North City Official Road: Three to Five People

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

On Kanning Street in the north of the city, the road paved with slabs of bluestone allowed one to clearly make out the lotus patterns carved into each stone, symbolizing lotuses blooming with every step.

Scholars loved seeking out such auspicious omens, whether for passing the imperial exams or for gaining official rank and wealth.

In short, Kanning Street was the most refined and cultured area in all of Shuzhou City.

Unlike Yanhuaxiang Lane south of the city, where the stone carvings on the road depicted ladies of pleasure, as if afraid no one would guess what business was conducted there.

Chen Yi paid no attention to such things. No matter how fine the city's decorations, in his eyes they could only earn the appraisal "quaint and antique."

Lately, things were a bit better. He had read many books and gained considerable understanding of local customs and rules in Shuzhou, enough to speak a thing or two about them.

Especially regarding items he frequently handled, like brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.

At the very least, Chen Yi now knew that Yunsong Paper came from Guangyue Prefecture, made from the unique pine and cypress trees there.

There was also Jiangnan Prefecture's smoke ink, Northern Prefecture's wolf-hair brushes, and Jingzhou, famed for its rare stones used to craft inkstones.

Though he only understood the gist, he was still stunned by the prices of these seemingly insignificant little items.

Take the Yunsong Paper he often used, for example. A single square foot cost five coppers, equal to a catty of coarse rice.

But that was also because he lived in Marquis Dingyuan's Estate, part of the Great Wei Dynasty's top nobility, so his food and clothing naturally differed from ordinary people.

For scholars from common families, let alone using Yunsong Paper, they rarely even saw it. Most used cheap wood pulp paper.

Beyond that, the history books Chen Yi read most often also familiarized him with many major events within the Great Wei Dynasty's two hundred years.

He also sought out some historical records from previous dynasties, mostly to understand the changes in Shuzhou and Jiangnan Prefecture over time.

Before long.

A carriage bearing the Xiao Family Red Banner of Marquis Dingyuan's Estate drove out through the city gate, stopping at the post station three li away.

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong, who were driving, looked around and couldn't help showing puzzled expressions.

At the post station, a full ten carriages of various sizes were parked.

Among them was another carriage also flying the Xiao Family Red Banner, clearly belonging to some other master from the estate who had come here.

And by the official road, over a dozen officials in blue and green robes stood waiting eagerly, with the prefect of Shuzhou, Liu Si, at their head.

The two exchanged glances, neither knowing what Chen Yi had come here for.

Especially recalling the "trouble" Chen Yi had caused on his previous trips out of the mansion, their hearts itched like cats scratching, wishing they could turn the carriage around and head back immediately.

Fortunately, they spotted Xiao Dongchen of the Second Branch among that group of officials, thinking that with him here, the son-in-law might rein himself in a bit.

"We're here?"

At that moment, Chen Yi lifted the curtain to take a look, then brought Xiao Wuge and Xiao Die down from the carriage.

Wang Lixing glanced at Xiao Dongchen, whose expression seemed odd, and leaned close to Chen Yi to ask in a low voice:

"Son-in-law, what brings you here today?"

Chen Yi adjusted his robes as he replied, "Picking someone up."

"Is it the same person those officials over there are waiting for?"

"Probably."

Chen Yi looked toward the officials, saw many turning their heads to look at him, and smiled as he made a deep bow with his hands clasped.

Fortunately, he still held the title of Xiucai, so he didn't have to kneel before these officials; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to stand this close to them.

Wang Lixing winced as if his teeth ached, feeling very uncertain, and signaled Yan Hong with his eyes to step in and ask further.

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

"Brother-in-law, who are you picking up?"

"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, brother-in-law, right?"

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "Don't say that. If someone hears, they'll think there's a rift between my elder brother and me."

Isn't there?

Even Wang Lixing, a rough and straightforward man, didn't believe that.

Though he now had a better idea of the situation, it was precisely because it was Chen Yunfan that he had a bad feeling.

Yan Hong beside him felt the same, his features nearly scrunching up in distress.

Last time, this young master fled from marriage and nearly got him killed. Surely this time it wouldn't be as big a mess?

Perhaps because Xiao Wuge's voice was a bit loud, it drew the attention of the officials ahead.

After seeing him, Liu Si, at the head, couldn't pretend not to notice. He led the officials over, bowed with clasped hands, and said:

"Your subordinates pay respects to the Young Marquis."

Xiao Wuge waved his hand like a grown-up and said with a smile, "Uncle Liu, don't stand on ceremony. You were just at the estate a couple of days ago."

Upon hearing this, Liu Si's face lit up; clearly, those words pleased him.

"Wuge, what brings you here this time?"

"My brother-in-law said he was coming to pick someone up, so I tagged along to have a look."

"Pick someone up?"

Liu Si frowned and looked at Chen Yi, but seeing that he still wore a smile with no unusual expression, he thought for a moment and nodded: "This year's Zhuangyuan, Chen Yunfan, is your brother-in-law's elder brother. It's indeed fitting for him to make this trip."

Xiao Wuge's eyes brightened: "The Zhuangyuan? Is he more formidable than the Third Place Scholar?"

Liu Si hesitated, then nodded, speaking with implication: "He is now a Counselor in the Provincial Administration, holding the same Rank 4b official position as your uncle."

"While Fanggui is merely a Fifth-rank Advisor, his official rank falls short of the Zhuangyuan's."

Chen Yi naturally caught the meaning behind his words; this was a hint for him to mind his status and the occasion.

But thinking that, he only pretended not to understand, saying with a smile: "Wuge, the Prefect means that Chen Yunfan is more impressive than Li Huaigu."

Liu Si's expression turned somewhat sour. He shot Chen Yi a glance and then swept off with his sleeves.

He felt a fair bit of irritation.

First, because of several incidents Chen Yi had caused in Shuzhou City, which displeased him.

Second, because the relationship between Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan was clearly not harmonious.

If it were harmonious, he could have come alone—why bring Xiao Wuge, the Young Marquis, along?

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

Only Xiao Dongchen frowned, walked over, fixed his gaze on Chen Yi, and asked in a serious tone: "Second Son-in-law, your timing for this visit isn't ideal, is it?"

He was a few years older than Xiao Xuanshuo, but well-preserved, with a fair, beardless face. The green official robe he wore added to his air of authority.

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

Xiao Dongchen glanced at it, his expression softening, but he still offered a word of caution: "Don't blame me for being nosy. Your elder brother traveled thousands of li from the Capital Prefecture to take up a post in the Shu Provincial Administration. Surely you understand the special nature of his identity."

"What's so special about it?"

Though somewhat rash, Chen Yi pressed on: "Uncle Dongchen, won't you give your nephew a hint?"

Xiao Dongchen hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and lowered his voice: "The Right Envoy of the Shu Provincial Administration is advanced in years. He'll retire in at most two years."

Chen Yi was taken aback, inwardly startled. Was this related to Chen Yunfan?

He knew that a Provincial Commissioner was the chief official of a province, a Rank 2b key post.

And Chen Yunfan, as a Zhuangyuan, had not undergone advanced training in the Hanlin Academy but was directly assigned to Shuzhou as a Rank 4b Counselor—that was already an exception.

For him to then directly succeed as the Shuzhou Right Commissioner in two years... Was the current Emperor so autocratic?

Xiao Dongchen knew he understood, so he continued: "In special times, one must be even more cautious."

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

Xiao Dongchen nodded, smiled, and greeted Xiao Wuge before turning and walking toward Liu Si and the others.

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong breathed a sigh of relief. At the critical moment, it was the master of the household who saw the big picture.

Beside them, Xiao Die and Xiao Wuge were both half-understanding.

"Brother-in-law, since the Zhuangyuan is your elder brother, he's not someone who's against you, right?"

Chen Yi glanced at him, then turned his gaze to the end of the official road, saying with a half-smile: "Probably... who knows?"