Volume 3, Chapter 188 – Yu Lizhi? Song Shiyuan?

Yu Lizhi’s identity was exposed ahead of schedule?

How could this be?

Chi Xiyan furrowed her brows.

Very few people outside knew about the Chi family bloodline scattered abroad.

And even fewer could verify the identity of the Chi family’s legitimate daughter.

Chi Xiyan only learned of Yu Lizhi’s identity as the Chi family’s legitimate daughter from Qin Qingfen in person.

When Chi Xiyan previously went to Five Immortals House to find Yu Lizhi, she had detected traces of Chi family shadow agents.

Yu Lizhi’s existence had long been noticed by the Chi family.

And the Chi family’s shadow agents only accepted orders from the Chi family head.

If Yu Lizhi’s identity had truly been exposed, the most likely source of the news would be from the Chi family head.

Chi Xiyan could understand if Chi Jingwen wanted to bring his biological daughter back.

But right now, Yu Lizhi was still at Chi Xiyan’s manor. For Yu Lizhi’s identity to be exposed prematurely at this time was something Chi Xiyan couldn’t understand.

Chi Jingwen had no reason to do such a thing, did he?

Chi Xiyan raised her hand, lightly twisting her hair with her fingers, deep in thought.

However, setting aside whether Yu Lizhi’s identity had been exposed, now that Chi Jingwen had returned, Chi Xiyan could proceed with her next plans.

For Chi Xiyan’s sake, bringing Yu Lizhi back to the Chi family as soon as possible was the safest method.

So now, regardless of what was happening with the Chi family, Chi Xiyan should first go find Chi Jingwen.

“Nanny Qin,” Chi Xiyan said. “I need to go find Father first. Later, there’s something I need to ask you.”

The slight chill in Chi Xiyan’s words made Qin Qingfen’s heart grow cold.

She thought of the news she had received from Yan Liu earlier.

The plan to assassinate Yu Lizhi had failed because there were high-realm experts beside Yu Lizhi that didn’t match the commission’s description.

The difficulty of this task had exceeded their estimates.

For Sin Moon Tower to continue this commission, they’d need to increase the payment.

But in Qin Qingfen’s impression, the only ones capable of protecting Yu Lizhi were Lin Xiu and Chi Xiyan.

Lin Xiu was merely a Fifth Realm martial artist who had been stuck at that level for many years.

And although Chi Xiyan was a genius with tremendous potential, she was currently only a Fourth Realm sword cultivator.

Couldn’t Sin Moon Tower’s assassins even handle experts of this level?

Qin Qingfen seriously doubted the credibility of Yan Liu’s claim about this being the number one assassin organization.

And now, was the question Chi Xiyan wanted to ask her about this?

Didn’t Yan Liu say Sin Moon Tower wouldn’t leak employer information?

How did this girl guess?

Qin Qingfen took a light breath. “Xiyan… what do you mean by that?!”

“I went through countless hardships raising you. That you can live such a life in the Chi family, happily being your wealthy young lady, is also due to my contribution. Is this how you speak to me now?!”

Chi Xiyan remained silent. When she saw Qin Qingfen’s reaction, she knew her earlier suspicions were pretty much confirmed.

The Sin Moon Tower assassin was indeed connected to Qin Qingfen.

“Nanny Qin,” Chi Xiyan sighed. “I don’t want to argue with you about this.”

“Even if it was for my sake in the beginning, I hope you can respect my thoughts more.”

Chi Xiyan’s words paused again. “Yu Lizhi is now my person. Please don’t harbor any more ill intentions toward her.”

“Otherwise, you’ll really make things very difficult for me… Auntie.”

After saying this, Chi Xiyan turned and left directly.

Only Qin Qingfen was left behind, so angry she stamped her feet.

“Chi Xiyan! Her wings have truly hardened!”

…

Chi Xiyan left her courtyard and quickly walked toward the Chi family’s main mansion.

“Isn’t this Sister Xiyan?”

A group of young people dressed in the attire of sword cultivators stood on the path leading to the main house.

They noticed Chi Xiyan’s arrival.

A chubby boy in moon-white robes walked up.

“Sister Xiyan, you look so rushed. Where are you hurrying to?”

Chi Xiyan looked at the newcomer and furrowed her brows slightly. “Chi Zhong?”

She recognized this little fatty. His name was Chi Zhong, a branch family disciple of the Chi family.

Because he had some talent in the sword cultivation path, he had been noticed by Lingxiao Sword Sect and accepted as an outer sect disciple.

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Usually, he remained at Lingxiao Sword Sect to cultivate and rarely returned to Beihe Commandery.

How had he also returned to the Chi family?

Not just Chi Zhong, Chi Xiyan noticed that the young people around Chi Zhong were also wearing the standard robes of various sects.

These boys and girls were all sword sect disciples.

They surrounded Chi Zhong in the center, following his lead.

Because only Chi Zhong came from Lingxiao Sword Sect, one of the Seven Sword Sects, while the others all came from some second or third-rate minor sword sects.

They were all branch family members. Although they were also children of an aristocratic family, their status and resources were far inferior to those of the family’s direct bloodline.

So many disciples of branch families would temporarily leave the family and join minor sects to seek new opportunities.

If they could make a name for themselves outside, their status would greatly improve when they returned to the family.

However, seeing how these people fawned over Chi Zhong, Chi Xiyan didn’t think they could make much of a name for themselves in those minor sects.

“Do you need something from me?” Chi Xiyan said. “If there’s nothing, please let me pass.”

“Sister Chi has misunderstood. We mean no harm,” Chi Zhong said with a light laugh. “It’s just that everyone heard some rumors about Sister Xiyan while outside.”

“Ah! The content of these rumors is somewhat unorthodox.”

“Sister Xiyan,” Chi Zhong sighed. “Everyone knows that you’re the Chi family’s eldest young lady, the Chi family’s future heir. Your reputation is tied to the Chi family’s reputation. So everyone is concerned about this.”

“We don’t mean to doubt Sister Xiyan’s character. It’s just that everyone wants to confirm with Sister Xiyan what this rumor is about.”

Chi Zhong spoke to Chi Xiyan with a smile, but the people behind him had no intention of making way.

“Rumors? What rumors?” Chi Xiyan asked in confusion.

These past few days, she had been with Yu Lizhi the entire time and truly didn’t know what had happened.

Could they be referring to rumors about Yu Lizhi’s background?

Had this matter already spread?

Even these branch family members adventuring outside knew about it?

At this thought, Chi Xiyan’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

If it really was like this…

Chi Xiyan couldn’t understand how news about Yu Lizhi’s background had leaked out.

“Sister Xiyan, when we just returned to the Chi family, we heard rumors outside saying that you’re keeping a farm girl at a manor outside the city, spending day and night together intimately, to the point of not returning for days.”

“Women lying with women, this injures morals and violates common principles.”

“Sister Xiyan, you’re the Chi family’s eldest young lady. Your every move concerns the Chi family’s reputation. Surely you wouldn’t do something so unorthodox, would you?!”

Although Chi Zhong’s words were phrased as a question, his eyes didn’t look like he had any doubts at all.

Even the boys and girls behind him looked at Chi Xiyan with strange gazes.

“Utterly absurd!” Chi Xiyan’s expression changed slightly. “Where did you hear such absurd and unbearable rumors?!”

This rumor was truly too vicious.

It not only sullied Chi Xiyan’s reputation but also threw a huge bucket of dirty water on the Chi family.

Moreover, this matter implicated Yu Lizhi. Once Yu Lizhi was brought back to the Chi family, if someone made a big fuss about it in the future, it could cause considerable trouble for both Yu Lizhi and Chi Xiyan.

Whoever spread this rumor, their underlying intent was disgusting.

“Right! We also think it’s false!” Chi Zhong said with a light laugh. “Sister Xiyan is virtuous and dignified, upright in conduct, a model among aristocratic women. How could you possibly do something that would corrupt the Chi family’s reputation?”

“So everyone wanted to ask Sister Xiyan, what’s the deal with that farm girl?”

Chi Xiyan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

So in the end, these people were still here to probe about Yu Lizhi?

“This matter isn’t what you think,” Chi Xiyan said. “Regarding that girl, there are other circumstances involved.”

“So there really is such a farm girl?” Chi Zhong seemed interested. “Could Sister Xiyan explain the truth in detail? That way, if we encounter rumor-mongers in the future, we can properly set things straight for Sister Xiyan.”

Chi Xiyan glanced at him coldly. “I’m about to go find Father to discuss this matter. You’ll all know eventually. There’s no need to inquire from me.”

“Moreover, if you truly encounter such rumor-mongers, you don’t need to care what they said. Just capture them.”

“As Chi family children, you should place maintaining family reputation as the top priority, not bring hearsay rumors into the main family to gossip. Don’t you understand even this?”

Chi Xiyan’s words were not polite.

Hearing this, Chi Zhong’s face looked somewhat unpleasant. He wanted to argue further. “Sister Xiyan, we only…”

Before he could finish, Chi Xiyan directly interrupted him. “Enough. Stop discussing this matter here. If Father hears about it, a few scoldings won’t be enough to settle things.”

Hearing this, Chi Zhong’s expression stiffened.

Chi Xiyan was the Chi family’s direct lineage eldest daughter. They all had to address her as “Elder Sister.” Now that she had brought up the Chi family master, how could these branch family children say anything more?

“Sister Xiyan’s lesson is noted,” Chi Zhong said. “We were inconsiderate.”

Behind him, several younger boys and girls, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, all made way for Chi Xiyan.

Chi Xiyan didn’t even glance at them and walked right past.

After she left, the group of young people stood in place, staring at each other.

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After seeing Chi Xiyan, they had originally planned to cause her some trouble, but unexpectedly, Chi Xiyan had used the high hat of maintaining family reputation to scold them instead.

How frustrating.

Someone suddenly said quietly, “She’s just some wild child who popped up from who knows where. How dare she really think she’s the Chi family’s legitimate daughter and put on airs as the elder sister?”

“If not for her good luck in being raised by Master Chi as his own daughter, her current life wouldn’t be much better than ours.”

Another youth said urgently, “Keep your voice down. You can’t say such things carelessly, especially in the main family’s house. Do you want to die?”

The youth who had just spoken immediately covered his mouth.

Everyone’s faces showed some awkwardness.

Someone quietly asked near Chi Zhong, “Brother Chi Zhong, is the news we heard before true or false?”

“Could that farm girl really be Chi family bloodline?”

“If the Chi family’s true direct bloodline is brought back, will that Chi Xiyan still be able to be so arrogant?”

Chi Zhong pondered for a moment. “If it were before, I’d hope she was real. But now, I think she should be fake!”

“Fake?” The youths all showed surprise. “Brother Chi Zhong, why do you say this?”

“It’s actually a very simple principle,” Chi Zhong said sagely. “If you were Chi Xiyan, and a true young lady suddenly appeared to compete with you, what would your reaction be?”

“Of course, we’d find a way to eliminate her!” the youths said in unison.

“Exactly,” Chi Zhong continued. “But Chi Xiyan took in that farm girl. And from her reaction, she wants to bring that farm girl back. This doesn’t align with common sense at all!”

“Moreover, have you noticed? That so-called Chi family legitimate daughter appeared very suddenly and was very coincidentally discovered by Chi Xiyan first.”

“If you ask me, there’s definitely something fishy here!”

“The Chi family’s legitimate daughter Chi Xiyan brought back is very likely fake!”

One youth said with confusion, “If that Chi family’s legitimate daughter is fake, what’s Chi Xiyan’s goal?”

Chi Zhong raised his hand, supporting his chin in a contemplative pose.

“This question, I also don’t know.”

“If Chi Xiyan truly wants to use that Chi family legitimate daughter to achieve some unspeakable purpose, sooner or later she’ll reveal her fox tail.”

“Of course, we can’t just wait passively.”

“Chi Xiyan’s schemes run too deep. It’s difficult for her to show flaws. However, we can target other people.”

“For example, that farm girl.”

“Dealing with a farm girl should be much easier than dealing with Chi Xiyan, right?”

“We’ll target her, force her to reveal flaws before Master Chi, and expose their true faces.”

“If we can make Master Chi recognize Chi Xiyan’s true nature and understand that she harbors ulterior motives and isn’t suitable to take over as Chi family head.”

“Master Chi still has no heir. If he wants to select a new Chi family successor, he can only choose someone from the branch families to adopt.”

“And that… will be our opportunity.”

…

Chi Xiyan’s face was gloomy.

The fact that Yu Lizhi was being kept at her manor was known only to Qin Qingfen and the Chi family’s shadow agents.

And the person who could spread such disgusting rumors—Chi Xiyan could only think of one.

“Sin Moon Tower’s assassin…”

That assassin had eavesdropped on Chi Xiyan and Yu Lizhi’s conversation.

She and whoever was behind her were the most likely to spread such rumors.

The person who hired the assassin was Qin Qingfen, but this didn’t mean no one else was involved.

“Auntie wouldn’t do such a thing. Even if she dislikes Yu Lizhi, she wouldn’t joke around with my reputation.”

“So whoever spread the rumors must be someone else.”

“They better not let me catch them.”

Although this matter was disgusting, it wouldn’t cause any substantial impact on Chi Xiyan for now.

Compared to this, she had more important matters to handle right now.

Chi Xiyan took a deep breath. Looking at the room before her, she walked forward and pushed the door open.

A well-dressed man of about thirty or forty sat before a table, looking at letters in his hand.

Hearing the door open, he looked up.

“It’s Xiyan. You’re back.” The middle-aged man’s face showed a faint smile.

He was handsome and distinguished, refined yet approachable, with the unique charm of a mature and intellectual man.

This man was the current Chi family head, the person in power of Beihe Commandery’s Lingbao Commerce Association—Chi Jingwen.

He looked merely like a handsome middle-aged man with a good temper and no airs. But in reality, he was an old fox with extremely deep schemes, a shrewd merchant who controlled the wealthiest commerce association in the entire human realm.

Chi Xiyan pursed her lips, her face showing a daughter’s faint smile. “Father, I’ve returned.”

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Chi Jingwen calmly put away the letters in his hand and continued, “Where have you been these past few days? Why did you take so long to return?”

“If I hadn’t asked Nanny Qin, I would have thought you went out traveling for charitable medical practice again.”

“Father, these past few days, I encountered some matters.” Chi Xiyan’s words paused slightly before she said, “When you returned, did you hear any strange rumors on the road?”

“Strange rumors? Like what?” Chi Jingwen said with a light laugh. “About you keeping a farm girl at a manor outside the city?”

Chi Xiyan’s face showed a trace of astonishment, then embarrassment. “Father is joking again. I already have a marriage engagement. How could I possibly do something that would destroy my reputation?”

This was Chi Jingwen. He seemed to be joking, yet he always displayed his authority and control over the Chi family.

During the time he was away from the Chi family, although he wasn’t physically present, he still knew everything happening within the Chi family.

Even those branch family children knew about these rumors, how could he possibly not know?

“Oh, then Xiyan, tell me, what exactly are these strange rumors about?” Chi Jingwen sat in his chair, hands on the table, looking at Chi Xiyan with a calm smile.

“Father, those are just malicious rumors spread by people with ulterior motives,” Chi Xiyan said. “Regarding this matter, there are other reasons.”

“Oh, do tell,” Chi Jingwen said. “I’m very curious what kind of farm girl has such great charm that my daughter would condescend to accompany her at a farm manor for several days.”

As expected, Chi Jingwen knew even this.

But now, Chi Xiyan couldn’t quite figure out Chi Jingwen’s purpose.

As the head of the Chi family, shouldn’t his shadow agents have already thoroughly investigated Yu Lizhi’s background? Why make this unnecessary effort to ask Chi Xiyan?

If he already knew that girl’s background, why had he remained inactive all this time?

Was he waiting to see how Chi Xiyan would react?

However, Chi Xiyan clearly remembered her purpose. She wouldn’t lose her composure over such simple questioning.

“Father,” Chi Xiyan paused before saying, “I came precisely about this matter.”

She took a deep breath, as if making some kind of resolution, and took out a jade hairpin from her bosom.

The hairpin was made of white jade, simple in design, clear and lustrous.

At first glance, it seemed like just an ordinary hairpin, even appearing somewhat cheap in the eyes of aristocratic family members like the Chi family.

But when Chi Jingwen saw the jade hairpin in Chi Xiyan’s hand, his face, which had maintained composure all along, showed shock for the first time.

He stood up and said urgently to Chi Xiyan, “Give it to me!”

Chi Xiyan did as told and handed over the jade hairpin.

Chi Jingwen took the jade hairpin in hand, gently caressing it with slightly trembling palms.

His eyes were full of reminiscence and remembrance.

“That’s right, it can’t be wrong…”

“It’s her jade hairpin… it really is her jade hairpin…”

“Look, the dent I accidentally made back then is still here!”

“I never thought I’d have the day to see this jade hairpin again…”

“I thought I’d never see it again!”

Chi Jingwen looked at Chi Xiyan. “Daughter… is this real? I’m not dreaming, am I?”

“Yes, Father,” Chi Xiyan lowered her eyes slightly.

“I found my younger sister.”

“Her name now is Yu Lizhi. She’s the farm girl from the rumors that I supposedly kept.”

“So that’s it… so that’s how that rumor came about…” Chi Jingwen said repeatedly. “You’ve suffered, Xiyan.”

Chi Xiyan was speechless inside.

If Chi Jingwen knew that Chi Xiyan kept Yu Lizhi at the farm manor, how could he not know Chi Xiyan’s reasons for doing so?

However, although Chi Xiyan thought this in her heart, she still shook her head on the surface.

“Father, compared to the hardships my sister endured while lost outside, this little grievance I suffered… How can it even count?”

“It’s just that I cannot make decisions about this matter on my own.”

Chi Xiyan looked at Chi Jingwen with a solemn expression.

“Father, can you confirm that this jade hairpin is truly the one you knew?”

“Is that girl truly the girl who was lost from the Chi family ancestral home back then?”

Faced with Chi Xiyan’s questions, Chi Jingwen’s expression gradually calmed.

He stared blankly at the jade hairpin in his hand, gently feeling it with his fingers.

The familiar touch made his emotions complex.

After a moment, he said, “Yes, this jade hairpin is the one from back then. I won’t mistake it.”

“Then, Father,” Chi Xiyan asked again, “What about that girl?”

“If this jade hairpin truly belongs to that girl, then naturally, she is of Chi family bloodline,” Chi Jingwen said.

Chi Xiyan’s heart stirred slightly.

What did Chi Jingwen mean by this? Even if the hairpin was confirmed real, he couldn’t confirm Yu Lizhi was Chi family bloodline?

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But Chi Xiyan had repeatedly confirmed with Yu Lizhi that this jade hairpin had indeed been worn by her since childhood.

“Xiyan,” Chi Jingwen played with the jade hairpin in his hand and suddenly asked, “Do you think the Chi family should bring that girl back?”

Was this another test? Did Chi Jingwen suspect her? Chi Xiyan thought.

Chi Xiyan didn’t hesitate. She immediately said, “Everything is subject to Father’s decision.”

“No.” Chi Jingwen shook his head. “I want to hear your opinion.”

It seemed this question couldn’t be evaded.

Chi Xiyan couldn’t figure out Chi Jingwen’s thoughts. She could only bite the bullet and continue.

“Father, I want to bring Zhizhi back.”

“If Zhizhi truly is the Chi family’s legitimate daughter, then she is the Chi family’s true heir.”

Chi Jingwen raised his eyebrows and asked, “But before she returns, you are the Chi family’s eldest young lady.”

Chi Xiyan lowered her head slightly and said in a low voice, “Father, this family is surnamed Chi.”

The Chi family was surnamed Chi, but Chi Xiyan was not.

Chi Xiyan’s words were equivalent to categorizing herself as an outsider, yielding the position of Chi family’s eldest young lady.

Chi Jingwen looked at Chi Xiyan and fell into brief silence.

Chi Xiyan quietly waited for Chi Jingwen’s response.

After the two were silent for a moment, Chi Jingwen said, “Xiyan, I know you’re a good child. These years, I’ve always raised you as my biological daughter.”

“You also have Chi family blood flowing through you.”

“However, the position of Chi family head has always been held by capable people. And the Chi family’s wealth can likewise only be inherited by matching capability.”

“And in my heart, that person has always been you.”

Hearing this, Chi Xiyan raised her head and looked at Chi Jingwen with surprise. “Father…”

Chi Jingwen’s face showed a loving expression. “Xiyan, you are also my daughter.”

“Moreover, you’re right. If that farm girl truly is Chi family bloodline, then we cannot let her continue drifting outside.”

“Go bring your younger sister back, Xiyan.”

Chi Jingwen made the final decision.

“Then choose a day to hold a recognition ceremony within the family, verify her identity, and recognize kinship by blood.”

“Then she will be the Chi family’s second young lady.”

So it was blood recognition.

Chi Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief.

This was no different from what she had expected.

Naturally, the Chi family couldn’t rely on just a jade hairpin to determine Yu Lizhi was Chi family bloodline.

“Father, I’ll go make arrangements now.”

“I’ll bring my sister back today.”

Chi Jingwen nodded.

Chi Xiyan bid farewell to Chi Jingwen and quickly left the study.

Chi Jingwen watched Chi Xiyan leave the entire time. Then he picked up the jade hairpin again.

Looking at this hairpin, his eyes showed doubt.

“This jade hairpin is indeed her hairpin. It doesn’t seem fake…”

“But what exactly is going on?”

Chi Jingwen pondered.

He took out the letter he had been reading earlier.

Actually, it wasn’t a letter.

But two special files and documents.

They detailed a person’s life and origins.

One file had “Yu Lizhi” written in the name field.

Chi Jingwen looked at the file before him, his expression serious.

“If this Yu Lizhi is the real one, then what about the other person?”

Yu Lizhi’s file was found by Chi family shadow agents. After verification, there were no abnormalities.

But the other file had an unusual origin.

And at the very top of the file, it clearly read:

“Nanhe Song Clan.”

“Song Shiyuan.”