From a slave to the Great Qian Martial Saint

Chen Shi? A seventh-rank military officer, a military lieutenant!

How is that possible!

Suddenly snapping out of their daze, everyone turned to look at Chen Shi.

Ordinary guests were simply surprised and astonished, and then they felt envious and jealous. This was a seventh-rank martial artist; if any family could produce one, it would be like their ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke.

Compared to ordinary guests, the instructor was somewhat knowledgeable, and while he was shocked, he also pondered the matter in his heart.

Even if one were to serve in the Marquis's household, a seventh-rank martial artist would still be considered quite high.

I had thought that Chen Shi was just an ordinary servant in the Jing'an Marquis's mansion, but now it seems that may not be the case.

Thinking of this, he felt a surge of excitement. Such a noble person was right in front of him; if he could get close to him, it might be a great stroke of luck for him.

As for how to curry favor, he couldn't help but glance at Chen Yu again. Chen Yu was his student, and Chen Shi, as Chen Yu's younger brother, should at least give him some face.

Thinking of this, she felt envious. Chen Yu had such a younger brother; even if he didn't pass the imperial examination, his rise to prominence was just around the corner. Why bother like him, having to go to such lengths to curry favor?

Chen Yu himself was completely dumbfounded at this moment. When he came to his senses, he felt a wave of regret.

Stealing the spotlight!

Isn't Chen Shi stealing his thunder?

On the other side, Madam Chen looked at Chen Shi with equal astonishment, suddenly feeling as if she didn't recognize him. A seventh-rank martial artist—was this really the Chen Shi she had sold off back then?

Compared to the shock of the others, Wu Debiao and Wei Shouren had already frowned deeply.

Although both are military men, the ninth and seventh ranks are completely different concepts. The ninth rank is equivalent to a scholar, while the seventh rank, when conferred the title of Military Commandant, is a sinecure, but in terms of rank, it is equivalent to that of a county magistrate!

Most importantly, if he were merely a ninth-rank martial artist, his group of constables could easily subdue him by sheer numbers. But a seventh-rank martial artist is a force that cannot be overcome by sheer numbers alone.

Thinking of this, Wei Shouren immediately whispered a few words to the man beside him, telling him to quickly send more troops over! After hearing this, the man quietly left the courtyard and then ran away.

Perhaps only Cui Nong showed no surprise or astonishment.

She looked at Chen Shi with a face full of relief and pride; this was her man!

"Thank you, officer."

Chen Shi, the person in question, remained calm and walked out to thank the messenger.

After the martial arts assessment ended, Zhou Bingzhi mentioned to him that the government would send a congratulatory message to his hometown, but Chen Shi didn't take it to heart at the time.

Unexpectedly, the good news arrived today.

Originally, this was a time to bring glory to the family and make his mother and brother proud, but Chen Shi felt no joy in his heart.

Since no one in his family is happy for him, what's the point of sending this good news?

"Congratulations, Master Chen! Congratulations, Master Chen! I've run dozens of miles, my feet are all blistered, please, sir, grant me a bowl of celebratory wine as payment!"

The messenger presented the official document with both hands, his face beaming with smiles.

This is a plea for a reward.

Whenever good news comes, the host family will give a reward. This is both to share in the joy and to show their status.

For example, a few days ago, when Chen Yu delivered a good news report, Chen Wangshi borrowed some money from her neighbors and managed to scrape together 100 coins to reward the messenger.

Although Chen Shi didn't care about the good news, he still had to give the reward money.

Moreover, the higher the level of the commendation, the more rewards are usually given.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Chen Shi said something indifferently, took out a silver ingot and handed it over.

"Ouch!"

Seeing that the Chen family was quite poor, the messenger was just feeling annoyed, thinking that he had lost money on this trip and would be lucky to get two or three hundred coins.

To everyone's surprise, Chen Shi immediately offered a ten-tael silver ingot!

"Thank you for your generous gift, Master Chen! I wish you continued success in your career, and that you will soon achieve extraordinary heights and become a grandmaster!"

The messenger was beaming with excitement, followed by a string of auspicious words.

Chen Shi smiled faintly and waved his hand. This messenger knew nothing about being extraordinary or a master; he was just parroting auspicious words.

"No! We can't give it to them!"

As the messenger was expressing his gratitude, Chen Wangshi suddenly screamed and ran towards him, making a move to snatch the silver from his hand.

Ten taels of silver! That's ten taels of silver!

She hosted this flower-adorned banquet for Chen Yu, and when she asked Chen Shi to deliver the silver, she only asked for five taels. Yet, Chen Shi generously gave someone ten taels as a reward!

The sky has fallen!

Seeing that Chen Wangshi was about to snatch it, the messenger was not about to let her get away with it, so she turned and ran. As a messenger, she relied entirely on her good legs, so how could Chen Wangshi, an old woman, possibly catch up with her?

"Ouch! My money! My money!"

Seeing the messenger disappear in a flash, Chen Wangshi collapsed to the ground, slapping her thighs and wailing loudly.

The other guests looked at each other in shock. Ten taels of silver in one go—this was even more extravagant than the richest man in the county!

Looking at Chen Shi dressed in coarse cloth and short brown clothes, they were all speechless. It turned out that he was hiding his wealth in the dark.

But amidst the shock, one can't help but wonder why Chen Shi would do such a thing?

"Chen Shi!"

After crying for a while, Chen Wangshi suddenly jumped up, pointed at Chen Shi, and her hands trembled with anger.

"You're so rich, why did you only bring five taels before!"

"My mother sold me into the Marquis's mansion, and for two years, she didn't say a word to me until Chen Yu passed the imperial examination and became a scholar. Only then did she write to me. There was no concern in the letter, not even a word of greeting. She just asked me to send five taels of silver back home."

Chen Shi looked at Chen Wangshi with a blank expression and his voice was completely flat.

"Mother thought I was still working as a stable boy in the Marquis's mansion, earning two hundred cash a month. After two years, that would amount to exactly five taels of silver. Mother asked why I only took out five taels. Ha, didn't Mother already calculate that these five taels were all my possessions!"

"this……"

Just moments ago, Chen Wangshi had been all domineering, but now she was speechless and didn't know how to answer.

"So that's how it is."

"How can there be such a mother in the world?"

"It's hard for parents to treat all their children equally, but this level of favoritism is the first time I've ever seen it."

"Serves you right!"

After Chen Shi finished speaking, the crowd began to discuss it.

At the same time, it dawned on him that no wonder Chen Shi had deliberately pretended to be poor.

With a biased mother and a bloodsucking brother in the family, who would dare not pretend to be poor?

Immediately afterwards, everyone's faces were full of mockery.

It's laughable that Madam Chen treated Chen Yu, who had just passed the imperial examination, as a treasure, unaware that Chen Shi was already a seventh-rank military officer and the real prodigy.

They were so focused on helping the big boss scheme against the small one that they ended up being too clever for their own good and keeping such a potential benefactor out of the door.

That's both wicked and stupid!

"You...I...I..."

Hearing the crowd's mocking comments, Chen Wangshi's face turned pale and then red. She opened her mouth as if to argue, but then didn't know what to say.

Chen Yu stood there, feeling utterly ashamed, and couldn't help but glare fiercely at Chen Wangshi.

"Look at the stupid thing you've done!"

In contrast, Chen Shi showed little reaction, simply standing there expressionless.

After a moment, his expression hardened, and he strode toward Wei Shouren, for he still had important business to attend to.

"Chen Shi! What are you doing!"

Wei Shouren was startled and hurriedly hid behind the yamen runners, shouting loudly.

"So what if you're a seventh-rank military officer? I am an official appointed by the imperial court. If you rely on force to commit violence in public, you will be severely punished!"

Chen Shi remained silent, his face cold as he approached Wei Shouren step by step.

Wei Shouren kept backing away, his face filled with terror. If Chen Shi wanted to, he could have killed him right now!

Tap tap tap!

Just as Chen Shi was about to make his move, a group of heavily armored soldiers suddenly surged in, accompanied by a series of orderly footsteps. They lined up on both sides, guarding the courtyard and the gate. The leader was a short but exceptionally broad-shouldered military officer.

"Haha! My reinforcements have arrived!"

Upon seeing the newcomer, Wei Shouren, who had been flustered just moments before, burst into triumphant laughter.