Chapter 12 This fish is targeting me!
At this moment, Chen Yi was unaware that inexplicable trouble was following the scent and coming his way.
He was sitting in the pavilion, staring intently at the fishing floats in the pond, lost in thought.
Although the confinement period was often boring and dull, he gained a lot. Not only did he master calligraphy, raising it to the proficient level, but he also practiced martial arts, acquiring a skilled level of spear stance training.
Having been suddenly released from confinement, he was momentarily at a loss for what to do outside.
Most of the time, it's just leisurely strolling around, observing the local customs and cultures, or visiting famous mountains and rivers...
Oh, we can't go too far yet.
And those unidentified people hiding in the shadows were like a fishbone stuck in his throat, making him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Thinking this, Chen Yi turned to Xiao Die and asked, "Are there any places to visit in Shu Prefecture?"
“Young Master, there are so many fun places in Shu Prefecture,” Xiaodie said, moving her stool closer, resting her chin on her hands, and looking up at him with a smile.
"Except for the passes and military towns in the south of Shu Prefecture which are inaccessible, there are lakes and seas in the east, Wushan and Chishui in the west, and many counties in the north have a lot of fun things to do."
"However, Shu Prefecture is too big, and the young master probably can't go too far. If you're in the prefecture city, you can go to the west of the city. There are many merchants from other regions there every day, bringing all sorts of strange and unusual trinkets."
Hearing her say that, Chen Yi became interested: "You came from the Ancient Tea Horse Road?"
Xiaodie nodded, "Those people were all adorned with jewels of all sizes, wore strange hats, some even had veils, and their eyes were all different colors."
Chen Yi understood immediately; they were somewhat similar to the people of the White Elephant Kingdom.
"What else?"
"Also, there are many academies and taverns in the north of the city, where many learned people gather. The young master will definitely like that."
On the contrary.
Chen Yi didn't like it at all.
More than two hundred years have passed since the founding of the Great Wei Dynasty. The martial arts tradition still flourishes, but there are also countless literati and scholars who try to be cultured.
Wherever talented people gather, there will be plenty of poetry, songs, and discussions about the past, present, and politics.
Fortunately, the Great Wei Dynasty hasn't invented a literary inquisition yet. If the emperor were to suddenly lose his mind, the more poems he writes, the greater the risk.
Another point is that Chen Yi is only good at calligraphy and poetry now, but he is not good at playing musical instruments, chess, or painting. If he were to be exposed in the past, it would be a big mess.
Either the rumors in Jiangnan Prefecture are false, or he has changed his identity.
Either way, it would affect his life as a carefree live-in son-in-law in the Xiao family.
"Then there's the east side of the city, where some mountain tribes occasionally perform. The young lady took me there once before, and it was amazing..."
"What about the south of the city?" Chen Yi asked casually.
Xiaodie's smile froze. "South of the city... Young master, you can't go there. You'll get scolded by the eldest and second young ladies."
Why?
As soon as Chen Yi asked the question, he saw the float move slightly, and his eyes lit up as he gripped the fishing rod and pulled it up sharply.
But the fish of unknown species only poked its head out, broke free of the hook, and fell back down.
"There are many women in the south of the city..." Xiaodie tilted her head, searching for words.
"Oh, I understand."
Places with lots of cosmetics are often brothels and entertainment districts.
If a son-in-law like him were to go to a place like that, he might indeed be hung up and beaten by the Xiao family.
Just like right now—Chen Yi was thinking about catching that damned fish in the pond and then beating it up.
It's been two whole days.
He fished here for two whole days, but not only did he not catch a single fish, he was also tricked by the same fish.
How did he know it was the same one?
That fish was really easy to spot; it was the one with a small tuft of golden whiskers on its head.
Therefore, Chen Yi gave it a very fitting name: "Golden-haired Carp".
"It's a good thing it ran fast, otherwise I, your son-in-law, would have liked to try the charcoal-grilled golden pomfret tonight."
Chen Yi muttered to himself as he reeled in the fishing line and rebaited the fish.
Where were we?
"No, that's all." Xiaodie, worried he might ask about the south of the city again, changed the subject and asked:
"Young master, I've seen you fishing here for two days, and it seems you haven't caught a single fish?"
"Uh, are you questioning my fishing skills?" Chen Yi looked at her with a fierce glint in his eyes.
He was just getting familiar with fishing and hadn't yet figured out the nature of fish in this world.
Give him some more time, and he will surely be able to catch all the fish in this pond.
"No, no... it's just," Xiaodie shrank back, "it's just that when I went to the young lady's place today, she asked me what the young master has been doing lately."
"oh."
"I...I didn't say anything!"
Perhaps because Xiaodie's voice was a bit loud, Chen Yi turned around and looked at her in surprise.
"..."
Xiaodie lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
Her mind was filled with that "rebellious poem," and she was terrified that her son-in-law would kill her if she spoke it out.
That's fine.
Xiao Die's biggest fear right now is facing Xiao Wan'er. Like this morning when Xiao Wan'er casually inquired about Chen Yi's recent life, she almost blurted out:
"Jade steps and jade trees, as beautiful as you, are rare in the human world."
Fortunately, she reacted quickly. She only mentioned fishing, and then her mind went blank. She didn't remember how the young lady replied.
Thinking it over, Xiaodie stammered, "I only said that the young master was fishing, and I didn't say anything else."
"It's just fishing, I'll say it if I want to."
Chen Yi waved his hand dismissively and continued casting his fishing line, leaning back in his recliner with an air of nonchalance.
These days, he stands in meditation for an hour every morning, studies running script for half an hour, and spends the rest of his time fishing.
However, what frustrated him was that he hadn't caught a single fish, and there was no indication on the panel, nor did he know if there was such a thing as a "fishing path".
If he had any, he would definitely fill the pool to the brim and empty all the fish out of it.
Just as Chen Yi was struggling with the golden carp, he heard light footsteps behind him, followed by a child's voice:
"Second brother-in-law, what are you doing in the pavilion?"
"Wu Ge, slow down."
Before Xiaodie could remind him, Chen Yi put down his fishing rod, stood up, and looked in the direction of the sound.
Then they saw Xiao Wuge, dressed in brocade robes, running ahead, while Xiao Wan'er, still wearing that pure white cloak, followed behind with a smile on her face.
Then, Chen Yi saw Shen Huatang behind them, holding her sword with both hands and expressionless. He immediately straightened his face and bowed, saying:
"Young Master, Sister Wan'er."
His sister-in-law, Xiao Wan'er, is two years older than him, so calling her "sister" is appropriate.
Given his status, Xiao Wuge, the brother-in-law, could not be addressed by his given name, as he was currently just a minor son-in-law in the Xiao family.
"Second brother-in-law, are you fishing?" Xiao Wuge walked over and glanced at the fish basket beside him, curiously rummaging through it. "There are no fish?"
"..."
Kid, for your sister's sake, this fisherman will forgive your childish words for now.
Thinking it over, Chen Yi put one hand in front of him and the other behind his back, and said, "When it comes to fishing, it's all about who's willing to take the bait."
Don't ask, the answer is I don't want to catch it.
Xiao Wuge clearly didn't understand. "Oh, so the fish don't want to take the bait?"
Xiao Wan'er playfully slapped him, "Wu Ge, have you forgotten what your elder sister taught you?"
Then she smiled at Chen Yi and said, "Brother-in-law, you are very learned. Every word you speak contains profound wisdom."
"You flatter me." Chen Yi coughed, noticing out of the corner of his eye that Shen Huatang seemed to have moved her longsword slightly, and asked directly:
"Sister Wan'er, is there something you need?"
Ever since that sword was held to his neck last time, he has had a bit of a stress response, always feeling that if he doesn't say something, this guard will just stab him with his sword.
"There is indeed something that my brother-in-law needs to do for me."
Xiao Wan'er, on the contrary, thought he was straightforward, so she pointed at Xiao Wuge and said, "I need to leave home for a while. I'll have to trouble you to take care of Wuge these days."
Chen Yi realized that this meant he was being asked to take care of the child and become a stay-at-home dad.
(End of this chapter)
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