Chapter 27: Shifting Blame

  He Ti came with a fierce momentum and kicked Chen Jing's chest with his foot.

  After being blocked by Chen Jiong, he became even more furious and shouted: "You scoundrel, I'll beat you to death today, let you be greedy for wealth and harm people!" He knew that Chen Jiong only wanted to treat He Zhen because of the diagnosis fee.

  Now, He Zhen somehow ended up being thrown into the water by them.

  Perhaps He Zhen was unwilling to be rescued and a struggle ensued, causing him to be pushed into the water?

  He Zhen is suffering from a cold, and he's most afraid of the cold. Now that he's fallen into the water and gotten so wet, he can't even be sure if he'll survive. He now wants to kill Chen Jing to avenge his own death.

  He rushed towards Chen Jing.

  Chen Jiong's toes touched the ground, and he dodged again. Chen Jiong had practiced martial arts in his past life, and when he came to this time and space, he carried water for half a year. Although he didn't have the same level of martial arts skills as before, his movements were still more agile than those of ordinary people. Even if his opponent was stronger, Chen Jiong wouldn't be at a disadvantage since they didn't know any martial arts.

  He's gone crazy.

  He was dodged by Chen Jiong twice, and Ge Tie's temples were bulging with veins.

  When he pounced again, Chen Jiong not only dodged but also kicked him in the foot, sending He Ti tumbling to the ground, where he got a mouthful of mud.

  Everyone present, including Chen Er, stared at Chen Jing in astonishment.

  Chen Jingyi was tall and thin, He Taiyang was big and strong, originally there was no suspense in winning or losing.

  He was no match for the robust man, couldn't even get close to Chen Xiang's body, and every time he was narrowly dodged by Chen Xiang, and was kicked to the ground by Chen Xiang.

  "Does this child know some martial arts?" Shen Changyu and Hu Zhen thought in their hearts, "It turns out that Chen's children not only read books but also practice martial arts..."

  "Who is this?" Chen Er could no longer be certain if he knew Chen Jing.

  Chen Qi was shocked and couldn't think of anything, his mind went completely blank.

  He Ti, covered in mud, scrambled to his feet and let out a loud roar, ready to attack Chen Jing again. Originally, he had been consumed by anger and lost all reason because of what Chen Jing had done to his brother; now, having suffered a setback, his anger was burning even more fiercely, and he had completely lost all sense of rationality, forgetting that his brother's life or death was still uncertain.

  When people are angry, they become impulsive like animals and lose their normal thinking.

  He Tui has grown up so big, for the first time he was so angry, his usual calm and composed self was nowhere to be seen.

  "Stop it!" Chen Er shouted loudly, "Are you going to stop He Zhen or keep beating him?"

  These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head, extinguishing He Ti's anger and suddenly waking him up.

  He hastily turned back, picked up He Zhen and ran out. After a few steps, he suddenly turned his head, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light, and said to Chen Jing: "Wait for me to settle the water curve, then I'll find you to settle the account, tell your sister-in-law to prepare the coffin!"

  Then he hugged He Zhen and left with a long stride.

  The few people left in the room remained silent.

  The Luoshui Pavilion is so quiet it takes your breath away.

  Shen Changyu and Hu Zhen were outsiders, encountering this unexpected situation, they were already quite embarrassed. If they didn't leave now, when Chen Er scolded his two younger brothers, it would be even more embarrassing.

  Hu Zhen forced out a few dry smiles, and stepped forward to say to Chen Er: "...... The child was just playing around, and it wasn't intentional that he pushed that young man into the lake. Don't blame him too much. We'll take our leave now."

  Shen Changyu also bid farewell in a hurry.

  Two people left from Luoshui Lake.

  As Shen Changyu and Hu Zhen walked away, Chen Er put away the forced smile he had mustered up, his face tense as he stared at Chen Qi and Chen Jing, his eyebrows furrowed in anger, shouting: "Kneel down!"

  Chen Qi let out a loud "Hmph" and knelt down with a crisp movement.

  Chen Jiong hesitated for a moment.

  He hesitated for a moment and finally chose not to kneel down. Because Chen Er was just his brother, not an elder. Chen Jing was respectful, but thinking about it again, he felt no need to kneel to Chen Er.

  Chen Er's eyes narrowed as he gazed at Chen Xuan, knowing that he had no intention of repenting. His fists clenched tightly, and a cold smile spread across his face. "Fine, since you're asking for it, Second Brother can't control you! You've gone too far today, and even your sister-in-law can't protect you. I'll hand you over to the clan leader. If anything happens to He Zhen, don't expect me to cover for you - you'll have to answer for yourself!"

  The current head of the Chen family is Big Uncle.

  Chen Qi gave Chen Jing a meaningful glance.

  Chen Jing ignored Chen Qi and only exchanged glances with Chen Er.

  He smiled and said, "Second brother, don't worry. He Zhenyun will be unconscious for half a day to one day. At the latest, he will wake up in a day."

  "When he wakes up, his chronic illness will be completely cured. Second brother, please pass a message to the He family for me: if they want to make trouble in Qiwan Alley, it's better to wait two more days. Otherwise, if He Zhen really recovers, they won't be able to afford the compensation."

  These words sound arrogant and boastful.

  Chen Er was so angry that his head hurt.

  The silent Chen Jiong is actually more despicable than Chen Qi!

  Chen Er was really angered by Chen Jing's words and for a moment couldn't say anything else.

  Chen Jiong didn't wait for Chen Er to say anything else, and smiled, saying: "Second brother must help me pass on the message. Otherwise, if it really gets to Qī Wān Xiàng, my sister-in-law will go report to the authorities. My brother is a scholar-official..."

  Chen Er almost vomited blood after hearing this.

  He let He's family stay away from Qiwan Lane, not because he was afraid of trouble, but for the sake of He's family.

  He's a merchant, at the bottom of the four peoples, but the seventh alley is the home of the imperial examination scholar, with a much higher status than He's family. If reported to the authorities, the county government would have to intervene, and things would get out of hand.

  The Chen and He families are also in-laws, making a scene, others watch the excitement without fear of heights, following the commotion, both the Chen and He families lose face.

  The tragedy has been brewing and any fight or killing should be mediated through the Chen family and He's private settlement.

  If the He family makes trouble to the Li family in Qiwan Lane, the Li family will not suffer a loss and will definitely report to the authorities. Once the trouble starts, everyone's face will be lost, adding laughter, and it will not be good for everyone's reputation.

  "Second Brother, I'll head back first." Chen Jiong gave Chen Er a salute and turned around to leave as well.

  Chen Er's face was gloomy, gazing at Chen Jing's distant back, his eyes sank like cold ice.

  After a moment, Chen Er came back to his senses and saw that Chen Qi was still kneeling. He let out a cold snort.

  The whole lake was left with just the two brothers.

  Chen Er didn't wake up Chen Qi, but asked him: "Today's matter, was it you who stirred it up? Why did you push He Zhen into the river? If you can't explain the reason, you can't escape a beating."

  He gave Chen Qi an opportunity, letting Chen Qi first fabricate the story and shift the blame to Chen Jing's head. When their father asked about it later, the brothers covered for each other well.

  Chen Er often covers up for Chen Qi, this is their tacit understanding.

  But this time, there's no need for cover-up, because the whole incident was planned by Chen Jiong.

  Chen Qi knelt down and told Chen Er everything: "...... He said the He family had money, so he was going to go cure He Zhen's illness. He also deceived me, saying that he would first tease He Zhen and then cure his illness. Who knew that his teasing was actually curing the illness? I just found out, and now I want to find him and settle accounts."

  "Turn back and tell your father, you should say it like this too." Chen Er said coldly.

  Chen Qi is really wronged.

  "Second brother, it's true this time, I'm not lying. The matter was stirred up by Zhang and his gang, they want the He family's medical gold. Zhang has read medical books, he fakes illnesses, one fake after another, all accurate, extremely lucky." Chen Qi hastily explained.

  Then he told Chen Er everything about Chen Jing's affair in Wanjun Pavilion.

  Because of Wan Jun Ge's concealment and Chen Er not being a frequent visitor to the pleasure quarters, he hadn't heard any rumors.

  Chen Er listened and slightly frowned, hesitantly asking: "Really?"

  "It's true!" Chen Qi guaranteed, "Second Brother can go and ask around. At that time, Liu Dafu and Nai Dafu were also present, they all know that I absolutely do not lie. After taking the prescription, it really cured Xiwen's illness. Because of this, Wanniang even allowed me and Yang to enter Xiwen's room to listen to the qin..."

  No wonder Chen Qi and Chen Jing have been getting along so well lately.

  Chen Er was previously puzzled, Chen Qi had been so happy recently because of what reason, it turned out that his long-cherished wish to see Xiwen finally came true. Chen Qi also unusually got close with Chen Xuan, now it seems, it's all because of this matter.

  So it seems Chen Qi didn't lie after all.

  Could it be that Chen Jiong is really a natural-born genius, and after reading a few medical books he can cure illnesses?

  Last time San Shu was ill, Grandfather also said, "Although the medicine is extremely simple, only a highly skilled doctor can turn simplicity into magic." Grandfather must have thought that Chen Jiong had read through medical books and had a natural talent in this area.

  But pushing a patient with rheumatism into icy lake water and freezing them unconscious is what kind of treatment?

  "Since it has nothing to do with you, don't be afraid. Also, make it clear in front of Father, lest he gets angry." Chen Er reminded Chen Qi, "Today, such a big thing happened, you and Cang go back first. We'll disperse here and head directly to He's house. This matter, I'll handle it."

  Chen Qiudao is right.

  A good feast was ruined.

  It's all Chen Jing's fault.

  Chen Er's eyes flashed with cold light again as he thought of Chen Jing's refusal to kneel just now.

  Is this the residence of the imperial scholar? Chen Er sneered.

  Chen Qi didn't dare to look at Chen Er's face. Chen Er told him to go back first, and he hastily agreed, went to the main courtyard to find Chen Xuan, brought Chen Xuan along, took his carriage, and rushed into the city.

  In front of Chen Er, Chen Qi was as timid as a mouse seeing a cat; after leaving Chen Er, Chen Qi became arrogant and domineering again.

  "Yang and you, are you still good at martial arts?" Chen Qi was most concerned about this. As for He Zhen's life or death, he didn't put it in his heart at all.

  Chen Jiong gave him a glance.

  "Seventh Brother, if He Zhen dies, you will also be guilty." Chen Jing didn't respond to Chen Qi, but instead said meaningfully, "Yet you only care about my martial arts?"

  Chen Qi didn't care and said: "What's it to us if he's dead? Second Brother will take care of it..."

  Chen Jiong suddenly turned his head and stared at Chen Qi.

  There was a glint in his eyes that Chen Qi couldn't quite understand, which made him inexplicably flustered. Chen Jing's gaze was somewhat familiar, like the look on his grandfather's face when he was angry.

  Chen Jiong slightly startled Chen Qi.

  After a while, Chen Xuan slowly closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

  "Seventh brother, what kind of person do you think second brother is?" Chen Jiong said with a hint of implication.

  Chen Qili immediately got angry.

  He could hear that Chen Jiong's words were full of suspicion and disrespect towards Chen Er.

  "Of course he's a good person!" Chen Er roared, "Chen Yang, you can scold me, you can scold my father, but you cannot scold Second Brother! Second Brother is the best person to me in this world. You dare to be disrespectful to my Second Brother, I'll flay your skin!"

  Then he thought of Chen Jie's refusal to kneel at the Luoshui Lake, and Chen Qi's anger increased again. "Second brother let you kneel down, but you still dare to be arrogant, you're going against him! Second brother will be the master of the house in the future, do you know? Don't think that just because your brother is a scholar, he's nothing special. If you act presumptuously in front of second brother, I'll beat you to death first..."

  Chen Jiong smiled slightly.

  His smile was not as pure and clean as it used to be, there was something strange about it. Even Chen Qi, a careless person, felt that something was off, and indeed, it was very strange.

  Chen Qi felt that his smile was a bit sinister for the first time.

  "I only dared to be certain today, why you have such a temper." Chen Jing murmured as if to himself, saying lightly, his voice with a hint of regret. Then, he smiled and said, "......the matters between you brothers, what does it have to do with me?"

  "What does it mean?" Chen Qi didn't understand.

  Chen Jiong just smiled and said, "Nonsense." Then he closed his eyes and took a nap, ignoring Chen Qi.

  Chen Qi was completely bewildered. Chen Jing spoke a jumbled mess of words, and Chen Qi didn't understand a single sentence. However, he vaguely felt that Chen Jing wanted to imply something.

  He must want to say something bad about Second Brother, Chen Qi finally judged.

  "This kid is acting suspiciously today......" Chen Qi thought to himself. However, Chen Jing was also quite clever. If he dared to speak ill of Second Brother in front of Chen Qi, Chen Qi would break his teeth.