Chapter Two: What Mischief Could Children Possibly Harbor?

“Yi’er, Yi’er?”

Xia Wanwan saw Chen Yi’s pale face and grew anxious.

Chen Yi snapped back to reality, quickly grabbing her collar and flashing a smile.

Damn, I didn’t mean to call out loud.

“You scared me to death,” Xia Wanwan said, her worry turning to joy as she pressed her forehead against his, indulging him affectionately.

Chen Yi thought to himself that he was the one nearly scared out of his wits. Who wouldn’t curse when faced with such an absurd task?

“Wanwan, little sister, you’re here?”

At that moment, a beautiful woman dressed in a brocade skirt, holding a baby, approached.

Xia Wanwan lifted Chen Yi and bowed, “Sister Wan Yi.”

Chen Yi’s eyes flickered with caution at the sight of the visitor.

This was none other than Madam Zhou Wan Yi, the matron of the Marquis’s household, and the very person Chen Yi suspected to be the mastermind behind the attempts on his life.

“We’re sisters; no need for formalities,” Zhou Wan Yi said, pulling Xia Wanwan close with a concerned expression. “I heard your anxious voice just now—has Yi’er gotten into trouble?”

Xia Wanwan hesitated, “Yi’er might be hungry…”

“Hungry? That won’t do! It’s easy for Yi’er to pick those food items on an empty stomach during the Grab-the-Object ceremony.”

“Then, I’ll find the wet nurse to feed Yi’er right away.”

“It’s too late,” Zhou Wan Yi said, pulling a small pouch from her brocade robe and handing it to her. “I happen to have some pastries prepared for Yuan’er. Feed Yi’er some.”

“Uh…”

“Don’t refuse. If we delay any longer, the ceremony will begin.”

Xia Wanwan had no choice but to accept her kindness again, lowering her eyes obediently. “Thank you, Sister Wan Yi.”

“All right, you take care of Yi’er. I’ll go find my husband.”

“Sister, take care.”

After they left, Xia Wanwan quickly tore off a small piece of pastry and carefully fed it to Chen Yi.

“Yi’er, be good. Eat a little, so you won’t be hungry.”

Chen Yi hesitated for a few seconds but still swallowed the pastry.

Yet inside, a chill ran through him.

Zhou Wan Yi had gone to great lengths to ensure he would pick the food during the ceremony!

First, she had his naive father feed him the “Gluttony Pill,” then prepared pastries in advance to prevent anyone from noticing his odd behavior.

If not for Chen Yi’s memories from his previous life, everyone would have been deceived.

Just like Xia Wanwan—betrayed by her yet still remembering her kindness.

The thought made Chen Yi even angrier.

“If you want to sabotage my Grab-the-Object ceremony, then I’ll wreck Chen Yuan’s. After all, that brat won’t care about his brother when he grows up…”

Wait, grow up?

A sudden realization struck Chen Yi as he looked toward the projection screen.

“Oh, I almost forgot.”

“I’m one year old now, and so is Chen Yuan.”

“I can’t beat Chen Yuan at level six, but I can beat his current self.”

With that thought, Chen Yi clenched his tiny fists and swung them twice. This is how you properly activate the counterattack system!

Xia Wanwan saw his expression and laughed, straightening his collar.

“You better not make a fuss during the ceremony, or your father will spank you.”

Chen Yi grinned widely.

Just you wait; I definitely won’t make a fuss… or maybe I will!

…

Near noon, the guests gathered around the main hall, even the Northern Duke of Wei personally attending.

In the center, a cloud-and-crane patterned carpet had been laid out with eight small tables, each holding a white jade tray.

On each tray rested objects for the Grab-the-Object ceremony: a knife, a sword, a seal, a brush, an abacus, a book, scissors, and a handkerchief.

Four more plates rested on the floor, filled with chicken, duck, and fish.

Only now did Chen Yi learn that these objects were enshrined in the ancestral hall, forged by the spirits of the Chen family’s ancestors, each possessing unique powers.

For instance, the knife and sword mainly enhance natural talent in weaponry.

The seal sharpens intelligence, improving memory and comprehension.

The scissors, handkerchief, abacus, and other items also had special effects.

As for the plates of chicken, duck, and fish, though appetizing, they were the least useful among the objects.

No wonder children who picked the food were ridiculed.

“Marquis, the auspicious time has arrived.”

The steward reminded them.

Martial Marquis Chen Taiping raised his wine cup.

“Today, we hold the Grab-the-Object ceremony for Yuan’er and Yi’er. May our ancestors bless and protect the Chen lineage, so their descendants never fall short of their glory…”

After a lengthy speech, he gestured to Zhou Wan Yi and Xia Wanwan.

“Let Yuan’er and Yi’er begin the ceremony.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Wan Yi stepped forward first, placing Chen Yuan at the center surrounded by the objects, then returned to the main table.

When she came back, Xia Wanwan carefully set down Chen Yi.

Chen Yi smiled at her, reassuring her not to worry.

Xia Wanwan smiled, gently stroking his cheek before slowly stepping back beyond the ceremony’s boundary.

“Everyone, please wait a moment and witness this for Yuan’er and Yi’er.”

Chen Taiping’s voice was solemn as both boys settled at the ceremony’s center.

Even though he was the Martial Marquis, he felt nervous.

The longer a family’s lineage, the more reverent they were of the Grab-the-Object ceremony.

Not only did the objects enhance their heirs, but the ritual also symbolized an orderly family succession.

Once the crowd quieted, Chen Yuan made the first move.

He scanned around and fixed his gaze on the small, shiny knife and sword.

Then, shifting from sitting to crawling, he used both hands and feet to inch forward.

Though slow, the sight brought smiles among the guests.

“Master Yuan has a keen eye.”

“True blood of the Chen Marquis, exceptional martial talent.”

“Now, let’s see what Master Yi does…”

Even Chen Taiping nodded slightly, relieved.

Zhou Wan Yi remained composed, watching Chen Yuan with a smile.

Only Xia Wanwan grew anxious—why hadn’t Yi’er moved yet?

Soon, as Chen Yuan inched closer to the jade sword, all eyes followed.

“Stable now!”

“Just two more steps, and Master Yuan will grasp the jade sword!”

Some guests even clasped their fists toward the main table.

“Congratulations to the Marquis.”

Chen Taiping smiled calmly.

“Yuan’er must like sword training.”

Only then did Zhou Wan Yi’s face brighten, lips curling in a smile.

“Husband, Yuan’er is just lucky. We still need to see Yi’er…”

Before she finished, Xia Wanwan exclaimed joyfully, “Yi’er moved!”

At her words, Zhou Wan Yi stopped and looked toward the center, pupils narrowing slightly.

…

Chen Yi was crawling straight toward Chen Yuan, using both hands and feet.

Earlier, he hadn’t moved because he was waiting for this moment—when Chen Yuan nearly grasped the object and Zhou Wan Yi smiled.

Originally, after transmigrating here, Chen Yi only wanted to grow up quickly and live carefree as a noble’s son.

He never dreamed of martial contests or fighting his elder brother for inheritance.

But today, he realized, “If I don’t kill Bo Ren, Bo Ren will harm him.”

No way around it!

“If you want to harm me, then I won’t hesitate to show you what ‘cruelty’ means!”

With that resolve, Chen Yi moved quickly and steadily.

Before Chen Yuan could grasp the jade sword, Chen Yi yanked him away and kicked him squarely in the face.

Go play somewhere else!

Chen Yuan flipped over from the kick, sitting dazed on the ground with a bewildered expression.

“This…”

The crowd exchanged glances, having witnessed many ceremonies but never such a scene.

“How did Master Yi kick Master Yuan like that…”

“Silence!”

At the main table, the Marquis’s family frowned.

Zhou Wan Yi’s smile vanished, her eyes fixed on Chen Yi.

Xia Wanwan looked embarrassed, wanting to explain but unsure how, so she glanced at Chen Taiping for help.

“Let’s see,” Chen Taiping said. “The ceremony isn’t over yet.”

Though amused and exasperated, he felt comforted that both sons aimed for the jade sword.

But soon, his relief vanished completely.

Chen Yi hadn’t stopped after seizing the jade sword but turned back to crawl toward Chen Yuan.

He hadn’t forgotten his mission.

Having already upset the natural order by snatching the object, one more deed wouldn’t matter.

“Eeya.”

“Yah.”

The two toddlers rolled together, babbling.

Chen Yi wildly swung his tiny fists, jabbed the sword into soft flesh.

Chen Yuan, helpless, could only defend passively.

Soon, he burst into tears, defeated.

[Task Complete: Swordsmanship Initiation]

[Please find a quiet place to receive the reward.]

Glancing at the projection, Chen Yi thought, “Indeed, this is how you use the counterattack system.”

“Husband, quickly, make Yi’er stop!”

Now even Zhou Wan Yi couldn’t hold back.

Chen Taiping smiled wryly, explaining that no one could interfere during the Grab-the-Object ceremony.

This was not a family rule but a decree of heaven.

Zhou Wan Yi turned to Xia Wanwan, urgent.

“Wanwan, you must stop Yi’er—I'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.