Chapter 60: Is This Also Your Reason for Fleeing the Wedding?

Chapter 60: Is That Also Your Reason For Fleeing The Wedding?

The early summer sun in Shuzhou was intense, and coupled with the rain from previous days, the city felt somewhat sultry.

Yet outside the Marquis of Dingyuan's estate, a hundred personal guards still stood ramrod straight, their armor gleaming brightly under the sunlight.

Long queues lined both sides.

There were local officials and nobles of Shuzhou, wealthy merchants and gentry, as well as soldiers of the Dingyuan Army.

They mostly gathered in groups of twos and threes, with very few arriving alone.

The hour of Sishi had just passed.

The two dragon-like lines began to slowly file into the Marquis's estate.

Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong stood just inside the main gate, and whether viewed from afar or up close, they could well be called a match made in heaven.

Chen Yi wore a green scholar's robe, a sash tied around his waist from which a circular jade pendant hung.

His neatly combed topknot and clean-cut face did not make him look extraordinarily handsome, but paired with his stature and demeanor, he could still be deemed outstanding.

Xiao Jinghong's attire differed from her usual simplicity, a brocade gown of splendid color softening her inherently chilly aura quite a bit.

Even with that half-face visor still covering her countenance, there was no longer that frostiness that repelled people a thousand miles away.

Opposite them stood a reception table, where the elderly second steward of the estate sat in person, wielding his brush with sweeping strokes.

Nearby, a servant was responsible for calling out the arrivals: "Lord Liu Si, Prefect of Shuzhou, has arrived, presenting one thousand taels of silver, two bolts of silk, and a pair of jade discs."

Liu Si had arrived somewhat early, so he stood near the front of the line.

After placing his gift list before the second steward, he cupped his hands toward Xiao Jinghong, "General Jinghong, I am honored by your personal greeting."

Xiao Jinghong inclined her body slightly, "Please step inside, Uncle."

Liu Si nodded, glanced at Chen Yi, and after a moment's hesitation cupped his hands, yet without uttering a single polite word, he followed a servant straight into the estate.

Chen Yi, showing no sign of awkwardness, calmly returned the gesture and stood dutifully by Xiao Jinghong's side.

He was merely a tool for welcoming guests, preferring to keep his mouth shut whenever possible.

As for Liu Si's attitude, Chen Yi could well understand it.

After all, yesterday at noon, he and Chen Yunfan had been at each other's throats, entirely ruining the Prefect's grand reception for the newly crowned scholar.

Not ignoring him entirely at this moment was likely already the absolute limit of what the Lord Prefect could manage.

Following Liu Si, a continuous stream of guests arrived to celebrate the old Marquis's birthday.

One after another, they first presented their gift lists to the second steward, then exchanged a few words with the couple, Xiao Jinghong and Chen Yi.

Though none spoke for long, it became overwhelming when every single person had a few words to say.

Fortunately, Xiao Jinghong took the lead most of the time while Chen Yi merely played his supporting part, the two complementing each other quite well.

Not only that, but as each guest passed, Xiao Jinghong would introduce their identity and background to Chen Yi in a soft, low murmur.

Be it official rank, family lineage, or their relationship with the Xiao family, she covered everything.

Although Chen Yi was somewhat curious about her intentions, he still cooperated, committing the information of these people to memory one by one.

He reasoned his lady was likely worried he might call a guest by the wrong name during the feast or cause a scene due to their mutual unfamiliarity.

Soon, mid-Sishi arrived.

The two long dragons at the entrance had dissolved, leaving only a sparse trickling of guests walking in.

Taking advantage of a lull between guests, Xiao Jinghong asked in a low voice, "I heard you and the top scholar parted on bad terms yesterday?"

Chen Yi let out a soft laugh, "Did Uncle Dongchen tell you? I suppose so; my elder brother and I had a bit of a squabble."

Xiao Jinghong murmured in assent, "If he tries to make trouble over this later, I will handle it."

Chen Yi looked at her in surprise, only just realizing she was worried he wouldn't be able to cope with Chen Yunfan.

After a moment's thought, he said with a smile, "My brother may appear arrogant and high-profile, but it seems to be a mere facade; there is likely more to him than meets the eye."

Having turned it over in his mind yesterday, Chen Yi was more than fifty percent certain that his paternal half-brother was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.

It made sense; if he truly were an unlearned, arrogant, and dissolute rogue, he could never have walked into the Golden Imperial Hall.

After all, while the Emperor could handpick the top scholar, no fellow student would have yielded to him in the preceding triennial provincial examinations.

No sooner had the words left his mouth, before Xiao Jinghong could speak, Chen Yunfan's voice drifted in from outside the gate:

"I never imagined that in my little brother's eyes, I was so... exceptional."

Chen Yi paused, catching a glimpse of the hesitant expression on Xiao Jinghong's face beside him, and instantly understood she had long since noticed Chen Yunfan's arrival. Turning his gaze to the newcomer, he said with a smile, "Now that you have achieved the rank of top scholar, brother, if you cannot be considered exceptional, I fear all the scholars of the Great Wei Dynasty would hang their heads in shame."

Chen Yunfan, now clad in splendid purple robes and accompanied by his maidservant Chunying, stepped over the threshold, a brilliant smile on his handsome face:

"I do love to hear that. Had you spoken this way yesterday, little brother, I would certainly have been much happier."

As he spoke, he waved his hand to signal Chunying to present the gift list.

Chen Yi smiled and said, "Please forgive me for failing to please you upon our long-awaited reunion, brother, though I, for one, was quite happy yesterday."

Having gained a considerable stroke of fortune along with the Black Tortoise Breath-Concealing Technique to hide his abilities, he indeed had reason to be happy.

Chen Yunfan's smile stiffened, replaced by a look of deep resentment as he spoke with implicit meaning, "You indeed have reason to be happy."

Not only had Chen Yi thwarted his grand display, but a wretched girl from the mountain tribes had drugged him into a stupor, sliced his clothes to shreds, and abandoned him at the academy.

Fortunately, Chunying had stayed by his side, saving him from making a public fool of himself.

Otherwise, the greatest jest in Shuzhou City today would have been the top scholar lying disheveled and unkempt inside Guiyun Academy.

Chen Yi, utterly perplexed, merely felt there was an underlying meaning to his words.

After a moment's reflection, he chose not to say more, stepping half a pace back to yield the floor to Xiao Jinghong.

Seeing this, Chen Yunfan fixed his gaze upon Xiao Jinghong and immediately bowed with hands clasped, his tone formal:

"Chen Yunfan of the Chen family from Jiangnan Prefecture pays his respects to General Jinghong."

Xiao Jinghong swept her eyes over him, silently thinking that perhaps her husband was right; this legitimately born son of the Chen family, rumored to be utterly unlettered, might truly not be simple.

"There is no need for such formality, brother."

Hearing this, Chen Yunfan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled, "Before coming here, I wondered just how magnificent the General Jinghong of Jinling rumors would be. Now that I see you in person, it seems I was shallow."

"Magnificent?"

Xiao Jinghong turned to Chen Yi, only to find his expression looking rather unnatural, as though he were stifling a laugh.

Magnificent, my foot.

In the rumors of Jinling and Jiangnan Prefecture, Xiao Jinghong was described as eight feet tall and eight feet wide, a description that wouldn't be an exaggeration to call a monster.

Knowing the truth of the matter but finding it inappropriate to say aloud on the spot, Chen Yi could only shake his head and wave his hand at Chen Yunfan:

"You had better step inside, brother. The old master is already waiting within."

Chen Yunfan glanced at him, understood, pointed a finger at him, and walked into the Marquis's estate with a smile.

Chunying, cradling a brocade box, bowed to the couple and followed straight after him.

After the two had walked far away.

Xiao Jinghong still retained a measure of curiosity, asking, "My lord, how is my portrayal in Jinling?"

Chen Yi pressed his lips together upon hearing this, fearing he might burst into laughter.

After a moment’s composure, he finally spoke gently, "They are merely rumors that seem plausible but should not be taken as truth."

Xiao Jinghong said nothing, her crystal-clear eyes fixed upon him.

Seeing her gaze, Chen Yi had no choice but to lean closer and whisper the false rumor about her.

Upon hearing it, Xiao Jinghong’s expression changed immediately, showing a rare look of bewilderment and startlement.

She could not have imagined that Jinling and Jiangnan Prefecture had portrayed her appearance in such a way.

Surely there’s some mistake.

Chen Yi, glancing around, couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

Before his smile could fully spread, Xiao Jinghong whispered softly, "My lord, did you escape marriage because of this?"

Chen Yi’s smile vanished instantly, "..."

Not... how on earth did she make that connection?

Though he pondered it, his response was swift, he vehemently denied, "Of course not."

Xiao Jinghong scrutinized him carefully, as if ensuring the sincerity of his words.

After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded, "I believe you."

Ah, this...

Is there anyone who truly understands the female psyche? I humbly seek guidance—did she genuinely believe it, or was it sarcastic?

(End of Chapter)