A bleak, cold wind blew.

Chen Ji stepped over the threshold of Chen Manor’s back hall and strode away without looking back.

Having been through many things, when Chen Ji looked back at Chen Wenxiao, he felt that the other person was merely a very small nuisance, like a tiny pebble on the road – he could kick it away or leave it. But Chen Ji held grudges.

Outside the back hall of Chen Manor, Chen Wenxiao was held down on a long bench by the servants, who hesitated to strike him. Standing on the steps, Chen Liqin said sternly, “Hit him! Why aren’t you hitting him?”

The two servants, holding their rods, exchanged a look, then secretly glanced at Madam Liang. Following their gaze to Madam Liang, Chen Liqin then rushed forward, snatched a rod, and struck Chen Wenxiao’s backside fiercely, asking, “What is ‘Benevolence’?”

Chen Wenxiao only cried out in pain and couldn’t answer the question. Or perhaps, even without the beating, he wouldn’t have known the answer. Beside him, Chen Wenzong murmured, “Confucius said, ‘The nature of mountains is benevolence; benevolence nurtures all things.’ Simplicity, generosity, sincerity towards others, and a willingness to help — this is benevolence.” Chen Liqin then struck again with the rod, “What is ‘Righteousness’?”

Chen Wenxiao sobbed loudly, “Righteousness… loyalty to superiors, benevolence to subordinates!”

Chen Wenzong added, “Confucius said, ‘The superior man understands what is right; the inferior man understands what will sell.’ Wealth and honor obtained through unrighteousness are to me like floating clouds. Righteousness is conscience and morality.”

Chen Liqin struck again with the rod, “What is ‘Propriety’?”

This Luocheng Vice-Prefect usually worked on the riverbanks; if there was a flood, he would personally carry sandbags to reinforce the embankments. He was tanned dark and possessed immense strength in his hands. Chen Wenxiao was nearly breathless from the three blows and could barely manage to cry out, “Mother, Mother, save me—”

Before he finished, Chen Wenzong softly interjected, “When a father is kind, his son is filial; when an elder brother is friendly, his younger brother is respectful; when a ruler is benevolent, his ministers are righteous. There is distinction between husband and wife, proper order between old and young, and trust between friends. These social norms constitute propriety.”

Chen Liqin’s expression hardened when he heard the phrase “father is kind, son is filial,” and he struck with the rod again, no longer asking the remaining questions.

Chen Wenxiao, sprawled on the bench, wailed loudly, “Father, something is amiss! Chen Ji just returned, and Yun Yang and Jiao Tu showed up right away; he must have colluded with them!”

Chen Liqin knew that Jiao Tu and Yun Yang had come to warn him. This was not something Chen Ji could interfere with, so it naturally had nothing to do with him. He flew into a rage, “How dare you slander your own brother!”

Madam Liang, seeing his furious expression, quickly stepped forward, “My lord—”

Chen Liqin snarled, “No one is allowed to intercede for this beast today!”

Madam Liang paused for two seconds, then hastily said, “I am not begging for Wenxiao’s forgiveness. I now understand that Wenxiao has committed a grave error and wronged Chen Ji. I will certainly make it up to him in the future. Wenxiao, quickly apologize to your father!”

Chen Wenxiao hurriedly cried out, “Father, your son knows he was wrong! Your son will never dare again!”

Chen Liqin’s expression softened slightly, and the rod in his hand slowed its descent. “Chen Ji lost his mother when he was young; that is already a misfortune. How could you, as his elder brother, bear to treat him like this? Furthermore, over the years, you’ve incurred massive gambling debts and picked up bad habits. Before the imperial examination, you will be confined to the house and forbidden from going out alone again!”

Madam Liang agreed, “My lord, rest assured, I will strictly supervise Wenxiao and absolutely not allow him to leave the manor by a single step. As for Chen Ji, I will certainly be more attentive to him, find him the best tutor, arrange the most suitable marriage, provide him with the finest clothing and provisions, and his monthly allowance will be the same as Wenzong and Wenxiao’s.”

Chen Liqin’s expression softened again, and the rod remained suspended in mid-air, finally not falling.

Seeing his father stop, Chen Wenxiao immediately took the easy way out, scrambling up from the bench, “Father, don’t worry, your son will certainly turn over a new leaf from now on.”

Chen Wenzong frowned, “Who told you to get up?” With that, he rolled up his sleeves, took the rod from Chen Liqin’s hand, and struck fiercely, “What is ‘Wisdom’?”

Chen Wenxiao howled, “Ah! Brother, what are you doing?!”

Chen Wenzong angrily demanded, “I asked you, what is ‘Wisdom’? Answer me!”

Just then, another servant came hurrying over, “My lord, Prefect Zhang has brought his children to visit.”

Chen Liqin frowned, “What is he doing here?”

The servant lowered his head, “This humble one does not know, nor did Master Zhang say.”

Chen Liqin raised a hand to stop Chen Wenzong, “Don’t rush to strike him. We don’t want outsiders to witness a spectacle.”

But Chen Wenzong ignored him, simply took the rod, and struck again, “What is ‘Trustworthiness’?”

Seeing this, Chen Liqin sighed inwardly. He instructed Madam Liang, “I will go to the gate to greet them. Do not let Zhang Zhuo come to the back hall.”

Chen Ji walked along the secluded winding path towards the back residence. He returned to Listening Spring Courtyard, surveyed the courtyard filled with broken tiles and green bricks, and then sat down on an intact green brick, lost in thought.

Dark Cloud lightly leaped onto his lap and meowed, “Are you satisfied now?”

Chen Ji propped his chin, his gaze fixed on a corner of the courtyard, and replied casually, “There’s nothing to be satisfied about. People like Chen Liqin can’t bring themselves to be truly harsh with Chen Wenxiao, and Madam Liang is articulate and won’t let anything serious happen to him. As the saying goes, ‘spoiled children come from indulgent parents.’ If they had only been willing to be strict, Chen Wenxiao wouldn’t be like this.”

Dark Cloud thought for a moment, “Then I’ll go lick all their snacks later, and then poop on Chen Wenxiao’s pillow!”

Chen Ji’s respect was immediate, “Ferocious!”

“Hehehe.”

“Hehehe.”

At this moment, Dark Cloud looked at the messy courtyard, “What about this place? If you clean it alone, it might take two or three days, right?”

Chen Ji chuckled, “No need. Someone will clean it.”

Dark Cloud seemed surprised, “Are there such good people in Chen Manor?”

Chen Ji stroked its head, “Don’t worry, we’ll be dealing with the Chen family often from now on. I’ll teach them how to be good people.”

At the entrance of Chen Manor, Chen Liqin bowed and greeted, “Master Zhang, we have been neighbors for several years, yet you are still a rare guest at my Chen Manor. What brings you here today?”

Zhang Zhuo said with a smile, “Master Chen, your words are veiled with sarcasm. If outsiders heard them, they might think our Luocheng Prefectural Office has been at odds for a long time. Zhang Zheng, Zhang Xia, quickly present the gifts we brought, lest Master Chen again criticize our Zhang family for our lack of manners.”

Chen Liqin’s beard twitched. “Why must Master Zhang speak so mockingly?”

Zhang Zhuo laughed heartily, “Master Chen, you’re overthinking it. This official isn’t here to visit you.”

Chen Liqin’s expression soured. “Then what is Master Zhang’s purpose in coming?”

Zhang Zhuo asked curiously, “Today, the yamen had no urgent business, so I went to Taiping Medical Clinic to find Chen Ji for a game of chess. But when I arrived, I saw the clinic was locked and sealed. I thought about it carefully, he had nowhere else to go, so he must have returned to Chen Manor—has he returned?”

Chen Liqin breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, he has returned and settled in the manor.”

Zhang Zhuo uttered a long “Oh,” and pulling Chen Liqin by the arm, walked inside as if he were the master of Chen Manor. “Come, Master Chen, lead me to him.”

Chen Liqin frowned.

Zhang Zhuo, as if not seeing his expression, chuckled teasingly, “Master Chen, he held many grievances against Chen Manor before and stubbornly refused to return. Now that he has finally come back, you, as his father, must not be confused again.”

Chen Liqin was slightly annoyed. “I naturally know how to be a parent; I don’t need Master Zhang to teach me.”

Zhang Zhuo stroked his beard. “Heh, then I spoke out of turn.”

Chen Liqin led Zhang Zhuo further into the manor, where Madam Liang and two maids were already waiting on the path. She loosely cupped her hands, performing a deep bow by her right ribs, “Master Zhang.”

Zhang Zhuo smiled, “My dear sister-in-law, my wife often thinks of inviting you to the Tuoluo Temple to burn incense and pray for blessings. When our families have free time, we should visit more often and not let you get bored staying cooped up in this Chen Manor.”

Madam Liang smiled faintly, “As Master Zhang commands.”

Zhang Zhuo said no more, continuing to pull Chen Liqin further inside.

Madam Liang asked curiously, “My lord, where are you taking Master Zhang?”

Chen Liqin explained, “Master Zhang previously formed a bond with Chen Ji at Taiping Medical Clinic, and they became chess friends despite their age difference. He is here now to find Chen Ji for a game of chess to relieve boredom. Madam, please prepare good tea and send it to Chen Ji’s residence shortly. Do not neglect Master Zhang.”

Madam Liang’s expression subtly changed, and she bowed again. “This concubine understands. However, Chen Ji’s place has only just been occupied, and I’m afraid there aren’t enough tables and chairs for so many people. Perhaps, my lord, you could lead Master Zhang to the study, and I will call Chen Ji over there.”

Zhang Zhuo looked thoughtful.

Before he could speak, Zhang Xia suddenly said, “Aunt, there’s no need to trouble yourself. I am acquainted with Chen Ji, and it would be more comfortable for us to go to his courtyard.”

Madam Liang smiled gently, “Second Miss Zhang, you are an unmarried maiden; it might be inappropriate to go to Chen Ji’s quarters.”

Zhang Xia glanced at Madam Liang, then smiled sweetly, “Aunt, you worry too much. I have my father and elder brother accompanying me. If anyone dares to gossip, my father and brother will flay them.”

Zhang Zheng chimed in cheerfully, “Exactly!”

Just then, wails echoed from deeper within the manor. Zhang Xia looked around, searching for the source of the sound, “What is that noise? Is Chen Manor punishing servants today?”

Chen Liqin’s face fell, and he hastily led the way forward. “Today, some servants in the manor violated rules, and the housekeeper is currently disciplining them. Master Zhang, please come this way.”

The group passed through several deep courtyards and arrived at the entrance of Listening Spring Courtyard.

Chen Liqin pushed the door open and walked in, only to see Chen Ji sitting on two green bricks, holding Dark Cloud, lost in thought. At this moment, Chen Liqin stared at the ruined courtyard, standing frozen.

Zhang Zhuo was also startled. He walked into the courtyard, looked left and right, then quickly took a few steps and pushed open the wooden door of the main house, revealing tables, chairs, and benches haphazardly piled inside. He turned back, stunned. “Master Chen, if your Chen Manor cannot accommodate a concubine’s son, then let him be adopted into my family. My Zhang Manor can accommodate him.”

Chen Liqin opened his mouth but remained speechless for a long time. He slowly looked at Chen Ji, his throat dry. “You—”

Chen Ji hastily stood up. “Master Chen, I did not expect such esteemed guests. I apologize for the lack of propriety—I will clean the courtyard immediately.”

Chen Liqin leaned against the doorframe, staring at Madam Liang for a long time. After weighing his options, he slowly said, “It must be that the manor servants misunderstood the arrangements.”

Madam Liang understood. She immediately said sharply to a maid, “Summon the housekeeper! I clearly arranged for Chen Ji to stay in Mingquan Courtyard. Why did he bring Chen Ji to Listening Spring Courtyard? Is this how he usually manages things?”