Chapter 2: Brothers

  As for her current life, Chen Jing feels it's not bad. It can't be said to be leisurely, but it's quiet.

  Home is quiet, city is quiet, heart is quiet.

  Half a year ago, Chen Jing was still a traditional Chinese medicine doctor in another world.

  Chen Jiong was born into a family of traditional Chinese medicine. His grandfather was the chief physician of the Imperial Hospital in the late Qing dynasty, his father was a royal physician, and he himself had two masters who were also prominent figures in the medical field. He started learning medicine at the age of 10, began practicing in Beijing at 18, became the imperial physician to the head of state at 30, and later took charge of the Ministry of Health, his life was busy and fulfilling.

  A bit tired, and a bit empty after achieving some goals.

  When he had just passed his thirty-fifth birthday, the plane on which he was traveling for work crashed.

  At the moment of the accident, the space connection was broken, Chen Jiong did not die, but returned to ancient times and became a 16-year-old young man in ancient times.

  Now what dynasty is it in history, Chen Jiong still doesn't know. Through observation and inquiry, he learned that the current dynasty name is "Liang" and the year number is "Shao Ning".

  This is the sixth year of Shao Ning.

  In Chinese history, there was a Xiao dynasty in the Southern and Northern Dynasties, with the country name of Liang. However, now is not the Southern and Northern Dynasties.

  Now the Yangtze River is unified from north to south, the economy is prosperous and rich, and the world is auspicious. The royal family no longer has the surname Xiao, but has the surname Xia.

  Xia's Liang State!

  At first when I just crossed over, hearing these things made me feel like thunder was rolling in my head, Chen Jing was stunned, thinking "Are they playing a trick on me?"

  Later, he thought that as a time-traveler, what's the point of talking about history? Maybe he was already dead, and the space-time he lived in now wasn't really existing, but just an empty space in his consciousness.

  With this comfort, Chen Jiong also felt relieved.

  Later on, he read some history books and found that Qin and Han dynasties existed, so did the Three Kingdoms. However, there was no Northern and Southern Dynasties, nor were there Tang or Song dynasties afterwards.

  There was an imperial examination system and a emphasis on civil over military affairs, which was similar to that of the Song Dynasty.

  However, there is one thing that is completely different from the Song Dynasty: The Spring Imperial Examination of the Song Dynasty was held once every three years, and each time it took in over 400 scholars; whereas now, the imperial examination is also held once every three years, but only takes in a maximum of 50 people, which is similar to the Tang Dynasty's imperial examination system.

  Because of the very few scholars taken in each subject, it makes the imperial examination extremely difficult. Thousands of troops and horses are crossing a single-plank bridge, and reading has become an extremely costly thing.

  A family without financial resources will not dare to take the path of reading books.

  In short, this era is a bit like Tang, and also a bit like Song. It's more like the fusion of these two great eras, an era that has never existed in history.

  "Second brother, you're back early today." Chen Jing carried a water bucket into the house. His elder sister-in-law, Li Shi, and the maid, Qing Yun, were hanging clothes in the courtyard and greeted him.

  At this time and space, sister-in-law calls younger brother-in-law should be called "Uncle", other families are called that way.

  However, his elder sister-in-law always called him "second brother", just like a sister would.

  When Eldest Sister-in-law came over, Chen Xuan was only six years old. Half a year later, his seriously ill mother passed away, and Eldest Sister-in-law took charge of the household, raising Chen Xuan as if he were her own child.

  "I played chess with an old man and he said I was cheating, so he didn't want to play with me anymore and left early." Chen Jing smiled and poured all the water into the large bucket.

  The three large water vats in the courtyard have all been filled up.

  "Hmph, the three old men from Jingzhong Alley can't even beat you at chess, and as for Old Master, he's no match for you either. Who else would dare to play against you?" said Qingyun, the senior maid, with a smile.

  Qingyun is the daughter of Dabao's wet nurse and followed Dabao to the Chen family when she was five years old.

  Later on, because the eldest brother was studying, apart from the fields, there were no other sources of income in the family and they couldn't afford it, so the elder sister-in-law sold all the servants that came with her dowry to supplement the household expenses.

  In the end, only Qing Yun was left.

  Firstly, Qingyun is the daughter of Dajie's wet nurse, which makes her Dajie's milk sister. In this era, a wet nurse held a high position in the hearts of their masters; Secondly, Qingyun was born with a beautiful appearance, with clear and elegant eyebrows and eyes, and Dajie had always thought of keeping her as a concubine for her elder brother, to help him have children.

  This year, 15-year-old Qingyun and Chen Zhu have also grown up together since childhood. Because she will be her brother's concubine in the future, Chen Zhu has always respected her and did not dare to treat her as a servant.

  "Third Uncle's chess skills are quite satisfactory." Chen Jiong said with a smile.

  The "third uncle" in his mouth is not his real uncle, but a paternal uncle of his father.

  Chen Jiong's family, brothers within the three mourning attire, branched into two branches: one branch lived in Jingzhong Alley and the other branch lived in Qiwan Alley. They shared a common great-grandfather.

  Chen Jiong is the Chen family of Qiwan Lane.

  On the side of Jingzhong Lane, there were many people, and among them were nearly thirty children of Chen Xuan's generation. In contrast, Qiwan Lane had only Chen Xuan and his elder brother Chen Zhang.

  Now my brother Chen Zhang is still missing.

  So, the prosperity of Jingzhong Lane and the desolation of Qiwan Lane are in stark contrast.

  The grandfather of the alley of loyalty is the elder brother of Chen Jing's grandfather, who is still alive and has reached the age of 80 with a strong body.

  Under ancient medical conditions, it was extremely rare for people to live up to eighty years old.

  "Oh dear, I'm all confused." Eldest Sister suddenly stopped what she was doing, slightly furrowed her brow, "The day after tomorrow is Great Grandfather's 80th birthday..."

  Great-grandfather, it was the grandfather who lived in Jingzhong Lane.

  Qing Yun's beautiful face also had a light layer of worry clouding it.

  The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

  Chen Jing saw it with her own eyes and asked, "Sister-in-law, can't we afford a birthday gift?" In the past six months, Chen Jing had seen the difficulties of this family.

  I heard that my brother's education cost a lot of money. Especially when he went to the capital for the imperial examination, he almost took away all the family's property. For these two years, it was my sister-in-law who secretly sold her dowry and jewelry to make ends meet.

  On the other side of Jingzhong Alley, not only are there many people, but they are also particularly wealthy. If the gifts sent over are not valuable, they will definitely be picked at.

  A family is also good at picking soft persimmons.

  Sister-in-law is a strong-willed person.

  After hearing Chen Jing's words, the elder sister bit her lip and didn't speak. Later, she forced a smile and said: "It's not that I can't afford it, but I haven't prepared yet, I don't know if I can make it in time, there are only two days left. I had forgotten about it, this memory..."

  She and Qingyun hastily hung up their clothes, and the two of them went into the house, closed the door, and began to discuss.

  Chen Jing then swept the yard once.

  They now live in a house located at the end of Qiwan Lane, which is a small courtyard. The yard has three main rooms and four small wing rooms.

  The elder sister-in-law lived in the main room on the east side, Qing Yun rested on the foot of the elder sister-in-law's bed, keeping her company.

  Nephew and niece live in a small ear house on the east side, Chen Jing lives in a small ear house on the west side.

  Yuanzi cleaned up the yard, and Chen Yun went into the house to read books.

  There are quite a few books at home, all of which belong to my brother.

  These books, each one is very expensive.

  The elder sister-in-law has almost spent all her money for her brother's education.

  There were also several medical books in his brother's study. Chen Jiong took out "Jin Kui Yao Lue" to pass the time, although he had long since memorized this book.

  Sitting down, Chen Jing's heart couldn't calm down.

  Men of this generation, once they take the path of studying, are oblivious to worldly affairs and only pursue fame and fortune. All household chores are left to women.

  But Chen Jiong couldn't bring himself to be at peace with it.

  Nowadays, there's no money at home, and it's actually two women who are thinking of a solution. This makes Chen Jing's heart uneasy for a moment. Raising funds should be a man's responsibility.

  Three months ago, Chen Jing could see that this family was not wealthy and wanted to go out and take a look at what he could do. After all, he didn't want to take the imperial examination, nor did he want to stay at home eating idle meals every day.

  He has a set of medical skills and can go to a pharmacy to practice medicine.

  As a result, the elder sister-in-law knelt down and cried, saying that she had not done her duty well, which made her younger brother-in-law give up studying and want to do a lowly job. She felt guilty towards the ancestors of the Chen family.

  Chen Jiong really jumped down.

  Then, just in time for the Chinese New Year, Tian Zhuang sent over some rent money and their lives became much more comfortable. Chen Xuan didn't mention going out to make money again.

  Besides, we are not short of firewood, rice, oil and salt at home, it's just that there is no valuable gift to be given. If because of this, I go and tell my sister-in-law about making money, she will probably cry again.

  In Dage's view, men going out to make money is simply self-degradation and going downhill. After all, among the four occupations of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, merchants are at the bottom.

  Or is this the mainstream idea now?

  In the late afternoon, my nephew and niece returned from clan school.

  The Chen family has its own ancestral school, which is located on the other side of Jingzhong Alley.

  Great-grandfather opened a primary school and a clan school, hiring two teachers to teach Chen's children to read.

  The Chen family has two branches: Jingzhong Alley and Qiwan Alley. All children, regardless of gender, between the ages of 5 and 10 must attend elementary school.

  After the age of ten, boys continued to attend clan schools or government-run community schools; girls returned home and followed their mothers in learning needlework and domestic skills until they were married.

  Chen Jiong's nephew is eight years old and his niece is six years old. They are both in elementary school.

  "Mother, the day after tomorrow is our great-grandfather's birthday. School will be closed for a holiday. Can we also go to Jingzhong Alley to have some fun?" asked her niece of her sister-in-law.

  Big sister smiled and patted her little niece's head: "Your second uncle and your brother are going, we're not going..."

  Chen Jing thought that his sister-in-law was unlikely to send a heavy gift. Because the gifts were light, the whole family went to drink and feared that the Chen family from Jingzhong Alley would give them the cold shoulder.

  Chen Jiong and his nephew are males of the Ding clan; they must attend.

  "......Oh." Her little face immediately fell, and her interest was instantly ruined. But she didn't cry and ask why like other little girls, instead she nodded obediently, without any doubt about what her mother said.

  The nephew and niece are so lovely that they make people's hearts ache.

  This is all thanks to Eldest Sister's good upbringing.

  Chen Jiong didn't say much while eating.

  After dinner, Qingyun cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, and then served her nephew and niece as they rested.

  The next day, Da Sao took Qing Yun out and came back at noon. Behind her was a young apprentice from the shop, who had come to deliver goods.

  The elder sister-in-law bought a four-leafed nanmu wood screen with cherry blossom-colored carved silk glass

  Now, glass is not yet mass-produced and is very expensive. This nanmu wood glass screen should be worth several dozen taels of silver.

  Chen Jing looked at the screen sent by the shop assistant, then looked at his sister-in-law, and didn't say a word. He still thought that his sister-in-law was not going to give expensive gifts, but he didn't expect her to be so generous.

  Li did not think much of it.

  Li was not afraid of spending money, she only feared that the Chen family from Jingzhong Alley would look down on her brothers Chen Xiang and Chen Cang, so she sold two jade bangles to exchange for this screen.

  Those two jade bangles were given to her by her maternal grandmother as part of her dowry when she got married, originally intended for her own daughter, a family heirloom of the Li family. For the sake of the Chen family, selling them is just selling them, and Mrs. Li doesn't think it's a pity either.

  Anyway, she is now Chen's daughter-in-law.

  That afternoon, the screen was delivered to Jingzhong Alley first.

  The next day, Chen Jiong got up early and went to fetch water first.

  Yang Zhi Zhou was still strolling along the riverbank.

  The two of them casually said a few words.

  Judging from Yang's complexion and the pain in his arms, the symptoms shouldn't have alleviated by half. Fortunately, this illness isn't life-threatening or extremely painful.

  Chen Jiong reminded him once, but Yang Zhiyou didn't take it seriously, which shows that he didn't trust Chen Jiong.

  "Following his medical instincts, Chen Jing asked again: 'Old sir, haven't you asked a doctor to examine your illness?'"

  Yang Zhi Zhou just smiled: "Thank you little friend for caring......" but didn't mention seeing a doctor.

  As people get older, they all have some fear of illness and avoidance of doctors, this cannot be forced.

  Because of Yang Zhi Zhou's illness, it was not a matter of life and death, so Chen Jing did not force the issue, but just smiled and bid farewell to Yang Zhi Zhou, returning to Qi Wan Lane.

  His sister-in-law had already prepared his outfit for today's banquet.

  Chen Jiong changed his clothes and took his nephew Chen Wengong to Jingzhong Alley.

  Jingzhong Lane was different from the bleakness of Qiwan Lane. Jingzhong Lane was a wide and clean alley, where only Grandfather Bo's family lived.

  Above the high gate tower, the two words "Chen Fu" are written in silver and iron paintings.

  The carriage hired by Eldest Sister stopped at the gate, and Chen Jing got out of the carriage with his nephew.

  The Chen family's gatehouse, under the brick-paved courtyard wall, a vermilion large gate is hidden under the eaves; behind the gatehouse are two rows of four door houses, with servants coming and going to welcome guests.

  Seeing Chen Jiong and Chen Wen Gong, a servant came up: "Second Master, Young Master, please come quickly..."

  Chen Jiong nodded and led his nephew inside.

  "Huh? Isn't that Yanji?" Someone suddenly said from behind, then loudly called out "Yanji!"

  Chen Jinn took a courtesy name "Yangji" when he was studying in the clan school.

  Hearing someone calling him, Chen Jing stopped in his tracks.

  All I saw was a young man in a blue cloud-patterned brocade changshan, surrounded by a crowd of people, walking towards this direction.

  As soon as he saw clearly who was calling him, Chen Jiong shouted: "Seventh Brother."

  He is the seventh son of the "Yu" generation of Chen family in Jingzhong Alley, two months older than Chen Xuan. Chen Xuan is also a member of the "Yu" generation, but he and his elder brother do not participate in the ranking of the Chen family in Jingzhong Alley.

  Chen Qi was called Chen Yu, and his courtesy name was Mò Rén. He was the youngest son of Eldest Uncle.

  The master of the Da Tang Hall in Jingzhong Alley is sixty-two years old this year. When he was forty, he got a beautiful concubine and loved her extremely, setting up a side chamber for her. Before long, she gave birth to Chen Qi.

  As he was the youngest son, Da Tang Bo didn't expect him to revive the family's fortunes, but he doted on Chen Qi, almost to the point of spoiling him.

  Spoiled by his parents, Chen Qi developed a spoiled and arrogant personality.

  "How come you're here?" Chen Qi looked at Chen Jing for a few moments, then asked with deep meaning, "Why didn't your wife and Qingyun come?"

  Chen Jiong was able to travel through time because the original Chen Jiong had died, killed by Chen Qi.

  The cause of this matter is Qing Yun.

  Last year during Chinese New Year, Eldest Sister-in-law brought Qingyun over to pay respects to Eldest Paternal Aunt, and coincidentally ran into Chen Qi.

  Qingyun's appearance is among the best of women. Qingyun has a slender and elegant figure, with a head of dense black hair, skin as white as snow, eyes like autumn waves, lips like cherry blossoms, and a quiet and gentle demeanor that reveals a hint of charm. Chen Qi was immediately smitten and insisted on taking Qingyun as his concubine.

  Qing Yun is Chen Jing's brother's concubine, everyone in the Chen family knows this. Only someone like Chen Qi who has been spoiled to the point of being lawless would dare to speak up and ask for her.

  The great aunt scolded Chen Qi for a while, saying he didn't understand things.

  Who knows, Chen Qi was unyielding and unforgiving, repeatedly causing trouble at their doorstep.

  Chen Jiong's elder sister-in-law also went several times to his uncle and aunt to report on him.

  The elder uncle couldn't bear to be harsh, and the elder aunt was even less willing to intervene, after all, they were not her own children.

  In August Mid-Autumn Festival, this side of Jingzhong Lane sent Mid-Autumn gifts to Da Shu and Chen Xuan, and Chen Qi came again under false pretenses.

  In the past, Chen Jing was a introverted person, but he couldn't tolerate injustice in his heart. Seeing Chen Qi always coming to disturb his brother's nuptial chamber, he would get angry and pick up a hammer to hit Chen Qi.

  Poor him, a bookworm who is still developing, with long and thin arms and legs, how could he possibly win against the sturdy Chen Qi?

  Instead, he was hit by Chen Qi with two mallets and fainted.

  Afterwards, Big Sister ran to the ancestral temple and cried, saying that if nothing was done about Chen Qi, she would dash her head against the temple and die. This finally startled Great Grandfather, who then issued a ban on Chen Qi, forbidding him from setting foot in Qī Wān Lane again.

  Chen Qi's first time physically harming someone was when he immediately knocked Chen Jing unconscious, and it also scared him quite a bit. From then on, he indeed never went to Qī Wān Lane again.

  Later, Chen Jing came back to life, and Chen Qi also breathed a sigh of relief.

  Because of this matter, Chen Qi was punished and always blamed it on Chen Jing. Chen Qi and Chen Jing also settled their feud.

  At this moment, Chen Qi had men and servants following behind him. Considering his status, he wouldn't dare to use coarse language against Chen Xuan openly.

  However, he disliked Chen Jue and whenever he saw him, he would intentionally mention Qing Yun in a frivolous tone to provoke Chen Jue.

  "It's just me and Wen Gong who have arrived." Chen Jiong smiled, ignoring the provocation in Chen Qi's words, and didn't mention Qing Yun. Instead, he said, "Seventh Brother has been radiant with joy lately, a sign that good fortune is approaching. I've heard rumors earlier that Seventh Brother is pursuing Xi Wen, are you already a favored guest?"

  Xiwen was a famous courtesan.

  These days, high-end brothels have a very high taste. Simply put, what they sell is not sex, but love and elegance.

  Green tile outside has chess building.

  To enter the brothel, one must first leave a poem at the Chess Pavilion. If the poem is favored by the young lady, then one has the qualifications to enter the brothel, and after giving countless money to the old procuress and the turtle slaves, one can finally have the qualifications to see the young lady.

  Having a bed doesn't mean you can sleep in it.

  To be a kept man, apart from literary talent, one also needs a lot of money. In short, the cost of chasing after famous courtesans is extremely high, much more expensive than marrying a wife, and yet those rich young masters are tireless in their pursuit.

  Chen Qi had been pursuing Xi Wen for many years, but unfortunately, her family looked down on Chen's social status and wealth, and also didn't think much of Chen Qi's poetic talent, so she refused to meet him.

  This matter is Chen Qi's heartache and taboo. It's best not to mention it in person. All the Chen family members know about it, and Chen Jing has also heard of it.

  Chen Jiong deliberately stepped on Chen Qi's sore spot.

  As soon as these words came out, Chen Qi's face suddenly changed.

  Chen Jiong is simply whichever pot doesn't open, he'll mention that pot!

  Chen Qi really wants to beat Chen Jing up, this kid has a foul mouth!

  However, the Chen family rules prohibit siblings from fighting each other, and today is Grandfather's birthday. Whoever dares to cause trouble today will be lucky if they only get punished with kneeling in the ancestral hall; otherwise, they might be confined at home for three months.

  Chen Qi was like a wild horse in temperament and hated being confined most.

  Last time I knocked Chen Jiong two hammers, Chen Qi knelt for a day in the ancestral temple, and was banned from leaving home for half a month, until now the memory is still fresh.

  Chen Qi was stepped on by Chen Jing, and he coldly smiled with a gloomy face, his heart seething with anger, but his face showed a fake smile: "What's with the radiant complexion? Don't tease your brother." Then he went forward, warmly embracing Chen Jing's shoulders, pulling him inside as they chatted about family matters, "What have you been reading lately?"

  He spoke while pinching Chen Xing's shoulder, almost crushing Chen Xing's shoulder.

  Chen Qi's hands were very powerful.

  Chen Jiong seemed unaware of the pain and smiled: "I've been reading 'Shang Han Lun' recently."

  "Oh, medical book." Chen Qi's hand gripped even tighter, wanting to pinch Chen Jing's shoulder to shreds before he could catch his breath, "Any harvest?"

  "There's some gain." Chen Jiong said, his expression still unchanged.

  He seems to feel no pain.

  Chen Qi was still pinching him hard, Chen Jing thought it was funny and also pinched Chen Qi's waist hard.

  Chen Jie's hands moved quickly in and out.

  Qian Chen only felt a strong and intense pain, suddenly and unexpectedly attacking him. He let out an "ah" and cried out in pain, bending his waist.

  "Seventh Young Master, what's wrong?"

  "Seventh Young Master, what's wrong?"

  The guests behind the door saw Chen Qi and Chen Xuan leaning on each other's shoulders, and they all understood what was going on, so they followed from a distance. Chen Xuan seemed normal, but Chen Qi was bent over in pain.

  The Seventh Young Master was majestic and awe-inspiring, how could he be at a disadvantage in front of the weak Chen Jing?

  "Seventh Brother, what's wrong?" Chen Jiong also seemed bewildered and asked Chen Qi.

  Qin's eyes blazed with anger, that strange and evil pain spread from his waist to his whole body. What a weird thing! How could it hurt so much just by pinching? He covered the place where Chen Jing had pinched him, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

  His attendants and gatekeepers all crowded around, pushing Chen Jinn out instead.

  Chen Jiong just smiled and ignored Chen Qi, continuing to walk inside.

  Until Chen Qi couldn't see him anymore, Chen Jing gently rubbed his shoulders.

  His shoulder had turned blue. Chen Qi's hand was really powerful. Chen Jing gently rubbed it a few times, but the pain did not ease, so Chen Jing gave up and took his nephew to the main hall for dinner.

  Chen Qi was stunned for a long time before he came back to his senses.

  When he came to himself, Chen Xuan had vanished.

  "Bastard, I'll kill you!" Chen Qi thought to himself. Facing everyone's concern, Chen Qi had no choice but to swallow his teeth and blood, slowly spitting out a sentence that he was fine, while in his heart he was seething with rage.

  This is a loss-making business...

  I've never suffered so much in my life, I must get it back. That Chen Jiong is really too detestable!

  Chen Qi was furious in his heart.

  It hurts, this evil door's hurt...

  He took another deep breath of cool air.