Chapter 66 Fishing is still more of a headache
Is it the act of a true man to simply step aside when told to?
Fortunately, Chen Yi was just a live-in son-in-law, and a "low-profile" one at that, so betraying Pei Guanli was a piece of cake for him.
Then she ran away screaming, "Waaaaah, brother-in-law, help me...!"
As the tinkling sounds faded into the distance, Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a glance, both finding it amusing.
Xiao Jinghong would never actually lay a hand on Pei Guanli; he was just trying to scare her.
Even when Pei Guanli poisoned the guests, she only punished her slightly.
After the laughter subsided.
Xiao Jinghong said, "Husband, my elder sister and I have some matters to attend to, so we won't be returning to Chunhe Garden for now."
Chen Yi was taken aback, then nodded, "Please do as you please, Madam."
After Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyue left, Chen Yi watched for a moment, then waved to Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die, and said with a smile:
"You must be tired after a long day. Go back and rest."
“Brother-in-law, I’m not tired at all. Just thinking about all those people praising you makes me smile.”
"Besides praise, didn't you hear anything else?"
"There were some criticisms, but I ignored them. My brother-in-law taught me that you can't let petty people spoil your mood."
"That's true..."
After returning to Chunhe Garden, Xiaodie went to serve Xiao Wuge so he could rest.
Chen Yi sat alone in the pavilion, boiling water and brewing tea, fishing casually while sipping his tea.
As always.
It's not that what happened at the old master's birthday banquet today had no impact on him, but rather that he hadn't figured out how to handle it for the time being.
For example, his running script calligraphy copybook.
Judging from the performance of the teachers at Guiyun Academy today, it is not difficult to see the appeal of that calligraphy model to the famous calligraphers of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Furthermore, as Mr. Yue Ming and others, along with the remaining guests, return, more and more people will become aware of this, and the impact will only become more profound and lasting.
For example, his conflict with Li Changqing was merely a verbal dispute, and it's not yet apparent that it will have any impact on him.
Unless he's tired of living and runs off to the army or a military town, he won't end up in Li Changqing's hands.
As for the current Wei emperor's edict, it is actually the easiest thing for Chen Yi to deal with now.
With Xiao Jinghong's support, no one in the Xiao family should force him to study or practice martial arts anymore.
He himself would never have thought of taking the imperial examination to obtain official rank.
After failing to catch the golden carp again, a look of helplessness appeared on Chen Yi's face, and he muttered:
"Fishing is still the most troublesome thing."
...
Although the birthday banquet was over, the Xiao family would still be busy for several days.
The birthday gifts from the guests need to be sorted out one by one: those that should be stored away should be stored away, those that should be used should be used, and those that should be sold off should be sold off.
The old Marquis understood this best.
Therefore, after all the guests had left, and only a few distant relatives and guests who were unwilling to leave for the time being remained in the mansion, he took Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Jinghong to the storeroom.
While counting, Xiao Wan'er recorded the information.
"The soft armor and the seven-colored glass cup bestowed by His Majesty should be kept in a high place and should not be broken by anyone."
"Gifts from relatives, except for calligraphy and paintings that are hard to value, are all exchanged for some money."
"The jade military tokens and other items sent by Pang Xuan and others are the same; even if they know about them, they won't say anything."
"As for the gifts from Yang Ye, Tang Zixin, Yue Ming, and others, let's put them away for now and deal with them later."
The old man surveyed the overflowing storeroom, a hint of satisfaction appearing on his aged face. This birthday banquet had finally pleased him.
"Wan'er, after you've made a clear record, send someone to sell it tomorrow."
Xiao Wan'er hesitated and nodded, then said, "Grandfather, there's still some money at home, so perhaps..."
Before she could finish speaking, the old man waved his hand and said, "Not enough, far from enough."
“When our Dingyuan Army establishes a trade market with the mountain tribes, we cannot only contribute manpower, land, and labor; we must also contribute some money.”
"Firstly, I can make a living there, and secondly, I can give an explanation to the mountain tribes and shut some of them up."
"Don't let that old woman's unassuming demeanor fool you; she's as sharp as a mirror and won't let anyone take advantage of her..."
The old man muttered a few words, and only after Xiao Wan'er nodded did he look at Xiao Jinghong:
"Have you heard His Majesty's decree today? What are your thoughts?"
Xiao Jinghong paused, "The emperor's heart is unfathomable."
"What else?"
"That seven-colored glass cup?"
The old man nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Heng'er broke a seven-colored glass cup, and His Majesty sent someone to bring him an identical one."
"This is telling us that everything in the Xiao family is under his control."
Xiao Jinghong's eyes flickered slightly as he asked the question that had been nagging at him: "Grandfather, is His Majesty afraid of my Xiao family...?"
She didn't utter the words "treason".
But the old man understood and nodded, saying, "His Majesty is not afraid, but rather wary."
"Ever since the Dingyuan Army forced the Kingdom of Vaishsa to surrender, some people in the capital have worried that my Xiao family would seize the land and become kings."
“If it weren’t for the barbarian invasion later, and the deaths of your father and several uncles and elders, His Majesty would probably have taken action much earlier.”
Even so, the imperial court continued to cut the Dingyuan Army's money, food, and equipment.
The old man looked sad and shook his head, sighing, "Are some fools really not afraid that the barbarians will break through Mengshui Pass and advance north into the Central Plains?"
Xiao Jinghong understood, and his mind was inevitably shaken.
Her Xiao family had defended the Great Wei Dynasty for two hundred years, with countless members dying on the battlefield. They had repelled the barbarian army several times, but in the end, this was how it turned out.
"Did Father and Mother know about these things back then?"
"Do you know? Or what if you don't?"
The old man frowned. Though he was frail and elderly, he still possessed some of the imposing presence he once had. He looked at Xiao Jinghong and said in a deep voice:
"My Xiao family has guarded the nation's borders for two hundred years. Generation after generation, we have fought bravely for more than just the petty scheming of the capital city. We have also fought for the lives of hundreds of millions of ordinary people in the Central Plains."
“Jinghong, your grandfather only wants you to remember one thing.”
"If Mengshui Pass is lost, Shuzhou and even the heart of the Central Plains will be engulfed in war in an instant. You should know what a terrible scene that will be."
Xiao Jinghong's eyes immediately cleared, and she bowed respectfully: "Granddaughter knows her mistake, please forgive her, grandfather."
Having been well-versed in history since childhood, she naturally knew what the barbarians had done in Shuzhou two hundred years ago.
—They are not human beings, but livestock like pigs, dogs, and sheep.
Seeing this, the old man's serious expression disappeared, and he beckoned the two sisters to leave the storeroom.
However, as they parted, the old man still solemnly gave them a few words of advice:
"Things are tough now, but we're far from being in dire straits."
"If this trade route is established and the Dingyuan Army gradually becomes well-fed, even if the barbarians dare to invade again, I will have no fear."
As he spoke, the old man laughed, turned, and walked towards the quiet house.
"From today until Wu Ge returns from Jinling, the Marquis's mansion and the Dingyuan Army will have to rely on you two sisters."
"Of course, I will also hold on until that day."
Watching him walk away, Xiao Wan'er showed a hint of sadness, while Xiao Jinghong silently bowed.
They all understood what the old man meant—no matter how ill he was, he would grit his teeth and stay with the Xiao family for another ten years.
After a while.
Xiao Wan'er asked softly, "Second sister, Grandfather must be happy today, right?"
Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, his eyes clear: "That's true."
Just as the old man said, the Xiao family's situation is far from dire; there is still time.
"Sister, I'll take you back to Jiaxingyuan."
"good."
Xiao Jinghong helped Xiao Wan'er walk towards the backyard, and as they walked, he pondered and said:
“I have already spoken with my husband today, and he has agreed to help you.”
Xiao Wan'er paused slightly, and a hint of panic quietly appeared on her pale and sad face.
"My brother-in-law is exceptionally talented; it's a bit of a waste of his abilities."
"It's only temporary."
Xiao Jinghong said, "Sister, when I return from the mountain tribe, remember to tell me about his performance. If it's good, I'll find him another place to go."
Xiao Wan'er bit her lower lip lightly and nodded: "That's good..."
(End of this chapter)
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