Chapter 174: Let's Have a Battle of Wits!

Chapter 174: Let’s Have a Contest!

Not knowing if it was a delusion, Chen Yì arrived at the courtyard early the next morning to bid farewell to Sun Fu, always feeling that the old master was staring at him with a strange, ancient gaze.

That kind of gaze was like seeing a rare treasure, one that could never be obtained.

He couldn’t help but wonder—had his mastery of the Way been discovered by the old master?

Even if the old master knew, it shouldn’t be in such a manner. After all, he was half a Xiao family member anyway.

In truth, at this moment, the old master considered his son-in-law Chen Yì as a true member of the Xiao family.

Before this, the old master merely thought Chen Yì was suitable for his daughter Xiao Jiànhóng.

He didn’t expect Chen Yì to contribute anything to the Xiao family, and even now, after learning of Chen Yì’s mastery, he couldn’t command him to do anything for them.

It was probably just a matter of conscience.

For now, involving anyone in their affairs would make them put their brains in their belts.

If it weren’t for the blood ties of Xiao Wán’er, Xiao Jiànhóng, and Xiao Wúgōu, the old master would have hoped they could stay out of it.

But that was impossible.

Sun Fu could guess their thoughts, so after placing the jade box into the carriage, he smiled and said,

“A light boat. If you’re free in the future, do pay a visit to Qingcai Hall. Don’t let this old fool be left alone, or his condition might worsen.”

Chen Yì felt a slight movement in his heart, about to nod in agreement, when the old master laughed and scolded him,

“Do I need you to worry about me? You just worry about yourself, and after you go to Jinling, you’ll find a way to support the family.”

Sun Fu didn’t mind being annoyed, just nodded slightly at Chen Yì with a glance, then replied to the old master,

“As a beggar, I wouldn’t ask you for anything.”

Listening to the two elders bicker, Chen Yì merely smiled.

He understood Sun Fu’s glance, guessing what they had said that caused the old master’s change in demeanor.

Though, well.

Chen Yì could only silently refuse in his heart. To accompany the old master for tea and chess was possible, but to actively find something to do…

Impossible.

On one hand, he didn’t have the heart for it, and didn’t want to serve as an official or a soldier.

On the other hand, it wouldn’t take long to get anything done, and in the long run, he might be suspected.

Plus, with people like Yin Wei stirring things up, who knows what his situation would be like after actually serving the Xiao family as an official or soldier?

It’s not impossible that Guo Lao San would arrange some merits for him to get promoted.

These things, he didn’t wish for.

After a while, Sun Fu bid farewell to those who came to see him off, chatted and laughed, then mounted the carriage and said,

“Off we go!”

The carriage moved as if in response, and as it passed through the rain curtain, it became increasingly blurred.

A voice, old yet full of vigor, came from afar:

“Do not worry that there is no confidant on the road, who among the world does not recognize you?”

Xiao Laotai heard Sun Fu’s laughter, and a smile also appeared on his face, cursing and grumbling,

“This old dog got a big break and is still showing off!”

Chen Yì smiled but said nothing.

The sisters, Xiao Wán’er and Xiao Wúgōu, looked as if they had thought of something, their eyes both falling upon him.

“Brother, is this poem one you wrote for Sun Gonggong?”

Chen Yì met their gaze, not hiding the fact that he had written it, and said,

“Yesterday, Sun Lao asked me to come over, and it’s not good to leave him empty-handed.”

Before Xiao Wán’er and Xiao Wúgōu could respond, the old master fixed his face and said,

“Sun Fu, from now on, if someone like this old unashamed one comes to the door, just refuse, and I’ll cover for you.

Especially Sun Fu, Zhang Xuan, these two people who have been in the military for a long time, are the most shameless—they are soldiers, brutes!”

Not only Chen Yì, but also Xiao Wán’er and Xiao Wúgōu couldn’t help but laugh.

After chatting and laughing, they returned to their respective residences.

After passing through the courtyard, Xiao Wán’er reminded,

“Brother-in-law, come back early today.”

“I want to have Chen Yu from Bai Caotang visit in the afternoon, and I want to have him stay for dinner.”

Chen Yì smiled and agreed wholeheartedly.

However, he was really short-handed, and if Chen Yu showed up, he himself couldn’t possibly attend.

Xiao Wán’er didn’t know about his thoughts, but ordered the maids to prepare, and said,

“Mèng Lú came to say she wanted to return to her hometown, and I’ve had someone prepare a thick gift and sent it to the mountain tribe.

She also wanted to write another letter for the younger sister, and asked him to write one too and deliver it.”

Chen Yì wanted to say that the previous letter he wrote hadn’t received a reply from Xiao Jiànhóng, so there was nothing to say.

But after thinking it over, he didn’t say it, and instead wrote a poem titled “Summer Thoughts” with dozens of characters.

It was likely that when Xiao Jiànhóng saw the letter bearing the words “Fire Burns the Three Towns’ Summer Supplies,” she wouldn’t have the heart to appreciate this “Summer Thoughts.”

So, he just wrote a few lines and didn’t say anything else.

After finishing tidying the study, Chen Yì handed the letters to Xiao Wán’er and secretly reminded Bi Menglu a few things to avoid mistakes.

The tiger cub nodded enthusiastically and mounted the carriage, leaving.

After she was gone, Chen Yì saw it was getting late, so he waved to Xiao Wán’er and went back to the academy.

At that moment, the courtyard was completely empty.

Even the small butterflies stayed with Xiao Wúgōu in the Xiàngxìng garden to study.

Xiao Wán’er had arranged everything, then took out the letter Chen Yì wrote.

After hesitating for a moment, she put it away.

It is not proper to read other people’s letters behind their backs.

Xiao Wan’er sat by the window, watching the gray rain outside, her thoughts wandering somewhere unknown.

……

The afternoon’s calligraphy lesson passed swiftly.

As usual, Chen Yi assigned the students in the academy hall a homework: “Write a piece of calligraphy, but this time in a way that best suits your own heart.”

“It need not be perfectly neat, nor must it follow Wei Qing’s style. But it must be written with sincerity.”

Chen Yi, based on his impressions of the students, pointed to the handsome young man sitting at the front: “Take Han Ye, for example.”

“Your nature is free-spirited, often brimming with whimsical ideas. Such creativity can also be channeled into brushwork.”

While speaking, Chen Yi took up a cloud-grove paper and wrote a single character: “Forever.”

The strokes flowed with the brush.

A hasty horizontal, an upward-slanting stroke, a leftward-falling vertical—crooked and uneven, yet somehow deeply comforting.

At fourteen, Han Ye stared at the character, then copied it onto his sand tray.

By shape alone, his version bore a striking resemblance to Chen Yi’s.

Han Ye blinked, then asked hesitantly, “Master, does this count as a new script?”

Chen Yi smiled and nodded. “I’ve said, calligraphy and painting—whatever your inner world sees, that’s what you write.”

“The so-called new script is merely writing what feels most true to oneself, following one’s heart.”

“Those predecessors failed not because they lacked skill, but because they were too rigid, too partial to certain styles.”

“After all, not everyone can break free from established rules.”

Chen Yi set down his wolf-hair brush. “Class dismissed.”

When the students bowed and left, Chen Yi bowed once in return, then stepped out of the academy hall.

Duke Yue and Master Zhuo Ying were already waiting at the entrance.

Chen Yi greeted them and followed Duke Yue back to the manor. He paid no heed to who had collected the cloud-grove papers in the academy hall.

Upon reaching the manor’s study room, Duke Yue poured tea. “How did the students fare today?”

Chen Yi sipped his tea, noticed the slight flush on Duke Yue’s face, and smiled. “Did someone cause trouble? You can’t dodge it any longer, can you?”

Duke Yue knew he couldn’t hide it, so he sighed and nodded.

“Five years ago, the barbarian tribes raided. Famine plagued Shu, even our academy suffered.”

“A great clan generously offered funds. I promised them I would repay the favor someday… so…”

Duke Yue stood and bowed. “I humbly ask you to permit this.”

Chen Yi quickly stepped aside, grumbling, “Duke, don’t insist on the bow—I can’t take responsibility.”

Duke Yue straightened, meeting his gaze. “I can’t dodge it any longer. I must do this.”

Chen Yi thought a moment, then nodded. “If it’s for that reason, I have no objection.”

“But since you wish to add someone, I’d like to recommend one student.”

“This… can’t be overlooked?”

“Without rules, there is no order. Duke, forgive me.”

Duke Yue grimaced, no longer pressing the matter: “Very well. I’ll discuss it with Zhuo Ying.”

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. “You’ll pick someone, will you?”

Upon reflection, Ma Guan was indeed the most fitting.

After all, his mastery of the arts was undeniable.

Even if he didn’t study under Chen Yi, his path forward would still yield great accomplishments.

A temporary measure…

With this encounter, Duke Yue now understood the difficulty. He resolved that from now on, such exceptions could not be made.

After a moment, Chen Yi finished his tea and prepared to leave.

At that instant, Duke Yue called him over, retrieved an envelope from the table, and handed it to him.

“This is a letter from Governor Fang. He has some ideas about this matter.”

“Oh? A letter from the Elder Liu?”

Chen Yi took it, glanced at the contents, and couldn’t help but frown.

The letter concerned the grain tax in the three counties of Xie and Ma.

After the Ministry of Justice captured the killer of Liu Jing, the Governor’s Office had sent a letter to Li Hua’er, instructing him to collect taxes at a rate of twenty per cent.

But only recently, Li Hua’er received another letter from the Governor’s Office.

Or rather, an official seal, a command.

“Strictly investigate the amount of grain stored in the three counties of Xie and Ma, and collect taxes at ten per cent?”

“The Governor’s Office has changed its decree from morning to evening with practiced ease.”

It can be inferred that Liu Hong, upon learning of the Liu family’s agents in Jingzhou, had shown them their “attitude.”

After all, this settled the matter with the Xiao family—now they would have to clash outright!

Upon hearing this, Duke Yue shook his head. “The Xiao and Liu families’ dispute has brought hardship to Governor Fang.”

Chen Yi nodded. “I think this matter will recur.”

“Oh? Do you think Governor Liu will change again?”

“Probably.”

Chen Yi didn’t elaborate further, letting Duke Yue reply as he had instructed, urging Li Hua’er to slow his pace.

There were still over twenty days left before the one-month deadline.

Before then, the dispute between the Xiao and Liu families would likely settle.

He didn’t think Liu’s family would dare proceed with “burning the three counties’ summer grain” after getting involved in this.

If that were the case, there would be no need for further thought—Old Master Xiao would not let them escape.

After some casual talk, Chen Yi bid farewell and rode off swiftly to the western market.

He had hired a cart for the journey, and hurried to Bao’an Courtyard.

There he transferred to Ma Chuan’s carriage, heading north to the west side of the city, to Xichuan Street.

Whether to say it or not, Wang Ji was remarkably efficient.

The matters he had arranged with Zhang Da Bao last night were secured in just two hours—two residences in the northern and eastern parts of the city.

One of them lay in a lane behind Xichuan Street.

It was about two li from the courtyard where Liu Jing had once lived—nothing far.

"Master, time was tight, and nothing was prepared. You have much to worry about."

Chen Yi waved a dismissive hand. With moments pressing, he instructed Zhang Da Bao to alter his appearance.

In the interim, he decreed, "When meeting Miss Xiao, take the lead. Make sure she fully understands the plan to expand the Bai Caotang."

Wang Ji hesitated. "Master, this isn’t appropriate."

As the manager of the Bai Caotang, he felt overstepping bounds in such a setting. It would make him seem unprincipled and suggest Chen Yi’s authority was lax.

Chen Yi waved again. "My silence isn’t an issue. Just do as I say."

Resolved to speak little and act less, he’d decided to play the role of a pushover.

Seeing this, Wang Ji could only nod.

Then Chen Yi gave further instructions. Once the disguise was complete and his own checks passed, he mounted his carriage and rode toward the Xiao family.

Yet his plans, though well-conceived, failed to anticipate Miss Xiao’s unorthodox move.

"Master Wang, Miss Xiao has ordered that I, Chen Boss, may enter alone. You and the others may wait outside."

"This—this—"

(End of chapter)