Free Web NovelChapter 43: Chapter 43: Making Peace
On the afternoon of the second day of the running banquet.
At the height of the festivities, an unexpected figure appeared at the gate of the Chen Family’s courtyard.
The clan Patriarch, Chen Xingjia, entered unsteadily, leaning on an Ebony Walking Stick.
A forced smile was plastered on his face, but it couldn’t hide the trace of awkwardness in his eyes.
Even more eye-catching was Chen Yongquan, who followed closely by his side.
Chen Yongquan was a whole size thinner than before. His eyes were sunken, his cheekbones high, and his once-sturdy frame now seemed somewhat stooped, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
A few Chen Family clansmen near the gate were stunned for a moment. Then, someone snapped out of it and hurried forward to greet them. "Third Grand-Uncle, you’ve come! Please, come in, come in!"
Chen Xingjia nodded slightly and, with Chen Yongquan’s support, walked in with a somewhat unsteady gait.
The bustling courtyard quieted down in an instant, all eyes focusing on the father and son.
Everyone in the clan had known for years that Chen Yongquan’s family and Chen Li’s family did not get along.
With their arrival, no one knew what might happen next.
A flicker of surprise also crossed Chen Li’s eyes, but he quickly returned to normal. Setting down his wine cup, he went to greet them, his face still wearing the polite smile of a host. "Third Grand-Uncle, we couldn’t possibly trouble you to come in person. Please, take the seat of honor."
"Heh heh, with Young Li taking a new concubine, how could this old man not come to ask for a cup of wine?"
Chen Xingjia coughed twice, the smile deepening the wrinkles on his face. He gestured for Chen Yongquan to present a gift. "Just a small token. I hope you won’t find it too shabby."
Chen Yongquan cleared his throat, his voice now a bit louder. "Nephew Li! Congratulations, congratulations!"
Chen Li glanced at Chen Yongquan and smiled, cupping his hands. "The joy is mutual. Please, take your seats."
Chen Yongquan’s smile froze. He knew there was a hidden barb in Chen Li’s words and immediately fell silent, looking abashed.
Chen Xingjia took the initiative and tugged on Chen Li’s sleeve. "Young Li, I have something to say to you."
Chen Li accepted the gift, thanked them, and led Chen Xingjia to the seat of honor.
Chen Xingjia sat down, took the wine Chen Li offered, and took a small sip. He then sighed with deep emotion. "Young Li, back when your father came to my house to sell your fields, I was certain your branch of the family was headed for ruin. I never expected it to prosper so much in your hands. This old man is truly happy for your grandfather, from the bottom of my heart."
"You praise me too much, Third Grand-Uncle," Chen Li replied modestly.
"You, you are a true talent!"
Chen Xingjia sighed, paused, and glanced at Chen Yongquan, who sat beside him with his head bowed in silence. Only then did he continue slowly, "Our two families... we’ve had many misunderstandings in the past. We’ve stumbled along for many years, not just a day or two. But we are all part of the same Chen Family. Even when a bone is broken, it’s still connected by the sinews.
"At the end of the day, we’re all one family, with blood passed down from the same ancestor. In the past, Yongquan and his lot were foolish. They did many wrong things and caused you a great deal of suffering. Now, he’s learned his lesson. After being locked up in jail for all this time, he has repented.
"This old man has shamelessly come here today to apologize in front of everyone. Let all the past unpleasantness dissolve in this cup of wine. Let’s smile and let bygones be bygones. From now on, let’s work together with one heart, make our fortunes through harmony, and seek common development. Wouldn’t you say that’s the right way to go?"
His cloudy old eyes stared intently at Chen Li, filled with pleading, but also with a faint, imperceptible hint of probing.
Chen Yongquan’s head sank even lower, his hands, resting on his knees, trembled slightly.
Chen Li held his wine cup, his fingers gently tracing its rim. His face was expressionless, but inwardly, he was sneering.
’Let bygones be bygones?’
’This old fox. He seems to be bowing his head and suing for peace, but I’m afraid it’s just an expedient measure forced by the circumstances.’
’If he really wanted to atone, he should show the proper attitude for it.’
’Does he think he can just say a few pretty words and wipe the slate clean?’
’I’d be a fool to believe him!’
However, today was a day of great celebration for him, and Chen Li had no desire for a public falling-out. He raised his cup and drained it in one gulp. "As fellow clansmen of the Chen Family, harmony should naturally be our priority. I am not a narrow-minded person. You need not worry, Patriarch."
Chen Li drank the wine but chose not to clink cups with them. He had given Chen Xingjia a way to save face, but he had not given the slightest indication of forgiveness.
Chen Xingjia could only give an awkward laugh. "Young Li, it’s even better that you’re willing to let go of past grievances. This old man thanks you."
With that, he raised his own cup and drained it as well.
The banquet lasted for three days, and the guests gradually dispersed.
After the clamor, the residence returned to its usual tranquility.
「Night.」
Chen Li was practicing his techniques alone in the study.
Suddenly, there was a soft knock on the door, and Chen Shouheng’s head peeked in. "Dad, you’re not with Aunt Liu?"
Because their father was taking a concubine, the two boys, Shouheng and Shouye, had taken leave from the martial arts school to come home and had not yet returned.
Chen Li laughed and cursed, "You little rascal, if you have something to say, spit it out!"
Chen Shouheng lowered his voice, speaking in a conspiratorial whisper. "Dad, a new brothel just opened in the county town. It’s called the Drunken Creek Pavilion, and it’s incredibly magnificent. I hear the girls inside are all national beauties, talented in every art."
Chen Li was suspicious. "You little rascal, what are you telling me this for? Have you forgotten how your grandfather died? This is the prime time for you to be practicing your martial arts. You are forbidden from going to that place and ruining your vital Yang. Otherwise, I will not let you off lightly." freewёbnoνel.com
"Dad, you’ve wronged me!" Chen Shouheng immediately cried foul. "I just wanted to tell you that the brothel... it seems to be Chen Zhengping’s project. He’s the Chief Steward there. That guy is putting on quite a show these days, acting all high and mighty."
Drunken Creek Pavilion, Chen Zhengping.
Chen Li’s expression changed slightly. "Who is the owner behind this brothel? Do you know?"
"Rumor has it the owner behind the scenes is the Songjiang Jiang Family."
"The Songjiang Jiang Family?"
Chen Li’s eyes narrowed slightly. He instantly recalled the young master whom Chen Zhengping had served with fawning reverence that day at the Drunken Immortal Inn.
A look of contempt mixed with a trace of gravity appeared on Chen Shouheng’s face. "My senior brothers told me that the Jiang Family is the foremost influential clan in Songjiang Prefecture. They’ve been in Jiangzhou for hundreds of years, with deep and extensive roots, and they wield great influence in both the Court and the Jianghu. Since Chen Zhengping managed to become the Chief Steward of the Drunken Creek Pavilion, he must have latched onto a high branch of the Jiang Family. Dad, you need to be careful."
Chen Li nodded. A few days ago, when he saw that Chen Yongquan had been sprung from jail, he’d had his suspicions.
After all, with Liu Wende keeping an eye on things for him, that was no easy hurdle to overcome. To get out, they must have found a powerful backer.
Hearing his eldest son’s words today, he immediately realized what was going on.
But on second thought, something felt strange.
’If the Jiang Family is their backer, why would the Jingwu Bureau close the Tu Sandao case so hastily?’
’And why leave Chen Yongquan to rot in jail, only to fish him out later?’
’There must be a reason for all this that I don’t know about.’
Seeing the odd look on Chen Shouheng’s face, he couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong with you?"
"Dad, did you take care of Tu Sandao?" Chen Shouheng pressed.
"No."
Chen Li glanced at him. He wasn’t surprised that his eldest son had figured it out.
After all, before making his move, he had asked him for information.
However, he had no intention of telling the little rascal the truth, lest his loose lips get him into trouble.
"Dad, don’t try to hide it from me," Chen Shouheng said, his young face twisting into a long, drawn-out sigh.
Seeing him put on an expression of "I’m so disappointed in you, Dad," Chen Li was both amused and exasperated. "Alright, what are you getting at?"
Chen Shouheng’s eyes darted around, and he chuckled. "Dad, do you have any more Divine Skill Secret Manuals? If you don’t pass them on to me soon, I’ll be an old man."
"No. Just focus on mastering your Tiger Subduing Fist and don’t get distracted. If you run out of Nine-Turns Essence Rejuvenation Marrow Heart Pills, just come home and get more." frёeωebɳovel.com
Chen Li chided him irritably before adding a warning, "While you’re in the county town, keep a close eye on Chen Zhengping when you have the time. The feud between his family and ours won’t be resolved that easily. You must be extremely careful in everything you do."
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