Chapter 51: Just a Bit Short

Chapter 51: Almost Meaningful

Chen Yunfan pointed out a sentence, then half-smiled, half-not: "If only, back then, when Father was sent on his western journey, all the officials in Jinling prefecture vied to bid him farewell."

"Lively as it was, but merely an ordinary occurrence."

"To and fro, bustling and noisy, Father had grown accustomed to such scenes, and merely exchanged a few polite words before departing."

"Yet I wonder what thread he mislaid this time, standing before so many elders, penning that poem 'Farewell to Chengdu'?"

"Though the verse was fine, I know Father certainly disliked it. The other guests, too, only praised him from their lips, while secretly chuckling at his lack of propriety."

As he spoke, Chen Yunfan seemed to see that day's scene anew, smiling and asking:

"You say, how does one so haughty, so arrogant in talent and birth, learn to restrain himself?"

"Has Mother, in her five years of indulging him, truly worn his nature down?"

Qingying said nothing, merely gently rubbing his temple.

Chen Yunfan didn't expect her to answer, going on: "Perhaps so."

"Still, meeting him again this time, I'm glad."

Yet his smile faded, his voice laced with complaint: "But he's so thoughtless."

"After all the effort to become the top scorer in the high school examination, and receiving the Emperor's grace, I've come all this way, hoping to catch up and share old stories, to express brotherly affection."

"But he, mere equal in status, dared to attach himself to me, forcing a elder brother like me into embarrassment?"

Qingying pondered, then asked: "Master, how is your relationship with Younger Lord?"

"Good? Bah!"

Chen Yunfan scolded rudely, "He nearly drove me and the other brothers in our clan to distraction."

"Ever since childhood he's been clever, well-read, so the teachers all favored him, often giving him private instruction, guiding his studies and opinions."

"The elders in our clan also liked him,"

"Especially Uncle of Xianchu, who said seeing him reminded him of himself back then, often sending people to bring him food and clothing."

"Even Father—"

Chen Yunfan paused, sighs escaping him: "Because of him, I and the other brothers and cousins in the clan took many a beating."

Qingying hummed, saying nothing further.

But Chen Yunfan, as if opening a long-locked chest, recounted every debt and grudge between himself and Chen Yi from their childhood.

It seemed like complaint, yet Qingying, hearing it all, remained silent, unsure whether to praise their deep brotherly bond or scold Chen Yi.

A strange, indefinable feeling lingered in the air.

Only when they reached the gates of Shuzhou did Chen Yunfan finally speak, his ears twitching as he sprang to his feet, throwing back the curtain, his gaze scanning the outside with excitement.

Especially upon seeing some mountain dwellers and the Mo and Shuo women, his eyes brightened, staring intently.

"Hmph, even back in Jinling I'd heard Shuzhou's residents were different, their tastes unlike those of the Central Plains' women."

"Now I see, indeed."

Qingying glanced through the curtain's gap, calmly reminding: "Master, Mother instructed me to keep watch over you."

"High mountains and distant emperors, even the emperor himself doesn't attend to such matters, let alone a mother?"

"Master, even if Qingying doesn't say, others will report truthfully."

"..."

Chen Yunfan continued staring at those women, his lips parting as he slowly closed the curtain, sighing:

"Being born into a noble family is truly troublesome, can't do this, can't do that."

"Thinking it over, Younger Lord is more at ease. Though he's married into the Xiao family, he seems free as a bird, wandering the kiln shops, bullying the strong, dominating the weak, living quite happily."

Hearing this, Qingying said earnestly: "Master, you mustn't do such things."

Chen Yunfan glanced at her, then lay back on her lap, closing his eyes, murmuring to himself.

At that moment, perhaps he heard something, and a smile crept onto his face.

"Qingying, when we reach the inn, ask Liu Si and the others to come greet us, and also postpone tonight's banquet."

Qingying puzzled: "Master, the Right Imperial Censor has arranged a banquet for tonight, you shouldn't decline so lightly."

"Just say I have other plans... can't be so dismissive."

"Then simply tell them directly, tonight I'll attend the poetry gathering hosted by Mr. Yue Ming at the prestigious Cloud Scholar Academy." Chen Yunfan thought of the scholars and beauties there, his eyes brightening, though trying to appear serious.

"Will you still attend Old Duke Xiao's birthday feast tomorrow?"

"Of course, if I miss Old Duke Xiao's birthday, the most important occasion of my trip to Shuzhou, this journey would be almost meaningless."

"Then all right..."

...

Reflecting on this meeting with Chen Yunfan, Chen Yi felt rather peculiar.

He'd already prepared himself for this elder brother's verbal reprimand, even ready to put on a show of martial arts if necessary.

Yet the reality was different.

Chen Yunfan, though arrogant and showy, had spoken not a single word of reproach.

In more apt terms, his conduct merely boasted of his own background, achievements, and official status.

Even Liu Si and the other Shuzhou officials who came to greet him were merely his credentials.

It was like two relatives, or lovers, long-separated, comparing their respective statuses, positions, and wealth.

Moreover, every word and action of Chen Yunfan conformed to propriety, making it hard to find fault.

Thus, Chen Yi couldn't discern Chen Yunfan's true attitude toward him.

"If he truly possesses some cultivation technique, like the 'Seeing' method, perhaps he's not as simple as he appears."

"Plus, that word 'witness'—it seemed to foretell his ascent in Shuzhou, soaring upward without hindrance."

Thinking this, Chen Yi leaned against a corner of the carriage, gazing through the open curtain at the trees on either side, lost in thought.

He couldn't read Chen Yunfan, but one thing he was certain of:

If Chen Yunfan could rise to prominence in the complex, distant Shuzhou, it couldn't be solely due to his background and connections.

Ability, skill, and intellect were all essential.

Yet Chen Yi couldn't fathom why it had to be Shuzhou.

Li Huigu, Chen Yunfan, and the soon-to-retire Right Imperial Censor...

Oh, and he mustn't forget the elderly Duke Xiao, already in declining years, plagued by illness.

Chen Yi unconsciously touched his jaw, pondering: "He was just a bit off the trail, just a little short."

Little Butterfly noticed his unusual expression, saying nothing to disturb him.

Xiao Wugou, however, remained oblivious, though he was in high spirits at the time.

Because just now he had let slip a few sharp remarks at Chen Yunfan, even employing the very words his brother-in-law had taught him, and thus he felt a touch of conceit.

“Brother Yi, how about we take a little stroll outside before returning to the mansion?”

“Huh? Oh, well then.”

Chen Yi blinked, regaining his composure, gave a slight nod, and ordered Xiao Die to convey his message to the lead man, Wang Li.

Since early morning until now, it was still not yet noon, and returning now would mean missing the afternoon’s rest and leisure.

Afterward, the group took a slow turn north of the city.

Chen Yi purchased a set of silver needles for acupuncture on Kangning Street, spending almost all the monthly savings he’d accumulated over the past few months.

Xiao Die curiously inquired, “Brother Yi, have you learned acupuncture yet?”

“No.”

“Then you—”

Chen Yi brushed it off with a casual, “Well, they look the part. Might as well serve as a decent lure.”

It was a bit extravagant, but he couldn’t bear to part with them.

Only after they’d eaten their midday meal at a tavern by the streetside did they finally return to the mansion, strides straight through the bustling front courtyard and the clamor of the inner courtyard, arriving at the outer grounds of Chunhe Garden.

Chen Yi’s usual relaxed gaze suddenly halted, fixed upon the figure leaning beneath the porch—barefoot, those pale, delicate feet—his eyes widening in surprise.

“Why have you come out?”

(End of chapter)