https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-496-Qi-Yuan-s-Love-Advice-Embarrassing-the-Mother-in-Law/13026936/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-498-Your-Bullying-is-Useless-The-Origin-of-Artisanry/13026938/
Chapter 497: I'm a Concubine Husband, Easy to Bully
Chapter 497: I'm a Concubine Husband, Easy to Bully
The morning sun shone lazily upon Qi Yuan, who was still half-asleep.
Chen Kangbao had a steamed bun in his mouth, chewing it half-heartedly.
In the Shen Mansion, at the martial training ground, young men and women gathered in small groups, whispering among themselves.
"I wonder if I have the talent to be an Armament Master."
"If I'm chosen to go to Ye Mountain Lake and come up with an excellent plan to repair the Dragon Phoenix, how glorious would that be!"
"I heard that last night, the concubine husband wanted to bathe his wife... I also want to..."
These voices, some spoken aloud, some mere thoughts, all reached Qi Yuan's ears.
As Qi Yuan appeared, the whispers about "bathing water" among the crowd intensified.
However, no one dared to speak up, as it involved the reputation of the lady of the house.
Qi Yuan yawned lazily, his thoughts complicated.
"I'm playing the role of a concubine husband too slowly. Not only did I not draw bathwater for my mother-mother-in-law.
These people are quite skilled at holding in their anger. No one has come to bully me yet. How can I speed up the progress?"
Following Qi Yuan's train of thought.
Playing the role of a concubine husband, without anyone bullying him, how could he deepen his progress?
However, Qi Yuan's appearance did attract the attention of many.
Shen Baoting stared at Qi Yuan, his eyes shifting, as various thoughts flashed through his mind.
"Lingxuan, with her beauty that could shake the heavens, how could she marry such a useless man?
Why didn't he die in Ninghe County?"
"Yesterday, he caused a ruckus in the Shen Mansion, and the head of the family didn't even punish him. How detestable!"
"It's a pity, but he is, after all, the lady's husband. I can't offend him easily. I'll find someone foolish enough to provoke him and cause trouble for Qi Yuan."
"Look at how carefree he is, it's enough to make one jealous!"
"Shen Baihu is not bad. Too bad, last time I spoke to him... and he said he wouldn't bully a useless person."
Shen Baoting's thoughts turned dark.
He had long disliked Qi Yuan.
In fact, he even saw his sister, Shen Lingxuan, as a goddess, with a strong possessive desire."
At this moment, as Shen Baoting's thoughts reached Qi Yuan's ears, Qi Yuan's eyes lit up.
He had found... someone to bully the concubine husband.
"Old man, go and get a wooden board," he whispered to Chen Kangbao.
Chen Kangbao, hearing Qi Yuan's words, quickly finished his steamed bun and scurried away.
At this moment, under the gaze of many, Qi Yuan approached Shen Baoting's small group.
Shen Baoting's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
Shen Baihu was taken aback.
Those around them looked on with confusion.
"Greetings, Brother Qi!"
No matter what, they addressed Qi Yuan as "Brother Qi," their faces beaming with amicable smiles.
This was the power of the husband's status rising with the wife's.
Qi Yuan couldn't help but sigh, some people from prestigious families were indeed masters of pretense.
Especially Shen Baoting, who secretly wished him dead, yet his face was filled with kindness.
"I'm just a concubine husband. I never expected you all to treat me so well." Qi Yuan put on a saintly act.
"Brother Qi is joking. You are Lingxuan's husband, we are all family. If not for you, then for whom?" Shen Baoting said with a smile.
"Sigh." Qi Yuan sighed in exasperation.
"Is Brother Qi troubled by something?" Shen Baoting asked with concern.
"I'm sighing because the scheming within prestigious families is too much.
You clearly wish me dead, yet you greet me with a smile." Qi Yuan looked at the young man before him.
Shen Baoting's smile faded, and he immediately looked aggrieved.
"Brother Qi, is this... blaming me? When did I offend Brother Qi, for you to hate me so? Speak up, and I'll change!"
When it came to acting saintly, Shen Baoting far surpassed Qi Yuan.
His appearance was so pitiful that even a man would feel sympathy.
Many even glared at Qi Yuan, feeling that he was bullying others.
In their hearts, a mere concubine husband, how dare he appear so boldly.
Facing Shen Baoting, who liked to stand behind and scheme, ordinary people had no way to deal with him.
Qi Yuan's expression remained calm, "If you didn't wish me dead, he said.
"How could I be slandering you? Why would I provoke Shen Baihu to make him attack you?" Shen Baoting was a little flustered.
The words he used to provoke Shen Baihu against Qi Yuan, only Shen Baihu had heard.
Shen Baihu, with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, would never repeat those words to Qi Yuan.
"Sigh, Baihu, I misjudged you. When Lingxuan married Qi Yuan, I had complaints. It was just drunken words, I never thought you'd tell Brother Qi!"
I never thought you'd repeat those words to Brother Qi!"
He quickly clarified the misunderstanding.
Even seeking the approval of others.
After all, Qi Yuan marrying Shen Lingxuan had caused quite a stir within the Shen family, with many holding grudges.
Of course, Shen Baoting's inner resentment was even greater.
As a member of the side lineage, he considered himself exceptional.
The side lineage could also intermarry with the main lineage.
He had just gained the opportunity to enter the heart of the Shen Mansion, and upon seeing Shen Lingxuan, a strong possessiveness arose within him.
He thought highly of himself, believing that given time, he could win over Shen Lingxuan, which would later grant him access to more resources and eventually control over the Shen family.
But who could have known that halfway through, Qi Yuan would appear and ruin his plans?
Shen Baihu's face turned pale upon hearing Shen Baoting's words, his expression changing repeatedly.
At this moment, a few of the Shen family's younger members nearby spoke up for Shen Baoting.
"Brother Qi, Brother Baoting was speaking nonsense after drinking, please don't take it seriously!"
Qi Yuan's marriage into the Shen Mansion had caused discontent among many of the younger members.
They also believed that Shen Baoting, like them, had been reported to Shen Baihu.
At this time, three or four of the younger members came forward to plead for Shen Baoting.
Shen Baoting stood there with a hunched back, feeling extremely proud.
"Hmph, Shen Baihu, with such a petty mind, how can you compete with me?"
He naturally thought that Shen Baihu was jealous of him, which was why he reported him, causing the concubine's husband, Qi Yuan, to come looking for him.
Just then, Chen Kangbao rushed over.
"Young Master, the sign!"
He handed over a wooden board.
A rope hung from the board, and Qi Yuan hung it around his neck.
He flipped the board over, and two large characters immediately appeared on its surface.
"I'm just a concubine's husband, easy to bully!"
"Shen Baoting, if you want to bully me, just do it. Don't hide your thoughts!"
Qi Yuan pointed at the large characters on the board, looking at Shen Baoting.
Those around them who witnessed this scene were all startled, feeling perplexed.
"Has this concubine's husband... really gone crazy?"
"His actions are... too eccentric."
Indeed, Qi Yuan's behavior left them utterly confused.
Shen Baoting's face alternated between dark and bright, looking very unsightly.
He never expected that Qi Yuan would find him and write on a board like this.
Chen Kangbao, standing nearby, blinked his eyes because he remembered there were no words on the board.
"Shen Baoting, I'm easy to bully, so come and bully me!" Qi Yuan said to Shen Baoting with anticipation on his face.
The concubine's husband, Qi Yuan, had reached 29% in his role-playing progress.
If he took one more step, he had a premonition that there would be a reward, and he was quite eager for it.
As long as Shen Baoting bullied him, the progress might surpass 29%.
Shen Baoting took a deep breath, "Brother Qi, if you have any grievances with me, I admit my mistake. I hope you can calm down."
He bowed solemnly, apologizing to Qi Yuan.
Those around them looked at Shen Baoting with sympathetic expressions.
"Hey, are you a man or not? If you want to bully me, just say it. Hiding behind a facade every day, acting like a hypocrite, aren't you tired?" Qi Yuan said.
Shen Baoting, upon hearing this, still felt wronged, "Brother Qi, you've misunderstood me too much!"
Those around them turned to Qi Yuan, their faces carrying a hint of resentment.
In a book, a character with the number one, nine, one, and eight, a bar, one, and a mistake, none!
It seemed like Qi Yuan was being too harsh in his bullying of Shen Baoting.
Clearly an outsider, yet he was so boastful.
Just then, a hurried voice sounded, "Brother-in-law, I found where Lao Zhong lives!"
The voice carried a hint of joy.
Shen Lingfeng ran over, pulling Qi Yuan's arm.
His arrival also seemed to pause the argument on the field.
Qi Yuan looked at Shen Baoting, "Baoting, wait for me to come back, and you can bully me then. I have something to attend to first."
"What did you say, Brother-in-law?" Shen Lingfeng was confused.
"It's nothing. Let's go to Lao Zhong's place."
Qi Yuan pulled Shen Lingfeng along.
After all, Lao Zhong's death was suspicious, and Qi Yuan needed to investigate and find out who was behind it.
This was one of the tasks for Qi Yuan, the concubine's husband.
Shen Baoting watched the backs of Shen Lingfeng and Qi Yuan, his face darkening.
"How did their relationship suddenly become so good?"
"This Qi Yuan is truly detestable. Is he pretending to be foolish or what?"
"Hmph, the moral high ground is on my side. I'll be careful during this time, and see how he can compete with me?"
Shen Baoting thought to himself.
In the current situation, he was the victim, and even if he took it to the Elders' Council, the advantage would still be on his side. He had no fear of Qi Yuan.
...
"Brother-in-law, I know you want to investigate Lao Zhong's death. I intentionally found someone for you, and he's currently at Lao Zhong's house, examining Lao Zhong's body." Shen Lingfeng spoke like a child seeking praise.
"You're thoughtful." Qi Yuan said.
"Hey, when serving the brother-in-law, one must be thoughtful." Shen Lingfeng said, then whispered, "Brother-in-law, I've already received seventeen replies today.
"He spoke with pride, boasting as he did so."
He had sent out over a hundred letters, and now, seventeen replies had arrived.
"But Miss Li and Miss Lin haven't replied. Alas..." Shen Lingfeng sighed.
"It seems they're not meant to be with you. Ignore them from now on," Qi Yuan said.
"Alright, I'll listen to my brother-in-law!" Shen Lingfeng responded.
Soon, the two arrived at Lao Zhong's residence outside the Shen family estate.
The place was rather secluded, the house small and dimly lit, exuding a damp and musty air.
Within, a faint stench of decay permeated the air, accompanied by a peculiar odor reminiscent of a dead snake.
A coffin sat in the room, its lid open, revealing a man dressed as a chief constable deep in thought, furrowing his brows.
"Lin Qinghe, how's the investigation going? Who killed Lao Zhong?" Shen Lingfeng entered, shouting.
Lin Qinghe's thoughts were interrupted, and he looked at Qi Yuan and Shen Lingfeng, his gaze briefly resting on Qi Yuan, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
However, he answered truthfully, "The victim has been dead for too long, leaving behind too few clues.
But there's a fine, clean cut on his throat, and I speculate it was a skilled swordsman who slit his throat with a single strike."
Lin Qinghe's eyes held a hint of helplessness.
Lao Zhong had been dead for too long, and there were too few clues left in the house.
Even if the best constables were here, it would be difficult to identify the murderer.
"Who killed him and framed my brother-in-law?" Shen Lingfeng asked.
Lin Qinghe shook his head. "I need time to investigate and find more clues."
"Let me take a look," Qi Yuan spoke up, walking towards the coffin.
Lin Qinghe was a bit surprised but said nothing.
"Brother-in-law, do you understand how to solve cases?" Shen Lingfeng asked.
"Actually, I'm particularly suited for solving cases," Qi Yuan replied earnestly. "If I were a chief constable, there'd be almost no case I couldn't crack!"
If he hadn't ended up in the cultivation world, his special abilities would have made him an ideal detective or police officer.
Lin Qinghe, upon hearing this, felt speechless.
He immediately recognized the young man before him as Qi Yuan from Ninghe County.
He was surprised that Qi Yuan had left the Insane Institute and returned to the Shen family.
But considering the Shen family's power, this was to be expected.
Qi Yuan, as he knew him, was ordinary and even a bit of a good-for-nothing.
How could he solve cases?
Now, his grandiose claims were truly laughable.
"Brother Qi, do you know why the bones in Lao Zhong's waist and abdomen are missing?" Lin Qinghe casually asked, as if testing Qi Yuan.
It seemed he wanted to challenge Qi Yuan.
"Is that important?" Qi Yuan glanced at Lin Qinghe. "It's unrelated to his death. You're paying attention to these details, which shows your level of skill."
Lin Qinghe froze for a moment, feeling like crying and laughing at the same time.
This fool of a brother-in-law, Qi Yuan... couldn't he tell that I was testing him?
If he couldn't even identify such a simple injury, how could he claim there's no case he couldn't solve?
Qi Yuan paid no further attention to Lin Qinghe, his gaze fixed on Lao Zhong's decaying body.
He glanced at the fatal wound on the neck, and instantly, a message appeared in Qi Yuan's eyes.
【This sword mark was made by Fang Shisan of the Radiant Order.】
"Brother-in-law, do you have any clues?" Shen Lingfeng asked from a distance, not daring to approach.
Lin Qinghe looked at Qi Yuan, feeling helpless.
This man had merely glanced at the body without thoroughly examining or checking the bones. How could he possibly have found any clues?
"No clues, but I've found the person who killed Lao Zhong," Qi Yuan said.
Lin Qinghe froze, then asked subconsciously, "Who's the murderer? Do you know him, Brother Qi?"
"The murderer is Fang Shisan of the Radiant Order. Do you know him?" Qi Yuan countered.
"The Radiant Order? Fang Shisan?" Lin Qinghe was taken aback.
He hadn't heard of these two names before. Could it be that Qi Yuan was making things up?
"Seems you don't know," Qi Yuan said indifferently. "Let's go home. Now that we know the murderer, we just need to find him."
Shen Lingfeng's face showed admiration. "Brother-in-law, you're truly amazing! Just one look at the body and you know who the murderer is!"
Beside him, Lin Qinghe was speechless.
He wanted to refute Shen Lingfeng, but after a moment's thought, he decided against it.
After all, he naturally believed that Qi Yuan was talking nonsense.
How could someone identify a murderer just by looking at the victim, especially when they didn't even know or had never seen the murderer before?
Could it be that the victim's bones were engraved with the murderer's name?
"Lin, help me issue a wanted notice for Fang Shisan of the Radiant Order!" Shen Lingfeng requested as he left, not forgetting to ask Lin Qinghe for assistance.
"Alright..." Lin Qinghe hesitated, then reluctantly nodded.
(End of Chapter)
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