Everyone frowned, everyone frowned

Perhaps because it had rained for several days straight, the air in Shu Prefecture City was much fresher.

On Kanning Street in North City, the road was paved with slabs of bluestone, and the lotus patterns carved into each slab were clearly visible, symbolizing lotuses blooming beneath every step.

Scholars loved such auspicious signs, whether they hoped to place highly in the imperial examination or become officials and grow rich.

In short, Kanning Street had the most refined atmosphere in all of Shuzhou City.

Unlike the streets of Yanhuaxiang in South of the City, where the paving stones were carved with pictures of beautiful ladies, as though afraid people might not know what business went on inside.

Chen Yi paid little attention to any of this. However fine the city's decorations, the best assessment they could earn from him was "quaint and antique."

He had improved somewhat lately. Having read quite a few books, he had learned a fair amount about Shuzhou's local customs and rules, and could at least say a thing or two about them.

Especially things he often handled, such as brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

At the very least, Chen Yi now knew that Yunsong paper came from Guangyue Prefecture and was made from the pine and cypress wood unique to that region.

There were also Jiangnan Prefecture's soot ink, Northern Prefecture's Wolf-hair Brushes, and Jingzhou, which abounded in unusual stones used to make inkstones.

Though his knowledge was only general, the prices of these seemingly insignificant little things still left him speechless.

Take the Yunsong paper he often used: a single sheet one foot square cost five copper coins, enough to buy a catty of coarse rice.

But that was also because he lived in Marquis Dingyuan's Estate and belonged to the Great Wei Dynasty's highest nobility. Naturally, his food, clothing, and daily necessities differed from those of ordinary people.

Scholars from common households rarely even saw Yunsong paper, let alone used it. Most used inexpensive wood paper.

Besides that, the histories and other books Chen Yi read most often had familiarized him with many major events from the Great Wei Dynasty's two hundred years.

He had also sought out historical accounts of the previous dynasty, mostly to learn how Shuzhou and Jiangnan Prefecture had changed over time.

Otherwise, he would never have written, "Trees and grass in the slanting sun, ordinary lanes and alleys-people say barbarians once lived here." Two hundred years ago, Shuzhou had been the Barbarian Tribe's territory.

Before long.

The carriage flying Marquis Dingyuan's Xiao Family Red Banner passed through the city gates and stopped outside the Post Station three li away.

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong, who were driving, glanced around, their expressions turning puzzled.

No fewer than ten carriages of various sizes stood outside the Post Station.

One of them also flew the Xiao Family Red Banner. Clearly, another master from the estate had come.

Beside the official road, more than a dozen officials in blue and green robes waited with their heads raised expectantly. The man at their head was none other than Shuzhou Prefect Liu Si.

The two exchanged a glance, neither knowing what Chen Yi had come to do this time.

Especially when they recalled the "trouble" Chen Yi had caused on his previous outings, their hearts felt as though cats were clawing at them, and they wished they could turn around and head straight back to the estate.

Fortunately, they spotted Xiao Dongchen of the Second Branch among the officials. With him here, they thought, the son-in-law ought to restrain himself a little.

"We're here?"

Just then, Chen Yi lifted the curtain and looked outside, then stepped down from the carriage with Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die.

Wang Lixing glanced at Xiao Dongchen, whose expression seemed a little unusual, then leaned toward Chen Yi and asked quietly:

"Son-in-law, what have you come here for today?"

Chen Yi straightened his robes as he answered, "To meet someone."

"Would that be the same person those officials over there are waiting for?"

"Probably."

Chen Yi looked toward the officials. Seeing several turn their heads his way, he smiled and bowed deeply with his hands clasped.

Fortunately, he still held the scholarly distinction of Xiucai and did not have to kneel before these officials. Otherwise, getting so close to them would have been awkward.

Wang Lixing bared his teeth as though they ached, feeling thoroughly uncertain. He shot Yan Hong a look, urging him to step forward and ask more.

But before Yan Hong could speak, Xiao Wuge, who had been looking around curiously, withdrew his gaze and asked Chen Yi:

"Brother-in-law, who are you here to meet?"

"Chen Yunfan."

"Oh, I think I've heard that name somewhere."

As he spoke, Xiao Wuge seemed to remember something. "I know! He's the one who doesn't get along with you, right, brother-in-law?"

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't dare put it that way. If anyone heard, they'd think there was a rift between my elder brother and me."

Isn't there?

Even a rough fellow like Wang Lixing did not believe him.

Although he now knew what was going on, the fact that it was Chen Yunfan gave him an ominous feeling.

Yan Hong felt the same beside him, his features nearly scrunching into a knot.

The last time this gentleman had run away from his wedding, he had nearly gotten Yan Hong killed. Surely he would not cause such a huge disturbance this time?

Perhaps Xiao Wuge had spoken a little too loudly, for several officials ahead looked over.

Once he saw him, Liu Si, who stood at their head, could no longer pretend not to have noticed. He led the officials behind him over and bowed with clasped hands.

"We pay our respects to the Young Marquis."

Xiao Wuge waved a hand like a grown man and said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, there's no need for such courtesy. You were just at our estate two days ago."

At this, Liu Si's face lit up. Clearly, those words pleased him.

"Wu Ge, what brings you here today?"

"Brother-in-law said he was coming to meet someone, so I came along to have a look."

"To meet someone?"

Liu Si frowned at Chen Yi. Seeing that he was still smiling, with nothing unusual in his expression, Liu Si considered for a moment before nodding.

"Chen Yunfan, this year's Zhuangyuan, is your brother-in-law's elder brother. He certainly ought to make this trip."

Xiao Wuge's eyes lit up. "The Zhuangyuan? Then is he even more impressive than the Third Place Scholar?"

Liu Si hesitated, then nodded and said pointedly, "He is now a Counselor in the Provincial Administration, an official of the Subordinate Fourth Rank, just like your uncle here."

"Fanggui is merely a Fifth-rank Advisor, one notch below the Zhuangyuan in official position."

Naturally, Chen Yi understood what he meant. This was a warning to mind his status and the occasion.

But though that was what he thought, he merely pretended not to understand and said with a smile, "Wu Ge, the Prefect means that Chen Yunfan is more impressive than Li Huaigu."

Liu Si's expression immediately soured a little. He glanced at Chen Yi, then swept his sleeve and left.

He felt somewhat vexed.

First, the several incidents Chen Yi had caused in Shuzhou City had displeased him.

Second, the relationship between Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan clearly could not be called harmonious.

If they were on good terms, Chen Yi could simply have come alone. Why bring Xiao Wuge, the Young Marquis?

At that moment, the other Shuzhou officials, high and low, exchanged glances, bowed to Xiao Wuge once more, and followed him away.

Only Xiao Dongchen approached with a frown. Fixing his eyes on Chen Yi, he asked sternly, "Second son-in-law, this is hardly a good time for you to come, is it?"

He was a few years older than Xiao Xuanshuo but had taken very good care of himself. His face was fair and beardless, and his blue official robes lent him an added air of authority.

Chen Yi nodded noncommittally, then took the Name Card from his robe and showed it to him. "Uncle Dongchen, my elder brother summoned me. I had no choice."

Xiao Dongchen glanced at it, and his expression softened. Even so, he offered a reminder:

"Don't blame me for speaking out of turn. Your elder brother has traveled ten thousand li from Capital Prefecture to take office in Shuzhou's Provincial Administration. Surely you understand how unusual his position is."

"How is it unusual?"

Though it was somewhat rash, Chen Yi pressed on. "Uncle Dongchen, why not give your nephew the inside story?"

Xiao Dongchen hesitated a moment, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. "The Right Envoy of the Shu Provincial Administration is advanced in years. He will step down within two years at most."

Chen Yi froze, inwardly clicking his tongue. Did this have something to do with Chen Yunfan?

After all, a Provincial Governor was the chief official of a province, an important figure of the Subordinate Second Rank.

For Chen Yunfan, a Zhuangyuan, to be sent straight to Shuzhou as a Subordinate Fourth Rank Counselor without first pursuing further studies at the Hanlin Academy was already an exception.

And then to have him take over as Shuzhou Right Commissioner directly in two years... was the reigning emperor so arbitrary in his decisions?

Knowing that he understood, Xiao Dongchen continued, "At such a sensitive time, you should be all the more cautious."

Chen Yi clasped his hands. "Thank you for the guidance, Uncle Dongchen."

Xiao Dongchen nodded, greeted Xiao Wuge with a smile, then turned and walked toward Liu Si and the others.

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong relaxed inwardly. At a crucial moment, the masters of the estate still understood the greater good.

Beside them, Xiao Die and Xiao Wuge both seemed to understand only vaguely.

"Brother-in-law, if the Zhuangyuan is your elder brother, then he isn't someone who doesn't get along with you, right?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, then turned his gaze toward the end of the official road and said with the hint of a smile:

"Probably... who knows?"