High Martial World: I Gain Passive Skills Daily-Chapter 75 - 74: Facing All Beings in the Mortal World, Few Are Truly Lonely
"Old Wei, you’re saying that my eldest brother, who disappeared thirteen years ago, has returned?!"
As Chen An stepped onto the carriage prepared by his family, he started doubting his ears.
He stared at the servant before him.
This Old Wei had been working for the Chen Family for almost ten years, with his children also employed there. He was one of Chen Rong’s trusted aides, and there was absolutely no reason for him to suddenly lie.
Especially with such an absurd lie...
Old Wei nodded: "Yes, this morning, two young guards came to report it. I thought they were being foolish again and had encountered another impostor..."
He sighed: "But when I went there, the young man standing at the gate, though his eyes were covered with a black cloth, his appearance was uncannily like Lady Gan when she was young, only more handsome!"
"I was shocked, and quickly brought Lady Gan to see. As soon as she saw the young man, she burst into tears and said it was undoubtedly the young master."
"We talked for a while, and after persuading the master, arrangements have now been made for him to stay in the East Wing Room."
Upon hearing this, Chen An frowned deeply:
"Just based on this person’s appearance alone? Hasn’t his identity and background been verified?"
Although officially it was declared that Chen Kuang got lost back then, within the family, the siblings were well aware of their ever-present yet physically absent eldest brother’s deeds.
After all, back then, it was akin to Chen Kuang sacrificing himself to save the entire family.
All these years, just hearing Gan Tang repeatedly recounting it was enough to make one’s ears grow calluses.
It’s not that he was annoyed; it was just that when Chen Kuang left, he was only four, and his little sister was just three, so his memories of the events were already very vague.
More so with Chen Kuang himself—he had no memories at all, naturally lacking the deep attachment Chen Rong and Gan Tang had.
After so many years of living, the sudden appearance of an elder brother was rather startling.
The first reaction would naturally be to confirm the authenticity of the person’s identity. The current Chen Family is not what it used to be; the family business is one thing, and the ever-changing situation in Jishao County and with the Cao Bang is another.
Chen An feared it might be an enemy he had offended causing trouble...
If that were the case, the opponent truly hit a soft spot, and it must be thoroughly investigated quickly to prevent endless troubles.
Old Wei shook his head with a wry smile: "The master gave no orders; we servants do not dare investigate on our own."
He said in a low voice, "I noticed the master seemed to have cried after chatting with... the young master for a while, so I reckon it’s probably true, unlikely to be a fraud."
"However, there’s one thing peculiar: the young master came with several female companions, saying they all escaped the chaos together and needed temporary lodging."
Old Wei wore an odd expression: "Among them is a mother-and-daughter pair; the lady appears to be nearly the same age as Lady Gan."
To think they survived the chaos together—surely not merely a charitable act.
The young master’s taste... is rather hard to comment on.
Chen An remained silent for a moment, then said, "Alright, I understand. Just keep watching over this matter. Deploy more people to protect my parents and keep me informed of my ’brother’s’ activities."
Indeed, this was not something Old Wei should meddle in; he would look into it himself.
However, before doing so, he wanted to see what kind of figure this "eldest brother" was!
Chen An drew the carriage curtain closed and sat down, as the carriage hurtled swiftly towards the Chen Mansion.
...
Since the private school was closer to the Chen Mansion, Chen Ning had already stepped into the courtyard of the East Wing Room before Chen An arrived.
Chen Ning’s appearance also inherited from Gan Tang, with a fine visage, eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like clear autumn waters, with a small black mole at the corner adding a touch of gentle allure.
Her eyes were clear, her temperament elegant, and an ochre dress lined her figure like a graceful willow swaying in the breeze, captivating in her movements.
Having just returned from the private school, Chen Ning was still holding a scroll in her hands.
From a distance, before seeing the person, she heard a deep and melancholic melody emanating from the courtyard.
Just by listening to this small segment, Chen Ning’s eyes widened in astonishment.
This profound melody, transparent upon listening, was refreshing and invigorating, surpassing the one she had the fortune to hear a couple of years ago performed by a cultivator from the Celestial Sound Pavilion!
No comparison was needed, the difference was as evident as night and day.
Was this... her long unseen elder brother playing the zither?
Chen Ning instinctively held her breath, reluctant to disturb the melody, fearing it might suddenly vanish.
She did not utter a word and chose to watch from a distance for a while.
Regrettably, the song was nearing its end.
About half a quarter of an hour later, it stopped.
The rustle of the bamboo leaves swaying in the breeze suddenly halted the moment the melody ceased, leaving a profound silence.
For a brief moment, the world went silent; clouds paused, wind ceased, even sparrows tilted their heads, puzzled at the sudden stillness, no longer chirping incessantly.
And in an instant, the wind resumed, the clouds dispersed, and all returned to normal.
Chen Ning felt a sense of longing and loss, and with her eyes closed, remained immersed in the melody, unable to pull herself away.
Acclaimed as the "Dongting Talented girl," she was a lover of books and music, believing that the zither was a noble sound capable of reflecting one’s heart spirit, reminiscent of the ancient legend of Bo Ya and Ziqi, who forged a friendship through music.
Approaching with some anxiety about whether this sudden visitor was an imposter,
but now, all worries had dissipated.
This extraordinary piece of music could not possibly come from someone with a narrow heart!
Through this piece, Chen Ning heard a sense of wide and expanded spirit, as if heaven and earth were unconcerned, yet also vaguely sensed a solitary walk in the mortal world.
It was akin to a solitary figure facing the multitudes, seemingly detached.
Chen Ning couldn’t help but feel intensely curious.
There are often those open-hearted, but rarely lonely.
Only those uncomprehended, transcendent and solitary, might possess such loneliness.
Thus, as the ancients say, all sages are lonely...
Her brother, he seemed like a being from beyond the mortal realm!
"Ning’Er, you’ve arrived, why not announce yourself?"
Gan Tang’s voice abruptly interrupted her thoughts.
"Why are you standing in the corner? Come, meet your brother!"
Chen Ning opened her eyes, exhaled long, blinked, and was immediately led by Gan Tang to the stone table.
Chen Kuang turned to look at his sister, smiling slightly: "Little Ning."
The imagined solitary figure turned around, revealing a serene and clear face, though a cloth still covered the eyes she most wished to see.
Eyes can reflect the heart spirit; since the melody was so astounding, the person must possess exceptionally beautiful eyes as well.
Yes, her brother was blind...
The moment of flaw in the ethereal man.
Chen Ning felt a tug in her heart, suddenly lamenting the incident from thirteen years ago, and quickly said: "Brother!"
Chen Kuang replied with a hum, smiling: "As I have little to offer as a gift, I remember often playing house with you as kids. Luckily, my cooking skills aren’t too rusty after years of wandering. Let me cook for you next time."
Chen Ning was momentarily stunned, then beamed with a bright smile: "Alright!"
She didn’t find Chen Kuang’s words meager but rather endearing.
Among kin, gifts’ value is secondary to genuine affection.
A meal suffices!
Seeing the siblings’ harmonious interaction, Gan Tang suddenly had a thought, saying: "It’s nearly time for lunch, and there’s a small kitchen in the East Wing Room... How about letting Kuang’Er cook, and Ning’Er and I assist?"
...
Chen An arrived a bit late and inquired with the servants, heading straight for the kitchen, witnessing an utterly bizarre scene.
Gan Tang and Chen Ning, the two of them, were cautiously observing Chen Kuang cutting vegetables by the stove.
Gan Tang anxiously cried: "Careful, careful, Kuang’Er, don’t cut your hand!"
Curiously, Chen Ning asked: "Brother, this fruit has such a peculiar taste, can it really be used in cooking?"
Chen An looked closely and saw that the young man was slicing several round, red fruits.
He chuckled and explained: "This is, well... a tomato, or rather Passion Fruit, not commonly eaten, but you’ll know if it’s good once you taste it."
"?"
A question mark appeared over Chen An’s head: "Wasn’t the Passion Fruit seized from those barbarian fleets recently, to be presented as ornamental tribute to the Emperor?"
