Chapter 56: Did I Offend Her?

Chapter 56: Did I Offend Her?

Until the poetry gathering concluded, Chen Yufan could not fathom how Chen Yì’s calligraphy had attained such profound mastery.

It was as though, during the three years his mother had kept him confined within the mansion, deprived of paper and brushes, he could not possibly have developed such skill.

Ah, perhaps he had practiced calligraphy using his own hand as brush, water as ink, and the earth as paper, laboring alone within his chamber.

His poetry, too, must have been the result of daily recollection and refinement of what he had previously learned, culminating in his present achievements.

Chen Yufan, speculating thus, suddenly exhaled a breath, musing, "Mother, why did you choose to keep Yì brother restrained?"

Had Chen Yì not been confined, he would never have achieved such success.

"Father was right—man, without trials, one cannot attain mastery."

"Thank the heavens I have already achieved it."

Thinking of his present status as the top scholar of the Great Wei dynasty, a flush of satisfaction warmed Chen Yufan’s face.

He strode past the rear gate of the Imperial Academy, his steps light and free.

Earlier, he had declined the offers of companionship from Professor Yue Ming and Professor Li Huigu, yet now he walked with ease.

Yet, having just passed through a corridor, he heard a young woman’s voice from the side: "Are you the top scholar?"

"Yes—"

Before Chen Yufan could make out the speaker’s features, a puff of powder struck his face.

He blinked in surprise, quickly covering his lips, holding his breath to examine the woman before him.

"Miss, what— what are you—"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Yufan’s eyes rolled white as he collapsed face-first onto the ground.

Thud.

When Pei Nülù saw this, she clapped her hands and sneered, "My martial arts powder isn’t so easily defended, is it?"

She glanced around, finding no one nearby, then drew a small knife and approached.

After a moment, Pei Nülù sheathed her blade, examined her handiwork, and chuckled softly.

"See if you dare to bother me again, older brother— hah!"

With that, she bounded away from the academy, her bells jingling merrily.

"What a dull poetry gathering— not a bit entertaining."

Had she not been clever, and had she wandered about while those scholars and beauties were still departing, she might never have found Chen Yufan.

Good thing she had accomplished all she intended— venting her frustration toward her older brother, hah.

When Pei Nülù returned to the carriage, her anxious little butterfly finally breathed a sigh of relief, murmuring softly:

"Afterward, little butterfly will honestly tell your father."

Pei Nülù, slightly embarrassed, tugged at the little butterfly’s hand, swaying gently: "Little butterfly sister, we can blame the framing company for the delay, can’t we?"

The little butterfly, unable to resist her caresses, nodded reluctantly, urging the old driver to hurry back to the mansion.

Pei Nülù immediately beamed with joy: "Of course little butterfly is the best, just like your older brother."

The little butterfly’s complexion steadied, though she still cautioned firmly: "If your father asks later, we must all say the framing company boss delayed things."

"Rest assured, I’m the best at lying."

"Huh?"

"Er, I meant I’m the best at keeping secrets."

The old driver, hearing their conversation from the front, wiped his forehead.

He had no idea what misdeeds the framing company’s boss had committed in past lives, but this life he would endure such suffering.

After an unknown time had passed, Chen Yufan was splashed with cold water by Chun Rong, waking up in a daze.

"Me, what happened to me?"

Chun Rong lowered her head, saying nothing, only raising a finger to indicate his body.

Chen Yufan looked down at himself in the carriage.

His meticulously crafted robe, and the valuable belt around his waist, were all torn to shreds by a blade.

Only his white undergarments remained intact, preventing him from being exposed.

After looking over, Chen Yufan wiped the water from his face, then growled, "Who was that girl?"

Chun Rong shook her head.

Chen Yufan understood: "She must have a grander background?"

"The young lady is the granddaughter of a mountain maiden from the Miao ethnic group."

"Which mountain?"

"The largest among the thirteen mountain clans of the Miao people."

A long silence followed.

Chen Yufan thought for a moment, "If I recall correctly, I only arrived in Shu Zhou today, didn’t I?"

Chun Rong nodded.

"Then I shouldn’t have offended her, should I?"

Chun Rong continued nodding.

Chen Yufan’s eyes narrowed: "Then why did she treat me so?"

Chun Rong hesitated, then opened a silk box, taking out a scroll and showing it to him.

Chen Yufan stared at the signature in the lower corner of the scroll, first startled, then roaring with fury:

"You’re not even a true son of the Chen family! I just wanted to show off in front of you, and you failed— damn you, you let someone else strike your half-brother like that?"

"Damn you, disgraceful, hateful!"

He cursed for a full pot of tea before finally falling silent.

Chun Rong, seeing this, wanted to speak but held her tongue: "My lord, perhaps you should... pretend this never happened?"

Chen Yufan suddenly looked at her, his voice filled with pleading: "Chun Rong, I never thought you’d help me like this."

"How could I let it pass when I’ve been exposed like this?"

"Damn it, I’ve always been the one to pick fights, and now a mere girl has treated me this way— what can I do?"

"I want to take revenge, but can you help?"

Chun Rong pressed her lips together, bowing slightly: "If my lord insists, I can only report this to your parents, who will decide for themselves."

"Is that not possible?"

"The Miao people are too dangerous, my lord. I fear for your life."

Chen Yunfan's furious expression softened slightly. "How dangerous is it?"

Chun Ying thought for a moment, miming a few movements with her own body. "They're not skilled at facing enemies head-on; they usually resort to covert assassination, poisoning, or summoning venomous insects."

"If Your Highness happens to fall victim to their schemes, it might result in festering sores spreading across the body, or the insects devouring one's internal organs, or—"

"Stop!"

Before she could finish, Chen Yunfan took a deep breath. "Never mind. As a scholar-official, I can't let such trivial matters trouble me. I'll spare her this time."

He turned to Chun Ying, hesitating. "That is, has anyone seen me like this?"

"The maid has been trailing behind you from afar. Once she leaves, we'll take you away. No one should have noticed."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yunfan relaxed. Relief washed over him—his dignity as a scholar-official remained intact.

Yet as he glanced at his torn robes, a pang of sorrow stirred within him for their ruined state.

A pause.

Chen Yunfan recalled the matter at hand. "Has Yingying arrived?"

Chun Ying nodded. "He's currently exchanging intelligence with an iron-flag general from Hou Fu."

"Then we'll wait a while."

Chen Yunfan glanced toward the carriage outside. "I also wish to know—what brings the White Tiger division of the Imperial Guard to the Shu region?"

Perhaps this imperial appointment to Shu was tied to the "White Tiger commander" as well.

……

The Xiao mansion, Chunhe Garden.

By the time the midnight drum had sounded, the quiet garden was dimmed by fading lantern light.

In the study, Chen Yi sat at his desk, bent over writing.

Beside him, Pei Mweng leaned her head back, a sheepish smile tugging at her round face.

Xiao Erhua, meanwhile, had tear-filled eyes, sobbing: "Brother-in-law, it's all my fault."

Pei Mweng quickly interjected: "Not your fault, Ah Shu—it's mine."

"If I hadn't insisted on going to the academy's poetry gathering, that calligraphy scroll wouldn't have been lost. You scold me, then scold me!"

She reached for Xiao Erhua's hand, soothing her. "Don't cry, Ah Shu—your elder brother won't blame you."

Xiao Erhua ignored her, still lost in self-reproach.

Chen Yi looked up at the two, shaking his head. "Enough. A lost scroll is just a lost scroll—it's not the first time."

Including the previous incident, he'd already misplaced three scrolls…

Wait—no, counting the two scrolls Xiao Wan'er had taken without permission, it was actually three.

Pei Mweng's face lit up with a smile. She bumped Xiao Erhua's shoulder. "I told you, Ah Shu—your elder brother won't get angry."

Xiao Erhua twisted away, pouting.

When Chen Yi noticed Pei Mweng still intending to speak, he waved her off toward Xiao Jinghong. "Xiao Erhua, ask the steward to pack the scroll properly. See if it can be framed before the banquet begins."

Xiao Erhua took the scroll, bowed again, and left the room.

But Pei Mweng lingered, eager to tell Chen Yi about her prank on his elder brother.

Just then, Xiao Jinghong's voice came from the doorway: "Menglu, come out. Let your brother rest."

Pei Mweng's head drooped. Seeing Chen Yi's pitying gesture, she reluctantly lifted her head and exited.

"Ah, Jinghong, my lord."

After the others departed, Chen Yi shook his head, sipping warm wine soup while clearing the desk.

No wonder the mountain clans sent this fierce daughter out—she was always so boisterous, likely never at peace in their lands either.

Soon after, the hour drum sounded again—

[Daily Intelligence Report: Below Provincial Grade. Once the hour of Chou passes, Count Xiao Renshou's banquet will unfold with great turbulence. Numerous opportunities await.]

Chen Yi glanced at the bulletin, a slight frown creasing his brow.

A below-provincial opportunity, a day of upheaval?

(Chapter Complete)