Chapter 72 A Waste of Talent

Nothing was said that night.

Just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), dark clouds drifted over Shu Prefecture, obscuring the summer stars.

The humid, hot wind was gone, replaced by a cool, refreshing breeze that made the lanterns in the Spring Lotus Garden sway gently.

A moment later, a light rain began to fall, pattering against the eaves and tiles.

Even so, Chen Yi still did not wake up.

He groggily opened his eyes when he heard some noise outside, glanced at the raindrops flying by in the dim light outside the window, and realized that it was raining.

"Xiaodie, what time is it?"

Xiao Die's voice came from outside the room: "Young master, it's already past midnight."

Yin Shi (3-5 AM)... Madam, did you say yesterday that we would depart at Mao Shi (5-7 AM)?

Chen Yi's expression cleared up, and he consciously got out of bed to stretch his muscles and bones, then called Xiao Die to wash up and change his clothes.

As he dressed, he asked, "Who came outside?"

Xiaodie straightened his clothes, smoothed out the wrinkles, and replied crisply, "They are all servants who came to pack the Second Miss's luggage."

“Early in the morning, Sister Zhenyue gathered people over and filled two carriages to the brim.”

Chen Yi nodded knowingly, and after getting dressed, he walked downstairs with a leisurely air.

He glanced around, his gaze inevitably landing on the wooden building where Xiao Jinghong was.

At this moment, a thin mist rose in the rain, making it difficult to see clearly, but he could still see the beautiful figure appearing in the candlelight.

Faintly, her voice could be heard: "Zhenyue, find a brocade box to put this calligraphy scroll in. The mountain road is bumpy in the rain, so be careful not to let it get wet."

"Miss, why isn't this calligraphy copybook framed? Storing it like this is too simple. How about I... um."

"Please forgive me, miss, I didn't mean to see that..."

"Put it away carefully."

A faint light appeared on the window, illuminating the beautiful figure, before quickly fading into darkness.

Chen Yi saw it all and overheard the gist of it, a smile appearing on his face.

Last night, after he finished writing that poem, he had hoped that Xiao Jinghong would say a few words to him.

Whether it's praise, shyness, or dissatisfaction, etc.

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Jinghong didn't say a word, picked up the still-wet ink on the pine paper, and hurriedly returned to the wooden building.

Although Chen Yi did not know what she was thinking, he could roughly guess a thing or two.

"Don't blame me, it's because you were worried that you would feel unfamiliar with me, so you made me... I should have used 'beg' instead."

“This is the calligraphy copybook you begged me to write, Xiao Jinghong.”

Thinking it over, Chen Yi stood quietly under the eaves and watched.

Just like Xiaodie said.

This time, Xiao Jinghong was indeed well prepared for the long journey, and all the necessary items filled more than two carriages.

You can hear two carriages waiting outside the garden.

Besides a change of clothes, the car also contained books, blueprints, and other items, all wrapped up in layers and placed at the bottom of the compartment.

It must be something like the materials for establishing a border market.

After everything was quickly packed up, carriages drove out of Chunhe Garden.

Xiao Jinghong, Pei Guanli, and Su Zhenyue had just stepped out of the wooden building, closed the door, and walked this way.

Xiao Jinghong was dressed in red casual clothes, her ponytail stood tall with the end hanging down to her waist, and the half-armor on her face looked as if it had been cleaned, shining with a silvery luster.

But it still didn't have her fair and radiant face.

Chen Yi gave a slight bow in greeting, "Good morning, Madam."

Before Xiao Jinghong could speak, Pei Guanli pouted and said, "Brother-in-law, what about me? What about me?"

Chen Yi chuckled, "Good morning to you too."

Pei Guanli chuckled twice, but then, remembering that she had to return to the mountain tribe, the smile on her face vanished instantly.

"Brother-in-law, I'll come back to visit you after I'm done with Sister Jinghong."

Chen Yi responded, his gaze falling on Xiao Jinghong, a slight smile in his eyes.

Xiao Jinghong noticed it, her gaze shifting slightly, and she bowed slightly, saying, "Husband, the roads are slippery in the rain, there's no need to see me off."

"Later I will take them to the Provincial Administration Office to pick up a few craftsmen, and then head straight to the mountain tribes."

Chen Yi almost thought she wasn't going to speak, but upon hearing this, he smiled and said, "Madam, have a safe journey."

Xiao Jinghong hummed in response, glanced at him quickly, and then walked outside.

He looked somewhat uncomfortable.

For no other reason than that after witnessing that poem last night, she still felt a stirring in her heart.

"If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day and night?"

Pei Guanli followed reluctantly, her head turning back every now and then to give Chen Yi a tearful look.

Unfortunately, Su Zhenyue was right beside her, holding her hand and pulling her outwards.

As it swayed, the bell rang.

Ring, ring...

The tinkling sound gradually faded into the distance.

Suddenly, Chen Yi felt a cool breeze, so he pulled his clothes tighter and instructed Xiao Die, "I'm hungry, let's eat."

"I'll go wake up the young marquis so we can eat together."

Although Chen Yi did not see Xiao Jinghong off, some members of the Xiao family still escorted her to the door.

There is Miss Xiao Wan'er, and Second Uncle Xiao Xuanshuo.

Arriving outside the mansion gate.

Xiao Jinghong gestured for Su Zhenyue and the others to board the carriage first, then she looked at the two people below the central gate and said:

"Eldest sister, second uncle, please wait."

Xiao Wan'er's pale face showed a hint of worry. "Please be careful on your trip to the mountain tribe. Even if the cooperation fails, it's good that you're alive."

Xiao Jinghong nodded, "Don't worry, elder sister, I will be careful."

As she spoke, she looked at Xiao Xuanshuo and said, "Second Uncle, the cultivation and skills of the family members are still very weak, and they are not as good as ordinary Xuanjia soldiers. I would be grateful if you could help me."

Xiao Xuanshuo nodded: "Second Uncle, I've got it."

Just as Xiao Jinghong was about to turn around, she thought for a moment and added, "I hope you won't mention the matter of my second uncle testing my husband's martial arts skills again."

After saying that, she lightly leaped onto the carriage, entered the compartment, and waved goodbye to the two men through the window.

With a rumbling sound, five carriages, escorted by a hundred armored soldiers, disappeared outside the Xiao residence.

Xiao Wan'er withdrew her gaze and noticed that Xiao Xuanshuo was slightly displeased, so she comforted him, "Second Uncle, Jinghong didn't mean anything by it."

What does that mean?

"Yes, it should be. I think my brother-in-law should focus on his studies. Practicing martial arts is too demanding for him."

Xiao Xuanshuo nodded noncommittally, and used both hands to push the wheelchair beneath him toward the mansion.

Xiao Wan'er watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but sigh.

She suddenly recalled her childhood, when her second uncle was healthy and always brought them food, supplies, and toys whenever he returned from the military camp.

However, since World War I five years ago, my second uncle suffered severe injuries and could only get around in a wheelchair, and he was like a completely different person.

His temperament became increasingly serious and indifferent.

At this moment, Shen Huatang reminded her, "Miss, it's cold and windy, you can't stay outside for too long."

Xiao Wan'er nodded gently and followed her into the mansion.

Shen Huatang held up an oil-paper umbrella for her to prevent the rain from getting on her.

"Cough cough..."

A sudden coughing sound rang out, and the two looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a hunched old man slowly walking towards them.

Xiao Wan'er stopped and bowed slightly, saying, "Uncle."

The old man seemed not to hear them, slowly walking past the two, muttering, "The roads are slippery in the rain, go early and come back early, getting old..."

Wait until the person has gone far away.

Xiao Wan'er withdrew her gaze, seemingly already used to the noble uncle, and led Shen Huatang through the front yard to the quiet residence in the middle courtyard.

“Grandfather, Jinghong has already set off for the Mountain Clan.”

"good……"

...

After leaving the Marquis of Dingyuan's residence, Uncle Gui walked at a leisurely pace, passing through Zhennan Street and arriving at Bashan Street. Then, he turned east at the Prefectural Government Office and entered Wudong Street.

He was wearing the clothes of a servant of the Marquis's mansion. Although they were a bit old, the character "Xiao" on his left chest was still clearly visible.

Fortunately, it was raining today, so there weren't many travelers along the way; otherwise, many people would have envied him.

It took about half an hour to walk.

Uncle Gui stopped, his cloudy, lifeless eyes scanning the surroundings. With a slight movement of his feet, he vanished from sight.

The next moment, Uncle Gui appeared in a house and knocked on the screen wall a few times.

"Your subordinate, Wang Gui, the Iron Flag Officer of the White Tiger Guard, has been summoned to see Lord Hawk."

As soon as he finished speaking, the screen wall trembled slightly, revealing a passageway inside that was only wide enough for one person to pass through.

Uncle Gui walked in without hesitation. His figure wasn't so hunched over; on the contrary, he was quite agile.

Following the passage downwards, you arrive at a spacious underground chamber.

Uncle Gui stopped and squinted at the figure sitting in a chair in front of him.

However, the bright candlelight behind him made it difficult to discern his figure and appearance.

All that could be seen was a plain white mask.

"Your subordinate..."

No need for formalities.

The hawk's voice was slightly hoarse, and two glistening points in its eyes looked at him. "Has the Xiao family made any moves?"

Uncle Gui lowered his eyes and replied respectfully, "Xiao Jinghong has already left, it seems he's going to the mountain tribe to discuss something."

"The border trade? That's not my responsibility. Let's talk about the fledglings."

"Him? He remains idle at home as always, rarely going out."

As if remembering something, Uncle Gui added, "The eldest daughter of the Xiao family arranged for him to be the manager of a pharmacy."

"The pharmacy owner?"

A moment of silence.

A voice echoed in the secret room: "It would be a waste of such talent to only be a pharmacy manager."

We really should find him something to do.

(End of this chapter)