Chapter 10: Do You Still Remember Chen Yi from Duke Wu'an Mansion?

Upon hearing the sound, Chen Yi turned his head to look over.

From the light of the fire on the city tower, he saw a middle-aged man surrounded by Black-armored guards in the distance.

At this moment, the supreme ruler of the Wei Dynasty was donning black armor with gold accents, his figure tall and imposing, his expression dignified as he held a magnificent longsword at his waist, striding forward like a dragon.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Chen Yi was awestruck and, following the guards, fell to his knees. It was only when his feet touched the ground did he belatedly realize what was happening and hurriedly performed a respectful salute, calling out, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

However, his voice came a bit late, and with a childish tone, he instantly shattered the solemn atmosphere.

The emperor himself found it amusing and took an extra look at him, raising his hand and saying, "No need for formalities."

"Thank Your Majesty!"

Chen Yi looked up to meet his gaze, thinking he was in big trouble.

Would this emperor remember him now?

Just now, he was only counting how many jewels were inlaid on the sword and forgot to salute.

It really wasn't his intention to stand out!

But as he feared, whatever you fear will come to pass. The emperor seemed to recognize him and Xia Wanwan's identities, walking straight over and touching his head to ask:

"Are you Chen Yuan or Chen Yi?"

"Your Majesty, this is the young child Chen Yi," Xia Wanwan answered, her face turning pale as she hurriedly responded.

Emperor Wei smiled and told her not to be nervous, calming her down. Then, he continued looking at Chen Yi and asked:

"How old are you?"

"Your Majesty, I am two and a half years old."

Chen Yi, though a bit nervous, still replied according to the education of the etiquette teacher.

"Do you want to make your father happy?"

"Yes."

Chen Yi looked at the amiable Emperor Wei, feeling puzzled, unable to grasp his thoughts.

But upon hearing his answer, the emperor lifted him up instantly and strode to the principal seat on the city tower. Looking down at Chen Taiping, he said with a smile:

"Duke Wuan, guess who this is?"

Chen Taiping was taken aback, then glared at Chen Yi and said, "Your Majesty, the child likes to be mischievous. If he has offended Your Majesty, please forgive him."

Chen Yi rolled his eyes. How could he, being so well-behaved and sensible, seek his own death?

This was merely an accident!

"Ha ha ha… I knew you would say that."

The smile of Emperor Wei remained unchanged: "Originally, I was pondering what kind of reward could make you all dedicate yourselves unswervingly to defend the border for Great Wei."

"After seeing Yi Er, I thought of it."

"I have decided that from today, each of you may select a child, who will be supported and nurtured by the court."

"So, you may know that if you are guarding the border for me, for the people of Great Wei, then neither I nor Great Wei will treat you unfairly!"

Having said this, Emperor Wei paused briefly and scanned the room with a commanding gaze:

"Not only the Wuan Army but also all Border Soldiers will enjoy this national policy!"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only the soldiers outside the city but even Chen Yi was stunned by the emperor's generous gesture.

He was just a few seconds late for a salute; was such a grand gesture really necessary?

This national policy benefiting all the border soldiers was a direct hit on their vital interests.

Not only would it allow them to guard the border without distractions, but it would also incite them to fight with all their might.

Most importantly, Emperor Wei specifically mentioned his name when announcing the reward.

Chen Yi could imagine the scene where the soldiers, while expressing their gratitude to Emperor Wei, would incidentally thank him as well.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sure enough, Chen Taiping immediately knelt down, along with the Black-armored soldiers behind him, shouting long live the emperor.

Furthermore, the Military Generals on the city tower, each and every one of them couldn't stop smiling.

Even though they did not lack resources, with such a reward announced, the soldiers under their command in future battles would surely fight desperately.

However, in addition to their happiness, what the Military Generals envied more was Chen Taiping.

Damn it—why couldn't the Holy Emperor announce such news when they were away?

Wouldn't this make the son of Duke Wuan overjoyed?

And Chen Yi…

Well, after going back, they must inquire if there was a suitable girl to arrange a child's betrothal right away!

"Is Yi Er satisfied with my decision?"

Watching Emperor Wei's smiley face, Chen Yi nodded repeatedly, not daring to say a word.

He had already stood out and received favor; any further performance might make this supreme figure remember him even more.

He didn't want to, not yet of age, be like those famous young men in previous historical lives to take office early.

It's a swift way to die!

Not long after, the sound of military drums filled the air.

"The army sets out!"

"Wishing Duke Wuan triumphant victories!"

...

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed since Duke Wuan led the army north to guard the borders.

Early in the morning, when it was still dark, Chen Yi, still groggy, heard a hubbub outside and reluctantly pulled the blanket over his head.

Damn it!

How many suitors have come knocking at this point?!

Ever since Emperor Wei announced his intention to foster heirs for the border soldiers, the threshold of Duke Wu'an Mansion had been trodden through twice.

Even if Xia Wanwan refused time after time, the wives of the nobility from the Capital City kept coming incessantly.

At first, they were somewhat restrained, visiting under the pretense of social calls, while conveniently bringing some gifts along.

Later, they didn't even bother to pretend.

Gifts kept arriving one box after another, and their mouths didn't stop with "adding relatives to relatives" and "Xiao Chenyi is clever and sensible" and so on.

In one sentence—dear mother-in-law, when can we choose a lucky day to fix a marriage for the two children?

Every time he heard this, Chen Yi wanted to chase them out.

In his heart, he not only secretly cursed Emperor Wei's ability to win people over but also blamed the third lady of Prince Zhenbei.

If she hadn't set a bad precedent, how could it have come to this?

But there was nothing to be done.

Not to mention those nobles who came to propose wouldn't care about him, even Xia Wanwan was somewhat swayed by being bombarded in succession.

Every three to five days, she would come to ask for his opinion.

"Yi Er, Duke Xing's daughter Lin Xueru is of similar age to you, gentle and virtuous, smart and sensible, with an excellent Martial Arts talent..."

"Mother, do you believe this?"

Chen Yi interrupted Xia Wanwan's reading of the betrothal letter, helplessly saying: "A girl barely three years old, she probably hasn't even taken etiquette lessons, how can she be virtuous?"

"And about Martial Arts talent... she hasn't even reached the Foundation Establishment evaluation yet."

Xia Wanwan also had a headache, looking at him with a troubled expression.

"Your mother is at a loss too, they are just too enthusiastic."

"Just say that I haven't reached Martial Arts Foundation Establishment, and am not considering marriage for the time being," Chen Yi proposed after some thought.

"So, when you reach Foundation Establishment, should mother choose a marriage for you?"

"…when that time comes, just say that I'm going to take the Grand Void Sect's entrance exam and discuss it after I return."

Just an excuse to procrastinate; is it difficult to get married, or is it not easy to refuse?

"Yi Er is so clever."

Xia Wanwan understood immediately, her expression much more relaxed.

"You eat the fruit first, I'm going to discuss this with your aunt!"

After she left, Chen Yuan came over, curiosity all over his face.

"Second brother, what is a betrothal?"

Chen Yi took a mango, and while eating, he explained:

"It's like you find a female ancestor to bring back home, you not only have to give her a dowry, but you also have to indulge her and be good to her."

"Whatever she says you have to listen, if she tells you to go east, you can't go west, if she tells you..."

"Ah?!"

Chen Yuan was startled, clutching his little head and shaking it all over.

"No more no more, I don't want to get betrothed!"

Chen Yi thought to himself, that's right not to want it.

Women only affect the speed of drawing your sword, with no benefits whatsoever...

Just at that moment, a light screen emerged.

[Rebellion Point: 100/100]

[Spend Rebellion Points to issue a rebellion mission—do you still remember Chenyi of Duke Wuan Mansion?]

[At thirty-one, having made some progress, you hear news of her again, thinking back to that day's broken engagement...]