Chapter 50: Brotherly Love and Respect

Chapter 50: Affection Between Brothers

The hour of Mao had just passed, and the sun hung high in the sky, its heat and brilliance rising in tandem.

The shadows of the trees on either side fell upon the official highway, a stark contrast of gray and white, their swaying edges faintly discernible.

It was no gentle breeze brushing the face, but rather the roaring approach of swift horses and carriage wheels from the far end of the road.

Chen Yi watched from a distance, murmuring under his breath, "And they say the prestige of the Top Scholar is grand for a reason."

Armored guards on swift steeds cleared the path, followed closely by flag-bearing officers, and guarding the rear was a grand crimson carriage drawn by four magnificent steeds.

Though it flew forward at a gallop, one could easily see that the carriage wheels ran smoothly, without the slightest tremor.

Not until they were a mile from the post station did the swift steeds, flying banners, and the carriage behind them finally slacken their pace, gradually coming to a halt beside the station.

Seeing this, the officials led by Liu Si stepped forward with smiles plastering their faces.

Before Chen Yunfan’s figure had even appeared, most of them had already assumed the posture of a formal bow.

Chen Yi glanced left and right, recognizing that what hung from the carriage was not the cloud banner of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission, but rather a palm-sized emblem at the very top of the carriage frame—a black background with white clouds tracing the character "Chen."

It was unmistakably the insignia of the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture, signifying that within sat a member of the main branch of the Chen clan, a noble house with a five-hundred-year lineage.

Why five hundred years?

That would have to be reckoned from the founding era of the Great Liang Dynasty, which preceded the Great Wei; as an ancestral merit-councillor of that time, the progenitor of the Jiangnan Chen family had passed down a lineage that reached exactly five hundred years to this day.

And as for the so-called prominent families and powerful clans, though it was but a brief phrase, it represented far more than mere power, status, and wealth; more importantly, it meant—heritage.

The longer a noble house's heritage endured, the more immense its influence grew, not only within its ancestral lands but with tentacles extending in all directions, thoroughly entrenched and intertwined.

To say nothing of the Jiangnan Chen family, even the Shuzhou Xiao family, with a heritage of two hundred years, counted among its matrimonial relations the lineage of the Duke of Qian, who held sway over Guangyue Prefecture and Jiaozhou.

The number of other wealthy clans and noble houses on friendly terms with the Xiao family was so vast it would take half a day just to calculate them all.

Thus at this moment, Chen Yi glanced at the local officials of Shuzhou Prefecture standing to one side, knowing full well in his heart that what they cared about was not merely Chen Yunfan’s official rank, but also the Jiangnan Chen family and the Cui family of Qinghe.

At this juncture, Xiao Wuge tilted his head up to peer at it, "Brother-in-law, the specifications of this cloud carriage are rather high, aren't they?"

Chen Yi nodded slightly, "Indeed, they are not low."

With nanmu wood as its skeleton, its chassis wrapped in refined iron, a grand canopy overhead, and the clan crest carved into the wood, it was more than just high specifications; the taboos violated on this single carriage alone were enough for those pedantic censors to impeach him.

Even the young Xiao Wuge could see this, to say nothing of the others.

Yet evidently, Liu Si and those officials simply chose to look the way of the blind.

Just then, the silk curtain of the cloud carriage was lifted, and a lightly dressed maidservant stepped down, half-kneeling on the ground with her thighs tensed.

A man dressed in a grand crimson robe and wearing a gauze hat stepped down, treading upon her thigh.

His countenance was exceptionally handsome, with sharp brows and luminous eyes, vermilion lips and white teeth, his figure tall and slender, though his thinness was distinctly visible.

He was none other than Chen Yunfan, the di-born son of the first branch of the Jiangnan Chen family—now the Top Scholar of the Great Wei Dynasty and a fourth-rank Deputy Administration Commissioner of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission.

He surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sweeping past Liu Si and the others to catch sight of Chen Yi and his companions in the distance, and he smiled, raising his hand to wave twice.

To any observer, that smile appeared remarkably amiable and warm.

Though Liu Si felt some displeasure at being ignored, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief; at the very least, these half-brothers seemed harmonious enough on the surface.

"Liu Si, Prefect of Shuzhou, has long awaited your arrival, Commissioner Chen."

Next was Xiao Dongchen, who held the same official rank as Chen Yunfan; he smiled and clasped his hands, "I am Xiao Dongchen, Deputy Administration Commissioner of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission, here on behalf of the Left and Right Administration Commissioners to welcome Brother Yunfan."

The remaining officials paid their respects one by one.

Chen Yunfan retracted his gaze and smiled as he bowed in return, "Pray forgive me, Lord Liu, Lord Xiao, and gentlemen. There were many delays upon the road, making you wait so long."

Liu Si said with a smile, "No matter, the hour is still early. Tonight, Right Commissioner Liu Hong has already arranged a banquet at Fengchun Restaurant, waiting only for Lord Chen to rest a brief moment before we wash away the dust of your journey."

"Much obliged, much obliged."

With one hand in front and the other behind his back, Chen Yunfan appeared modest and courteous, yet his head was tilted slightly high, the expression on his face entirely relaxed and unconstrained.

It was as though receiving such deferential treatment was only right and proper.

Not only could Liu Si and Xiao Dongchen see it, but Chen Yi could naturally see it as well.

This elder brother of his was exactly as he remembered—seeming approachable to others, but possessed of a pride inherent to prominent clans deep in his bones, unable to bend his back in the slightest.

He only wondered if this was also how he had behaved when he entered the Golden Treasure Hall to take the palace examination, facing the current Emperor as his chief examiner.

Just as Chen Yi was observing Chen Yunfan and secretly speculating how their conversation would unfold, he saw Chen Yunfan’s right hand swing gently before him, and disregarding the eager Liu Si and the other officials beside him, he walked straight over.

From afar, Chen Yunfan spoke with a smile, "Brother Yi, it has been a long time."

Brother Yi?

"Brother Yi" sounded exactly like "adopted brother."

Chen Yi thought to himself that this was an intention to disown him as a brother recorded in the Chen family genealogy.

"Brother Yunfan, seeing your grand display today, your elegance is undiminished from the days when you frequented the pleasure streets of Jinling."

It just so happened that the word "Elder" was also dropped by him.

Chen Yunfan naturally heard it and said with displeasure, "On that day, as an elder brother entrusted by our father and mother, I went to drag you home. How can you still bear a grudge?"

Chen Yi did not yield an inch, "The time you caught me was only because I had requested the company of your beloved Lady Diewu."

"Diewu? Who is that?"

Chen Yunfan feigned ignorance, pointing to the maidservant standing by the carriage behind him, "Is she more beautiful than my Chunying?"

Chen Yi smiled and said, "The reputation of my elder brother as a romantic scholar is known throughout Jiangnan Prefecture; your taste is naturally not lacking."

Chen Yunfan burst into laughter, looking him up and down before beckoning to Liu Si and the others:

"Come, come, come, let me introduce you to some friends from officialdom. It just so happens you have married into Shuzhou; they will be able to look after you in the future."

Before Liu Si and the others could walk over, Chen Yi pointed to the excited Xiao Wuge beside him:

"Allow me to introduce someone to you first."

"The grandson of the Marquis of Dingyuan, Xiao Wuge."

Chen Yunfan’s smile instantly froze; he looked at Chen Yi, then lowered his gaze to look at Xiao Wuge, his smile vanishing.

Yet he showed no irritation; instead, he calmly adjusted his robes, folded his hands, and bowed with utmost deference and respect toward Xiao Wuge, speaking in a clear voice:

"Chen Yunfan, Deputy Administration Commissioner of the Shuzhou Provincial Administration Commission, pays respects to the Young Marquis."

The laws and etiquette of the Great Wei Dynasty were strict.

Though Chen Yunfan acted ostentatiously and the Chen family's specifications exceeded propriety, he dared not neglect protocol.

Particularly when he was arriving to assume his post, with Liu Si and other officials of various ranks by his side, he would not lose his own breeding.

"Rise."

Xiao Wuge looked up at him, then turned to Chen Yi and said, "Brother-in-law, your elder brother is indeed more impressive than the Third-Place Scholar."

Before a smile could surface on Chen Yunfan’s face, he heard the boy continue, "The Third-Place Scholar leapt down from his white horse himself, but he had to step on a maidservant's thigh to get down."

Hearing this, Chen Yi could not help but smile faintly.

Truth be told, only Xiao Wuge could say such words; had it been anyone else, Chen Yunfan would likely have erupted in anger.

Even so, Chen Yunfan’s countenance remained unsightly.

A moment of silence passed before he managed a slight smile and said, “The young lord’s scolding was in private, yet Cloud Fan did not realize the young lord was addressing him face-to-face, which was disrespectful.”

To his surprise, Xiao Wu Ge strode straight over and waved his hand dismissively: “Who among us can be without fault? If one knows better and can correct oneself, that is sufficient.”

As he spoke, he pointed toward Chen Yi: “These are all lessons my elder brother taught me.”

“……”

Chen Fan’s expression grew even more grim. Glancing at the smiling Chen Yi beside him, he said in a neutral tone:

“Yi Jie, today my brother has official duties. Let’s send someone to fetch you another time when you’re free.”

Afterward, he turned and walked toward the carriage, leaving Liu Si and the others undisturbed.

Yet before boarding the carriage, Chen Fan declined the attendant’s assistance and climbed in, looking back at Chen Yi:

“Seeing you in such a healthy and dignified manner today fills my heart with joy.”

“It is likely that your father and mother, if they saw your appearance today, would also feel the same.”

Before he could finish his words, he pulled aside the curtain and settled into the carriage.

Soon after, armor-clad officials opened the way, and the carriage sped rapidly toward Shu Zhou.

Liu Si and the others wore troubled expressions, glanced at Chen Yi, and swept their sleeves in departure.

Xiao Wu Ge even pointed at Chen Yi, his face etched with a bitter smile, as if unsure what to say next.

Once everyone had left, Chen Yi stood on the roadside, gazing at the dozens of carriages racing toward the city. He then clapped Xiao Wu Ge on the shoulder:

“Next time, I won’t dare point out someone’s shortcomings so openly. It’s bound to invite trouble.”

“Who dares lay a hand on me, I’ll let Li Ru and Hong Chu handle them.”

Li Ru and Hong Chu could only nod helplessly, thinking, *We’re not match for that young master from the Chen family—we’d need the Patriarch and the ladies to intervene.*

Yet had the young master truly caused a disturbance, or had he merely avoided one?

[Seeing the meritorious official Chen Fan arrive in Shu Zhou, a true scion of an illustrious lineage, his status as a meritorious official radiating authority over all officials, his path to the pinnacle of honor laid smooth before him. Reward: Skill Method — Xuanwu Enxi Jue (Xian Level), Destiny: 40.]

[Review: Though merely grains of rice and dust, his presence and reputation shone brightly, rivaling that of the meritorious official, which is commendable.]

After reading this, Chen Yi paid them no mind, waved his hand, and said, “The people have arrived; let’s return to the mansion.”

The group climbed into the carriages. Xiao Wu Ge smiled and said, “Brother, I wasn’t wrong after all. If the Second and Third Aunt saw him like this, they’d surely be displeased.”

“Yes, yes…”

Chen Yi merely nodded dismissively, though his mind was already turning over the Enxi Jue’s principles.

By convention, rewards often tied to the person or event one had “witnessed.”

In that case, Chen Fan must have studied similar Enxi techniques.

It was unlikely he had truly been transformed by Xuanwu himself, to ascend to the pinnacle of honor in Shu Zhou so effortlessly.

……

Just as Chen Yi was uncertain, ahead, the Chen family carriage sped by.

Chen Fan had shed his earlier arrogance, reclining on the lap of his attendant, Lady Chun Rong, and asked, “What’s the news?”

Lady Chun Rong gently massaged his temples and whispered, “Master Chen Yi, it seems he has practiced martial arts.”

Chen Fan closed his eyes, savoring the moment: “My brother has truly changed. He used to be so unrefined…”

(Chapter Complete)