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Chapter 48: Youthful Ardor
City Lord Ma was much older than Chen An, but he addressed him with “you” (您), not the more casual “you” (你).
This was because he knew that Mister Chen before him was a truly upright and ambitious man. Even though he was now stripped of his official title and exiled to Guanping, his past accomplishments were still sung about in the Capital.
In the first year of the new emperor’s reign, Chen An was eighteen years old, full of scholarly passion and unbridled ambition.
It so happened that during that time, the southern rivers flooded, destroying countless fields and houses. He volunteered to help with disaster relief, providing a solution that no one could fault.
The following year, a rampant epidemic struck. It was again he who risked his life, formulating a prevention manual overnight and successfully controlling the spread of the disease.
There was also his courage in the imperial court to confront the aristocratic families, his vigorous promotion of tax reforms, and a series of other heroic deeds.
It was precisely this tax reform that led Chen An, after ten years of diligent study, to be reduced to commoner status and exiled to Guanping.
However, he did not complain, merely leaving behind a short four-line poem to admonish the esteemed officials of the court.
“To establish the heart for Heaven and Earth,
To foster life for the people,
To preserve the legacy of the ancient sages,
To bring peace to all generations.”
Concise and profound, each word a gem.
All who heard it trembled and wept tears of emotion.
That day, the crowd sending Chen An off at the Capital’s dock was exceptionally long.
Although Chen An repeatedly claimed the ideas were bestowed by an immortal in a dream and not his own creation, others dismissed it as a trivial excuse.
“Mister Chen, come, come, please have a seat.”
City Lord Ma narrowed his eyes, a smile on his face, and stood up to welcome him.
Chen An first paid his respects to City Lord Ma and then greeted Li Ye.
Li Ye looked at the scattered chess pieces on the ground made by City Lord Ma with some helplessness. He raised his head and smiled at his friend, “Brother Chen, how have you been?”
He then raised an eyebrow and continued, “About that matter I mentioned last time to Brother Chen, are you really not going to reconsider?”
“My sister is a well-known young lady from a respectable family in the Capital. Over the years, countless young men have proposed marriage, and the threshold has been repaired again and again. Are you sure you don’t want to cherish this opportunity?”
Hearing this, Chen An gave a wry smile. He flicked his sleeves, which were empty.
“Your esteemed sister’s affections overwhelm me, I am truly humbled.”
“But I am now merely a commoner, with nothing to my name, how could I dare to delay the happiness of such a fine lady.”
Of course, Chen An did not voice the most important reason.
It was because he did not belong to this world and would eventually depart.
Li Ye snorted, a little displeased, “You use that as an excuse every time. My entire family, back in the Capital, has never mistreated you for any reason!”
“If my sister weren’t so stubbornly dedicated, saying that one encounter with Chen An ruined her life, and remained despondent and tearful every day, how could I have humbled myself to ask you this many times!”
He grew more agitated as he spoke, not at Chen An, but at his own uncooperative sister.
To find a three-legged toad is difficult, but are four-legged men not everywhere?
Why must she cling to this crooked tree?
To this, Chen An could only offer an awkward laugh and brush it off.
Fortunately, Li Ye was not one to gloat when he had the upper hand. He had simply been stewing over this matter for too long and couldn’t help but vent.
He sighed and apologized, “Brother Chen, I got too emotional just now. Please don’t take it to heart.”
At this moment, City Lord Ma, who had been acting like a bystander, chimed in at the right time, his smile widening. “Alright, alright. Mister Chen is a rare guest at my City Lord’s mansion. You must have something you need our help with this time?”
He took the initiative to change the subject. City Lord Ma was very willing to help someone as valuable as Chen An.
The martial world was not about fighting and killing; it was about human connections and favors.
You help me, I help you, that’s the norm.
Seeing this, Chen An no longer delayed and stated his purpose.
He pondered for a moment, “City Lord Ma, it’s like this. I want to arrange for a child I adopted to attend the private school. What do you think?”
City Lord Ma was taken aback. He patted the flesh on his waist and chuckled heartily, “This is a small matter. Mister Chen can decide for himself.”
He then added, “If any students in the private school are disobedient, Mister Chen can discipline them as he sees fit, without needing my opinion.”
Chen An cupped his hands, “Thank you, City Lord Ma, in advance.”
City Lord Ma waved his hands cheerfully, “Silly things, all trivial matters. Come, come, since Mister Chen has finally decided to visit my City Lord’s mansion today, I must host you properly.”
Saying this, he pulled Chen An towards the main hall.
Chen An initially wanted to refuse, but the other party was too enthusiastic, and Li Ye also chimed in with kind persuasion. He relented.
At the table, the three drank together.
Chen An only had a few sips, while City Lord Ma and Li Ye did most of the drinking.
Especially Li Ye, the maid beside him, who continued to pour wine without stopping.
With slightly intoxicated eyes, Li Ye suddenly spoke of his future plans.
He looked at Chen An, his voice a little low.
“In two more days, I will be returning to the Capital.”
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere visibly became heavy.
Chen An smiled wryly, “Congratulations. Are you being reinstated?”
Li Ye and Chen An were both demoted to Guanping together. They were both key proponents of that vigorous reform back then.
A complex look flashed through Li Ye’s eyes. He sighed.
“My father still has some connections in the court. After some maneuvering, this return will not only be a reinstatement but also a promotion.”
Promotion and wealth should have been a great joy in life.
Yet, Li Ye showed no sign of happiness.
He unceremoniously slumped onto the table, mumbling.
“Why? Brother Chen is the one who should be returning to the Capital… Brother Chen is a talented man, he shouldn’t be buried in this small Guanping…”
“And I, Li Ye, what merit do I have… Heh.”
The man let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Chen An looked at him with a calm expression and said softly, “Brother Li, you are drunk.”
…
…
The next day was a warm and pleasant early morning.
As usual, Chen An combed Luo Cong’an’s hair, picked up the lesson plans from the side, and led the girl out of the courtyard gate.
In the past three years, Luo Cong’an had only left the house a handful of times.
If Chen An hadn’t taken her out with him, she would have been unwilling to go out alone for anything.
She would rather stay at home daydreaming, or like her teacher, lie on a bamboo chair and take a leisurely nap.
This made Chen An wonder if he had corrupted Luo Cong’an.
He had retired at twenty-something, and Luo Cong’an had fast-forwarded to retiring at ten-something…
It was now high summer, and the streets were bustling with people. From time to time, someone would turn to look at the two of them.
More accurately, they were looking at Luo Cong’an’s long, snowy white hair.
Occasionally, hushed whispers would reach their ears, but neither Chen An nor Luo Cong’an paid any mind.
Let those who love to gossip talk. Living one’s own life is enough.
(End of chapter)
