Chapter 130: Not Even Planning to Pretend Anymore

Chapter 130: No Longer Planning to Pretend

Upon learning that Li Huigu was also heading to visit Master Yue Ming, Chen Yi folded his oil-paper umbrella and climbed into the carriage to accompany him to Guiyun Academy.

Li Huigu studied him over, then smiled and asked, “Qingzhou Brother, have you made up your mind?”

Chen Yi nodded, feigning reluctant resignation: “It would be better to go now rather than wait for the Master’s letter to scold us again.”

He remembered clearly how Master Yue had written to Lu You in Jinling, urging him to visit Guiyun Academy.

This moment, presenting himself as a shield, was just the right excuse.

“Of course, Brother Fangguan’s persuasion yesterday also made me quite ashamed.”

Li Huigu, hearing his teasing tone, shook his head: “Qingzhou Brother’s thoughts are certainly different from others.”

In his view, any scholar of note invited by the Master would not dare refuse.

Those who accepted on the spot would likely be even more so.

In contrast, Chen Yi not only declined the invitation but kept pushing back, his thoughts and actions entirely unlike those of ordinary men.

Li Huigu could not fathom it, only guessing it must be some stubborn temperament.

Chen Yi glanced at him, saying no more on the matter, and instead asked:

“Brother Fangguan, how did you happen to recall visiting Master Yue? You said yesterday that the civil affairs of the Governor’s Office were quite busy.”

Li Huigu smiled grimly: “There were some changes in the Office…”

Then, as if remembering something, he asked: “Qingzhou Brother, have you heard any rumors lately?”

This matter would surely have reached the Duke of Duyuan’s mansion by today, so there was no use hiding or concealing it; he might as well ask Chen Yi for his opinion.

Chen Yi was a bit surprised: “You mean the matter concerning the Liu family of Jingzhou?”

Li Huigu did not answer at once, but pulled aside the curtain, leaning in to whisper:

“The affairs of the Liu family.”

Chen Yi immediately guessed that the troubles in the Governor’s Office were likely tied to the Liu family.

His thoughts raced, and he spoke plainly: “I’ve heard some things—the young Lord of Liu’s family passed away last night.”

He pointed toward the rear of the carriage—the direction of the prefecture office—“Brother Fangguan, when you inquired about this, was there an arrangement from the Governor’s Office?”

Li Huigu nodded: “After returning from Brother Yang’s mansion yesterday, he specifically asked me to come.”

“Within a month, I must travel to the Iron-Built, Canglang, and Xuanjia three prefectures, collect this year’s summer tax grain—and also…”

He paused, then spoke in a low voice: “And it’s ten taxes for two.”

Chen Yi furrowed his brow inwardly, though his face remained calm: “Is this an order from the Imperial Censor?”

Li Huigu nodded lightly: “That’s why I thought of asking the Master for his advice.”

The Liu family had made their move.

In Chen Yi’s mind, this thought surfaced instinctively.

But then he quickly rejected it.

Not the Liu family of Jingzhou, but the Liu family of Shu.

Or rather, the Governor’s Office of Shu, the Left Military Governor Liu Hong.

Clearly,

The events of the previous night weren’t discovered until this morning.

Liu Jing had died.

When Liu Hong learned of it, it was around the cockcrow yesterday.

And the time between Li Huigu receiving the order to collect grain taxes in the three prefectures was less than three hours.

In such a short span, it would have required a swift horse or a pigeon’s message—Jingzhou’s Liu family could not have received the news.

It can be easily inferred—the order given to Li Huigu was Liu Hong’s own decision.

Thinking this, Chen Yi felt a slight relief.

It wasn’t the Liu family of Jingzhou making moves; there was still room for maneuver.

It seemed Liu Hong had set this up, giving Li Huigu only a month’s time.

This not only showed his stance as a descendant of the Liu line but also marked the final deadline for the struggle between the Xiao and Liu families.

Otherwise, he could have simply issued a proclamation directly to the three prefectures, completely provoking the Xiao family.

At this moment,

Li Huigu, seeing his silence, could not help but asked: “If you were in my position, how would you handle it?”

Chen Yi came back to himself: “I dare not say.”

It was clear this matter troubled Li Huigu greatly.

But thinking it over, it was understandable.

Li Huigu hadn’t been trained in the Hanlin Academy, so many things he had to figure out on his own.

Plus, the matter involved the two families, Xiao and Liu—naturally, he couldn’t see the path clearly.

Li Huigu sighed, bowing his hand: “I barely slept last night.”

Even with Brother Yang backing him up, he still dared not be careless, ever fearing he might get entangled in some whirlpool.

Chen Yi, seeing his earnest expression, thought carefully and said:

“Brother Fangguan, you’re the one in charge—confused as you are.”

Li Huigu looked puzzled: “Qingzhou Brother, please enlighten me.”

“I dare not take the initiative.”

“Actually, this matter has nothing to do with you—you can simply follow the Office’s instructions and make the rounds in the three prefectures.”

“But…”

Before Li Huigu could finish, Chen Yi raised his hand to stop him: “The three prefectures are separated by thousands of miles, the roads are long, and a month’s time may not be enough.”

Li Huigu paused, looked down, and sincerely sighed with gratitude: “Thank you, Qingzhou Brother.”

He had understood that Chen Yi was urging him not to rush, to wait and see.

As for whether he could collect grain taxes from the Duyuan army—it was ultimately up to the Xiao and Liu families.

In the end, it was still up to the two families to decide.

“No wonder the Left Censor not only limited the time but also strictly enforced the tax collection—he probably didn’t think I could complete the task.”

Chen Yi nodded: “As far as I can see, that’s the case.”

Li Huigu paused, then asked: “If there’s a letter from the Office in the middle of the journey…”

“You just follow it through.”

“Qingzhou Brother, will you not worry about the Xiao family?”

Chen Yi replied casually: “What’s there to worry about for a son-in-law like me?”

When the sky falls, some tall man will hold it up. Li Huigu glanced at him, and his heart naturally harbored some disbelief.

Originally, he had merely felt grateful toward Chen Yi due to Yunxiang and Chen Yunfan’s affairs.

But after their recent conversation, he came to understand that Chen Yi was not as simple as he seemed on the surface.

Whether it was the imperial examination they discussed at Fengchun Lou upon their first meeting, or the poems, calligraphy, and other matters that later surfaced—all these things clearly indicated this very point.

Thinking this, Li Huigu sighed softly and said, “Brother Qingzhou really did enter the Zhang family’s household… how bending of his talents.”

Chen Yi pulled aside a curtain and gazed at the rain-soaked streets and passersby beyond.

“I feel that life is quite good right now, and I’m satisfied.”

Li Huigu stared blankly, but said nothing.

Still, he had found some thoughts in his heart, and his mood had improved somewhat.

“Brother Qingzhou’s words this time, I shall surely repay in kind.”

Chen Yi withdrew his gaze and smiled, asking, “Can it be folded into silver?”

“People all say ‘Three years as magistrate, ten thousand snowflakes of silver,’ and I ask for nothing more than ten thousand two taels of silver.”

“…Brother Qingzhou, you’re joking.”

Li Huigu knew well he could not take his words seriously.

Yet the admiration and contemplation in his heart this far had faded away in that very jest.

The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water; perhaps Brother Qingzhou thought the same.

Not long after,

the two arrived at Guiyun Academy.

Li Huigu came along, sparing them a great deal of trouble, and the journey proceeded smoothly.

Entering the academy, Chen Yi immediately beheld a garden scene.

A winding stone path, flanked by lush greenery, was indeed a path of hidden beauty.

Between the green tiles and white walls stood arched gates, through which one could glimpse a few two-story wooden buildings with upturned eaves.

At this moment, just as the hour of the cock arrived, many scholars in Guiyun Academy’s robes passed by.

Upon seeing the two, they all paused and bowed respectfully.

Li Huigu returned each bow, and Chen Yi naturally did not neglect the custom.

In the intervals, Li Huigu introduced them:

“Guiyun Academy was founded at the dawn of the Wei dynasty, just after the barbarians were driven away, awaiting prosperity.”

“At that time, Governor Li of Shuzhou, Li Dali, established the school here, and even sent for Hong Hai of Qinghe Academy to serve as its headmaster…”

As Chen Yi listened, he walked to a courtyard in the depths and saw Master Yue Ming already waiting outside.

“The student has met the master.”

Master Yue Ming smiled and nodded, exchanged a few polite words, and led them into the study.

“Qingzhou, if you had not delayed in delivering the invitation yesterday, I would have gone to the Zhang household myself.”

He handed over a letter, saying, “Your teacher’s reply.”

Chen Yi smirked inwardly, not expecting the words to come so aptly.

Master Yue Ming had indeed written to Master Ju Yi.

Thinking this, he stepped forward to take the letter, glanced at it, and knew that Ju Yi agreed to his appointment at Guiyun Academy.

Moreover, the letter praised him a few times, mentioning his scholarly achievements.

After reading it, Chen Yi sighed with a hint of helplessness: “Since the teacher has given his approval, the student will obey.”

Master Yue Ming laughed heartily: “Indeed, it should have been so.”

Li Huigu, seeing this, nodded in approval toward Chen Yi.

Thereafter, Master Yue Ming explained the affairs of Guiyun Academy and the arrangements ahead.

The older ones would naturally say a few more things.

Chen Yi paid heed to only one thing: “A month requires only four days of concentrated instruction; the rest of the time, students practice on their own.”

In addition to the instructors, he would need to set aside a day or two to review and annotate the calligraphy practice sheets for the students.

All told, it would take less than a week, leaving him quite free.

Master Yue Ming, seeing he cared only for this, couldn’t help but chuckle and scold, “You’re truly lazy, Qingzhou.”

“The students only need to practice calligraphy; the more courses, the less suitable.”

“You have a point, I suppose…”

The three continued chatting idly.

Li Huigu recalled his purpose and spoke of the Governor’s arrangements, asking Master Yue Ming’s opinion.

Master Yue Ming pondered for a moment, frowning: “Li Hong’s arrangement here, on one hand, is to pressure the Zhang family.”

“On the other hand, it also serves to signal the Liu family of Jingzhou.”

“Neither is directly aimed at you.”

“Yet this matter is far-reaching. Huagu, remember well—do not act rashly. Perhaps in a few days, there may be a change in fortune.”

Li Huigu, hearing this, was about to speak, but Chen Yi subtly stepped on his foot, signaling him to be more careful.

Li Huigu understood, his smile faltering, “The student will remember the master’s instructions and return to pack his belongings.”

He turned to Chen Yi: “Brother Qingzhou, would you like to come along?”

Chen Yi shook his head: “You go first. I intend to stay at Guiyun Academy today.”

Upon returning to the Zhang household, he would find it hard to justify his departure later, so he decided to remain at the academy.

Master Yue Ming, delighted that Chen Yi would stay, immediately led him to a side study:

“Come, it’s a day of celebration. Qingzhou, why not keep a calligraphy piece as a keepsake.”

Chen Yi: “…”

He wasn’t even pretending to be moved, after all.

The contract for the teaching appointment hadn’t even been signed yet.

(Chapter Complete)