My Gentle and Pure Sect Leader Husband - Chapter 7

When Yan Hongyin returned, she was holding a tray with a bowl of medicine and breakfast.

Upon entering, he saw a pale-faced beauty sitting by the table, brows slightly furrowed, with an expression that seemed to be enduring some discomfort. It was the perfect image of a delicate Xi Shi clutching her chest, exuding both resistance and reluctant allure.

(TL: Xi Shi (西施) was one of the Four Great Beauties of ancient China. She was famed for her unparalleled beauty, to the extent that legends say her mere presence could make fish forget how to swim.

The phrase “西子捧心” (Xi Shi clutching her chest) refers to a story where she suffered from heart pain, yet even in distress, she appeared graceful and captivating.)

“Are you unwell? It’s common to feel some stagnation in the morning. Have some porridge to settle your stomach.” Yan Hongyin set down the tray, reached out to feel Yu Luocha’s forehead, then naturally took his wrist to check his pulse.

Yu Luocha’s eyelid twitched. The already unstable internal energy within his dantian surged, causing a sharp pain through his meridians. A sweetness rose in his throat, and he coughed up blood to his side.

Yan Hongyin sensed chaotic internal energy flowing within Yu Luocha, not concentrated in the dantian, but spreading from his back, wreaking havoc on his meridians. Recalling the whip marks and palm prints she’d seen on his back earlier, she understood.

She had examined those injuries carefully. They weren’t caused by any profound martial arts technique. However, Yu Luocha was an ordinary person, without internal energy to protect himself. This foreign energy rampaged within him, unable to be dispelled. This was likely the root cause of his persistent illness.

While she had cultivated a sliver of internal energy that morning, it was far too weak for healing. Even if it were sufficient, she preferred not to reveal this side of herself to Yu Luocha. He seemed to harbor a strong aversion to martial artists, and those who had abducted and sold him were likely connected to some sect or faction.

Seeking help from others was also problematic. The Jinyiwei dark envoys had complex backgrounds, and in her current weakened state, direct contact was unwise. Other martial artists were even less trustworthy. Those skilled in martial arts within Yan Hong Hall weren’t proficient healers. Given Yu Luocha’s fragile meridians, any misstep could worsen his condition. A gentler approach was necessary.

Yan Hongyin withdrew her hand, lost in thought.

Yu Luocha’s other hand, hidden in his sleeve, slowly clenched into a fist. She must have detected traces of internal energy while checking his pulse…Had she discovered something? If so…

“Don’t drink this medicine yet. I need to adjust the prescription.” Yan Hongyin placed the medicine bowl back on the tray, pushing the chicken porridge towards Yu Luocha. “The person who injured you left some internal energy in your meridians. Fortunately, it was discovered in time. I’ll find a solution.”

Yu Luocha’s tense back relaxed slightly, and his fingers moved away from the sharp porcelain shard hidden in his sleeve.

Watching Yu Luocha quietly eat his porridge, Yan Hongyin said, “By the way, I haven’t been in Jiangnan recently. I need to go to the Merchant Guild in a few days. Would Ah Yu like to come with me?”

Ah Yu was always calm and unhurried, unlike those without martial arts skills who tended to be easily startled.

Yu Luocha naturally wouldn’t go. He preferred that no one in Jiangnan knew him as Yan Hongyin’s husband.

He shook his head. “I’m feeling a bit unwell. I’d rather not go out.”

Understanding, Yan Hongyin said, “Ah Yu can do as you please. But staying indoors constantly isn’t good for your health. You should get some fresh air.”

She took a thick stack of banknotes from her sleeve and placed them on the table, adding a few gold and silver ingots on top.

“I’ll be gone for four or five days. This is your allowance for this period. Ah Yu can buy whatever you like. If anyone gives you trouble, just mention Yan Hong Hall. Don’t let yourself be wronged.”

She paused, then added, “There’s a wardrobe in the back room with clothes that should fit you. The embroiderer is making new clothes, which will be delivered in a few days. Try them on and let Lianqiao know if they don’t fit.”

After recalling everything and confirming that all instructions were properly given, a trace of satisfaction flickered in Yan Hongyin’s eyes. She took the hand of the visibly conflicted Yu Luocha and firmly pressed the gold ingot into his palm. “If you want to manage the household accounts, I’ll have them organized for you tomorrow. If not, just withdraw what you need. This is Ah Yu’s home now. Don’t feel constrained.”

Yan Hongyin wasn’t usually so verbose, but she felt guilty about leaving her newlywed husband alone so soon after their marriage.

She lied about the Merchant Guild. She was indeed going there, but not leaving Hangzhou, or even venturing far from Yan Hong Hall. She was simply moving to another residence.

It felt like she was keeping a secret, which added to her guilt.

But she had to leave. She had finally made some progress in recovering her internal energy, and nighttime meditation was most effective. However, she couldn’t focus with Ah Yu nearby, fearing she might accidentally injure him.

The auction house was also about to open, and she wanted to see if there were any medicinal herbs that could help Ah Yu.

Moreover, without her internal energy, she couldn’t stay awake all night.

Yu Luocha looked at Yan Hongyin, nodded, and softly replied, “Alright.”

This woman certainly knew how to pick her moments.

Jiangnan was a region with complex and intertwined power structures. Yu Luocha had contacts here he might be able to utilize.

He had been wondering how to slip away from Yan Hongyin to investigate a few leads.

After Yan Hongyin left, Yu Luocha toyed with the gold ingots in his hand. Once he recovered and his internal energy returned, perhaps he wouldn’t deny this woman a swift end.

****

Yan Hongyin hadn’t come to Jiangnan to live an ordinary life, as she’d told Lu Gang.

Instead, she switched to a Rank Four Zhenfushi identity that even Lu Gang didn’t know about.

Only the Emperor and Dark Division Commander Yan Hongyin knew the identities of the Jinyiwei dark envoys. The only person who had seen the Dark Division Commander’s true face was Lu Gang, a close minister to the emperor who was far away in the capital and could not leave easily.

Yan Hongyin never shied away from trouble.

So what if she had lost her internal energy?

The Jinyiwei dark envoys were filled with talented individuals, some without any martial arts training, yet capable of taking lives and completing missions flawlessly.

It was once rumored in the martial world that the Jinyiwei, the imperial court’s hounds, had established a place where intelligence from across the land was gathered—known as Wanyu Tower.

It supposedly held the hidden scandals of officials and nobles, the dark deeds of martial arts clans, and the weaknesses of demonic sect leaders, making it a place that held power over these individuals’ most vital vulnerabilities.

Whether true or false, over the years, the Jinyiwei has captured countless undercover agents, but they have all failed to secure their positions and only discovered that this place is fully guarded and secretly protected by the Jinyiwei Dark Division.

Lu Gang’s insistence on Yan Hongyin protecting her identity stemmed from the fact that only the Emperor and she knew the location of Wanyu Tower. Upon her retirement, this secret would pass only to the next Dark Division Commander.

Today, Yan Hongyin wore a goose-yellow robe embroidered with daisies, covered by a dark cloak that muted its warmth. Her expressionless face conveyed a chilling austerity.

“Any activity at Hefang Shop?”

The young man behind her had an unremarkable face, but the subtle movements of his eyes and lips revealed he wore a human skin mask.

“The daily flow of people entering and leaving Hefangzhai is too dense. The brothers below are already monitoring their supply and delivery routes, but haven’t found anything unusual yet.”

Yan Hongyin’s voice was faint. “What about the customers buying pastries?”

The young man hesitated. “Daren, Hefang Shop’s business is booming. The number of commoners buying pastries is simply…”

“Too many customers, so you stopped monitoring?” Yan Hongyin stopped and looked down at him. “Who taught you to operate this way?”

The Commander led the Jinyiwei, which included numerous informants, spies, and recruits.

“Please forgive me, Daren! I’ll make arrangements immediately!” The young man’s jaw tightened, his mind racing to rectify his mistake.

He had heard from colleagues that this Zhenfushi Daren, though cold, was generally reasonable and wouldn’t be overly harsh.

Yan Hongyin was indeed a relatively lenient superior. She simply hummed in acknowledgment and continued walking.

The young man let out a breath of relief and had just wiped the damp sweat from his palms when he heard the woman walking ahead speak in a calm, indifferent tone—

“If there’s a next time, you’re out of the Dark Division.”

The young man’s scalp tightened, and cold sweat drenched him.

The Jinyiwei had light envoys and dark envoys. Light envoys were appointed by the Emperor based on recommendations from martial arts families. Dark envoys came from more diverse backgrounds. However, there was one crucial difference. Light envoys retired and returned home. Dark envoys entered alive, but never left.

“…Yes.”

****

After confirming Hefang Shop as the Western Demonic Sect’s base, the Jinyiwei had taken over Hongyun Restaurant across the street.

As Yan Hongyin stepped out of the carriage, her cold demeanor vanished, replaced by the graceful and composed air of Doctor Yan, the head of Yan Hong Hall.

She sat by the window on the third floor, the young Jinyiwei standing beside her, disguised as a servant.

“Sit.”

The young man nervously accepted the tea she poured, his eyes fixed on the bustling crowd outside Hefang Shop.

Yan Hongyin noticed his tension from her earlier reprimand and smiled. “To be assigned to Jiangnan, you must be one of the top three new dark envoys from the Yutong Hall?”

The young man, his arrogance gone, replied softly, “Reporting to Daren, this subordinate is… the top graduate.”

Surprise flickered in Yan Hongyin’s eyes. Yutong Hall was where the Dark Division raised and trained orphans. Every five years, ten were selected as new Jinyiwei, but the top graduate was typically assigned to the capital. It was unusual for one to come to Jiangnan.

“I requested to be assigned to Jiangnan.” The young man’s grip tightened on the teacup. “My family was from Jiangnan… My parents were…innocently caught in the crossfire of some martial arts vengeance and reckoning here.”

He had lost his home and become an orphan.

Yan Hongyin understood and didn’t press the matter. “Hefang Shop isn’t in the heart of the city, and their pastries are affordable for ordinary people. Most customers are buying for their families.”

“But those martial artists who have long lived freely in the jianghu, even if they hide their weapons, will still exude a distinctive aura..”

The young man knew that his superior was giving him guidance. As he listened intently, his sharp gaze swept over the crowd below.

“Is Daren referring to that person?”

The young man’s finger steadily pointed at the tall man walking out of Hefang Shop below.

Yan Hongyin followed the young man’s finger and saw a man carrying several pastries wrapped in oil paper. He wore a crow-black robe embroidered with golden bamboo leaves on the hem and cuffs.

His slightly curled hair tips revealed hints of golden brown in the sunlight. Yan Hongyin’s eyes darkened as he said with an ambiguous tone:

“If you find him suspicious, why not follow him.”

“Go investigate.”

TN:

“Zhenfushi (镇抚使)” was an official title in historical China, typically associated with law enforcement and military oversight. A “Rank Four Zhenfushi” would indicate a mid-to-high-ranking official within the bureaucratic hierarchy.