Chapter 380: Born from the Same Root (Happy New Year)

Chapter 380 It Was All From the Same Root (Happy New Year)

In the study.

Chen Yì glanced out the window.

The blazing sun beat down, and in its bright light, Shuǐhé and the tall figure walked out of the Spring Lotus Garden.

He understood in his heart that this was when water and the other had left—it was likely that "Yīzhǐ" had already come by.

If it were Liu Láng and Zhang Dàbǎo, and the palace guards had noticed them, there should have been some commotion reported long ago.

"This time, I wonder if we can find the person behind 'Yīzhǐ'…"

Lin Zhōng stood by the window, watching Shuǐhé as well.

He felt inexplicably rather strange.

This "Mr. Chen" boss was very mysterious; he came and went with a leisurely pace, yet left rather hurriedly.

What matter was more important than Lord Hǒu's banquet?

Additionally, he suddenly thought of something else—where had those two attendants gone, who had accompanied "Chen Yú"?

Lin Zhōng realized this just as he was about to follow them to take a look, when Chen Yúnfa beside him said:

"Yìzhī, your brother these days has also dabbled in the way of painting; how's his progress?"

Chen Yì pulled back his gaze, swept his eyes over Lin Zhōng standing by the window, and then let his gaze settle on Chen Yúnfa.

"I know a little."

"A little?"

Chen Yúnfa looked at the landscape painting in his hand, and could see that it contained no hidden resonance of the heavens and earth.

But simply in terms of brushwork and rhythm, it was already a top-quality piece.

He turned his head to look at Chen Yì, and sighed slightly: "Yìzhī, your brother these days… makes one unable not to envy him."

Both his admiration for Chen Yì's talent, and his envy of his free and easy, carefree lifestyle.

Before, when Chen Yúnfa was cultivating and studying in Jiangnan Prefecture, he had often indulged in daydreams about the future.

He wanted to become a hero roaming the rivers and mountains.

With harmony and resentment, hatred and grudges, he could sweep them all away with a single sword.

But daydreaming was still just daydreaming.

He was a scion of the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture, after all.

It was all useless to think about such things.

As for the crisis the Xiao family had previously encountered, Chen Yúnfa did not ignore it either.

In his view, the difficulties faced by the great families were bound to be the same.

Decay would inevitably invite the covetous eyes of other noble houses.

Even if the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture were currently at their peak, they would still face all sorts of problems.

There would be espionage from other noble families in Jiangnan Prefecture, and enemies like Chen Xuánjī and Chen Xuándu in the court.

But because the Chen family was currently flourishing, those people dared not reveal their malicious intentions openly.

Even if they made some moves, the Chen family would detect them in time and suppress them before they could sprout.

So, in the end.

Chen Yúnfa truly envied Chen Yì.

If he could, he really didn't want to serve as a magistrate in the provincial administration, nor be secretly manipulated by those in the White Tiger Guard.

Chen Yì smiled and said, "Older brother, what is it that you envy in me?"

"Being imprisoned for five years, entering the Xiao family as a son-in-law, or remaining here as a teacher at the noble house—tell me, which is more enviable?"

Chen Yúnfa opened his mouth, but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhōng, hearing this, felt a slight change in expression, and could no longer think about where "Chen Yú" and his attendants had gone.

He had never imagined that Chen Yì would so openly reveal such things.

He still managed to smile and spoke those words.

Lin Zhōng obviously would not believe that Chen Yì's smile was heartfelt, and would compare it heart to heart, and would surely feel anger in his heart after experiencing such things.

After all, Chen Yì was a scholar of merit throughout the land!

Under the influence of his preconceptions, he would naturally feel that Chen Yì was using this opportunity to vent his grievances.

What was his purpose?

He guessed it was to make the young lord feel embarrassed.

But the facts were just the opposite.

Chen Yúnfa felt no embarrassment at all; on the contrary, he found that Chen Yì seemed rather strange at this moment.

After thinking for a moment.

Chen Yúnfa couldn't figure out the reason, shook his head, and seriously said, "There must be some misunderstanding here."

After the incidents involving Zhu Yáo and Liu Hóng, he had come to understand that both he and Chen Yì were pawns of certain people.

He was the larger pawn, Chen Yì the smaller.

One was for Shuzhou, the other for the Xiao family.

And even he guessed that the reason for letting Chen Yì enter the Xiao family as a son-in-law was to use his resentment toward the Chen family for his own purposes.

To disrupt the Xiao family, or to control the Xiao family.

It was simply impossible to expect Chen Yì to help the Xiao family out of their difficulties.

But what actually happened afterward was unforeseen by those behind the scenes—Chen Yì not only had no resentment, but actually settled contentedly in the Xiao family.

Not only that, but he also, through his own abilities, quietly helped the Xiao family, and thus the Xiao family and Shuzhou came to be as they were today.

"Misunderstanding?"

"Perhaps."

Chen Yì restrained his smile, then sat down at the desk, and after thinking said, "Older brother, would you like to arrange the study? It's not suitable at the moment, shall I paint one for you?"

Chen Yúnfa was startled, smiled and nodded, "Fine, brother Yì, you're doing me a favor."

Lin Zhōng managed to force a smile, and flattered, "Lord, Master Yì is most skilled with brush and ink; his paintings are sure to be masterpieces."

Even the Springqīng outside, waiting there, couldn't help but speak up, "Master Yì's ink treasures are rare; outside it's hard to find paper."

"If the outside world knew that the young lord has Master Yì's paintings and calligraphy in his room, they would surely be envious."

Lin Zhōng agreed, "The young lord and Master Yì have deep brotherly affection…"

Chen Yì glanced at them all, then ordered little Butterfly to pour water and sharpen the ink.

He then took up the wolf-hair brush, dipped it in the ink, and rinsed it in the clear water.

The brush touches paper.

Dots of ink bloom and spread.

Chen Yì's pen moves steadily, stroke by stroke, gradually outlining a field.

The avenues and lanes wind and weave, wheat waves swaying in the wind.

Around him rise rolling hills, and a stream winds down.

Yet at the most prominent spot, a field of yellow beans is planted.

Though his technique is ink-based, emphasizing spirit over form,

in the eyes of Chen Yún, Lin Zhōng, Chūn Yìng, and Xiǎo Dié,

it seemed as if they were already standing within a riot of green.

The sky is clear, the water pristine, brimming with life, serene yet far-reaching.

Chen Yún silently murmurs in admiration, finally understanding—

Yì's younger brother's artistic path must have indeed entered the realm of mastery.

Entering the door, becoming a minor success, achieving greatness...

At least he had reached the level of minor success.

Even though that cloud-sand paper held no hint of cosmic qi at that moment,

he still could not fathom why Chen Yì would paint such a tranquil, leisurely rural scene for him.

Was it to calm his heart and mind?

Until he saw Chen Yì's completed work, and the inscription in the upper left corner,

he finally comprehended.

"Boil the beans to feed the beans' stems,

Beans weep in the cauldron. It was meant to be—

From the same root, jointly simmered,

Why rush so fiercely?"

Chen Yún softly recited the lines, his face growing complex.

Yì's younger brother was... speaking of the Chen family.

Not only him—Lin Zhōng and Chūn Yìng felt the same.

Only Xiao Dié did not connect Chen Yì's past to her thoughts;

she simply found the little poem profound, though its philosophy seemed at odds with the painting's tranquility.

Yet the clever one could not help but voice her praise:

"Sir, your calligraphy is fine, and the painting is splendid."

Chen Yì smiled and said, "Have you not seen who I am? The light-boat scholar whose name fills the heavens."

After a pause, he rolled up the painting and handed it to Chen Yún: "Brother, are you satisfied?"

Chen Yún gazed at him deeply, as if suddenly understanding, and smiled:

"Satisfied."

He pointed at Xiao Dié: "As this little lass says, Yì's work is fine in both writing and painting, a top-grade piece."

Yet that little poem made him think of many things—

Chen Xuánjī, Cui Yù, Bái Hǔwèi, and others.

A moment of silence passed.

Chen Yún handed the painting to Chūn Yìng to set aside, then said:

"Father sent word last evening that he has already departed southward."

"He'll likely arrive in Shuzhou within one or two months."

"When that time comes, I'll certainly bring Yì with me to meet him."

Chen Yì nodded with a smile: "It's been a long time since I saw him."

Chen Yún jokingly asked: "Will Yì be composing another poem this time?"

"Of course... not a poem."

"Now his excellency, the military commissioner, with duties overseeing border garrisons, the number of people coming to greet him in Shuzhou will be many."

"How could I make myself known at such a gathering?"

Chen Yì thought of when, in his past life, he had written poetry for Chen Xuánjī before departing for the Western Regions' Buddhist kingdom, and couldn't help but laugh.

Yet seeing how the three from Chen Yún were moved by that poem, he relaxed his heart.

It was not in vain.

Indeed, it was intentional.

Water and Tong, Liú Báo, and Zhang Dàbǎo had gone off in an odd manner, inevitably drawing suspicion from Chen Yún and Lin Zhōng.

Desperate, he had spoken those words, penned that poem titled "Seven Steps."

Just then—

[Opportunity +18.]

[The great bandit "Yi" steals Zhang Dàbǎo without knowing it... performance commendable.]

[People have not arrived, voices have not been heard...]

Chen Yì glanced over, a few smiles playing on his face.

He just hoped Water and Tong would go smoothly, without incident.

He was about to say something when Lin Zhōng suddenly glanced outside, his brow slightly furrowed:

"Lord, Master Yì, there's trouble at the mansion."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yún's subtle aura expanded, and voices rose from outside the Spring Lotus Garden.

After listening a moment, he looked at Chen Yì, raising an eyebrow: "Someone rescued Li... Li Sānyuán from the Xiao family's prison."

In that instant, he no longer understood the meaning behind Chen Yì's recent words, his tone tinged with melancholy:

"Yì's younger brother, this name 'Li Sānyuán' sounds familiar."

Chen Yì feigned contemplation: "It seems to be the person the lady brought back earlier, he was imprisoned in the prison, what bold soul dared to rescue him from Hou Mansion?"

Chen Yunfan hummed, "Indeed, I wonder who's so bold."

Lin Zhong, unaware of what he meant, immediately bowed his hands, "My lord, Master Ji, your servant has come to pay respects."

"If needed, your servant can also lend a hand."

Chen Yunfan waved his hand dismissively, "Never mind."

"This matter concerns the Hou family estate, we guests should simply wait here for news."

Lin Zhong was about to say more, but was pulled aside by Springying beside him, and swallowed his words.

Chen Yi noticed this, and casually took several people aside to continue the conversation.

The turmoil within the Hou family estate was not unexpected, though it was sure to disappoint the old master.

This time, he only intended to use Zhang Daobao to lure out the enemy, in order to find the whereabouts of the mastermind, but he didn't dare to intervene directly.

Fortunately, Liu Liang had already taken Li Sanyuan away in advance, and later returned him.

Chen Yunfan, however, was far less at ease, and growing more agitated, he rudely pointed at the brush, paper, and inkstone on the table:

"Younger brother, help my brother write a piece."

"It must be worthy of rivaling 'Mid-Autumn Moon.'""

"Brother, you're joking..."

...

North of the city, on Kangning Street.

The bustling noise of the Xiao family could only be heard by a few scholars of modest means.

Mostly, young lords and noble young ladies went about as usual.

Some strolled through the game stalls, others boarded the pleasure boats.

All in a leisurely manner.

"One Finger" wore a coarse linen outfit, quietly pushing a flat cart, slowly traversing Kangning Street from south to north.

When approaching the northern city gate, he turned eastward, arriving at the curve pool.

Looking at the boats bobbing on the water, "One Finger" patted the sack on the cart, smiling:

"Well, you're lucky to have met that person."

Though he said that, his face grew somewhat complex, sighing:

"Thanks to your help, I've settled a debt, though I've also resolved a matter of my own heart."

Then, "One Finger" let out a loud whistle.

Soon, a whistle echoed from within a boat in the distance, followed by the approach of the boat.

"One Finger" had his hands behind his back, and when the boat docked at the shore, he spoke in a calm voice:

"Fate spared us, the person has arrived."

"Your servant 'One Finger' is honored."

From the boat emerged a graceful figure, unmistakably the lovely Liu Zhaoxue, dressed in a horse-faced skirt.

At that moment, she wore no veil, her face bare and her figure elegant.

"One Finger" took in her appearance without prejudice, saying, "You owe me a favor, didn't you?"

"I did it because of Pei Yonglin's face."

Liu Zhaoxue bowed politely, saying calmly, "Regardless of who it is, the honored one has helped me with a great matter."

"Enough chatter, let's get the person out of here, I'm in a hurry to visit my young disciple."

"Your honor, wait a moment."

Liu Zhaoxue paid no heed to "One Finger's" tone, waved her attendants to lift the people from the flat cart onto the boat.

Seeing this, "One Finger's" expression eased, and he bowed slightly:

"Tell Pei family to convey my regards— I've settled the debt I owed, tell them not to bother me again."

Liu Zhaoxue was about to respond, when a deep voice came from within the boat:

"Su Yiu, why not climb aboard and have a drink with me before we leave?"

"One Finger" Su Yiu halted, then climbed into the boat, muttering:

"Pei family, debts are debts, but you've caused me trouble with the Xiao family, I suppose I owe them some wine."

"Though I doubt you'd try to silence me?"

The person inside the boat—Pei Yonglin—laughed twice, "Old Su, you're getting more timid as you age."

"When you were young, weren't you afraid of my wine?"

"Back then you were a wandering one, now? Who have you sacrificed yourself for? Only you know."

Su Yiu went on, walking into the boat, "Let's have a proper talk, alright?"

"Of course, I can't let old Su leave without understanding..."

Liu Zhaoxue saw this, said nothing further, and ordered the boat to set sail toward the city.

"Wake Li Sanyuan, find out where the woman who soaked the bed and caused trouble in the mansion is hiding, we can't delay any longer."

"Yes..."

Wishing everyone a happy New Year.

No evening gathering today.

(Chapter Complete)