You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?-Chapter 50: Brotherly Affection and Respect

Just past dawn, the sun hung high in the sky, its heat and radiance beginning to rise.

The shadows of the trees on both sides stretched across the official road, a clear line dividing light from shade. The edges of the shadows flickered faintly.

That wasn’t a gentle breeze; it was the thundering of fast horses and carriage wheels, approaching at a gallop from the far end of the road.

Chen Yi watched from a distance, murmuring, "So this is the grand procession of an Imperial Top Scholar."

Armored Warriors on fast horses cleared the way, followed closely by a Banner Officer holding his standard. Flanked by guards was a large, red carriage pulled by four fine steeds.

Despite their speed, it was easy to see that the carriage was perfectly stable, not swaying in the slightest.

Only when they were a li from the post station did the horses, banner, and carriage finally slow down, gradually coming to a stop beside it.

Seeing this, the officials, led by Liu Si, all swarmed forward with smiles on their faces.

Before they had even caught a glimpse of Chen Yunfan, most of them had already begun to make the gesture for a formal bow.

Chen Yi glanced around and noticed that the banner hanging on the carriage wasn’t the Cloud Banner of the Shu State Governor’s Office. Instead, on the roof of the carriage was a palm-sized emblem: the character "Chen" outlined on a white cloud against a black background.

It was the emblem of the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family, signifying that the person within belonged to the main branch of a Noble Family with a five-hundred-year lineage.

’Why five hundred years?’

The count began from the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty, which preceded the Great Wei. The ancestor of the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family had been a meritorious official at the time, and their lineage had continued for exactly five hundred years to this day.

And as for the term "Noble Families and Clans," though it was just a four-word phrase, it represented not only power, status, and wealth, but more importantly—legacy.

The longer the legacy of a Noble Family, the more immense its power was in its home territory, and the further its reach extended in all directions, creating a deeply entrenched and complex network.

Putting aside the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family, even the Xiao Family of Shu State, with its two-hundred-year history, had marriage ties to the line of Duke Qian, who held sway over Guangyue Prefecture and Jiao State.

The number of other powerful clans and Noble Families on good terms with the Xiao Family was so great it would take half a day to list them all.

Therefore, as Chen Yi glanced at the various officials of Shu State Prefecture City, he knew in his heart, ’They’re not just concerned with Chen Yunfan’s official position, but also with the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family and the Qinghe Cui Clan.’

Just then, Xiao Wuge tilted his head back to look. "Brother-in-law, this Cloud Vehicle is of a pretty high rank, isn’t it?"

Chen Yi nodded slightly. "It certainly is."

’Phoebe Wood for the frame, the body reinforced with Refined Iron, an ornate canopy, a carved clan emblem... it’s not just a high-rank vehicle. The number of protocol violations on this carriage alone would be enough for the old-fashioned court censors to demand his impeachment. Even the young Xiao Wuge could see that, let alone everyone else.’

But obviously, Liu Si and the other officials were pretending they hadn’t seen a thing.

Just then, the silk curtain of the Cloud Vehicle was lifted, and a lightly clad maid stepped down. She knelt on the ground, holding one thigh taut to serve as a step.

A man in bright red robes and a gauze cap then stepped down, using her thigh as a foothold.

He was exceedingly handsome, with sharp brows, bright eyes, and a fair complexion. His figure was tall and slender, yet one could clearly see how thin he was.

This was none other than Chen Yunfan, the legitimate heir of the first branch of the Jiangnan Prefecture Chen Family—the current Imperial Top Scholar of the Great Wei Dynasty and the new Fourth-grade Assistant Governor of the Shu State Governor’s Office.

He surveyed his surroundings, his gaze passing over Liu Si and the others to land on Chen Yi’s group in the distance. He smiled and waved twice.

It had to be said, to any observer, that smile would have seemed exceptionally friendly and warm.

Although Liu Si was displeased at being ignored, he also breathed a sigh of relief. At least on the surface, the two half-brothers seemed to be on harmonious terms.

"I am Liu Si, Prefect of Shu State. I have been awaiting you for some time, Assistant Governor Chen."

Next was Xiao Dongchen, who held the same official rank as Chen Yunfan. He smiled and clasped his hands. "I am Xiao Dongchen, Assistant Governor of the Governor’s Office of Shu State. I have come on behalf of the Left and Right Governors to welcome Brother Yunfan."

The remaining officials paid their respects one by one.

Chen Yunfan retracted his gaze and bowed with clasped hands. "My apologies, Lord Liu, Lord Xiao, and everyone. There were some delays on the road. I’ve made you wait."

Liu Si smiled. "It’s no trouble, it is still early. Tonight, Right Envoy Liu Hong has already booked a banquet at Fengchun Building. We are just waiting for Lord Chen to rest for a bit before we hold a welcome feast for you."

"Thank you, thank you for your trouble."

Chen Yunfan stood with one hand in front and the other clasped behind his back. He appeared modest and polite, yet his head was tilted slightly upward, and his expression was one of relaxed ease.

It was as if he considered such treatment to be his natural due.

Not only could Liu Si and Xiao Dongchen see this, but Chen Yi could naturally see it as well.

’This elder brother of mine is just as I remember him,’ he thought. ’He seems amiable, but deep down, he’s filled with the pride of the Noble Families and Clans. He’s simply incapable of bowing his head to anyone. I just wonder if he was like this back when he entered the Grand Imperial Hall for the Metropolitan Examination, facing the Emperor himself as the chief examiner.’

Just as Chen Yi was sizing up Chen Yunfan and wondering how their conversation would go, he saw his brother’s right hand, which had been held before his chest, swing away. Ignoring the eager Liu Si and his entourage, Chen Yunfan walked straight toward him.

From a distance, Chen Yunfan called out with a smile, "Brother Yi, it’s been a long time."

’Brother Yi?’

The address "Brother Yi" was equivalent to calling him a sworn brother, not a true one.

Chen Yi thought, ’So he plans on not acknowledging me, his own brother, a name written in the Chen Clan Genealogy.’

"Brother Yunfan, seeing your grand style today, your flair is no less than it was back when you used to frequent Jinling Flower Street."

He had, quite pointedly, dropped the "elder" from his address.

Chen Yunfan obviously heard it. He said with displeasure, "That day, I was entrusted by Father and Mother to catch you and bring you home. Are you still holding a grudge?"

Chen Yi didn’t back down an inch. "The time you caught me was only because I had requested the company of your beloved Lady Die Wu."

"Die Wu? Who’s that?"

Chen Yunfan feigned ignorance and pointed to the maid beside his carriage. "Is she as beautiful as my Chun Ying?"

Chen Yi smiled. "Elder Brother, your reputation as a romantic and talented scholar is known throughout Jiangnan Prefecture. Your taste is naturally impeccable."

Chen Yunfan laughed heartily, looking him up and down before waving Liu Si and the others over.

"Come, come, let me introduce you to some friends from officialdom. Since you’ve married into a family here in Shu State, they can look out for you in the future."

Before Liu Si and the others could walk over, Chen Yi pointed to the excited-looking Xiao Wuge beside him.

"Allow me to make an introduction first."

"This is Xiao Wuge, grandson of Duke Dingyuan."

Chen Yunfan’s smile froze instantly. He looked at Chen Yi, then down at Xiao Wuge, and his smile vanished.

However, he showed no anger. Instead, he calmly straightened his robes, clasped his hands, and bowed respectfully to Xiao Wuge, announcing in a clear voice:

"I, Chen Yunfan, Assistant Governor of the Governor’s Office of Shu State, pay my respects to the Young Master."

The laws and etiquette of the Great Wei Dynasty were strict.

Despite Chen Yunfan’s flamboyant behavior and his family’s carriage violating protocol, he did not dare to be lax when it came to formal etiquette.

Especially now, as he was arriving to take up his post with Liu Si and other officials of all ranks by his side, he would not allow himself to show a lack of decorum.

"You may dispense with the formalities."

Xiao Wuge looked up at him, then turned to Chen Yi and said, "Brother-in-law, your brother is definitely more impressive than the Third Place Scholar."

Before a smile could form on Chen Yunfan’s face, the boy continued, "The Third Place Scholar jumped down from his white horse all by himself. But he needed to step on a maid’s thigh to get down."

Hearing this, Chen Yi couldn’t help but break into a grin.

’Honestly,’ he thought, ’only Xiao Wuge could get away with saying something like that. If it were anyone else, Chen Yunfan would have probably lost his temper by now.’

Even so, Chen Yunfan’s expression was still dark.

After a moment of silence, he forced a smile and said, "The Young Master’s lesson is well-taken. I was unaware of your presence, Young Master. I was rude."

But Xiao Wuge just waved his hand dismissively. "To err is human. As long as you know your mistake and can correct it, it’s fine."

As he spoke, he pointed at Chen Yi. "My brother-in-law taught me all of this."

"..."

Chen Yunfan’s expression darkened even further. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the smiling Chen Yi and said coolly:

"Brother Yi, I still have official business today. Next time I’m free, I’ll send someone to summon you."

With that, he turned and walked back to his carriage, not even bothering with Liu Si and the others anymore.

However, before boarding, Chen Yunfan refused the support of the nearby maid. After stepping onto the carriage, he looked at Chen Yi.

"I am very gratified to see you looking so sturdy and neatly dressed today."

"I imagine Father and Mother would also be gratified to see you looking like this."

Before the words were fully out, he yanked the curtain aside and sat down inside the carriage.

Immediately after, with the Armored Warriors clearing the path and the Banner Officer following behind, the carriage sped off toward Shu State City.

Liu Si and the others looked displeased. They shot Chen Yi a glare, then flicked their sleeves and departed.

Xiao Dongchen even pointed at Chen Yi with a wry smile, an expression that said he didn’t know what to say.

After everyone had gone, Chen Yi stood smiling on the official road. He watched the dozen or so carriages disappear into the distance before patting Xiao Wuge on the back.

"Next time, don’t go exposing people’s faults to their face like that. It’s an easy way to get beaten up."

"If anyone dares to hit me, I’ll just have Uncle Lixing and Uncle Hong hit them back!"

Wang Lixing and Yan Hong nodded, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. ’We can’t afford to pick a fight with that young master of the Chen Family,’ they thought. ’That would require the Master and the young mistresses to get involved. But did our young master by marriage cause trouble today, or not?’

[Witnessed the arrival of Imperial Top Scholar Chen Yunfan in Shu State. The legitimate heir of a Noble Family and Imperial Top Scholar overawes all officials with his bearing, intending to walk the grand and righteous path of a meteoric rise. Reward: Cultivation Technique—Black Tortoise Concealment Technique (Profound Tier). Opportunity: 40.]

[Assessment: The man has arrived, his reputation precedes him, the scene is witnessed. Though your brilliance is but a grain of rice, you still vied for the spotlight with the Imperial Top Scholar. Passable.]

After reading the notifications, Chen Yi paid no mind to what the others were thinking. He waved a hand. "We’ve greeted our guest. Let’s head home."

As they boarded the carriage, Xiao Wuge said with a laugh, "Brother-in-law, I wasn’t wrong just now. If Eldest Sister and Second Sister saw him acting like that, they wouldn’t like it either."

"Yes, yes..."

Chen Yi gave a perfunctory reply, his mind already examining the Breath Concealment Technique and pondering its implications.

’Based on the past few times, this reward should be related to the person or event I just ’witnessed.’ In that case, Chen Yunfan must have practiced a similar breath-concealing cultivation technique. It’s not like he’s actually a Black Tortoise in human form, planning a meteoric rise through Shu State with divine grace at every step, right?’

...

Just as Chen Yi was mulling this over, inside the Chen family’s Cloud Vehicle speeding ahead...

Chen Yunfan had lost all his earlier arrogance. He lay with his head in the lap of the maid named Chun Ying and asked:

"What did you notice?"

Chun Ying gently massaged his temples and said in a low voice, "Young Master Yi... he seems to have practiced Martial Arts."

Chen Yunfan enjoyed the massage with his eyes closed, saying lazily, "My dear brother really has changed. The him of the past never knew how to hide his strengths..."