Chapter 56 Did I offend her?
Even after the poetry gathering ended, Chen Yunfan still couldn't understand how Chen Yi's calligraphy had reached such a high level.
He was confined to the mansion by his mother for three years, without paper or pen, so how could this be...?
Oh, perhaps he used his hands as a pen, water as ink, and the ground as paper, practicing calligraphy alone in his room.
His poetry and lyrics are probably the result of his daily reflection on what he has learned, which is why he has achieved what he has today.
As Chen Yunfan pondered this, he suddenly sighed inwardly, "Mother, why are you keeping Yi-di locked up?"
If Chen Yi hadn't been imprisoned, he probably wouldn't have achieved what he has today.
"Father is right. People can't become successful without going through trials and tribulations."
Fortunately, I have already succeeded.
Chen Yunfan thought about how he was now the top scholar in the Great Wei Dynasty, and a look of pride immediately appeared on his face.
He strode towards the back gate of the academy.
He had previously refused Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Li Huaigu's offer to see him off, but now he was leaving with ease and comfort.
But just as he passed through a doorway, he heard a girl behind him ask, "Are you the top scholar?"
"yes……"
Before Chen Yunfan could even see the person's face clearly, a handful of powder was thrown at his face the moment he turned around.
He was stunned for a moment, then quickly covered his lips, held his breath, and looked at the person who had come in.
"Girl, what are you doing...?"
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yunfan rolled his eyes back and lay on the ground.
Thump.
Seeing this, Pei Guanli clapped her hands and snorted, "Do you think my powder is so easy to defend against?"
She looked around and, seeing that no one was around, took out a small knife and stepped forward.
A moment later, Pei Guanli put away the knife, looked at her masterpiece, and chuckled.
"Let's see if you dare to bully your brother-in-law again, hmph!"
As she spoke, Pei Guanli skipped and hopped outside the academy, the bells jingling as they swayed.
"What a lousy poetry gathering, it's not fun at all."
If it weren't for her quick thinking, taking advantage of the absence of those talented men and beautiful women to wander around and find Chen Yunfan, she wouldn't have been able to find him.
Fortunately, she did everything she wanted to do and got revenge for her brother-in-law, hehe.
After Pei Guanli returned to the carriage, Xiaodie, who had been anxiously waiting, finally relaxed and said softly:
"When we get back, Xiaodie will tell the son-in-law the truth."
Pei Guanli, feeling slightly guilty, grabbed her hand and shook it gently: "Sister Xiaodie, we can push this matter to the framing shop, right?"
Xiaodie, unable to resist her persistent pestering, could only nod and urge Lao Luo to drive the carriage back to the mansion.
Pei Guanli immediately exclaimed with delight, "I knew Sister Xiaodie was the best, just as good as my brother-in-law."
Xiaodie's expression calmed down, but she still reminded him with concern, "If the son-in-law asks later, we must say that the framing shop owner delayed it."
"Don't worry, don't worry, I'm a master at lying."
"Um?"
"Uh, I mean I'm the most discreet person."
Hearing the conversation inside, Lao Luo, who was driving in front, couldn't help but wipe his forehead.
I wonder what sins that framing shop owner committed in his past life that he has to endure such suffering in this life.
I don't know how much time has passed.
Chen Yunfan was woken up groggily when Chunying splashed cold water on his face.
"What... what's wrong with me?"
Chunying lowered her head slightly, not daring to utter a sound, but simply pointed at him.
Chen Yunfan sat in the carriage and looked down.
His custom-made robe, which took months to complete, along with the expensive belt around his waist, was slashed to pieces by a sharp blade.
Only his white inner clothes were intact, preventing him from being naked.
After reading it, Chen Yunfan wiped the water off his face and asked through gritted teeth, "Who is that brat?"
Chunying shook her head.
Chen Yunfan realized, "She has a powerful background?"
“Young master, she is the granddaughter of the mountain matriarch from the mountain tribe.”
Which mountain tribe?
"The largest of the thirteen mountain tribes in Wumeng Mountain."
There was a long silence.
Chen Yunfan thought for a moment, "If I remember correctly, I just arrived in Shu Prefecture today?"
Chunying nodded.
"Then I haven't offended her, right?"
Chunying continued to nod.
Chen Yunfan's eyes flashed with a fierce light: "Then why did she treat me like this?"
Chunying hesitated for a moment before taking out a brocade box, taking out a scroll of calligraphy from inside, and showing it to him.
Chen Yunfan's gaze was fixed on the signature in the lower left corner of the calligraphy copybook. He was first taken aback, then burst into a rage, cursing loudly:
"Yi-di, are you still a member of the Chen family?"
"I just wanted to show off in front of you, and before I could even do it, you son of a bitch... ptooey, you actually let an outsider do such a cruel thing to your half-brother?"
"Bastard, shameful, hateful!"
He scolded for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before finally stopping.
Seeing this, Chunying hesitated before saying, "Young master, why don't you... just pretend this never happened?"
Chen Yunfan looked at her abruptly, his tone full of grievance: "Chunying, I never expected you to help me like this."
"How can I pretend it never happened when people have exposed me like this?"
"Damn it! I'm the only one who bullies others, and now I'm being treated like this by a brat! This is intolerable!"
"I want revenge. Do you have a way to do that?"
Chunying pursed her lips and bowed, saying, "If you insist, young master, I can only report this matter to the mistress and let her make the decision herself."
"This can't be done either?"
“The mountain people are too dangerous. I am worried that your life may be in danger.”
Chen Yunfan's anger subsided slightly. "How dangerous?"
Chunying thought for a moment and gestured several times on herself, "They are not good at facing enemies head-on, they mostly use assassination, poisoning, and Gu worms."
"If the young master were to be accidentally infected, he would likely be covered in pustules, or have his internal organs gnawed away by the Gu worms, or..."
"stop!"
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yunfan took a deep breath and said, "Fine, I'm magnanimous, I'll let her off this time."
As he spoke, he looked at Chunying and hesitated before asking, "Um, surely no one saw me like this?"
“I was following you in the shadows the whole time. After she left, I brought you back. No one should have seen us.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan relaxed, but fortunately, he didn't lose his composure as a top scholar.
But looking at his tattered robes, he felt a pang of heartache for them.
A moment of silence.
Chen Yunfan remembered the important matter, "Has the Hawk arrived yet?"
Chunying nodded. "He is exchanging intelligence with an Iron Flag Officer from the Marquis's residence."
"In that case, let's wait."
Chen Yunfan looked out of the carriage and said, "I also want to know what business the 'Hidden Guards' under the White Tiger General of the Privy Council have with us."
Perhaps the Emperor's appointment of him to Shu Prefecture is also related to the "White Tiger General".
...
Xiao Mansion, Spring Lotus Garden.
By this time, the second watch of the night had passed, and the lanterns and candlelight in the quiet garden had dimmed considerably.
Inside the study, Chen Yi sat at his desk, writing with his head down.
Beside her, Pei Guanli hung her head, a sheepish smile on her round face.
Xiaodie, her eyes already filled with tears, sobbed, "Young Master, it's all Xiaodie's fault."
Pei Guanli quickly said, "It's not Xiaodie's fault, brother-in-law, it's my fault."
“If I hadn’t insisted on going to the poetry gathering at the academy, that calligraphy copybook wouldn’t have been lost. You can punish me if you want.”
As she spoke, she held Xiaodie's hand and comforted her, "Don't cry, don't cry, your brother-in-law won't blame you."
Xiaodie ignored her, still blaming herself.
Chen Yi looked up at the two of them and shook his head, saying, "Alright, it's okay to lose a calligraphy copybook. It's not the first time."
Including the previous time, he's lost it twice now...
No, that's not right. If you include the two calligraphy scrolls that Xiao Wan'er took without permission, he's already lost them three times.
Pei Guanli immediately smiled and nudged Xiaodie with her elbow, "I told you, brother-in-law won't be angry."
Xiaodie twisted her body, pouting as she moved away from her.
Seeing that Pei Guanli was about to speak again, Chen Yi gestured for her to return to Xiao Jinghong's side, and then gave the following instructions:
"Xiaodie, have Xing take this calligraphy to a mounting shop and see if it can be mounted before the birthday banquet starts."
Xiaodie took the calligraphy copybook, apologized again, and turned to leave the study.
Pei Guanli hesitated and didn't want to leave; she still wanted to tell Chen Yi about how she had teased his brother that night.
Just then, Xiao Jinghong's voice rang out from outside the door: "Guanli, come out and come back with me. Let your brother-in-law rest for a while."
Pei Guanli shrank back, and seeing Chen Yi making a gesture of helplessness, she could only leave with her head hanging low.
"You're here, Sister Jinghong."
After everyone left, Chen Yi shook his head, drank the hangover soup, and tidied up the table.
No wonder the mountain tribe sent this tiger girl out; with that kind of mischievousness, she probably wouldn't have a peaceful life in the mountain tribe either.
A short while later, the midnight drum sounded—
[Daily Intelligence - Low-Grade Earth Rank: After the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), Marquis Dingyuan Xiao Yuan's birthday banquet will take place, and the day will be filled with turmoil. Many opportunities may be gained.]
Chen Yi glanced at it and raised an eyebrow slightly.
A fortuitous opportunity at the prefecture level—could it all change overnight?
(End of this chapter)
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