Chapter 42 Unrequited Love, Adultery?

After much deliberation, Chen Yi decided that he would no longer easily show his running script and cursive script to others.

As long as his calligraphy works don't circulate, no one should be foolish enough to travel a long distance just based on Mr. Yue Ming's empty words.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Yi carefully chose his words and said:

"Elder sister, in my opinion, this poem is for the old master's birthday celebration, so it should be kept safe from now on."

Xiao Wan'er smiled and nodded, her eyes catching sight of Xiao Jinghong in the second-floor room not far away. Knowing that she was ready, she stood up and said:

"Brother-in-law, you stay with Wu Ge and the others. I'll put this calligraphy in the study for you first."

"Thank you for your help."

Chen Yi knew that she and Xiao Jinghong had just returned to the manor and should go to the old master's place first, so he didn't say anything more.

Xiao Wan'er then gave Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few more instructions before carrying the brocade box and heading towards the wooden building where Chen Yi lived.

As she walked, she was still thinking about how to bring Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong together in order to strengthen their relationship.

After all, being husband and wife is not a long-term solution; living apart is not a sustainable arrangement.

Xiao Wan'er knew her second sister's temperament. She had always been very opinionated since childhood, and especially after leading troops in battle in recent years, her second sister had matured a lot and her thoughts had become increasingly unpredictable.

However, just like what Wu Ge said earlier, "Man can conquer nature," as long as she persists, she believes she can definitely help her second sister and brother-in-law return to a normal married life.

Thinking about it.

Xiao Wan'er came to the study, placed the brocade box on the table, but her eyes fell on the unfolded cloud pine paper.

She turned and glanced at Chen Yi outside the window, then walked to the table and carefully examined the handwriting on the paper.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.

"No wonder Mr. Yue Ming was so persistent. Even I wanted to get a piece of my brother-in-law's calligraphy to take back and copy."

Xiao Wan'er sighed inwardly and couldn't help but flip through the stack of papers next to her, thinking of finding one with more words to ask Chen Yi for help.

There were more than ten pieces of calligraphy, some in running script and others in the style of Wei Qing, each with a profound artistic conception, which made her eager to see them.

Although these characters do not possess the "artistic luster" that is present, they are still excellent works in terms of calligraphic skill alone.

A moment later.

Xiao Wan'er's eyes suddenly lit up. She picked up the calligraphy by Wei Qing and examined it carefully. Her original smile turned into doubt.

The inscription read "Qing Chunze: Ode to Wan Shen," and was signed Chen Qingzhou, written on a spring night in the twenty-first year of Anhe.

Snow-white silk cuts clouds to form her hair, and icy gauze washes the moon to form her eyes.

The Milky Way rises above the Qutang Gorge at night, cascading down like jade over a thousand mountains.

Sword energy first condenses, eyebrows turn a deep blue; crane shadows stealthily cross the Shu Heavenly Dynasty.

Jade steps and jade trees, as beautiful as you, so rare in the mortal world.

I was once astonished by the aging immortals of Gusha, and lamented the empty poems of Luochuan and the futile songs of Chishui.

Her face was freshly touched by the snow, and her brocade robe still carried the sound of Wei Xiao.

The beacon fires flicker, adorned with golden ornaments; when the wild geese return from the north, their jade hairpins fall away.

Even the finest paintings cannot capture its essence; its brilliance shines alone across the desolate Chu sky for a thousand autumns.

After reading it, Xiao Wan'er's beautiful eyes widened, and she quickly covered her lips with her hand.

She glanced at the pavilion outside the window, then at the cloud and pine paper in her hand, and inexplicably heard her heart pounding.

"My brother-in-law..."

"No, no, I don't have it."

Even with this rejection, Xiao Wan'er was still in a state of turmoil.

Anyone who sees this poem will think of her, after all, it is "Ode to Wan Shen" rather than "Ode to Jing Hong".

She couldn't help but think of the night Chen Yi climbed over Chunhe Garden to go to Jiaxing Garden, and how they had met, which made her even more confused.

If others find out, especially her second sister Xiao Jinghong... wouldn't she become a sinner?

After a long while, Xiao Wan'er clutched her chest and tried to calm herself down.

She looked at the words and phrases again and made a decision.

Then she carefully rolled up the cloud-patterned pine paper and put it, along with a calligraphy copybook in running script, into the inner pocket of her cloak.

Then Xiao Wan'er picked up a wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and spread out a blank sheet of pine paper to write:

"Brother-in-law, please forgive me for taking two of your calligraphy copybooks."

"Also, I hope my brother-in-law won't overthink things, so as to avoid causing unnecessary trouble."

After finishing writing, a hint of helplessness flashed in Xiao Wan'er's eyes. She bit her lip and sighed, having long lost the joy of receiving Chen Yi's calligraphy.

She took one last look around before leaving the wooden building, not even bothering to say goodbye to Chen Yi and the others, and hurriedly returned to Jiaxing Garden.

Not long after.

Xiao Jinghong, dressed in a flowing red dress, walked out of the wooden building and saw Chen Yi in the distance, struggling with the fish in the pond while holding a fishing rod.

Beside her were Xiao Wuge, who was smiling, and Zhang Heng, who was secretly glancing at her.

With one adult and two children, the atmosphere was surprisingly warm and harmonious.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Jinghong walked over, her eyes beneath her half-armor fixed on Chen Yi, and said with a hint of surprise:

"Husband, please take care of Wuge and Heng'er. My elder sister and I are going to Qingjing Residence to see our grandfather."

Chen Yi turned to look at her, glanced at her briefly, stood up and said with a smile, "Madam, you don't need to be so polite."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong so calm, he felt a little relieved.

Although it's unclear how much Tiger Girl revealed, it seems Xiao Jinghong was unaware of his secrets.

In fact, Xiao Jinghong did not manage to get Pei Guanli to talk.

However, from these few words, she could easily deduce that Chen Yi had made some progress in his martial arts training during this period.

She also noticed Pei Guanli's admiration and... fondness for Chen Yi.

It's not romantic love between men and women, but rather finding a like-minded playmate.

This only made Xiao Jinghong more curious about Chen Yi.

She knew Pei Guanli's temperament well, and was also aware of the outrageous things she had done in the mountain tribe.

It's hard not to be surprised that such a lawless person shows respect and affection for her husband.

Thinking about all this, Xiao Jinghong nodded, "When my eldest sister and I come back, we'll have a meal together."

"good."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong heading towards Jiaxing Garden from afar, Chen Yi felt a sense of relief.

It seems nothing happened.

Little did he know that the young prince Zhang Heng next to him was even more obviously relieved, his sigh almost sounding like a sigh.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wuge grinned.

Zhang Heng glared at him, "What are you laughing at? Be careful, or I'll tell my second cousin later."

Although he tried hard to appear fierce, his imposing manner was not even a tenth of what it used to be.

Chen Yi found it amusing and asked, "Are you very afraid of your second cousin?"

"Who, who's afraid?"

Zhang Heng glared at him back, then angrily continued fishing.

“Brother-in-law, the young master isn’t afraid; he’s just traumatized by the things my second sister used to teach him.”

"You, you shut up..."

Chen Yi smiled and stopped teasing the young master, turning his gaze to the wooden building where his wife was.

Soon, he saw Pei Guanli sneakily peeking out from the second floor, grinning at him.

Chen Yi gave her a look, as if to say something.

Pei Guanli replied with a smug expression, "Of course, don't you know how tight my mouth is?"

Chen Yi felt relieved and gave her a thumbs up.

Pei Guanli chuckled, then clutched her stomach and pouted, clearly hungry.

Chen Yi understood immediately, gave Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few instructions, and then turned and went back to the wooden building.

As long as Tiger Girl doesn't sell him, there shouldn't be a big problem.

Chen Yi went to the study to get some pastries and fruit, but noticed that the desk had been moved.

He looked at the note on the table, thought for a moment, then reached out and flipped through the calligraphy works next to it, his face showing sudden realization.

Xiao Wan'er saw that poem, "Ode to the Goddess of Beauty".

But what would she dare to do after seeing it?

Chen Yi shook his head, both amused and exasperated, thinking to himself, "Sister Wan'er, that poem is nothing more than wishful thinking on my part, a case of unrequited love."

“But for you, it takes on a different meaning; it becomes a love poem.”

What's this?

Secretly exchanging gifts, having an affair?

...

Inside Jiaxingyuan.

After Xiao Wan'er changed her clothes, Xiao Jinghong helped her walk towards the quiet residence.

As soon as they stepped out of the courtyard, Xiao Jinghong looked at Xiao Wan'er with suspicion.

"Sis, is something bothering you?"

Lost in thought, Xiao Wan'er stumbled, her heart pounding faster and faster.

She clutched her chest, forced a smile, and shook her head: "No, no, I'm probably just tired..."

Thinking of her health, Xiao Jinghong comforted her, "Why don't you rest first? I'll go to Grandfather's place alone."

"No, no need, I'm fine."

Before she could say anything more, Xiao Wan'er waved her hand, signaling Shen Huatang, Xiao Die, and the others to follow, and instructed them as she did so:

"Hua Tang, put that cloak on the old master."

"good."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong instructing Su Zhenyue, who was attending to him, Xiao Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief.

Second sister, it's not that I don't want to tell you, it's just... too embarrassing to say.

(End of this chapter)