Chapter 23: Chen Yi, Baron of Yingwu

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:”

“Now, there is Chen Yi, son of Martial Marquis Chen Taiping. Though young, his resolve is firm, his talent extraordinary, and his valor evident time and again. He is truly a rare asset to the nation.”

“Therefore, Chen Yi is hereby bestowed the title of Baron of Yingwu County, in recognition of his courageous spirit. He is granted a fief of three hundred households to provide sustenance and as encouragement.”

“Moreover, as Martial Marquis is still stationed at the border and has yet to return, fearing such a worthy tree might be neglected, Chen Yi is permitted to join the Xingwu Academy, so that in the future he may study alongside the imperial princes and heirs apparent, and partake in the Tai Xu Dao examinations.”

As the decree concluded, the eunuch Liu, whose complexion was soft and whose temples bore flecks of white hair, stepped forward and paced over to Chen Yi with a smile.

“Receive the imperial edict, young lord.”

Chen Yi blinked, glanced briefly at Xia Wanwan, Chen Taihang, and the others, and seeing their nods, accepted the decree.

“Grateful for His Majesty’s benevolence.”

Rising, Chen Yi felt a bit dazed.

Already granted a noble title?

He was barely over three years old, had earned no merits, and was not entitled to inherit the Martial Marquis title.

Simply because of that appearance on the city tower, he had been granted a title. Yet, it felt as if the Sovereign’s decision carried a deeper meaning.

And this so-called “Xingwu Academy”—was this an arrangement for him to accompany princes and heirs as a study companion?

If so, did this reward carry some... implications?

Wait!

A sudden thought struck Chen Yi—Chen Yuan, the legitimate eldest son of Chen Taiping, had received no such titles, nor admission to Xingwu Academy!

He cast a furtive glance at Zhou Wanyi, seated not far away, and frowned inwardly.

Was this an intentional act by the Sovereign, or...?

“Young lord, this is your pass for entering and exiting the imperial city. Before the hour of Chen on the appointed day, please present yourself at Qingzheng Hall.”

At this moment, Liu the eunuch handed over a palm-sized token, smiling as he reminded, “That gentleman does not favor tardy students.”

Chen Yi recovered his wits, accepted the token, expressed thanks, and then stood beside Xia Wanwan.

Today’s events were strange; he needed to observe further.

After Chen Yi took the token, the eunuch in his blue brocade robes did not immediately leave but leaned toward the matriarch, whispering.

Chen Yi, rubbing the heavy token of purple-gold sheen, strained to listen.

He faintly caught the matriarch’s low reply: “...Grateful for His Majesty’s concern. I shall discuss with Taiping before making a decision.”

Receiving the answer, Liu’s face broke into a fawning smile: “I shall now report back to His Majesty.”

“Everyone, I take my leave.”

Once the imperial attendants departed, the entire main hall buzzed with lively conversation.

Some praised the Emperor’s magnificent grace, others lauded Yi’er, while a few expressed envy, calling it sheer luck.

Chen Yi paid them no mind. His attention partly rested on the matriarch, but more so on observing Zhou Wanyi’s expression.

Throughout, the matriarch’s face remained calm—neither joyful nor angry—as she quietly fingered her prayer beads.

Had she truly embraced Buddhism?

Even after the crowd dispersed and Chen Yi returned to Fanghua Garden with Xia Wanwan, the matter remained unclear to him.

“Yi’er, I’m happy you received the Emperor’s favor, but also somewhat uneasy. Do you know why?”

Xia Wanwan led him into a pavilion within the garden and spoke earnestly.

“No,” Chen Yi shook his head.

His mind was tangled with the reasons behind the event and its possible consequences, paying little heed to his birth mother’s thoughts.

“The imperial city is unlike the mansion; rules are stricter there, and many royal relatives abound. I worry you might be bullied or punished for mistakes...”

Xia Wanwan, regardless of whether he understood, repeated her warnings to be cautious and not cause trouble.

“Mother, rest assured, I will follow the rules,” Chen Yi forced a smile.

He was hardly a child to be bullied.

As for mischief...

Unless those brats provoked him, he wouldn’t bother with them.

After a while, Xia Wanwan left. Chen Yi exhaled deeply upon returning to his chamber.

Lying on his bed with hands behind his head, eyes fixed on the gauzy canopy above, deep thoughts clouded his young face.

Recalling the earlier scenes, he was sure of one thing:

The Chen family had no prior knowledge of the Emperor’s decree.

This was evident from Chen Lide, who was on duty within the imperial city.

At the same time, Chen Yi was certain that the Wei Emperor’s actions were not random but purposeful.

“Rewarding me but not my elder brother cannot be just because of that incident on the city tower...”

Aside from that, the only suspects he could think of were the Zhou family and Zhou Wanyi.

Chen Yi furrowed his brows, then thought of the “Xingwu Academy.”

It was the first time he had heard the name.

The teacher who enlightened him before had only mentioned the capital’s academy.

He guessed the Xingwu Academy was specially founded for the Mid-Autumn Tai Xu Dao entry examinations.

Such a place was suitable for him.

But excluding Chen Yuan, who had a higher Foundation Establishment rank, was...

Highly suspicious!

And very deliberate!

He knew the Chen family had been calm lately, so the cause must lie with the Zhou family!

“The problem lies with the matriarch or that great-grandfather.”

It seemed he needed to find an opportunity to gather information about the Zhou family...

Just as he turned to extinguish the lamp, the door creaked open.

A small figure slipped quietly inside.

“Big brother?”

Chen Yi recognized Chen Yuan and was momentarily startled.

“Shh!”

Chen Yuan raised a finger to hush him, closed the door, and carrying a small embroidered pillow, scampered over.

Climbing onto the bed, he drew closer with a bright smile and asked, “Second brother, I heard you’ve become a lord?”

“Mm,” Chen Yi looked at him, puzzled.

“And you’re going to accompany the children of royal relatives in training martial arts?”

“Did Mother tell you?”

Chen Yuan nodded, still smiling. “Yes, she said I should learn from you.”

“What else did she say?” Chen Yi was momentarily stunned, hardly believing such words came from Zhou Wanyi.

“She said I must work harder, that our family has ample medicinal herbs and pills, so even if I don’t go to that academy, I can still apprentice under the Tai Xu Dao.”

Saying this, Chen Yuan lay on his side, propping his head with one hand as he looked at Chen Yi.

“I’m sleeping here tonight. I’m not going back.”

Chen Yi chuckled softly but did not refuse, pulling the blanket over him.

“Did you sneak out to come here?”

“How did you know?”

“Really?!”

“Well,” Chen Yuan scratched his head bashfully, “Now that you’re a lord, I figured you might want someone to share the joy with.”

“Wasn’t it you who told me that sharing happy things makes everyone happy?”

“That’s right,” Chen Yi smiled, “I was thinking of sharing it with you tomorrow.”

“Hehe, I knew it...”

The two children lay side by side, chatting back and forth until, without realizing it, they fell asleep.

Before slipping into slumber, Chen Yi asked Chen Yuan a question: What kind of person did he want to become in the future?

His answer was sincere—he wanted to protect their family and country together with his second brother, and ideally, always be happy like now.

Hearing this, Chen Yi was silent for a long time before softly saying, “Sleep now.”

He couldn’t make false promises, nor guarantee such pledges would hold.

But...

If possible, he hoped his elder brother’s wish would come true...