Chapter 64 What is coming cannot be avoided

Upon hearing this, Pei Guanli disregarded the petty scoundrels who dared to speak ill of her brother-in-law behind his back and excitedly ran over.

At this moment, she was dressed in the unique attire of the mountain tribe, a red and blue dress, and silver ornaments.

With each step she took, the bell around her neck swayed gently, like a fluttering butterfly.

Ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling, ding-a-ling.

"Brother-in-law, what good stuff is it?"

"Come in with me, and you'll find out."

After Chen Yi finished speaking with a stiff smile, he pulled Pei Guanli straight into the main hall.

Not only that, he also quietly waved to Xiao Jinghong, who was arranging the main table.

Without a second thought, Xiao Jinghong followed along.

After Chen Yi whispered something to her and she learned what Pei Guanli had done, she immediately closed the door.

Pei Guanli, clearly unaware of the gravity of the situation, crossed her delicate white feet and asked with a playful laugh:

"Brother-in-law, where's the good stuff you were talking about? Sister Jinghong has some too... oh?"

"Sister Jinghong, please, please... please don't hit me."

"Waaaa, brother-in-law, help me, help me, help me..."

While Xiao Jinghong was dealing with Pei Guanli, Chen Yi quietly walked out of the main hall and saw Chen Yunfan still standing at the door, so he thanked him.

Chen Yunfan said with a smile, "Yi Di's attitude is indeed much better than yesterday."

Chen Yi nodded, looking at everyone in the courtyard, and replied, "Brother is also a little different today."

Tell me, what's the difference?

"Your demeanor is not as haughty as it was yesterday."

Chen Yunfan's smile froze. "Is Yi-di making fun of me?"

"Today is the old Marquis's birthday banquet, and many high-ranking officials are present. Even if I were to act recklessly, I would not dare to do anything improper here."

Chen Yi smiled, noticing the guests' gazes, and then asked, "Brother, you should know about His Majesty's decree. What are your thoughts?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan looked resentful. "Yi-di, are you showing off?"

Chen Yi shook his head speechlessly, "Brother, you misunderstand. I was just... a little surprised. Now that I've married into the Xiao family, it's tens of thousands of miles away from the capital."

He looked at Chen Yunfan and asked seriously, "Why does His Majesty treat me with such special regard?"

Thinking of his meeting with Harrier last night, Chen Yunfan said ambiguously, "Well, I guess he really thinks you're exceptionally talented."

"Brother, do you really think so?"

"Of course, I never lie."

You only know how to give half-truths and perfunctory answers, right?

Chen Yi understood, patted his shoulder, smiled and said, "Excuse me, brother, please make yourself at home," before turning back to the main hall.

Chen Yunfan was taken aback, turned his head to look at the shoulder that had been patted, and stared at Chen Yi's back for a moment.

Yi Di, has... discovered that I possess martial arts skills?

Chen Yi closed the door to the main hall and thought to himself, "My brother is indeed skilled in martial arts. It seems he is also deliberately hiding his abilities."

But what's the reason?

Chen Yi had no idea, but he figured it was probably for a different reason than why he was hiding his talents.

After all, how could a lazy son-in-law compare to the top scholar of the imperial examination?

At this moment, Xiao Jinghong had already finished disciplining Pei Guanli and was racking his brains about how to deal with her. Seeing him enter, he immediately said:

"Husband, please have her give those people some antidote."

Chen Yi snapped out of his daze, "Me?"

A hint of shame and indignation flashed in Xiao Jinghong's beautiful eyes beneath her half-armor. "She doesn't listen to me."

Seeing Pei Guanli sulking with her round little face puffed up, Chen Yi smiled and nodded: "Madam, there are many guests in the courtyard, you should go and attend to your business."

Xiao Jinghong agreed and left the main hall directly.

A moment of silence.

Chen Yi and Pei Guanli, who were both sulking, stared at each other with wide eyes, but then inexplicably burst into laughter.

While laughing, Pei Guanli said angrily, "You stinky brother-in-law, I was clearly avenging you, and you still let Sister Jinghong hit me, hmph."

Chen Yi sat down next to her, reached out and pinched her cheek, tugging at it: "You have to consider the occasion when you want to take revenge, you idiot."

"Even if there's no grudge, it's best to settle it on the spot."

"Today is the old master's birthday, and the guests are all wealthy and noble. If they find out that you poisoned him, it will put the old master in a difficult position and cause the Xiao family to lose face."

Looking at Pei Guanli, who was still confused, Chen Yi couldn't help but think of that night when she had also drugged the armored soldiers and charged straight into the Marquis's mansion.

Clearly, Pei Guanli doesn't understand the concept of social interaction, and probably only has a vague idea of ​​right and wrong.

Thinking it over, Chen Yi released his hand, "In short, you acted rather recklessly. Next time something similar happens, remember to do it quietly."

Pei Guanli was taken aback, and asked in a daze, "So, brother-in-law, you're not angry?"

"Why should I be angry that you taught those gossipy people a lesson? But if you don't cure them of the poison, I reckon I won't be able to play with you anymore."

"I'll go right away."

Pei Guanli immediately got up and ran outside. As soon as she opened the door, she paused, turned back to look at Chen Yi, and smiled brightly: "Brother-in-law, you are such a good person."

After she finished speaking, she left the main hall.

Chen Yi looked at her energetic demeanor and shook his head with a smile.

This girl isn't a bad person.

However, in her world, things are mostly "black and white".

Such people are indeed rare.

...

Although the birthday banquet for Lord Xiao was fraught with twists and turns, it did not miss the auspicious time.

At the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), we offer sacrifices to our ancestors; at the hour of Si (9-11 AM), we welcome our guests; and at the hour of Wu (11 AM-1 PM), we take our seats and the guests present their gifts.

First, celebrate the birthday.

Guests paid their respects in order of their official rank, noble family, and commoner status, with civil officials bowing and military officers kneeling.

Next came the birthday gift presentation.

According to the tradition of the Wei Dynasty, gifts such as jade-carved military tallies and famous swords were often presented to the old marquis.

Although not expensive, it conforms to etiquette and will not overstep the bounds or invite gossip.

Interestingly, Chen Yunfan and Pei Guanli's calligraphy practice books were exactly the same, even down to the signature at the end.

Chen Yi already knew that Pei Guanli must have run into Chen Yunfan last night.

Before the little tiger girl could even get angry, he silenced her with a single sentence: "Tell me, what exactly did you do last night?"

Pei Guanli grinned, glanced at Xiao Jinghong beside her, and immediately forgot about Chen Yunfan.

She had already been beaten for drugging the guests; if Sister Jinghong found out what she had done last night, she would probably get another beating.

She's not stupid.

Finally, it was the turn of the Xiao family members.

After some polite exchanges, the old man smiled and began to speak, suggesting that they start with distant relatives from the collateral branches of the Xiao family.

Then a member of a collateral branch who now resides in Jingzhou stood up, took out an ancient painting that had been prepared beforehand, and recited a blessing.

The old man smiled and nodded, then ordered someone to accept the gift.

Then came the second, the third, and so on, until the entire second branch of the family.

Xiao Qiuyun, who had married the Duke of Gan, stood up with a smile, "Uncle, I came here to attend Jinghong's wedding. The birthday gift was prepared in a hurry, and it is just a pair of Tianhuang stones from Shoushan. Please don't mind."

The old man naturally wouldn't mind, saying, "We're family, no need to be polite. Tianhuang stone is a famous material for seal carving. Later, we'll find a master craftsman, and Old Zhang and I will each carve one."

The old Duke Zhang Xuan laughed and scolded, "You certainly know how to use someone else's flowers to present to the Buddha."

The old man retorted, "Are you Buddha?"

"You can just pray..."

Following Xiao Qiuyun was Xiao Dongchen, who, as usual, presented a piece of calligraphy or painting that was neither outstanding nor cliché.

After the second wife, it was the first wife's turn.

Xiao Xuanshuo presented her with a jade sword.

Xiao Jinghong was the one carved on the tortoise shell, which drew much praise from everyone.

Xiao Wan'er prepared several ancient ginseng roots that were over a hundred years old; no wonder she made a special trip to Jingzhou.

By the time it was Chen Yi's turn, everyone was starving.

He took out the calligraphy copybook he had prepared beforehand, offered a few simple blessings, and then prepared to sit down.

The old man smiled and nodded, said a few words of encouragement, then had the calligraphy scroll taken away and prepared to start the banquet.

Unexpectedly, Mr. Yue Ming, who had been silent all along, spoke up: "Lord Xiao, wait a moment."

"Hmm?" Old Master Xiao frowned as he looked at him. "Yue Ming, what is it?"

He had been wondering about the purpose of the visit of the teachers from Guiyun Academy when he first saw them.

Especially Mr. Yue Ming, the two of them didn't get along when they were young.

Now that he has come to wish him a happy birthday, it's hard not to think to Old Master Xiao, "It's like a weasel paying respects to a chicken."

Mr. Yue Ming ignored him and looked at the calligraphy scroll in the servant's hand, saying, "Why don't you open this calligraphy scroll and let us take a look?"

Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a glance, thinking to themselves that what was meant to happen would eventually come.

Lord Xiao was puzzled, but seeing the look in their eyes, he guessed that there must be something fishy going on.

But after decades of experience on the battlefield, he was mature and experienced, and naturally he would not miss the opportunity to take care of his "old rival".

In my opinion, let's just forget about it.

"Yue Ming, although I am very happy that you have come to wish me a happy birthday, I am in a difficult position because you neither offer a gift nor give any blessings."

After he finished speaking, Mr. Yue Ming understood his intention, and his face darkened immediately.

"Lord Xiao, you are two years younger than me."

"This is my birthday banquet."

"..."

Those around them were unaware of the situation, but judging from the appearance of the two elderly men in their sixties, it didn't stop them from watching the show.

Those who knew about their conflict, in particular, couldn't stop laughing.

For example, Duke Zhang Xuan and Sun Fu were practically cheering them on from the sidelines.

However, it was clear that Mr. Yue Ming had come prepared. At this moment, in order to catch a glimpse of the new script, he suppressed the other gentlemen and forced a smile:

"I wish Lord Xiao boundless happiness and longevity...like the Wumeng Mountains!"

"Haha, that's great..."

Lord Xiao was overjoyed and ordered his servants to open the calligraphy copybook.

As the brocade box was opened, the rope binding the calligraphy scroll was removed, and the servant, holding one end of the scroll, gave it a tug.

The calligraphy copybook was suddenly unfolded.

On the brocade-colored scroll, the paper surface, covered with clouds and pine trees, is as clean as new, revealing each character with its elegant and unrestrained strokes.

Under the bright blue sky, a layer of warm, jade-like fluorescence emerged from the calligraphy copybook.

Immediately, someone exclaimed, "Her calligraphy is so beautiful?!"

Thank you to all the readers for your donations and monthly tickets.

Also, Chapter Two, before 12:30, is currently being revised.

(End of this chapter)