Chapter 50: Brothers and sisters respect each other

Just after dawn, the sun was high in the sky, and heat and light rose up with it.

The shadows of the trees on both sides were cast on the official road, one gray and one white, clearly distinct, with the swaying of the trees at the edges faintly visible.

It wasn't a gentle breeze, but rather the rushing of fast horses and cart tracks at the end of the official road.

Chen Yi observed from afar, muttering to himself, "No wonder they say the top scholar has such an imposing presence."

Armored soldiers led the way, followed closely by flag officers carrying flags, and behind them was a large red carriage pulled by four fine horses.

Although it arrived at breakneck speed, it was easy to see that the train tracks were smooth and there was not a single sway.

When they were still a mile away from the post station, the fast horses, the flying flags, and the carriages behind them slowed down and gradually came to a stop beside the post station.

Upon seeing this, Liu Si and the other officials surrounded him with smiles on their faces.

Before they even saw Chen Yunfan, most of them were already bowing in greeting.

Chen Yi looked around and recognized that what was hanging on the carriage was not the cloud flag of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission, but a palm-sized mark on the top of the carriage - the character "Chen" outlined on a black background with white clouds.

It was clearly the mark of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, indicating that the main branch of the Chen family, a family with a history of five hundred years, was sitting inside.

Why five hundred years?

This dates back to the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty before the Great Wei Dynasty. The ancestors of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, who were meritorious officials at that time, have been in existence for exactly five hundred years.

The so-called aristocratic families, though only four words long, represent more than just power, status, and wealth; more importantly, they represent inheritance.

The longer a family has a long history, the more powerful it is not only in its own territory, but also in the far and wide, making it extremely well-connected.

Not to mention the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, even the Xiao family of Shu Prefecture, which has been passed down for two hundred years, has relatives by marriage including the lineage of the Duke of Gan, who has been rampant in Guangyue Prefecture and Jiaozhou.

There are so many other powerful clans and aristocratic families that are on good terms with the Xiao family that it would take half a day to calculate their relationship.

Therefore, at this moment, Chen Yi glanced at the officials of all ranks in Shuzhou Prefecture and knew that they cared not only about Chen Yunfan's official position, but also about the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture and the Cui family of Qinghe.

At this moment, Xiao Wuge tilted his head back and looked at it, "Brother-in-law, this cloud chariot is quite high-class, isn't it?"

Chen Yi nodded slightly, "Indeed, it's not low."

With its frame made of nanmu wood and its body encased in fine iron, topped with a canopy and adorned with carved family seals, this carriage was not only of high standard, but the taboos it violated were enough for those old-fashioned officials to impeach it.

Even the young Xiao Wuge could see this, let alone others.

However, it was clear that Liu Si and his officials simply pretended not to see it.

At this moment, the silk curtain of the cloud carriage was lifted, and a lightly dressed maid stepped down, kneeling on the ground with her thighs straight.

Then a man dressed in a bright red robe and wearing a veil hat stepped down from her legs.

He was extremely handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, red lips and white teeth, and a slender figure, but his thinness was clearly visible.

It was none other than Chen Yunfan, the eldest son of the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture—the current top scholar of the Great Wei Dynasty and a fourth-rank councilor of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission.

He looked around, his gaze passing over Liu Si and the others, and saw Chen Yi and the others in the distance behind him. He smiled and waved twice.

Needless to say, that smile was extremely friendly and warm to anyone.

Although Liu Si was displeased that he was being ignored, he was also relieved, at least the two half-brothers seemed to be getting along well on the surface.

"Prefect Liu Si of Shuzhou has been waiting for Councilor Chen for a long time."

Next was Xiao Dongchen, who held the same official rank as Chen Yunfan. He smiled and cupped his hands, saying, "I am Xiao Dongchen, the Assistant Administrator of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission, here on behalf of the Left and Right Administration Commissioners to welcome Brother Yunfan."

The other officials bowed one by one.

Chen Yunfan withdrew his gaze, smiled and bowed: "Lord Liu, please forgive me, Lord Xiao, and everyone else, the journey has been delayed and I have kept you waiting."

Liu Si smiled and said, "It's alright, it's still early. Right Envoy Liu Hong has already booked a banquet at Fengchun Tower tonight. We're just waiting for Lord Chen to rest a bit before welcoming you back."

"Thank you for your help."

Chen Yunfan stood with one hand in front and the other behind his back, looking polite and humble, but his head was slightly raised and his expression was relaxed and at ease.

It was as if he took it for granted that he was treated with such courtesy.

Not only Liu Si and Xiao Dongchen could see it, but Chen Yi could also see it.

Just like he remembered, this elder brother seemed approachable, but in reality, he was filled with the pride of a powerful aristocratic family and could never bend down.

I wonder if he was in the same situation when he took the imperial examination in the Golden Palace and faced the current emperor as the examiner.

Just as Chen Yi was observing Chen Yunfan and wondering how he would talk to him, he saw Chen Yunfan slightly open his right hand and walk straight over, ignoring the eager Liu Si and the others beside him.

From afar, Chen Yunfan smiled and said, "Brother Yi, it's been a long time."

Yi brother?

“Yi Di” is equivalent to “Yi Di”.

Chen Yi thought to himself that this person was planning to disown him, the brother whose name was written in the Chen family genealogy.

"Brother Yunfan, looking at your demeanor today, you are as dashing as when you strolled through the flower streets of Jinling back in the day."

He also happened to lose the character "长" (cháng).

Chen Yunfan heard this and said unhappily, "I was entrusted by our father and mother to go and bring you home that day, how can you still hold a grudge?"

Chen Yi retorted without backing down, "The time you captured me was only because I had your beloved Butterfly Dance girl with me."

"Butterfly Dance, who is that?"

Chen Yunfan pretended not to know and pointed to the maid beside the carriage behind him: "Is she prettier than my brother Chunying?"

Chen Yi smiled and said, "Brother, your reputation as a romantic and talented man has spread throughout Jiangnan Prefecture. Your judgment is certainly not bad."

Chen Yunfan laughed heartily, looked him up and down, and then waved to Liu Si and the others:

"Come, come, let me introduce you to some friends in official circles. Since you're marrying into the Shu Prefecture, they can help you out in the future."

Before Liu Si and the others could approach, Chen Yi pointed to Xiao Wuge, who was standing to the side with an excited expression:

"Let me introduce you to someone first."

"Xiao Wuge, grandson of Marquis Dingyuan."

Chen Yunfan's smile froze instantly. He looked at him, then glanced down at Xiao Wuge, and his smile faded.

However, he didn't show any anger. Instead, he calmly straightened his clothes, clasped his hands together, and respectfully bowed to Xiao Wuge, saying loudly:

"This humble official, Chen Yunfan, the Councilor of the Shu Prefecture Administration, greets the young marquis."

The Great Wei Dynasty had strict rules and regulations.

Despite Chen Yunfan's flamboyant behavior and his transgressions of family rules, he never dares to neglect etiquette and law.

Especially when he took office and was surrounded by officials of all ranks, including Liu Si, he would not lose his self-cultivation.

No need for formalities.

Xiao Wuge looked up at him, then looked at Chen Yi and said, "Brother-in-law, your brother is indeed more capable than the third-ranked scholar."

Before a smile could appear on Chen Yunfan's face, he continued, "Even the third-ranked scholar jumps off the white horse himself, and he has to step on the maid's thighs to get down."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile.

To be honest, only Xiao Wuge could say something like that. If it were anyone else, Chen Yunfan would probably have lost his temper.

Even so, Chen Yunfan's expression was still not good.

After a moment of silence, he forced a smile and said, "Young Marquis is right. Yunfan was unaware that Young Marquis was in person and was impolite."

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Wuge simply waved his hand and said, "No one is perfect, as long as you know your mistakes and can correct them."

As he spoke, he pointed at Chen Yi and said, "These are all things my brother-in-law taught me."

"..."

Chen Yunfan's face immediately turned even uglier. He glanced at Chen Yi, who was smiling beside him, and said indifferently:

"Brother Yi, I have official business to attend to today. I'll send someone to summon you when I have some free time next time."

After saying that, he turned and walked towards the carriage, ignoring Liu Si and the others.

However, before getting into the carriage, Chen Yunfan refused the help of the maid beside him, and looked at Chen Yi after stepping onto the carriage:

"I am very pleased to see that you are in good health and dressed neatly this time."

"I imagine your father and mother would be pleased to see you like this today."

Before he could finish speaking, he pulled open the curtain and sat down in the carriage.

Immediately afterwards, armored soldiers led the way, followed by flag officers, and the carriage sped toward Shuzhou City.

Liu Si and the others looked displeased, glared at Chen Yi, and stormed off.

Xiao Dongchen pointed at Chen Yi, a wry smile on his face, looking like he didn't know what to say.

After everyone had left, Chen Yi stood smiling on the official road, watching a dozen or so carriages drive away before patting Xiao Wuge on the shoulder:

"I won't dare to expose someone's shortcomings like that next time, it'll just get me beaten up."

“If anyone dares to hit me, I’ll have Uncle Lixing and Uncle Hong hit them back.”

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong nodded, both amused and exasperated, thinking to themselves that they couldn't afford to fight that young master of the Chen family; it would have to be the master and the young ladies who stepped in.

But did the son-in-law cause trouble today, or not?

[Witness the arrival of Chen Yunfan, the top scholar in the imperial examination, in Shu Prefecture. Born into a prominent family, the scholar's imposing presence commands respect from the officials, as he embarks on a dignified and righteous path to advancement. Reward: Cultivation Technique – Xuanwu Concealing Breath Technique (Mystic Rank), Opportunity: 40.]

[Comment: The person's arrival was noticeable, the scene impressive. Though the rice grains were gleaming, it still rivaled the top scholar in brilliance; it was still acceptable.]

After reading it, Chen Yi didn't care what they thought, and waved his hand, saying, "We've picked up the person, let's head back now."

After everyone boarded the carriage, Xiao Wuge said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, I wasn't wrong just now. If my eldest and second sisters saw him like that, they wouldn't be happy either."

"Yes, yes..."

Chen Yi gave a perfunctory reply, but then pondered the Concealing Breath Technique in his mind.

Based on past instances, this reward should be related to the person or event witnessed.

Based on this, Chen Yunfan must have practiced a similar breath-concealing technique.

It's impossible that he was truly transformed from Xuanwu and was about to rise to prominence in Shu Prefecture with every step he took.

...

Just as Chen Yi was filled with doubt, inside the Chen family's cloud-car speeding ahead.

Chen Yunfan had lost his previous arrogance and, lying on the lap of the maid named Chunying, asked:

"What did you notice?"

Chunying gently rubbed his temples and whispered, "Young Master Chen Yi must have practiced martial arts."

Chen Yunfan closed his eyes and slumped in enjoyment, saying lazily, "My brother has really changed. He never knew how to hide his talents before..."

(End of this chapter)