Chapter 47: What a Massive Face He Has

Chapter 47: What a Face He Has!

After a while of persuasion, Chen Yi still declined, and Li Huiguo had to leave the Xiao Manor with Yun Xiang in a sulky mood.

They sat in the carriage.

Yun Xiang noticed that Li Huiguo’s thoughts were elsewhere and gently asked, “Lord Li, are you worried about meeting Master Yue Ming?”

Li Huiguo came to, shook his head, and said, “I’m thinking of Qing Zhou’s elder brother.”

“Him?” Yun Xiang thought for a moment and said, “He seems different from everyone I’ve met—very… very accommodating.”

On hearing this, Li Huiguo sighed, “Yes, Qing Zhou’s elder brother is indeed unique, easygoing and unassuming, untroubled by the world, indifferent to fame and fortune.”

In his eyes, only a great scholar like the teacher possessed such a nature.

For most people, fame and fortune are a burden; the more talented someone is in learning, the more they care about them, spending their whole life in toil and travel.

Yet Chen Yi bore none of these thoughts.

After all, he was young and accomplished, outstanding in his studies.

“Then, my lord, what do you intend to do?”

“First, I’ll report to Master at the Cloud Academy, hoping he won’t be angry.”

Cloud Academy.

“He truly refuses to come?”

In the spacious study room, Master Yue sat at the desk, his expression tinged with mild irritation, his voice edged with dissatisfaction:

“The stepson of Hou’s household does indeed find it hard to ascend to such a noble gathering, yet I have invited him to the poetry meeting, so I must see to it that he is accommodated.”

“Moreover, I have had dealings with Yu Yi before, and he is a student of mine; how could I let him disgrace him?”

At the front position, Li Huiguo shook his head. “Master, the student has done his utmost to persuade, but… but Qing Zhou’s elder brother is resolute.”

“He said that at the poetry meeting, matters concerning this imperial examination will inevitably be brought up, and since his elder brother Cloud Fan is a top scorer, people will inevitably compare them.”

Master Yue paused, his expression softening, stroking his beard. “So, it seems I did not consider this before.”

Li Huiguo looked at his expression and asked, “Master, there is something I do not understand—why did you insist on inviting Qing Zhou?”

He added, as if fearing misunderstanding, “The student has already explained the matter of the ‘seizing of the maiden’ to the authorities, and it has nothing to do with Qing Zhou; his actions were well-intentioned.”

“Well-intentioned?” Master Yue’s face grew grave, recalling the incident of ‘seizing a common woman.’

“Is that so, Chen Yi? Do you truly think so?”

“Your father’s orders, the matchmaker’s words—even if your mother’s methods were a bit extreme, she was still doing what she thought best for you.”

“Don’t think that just because you and Cloud Niang are now deeply in love, things will remain smooth sailing in the future.”

Li Huiguo nodded bitterly, understanding the logic, yet unwilling to abandon Cloud Niang.

Like the note Chen Yi had written to him, some things, once done, might lead to regret in the future, but not doing them would leave one regretful forever.

If he followed his mother’s wishes and married a woman of equal status or wealthy background, he would never be truly happy.

Master Yue had discerned his thoughts, waved his hand, dismissing the matter of filial piety and familial duty, and said, “I invited Chen Yi here, primarily for a calligraphy scroll.”

“What calligraphy scroll could hold such importance for Master?”

Li Huiguo knew that Master, aside from his scholarly pursuits, was especially skilled in calligraphy, often discussing works with several masters at the academy.

And only something so precious would prompt Master to personally extend the invitation, there must be a scroll written by a renowned calligrapher in Qing Zhou’s possession.

Master Yue sighed wistfully, “I do not know where Chen Yi found such a calligraphic master, the characters blooming like flowers.”

Li Huiguo’s spirits soared, “The artistic conception speaks for itself? In the Wei Dynasty, how many calligraphers could produce such works?”

Master Yue recalled the scroll he had glimpsed moments ago, his cloudy eyes flashing with excitement.

“It is no ordinary calligraphy, but a brand-new script, distinctly different from the Wei Qing style.”

Li Huiguo’s eyes widened in astonishment, “A new script? A scroll with such artistic conception?”

No wonder he was surprised; if true, it would indeed shake the entire Wei Dynasty.

For two hundred years since the Wei Dynasty’s founding, there had been attempts to innovate and create new scripts, yet none had matched the maturity of Wei Qing’s style.

Not to mention a new script with such artistic conception, let alone a scroll that could gain the attention of calligraphy masters.

Master Yue was well aware of this, sighing, “Yet such a treasure lies in Chen Yi’s hands, almost as if it were a treasure beyond measure.”

“What truly irked me most was that his maid contested with me, claiming the scroll was penned by Chen Yi himself.”

“How ridiculous, how absurd!”

Li Huiguo chuckled listlessly, never one to smile, yet here was Master Yue, irritated by a maid, clearly showing his deep affection for the scroll.

Yet, at the same time, a question arose in his mind.

Though he had not met Chen Yi often, he could tell the young man was not one to act without purpose.

Li Huiguo suddenly thought of something, quickly withdrew an item from his sash, and opened it.

The more he looked, the more peculiar his expression became, until his hands trembled slightly.

Master Yue noticed his unease, “Chen Yi, is there something amiss?”

“Yes, Master, it’s not… this.”

Li Huiguo could not explain clearly, and without maintaining the teacher-student relationship, he stepped forward, placing the paper before him.

“Master, look at these characters.”

Master Yue glanced at the palm-sized sheet of Yun Ping paper, its edges torn, and furrowed his brow.

Yet trusting Li Huiguo, he restrained himself, took the paper, and examined it closely, murmuring, “Flowers bloom, one must pluck them before they fade, do not wait until there are no flowers…” Before he could finish, Master Yue suddenly stood up, his eyes bright with excitement, peering at the characters on the paper, clearly reading each stroke meticulously.

After a while.

Master Yue chuckled, a sound of relief and joy, “Good characters, the same as the scroll I saw earlier—must be by the same hand.”

Looking at Li Huiguo, he asked, “Chen Yi, what is this?”

Li Huiguo confirmed his suspicion, unable to contain his excitement, “Master, these characters were indeed written by Qing Zhou’s elder brother!”

“Is that so?”

“The student would never dare to deceive Master.”

Master Yue stared at him for a moment, then slowly sat back down, his gaze fixed on the writing in his hand.

“My earlier judgment was wrong, I had misunderstood that maid.”

“As for Chen Yi… upon reflection, it was Yu Yi’s sharp eye after all; he had long since determined Chen Yi’s calligraphy possessed vitality.”

Li Huiguo comforted him, “Master need not dwell on it, for Qing Zhou has only just arrived in Shu Zhou, and his deeds are unconventional, so…”

Mr. Yue Ming raised his hand to interrupt Li Huaigu, his voice soft yet resolute. "Mistakes are mistakes, whether I was biased from the start or stubbornly clung to customs and rites—all of them, in the end, are my errors."

Li Huaigu pressed his lips together, unable to offer further counsel.

A pause settled over the room like a held breath.

Li Huaigu hesitated, then ventured, "Master, might I fetch a calligraphy scroll from Qingzhou brother?"

"Qingzhou?"

Yue Ming shook his head. "No. Since this matter arose from my own missteps, I shall resolve it myself."

"Then this poetry gathering..."

"Shall proceed as planned. Consider it my way of clearing away the dust for you."

"Your servant is grateful, Master."

Not long after, Li Huaigu departed from Baiyun Academy, his steps lighter as he spotted the figure waiting beneath the trees—Xiangyang.

Xiangyang turned, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. "My lord, did Master Yue reprimand you?"

Li Huaigu chuckled softly. "Not the master. It was Qingzhou brother."

"Qingzhou brother scolded you?"

"Scolded? No. From this day forward, Master Yue will not only refrain from reproach—he may even visit him himself."

...

Chen Yi could not fathom just how "old" and "unashamed" the man in question truly was.

After politely declining the poetry contest at Baiyun Academy, he remained steadfast in his ways. He stayed secluded in his study, doors unopened, windows unmoved, venturing out only occasionally with a delicate butterfly in hand, seeking opportunities within the manor’s bustling corridors. When matters arose, Xiao Hua or Su Zhenyu would come seeking him.

When there was nothing to attend to... it was best to remain in idle stillness.

The return of the two Xiao sisters coincided with Xiao Wuge moving back to Jiaxing Garden, and Zhang Heng refused to return, ever since. The courtyard of Spring Lotus Garden grew even more lively than before.

In recent days, Chen Yi had encountered countless faces through Mrs. Xiao Jinghong’s connections—her polite words and gentle demeanor had left him stiff as a board. The military generals, at least, merely regarded him with disdain, muttering "weak and helpless" before departing. But the noble-born daughters and young lords—how they spun their words in endless circles, their presence a discomfort to the very bones.

Thankfully, Xiao Jinghong remained calm throughout it all.

"Let the capable take on the burden. I trust Mrs. Xiao to handle them."

Chen Yi reclined on his chair, flipping through the *Four Diagnostics Essential Records*, cross-referencing it with his mental copy of the *Medical Classics*.

At that moment, the door opened, and Xiao Hua entered with Liu Si.

"Brother Liu, your brother-in-law is inside."

Liu Si bowed respectfully, then entered the study.

Chen Yi set aside his medical texts, eyeing him briefly before smiling. "Brother Liu, what brings you?"

It had been some time since he’d last seen Liu Si. Since Xiao Jinghong’s return, this "hidden guard" dared not approach Spring Lotus Garden. The mention of "another person handling it" in the secret letter had yielded no leads, so he’d kept silent for now.

"The fellow at the gate just delivered a calligraphy scroll to your brother-in-law. I brought it to you."

Liu Si placed the red lacquered paper on the table with a natural grace, then bowed. "Brother-in-law, if there is no matter, I shall take my leave."

Chen Yi nodded, watching him depart before taking up the scroll again.

[Qingzhou my younger brother, it has been months since we last met—I miss you deeply. Each time I think of you, far away in the Xiao family, my heart aches, fearing you may not eat well or sleep soundly. Now, coinciding with my success in winning the provincial examination, I have been appointed by the emperor to serve as the imperial envoy to Sichuan. Tomorrow at dawn, I await the chance to speak with you—Chen Yunfan.]

Chen Yi frowned, reading the letter. "Brother, Chen Yunfan?"

I shall go meet him tomorrow. What a bold face he has.

(Chapter Complete)