You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?-Chapter 66: Fishing is Still More of a Headache

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Fishing is Still More of a Headache

Get out of the way just because she said so? What kind of real man would do that?

Fortunately, Chen Yi was just a live-in son-in-law—and one with the worst reputation of them all. Selling out Pei Guanli was second nature to him.

He then watched her run off, shrieking, "Waaah! Brother-in-law, help me, help...!"

As the sound of tinkling bells faded into the distance, Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Of course, Xiao Jinghong had no intention of actually hurting Pei Guanli; she was just trying to scare her.

Even when Pei Guanli had resorted to poisoning the guests earlier, she had only given her a light punishment.

After they shared a laugh, Xiao Jinghong said, "Husband, my older sister and I have something to handle, so I won’t be returning to the Spring Lotus Garden just yet."

Chen Yi paused for a moment before nodding. "Of course, my lady."

After Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyue had departed, Chen Yi watched them go for a moment, then beckoned to Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie with a smile.

"It’s been a long day, hasn’t it? Go get some rest."

"I’m not tired at all, Brother-in-law! I can’t help but smile whenever I think about all those people praising you."

"And you didn’t hear anything besides praise?"

"There was some criticism too, but I ignored it. You taught me not to let petty people spoil my mood, Brother-in-law."

"That’s true..."

Once they returned to the Spring Lotus Garden, Xiaodie went to help Xiao Wuge get settled for a rest.

Chen Yi, however, sat alone in the pavilion. He boiled water, brewed tea, and began to fish nonchalantly, slurping his tea as he did, just like any other day.

It wasn’t that the events of the Old Marquis’s birthday banquet hadn’t affected him; rather, he hadn’t yet figured out how to handle the consequences.

There was, for example, his Cursive Script calligraphy.

Judging from the reactions of the masters from Guiyun Academy, it was easy to see the appeal his work held for the renowned calligraphers of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Moreover, as Mr. Yue Ming and the other guests returned home, word would spread, and its influence would only grow more profound and far-reaching with time.

Then there was his conflict with Li Changqing. It had only been a verbal dispute, so for now, it didn’t seem to have any immediate repercussions for him.

Unless he had a death wish and joined the army or went to a garrison town, he was unlikely to fall into Li Changqing’s clutches.

As for Emperor Wei’s verbal decree, that was actually the easiest problem for Chen Yi to solve now.

With Xiao Jinghong’s support, no one in the Xiao Mansion would likely try to force him to study or practice Martial Arts again.

And he certainly had no intention of taking the imperial examinations to seek an official career.

After failing to hook the Golden Carp yet again, a look of resignation crossed Chen Yi’s face as he muttered:

’This fishing is still the biggest headache of all.’

...

Although the birthday banquet was over, the Xiao Family remained busy for several days.

The birthday gifts from the guests had to be sorted one by one: some to be stored in the warehouse, some to be used, and others to be sold.

The Old Marquis knew best how to handle each item.

Thus, once the guests had dispersed and only a few distant relatives and lingering visitors remained, he took the sisters, Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Jinghong, to the storeroom.

He began taking inventory while having Xiao Wan’er keep a record.

"The Soft Armor, the Seven-Colored Glazed Cup, and the other gifts from the Holy Emperor are to be shelved. We can’t have someone take them and break them again."

"As for the gifts from our own clan members, aside from the paintings and calligraphy that are difficult to appraise, sell the rest for silver coins."

"The same goes for the Jade Military Token and other items from Pang Xuan and his group. Even if they find out, they won’t say anything."

"For the gifts from Yang Ye, Tang Zixing, and Yue Ming, store them away for now. We’ll decide what to do with them later."

The Old Marquis surveyed the storeroom, which was piled high with goods. A look of gratification appeared on his aged face; all in all, he was satisfied with the birthday banquet.

"Wan’er, once the records are clear, have someone take these to be sold tomorrow."

Xiao Wan’er nodded hesitantly, but then started to say, "Grandfather, the family still has some silver coins. Perhaps we could..."

Before she could finish, the Old Marquis waved his hand dismissively. "It’s not enough. Far from it."

"Our Dingyuan Army is establishing a Mutual Market with the Mountain Race. We can’t just provide the men, land, and labor; we also have to contribute some silver coins."

"For one, it allows us to establish some businesses there. For another, it’s a show of good faith to the Mountain Race, which will silence some of their complaints."

"Don’t be fooled by that old woman’s unassuming demeanor. Her mind is sharp as a mirror; she won’t let anyone take advantage of her..."

The Old Marquis rambled on for a bit, and only after Xiao Wan’er nodded did he turn his gaze to Xiao Jinghong.

"You heard the Holy Emperor’s decree today. What are your thoughts?"

Xiao Jinghong paused. "The emperor’s heart is hard to fathom."

"And?"

"The Seven-Colored Glazed Cup?"

The Old Marquis nodded in satisfaction and said with a smile, "Heng’er broke a Seven-Colored Glazed Cup, and the Holy Emperor immediately sent an identical one."

"He’s telling us that everything in our Xiao Family is under his control."

Xiao Jinghong’s eyes flickered as she voiced the question in her heart, "Grandfather, is the Holy Emperor afraid that our Xiao Family will...?"

She didn’t say the word ’rebel’.

But the Old Marquis understood. He nodded. "The Holy Emperor isn’t afraid. He’s wary."

"Ever since the Dingyuan Army forced Poshisu Country to surrender, there have been those in the Imperial City who worry that our Xiao Family will carve out our own kingdom."

"If the Barbarian Race hadn’t invaded later, leading to the deaths of your father and several of your uncles in battle, I’m afraid the Holy Emperor would have made his move long ago."

"Even so, the Imperial Court continues to cut the Dingyuan Army’s funding, provisions, and equipment."

A sad expression crossed the Old Marquis’s face. He shook his head and sighed, "Some fools truly aren’t afraid of the Barbarian Race breaking through Mengshui Pass and advancing north into the Central Plains."

Xiao Jinghong understood then, and she couldn’t help but feel shaken.

’Her Xiao Family has defended the Great Wei Dynasty’s borders for two hundred years. Countless members of their clan have died on the battlefield, and they have repelled the great armies of the Barbarian Race time and again. And this is how it ends?’

"Did Father and Mother know about this back then?"

"What if they knew? What if they didn’t?"

The Old Marquis frowned. Though he was old and frail, a hint of his former imposing presence returned. He looked at Xiao Jinghong and said in a low, serious voice:

"For two hundred years, the Xiao Family has guarded the nation’s gates. Generation after generation has fought bravely, not for the sake of those groveling sycophants in the Capital Prefecture, but for the hundreds of millions of common people in the Central Plains."

"Jinghong, I only need you to remember one thing."

"If Mengshui Pass falls, Shu State and even the heartlands of the Central Plains will instantly be engulfed in the flames of war. You should know what a tragic sight that would be."

Clarity returned to Xiao Jinghong’s eyes. She bowed deeply. "I was wrong, Grandfather. Please forgive me."

Having studied history since she was a child, she knew exactly what the Barbarian Race had done in Shu State two hundred years ago.

—They treated people not as human beings, but as livestock, no better than pigs, dogs, or sheep.

Seeing her reaction, the serious expression on the Old Marquis’s face vanished, and he beckoned for the two sisters to leave the storeroom with him.

However, as they were about to part ways, the Old Marquis added a few solemn words of advice:

"Times are hard now, but we are far from our most difficult moment."

"If we can establish this Mutual Market and gradually replenish the Dingyuan Army’s funds and provisions, then I will have no fear, even if the Barbarian Race dares to invade again."

As he spoke, the Old Marquis began to laugh. He turned and started walking toward the Qingjing Residence.

"From this day until Wuge returns from Jinling, the Marquis’s Mansion and the Dingyuan Army will be in your hands, sisters. I’ll be counting on you."

"Of course, I will hold on until that day as well."

Watching him walk away, a trace of sadness appeared on Xiao Wan’er’s face, while Xiao Jinghong silently bowed in respect.

They both understood his meaning—no matter the pain or illness, he would grit his teeth and hold on for another ten years for the sake of the Xiao Family.

After a long moment, Xiao Wan’er asked softly, "Second Sister, Grandfather was happy today, wasn’t he?"

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, her eyes clear. "Of course he was."

’Just as the Old Marquis said, the Xiao Family’s situation was far from its most difficult. They still had time.’

"Sister, let me walk you back to Jiaxing Garden."

"Alright."

Xiao Jinghong supported Xiao Wan’er as they walked toward the rear courtyard. As they went, she said thoughtfully:

"I spoke with my husband today. He has agreed to help you."

Xiao Wan’er faltered, and a flicker of panic appeared on her pale, sorrowful face.

"Our brother-in-law is exceptionally talented. This seems like a waste of his abilities."

"It’s only temporary."

Xiao Jinghong said, "Sister, when I return from the Mountain Race, be sure to tell me how he does. If he does well, I will find another position for him."

Xiao Wan’er bit her lower lip and nodded. "That would be good..."