Chapter 61 Old Grudges
As Chen Yunfan crossed the front yard, his already smiling face inexplicably broke into a laugh.
He was still laughing heartily.
Chunying looked at him, puzzled. "Young Master, what's going on...?"
However, when she caught a glimpse of the servants and guards of the Marquis's residence looking over, she quickly changed her words and reminded them, "Young master, please stop laughing. It's unbecoming of you."
To everyone's surprise, Chen Yunfan continued laughing, tears streaming down his face, clutching his stomach as he explained haltingly:
"I was just...haha...remembering something happy, haha..."
Brother Yi, you sent people to make fun of me.
A reciprocal gesture is a good thing, so we're even now.
Chunying still didn't quite understand, but she knew that if she didn't stop him, others would probably start laughing at him.
“Young master, this is the residence of the Marquis of Dingyuan. If word gets out, the mistress will write to us.”
"Ha...cough cough, well, this young master needs to be careful."
Chen Yunfan forced himself to stop laughing, his face turning red, and said in a serious tone:
"Chunying, remember to open this calligraphy scroll on the spot later and let the old Marquis take a look."
Upon hearing this, the people around him turned their attention away and went about their own business.
Chunying breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this. Although she still had some doubts, she couldn't help but feel troubled when she thought of the calligraphy copybook in her hand.
“Young master, if the mountain girl’s gift is the same as yours, it would be inappropriate.”
Chen Yunfan walked forward and snorted, "It's just that it's inappropriate for her."
"You dared to mock me like that, and I'm already being magnanimous by not retaliating."
"Besides, I didn't steal or rob anything. They're all calligraphy copybooks written by Brother Yi. So what if they're exactly the same?"
"..."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade him, Chunying had no choice but to shut up and follow him into the central courtyard, clutching the brocade box.
Outside the front yard.
Chen Yi didn't know if Xiao Jinghong believed him, but after thinking about it carefully, it didn't really matter.
A real man's word is his bond.
If he says no, then no.
And that's not actually the case.
The two waited at the door for a few more moments.
Several distinguished guests also visited during the event.
For example, Yang Ye, the provincial governor of Shu Prefecture, was an elderly man with gray hair and beard—the very same governor who would be retiring in less than two years.
Tang Zixin, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner of Shu Prefecture, held a rank only half a grade lower than that of the Provincial Administration Commissioner, who was a second-rank official, and was a third-rank official.
There was also Xie Ying, a commander of a thousand households in charge of the Capital Commandery.
His official rank had dropped considerably, so when he arrived at the court, he explained to Xiao Jinghong that the commander-in-chief had a family emergency and couldn't come.
The rest of the people were mostly from prominent families in Shuzhou.
However, none of those who came were the heads of the family. Some were the eldest sons of the main branch, some were the heads of the second branch, and some simply sent only a steward.
Xiao Jinghong explained their situations one by one, giving Chen Yi a clear understanding of the situation in Shuzhou.
After all, the books he read only gave him a general idea, not that much detail.
In conclusion, judging from the guests today, it is not difficult to see that the Xiao family, the Marquis of Dingyuan, enjoys a high reputation in Shu Prefecture.
Apart from a few aristocratic families, nobles, and officials, everyone else was present.
It wasn't until nearly noon that the two of them greeted the second steward and prepared to head to the central court.
At that moment, Xiao Jinghong paused as he turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes as he whispered, "Why are they here?"
Chen Yi turned his head and asked, "Who?"
Xiao Jinghong shook her head, pulled him back to his previous position, and stood even straighter than before.
Chen Yi, unaware of the reason, had no choice but to follow suit.
Not long after.
He then heard the sound of horses' hooves pounding in his ears, followed by a familiar voice:
"Teacher, be careful, let me help you."
Li Huaigu?
His teacher was none other than... Mr. Yue Ming of Guiyun Academy.
Chen Yi glanced at Xiao Jinghong, noticing that she still seemed somewhat doubtful, and silently thought to himself:
"This group of people is indeed a rare sight."
He couldn't help but think that way.
If he remembered correctly, he had previously heard Xiao Wan'er mention the relationship between the Marquis's Mansion and Guiyun Academy.
Using the phrase "never to see each other again" is an exaggeration, but it's more like "keeping to themselves" and having little contact with each other.
In fact, the Xiao family hoped to establish a good relationship with Guiyun Academy.
After all, the Dingyuan Army consisted mostly of shallow-minded warriors who were good at martial arts but knew nothing about military strategy or tactics.
If they could get help from Guiyun Academy, the fighting strength of all units of Dingyuan Army could be replenished.
At least one weakness has been addressed.
Unfortunately, the teachers at Guiyun Academy, especially Mr. Yue Ming, really looked down on the Xiao family.
After a while, the Xiao family gave up on their idea of befriending Guiyun Academy.
Now they've come to celebrate the old Marquis's birthday... It all seems rather strange.
At this moment, Li Huaigu carefully followed Mr. Yue Ming in and gave Chen Yi a knowing look—good news.
Chen Yi understood, nudged Xiao Jinghong with his elbow, and bowed to her together.
"The student has met several gentlemen."
"Jinghong has met Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Huang Long, and Mr. Zhuo Ying..."
It was remarkable that she could call out the names of the six elderly people beside Li Huaigu and bow to each of them.
Mr. Yue Ming glanced at her, but his gaze fell on Chen Yi, and he said calmly:
“Young lady, there’s no need for such formalities. Although I have no dealings with your grandfather, we are old acquaintances.”
Given his age and status, he could indeed address Xiao Jinghong as "little girl".
As he spoke, he gestured to Li Huaigu to present the gift list, and then asked Chen Yi:
"The calligraphy copybook your maid took to be framed earlier, was it written by you?"
Uh, is this aimed at me?
Chen Yi realized this too late, and couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time; this Mr. Yue Ming was really persistent.
I had previously asked Li Huaigu to deliver an invitation to the poetry gathering, but he refused.
I thought he would give up, but unexpectedly he came to visit again today, taking advantage of the old Marquis's birthday celebration.
So, you really insist on seeing that calligraphy copybook?
After thinking it over, Chen Yi had no choice but to admit, "It was indeed written by the student."
Mr. Yue Ming looked at him for a moment and nodded: "Ju Yi has taught a good student."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked into the Marquis's residence.
After bowing to Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi, Li Huaigu hurriedly followed.
The attitudes of the other gentlemen were rather intriguing; they completely ignored the two men.
Furthermore, one or two of the elderly men looked at Chen Yi with considerable annoyance, their faces filled with a desire to vent.
If Xiao Jinghong hadn't been there, they probably would have blurted out:
"You, a son-in-law of the Xiao family, a gigolo, can write such good characters? Bah!"
Of course, these were all Chen Yi's conjectures.
But he didn't see any pleasant expressions on the faces of the gentlemen.
Until they walked away.
Xiao Jinghong looked at Chen Yi suspiciously and asked, "Is it because of that calligraphy scroll from before?"
When she returned to Shuzhou, she saw the calligraphy with Xiao Wan'er and also witnessed the argument between Mr. Yue Ming and Xiao Die.
At the time, she was still thinking about giving Mr. Yue Ming an explanation later.
Unexpectedly, before she could finish her work, the other party came to her door with their people.
Chen Yi nodded. "I think so."
Xiao Jinghong understood and gestured for him to go to the Central Court together.
As she walked, she explained, "Mr. Yue Ming was indeed an old acquaintance of my grandfather, or rather, an old grudge."
Chen Yiqi asked, "Old grudges?"
Xiao Jinghong lowered his voice and explained, "My grandmother was famous in Shuzhou for her talent and beauty. Mr. Yue Ming was also moved by her and even wrote a few poems for her."
"But later, my grandmother and grandfather fell in love, and then..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh.
So this is one of the reasons why the teachers of Guiyun Academy no longer associate with the Xiao family.
Xiao Jinghong looked at the several slender but imposing gentlemen in front of him and said, "Grandfather will be quite surprised this time as well."
Chen Yi smiled and said, "Just don't start fighting."
At such an advanced age, to publicly quarrel over old grievances would probably make the entire Great Wei Dynasty a laughing stock.
He seemed to have forgotten that his previous escaping marriage and abducting women had also become widely known.
Xiao Jinghong looked at him, her eyes sparkling: "How could that be?"
"Just kidding..."
The two chatted and laughed as they walked toward the central courtyard.
Just when we thought the birthday banquet was about to begin, someone else arrived in a hurry.
Just then, a loud shout came from behind: "The imperial edict has arrived!"
(End of this chapter)
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