Chapter 26: Uncle Gui, the Old Marquis, and the Secret Letter

Chapter 26: Your Elder Brother, the Old Marquis, and the Secret Letter

It may have been Chen Yi’s fancy, but from the Spring Lotus Garden to the quiet courtyard of the old marquis in the court, the servants and maids of the Xiao family looked at him with marked kindness. Even the uncles, aunts, and cousins they encountered along the way greeted him warmly, first addressing him as “young marquis,” then calling him “second cousin.” Some recognized him; others did not. Fortunately, with Xiao Wuhe by his side, he avoided any further embarrassment.

Behind them, Wang Lingxing and the others glanced at the ground as they moved to a secluded spot, chatting familiarly: “The second cousin’s fortunes have improved considerably in the mansion.” Guo Laosan, ever blunt, chimed in: “Not to mention the young masters and mistresses—me, for one, I deeply admire the cousin’s education. You see, I once helped him escape his wedding—” Before he could finish, the nearby legal official quickly covered his mouth.

Wang Lingxing glanced back at him, then whispered to Chen Yi, “Old Three is just the sort, forgive him.” Chen Yi waved his hand dismissively. “No harm, no harm. If only I had known the Xiao family treated me so well, I wouldn’t have fled my wedding.”

At this, Wang Lingxing and the others exchanged glances, each giving a thumbs-up. Not only was the cousin educated, but his character and disposition were also exceptional. Had it been someone else, confined to the mansion for months, he might have caused a ruckus by now.

Not long after, Chen Yi, accompanied by Xiao Wuhe, passed through the corridor of the courtyard and met an elderly man bent with age, carrying some miscellaneous items. Xiao Wuhe and Chen Yi stepped aside, and Wang Lingxing and his companions bowed formally: “Venerable Uncle.”

The old man, perhaps hard of hearing, limped away as if he hadn’t heard. Chen Yi glanced at him twice, then recalled something and asked Wang Lingxing, “Venerable Uncle?”

Wang Lingxing’s expression shifted slightly, then he whispered, “Venerable Uncle is an old soldier from Qinghai, once a guard of the old marquis.”

Chen Yi nodded, understanding. “Ah, that explains their reverence.”

Wang Lingxing and the others followed, saying, “To think that Venerable Uncle is such a pitiable man. In the final battle where the old marquis defeated the Barbarian King’s army, Venerable Uncle was gravely wounded. Fortunately, his injuries were treated in time.”

“We thought, upon his return to Shuzhou, he might be promoted and honored. But just then, the commissioner and the governor of the region were replaced, and many old soldiers’ merits were overlooked. Venerable Uncle’s contributions were simply erased.”

“Later, the old marquis felt sorry for him and allowed him to remain in the household, even arranging for him to take a wife and have children.”

As Wang Lingxing recounted these past events, Chen Yi, listening intently, soon arrived at the entrance of the quiet courtyard, his thoughts lingering on Venerable Uncle. This “Venerable Uncle” was likely the elderly servant Pei Yonglu had mentioned, and the tangled affairs that befell him might have sown seeds of resentment toward the Xiao family.

Just as Chen Yi was about to send a report, Xiao Wuhe gestured to the gate attendants and led him into the courtyard.

“Your grandfather and elder brother have come to visit you.”

Following him past the screen wall, Chen Yi scanned the area. The courtyard was smaller than the Spring Lotus Garden, but abundant with plants. The stone path was flanked by rows of grapevines, with young shoots climbing the trellises, and various grasses and trees below. A stream wound through the grounds.

In the southern pavilion, three elderly men sat drinking tea and playing chess. One was tall and stooped, clearly frail. The other two faced each other across the board. One wore neat clothes, dignified in bearing, though his brows were slightly raised, gazing at the other with a smirk. The third, whose face Chen Yi could not see, muttered irritably: “What do you call ‘regretting a move’ anyway? Even as a duke, you can’t manage that. This is the third time!”

“What’s ‘regretting a move’? I call it a tiger dozing after a feast.”

“You play like a—”

Before the two could continue their quarrel, the tall, stout elder intervened, then waved for Xiao Wuhe to approach, his eyes fixed on Chen Yi. Though his sight was dim, Chen Yi felt the old man’s gaze upon him.

Without further ado, Chen Yi bowed politely: “Chen Yi, honored elder, I have the pleasure to meet Duke Zhang and Master Sun.”

Before the old marquis could speak, Zhang Xuan, still preoccupied with the game, pushed the board aside: “Oh? Your nephew’s son has arrived?”

Sun Rui felt a sudden darkness in his vision, a constriction in his chest, as if he were about to strangle that old devil. But remembering the presence of young people, and recalling his own cultivation and education, he restrained himself, turning to regard Chen Yi with a slow, assessing look.

The old marquis glanced at Zhang Xuan and Sun Rui, then nodded to his servants to fetch a chair for Chen Yi. “Sit and speak.”

Chen Yi bowed again and took his seat, his demeanor calm. Though this was his first meeting with the old marquis, Duke Zhang, and Master Sun, he had heard much about them from Xiao Wuhe, and thus understood their temperaments well enough to sit properly.

Sun Rui finished examining him, his earlier irritation dissipating. “Indeed, indeed. It’s clear you’ve studied hard.”

Zhang Xuan interjected: “Does he have the virtues of Confucian scholars?”

“Old brute, you—”

The old marquis sighed, “I told you two to stop bickering in front of the young. Do you want to make yourselves ridiculous?”

“Does he dare?” Zhang Xuan fixed his gaze on Chen Yi, his expression sneering: “Do you know who I am, youngster?”

Chen Yi raised an eyeb, sensing something amiss with this duke.

“The Duke of Qing?”

“No. I’m his sworn enemy, the son of his father!”

“Oh?”

Chen Yi’s eyes widened in realization. The connection was clear now. He smiled gently: “My father never mentioned this to me. Duke Zhang, please forgive me.”

Zhang Xuan blinked, then pointed an accusatory finger: “You young fellow dare—”

The old marquis quickly stepped between them: “You’re not a child anymore, are you? He’s not the one to provoke.”

“But he just said that! Has Chen Yuanji not considered me at all?”

“You’re mistaken.”

The old marquis signaled Sun Rui to lead the angry man away. Zhang Xuan stared with a reddened face, saying nothing as he walked toward the inner chambers.

After the others departed, the old marquis looked at Chen Yi, still calm. He shook his head with a smile: “You’re clever, aren’t you? Did you do that on purpose?”

Chen Yi grinned. “I couldn’t hide it from you.”

Though he found Zhang Xuan’s attitude peculiar, it didn’t deter him from “fighting back.” Of course, he knew his limits and wouldn’t make it too obvious.

The old marquis chuckled. “Indeed. A fellow who won’t be pushed around.”

“Though if Chen Yuanji were here, he’d probably knock both of you on the head.”

Sun Rui nodded eagerly. “Please, tell me more.”

“It’s all old stories. Six years ago, when the barbarians invaded and raided the region of Jiaozhou…”

The old marquis did not hide the enmity between Duke Zhang and Chen Yuanji. In simple terms, Chen Yuanji, then the census commissioner of Jiangnan Prefecture, had failed to timely allocate food supplies to support Jiaozhou, which incited Duke Zhang’s anger.

Therefore the two of them had a falling out.

Yet as far as Chen Yì knew, after that Chen Xuánjī was dispatched by the Emperor to the Buddhist kingdom in the western lands, he would probably have long forgotten his quarrel with Zhang Xu.

When Xiao Lao Houge finished speaking, he smiled and said, "That old fellow only cares about the matter, not the person. If you find time to write him a poem, I guarantee it'll make him smile from ear to ear."

Chen Yì hesitated slightly, and merely nodded: "I'll make a note of it."

After a bit of idle chat, Xiao Lao Houge didn't linger long. Upon learning that Chen Yì wished to leave the mansion to take a stroll, he readily agreed.

"Past matters are past, the late King Hong has already forgiven you, so I naturally won't hold a grudge."

"Though you should be at ease now that you're within the Xiao family; avoid going to the southern parts of the city."

Chen Yì nodded and agreed.

Had he not been in the mood to see what kind of fun awaited him, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to visit the flower-lined streets and lantern-lit alleys.

Not long after, Chen Yì left the Pure Rest Villa accompanied by Xiao Wúgē.

Xiao Lao Houge gave it a moment's thought, then sent for Zhang Xu and Sun Fu to come over.

Prince Qian Gong Zhang Xu hurried over, breathless with urgent inquiry, "Well, well, has your son-in-law agreed to it yet?"

Sun Fu laughed and scolded, "You're a noble prince too, calculating a junior like this, your face must be red with shame?"

Zhang Xu, unashamed and even proud, replied, "If I could obtain a poem like the one from old Master Xiao, I'd be over the moon."

Xiao Lao Houge glared at him, "You cheeky brat, I know you've been holding back something."

"Off we go, then. Chen Yì agreed, though it's up to you to see this through. When he comes to pay his respects, you'd better not bring up Chen Xuánjī's affairs."

"Rest assured, I know how to handle it..."

...

When Chen Yì left the Pure Rest Villa, he and Xiao Wúgē headed straight back to the Spring Lotus Garden. Along the way, he occasionally caught snippets of idle conversation:

"That poem of Second Uncle's for the birthday has spread throughout Shuzhou City. I hear many students think it's a pity—how unfortunate it is that such talent is wedded to our Xiao family."

"What's so unfortunate? The mansion doesn't favor Uncle at all."

"True enough, but it's hard to satisfy everyone's expectations. I wonder if Young Mistress is still upset with Uncle for fleeing the wedding."

"Probably not..."

The mansion was not a place of secrets; matters only needed not to be deliberately obstructed, and they would quickly become common knowledge.

Fortunately, these were all positive remarks, so Chen Yì paid them little mind.

But when he arrived outside the Spring Lotus Garden, he saw the noble uncle with a hunched back just emerging from the Garden of Prosperous Prosperity.

Hmm?

Chen Yì halted in his tracks, his expression calm. "Xing Bro, could you saddle the horse-drawn carriage? We'll be leaving the mansion shortly."

If he remembered correctly, the courtyard's miscellaneous items were all collected before dawn.

When something seems out of the ordinary, there must be a reason—perhaps the secret letter sent by the "Hidden Guard" had received a response.

(End of Chapter)Thus the two of them had a falling out.

Yet as far as Chen Yì knew, after that Chen Xuánjī was dispatched by the Emperor to the Buddhist kingdom in the western lands, he would probably have long forgotten his quarrel with Zhang Xu.

When Xiao Lao Houge finished speaking, he smiled and said, "That old fellow only cares about the matter, not the person. If you find time to write him a poem, I guarantee it'll make him smile from ear to ear."

Chen Yì hesitated slightly, and merely nodded: "I'll make a note of it."

After a bit of idle chat, Xiao Lao Houge didn't linger long. Upon learning that Chen Yì wished to leave the mansion to take a stroll, he readily agreed.

"Past matters are past, the late King Hong has already forgiven you, so I naturally won't hold a grudge."

"Though you should be at ease now that you're within the Xiao family; avoid going to the southern parts of the city."

Chen Yì nodded and agreed.

Had he not been in the mood to see what kind of fun awaited him, he wouldn't have gone out of his way to visit the flower-lined streets and lantern-lit alleys.

Not long after, Chen Yì left the Pure Rest Villa accompanied by Xiao Wúgē.

Xiao Lao Houge gave it a moment's thought, then sent for Zhang Xu and Sun Fu to come over.

Prince Qian Gong Zhang Xu hurried over, breathless with urgent inquiry, "Well, well, has your son-in-law agreed to it yet?"

Sun Fu laughed and scolded, "You're a noble prince too, calculating a junior like this, your face must be red with shame?"

Zhang Xu, unashamed and even proud, replied, "If I could obtain a poem like the one from old Master Xiao, I'd be over the moon."

Xiao Lao Houge glared at him, "You cheeky brat, I know you've been holding back something."

"Off we go, then. Chen Yì agreed, though it's up to you to see this through. When he comes to pay his respects, you'd better not bring up Chen Xuánjī's affairs."

"Rest assured, I know how to handle it..."

...

When Chen Yì left the Pure Rest Villa, he and Xiao Wúgē headed straight back to the Spring Lotus Garden. Along the way, he occasionally caught snippets of idle conversation:

"That poem of Second Uncle's for the birthday has spread throughout Shuzhou City. I hear many students think it's a pity—how unfortunate it is that such talent is wedded to our Xiao family."

"What's so unfortunate? The mansion doesn't favor Uncle at all."

"True enough, but it's hard to satisfy everyone's expectations. I wonder if Young Mistress is still upset with Uncle for fleeing the wedding."

"Probably not..."

The mansion was not a place of secrets; matters only needed not to be deliberately obstructed, and they would quickly become common knowledge.

Fortunately, these were all positive remarks, so Chen Yì paid them little mind.

But when he arrived outside the Spring Lotus Garden, he saw the noble uncle with a hunched back just emerging from the Garden of Prosperous Prosperity.

Hmm?

Chen Yì halted in his tracks, his expression calm. "Xing Bro, could you saddle the horse-drawn carriage? We'll be leaving the mansion shortly."

If he remembered correctly, the courtyard's miscellaneous items were all collected before dawn.

When something seems out of the ordinary, there must be a reason—perhaps the secret letter sent by the "Hidden Guard" had received a response.

(End of Chapter)