Chapter 996: The Social Hierarchy is Complete

The next day, Chen Xi went to Liu Bei’s residence early in the morning. So early, in fact, that Liu Bei was a bit surprised to see him. It wasn’t like Chen Xi to rise so early. However, arriving too early did have its downsides—such as running into Lady Zhang…

Looking at the slightly shy Lady Zhang, Chen Xi remained expressionless. After all, it was only a matter of time. With so few maids around Liu Bei now, it was only natural that Lady Zhang would get her chance.

So, for once, Chen Xi took the initiative to bow respectfully to Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang, seeing that she couldn’t avoid him, returned the gesture with a bow of her own. Her heart settled as she realized that this gesture from Chen Xi effectively acknowledged her status. Otherwise, with Chen Xi’s rank, he wouldn’t have needed to bow first.

“Lord Chen, have you seen my daughter recently?” Lady Zhang asked with a hint of helplessness after bowing.

Chen Xi felt a bit awkward, unsure how to respond. The mention of Zhen Mi did shake him slightly, but he quickly composed himself. However, Lady Zhang had already noticed his reaction.

"Hmph, so he still cares about my poor daughter!" Lady Zhang thought with some dissatisfaction.

“Xuande, I’m going to make something for you to eat,” Lady Zhang said, bowing to Liu Bei without giving him any chance to feel embarrassed. After bowing, she quietly left the room.

“Lady Zhang, huh,” Chen Xi remarked, curling his lips. “I planned to gather all the aristocratic families together today for a discussion, and I thought about having you join, but now it seems unnecessary.”

“If I go, it will only make those families uneasy. Even if I say nothing and just sit there with my eyes closed, they’ll be on edge. But you—you’ll handle it well,” Liu Bei said with a wave, handing Chen Xi a cup of ginger tea that a maid had just served.

“Drink some. It’ll warm you up. It’s not easy traveling in the dead of winter,” Liu Bei said as he poured a cup of ginger tea for Chen Xi and handed it to him.

“By all rights, I should be moved to tears, but why don’t I feel anything special?” Chen Xi joked after taking a few sips of the tea.

“That’s because you’re not Lord Zhuye, you’re Chen Zichuan. And I’m not Lord Fanyang, I’m Liu Xuande. We’ve never changed,” Liu Bei replied with a laugh.

“Now go handle those restless aristocratic families. Once it’s done, I’ll be sure to reward you,” Liu Bei said, suddenly shifting the conversation.

“Yeah, I’ll take care of it. After all, the aristocratic families represent the elite class, and they do have their uses. I’ll make sure to give them a proper path forward,” Chen Xi said with a nod. Although he had great authority, there were still matters he needed to consult Liu Bei on, even if he knew Liu Bei would agree.

“Ahem, you’re not really planning to carve that inscription you talked about on the Xuanyuan Cauldron, are you?” Liu Bei coughed and asked.

“I absolutely will. It’s not just for the aristocrats, but for all the people. Regardless of whether the Xuanyuan Cauldron is symbolic or not, if carving on it means the people will remember, then I will definitely carve it,” Chen Xi said slowly. He didn’t care what the inscription was on, only that the spirit it carried would be remembered by the people.

“Well then, do as you wish. How many of the major aristocratic families will be attending this gathering?” Liu Bei asked, pondering Chen Xi’s words but deciding not to dwell on them. If it’s all benefit and no harm, why not do it?

“About seventy percent,” Chen Xi replied after thinking for a moment.

“Sometimes, timing is more important than effort. When the time comes, don’t forget to drip a bit of your blood onto the Xuanyuan Cauldron,” Liu Bei said quietly.

Chen Xi froze, slowly lifting his hand to study the lines on his fingers before responding, “Together, we’ll create an era far beyond anything history has ever imagined, a true golden age, not just spiritually, but materially as well.”

“I’ve never doubted that you could do it, Zichuan. Go ahead and do what you believe is right. I trust you are working for the good of the people, even if I can’t always see the full picture,” Liu Bei said confidently.

While Chen Xi and Liu Bei were laughing under the morning sky, a luxurious carriage slowly approached Ye City. A sturdy man whipped the horses, guiding the carriage steadily down the road.

“The gathering of the aristocrats, huh? How could the largest aristocratic family in the land be absent from such an event? I’m curious to see how Liu Xuande reacts when he sees me!” A slender man dressed in dark clothing lowered the curtain and muttered to himself.

“Let’s go. I want to see how the other aristocrats react when they meet me, the one who still props up the great families of this world,” came a cold, mocking voice from inside the carriage.

“Yes, my lord!” the rough-faced man said, cupping his fists in respect. His movements carried the sharp discipline of a soldier. If his master had resolved to come, how could he not follow? What did life or death matter?

“Onward. Call me when we arrive,” the man’s arrogant voice came from inside the carriage once more. Though he had never been to Ye City, it seemed as though he instinctively knew every detail of the layout.

Meanwhile, at Zhen’s Tavern, where Chen Shang and the others had spent the night, the group was just waking up. Yesterday’s casual conversations had managed to calm everyone’s nerves, but no one— not even the famously wise Xun Shuang—was sure how today would unfold. After all, Chen Xi was known for not playing by the rules.

“What’s that…” Xun Shuang happened to glance outside while freshening up, and he caught sight of a luxurious carriage slowly passing by. The intricate gold filigree and the delicate patterns that resembled flower petals, barely forming recognizable characters, left him in shock.

“Why is he here, and why is he making such a grand entrance?” Xun Shuang thought to himself, frowning deeply. That person was truly reckless when provoked!

“He’s as reckless as ever!” Cui Yan of the Cui family in Qinghe sneered as he watched the distant carriage, unconcerned about any potential trouble that might follow.

“It really is something only he would do. Should I call it madness, or a lack of thought?” Wang Chen muttered as he squinted at the retreating carriage. The Wang family of Taiyuan had only a couple of branches left, including his own.

“With him here, the full spectrum of the aristocracy is complete,” Chen Shang commented with a satisfied smile, entirely unbothered by the individual’s arrival. The Chen family now held a position of unshakeable stability, so he had nothing to worry about.

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