Chapter 93 Brothers on the Battlefield
Before he even reached Luoyi Lane, Chen Yi could feel the impact of the wedding of Wei Chao's current top scholar.
Starting from Kangning Street, the entire northern part of Shuzhou Prefecture was filled with the sounds of gongs, drums, and firecrackers.
The streets were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, each adorned with the character for "happiness".
The talented young man and beautiful young woman, dressed in red long gowns and skirts, happily handed out candy and pastries to passersby.
"Congratulations on the wedding of Li Huaigu, the third-ranked scholar in this imperial examination!"
Congratulations, Li Tanhua!
"Thank you, thank you."
The only time such a lively scene could rival this was when Li Huaigu toured the streets of the north of the city, with talented men and beautiful women vying to follow him.
"These weren't here when I came yesterday, but they're all up today."
As Chen Yi sat in the carriage looking out the window, a memory unconsciously surfaced in his mind.
On the day of his wedding, it was just like that; the streets from Fengchun Tower to the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence were decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
However, the passersby did not offer their congratulations as they would today. Instead, they said, "General Jinghong is looking for a son-in-law, why not choose someone even more outstanding?"
In the background, it seemed like someone was saying, "A beautiful flower stuck in cow dung? You don't deserve it!"
Chen Yi snapped out of his daze, his brows furrowing slightly.
The voice didn't seem to be from a passerby, but rather spoke directly to him, as if it were right in front of him.
Who is it?
After a moment's thought, Chen Yi realized, "He's the one who made me run away from my wedding?"
But the voice sounded very old, hoarse and deep, unlike that of a young person.
However, it's not hard to hear his disdain for himself from his words.
"There's still no news about that person, and I don't know if he knows I'm not dead."
"I reckon he probably knows, after all, I've caused quite a stir in Shuzhou City these past few days."
Chen Yi thought about it and memorized the voice.
He was somewhat on guard if he heard a similar sound again.
At this moment, Xiaodie reached out and grabbed him, excitedly exclaiming, "Young master, young master, look! It's the third-ranked scholar!"
Chen Yi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Li Huaigu wearing a fifth-rank official's robe and a black gauze hat, riding a tall horse at the front of the procession.
Behind him, two rows of ceremonial drum and music teams lined up, playing instruments, while others scattered grains and set off firecrackers.
Next came the bridal sedan chair carried by eight people, draped in red gauze, a festive and lively affair.
Seeing this, Chen Yi knew that Li Huaigu had picked up Yunxiang and was heading home.
After thinking for a moment, he patted Liu Si'er in front of him to signal him to stop the carriage, and then got off the carriage with Xiao Die.
"Fourth Brother, you go back first. Pick me up in Luoyi Lane after the banquet."
Seeing the commotion ahead, Liu Si'er knew that the carriage would have difficulty passing, so he could only nod in agreement.
Chen Yi followed the wedding procession with Xiao Die, and influenced by the atmosphere, he temporarily forgot the unpleasantness he had just recalled.
Xiaodie was overjoyed, looking left and right with her little head, her two buns swaying back and forth.
"Son-in-law, there are so many people."
"It was the same when you and the second young lady got married."
"But back then, the mansion's personal guards were with us, so the scene was much more impressive than this."
Chen Yi clearly heard Xiao Die speaking, smiled, and did not respond.
He could only hear the firecrackers clearly because he was skilled in martial arts, while Xiaodie didn't know martial arts.
Just then, a voice came from the side, "Brother Yi, Brother Yi, over here, over here..."
Chen Yi's smile faded slightly, and he looked around with feigned confusion, finally spotting Chen Yunfan on the other side of the group.
At this moment, Chen Yunfan, also riding a tall horse and wearing an official robe even more imposing than Li Huaigu's, was smiling and waving at him.
Chen Yi returned the bow but did not go over.
However, instead of going, Chen Yunfan jumped off his horse, threw the reins to one of the constables traveling with him, and ran over here.
As he ran, he shouted, "Yi-di, you're here early! I thought I'd have to wait until the banquet to see you."
Despite the throbbing in his ears, Chen Yi politely returned the courtesy and whispered in his ear:
"I had some free time today, and nothing to do at home, so I came over early to join in the fun."
Chen Yunfan's smile faltered for a moment. Resisting the urge to rub his ears, he nodded with a smile and continued shouting:
"You're having a good time while your sister-in-law isn't home, but you can't just wander around aimlessly. It's best to avoid places like Chunyu Tower."
Chen Yi was not to be outdone: "Thank you for reminding me, brother. I will definitely keep it in mind. I didn't expect that you, as the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, would also know about Chunyu Tower. You must have been there quite a few times."
You say thirty words, I'll reply with forty.
See who can't take it anymore, and use martial arts to control the acupoints on the eardrum.
They were secretly exchanging heated words, but to outsiders, they all seemed to have a very good relationship.
Xiao Die was the only one who was puzzled. If she remembered correctly, her son-in-law had previously said that he did not get along with his brother.
How come you're still laughing and talking now?
If Chen Yi knew what she was thinking, he would definitely correct her: sometimes two people who are laughing and joking are not necessarily good friends, but rather fierce rivals.
The two brothers didn't stop until the wedding procession entered Luoyi Lane.
Their lingering enjoyment suggested a mutual appreciation.
"Yi-di, I never realized you were so talkative. When we were kids, you didn't really pay attention to any of us brothers."
"My elder brother is the same as before. It seems that his position as the top scholar was indeed somewhat of a fluke."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan's expression turned strange. "You're saying this to my face?"
Chen Yi casually rubbed his slightly numb ear and said nonchalantly, "Does brother care about this?"
Chen Yunfan was speechless for a moment, then shook his head with a smile, "I really don't care about being the top scholar or anything like that."
"But I was lucky, your brother. I didn't want it, but someone forced it on me."
Um?
What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener.
Chen Yi asked thoughtfully, "Your Majesty?"
Chen Yunfan nodded directly: "That's right, it's him."
"On that day in the Golden Palace, he tested everyone else on current affairs and policies, but when it came to me, he asked, 'Do you want to be the top scholar?'"
"Brother Yi, tell me, how am I supposed to answer him when he asks that in that kind of situation, with so many uncles and elders around?"
Chen Yi nodded knowingly, "That's true..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Yunfan changed the subject: "Of course, I just replied directly, 'I don't want to.'"
"..."
Chen Yi turned his head to look at him and asked in a strange tone, "And then you became the top scholar in this imperial examination?"
Chen Yunfan nodded, then proudly raised his head: "Looking back now, my position as the top scholar was indeed somewhat lucky."
Chen Yi gave a thumbs up, "No wonder those students were dissatisfied. It's already a miracle that they didn't keep my brother in the capital."
Chen Yunfan curled his lip, "They just jump around a few times, nothing new. In terms of knowledge and ability, they're not even a hair's breadth behind Yi-di."
"Brother, you are too kind."
“I never lie. The other day you colluded with ‘Knife Madman’ Liu Lang to rob our own medicinal herbs at Chunyu Tower. No one else would have done that.”
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi turned his head to look at Chen Yunfan, who was smiling, and couldn't help but laugh.
"My brother did notice the little things I did occasionally. But compared to the big things my brother does, I am still far behind."
"I heard that my elder brother is about to take over as the Right Provincial Administration Commissioner?"
Chen Yunfan followed suit, saying, "A mere Right Envoy is as easy as taking something out of a bag."
Then I heard a few coughs from the side.
The two men looked in the direction of the voice, immediately stopped smiling, and bowed at the same time, saying, "This student/this humble official greets Right Envoy Yang."
As luck would have it, the visitor was none other than Yang Ye, the Right Envoy of the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission.
He looked at the two brothers, a slight smile appearing on his aged face: "I didn't hear anything, you two continue."
Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan exchanged a glance and bowed again: "Yes, sir."
After they got up, they walked away quickly, talking as they went.
Their synchronized steps were so impressive that anyone who saw them would have to praise them as brothers on the battlefield.
Xiaodie opened her mouth, bowed to each of the adults around her, and then quickly followed them.
Chunying, who overheard their conversation from outside the crowd, shook her head as if she had a headache.
Why didn't she realize sooner how much the young master valued Young Master Yi?
"Why has the Right Envoy come?"
"If I remember correctly, he adopted Li Huaigu's wife as his goddaughter."
"..."
(End of this chapter)
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