Chapter 145 The Dean is so willing to spend money? (Seeking monthly votes)
When Chen Yi returned to the Xiao family, it was already half an hour later.
From afar, you can see Xiaodie standing at the door looking to the other side.
Pei Guanli squatted down next to her, using the big toe of one of her fair feet to scratch the bluestone slab, as if she were rubbing the skin off her sole.
She muttered to herself, "Brother-in-law will really be fine, just trust me this once."
Without turning her head, Xiaodie said, "I don't believe it."
She clearly remembered that when Pei Guanli went to the poetry gathering at Guiyun Academy, he said he would be back soon, but he didn't show up for several hours.
"Hey, why don't you believe me? My brother-in-law..."
Pei Guanli looked up and saw Chen Yi approaching. A smile immediately appeared on her round face: "Brother-in-law, you're finally back."
Xiaodie heard the voice but was still looking to the other side. "This is the third time you've lied to me. I won't fall for it."
Chen Yi chuckled and couldn't help but tap Pei Guanli, saying with a smile, "Don't bully Xiaodie."
Pei Guanli stuck out her tongue and said with a grin that she knew, then hugged Xiaodie who had turned around: "See, I didn't lie to you this time."
Xiaodie couldn't break free, so she had no choice but to let her hug her. She looked at Chen Yi and said, "Young Master, you're back late again today."
"Yes, I strolled around the West Market."
As Chen Yi spoke, he showed them the half-eaten candied hawthorn as proof, "I haven't finished eating it yet..."
Before he could finish speaking, Pei Guanli had already snatched the candied hawthorn skewer with only two hawthorns left and ate them one after another.
"It's delicious, brother-in-law."
Chen Yi shook his head helplessly and entered the Xiao residence first. "Let's go, let's go back to Chunhe Garden first."
Xiao Die hurriedly pulled Pei Guanli along, following closely behind.
"Young master, have you eaten?"
"Not yet. Go to the kitchen and see what else they have to eat."
"No need, Miss asked me to save some food for you tonight. Just heat it up and it'll be ready soon."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi turned his head to look at her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Those wild game?"
Xiaodie nodded, a look of reminiscence on her face, "It was so delicious, Young Master Wuge ate two bowls."
"I also got a bowl, and Sister Cui'er and Sister Juan'er also got a bowl."
Pei Guanli muttered to herself, "I came back too late with Sister Tingyun and Sister Huatang, so we didn't get to eat those dishes."
Chen Yi said "Oh," and turned to look at the porch at the end of the central courtyard, as if he could see Xiao Wan'er's face when she pretended to be calm and asked him to leave some food for her.
She must have been conflicted.
Thinking about it, Chen Yi couldn't help but smile. "Then you won't get to enjoy this."
"Brother-in-law, shouldn't you share some with me?"
"Sister Wan'er is biased; she saved a whole big bowl for you."
"Really? Then I won't share with you."
"snort."
When Chen Yi saw the large bowl, he paused for a moment before asking Xiao Die to heat up the food and then inviting Pei Guanli to eat together.
Who would use a large bowl to serve food that overflows?
Even if he could use his true energy to speed up digestion, he would still have a hard time finishing this dish.
Pei Guanli didn't think that far ahead, and casually dragged Xiaodie along as well.
They claim that good sisters should know how to share.
Chen Yi naturally wouldn't refuse, and while munching on his meat, he asked her about her shopping haul for the day.
"I bought a lot of things."
"Two truckloads of flour, two truckloads of coarse grains, and some smoked meat, I had them all taken to the mountain tribes."
After Pei Guanli finished speaking, she didn't forget to praise, "Sister Wan'er is so kind, she didn't make me pay at all."
Chen Yi was stunned and asked, "You only bought these?"
Pei Guanli nodded, "Our clan relies on the mountains for food, and we exchange our grain at the market, so I thought I'd buy some and send it over."
"...Hire a security escort agency?"
"Of course, I'm afraid it will be stolen on the way."
Chen Yi's lips twitched slightly, but he decided not to say the words "not worth it" and instead asked the others.
Pei Guanli seemed to remember something and asked mysteriously, "Brother-in-law, there's something fun, do you want to know?"
Chen Yi didn't tolerate her and flicked her forehead, saying, "Stop talking nonsense."
Pei Guanli didn't feel any pain, and chuckled as she rubbed her smooth forehead:
"When I came back today, Ge Laosan was taken away by the people from the Punishment Hall. It is said that he is going to be given ten strokes of the cane."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "Tell me more."
"I heard that he had an affair with a girl while we were strolling around the other day, which made her want to kill herself."
"After the government sent people over to find out what happened, he was punished."
"I heard from Cui'er and the others that the Punishment Hall wants Ge Laosan to handle this properly tomorrow, either to redeem the girl or to resolve the matter."
At this point, Pei Guanli suddenly widened her eyes: "Huh? Brother-in-law, he won't be here tomorrow."
"Does that mean I don't need to go out for a stroll anymore?"
Chen Yi nodded thoughtfully, then a smile appeared on his face.
Ge Laosan was certainly willing to go all out.
In order to escape as quickly as possible, he even resorted to a self-inflicted injury ruse.
I just hope that he can still be so "resourceful" after learning that "someone is going to burn down the three towns".
After finishing their meal, the group went back to their rooms to rest.
Chen Yi changed into his pajamas, stretched his limbs, looked out at the bright moonlight, and went through a few things in his mind.
The Liu family's matter is not yet resolved, and the Xiao family should be making some moves soon.
We can't let the Provincial Administration Commission lead us by the nose.
The burning of the three towns was something Ge Laosan was able to find someone to do, but after he interfered, the difficulty increased dramatically.
Then came Xiao Dongchen and Cui Qingwu.
Xiao Dongchen's purpose is clear: he wants to use the hidden guards to replace the eldest branch of the Xiao family.
What about Cui Qingwu?
Her purpose in coming to Shuzhou was also to deal with the Xiao family?
At least last night, her actions were indeed intended to frame the Xiao family.
"Besides them, there should be some hidden guards in Shu Prefecture."
"Silver Flag Officer... their superior?"
Chen Yi had no idea.
Let's stir up the waters of Shuzhou first and see how many demons and monsters are hiding underwater.
Then, he sat cross-legged on the bed and practiced the Four Symbols Technique.
He only woke up briefly when a bright light suddenly appeared before his eyes at midnight.
[Daily Intelligence - Yellow Rank, Mid-Grade: At 9:00 AM, the Prefect of Shu Prefecture, accompanied by several officials from the Judicial Commissioner, arrives at the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence to request an audience with Xiao Yuan. A small opportunity may be obtained.]
After reading it, Chen Yi muttered a few words and continued practicing the Four Symbols Technique.
It was still before noon at 9:00 AM, so he should still be at Guiyun Academy and hadn't returned yet.
I'm afraid it won't be long before Prefect Liu and the Chief Justice visit the old master.
"I doubt there's anything worth seeing."
"Liu Si and the people from the Criminal Investigation Department came to the door, probably to report to the old master about the death of Liu Jing."
"Given the old master's status, even if they had a lot of guts, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly in the Marquis's mansion."
However, the hidden guard's framing that night ultimately led the Criminal Investigation Department to focus its investigation on the Xiao family.
He just happened to want to see how the old man would handle it.
...
The next day, just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
The starlight gradually faded, leaving only the bright moon stubbornly hanging in the night sky.
The street vendors had already secured all the advantageous spots.
Especially the stalls that specialize in breakfast.
A cart, a pot, two tables, and eight stools are all you need to provide food for passersby.
Ma Guan was one of them, "two steamed buns".
"Please accept this, sir."
After paying, Ma Guan headed towards Guiyun Academy.
Today, as usual, he got up, dressed, and washed up shortly after 1-3 AM.
Then I would read for half an hour, reviewing the classics and history I had learned yesterday and previewing today's lessons.
This was a habit he developed after passing the provincial examination and enrolling in Guiyun Academy.
Ma Guan always believed that "diligence can make up for lack of talent." He believed that as long as he worked harder than his classmates, he would surely pass the provincial examination and qualify to participate in the metropolitan examination.
Even though he failed the provincial examination twice and wasted six years, he was not discouraged and firmly believed that he would pass the next time.
Then, like Li Huaigu, they would return home in glory, bringing honor to their ancestors.
About fifteen minutes later, Ma Guan arrived at the academy and went straight to the study room.
At this moment, the students who arrived early greeted each other.
"Brother Heming, you're up so early again today."
"I heard the dean sent you to the Marquis's residence yesterday?"
"Yes, the dean asked me to deliver a calligraphy practice book to Mr. Qingzhou."
Upon hearing his words, his two classmates beside him couldn't help but sneer.
“Brother Heming, what kind of teacher is he, a calligraphy professor? Even if he writes beautiful characters, he still can’t become an official.”
"That's true. Although Chen Qingzhou is known for his talent, with excellent handwriting and writing of good poems, he is ultimately only a scholar with the title of Xiucai."
"He is even inferior to Xin Nian and Gui Yun, who are both successful candidates in the imperial examinations."
"Besides, he is now a son-in-law of the Xiao family. Even if he has some talent and ability, I am ashamed to associate with him."
Upon hearing this, Ma Guan pursed his lips, not refuting it, but quickened his pace.
Upon seeing this, the two students dressed in long gowns were slightly taken aback.
Only after Ma Guan had walked far away did they realize what had happened, and they couldn't help but burst into laughter again.
"Sir, you are right. Birds of a feather flock together."
“We didn’t look down on Ma Heming for being poor, but he’s the one who disdains to associate with us.”
"Pah, who cares?"
Ma Guan vaguely heard the conversation between the two people behind him, and quickened his pace.
It's not that he has any respect for Chen Yi or anything like that.
He kept in mind his teacher's teachings: "When sitting quietly, reflect on your own faults; when chatting idly, do not discuss the faults of others. This is the demeanor of a gentleman."
Even if Chen Yizhen lacked knowledge or did something that violated ethics and morals, Ma Guan would not discuss it with others.
He is generally considered a gentleman who is strict with himself.
When he arrived at the school, there were already several students inside.
Looking around, Ma Guan noticed they weren't reciting any texts and asked, "What are you all doing here today?"
One of them pointed to the front of the study hall and said, "Brother Heming, haven't you noticed anything different from before?"
Ma Guan followed their gaze and immediately sensed something was amiss.
Where the sand table should have been was now replaced by a white shelf.
Upon closer inspection, the white part in the middle of the shelf was none other than layers upon layers of paper.
And it wasn't ordinary Xuan paper, but a thicker type of Yunsong paper.
Ma Guan couldn't help but click his tongue in astonishment: "Did the courtyard bring all the Yunsong paper to the study?"
"It should be."
"But I don't understand what this is for. We can't possibly be using such precious paper to practice writing, can we?"
One of them seemed to have thought of something and hesitated before saying, "I heard that Mr. Qingzhou is coming to teach us calligraphy today."
Upon hearing this, Ma Guan realized what was happening and said, "I understand."
"Is the dean planning to replace the sand table with Yunsong paper for Mr. Qingzhou to use when teaching us calligraphy?"
"Huh? That's very possible. No wonder they use Yunsong paper."
"Only this kind of paper can be protected from being soaked with ink."
"Um, the dean is really willing to spend that much?"
"Perhaps he wanted to preserve Mr. Qingzhou's calligraphy..."
(End of this chapter)
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