Chapter 59: In the End, I Am Still Soft-Hearted

Chapter 59 I Ultimately Caved In

A farcical spectacle, leaving one in tears of laughter and laughter of tears.

Once calm had settled, no one would dare speak ill of Chen Yi again.

In the hearts of those men, he was already a tarnished name, scarcely even recognized in the Xiao clan, let alone across the entire Shu region.

To clash words with a general of real authority—surely that was all he could manage.

Even the strict-headed patriarch of the Xiao family, Xiao Wang, upon seeing Xiao Jinghong’s attitude toward Chen Yi, had no choice but to relent toward this son-in-law.

What of others?

As for Li Changqing, however, it was different.

After a few words exchanged, it was not hard to discern his intentions.

And so, the Xiao family’s main hall, secondary hall, and distant relatives and honored guests all cast strange, wary glances toward Li Changqing.

Such a matter, had Xiao Jinghong not yet taken a wife, it might have been forgivable. But to speak of “roots deeply planted in love” while the husband was already wed—this was too much, too unruly.

Even if he did not say it outright… it still violated propriety and law.

Yet all the while, no one voiced their thoughts.

Meanwhile, the venerable Duke Zhang Xuan approached Chen Yi, conversing gently.

“Earlier I spoke ill of your father, yet you still hold a grudge?”

Chen Yi shook his head, smiling: “Your Grace, I’ve long since forgiven.”

Zhang Xuan chuckled, pointing at him: “Look, son, this boy is just as he was in his youth—identical in every way.”

Shun’s expression remained blank as he studied Chen Yi: “The poem you penned earlier—quite splendid.”

“Your praise is too generous.”

Chen Yi knew his own worth—he understood the basics of tone and rhyme only half-heartedly. His verses were merely passable, smooth in delivery. He deemed them good only because he stood upon the shoulders of giants, unworthy of such commendation.

Before Shun could speak further, the Duke continued: “Not much praise, you say? I liked it dearly.”

“Were I not for Master Xiao’s objection, I’d gladly accept it as ‘a character worth a thousand gold.’”

Chen Yi paused, his expression grave: “Your Grace, is this so?”

Over a hundred characters, worth tens of thousands in gold…

He suddenly felt peckish, yearning for meat.

The Duke eyed him a moment, smiling: “In due time, it’ll be my birthday. Should you wish to accept, I have more than enough.”

Shun’s face darkened: “Gentleman, scholars of old have always placed learning above all. To stain one’s reputation with such dealings would tarnish purity.”

He truly admired Chen Yi.

A scholar selling his writings for such a sum—spreading it far and wide—would surely invite countless criticisms. His entire life’s reputation would suffer.

Chen Yi pondered: “I’ve learned something.”

Indeed, there was no need to sell poems. Such people as the Duke would always be around.

What a bother.

Shun nodded approvingly: “Indeed, this is proper.”

But the Duke, towering in stature, clasped his shoulder roughly and growled: “You old fool, you did this on purpose, didn’t you?”

“Release me—you, what sort of posture is this?”

Seeing such a scene, the crowd behind them—particularly the three generals—wore grim faces.

As captains of equal standing, their might was matched, and across Shu they were known as the “Three Heroes.”

Now one had stumbled, the other two naturally faced disgrace.

“Changqing, how did you answer our two requests before?”

“To tell you not to act rashly, you still refused.”

“Now look how it’s turned out—Master Xiao remains unperturbed, but you?”

Beside them, a burly man interjected: “Wait to be punished by General Jinghong.”

Li Changqing fell silent, then slowly nodded with a bitter smile: “Brother Pang, forgive me. My mistake was careless.”

“Not to mention his cunning wit.”

Pang Xuan glanced at him sideways: “Do you think so?”

When he saw no clear answer, Pang Xuan gently shook his head: “Didn’t Old Lord Hou teach you my military tactics?”

“In any great battle, one must first scout the enemy’s position. Only then can one strike at their weakness, deliver a fatal blow.”

Li Changqing blinked: “What has that to do with tactics?”

The burly man beside him spoke up: “Pang Xuan means you knew nothing of your aunt, yet still went to provoke her—rather foolish.”

Li Changqing’s face flushed dark: “You brat—damn it—”

The burly man named Ma Kui slapped his back: “Don’t curse, you can’t best me.”

Seeing this, Pang Xuan sighed, shaking his head: “Changqing, words harsh, deeds not so. This time, you’ve truly done something foolish.”

“Today marks Old Lord Hou’s birthday—you’ve caused such a ruckus, you’ve shown disrespect to Lord Hou.”

“I didn’t—”

Before Li Changqing could finish, Pang Xuan cut him off: “To put it more seriously, Jinghong General would not spare you.”

Li Changqing knew he was right, yet the situation had already sunk too low. He sighed: “I’ll go explain to Jinghong afterward.”

Pang Xuan said earnestly: “It is General Jinghong, Changqing—do not forget your place.”

“…”

Only as the hour approached sì shi did Old Lord Hou and the others finally return.

He scanned the group, his dim eyes lingering briefly on Chen Yi and Li Changqing, then spoke:

“Apologies for the delay. Let’s proceed to the courtyard and take our seats.”

And so he led Xiao Wuqi by the hand, moving ahead.

Xiao Wan’er instructed Shun Huatang in a few matters, following closely behind Old Lord Hou.

Just as the group was about to rise and follow, Xiao Jinghong stepped forward before Pang Xuan and the others, speaking coldly:

“Go claim ten thousand infantry spears.”

The implication was clear.

Li Changqing fell silent, then bowed deeply: “Jun generals, we obey General Jinghong’s command!”

“No more incidents—military law shall be enforced.”

“Yes!”

Chen Yi glimpsed this scene, and a warmth stirred within his heart.

At least there was still someone standing beside him in this world—his wife, Xiao Jinghong.

This made him think of the words he had vaguely heard upon first entering this realm:

“Since he has become my lord, everything shall be at my discretion.”

Reflecting on it now, it did seem to align with the Xiao Jinghong of the present.

At that moment, Xiao Jinghong turned to face him, her slightly adorned face bearing a few smiles:

“My lord, shortly we shall receive guests. Follow me.”

Chen Yi nodded warmly, bidding farewell to the old Duke and Sun Fu, then fell into step beside Xiao Jinghong.

Once the two had departed, the others followed in due course.

The old Duke and Sun Fu exchanged a glance, both rather surprised—they had not at all anticipated that Xiao Jinghong would hold Chen Yi in such high regard.

“The old man’s words were not without merit. With Xiao Jinghong’s assistance, his destiny remains viable.”

“This Chen Yi’s fortune is not bad either.”

When they saw everyone had nearly departed, Zhang Xuan patted Li Changqing’s shoulder and sighed, “Let’s go—better a hundred soldiers’ pole than losing one’s head.”

Ma Hui nodded, his expression heavy. “The late marquis must have heard it too.”

Li Changqing said nothing, following the two toward the central courtyard, yet his mind still lingered on the earlier scene.

Why did this Jinghong hold him in such esteem?

…

This question also weighed on Chen Yi.

Yet he likely could guess what Xiao Jinghong was thinking.

Their relationship now stood clear and pure, mutually respectful as if honoring guests, a united couple outwardly reasonable enough.

Xiao Jinghong seemed to perceive his thoughts, calmly saying, “My lord, there is no need to dwell on it.”

Chen Yi still smiled gently, nodding, “My lady, your manner in issuing commands just now—there was something rather… compelling.”

“Compelling?”

Xiao Jinghong did not grasp the term.

Though finding it odd, she knew he was praising her, and a hint of awkwardness crept in.

Chen Yi turned his head to look at her, finding her expression rather amusing.

Xiao Jinghong noticed his gaze, quickened her pace, “It is nearly time. Guests are arriving.”

It seemed unspoken—those movements carried a certain haste, as if fleeing from something.

Chen Yi smiled at her back, saying nothing further, lest his wife should grow truly annoyed.

His current frame could not withstand a single punch from a fourth-rank strongman.

Yet, strangely,

The feeling of detachment he once possessed had faded, replaced by a growing sense of belonging here.

Chen Yi recalled his earlier thought—if his wife forced him to do things, he would flee.

Now, looking back, provided those matters were not excessive, he could perhaps try to accept them.

“Ah, I suppose I am still soft-hearted.”

(The chapter ends here.)