Chapter 180 Brother-in-law, Don’t Think of Any Wrong Ideas
Fighting is out of the question.
However, Xiao Wan'er was indeed a little annoyed by the noble ladies who tried every means to visit her.
Although those people were not as well-known, as well as as the Xiao family in terms of status, family background, and prestige, they all had some background and were closely related to the Xiao family.
Of them, only Madam Tang came to the Xiao family to get closer to Chen Yi, since her son was already studying with him.
Most of the rest wanted to pull strings and hope that the leaders of the Xiao family would speak up and persuade Chen Yi to allow their descendants to learn calligraphy.
That's fine, Xiao Wan'er always has a way to politely decline.
At worst, we can make an excuse for Chen Yi, saying that he has limited energy.
Or they could shift the blame to Xiao Jinghong, saying that his second sister hadn't returned yet and that his brother-in-law rarely interacted with others.
But these people always brought gifts when they visited.
For those with limited means, give them something inexpensive, such as a blanket made in Vasissa or ivory.
Those with substantial wealth often brought in cartloads of rare items, including a considerable amount of gold and silver jewelry.
We can't accept those things, nor can we refuse them.
Xiao Wan'er even went to the old master specifically for this, and only after receiving the reply that he should accept them all did she know what to do.
He briefly described the situation.
Xiao Wan'er looked at Chen Yi and asked gently, "This can't go on, don't you think?"
Chen Yi met her eyes, thought for a moment, and said, "We do need to find a way to solve this once and for all."
Xiao Wan'er's heart stirred slightly, and she couldn't help but remind them, "Those people who can come to visit are mostly those who have close ties with the Xiao family."
"Some were my grandfather and father's old subordinates, some were close to the second and third wives, and most were female relatives, perhaps..."
"Perhaps their actions were inappropriate, but their intentions were all for the sake of their descendants, and they were not utterly wicked people."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi was both amused and exasperated, and said, "What are you thinking, eldest sister?"
Do I look like the kind of person who would bully them?
picture.
Xiao Wan'er added a word in her mind, and couldn't help but think of the things Chen Yi had done before.
She ran away from her wedding on her wedding day.
After being confined to the house, I went to the brothel alley.
There were also those who, in order to help the third-ranked scholar, pretended to forcibly abduct women from the common people.
And writing lyrics for her...
Each and every one of these things was considered unorthodox and heretical.
Xiao Wan'er was so worried that Chen Yi might come up with some crooked ideas to embarrass those who came to visit.
"It's best not to offend too many people, lest they gossip about you."
"Don't worry, don't worry."
Chen Yi readily agreed. Seeing that it was getting late, he led Xiao Wuge out of Jiaxing Garden and headed straight for Qingjing Residence.
Xiao Wan'er watched them walk away before turning her gaze away, a slight smile appearing on her face.
Cui'er and Juan'er exchanged a glance and asked, "Miss, have you accepted all those visiting cards?"
Xiao Wan'er hummed in agreement, then perked up and instructed, "Accept them all."
"However, we need to stagger the times, and some people will also have to be separated."
"Miss Wan and Miss Li were born at the same time, and Madam Tang and Madam Xie were of similar status, so they were also born together..."
Before Chen Yi comes up with a solution, she needs to be careful to avoid giving people something to talk about.
After all, they wouldn't dare say anything about the Xiao family.
On the other side.
Chen Yi had some idea of Xiao Wan'er's thoughts, and while he felt somewhat gratified, he also felt a bit grateful to her.
He brought this upon himself after all.
He couldn't keep letting the Xiao family and Mr. Yue Ming from Guiyun Academy take the lead indefinitely.
It's just that things are divided into priorities.
Right now, his most important task is to deal with Black Fang and his men. It doesn't matter if he declines the invitations from the nobles of Shu Prefecture a few days later.
Not long after.
Chen Yi and Xiao Wuge then passed through the gate and entered the central courtyard, turning into a long corridor.
Looking around, he saw Uncle Gui sweeping fallen leaves in the open space of the central courtyard.
Speaking of which, Chen Yi hadn't seen Uncle Gui for a while.
Even Ge Laosan and Liu Si'er seemed to be deliberately avoiding him, and hadn't seen him for a long time.
But upon closer reflection...
Chen Yi knew clearly that these hidden guards all had their own plans.
Ge Laosan was cooperating with Xiao Dongchen and Lou Yuxue in plotting to burn down the summer grain in the three towns.
Liu Si'er has just recovered from her injuries and is currently inspecting the Xiao family's five pharmacies with Wang Lixing.
Xiao Dongchen, like Chen Yunfan and Li Huaigu, was in the Provincial Administration Office, handling the collection of summer grain taxes in various parts of Shu Prefecture.
Only Uncle Gui stayed in the mansion the whole time.
As Chen Yi pondered this, he couldn't help but glance at him a few more times, just in time to meet the gaze of Uncle Gui, who had raised himself up to look over.
He was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting to see Chen Yi and Xiao Wuge, and lowered his head after a couple of breaths.
Seeing his movements, Chen Yi also walked through the corridor with a natural expression.
He soon brought Xiao Wuge to the quiet house.
The armored guards outside hesitated slightly before bowing and saying, "Greetings, young master and son-in-law."
Seeing that Xiao Wuge was still walking, Chen Yi pulled him back slightly and asked with a smile:
"Does the old master have any free time?"
One of the armored soldiers did not answer immediately, but glanced at Xiao Wuge and said:
“The people from the Provincial Administration Office came to visit early this morning, and the Marquis is currently receiving them.”
"Oh? Who has come?"
“Yang Ye, Right Envoy of the Provincial Administration Commission, and Chen Yunfan, Councilor.”
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, not expecting it to be these two.
For the sake of grain tax in the three towns?
It should be.
Yesterday, Li Huaigu wrote that the new order from the Provincial Administration Commissioner's Office was to collect summer grain from the three towns according to the "one-tenth tax" rate.
I reckon Yang Ye and Chen Yunfan came to visit the old man today to explain this matter.
"Liu Hong, the Provincial Administration Commissioner, has managed to absolve himself of all responsibility."
Chen Yi pondered this, a slight thought stirring within him.
Since Yang Ye and Chen Yunfan came here for the grain tax of the three towns, then the Liu family from Jingzhou who came later must be here for other matters.
A marriage proposal?
hehe.
Xiao Wuge didn't care about any of that. When he heard that it was someone from the Provincial Administration Commission, he quietly stood outside the door with Chen Yi and waited.
However, he seemed eager to get started, occasionally moving the brocade box in his hand, clearly wanting to deliver the gift he had chosen for the old master as soon as possible.
After waiting for about half an hour, just past 9 AM, two footsteps came from inside the quiet house.
In the dim light, Chen Yi could still hear his elder brother Chen Yunfan cursing and swearing.
"...I knew this would be the result."
"The fact that Lord Liu sent us to deliver this message, and that we weren't kicked out by the old Marquis, shows how magnanimous he is."
"Yunfan, calm down. Just do whatever Lord Liu arranges."
"Lord Yang, you can rest easy, but I am new here and will be staying in Shu Prefecture for several years. How can I offend the old Marquis?"
"Hehe, just deliver the message. I believe Lord Xiao won't blame you."
"Hope... um? Brother Yi?"
Upon turning the corner and seeing Chen Yi's figure, Chen Yunfan's impatient tone vanished, and a smile appeared on his face.
Fortunately, he still knew Xiao Wuge was there, and while winking at Chen Yi, he respectfully bowed to Xiao Wuge:
"This humble official greets the young marquis."
Xiao Wuge's small face tightened as he replied, "Greetings, Councilor Chen."
Then he and Chen Yi bowed to Yang Ye and greeted him.
Chen Yi stood up, looked around, and then patted Xiao Wuge, signaling him to go to the quiet house first.
The same applies to Chen Yunfan.
However, the person he photographed was Yang Ye. "Please forgive me, Right Envoy, I have a few words to say to Qingzhou."
Yang Ye nodded in agreement.
However, he clearly remembered what Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan had said about him behind his back during Li Huaigu's wedding, so he sternly instructed them:
"You may speak, but please be mindful of the occasion and your tone."
Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan exchanged a glance and smiled in agreement.
After Yang Ye walked away.
Chen Yi took Chen Yunfan to the pavilion by the pond outside the quiet house for a while, and inevitably asked about his recent situation.
Speaking of this, Chen Yunfan had a lot of complaints.
"This damn political participation is really boring. Every day they're either collecting grain taxes in the east of the city or in the west."
"Not only must the confiscation be timely, but there is no room for carelessness."
"If there is even the slightest mistake, the two provincial governors will beat you with sticks, and it's a terrible experience."
Seeing his worried expression, Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh and say, "The things you're complaining about, brother, are things that others would beg for but can't get."
However, upon closer inspection, he did notice that Chen Yunfan had gotten quite tanned in the few days since he last saw him.
It's clear that he has been traveling a lot lately.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan curled his lip and said, "I wish those 'others' would push me out."
He paused, then turned to Chen Yi and said with a smile, "I almost forgot that Brother Yi has been quite impressive lately."
"How do you know?"
"Now that Brother Yi has mastered calligraphy, he has also taught several students who have achieved great success in calligraphy at Guiyun Academy. He is now enjoying unparalleled fame."
"I have heard that many students from both inside and outside Shu Prefecture are on their way here, all hoping to become your disciples."
Chen Yi chuckled and shook his head, saying, "It's just hearsay; it's not that exaggerated."
Chen Yunfan, of course, did not believe this.
He went on and on about how enviable his current life was, and how he wanted to switch places with him if possible.
Chen Yi offered a few selective responses, and the two no longer engaged in the same "tit-for-tat" exchange as before.
Let's chat for a bit.
Chen Yunfan's smile faded slightly. He glanced around, then leaned closer and lowered his voice, saying:
"Don't blame me for not reminding you, you should visit Guiyun Academy more often these days."
"If possible, it would be better if you stayed at the academy."
Chen Yi knew there was something more to his words and asked, "Is it related to your brother's visit to the old master?"
Chen Yunfan nodded without hesitation: "The Provincial Administration Commission is determined to collect the summer grain tax from the three towns this time."
"Believe me, you know the implications even if I don't tell you."
Chen Yi responded with an "oh," naturally understanding that the reason for this matter did not lie with the Provincial Administration Commission, but rather with the Liu family of Jingzhou wanting to challenge the Xiao family.
"Is my brother in a difficult position?"
"It's not difficult at all. This matter has nothing to do with me. If that old man wants to drag me down with him, I can just lose my official seal and leave."
Hearing Chen Yunfan's seemingly straightforward statement, Chen Yi smiled and shook his head.
"Thank you for telling me, brother. I know what to do now."
"That's more like it. Now that you have the status of an academy instructor, things inside and outside the manor have nothing to do with you. It's good for you to just teach."
Seeing that it was getting late, Chen Yunfan didn't linger and got up to say goodbye.
Just then, the two saw several figures enter from the central courtyard, the leader of whom was Liu Yu, the second young master of the Liu family of Jingzhou.
Chen Yunfan exclaimed in surprise, "What's this bastard doing in Shu Prefecture?"
(End of this chapter)
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