From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

"You unfilial son!"

After being sternly rejected by Chen Shi, Chen Wangshi angrily cursed and got up to leave.

He stopped abruptly at the door, his face grim as he gave the order.

"You should also attend your brother's flower-adorning banquet tomorrow. He said that since you work in the Marquis's mansion, it will at least give him some prestige."

"it is good."

Chen Shi frowned, but still responded.

Madam Chen snorted coldly again, slammed the door, and left.

A moment later, Cui Nong came in.

"Are you really going tomorrow?"

She had already heard it from the next room.

Chen Shi nodded, then sighed softly.

He had already repaid his mother's kindness by selling himself into the Marquis's household. The five taels of silver were to fulfill their brotherly bond. After tomorrow, they would have no further connection!

Nothing more was said that night...

The next morning, seven or eight tables were set up in the Chen family's small courtyard.

After passing the county-level imperial examination, a ceremony would be held at the academy to mark the student's formal entry into the Confucian school. During the ceremony, a silk flower, called a hairpin flower, would be inserted on each side of the student's hat.

Afterwards, they would return home and hold a banquet to celebrate the "change of social status," which was called the "flower-adorned banquet" and was also commonly known as the "scholar's wine" or "red silk wine."

Since his father's death, the Chen family has declined. Those who came to congratulate him at this time were Chen Yu's classmates who had been students for most of their lives, his elders from the same clan, some small merchants and vendors, and some neighbors to make up the numbers.

The highest-ranking person was the instructor whom Chen Yu treated as an honored guest. As the head of the county school, he held the rank of ninth grade.

Chen Shi was placed in an inconspicuous corner, sitting at the same table with a group of peddlers and laborers. According to Chen Wangshi, although Chen Shi worked in the Marquis's mansion, he was still a servant and not worthy of being on the table!

In addition, Chen Wangshi asked Cui Nong to serve the dishes and pour the wine with her, but Cui Nong leaned against the door, cracking melon seeds and ignoring her.

"Thank you all for attending my hairpin-adorning banquet."

The food and wine were served. Chen Yu raised his glass, stood up, gestured to his surroundings, and then turned to a white-bearded old man with a respectful expression.

"I am deeply honored by the presence of Your Excellency the Instructor. I can only express my gratitude with this small cup of wine."

As he spoke, Chen Yu downed the entire drink in one gulp.

"Hehe, Mr. Chen, you're too kind."

The instructor smiled and symbolically took a small sip of wine.

His eyes darted around, searching for Chen Yu's younger brother who worked at the Marquis's residence.

As an instructor in charge of the county school, all the scholars in the county were his students.

He was already overwhelmed with invitations from wealthy and powerful families, so how could he have time to deal with a poor family like the Chen family?

He was originally going to refuse Chen Yu's invitation without any hesitation, but after hearing that Chen Yu had a younger brother who worked in the Jing'an Marquis's mansion in Yongqiu City, he immediately changed his mind.

But the banquet had already begun, and after searching around, he still couldn't find Chen Yu's younger brother.

He couldn't help but wonder if Chen Yu was just bragging.

He was immediately annoyed, having wasted half a day, and the food and wine were far too meager!

Thinking that he could just use that as an excuse to leave later.

Chen Yu had no idea what the instructor was thinking. He kept flattering him and toasting others, looking quite pleased with himself.

Judging from his smug demeanor, those who knew him would think he had passed the imperial examination and become a scholar, while those who didn't would think he had become the top scholar.

"My good son, you have brought glory to our family, you have brought glory to our family! Your mother can finally hold her head high."

Standing at the door, Chen Wangshi was so excited that she burst into tears, her greasy apron constantly wiping away her tears.

Clang!

Just as they were enjoying their meal and drinks, a muffled thud was heard, and the courtyard gate was kicked open.

A burly man with a thick beard walked in, leading a group of thugs wielding short sticks.

Why is he here!

Upon seeing the newcomers, Chen Yu, who had been beaming with pride, and Chen Wangshi, who had been cheerful just moments before, were immediately taken aback and their faces showed fear.

Chen Shi, sitting in the corner, also frowned instantly, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes.

Wu Debiao was a notorious local bully in Gegang County. It was he who set up the scheme that caused his father to lose all his family fortune and commit suicide by drowning.

It could be said that it was he who caused Chen Shi to be sold into slavery.

What is he here for?

"Wow! It's so lively!"

Wu Debiao gave a sarcastic shout, grabbed a handful of peanuts from a table, walked straight up to Chen Yu, and sneered.

"Scholar Chen, why didn't you send me an invitation for such a joyous occasion?"

"Wu Debiao! I am now a scholar, how dare you act so arrogantly in front of me!"

"A scholar? Oh my, what a grand display of power you have, sir!"

Wu Debiao looked exaggerated, then gave a disdainful snort.

"So what if I'm a scholar! I'm a ninth-rank military officer, and I don't kneel before officials or suffer punishment either. In terms of status and position, I'm no less than you!"

"you……"

Chen Yu opened his mouth, but was speechless for a moment.

Oh right, I almost forgot, Wu Debiao is a ninth-rank martial artist.

"So what! This is my home, you're not welcome here, get out right now!"

Coming to his senses, Chen Yu shouted again.

"Let me out? Ha, I'll leave as soon as I pay you back!"

Wu Debiao shouted and slapped a promissory note directly onto Chen Yu's chest.

Upon seeing this IOU that appeared out of nowhere, Chen Yu was filled with uncontrollable rage.

"You set up this scheme, swindling our entire Chen family fortune and driving my father to his death! Now that he's dead, you're still using these so-called IOUs to demand repayment? Is there no justice in this world?!"

"The law? Ha! In this Gegang County, who dares to talk to me about the law!"

Wu Debiao gave a haughty snort and grabbed Chen Yu by the collar.

"Twenty taels of silver, not a penny less! If you don't pay today, I'll smash this damn banquet!"

"You... let go! This is uncivilized! What kind of behavior is this!"

While shouting, Chen tried his best to pry Wu Debiao's hands off.

But he was a weak scholar who couldn't even lift a chicken; how could he possibly bend it?

Seeing that her son was about to suffer, Chen Wangshi rushed over and forcefully pushed and punched Wu Debiao.

But she was an elderly woman, and it was almost the same as scratching Wu Debiao's itch.

As for the guests at the scene, they either kept their heads down, afraid of being caught in the crossfire, or simply watched the spectacle; not one of them offered any help.

Seeing that she couldn't pull Wu Debiao away, Chen Wangshi became anxious and hurriedly went to Chen Shi, who had already stood up.

"Today is your brother's flower-adorning banquet, don't let this scoundrel ruin it. How much silver do you have left? Take it all out now. If you don't have any, go ask that woman for it. Get rid of him quickly!"

"Um?"

Upon hearing the word "silver," Wu Debiao released Chen Yu and stepped over.

He glanced at Chen Shi from head to toe, noticing his short brown clothes, and gave a disdainful snort.

"Where did this poor wretch come from? You have money."

Chen Shi's face was gloomy, and he said in a deep voice.

"I am Chen Shi."

"Chen Shi? That name sounds familiar. Oh, you're the second son of the Chen family."

Wu Debiao suddenly remembered something and gave a cold laugh again.

"I heard you were sold off, why are you back today?"

Chen Shi?

At the main table, the instructor's eyes widened slightly; Chen Yu's younger brother had returned.

Then he frowned again, wondering why he had been assigned such an out-of-the-way spot, which made him search around several times without finding anyone.

"snort."

Inside the room, Cui Nong spat out sunflower seed shells, looked at the oblivious Wu Debiao, and couldn't help but sneer.