Chapter 22: Good Brothers Arrive

Leaving the Duke of Su's Mansion, Qing'er seemed in high spirits, chattering nonstop all the way.

"Young master, you said you were coming to the Duke of Su's Mansion to get something, so why didn't I see you take anything?"

"And also, why can't the Duke of Su ever catch you each time? Do you have some secret?"

While at the Duke of Su's Mansion, because Qing'er stayed in the main house, and Chen Yan and Cheng Yaojin unconsciously lowered their voices when talking about beef.

Qing'er didn't overhear their transaction, so she naturally didn't know what Chen Yan had taken away.

Chen Yan said lightly, "The things I want will be sent over later by people from the Duke of Su's Mansion; I don't need to fetch them myself."

"'And...' Chen Yan paused, recalling Cheng Yaojin's tall and sturdy build, then tapped Qing'er's head in annoyance: 'Do you really think the Duke of Su can't catch me?'"

"'He simply never intended to catch me; he's just playing with me.'"

Qing'er covered her head, feeling wronged, 'Obviously every time I see the Duke of Su's face it turns red with anger—how could that be just playing with you?'"

"'Qing'er feels the Duke of Su already has the heart to strangle you to death.'"

Just like today, every time Chen Yan goes to the Duke of Su's Mansion, he can make Cheng Yaojin half-dead with anger.

At first, Qing'er was still worried about Chen Yan, fearing he'd be caught by Cheng Yaojin and beaten half to death.

Only later, after discovering Cheng Yaojin could never catch up to Chen Yan, did she gradually get used to it.

Qing'er really found it hard to believe that Cheng Yaojin's anger was fake, merely him playing with Chen Yan.

"'You wouldn't understand this.' Chen Yan said meaningfully: 'My Lord Bo Cheng isn't as simple as he appears.'"

"'On the surface, Lord Bo Cheng is just a burly fellow, but actually he's as meticulous as a hair, and his acting is top-notch—not just you, I'd wager many old foxes in the court can't see through his tricks.'"

Historically, Cheng Yaojin was one of the Twenty-Four Heroes of the Lingyan Pavilion.

He lived through the turmoil at the end of the Sui, the uprising of Tang Gaozu Li Yuan, the Zhenguan era of Tang Taizong, and remained active during the reign of Tang Gaozong.

He lived until the second year of the Linde era, passing away peacefully at the age of seventy-six.

You should know that in ancient times, even a wealthy idle man who lived a life free of illness and disaster would find it hard to reach seventy-six.

Let alone a military officer who long mingled in officialdom and served multiple emperors.

If Cheng Yaojin were truly as simple as he appears on the surface, he would have long been dead beyond revival.

"..."

Master and servant passed through the bustling Zhuque Dajie, heading straight east.

During the Zhenguan era, many high-ranking officials and nobles resided east of Zhuque Dajie; the Bo Mansion that Li Shimin originally granted to Chen Yan is likewise located here.

Although it is a Bo Mansion, its specifications far exceed those appropriate for a county marquis, not falling short of the mansion of a founding-countyy marquis.

This also counts as a small compensation Li Shimin gave to Chen Yan.

Because at that time Li Shimin had just ascended the throne and was lavishly enfeoffing meritorious officials; although Chen Yan's residence somewhat violated ritual propriety, no one with poor eyesight jumped out to oppose it.

Moreover, Chen Yan had always kept a low profile, so gradually no one bothered him.

Having pushed open the gate of the house, master and servant had just returned home when they heard a delighted voice.

"Lord Bo, you're back?"

Chen Yan looked up and saw a youth with slightly dark skin, about his age, dressed as a servant, running over.

Upon seeing the person, Chen Yan's lips curled into a faint smile: 'Xiao Shunzi, has anything happened in the mansion these past few days?'

"How are your mother and sister doing?"

Xiao Shunzi was a refugee who came fleeing last year's great drought; his father and two older brothers had starved to death, leaving only his sickly mother and his thin-as-a-rail sister.

Seeing how pitiful they were, Chen Yan took them in.

Xiao Shunzi stayed on at the Bo Mansion doing odd jobs; his mother Zhang Shi cooked well, so Chen Yan taught her stir-frying, and she normally takes charge of cooking meals for everyone.

As for Xiao Shunzi's sister.

Although she is only five years old, she is usually well-behaved and sensible, always helping Xiao Shunzi and Zhang Shi with whatever tasks she can manage.

Chen Yan also takes quite a liking to that little girl.

Xiao Shunzi is very observant; seeing Qing'er carrying her medicine box, he took it while replying, 'Lord Bo, rest assured, there's nothing going on in the mansion.'

"'I've been looking after your valuables just as you instructed.'"

"'That'll do.' Chen Yan first gave a slight nod, then earnestly instructed: 'Later, people from the Duke of Su's Mansion will deliver half a side of beef; today we will have an "honored guest" coming over.'"

"'Go tell your mother to prepare today's meal according to the standard we used for last year's New Year's Eve vigil!'"

"'Remember!' Chen Yan said sternly: 'The ingredients must be clean and fresh, with no room for carelessness.'"

"'Also, make a carrot‑stewed beef, a little lighter; the meat must be stewed until tender enough for even a child to gnaw on.'"

"'Did you remember that?'"

Seeing Chen Yan so serious, Xiao Shunzi dared not be careless; he committed all of Chen Yan's instructions to memory, then solemnly said, 'Rest assured, Lord Bo, Xiao Shunzi has remembered them all.'

"'Alright, you may go.' Chen Yan nodded satisfactorily."

Having been here for quite a while, Xiao Shunzi is fairly quick-witted; Chen Yan still feels at ease entrusting matters to him.

After Xiao Shunzi left, Qing'er followed Chen Yan toward the rear courtyard, whispering, 'Young master, are the Sovereign and Her Majesty really coming to our home?'

"'What else would it be?' Chen Yan said lightly: 'Given how much the Sovereign and Empress value Princess Jinyang, if they didn't come to see her, they could never be completely at ease.'"

"'I reckon it won't be just the Sovereign and Empress; there should also be the princess and princes.'"

"'Remember to have the staff below pay attention; if they cause any trouble, it's no laughing matter.'"

"'Today alone, many imperial physicians at the Hanlin Institute have been executed to the ninth degree.'"

Upon hearing this, Qing'er's face turned pale with fright; she quickly nodded, saying, 'Don't worry, young master, I will certainly keep those maidservants in line and prevent them from causing trouble.'

There aren't many servants in the Bo Mansion; aside from Xiao Shunzi's family, there are three young maidservants, all sent from the Duke of Su's Mansion.

Usually, Chen Yan rarely concerns himself with these people; he leaves them to Qing'er to manage.

If it weren't for the Li family's visit, he wouldn't bother giving instructions at all.

"'Right.' Chen Yan recalled something: 'Go have people tidy the east wing... never mind, just clear out the room next to mine, opening all doors and windows for ventilation.'"

Remember to clean it up spotless—no dust allowed.

Just as Chen Yan was talking with Qing'er, a familiar shout suddenly came from behind.

Zi Anxiong!!

He turned around and saw Cheng Chumo running over excitedly.

"Chu Mo!" Chen Yan's face lit up with a smile, and he hurried over in a few steps, asking, "How did you come here?"

Cheng Chumo waved his hand and said, "Eh, I was practicing martial arts in the back courtyard today—I didn't know you'd come."

"Later, I saw Zhao Guanjia ordering people to take a few maidservants and half a side of meat out, so out of curiosity I went up and asked."

"That Zhao Guanjia actually said he was delivering it to you, and only then did I realize you had already come out."

"Hey, I immediately sent those servants away and personally brought it over for you!"

Saying this, Cheng Chumo looked concerned and said, "Zi Anxiong, have you been mistreated these past few days?"

Chen Yan felt somewhat moved.

When he was imprisoned in the Dali Temple Prison, he helped send letters; after his release, he was the first to come show concern.

This is what brothers are like!!

He was about to speak when Cheng Chumo suddenly leaned in; the look of concern in his eyes instantly turned sly: "Zi Anxiong, your complexion looks even rosier than before you were locked up!"

As he spoke, he jabbed Chen Yan with his elbow: "The other day, a new batch of girls arrived at Pingkangfang—what looks, what figures… sigh… they're so hot!"

Cheng Chumo made exaggerated curves in the air with both hands and exclaimed, "Too bad my monthly allowance's long gone, and the old man won't give me any money, leaving me longing in vain all night."

"Perfect timing—you're out now; hurry up and bring money, let's go together!"

Chen Yan: "......"

Sure enough, a good brother!!

"......"