Preparing for the banquet within three days was actually a bit rushed. But Lady Bai thought that since they were afraid of attracting too much attention, it would be better to hold the banquet while the excitement was still high. Everyone knew that there was good news in the Marquis's Mansion. If they kept it hidden without any sign of celebration, it would only arouse suspicion that the Marquis's Mansion had some other schemes.
The Second Prince swaggered in through the main gate of the Marquis's Mansion to present his gifts. Then he boldly kicked open the door of Chen Tingfeng's courtyard and said, "The outside world is in an uproar, but you're lying here leisurely."
Chen Tingfeng was lying on a deck chair under a cypress tree, enjoying the sun. As soon as he heard the footsteps, he knew which shameless fellow had come. "It's so noisy. Close the door," he said calmly with his eyes open.
Xie Yan waved his hand, and Fuyun behind him immediately trotted over and gently closed the door, looking very proficient.
Xie Yan sat down beside him, crossing his legs like a lord, and said, "You've really made quite a stir this time."
When Chen Tingfeng became the top scholar in the provincial examination, there were whispers in the capital that it was really strange for a family of simple - minded military generals to produce a scholar. However, the title of the top scholar in the provincial examination was relatively small and didn't mean much to the powerful families in the capital. Who would have thought that he would become the top scholar in the metropolitan examination this year!
This really caused quite a commotion. After the metropolitan examination, there would be the palace examination. Winning two consecutive titles showed that Chen Tingfeng was not just lucky in obtaining his official rank but indeed had real talent! In the subsequent palace examination, he might very well win another title.
Who would dare to underestimate a young man who might achieve the honor of "passing three imperial examinations with first - place honors"? However, there were still some families in the capital waiting and watching. After all, the imperial examinations not only required talent but also luck. Who could be sure that Chen Tingfeng would continue to be successful?
Chen Tingfeng closed his eyes again and lazily nestled in the chair, feeling the warmth of the sun on his body. "There's an even bigger stir. Do you want to give it a try?"
Xie Yan glanced at him, and his voice lowered. "Do you really want to become the top scholar in the palace examination?"
He didn't come just to offer his congratulations. He also wanted to remind his friend that he was attracting too much attention at this time. Chen Tingfeng was his right - hand man. If he wanted to obtain that position, Chen Tingfeng was indispensable.
Chen Tingfeng opened his eyes and stared at him. Without his imposing manner, he looked quite harmless. But if one looked into his eyes, they could immediately feel the undercurrent beneath the glacier, like a resting tiger. Even when lazy, it was still dangerous.
Xie Yan awkwardly looked away. Chen Tingfeng naturally understood what he meant. He sat up and poured a cup of tea for him. "Drink some tea to clear your mind."
Xie Yan choked for a moment and angrily snatched the teacup. "When will you change your habit of speaking in riddles?"
Chen Tingfeng said slowly, "I won't change it."
At this time, Xie Yan realized that with Chen Tingfeng's cautious nature, he must have already had a plan in mind. How could he not know that he was attracting too much attention?
"Fine, fine. Do as you like," Xie Yan waved his folding fan. "That fellow Xie Guang has actually become a deputy general in a proper manner. When General Mao tried to let him take on some responsibilities, he declined."
When the teapot was empty, Chen Tingfeng boiled some more tea on the stove beside him. "As you said, it was just a trial. If he was so easily deceived, wouldn't he be too stupid?"
"What exactly did he say to the old emperor?" Xie Yan frowned. "I can't find out anything at all."
Although he had won over some officials, he didn't dare to go too far because the old emperor was still on the throne. Moreover, the old emperor was extremely afraid of death, so it was really difficult to get close to him.
The tea was bubbling with steam. Chen Tingfeng kept moving his hands and said casually with his head down, "It's difficult for you to find out because you're a man."
Xie Yan stopped waving his fan. "You mean..."
He thought to himself for a moment, then closed his fan and slapped his palm, smiling. "You're really smart."
After the matter was resolved, he got up and took a few steps. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and asked, "Does your family have any contact with the collateral relatives?"
Chen Tingfeng paused and looked up at him. "Who?"
"Your father's fourth younger brother, that stupid fellow who claims to be a scholar, came to visit. Didn't you know?" he said.
Xie Yan knew about Chen Yi. This man was quite well - known in the capital. He always boasted that he was a scholar, pretending to be noble while doing all kinds of despicable things. He spent most of the month in the brothel. Because he was generous, the girls in the brothel flattered him, and he really thought he was something special.
"What did he come for?" Chen Tingfeng frowned.
Xie Yan thought for a while and said, "It seems that he didn't come alone. He also brought a young girl. Could it be that he's here to give you a concubine again?"
When he mentioned this, Xie Yan couldn't help laughing.
A few years ago, Chen Tingfeng's self - restraint was far from what it was now. After Chen Yi tried to give him a concubine, Xie Yan watched as Chen Tingfeng's face gradually darkened until it was ashen.
That stupid Chen Yi was still proudly boasting about how beautiful the woman he had found was, not noticing that the poor girl was so frightened that she was almost peeing her pants.
If Lady Bai hadn't scolded him, Chen Tingfeng would have drawn his sword and killed Chen Yi on the spot.
Chen Tingfeng didn't think of this possibility. After that incident, he had secretly sent someone to beat Chen Yi up, scaring him so much that he didn't dare to leave his house for a month.
It was rare for Chen Tingfeng to encounter something unexpected, and he became a bit interested. He got up leisurely and was about to walk to the front yard.
Seeing that he was leaving, Xie Yan immediately felt that there would be a good show. He happily followed behind.
Chen Tingfeng glanced at him. "What? Has our Second Prince become an old woman at the village entrance?"
"Spit, spit, spit!" Xie Yan pointed at Chen Tingfeng and scolded. "Your mouth is really as poisonous as anything. Only I can stand you!"
Chen Tingfeng walked forward slowly, ignoring the man's antics beside him.
In the main courtyard, Lady Bai sat there with a cold face. Chen Xuan frowned and looked at his fourth younger brother. "If you have nothing to do, go and help your wife sort out the accounts. A grown man should be ashamed to let a woman support the family!"
Chen Yi's face immediately turned all sorts of colors, looking like a palette. It was quite a sight.
Chen Huanyun was also a bit embarrassed. Her mother had gone to the store today and hadn't come with them. So there was no one to talk. Seeing her useless father being silenced by a single sentence, she had to pluck up the courage and say, "Uncle, Auntie, I heard that cousin became the top scholar in the metropolitan examination, so I've come to present my congratulations."
Then she asked the maid behind her to bring up the gift, which was a set of excellent writing implements. She said somewhat shyly, "These are just some small gifts. I hope Uncle and Auntie won't mind."
Chen Xuan's expression softened a bit. "You're very considerate."
Among this family, only Chen Huanyun was tolerable.
Chen Xuan was always impatient with dealing with such matters. After saying a few polite words, he looked at Lady Bai and said, "I still have something to do in the barracks. I'll leave first."
Then he leaned closer and said in a voice that only they could hear, "If you really don't want to see this family, just drive them out. You don't need to worry about face."
Anyway, he had heard a lot of remarks over the years saying that he, Chen Xuan, had forgotten his relatives after achieving success. But what could they do to him?
Lady Bai gave a relieved smile. "I know what to do."