heart.

’This venture... seems to be going too smoothly.’

"Master, what is it?"

Linglong, with her keen perception, noticed something was off with Chen Li and asked in a low voice.

Chen Li shook his head without further explanation. "You and Bai San should head back today."

"Yes."

Linglong complied.

Bai San, however, lamented inwardly. What a shame he couldn’t spend a carefree night in the Prefecture city.

...

「The next day at noon.」

Chen Li arrived alone at the northern docks.

He immediately spotted the painted boat from the previous day, moored quietly by the bank. Its anchor wasn’t dropped, however, ready to set sail at a moment’s notice.

With a light tap of his toes, Chen Li’s figure floated up like a falling leaf and landed silently on the boat’s deck.

The deck was deserted.

Chen Li’s Divine Sense spread out silently, like mercury flowing across the ground, instantly enveloping the entire vessel.

Inside the cabins, there were only six auras.

One belonged to Jiang Nanyue. The other five were quite weak, not even seeming to belong to martial artists. Besides them, there was no one else.

Chen Li couldn’t help but frown slightly.

’Jiang Nanyue is traveling with so few people?’

’What is she up to?’

Just as he was wondering, a small cabin door near the stern creaked open with a "ZHI-YA" sound, and a young maid in a lotus-root-pink sleeveless jacket leaned out.

Seeing Chen Li at the bow, she hurried forward and curtsied. "Honored guest, you’ve arrived. The young miss is currently freshening up in her cabin. Please wait in the main cabin and have some tea."

Chen Li glanced at her, nodded slightly, and followed her into the main cabin.

Chen Li took the host’s seat without ceremony. The maid deftly poured him a cup of hot tea and then stood respectfully to the side.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the boat shuddered lightly, and the scenery outside the window began to slowly drift backward.

The boat had set sail, moving unhurriedly downstream toward Liyang.

A short while later, accompanied by the faint jingle of jade pendants and a light, pear-blossom fragrance, the beaded curtain to the inner cabin was lifted by a fair hand, and Jiang Nanyue emerged gracefully.

Today she had changed into an even more elegant, moon-white silk dress, covered by a light gauze of the same color. Her cloud-like black hair was casually tied in a loose bun, fastened with a simple white jade hairpin, adding to her refined and otherworldly beauty.

Upon seeing Chen Li, she gave him a graceful curtsy. "I have kept you waiting, honored guest. I took too long with my toilette; I hope you can forgive me."

"It’s nothing," Chen Li said flatly.

Jiang Nanyue sat down opposite him, and Chun’Er immediately poured tea for her.

"The journey to Liyang will take several days downstream, and it can be tiring and dull. If you don’t mind my humble skills, honored guest, how about I play a tune on the qin to alleviate the boredom?"

"As you wish."

Chen Li gave a noncommittal nod.

Understanding, Chun’Er immediately retrieved a seven-stringed guqin from the inner cabin and placed it on a table by the window.

Jiang Nanyue moved to the qin, raised her fair hands, and her fingertips fell upon the strings.

The notes of the qin rang out, mingling with the gurgling of the water, creating a unique and tranquil mood.

The boat flowed with the current, having already traveled for a few miles. The scenery on both banks gradually gave way to open fields.

Just as the music was reaching its most beautiful point.

Suddenly, the rapid, chaotic sound of hooves approached from the distance, swift as a gale.

A fast horse galloped wildly toward them. Its rider was a gaunt old nanny, her face etched with malice, her eyes locked firmly on the painted boat.

Before anyone on the boat could react, the old nanny slammed her hand on the saddle, using the force to launch herself into the air and soar several dozen feet across the river’s surface.

With a loud BANG, she crashed heavily onto the boat’s deck, shaking the entire vessel violently.

"Jiang Nanyue!"

The old nanny’s voice arrived before she did. She slammed her dove-headed staff onto the deck, which made a dull THUD.

Without any courtesy, she rammed open the partially closed door of the main cabin, her fierce gaze sweeping across the interior like a knife.

Her eyes first locked onto Jiang Nanyue, who was playing the qin, and then shot a vicious glare at Chen Li, who sat calmly at the table. She let out a heavy, cold snort.

"Nanny Zhang?"

The qin music stopped abruptly. Jiang Nanyue looked up, an appropriate amount of surprise showing on her face. "You... Why are you here?"

"Why am I here?"

The woman called Nanny Zhang sneered repeatedly. "If I hadn’t come, you little slut would have run off to the ends of the earth with some strange man!"

Jiang Nanyue glanced at Chen Li, bit her lip, and said in a low voice, "Nanny, please calm down. This honored guest invited me to Liyang to handle some minor affairs. I’ll be right back..."

"Be right back?"

Nanny Zhang sneered. "Who gave you permission to go?"

She looked at Chen Li, her eyes full of malice, but her words were for Jiang Nanyue. "What? Has it been a few days since I disciplined you, so you’ve gotten bold? Your wings have grown strong? I saw long ago that you were an ungrateful wretch who couldn’t be tamed. Thinking of eloping with this old thing?"

Jiang Nanyue explained in a low voice, "Nanny, you’ve misunderstood! My relations with this honored guest are innocent. It’s merely a business matter, nothing more."

"Innocent?"

Nanny Zhang scoffed. "Jiang Nanyue, you can hide your little schemes from others, but you can’t fool these old eyes of mine. I saw long ago that you were restless and rebellious, and today I’ve finally caught you in the act!

"What, you thought you could escape my control by hooking up with this piece of trash who crawled out of some godforsaken corner? Dream on! It’ll never happen in this lifetime!"

After she finished yelling at Jiang Nanyue, she whipped her head around and unleashed all her fury on Chen Li. "And you! You dare to poach my people? I think you’re tired of living!"

Before her words had even faded, she attacked Chen Li without any warning.

She looked ancient, but her movements were as swift as a phantom.

Her right hand darted into her wide sleeve, and she drew a foot-long Short Sword. It was pitch-black and shimmered with a sinister, bluish light.

The tip of the sword stabbed straight for Chen Li’s throat.

The strike was vicious and cunning, holding nothing back, intended to kill Chen Li on the spot.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!