Chapter 66: Sixth Brother is Worthy!

Chapter 66: Sixth Brother is Worthy!

Prince Lanyang’s Estate, the main gates wide open.

Lin Hansu led the entire estate to wait below the steps.

At this moment, she was both apprehensive and somewhat expectant.

Apprehensive because she didn’t know why the other party was coming; expectant because after Tiandao Palace was destroyed by heavenly thunder in the first lunar month, undercurrents surged in Lanyang, and many forces still remained in the area.

If the Prince of Shuochuan came with good intentions, this visit alone would ensure that the Tiandao Palace incident would no longer affect the Prince’s Estate.

However, this conflicted mood only lasted for a short while.

When she saw the Prince of Shuochuan’s party, she immediately understood what was going on.

The Prince of Shuochuan’s travel didn’t include a formal Lubu; there were only some necessary guards, but among the riders slightly trailing two steps behind the Prince was a pompous fat man looking around in all directions—who else could it be but her father!

Recalling the sworn brotherhood Ding Suian had mentioned, she understood instantly.

Young Master had saved the Prince of Shuochuan!

A moment later, Chen Fuchen reached the estate gates, sitting high on horseback with a good image and refined temperament, except for that leather eye patch which looked a bit out of place.

He saw Ding Suian among the welcoming crowd and even winked at him with his one eye.

Quite mischievous.

Even with one eye he’s so flirtatious; if he had two, wouldn’t he be flirting all the way to the heavens!

“This humble woman of the Lin family, along with the entire estate, welcomes the Prince of Shuochuan.”

The six founding Princes followed the same system as imperial Princes; according to protocol, the Prince of Shuochuan should actually be one rank lower than Lin Hansu.

But he was of genuine royal Bloodline, so naturally, he could not be judged by common standards.

Chen Fuchen didn’t put on airs either; he immediately dismounted and returned the greeting.

“Arriving unannounced and disturbing the Princess’s peace is a presumption; please forgive me.”

Greetings and conversation—Chen Fuchen performed flawlessly.

Visiting for the first time, he didn’t forget to prepare gifts.

Though not extravagant, the respect shown was ample.

While entering the estate to talk, he also feigned mourning for the deaths of the Prince of Lanyang and Madam Wu.

Lin Hansu was also sensible, knowing he came to find his brothers. After chatting for a while, she made an excuse to leave. Before going out, she gave her father a sharp glare.

Her look also meant for Lin Dafu to come find her in the rear quarters later.

Lin Dafu only chuckled foolishly at his daughter, pretending not to understand.

As soon as Lin Hansu left, Chen Fuchen pulled out a Gengtie and handed it over solemnly with both hands.

Li Meimei, Li Baicheng, and even Lin Dafu, who were traveling with him, each handed one over as well.

On the Gengtie, Chen Fuchen’s formal name was Chen Yi.

Besides the name and courtesy name, it also had the birth dates and ancestral home.

This Gengtie wasn’t given lightly. Since ancient times, rumors of using birth dates for Yansheng Sorcery to harm people had been persistent.

For those who cared about such mystical beliefs, birth dates were not to be shown easily.

Sworn brothers exchanging Gengtie represented entrusting their lives to each other.

This was commonly known among the people as ‘Exchanging Cards’.

Chen Yi was completing the final step of the sworn brotherhood process that had been rushed and left unfinished at the time.

“Third Young Master Gao is still in Huaifeng Prefecture; he’ll provide his when he returns.”

“Alright, I’ll go prepare my Gengtie now.”

Ding Suian stood up, but Chen Yi waved his hand, “No rush, first show us brothers where you live.”

“Third Brother, why did you suddenly come to Lanyang?”

Inside Diying Garden, Ding Suian, acting as a partial host, led them on a tour.

Hearing this, Chen Yi lowered his voice and said, “Do you think I’m that idle? I’ve come to back you up! Before coming, I was worried you were having a hard time in Prince Lanyang’s Estate; everyone knows widows are difficult to deal with…”

At this point, Chen Yi looked around the living environment and smiled, “It seems I worried too much.”

When they reached Halberd Hall, Chen Yi looked up.

The high heavens are vast, and the world changes like floating clouds.

“It’s a beautiful spring day, let’s just sit outside and chat.”

Chen Yi sat down on the steps outside the door, pulled a small booklet from his robe, and tossed it to Ding Suian. “Here, I didn’t know what to bring you, so I looked through some martial arts manuals in the palace. It has no name. It’s a saber technique and also a Qi Cultivation Technique. I took a quick look; it seems to channel Protective Aura through Cold Acupoints like Chize, Quchi, and Hegu. When striking, the saber is like freezing rain and the aura like an icy blade. Study it yourself; if you achieve something, you can name the technique.”

After speaking, Chen Yi looked into the distance where Zhao Yan was squatting alone under the shade of a tree, looking at something unknown. She had a sense of innocent purity, yet also a touch of loneliness that seemed out of place with her surroundings.

“Sixth Brother, don’t find me long-winded, but I need to remind you of a couple of things.”

“Brother, please feel free to speak.”

“Seventh Sister is pure by nature and has followed you thousands of miles to Great Wu all alone, with no relatives. In the future, no matter how many women you have, you must never abandon her. Do not change wives when wealthy, nor friends when noble; only then will you not fail our oath under Chongyin Mountain.”

Chen Yi patted Ding Suian’s shoulder and called out toward the distance, “Seventh Sister~ Seventh Sister~”

After calling twice, Zhao Yan turned her head.

“Zhao Yan, come here~”

But Zhao Yan only skipped over to the steps once Ding Suian spoke.

Chen Yi waved his hand, and a guard stepped forward, presenting a precious box with both hands.

Chen Yi took it and opened it; inside were all sorts of pearl and jade hairpins and women’s jewelry.

Zhao Yan was dazzled by the glittering items; though she didn’t understand their value, her eyes were fixed on them, unable to look away.

“Hahaha~”

Chen Yi laughed heartily and stuffed the box into Ding Suian’s hands. “The things in the box are from your Sister-in-law for Zhao Yan. She originally planned to come with me to meet Seventh Sister, but because she is pregnant, it wasn’t convenient for her to travel.”

“…”

Setting aside how much genuine sincerity there was in this sworn brotherhood.

But after Chen Yi’s series of actions, most people really wouldn’t be able to resist.

“Thank you, Third Brother and Sister-in-law.”

Ding Suian thanked them at the appropriate time.

Chen Yi then looked at Li Baicheng, seemingly speaking to Ding Suian but also to everyone, “The court intends to rebuild the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise Armies. I have recommended Second Brother as the Commander of the Vermilion Bird Army. The decree will be issued in a few days.”

Li Baicheng was stunned, and an excited expression immediately appeared on his face. He hurriedly cupped his fists and was about to kneel on one knee, but he was pulled up by Chen Yi, who had stood up in advance. “We’re brothers! Why all this!”

But Li Baicheng’s action reminded everyone once again of the huge difference in status between the two sides.

Chen Yi turned around, smiling at Lin Dafu, and suddenly said, “Big Brother, when we visited Chilao Alley the day before yesterday and saw Yuan Xi’s meager family circumstances and cramped dwelling, as the eldest brother, you must have felt sad in your heart, right?”

“Uh… yes, after returning home that day, I tossed and turned.”

“I remember Big Brother still has several houses in Central Heaven?”

“Uh…”

While Lin Dafu was still thinking about how to answer, Chen Yi suddenly laughed and turned to Ding Suian, “Yuan Xi, why aren’t you thanking Big Brother yet!”

If Ding Suian’s mind had been even a bit slower, he wouldn’t have been able to react.

Fortunately, he was the sixth brother.

Ding Suian immediately cupped his fists and said with an excited face, “Thank you, Big Brother, for the house!”

“Ah?”

Wait, I didn’t say I was giving away a house!

Everyone loves to see the wealthy being fleeced, even if it’s their own sworn eldest brother.

Li Baicheng and Li Meimei both started laughing.

The sense of status gap caused by Li Baicheng’s attempt to kneel and thank just now vanished instantly.

At the end of the Wei hour that day, Chen Yi and the others took their leave.

Upon departure, Chen Yi whispered another instruction, “Yuan Xi, in a few days, there will be an imperial decree of commendation. You are young and lack seniority, so at most, you’ll be promoted to a Dutou of the Vermilion Bird Army, but the rewards of money, silk, and Medicinal Pills will not be small.”

Hearing this, Ding Suian only sighed. This was a case of turning a funeral into a celebration.

Chen Yi knew what he was sighing about but said, “In this battle… Great Wu lost too miserably. We need a young hero to boost the nation’s reputation and prevent the morale of the court and the public from collapsing. And you, with a clean family background, two generations of military service, saving people single-handedly, and crossing Chongyin Mountain… Yuan Xi, don’t feel guilty. My sixth brother is worthy!”

Thanks to: Heguang, for the tip~