[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could-":3,"chapter-you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--chapter-49":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},347498,607,"Chapter 49: Several People on the North City Official Road","you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--chapter-49",49,"\u003Cp>Perhaps because it had rained for several days straight, the air in Shu State Prefecture City felt exceptionally fresh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Kangning Street in the North City, the road was paved with slabs of bluestone, each clearly etched with a lotus flower. The design symbolized the auspicious saying, \"a lotus with every step.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scholars were particularly fond of such omens, whether they sought success in the imperial examinations or wealth and power as an official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, Kangning Street was the most refined and scholarly area in all of Shu State City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a stark contrast to South City’s Yanhua Lane, where the flagstones were carved with images of beautiful women, as if afraid people wouldn’t know what sort of business was conducted there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi, however, paid little attention to such details. To him, even the finest decorations in the city only warranted a single comment: ’Quaint and antique.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, however, things had improved. He had read a great deal and learned much about the local customs and rules of Shu State, so he could at least make some sense of it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially true for the tools of his trade—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone—which he handled daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, Chen Yi now knew that Yunsong Paper came from Guangyue Prefecture and was made from its unique local pine trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also knew of the famed inksticks from Jiangnan Prefecture, the wolf hair brushes from the Northern State, and the fine inkstones crafted from the unique stones of Jing State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his knowledge was superficial, he was still gobsmacked by the price of these seemingly insignificant trinkets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the Yunsong Paper he often used, for instance. A single one-foot-square sheet cost five copper coins, the same price as a pound of coarse rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was only because he was part of the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, one of the top noble houses in the Great Wei Dynasty. His daily necessities were naturally on a different level from those of an ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scholar from an ordinary family wouldn’t even dream of using Yunsong Paper; they would be lucky to even see it. Most had to make do with cheaper, coarser paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, the history books Chen Yi read most frequently had familiarized him with the major events of the Great Wei Dynasty’s two-hundred-year history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had also sought out historical records from the previous dynasty, mostly to understand the changes that had occurred in Shu State and Jiangnan Prefecture over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Not long after.」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A carriage flying the crimson banner of the Dingyuan Marquis’s Xiao Family passed through the city gates and stopped at a post station three li away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coachmen, Wang Lixing and Yan Hong, glanced around, their faces etched with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the post station, no fewer than ten carriages of various sizes were already parked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them also bore the Xiao Family’s crimson banner, indicating that another master from the mansion had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside the official road, a dozen or so officials in blue and green official robes stood waiting expectantly. The man at their head was none other than the Prefect of Shu State, Liu Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men exchanged a look, neither having any idea what Chen Yi was doing here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They especially recalled the \"incidents\" Chen Yi had caused on his previous excursions from the mansion. A nervous flutter, like a cat scratching at their hearts, made them wish they could turn the carriage around and head straight back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, they spotted Xiao Dongchen of the second branch among the officials. They figured that with him present, Chen Yi would surely be more restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have we arrived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Chen Yi lifted the curtain, peeked out, and then stepped down from the carriage, followed by Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lixing glanced at Xiao Dongchen, whose expression seemed a little off. He sidled up to Chen Yi and asked in a low voice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sir, what brings you here today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To meet someone,\" Chen Yi replied, straightening his robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it the same person those lords over there are waiting for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose so.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi glanced toward the officials and saw many of them looking his way. He smiled, straightened up, and offered a deep, respectful bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he held the rank of a Scholar, which exempted him from kneeling before these officials. Otherwise, it would have been improper to approach them so closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lixing winced, a deeply uneasy feeling settling in his stomach. He shot a look at Yan Hong, signaling him to step forward and press for more answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Yan Hong could speak, Xiao Wuge, who had been looking around curiously, turned his attention back to Chen Yi and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother-in-law, who are you here to meet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chen Yunfan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, I feel like I’ve heard that name before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if remembering something, Xiao Wuge said, \"I know! He’s the one who doesn’t get along with you, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi chuckled and shook his head. \"I wouldn’t dare say such a thing. If someone overheard, they might think there’s a rift between my brother and me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’As if there wasn’t?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a gruff man like Wang Lixing didn’t buy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finally understood what was happening, but the fact that it involved Chen Yunfan gave him a deeply ominous feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Hong, standing beside him, felt the same. His face was practically scrunched into a knot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Last time, this master of ours tried to run away from his own wedding and nearly got me killed. It can’t be that bad this time, can it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Xiao Wuge had spoken a bit too loudly, because several of the officials up ahead turned to look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon spotting him, the leader, Liu Si, could no longer feign ignorance. He led the other officials over, bowed with clasped hands, and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We officials greet the Young Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wuge waved his hand with an air of adult authority and said with a smile, \"Uncle Liu, there’s no need to be so formal. Weren’t you just at our mansion a couple of days ago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Liu Si’s face brightened, clearly pleased by the familiar address.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wuge, what brings you here today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brother-in-law said he was meeting someone, so I tagged along to have a look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Meeting someone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Si frowned and glanced at Chen Yi. Seeing that he maintained a placid smile, Liu Si thought for a moment before nodding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This year’s Imperial Top Scholar, Chen Yunfan, is your brother-in-law’s elder brother. It is indeed fitting that he would come to welcome him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Wuge’s eyes lit up. \"Imperial Top Scholar? Does that mean he’s even more amazing than a Third Place Scholar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Si nodded hesitantly, then said with pointed significance, \"He is now an Assistant Governor in the Governor’s Office, holding the same Fourth-grade rank as I.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fang Gui, on the other hand, is merely a Fifth-grade Advisor. In terms of official rank, he is a notch below the Imperial Top Scholar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi naturally understood the subtext. Liu Si was reminding him of his place and the gravity of the occasion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But whatever his thoughts, he pretended not to understand. With a smile, he said, \"Wuge, what the Lord Prefect means is that Chen Yunfan is more impressive than Li Huai’gu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Si’s expression soured instantly. He shot Chen Yi a glare, then turned and walked away with a flick of his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was deeply vexed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For one, he was displeased with Chen Yi’s recent string of antics in Shu State City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For another, the relationship between Chen Yi and Chen Yunfan was clearly not a harmonious one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were on good terms, Chen Yi would have come alone. Why bring the Young Master, Xiao Wuge, with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the other officials of Shu State exchanged glances, gave another bow to Xiao Wuge, and followed Liu Si.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Xiao Dongchen walked over, his brow furrowed. He stared at Chen Yi and asked in a grave tone, \"Second Son-in-law, this is hardly a good time for you to be here, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a few years older than Xiao Xuanshuo but well-preserved, with a fair, beardless face. His blue official robe lent him a distinct air of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi gave a noncommittal nod, then pulled a calling card from his robes and showed it to him. \"Uncle Dongchen, my brother summoned me. I had no choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Dongchen glanced at the card and his expression softened, but he still added a word of caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t think me meddlesome, but your brother has traveled a great distance from the Capital Prefecture to take up a post in the Shu State Governor’s Office. I’m sure you understand how special his position is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was forward of him, Chen Yi pressed on. \"Perhaps Uncle Dongchen could enlighten me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Dongchen hesitated for a moment, then leaned in and lowered his voice. \"The Right Governor of the Shu State Governor’s Office is getting on in years. He will retire in two years, at most.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi froze, silently astounded. ’This has something to do with Chen Yunfan?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Governor was a province’s chief administrator, a high-ranking official of the Junior Second Grade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As an Imperial Top Scholar, Chen Yunfan’s direct appointment to Shu State as a Fourth-grade Assistant Governor, without first serving time in the Hanlin Academy, was already a special exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’To have him take over as the Right Governor of Shu State just two years later... Is the current Emperor really that autocratic?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Dongchen could see that he understood and continued, \"In such a sensitive period, it’s best to be even more cautious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi cupped his fists. \"Thank you for the advice, Uncle Dongchen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Dongchen nodded, offered a quick, smiling greeting to Xiao Wuge, and then turned to rejoin Liu Si and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Lixing and Yan Hong breathed a sigh of relief. ’At a critical moment like this, it’s good to have a master from the mansion who understands the stakes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside them, Xiaodie and Xiao Wuge both looked on with a mixture of understanding and confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother-in-law, since the Imperial Top Scholar is your brother, that means he’s not the one you don’t get along with, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Yi shot him a look, then his gaze drifted to the far end of the official road. He spoke with a half-smile,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I suppose so... But who can really say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1752,"2026-05-30T04:08:05.211Z","2026-06-01T04:30:16.742Z",1,"novelbin.me","52181bf3c7cbf20113ace067512954bc9a56fbb4adf0c93e4fc5175dbbf7de49","you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--chapter-50","you-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--chapter-48",225,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fyou-promised-to-be-an-idle-son-in-law-how-could--cover.jpg"]