Chapter 51 Almost there
Chen Yunfan pointed out a sentence, then said with a half-smile, "Back then, when Father was ordered to go west, all the officials in Jinling Prefecture vied to see him off."
"It was lively as it was, but it was just an ordinary scene."
"The comings and goings, the hustle and bustle, my father was used to it all, he would just exchange a few polite words and then let it go."
"I don't know what got into Yi Di, but in front of so many elders, he wrote that poem, 'Farewell to Jinling,' for our father."
"Although the poem is good, I know my father will not like it. Most of the other guests also praised his talent, but they probably laughed at him for not knowing the rules."
At this point, Chen Yunfan seemed to see that day again, and asked with a smile:
"Tell me, how did someone who thinks so highly of himself and is so arrogant learn to be patient?"
"Did his mother really wear him down after locking him up for five years?"
Chunying didn't answer, but silently rubbed his temples.
Chen Yunfan didn't expect her to be able to explain anything clearly, and simply said to himself, "Perhaps."
"But I was happy to see him again this time."
However, as he spoke, his smile faded, and he said in a complaining tone, "But he's so insensible."
"I finally achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination and received the Emperor's favor. I came here in great glory and thought I would like to have a good chat with him and express my deep brotherly affection."
"But he's different. It's just a matter of peers trying to curry favor. How could he bring up the young marquis to embarrass me, his elder brother?"
Upon hearing this, Chunying thought for a moment and asked, "Young Master, do you and Young Master Yi have a very good relationship?"
"Good? Good my ass!"
Chen Yunfan, in a very uncouth manner, grumbled a few words, "He almost drove me and a few brothers in the clan crazy."
“He was intelligent from a young age and did well in his studies, so the teachers at the school liked him very much and often gave him private tutoring to teach him policy essays.”
"Several elders in the clan also like him,"
“Especially my Uncle Xuandu, who said that seeing him was like seeing himself back then, and sent people to bring him food, supplies and clothes many times.”
"Even my father..."
Chen Yunfan paused, then muttered sullenly, "Anyway, because of him, my cousins and I have been scolded quite a bit."
Chunying said "oh" and didn't ask any more questions.
However, Chen Yunfan seemed to have opened a floodgate, recounting all the grudges and grievances he had with Chen Yi when they were children.
It looked like a complaint, but Chunying became more and more silent as she listened, unsure whether to praise their deep brotherly affection or to say that Young Master Chen Yi deserved to be scolded.
There's a strange feeling about it that I can't quite put my finger on.
It wasn't until they entered Shuzhou Prefecture that Chen Yunfan stopped talking. His earlobes twitched slightly as he suddenly stood up, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked out with a hint of excitement.
His eyes shone even brighter when he saw some mountain girls and Poshisa girls, staring intently at them.
"Tsk tsk, back in Jinling, I heard people say that Shuzhou has many foreign tribes, and their taste is very different from that of girls from the Central Plains."
"Now it seems that this is indeed the case."
Chunying peeked through the gap in the carriage curtain and calmly reminded him, "Young Master, the mistress instructed me to keep a close eye on you."
Without turning his head, Chen Yunfan said, "The emperor is far away and can't even govern this area, let alone my mother."
“Young Master, even if Chunying doesn’t say anything, others will report the truth.”
"..."
Chen Yunfan watched the girls smack their lips, then reluctantly closed the curtain and sighed:
“Being born into a prestigious family is really troublesome; you can’t do this or that.”
"Thinking about it this way, Yi-di is still the most comfortable. Although he married into the Xiao family, he seems to be doing nothing. He goes to brothels, bullies men and women, and is having a great time."
Upon hearing this, Chunying said with a serious expression, "Young Master, you cannot do these things."
Chen Yunfan rolled his eyes at her, then lay back down on her lap, closed his eyes, and muttered to himself for a while.
At that moment, something he heard caused a smile to appear on his face.
"Chunying, when we get to the inn, go and see Liu Si and the others off. Also, cancel the dinner."
Chunying was puzzled. "Young Master, the Right Provincial Governor is hosting a banquet tonight. You can't refuse."
"Just say I have other plans for tonight... I can't just give that vague answer."
"Then just tell them that I have been invited by Mr. Yue Ming to attend the poetry gathering at Guiyun Academy tonight."
Chen Yunfan's eyes lit up with excitement as he thought of the talented men and beautiful women at the poetry gathering, but he had to keep a straight face.
"Are you still going to the old Marquis's birthday banquet tomorrow?"
"Of course I'll go. If I don't even attend such an important occasion as the old Marquis's birthday celebration, my trip to Shu Prefecture will be incomplete."
"That's good……"
...
Recalling his meeting with Chen Yunfan, Chen Yi felt a little strange.
He was prepared to be verbally humiliated by his older brother, and it wasn't impossible that the two of them would even have a physical fight in public.
However, this is not the case.
Although Chen Yunfan was arrogant and high-profile, his few words contained not a single insult.
To put it more accurately, this elder brother's behavior was essentially just showing off—showing off his background, achievements, and official position.
Even the officials of Shu Prefecture, such as Liu Si, who came to greet him, became a source of pride for him.
It's like two long-lost relatives or lovers comparing their respective identities, status, and wealth.
In addition, Chen Yunfan's every word and action is in accordance with etiquette, making it difficult to find fault with him.
Therefore, Chen Yi was unsure of Chen Yunfan's true attitude towards him.
"If he really practices a technique like the Breath Concealment Technique, he might not be as simple as he appears on the surface."
"In addition, the word 'witness' seems to foreshadow his meteoric rise in Shu Prefecture."
Thinking about it, Chen Yi leaned against a corner of the carriage, his gaze lingering on the trees on both sides through the open curtain.
He wasn't sure about other things, but there was one thing he was certain of.
If Chen Yunfan could rise through the ranks in Shuzhou, a place with complex interpersonal relationships and far from Jiangnan Prefecture, it's impossible that he could do so solely based on his background and origins.
Ability, skill, and intelligence are all indispensable.
What Chen Yi didn't understand was why it had to be Shu Prefecture in particular?
Li Huaigu was like this, Chen Yunfan was like this, and then there was the Provincial Treasurer who was about to retire to his hometown...
Oh, and we should also include the aging and ailing Marquis Xiao.
Chen Yi subconsciously touched his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. "Just one clue away, just one."
Xiaodie noticed his strange expression but didn't disturb him.
Xiao Wuge was completely unaware of this, but he was in the middle of his excitement.
He was somewhat pleased with himself because he had just said a few sarcastic things to Chen Yunfan and used the phrase his brother-in-law had taught him.
"Brother-in-law, how about we take a walk outside before going back to the mansion?"
"Hmm? Oh, that's fine too."
Chen Yi snapped out of his daze, nodded, and then instructed Xiao Die to pass a message to Wang Lixing in front of him.
I left home early this morning and it's not even noon yet, so it's really not a good time to take a nap or rest if I go back.
The group then took a stroll around the north of the city.
Chen Yi bought a set of acupuncture needles on Kangning Street, which almost used up all of his monthly allowance saved over the past few months.
Xiaodie asked curiously, "Young master, you've also learned acupuncture?"
"Won't."
"Then you..."
Chen Yi casually replied, "It looks good; maybe it can be used as a fishhook."
That's a bit extravagant, and he couldn't bear to spend the money.
After having lunch at a roadside tavern, the group headed back home, passing through the bustling front yard and the noisy middle yard, and arrived at the outside of Chunhe Garden.
Chen Yi's previously casual and calm gaze suddenly paused as he looked at the figure leaning against the porch with bare, white feet and asked in surprise:
Why did you come out?
(End of this chapter)
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