The cold wind blew bleak and desolate.
Chen Ji stepped over the threshold of the Chen Estate's rear hall and strode away without looking back.
Having experienced so many things, when Chen Ji looked back at Chen Wenxiao again, he only felt that the other party was nothing more than a very, very small annoyance. Like a small pebble on the road; when passing by, you could kick it away, or you could choose not to kick it away.
But Chen Ji held grudges.
Outside the rear hall of the Chen Estate, Chen Wenxiao was pressed down against a long bench by the manservants, yet the manservants delayed for a long time, not daring to carry out the beating.
Standing on the steps, Chen Liqin said in a stern and intimidating tone, "Beat him. Why aren't you beating him?"
The two manservants holding sentinel staffs exchanged a glance, then stealthily raised their eyes to look toward Madam Liang.
Following their gazes, Chen Liqin cast a glance at Madam Liang. Then, he himself charged forward, snatched a sentinel staff, and viciously struck Chen Wenxiao's buttocks. "What is 'Benevolence'?"
Chen Wenxiao only cared about wailing in pain; how could he possibly answer the question? Or perhaps, even if he hadn't suffered a strike from the sentinel staff, he still wouldn't have been able to answer it.
At the side, Chen Wenzong said in a low voice, "The Master said: A mountain's nature is Benevolence, and Benevolence nurtures the myriad creations. Being simple and honest, broad-minded and generous, treating others with sincerity, and finding joy in helping others—this is Benevolence."
Chen Liqin struck down with the staff again. "What is 'Righteousness'?"
Weeping and wailing loudly, Chen Wenxiao cried out, "Righteousness... To superiors, loyalty and righteousness; to subordinates, benevolence and righteousness!"
At the side, Chen Wenzong spoke up, "The Master said: The gentleman understands Righteousness, while the petty man understands profit. To be rich and honored through unrighteous means is to me like a floating cloud. Righteousness is conscience; it is morality."
Chen Liqin struck down with yet another staff blow. "What is 'Propriety'?"
On ordinary days, if a flood struck the river dikes, this Luo City Vice Prefect would also shoulder sacks of soil and hemp bags to support the front lines himself. His skin was tanned dark, and the strength in his hands was immense.
Beaten by these three staff blows, Chen Wenxiao was on the verge of losing his breath. How could he possibly care about answering? "Mother, Mother save me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Wenzong's low voice could be heard: "A father is compassionate and a son is filial; an elder brother is friendly and a younger brother is respectful; a ruler is benevolent and a minister is righteous. Husband and wife have their distinctions, elder and younger have their proper order, and friends have Trust. The ethical relations of humanity constitute Propriety."
Hearing the words 'father is compassionate and son is filial', Chen Liqin's expression froze for a moment. Immediately afterward, he struck down viciously with another blow of the staff, no longer asking any more questions.
Lying sprawled across the long bench, Chen Wenxiao wailed loudly, "Father, there is something fishy about this matter! Chen Ji only just returned, and Yun Yang and Jiao Tu came knocking on our doors immediately after. He surely must have colluded with those two!"
Chen Liqin knew that Jiao Tu and Yun Yang's visit this time was to subtly warn and intimidate him. This was not something Chen Ji could interfere with, so it naturally had nothing to do with Chen Ji.
He flew into a towering rage. "You still dare to splash dirty water onto your own younger brother!"
Seeing his fierce and ruthless expression, Madam Liang walked forward quickly. "Master..."
Chen Liqin said with a savage expression, "Today, absolutely no one is allowed to plead for leniency for this beast!"
Madam Liang remained silent for two seconds before hurriedly saying, "This concubine is not trying to plead for Wenxiao. Now that this concubine knows Wenxiao committed a Gargantuan Mistake and wronged Chen Ji, this concubine will definitely compensate him well in the future. Wenxiao, quickly admit your faults to your father!"
Chen Wenxiao hastily wailed and cried, "Father, this son knows his faults! This son will never dare to do it again in the future!"
Chen Liqin's expression softened slightly, and the sentinel staff falling from his hand also slowed down somewhat. "Chen Ji losing his mother at a young age is already a misfortune. As his older brother, how could your heart bear to treat him like this? Furthermore, over these past years, your gambling resulted in massive deficits, tainting you with evil habits. Before the Imperial Examination, you are punished with confinement; you are not allowed to go out and play around on your own ever again!"
Madam Liang agreed to it. "Master, rest assured. This concubine will definitely keep a strict watch over Wenxiao and absolutely not allow him to step half a pace out of the estate. As for Chen Ji, this concubine will definitely show him much care and consideration. I will find him the best teacher to impart knowledge upon him, find him the best marriage prospect, and provide him with the best food, clothing, and daily necessities. His monthly allowance will also be the exact same as Wenzong and Wenxiao's."
Chen Liqin's expression softened again. The sentinel staff in his hand remained suspended in midair, ultimately no longer falling down.
Seeing his father stop, Chen Wenxiao immediately decided to Ride The Donkey Down The Slope. Climbing up from the long bench, he said, "Rest assured, Father. In the future, this son will definitely turn over a new leaf and thoroughly reform himself."
Chen Wenzong frowned. "Who let you get up?"
Saying that, he rolled up his sleeves, took the sentinel staff from Chen Liqin's hands, and swung it down viciously. "What is 'Wisdom'?"
Chen Wenxiao let out a wail of anguish. "Ah! Older Brother, what are you doing?!"
Chen Wenzong asked angrily, "I asked you, what is 'Wisdom'? Answer me!"
Right at this moment, another manservant came jogging over. "Master, Prefect Zhang has brought his son and daughter to visit."
Chen Liqin frowned. "What did he come here for?"
The manservant lowered his head. "This lowly one does not know. Lord Zhang didn't say either."
Chen Liqin raised his hand to stop Chen Wenzong. "No rush to beat him right now. Don't let outsiders see this and laugh at us."
However, Chen Wenzong ignored him. Acting completely on his own, he swung the sentinel staff down. "What is 'Trust'?"
Seeing this scene, Chen Liqin sighed in his heart.
He instructed Madam Liang, "I will go to the main gates to welcome them. Don't let Zhang Zhuo come over to the rear hall's side here."
...
...
Chen Ji walked along the winding path leading to secluded spots toward the inner residence. Returning to the Spring Listening Courtyard, he looked at the roof tiles and black bricks filling the entire courtyard. Then, he sat down on the neatly stacked black bricks, staring blankly into space.
Leaping lightly onto his knees, Wu Yun meowed. "Have you vented your anger?"
Resting his chin on his hand, Chen Ji gazed at the corner of the courtyard and answered casually, "It's not about venting or not venting. A person like Chen Liqin couldn't bear to strike a deadly blow against Chen Wenxiao to begin with. Furthermore, Madam Liang is eloquent and articulate; she won't let anything happen to Chen Wenxiao. As the saying goes, 'Where there are bratty children, there are bratty parents.' If they had only been willing to apply a harsh hand, Chen Wenxiao wouldn't have turned out like this."
Wu Yun thought for a moment. "Then I'll go lick every single one of their Traditional Snacks later, and then go poop on Chen Wenxiao's pillow!"
A profound respect swelled within Chen Ji. "Fierce!"
"Hehehe."
"Hehehe."
At this time, Wu Yun looked at the messy and chaotic courtyard. "What about here? If you clean it up alone, it will probably take two or three days to finish cleaning, right?"
Chen Ji smiled. "No need. Someone will naturally come to clean it up."
Wu Yun froze for a moment. "Are there actually such good people in the Chen Estate?"
Chen Ji stroked her head. "Rest assured. Since we'll have to frequently interact with the Chen Family from now on, I will teach them how to be good people."
...
...
In front of the Chen Estate's main gates, Chen Liqin clasped his hands in welcome. "Lord Zhang has been neighbors with me for several years, yet you are still a rare guest at my Chen Estate. What made you think of coming to my place today?"
Zhang Zhuo said with a beaming smile, "Lord Chen's words carry hidden barbs and spears. To outsiders hearing this, they would think our Luo City government offices have been at odds for a long time. Zhang Zheng, Zhang Xia, hurry up and present the gifts you brought, lest Lord Chen blames our Zhang Family for lacking proper etiquette once again."
Chen Liqin's beard twitched. "Why must Lord Zhang speak words of ridicule and mockery?"
Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily. "Lord Chen is overthinking this. This official also isn't here to visit you."
Chen Liqin froze. "Then what is Lord Zhang's intention in coming here?"
Zhang Zhuo asked curiously, "With the government office having no pressing matters today, I went to the Taiping Medical Clinic to seek Chen Ji to play chess. In the end, when I arrived and looked, the medical clinic was actually locked and sealed with sealing strips. After carefully thinking about it, having nowhere else to go, he must have returned to the Chen Estate... Has he returned?"
Chen Liqin breathed a sigh of relief. "He has returned. He has already settled down in the estate."
Zhang Zhuo let out a long 'Oh'. Grabbing Chen Liqin's arm, he walked straight inside, making him seem more like the master of this Chen Estate instead. "Let's go. Lord Chen, lead me to find him."
Chen Liqin frowned.
As if not having seen his expression, Zhang Zhuo smiled and bantered playfully, "Lord Chen, previously he harbored much resentment and hostility toward the Chen Estate, stubbornly refusing to return no matter what. Now that he has finally managed to return, as a father, you must not act muddleheadedly again."
Chen Liqin was slightly displeased and angered. "I naturally know how to be a parent. There's no need for Lord Zhang to teach me."
Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard. "Heh, then I have spoken out of turn."
As Chen Liqin led Zhang Zhuo deeper into the estate, Madam Liang, leading two maids, had long been waiting on the path.
She loosely cupped her hands together and curtsied with a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting by her right ribs. "Lord Zhang."
Zhang Zhuo said with a beaming smile, "Sister-in-law, my wife frequently misses you and wishes to invite you to Tuoluo Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. When our two families have free time, we should still visit and interact more. Don't let yourself get bored to death cooped up inside this Chen Estate."
Madam Liang smiled faintly. "I shall carefully follow Lord Zhang's instructions."
Without saying much more, Zhang Zhuo pulled Chen Liqin and continued walking inward.
Madam Liang asked curiously, "Where is Master taking Lord Zhang?"
Chen Liqin explained, "Lord Zhang previously formed a bond with Chen Ji at the Taiping Medical Clinic. The two became chess friends despite their difference in age. Now, he has come to seek Chen Ji to play chess and relieve boredom. Madam, go brew some tea and have it delivered to Chen Ji's residence later. We must not slight Lord Zhang."
Madam Liang's expression changed slightly. Lowering her head, she curtsied with another Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting. "This concubine understands. However, seeing as how someone has only just moved into Chen Ji's place, there probably aren't enough tables and chairs for so many people to sit. Why doesn't Master lead Lord Zhang to the study, and I will summon Chen Ji over?"
Zhang Zhuo fell deep in thought.
Before he could speak, Zhang Xia suddenly said from the side, "Aunt, there's no need to go through so much trouble. I am well-acquainted with Chen Ji. Going to his courtyard will actually be more comfortable and relaxing."
Madam Liang smiled gently. "Second Miss Zhang is an unmarried maiden waiting for marriage; going to Chen Ji's room may be somewhat inappropriate."
Zhang Xia looked Madam Liang up and down. With a gentle and mild smile, she said, "Aunt is worrying over nothing. I have my father and older brother accompanying me. If anyone dares to wag their tongues and gossip recklessly, my father and older brother will peel their skin off."
Zhang Zheng chuckled. "Exactly!"
Right at this moment, wails of anguish transmitted from deep within the sprawling residence. Zhang Xia looked left and right, searching for the source of the sound. "What is that sound? Is the Chen Estate punishing servants today?"
Chen Liqin's expression darkened, and he hurriedly led the way forward. "Today, a servant in the estate violated the rules, so I ordered the steward to discipline him properly. Lord Zhang, this way please."
The group passed through the deep courtyards and arrived in front of the Spring Listening Courtyard.
Pushing the doors open, Chen Liqin walked straight inside. He immediately saw Chen Ji holding Wu Yun in his arms, sitting atop two stacks of black bricks, staring blankly into space.
At this very moment, looking at the ruins-like courtyard, Chen Liqin stood frozen in place.
Zhang Zhuo was also startled. He walked into the courtyard, looking left and right. Then, he quickened his pace, taking a few steps to push open the wooden doors of the main room, exposing the haphazardly piled tables, chairs, and benches inside.
He turned his head back in shock and astonishment. "Lord Chen, if your Chen Estate cannot accommodate a Concubine's Son, then simply have him adopted to me. My Zhang Estate can accommodate him."
Chen Liqin opened his mouth but couldn't say a single word for a very long time. He slowly looked at Chen Ji, his throat dry and astringent. "You..."
Chen Ji hurriedly stood up. "Lord Chen, I didn't realize esteemed guests would be visiting, I have lost my manners... I will clean up the courtyard right away."
Leaning against the doorframe, Chen Liqin turned his head to stare at Madam Liang for a long time. Weighing the pros and cons over and over again, he said slowly, "It must be that the estate's servants misheard the arrangements."
Understanding his meaning, Madam Liang hurriedly spoke sternly to her maid: "Summon the steward over here! I clearly arranged for Chen Ji to stay in the Mingquan Courtyard; why did he lead Chen Ji to the Spring Listening Courtyard? Is this how he conducts his duties on an ordinary day?"
(End of this chapter)