Chapter 303 Silence Speaks Louder Than Words (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Chen Yi had probably forgotten.
According to the laws of the Great Wei Dynasty, as a son-in-law of the Xiao family, he should have changed his surname to "Xiao".
The Xiao family simply refrained from doing so out of consideration for the Chen family of Jiangnan Prefecture.
Xiao Jinghong was unaware of the details, but he resolved to ask Chen Yu about it carefully once he met him.
She never wanted Xiao Wan'er to repeat the mistakes she and Chen Yi had made.
If Chen Yu were to truly travel the world and remain away for years to come, she would never agree to this marriage.
After the matter of "Chen Yu" was resolved, the atmosphere among the group improved.
Xiao Wan'er peeked out, her face showing a hint of unease, but she was already able to face Xiao Jinghong.
Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief and started joking around, telling some amusing stories he had heard.
Xiao Jinghong mostly talked about things related to the Wushan border market, such as recruiting laborers and handling timber and stone supplies.
He explained everything in great detail.
Xiao Wan'er initially just agreed, but later realized what she meant and carefully remembered it.
In a while, she will also go to Tonglin Town to check on the construction progress of the Medical Academy, which may be useful in the future.
Chen Yi guessed Xiao Jinghong's thoughts and secretly sighed at the deep sisterly affection.
Xiao Jinghong clearly remembered what Xiao Die said.
She seemed to be talking about what she had been doing recently, but in reality she was pointing out areas where Xiao Wan'er might have overlooked in the construction.
The key point is that she didn't bring it up directly or preach, but rather gave it a more subtle "guidance".
Unlike the usual cold-faced general, he takes care of his older sister Xiao Wan'er in every way.
Just as Chen Yi was about to ask Xiao Jinghong for her opinion on several rumors circulating in the city, he heard her turn her head and ask:
"My lord, did you see two strange people in the city a while ago?"
Chen Yi was slightly taken aback. "A strange person?"
"One old and one young; the older one had white hair and a youthful face, while the younger one was handsome to the point of being almost demonic."
Bai Daxian, Shui Hetong?
Chen Yi realized what was happening, met her gaze, pretended to think for a moment, then shook his head and nodded, saying:
"I did see two strange people. I saw them in the East Market when I went to Jishi Pharmacy a few days ago."
"But they weren't an old man and a young man, but two people who looked exactly alike, and their appearance... was indeed so handsome it was almost demonic."
"They..."
At this point, Chen Yi paused for a moment, then asked, "Madam, do you know these two people?"
Shui Hetong was one thing, but the White Immortal noticed his identity and his hidden cultivation level.
Xiao Jinghong's question made him suspect that after Bai Daxian and Shui Hetong left the prefectural city, they went to the Wushan border market.
However, judging from Xiao Jinghong's behavior just now, Bai Daxian probably hasn't revealed his identity to anyone.
That makes sense when you think about it.
Bai Daxian has been living in seclusion for thirty years, so it's unlikely that he had a close relationship with Xiao Jinghong.
Just as Chen Yi was feeling lucky, he heard Xiao Jinghong say, "That old man is my senior master, and the younger ones are his disciples."
"Master, senior master? Disciple?"
"And your master is...?"
"'Sword Saint' Li Wudang".
“Li Wudang…”
Chen Yi had heard of this name before. It was said that before Bai Daxian went into seclusion thirty years ago, he fought with the "Sword Saint" and won.
But he had never heard anyone mention that Xiao Jinghong was a disciple of "Sword Saint" Li Wudang.
He never imagined that the White Immortal was actually her senior martial brother.
Seeing the surprise on his face, Xiao Jinghong smiled and said, "My husband, please forgive me. Since I returned to the Xiao family, I have already completed my apprenticeship."
“At that time, my master specifically instructed me not to show the sword techniques he taught me unless necessary, so as not to get into trouble.”
"I see..."
Chen Yi frowned inwardly, unsure whether the White Immortal had told Xiao Jinghong about his identity.
After pausing for a few breaths, he forced himself to calm down and asked, "I heard that Master Bai is most skilled at divination?"
"What a pity."
“My brother was also there at the time. I was in a hurry to take him to a nearby tavern for a meal, so I didn’t have time to have him do a fortune telling.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and said, "Fortunately, my husband didn't let the old man do the divination."
"What? Are all those rumors circulating in the martial arts world true? Is Master Bai's divination really a death warrant?"
"Most of them are true."
Chen Yi pressed further, "After Madam's senior master left the prefectural city, did he also go to the trade market to look for you? Did he perform a divination for you?"
Xiao Jinghong shook his head. "No."
"Grandma Shan had warned me before that I should stay away from my senior brother when I saw him."
"Therefore, I only greeted my senior brother and heard him mention you. Out of curiosity, I asked you a few more questions."
Why did he bring me up?
"It must be because my husband is so accomplished in calligraphy that he looks at me differently."
It's best not to.
Chen Yi didn't want to be targeted by that old guy who claimed to be "the number one martial arts master in the Jianghu".
Xiao Wan'er was confused, but she understood that Chen Yi had gained the favor of a martial arts master, and said with a smile:
“My brother-in-law has achieved remarkable success. Not to mention Shu Prefecture, which of the powerful families in the nine prefectures and three counties of our Great Wei Dynasty would not treat him as an honored guest?”
Xiao Jinghong smiled and shook his head, "Not entirely."
Seeing Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er looking over, she continued, "The Liu family of Jingzhou probably doesn't like my husband very much."
"That's true, haha..."
Chen Yi smiled, but inwardly he felt relieved.
It's certain that Master Bai didn't reveal much to Xiao Jinghong, and we don't know what he was thinking.
Waiting to see a good show?
I reckon that shameless old man probably had such thoughts.
I have had breakfast.
Xiao Wan'er declined, saying she was tired and went back to her room to rest, still somewhat worried that the others would bring up her marriage again.
Xiao Jinghong, unsuspecting, took his leave.
Chen Yi had assumed she would go out or return directly to Wushan Market, but to his surprise, she followed him back to Chunhe Garden.
Although he found it strange, he didn't show it at all.
The two walked silently side by side through the door between the green tiles and white walls, and into the long corridor paved with pear wood.
The warm sunlight dispelled the chill in the wind, and as it shone down, it gradually lengthened their shadows.
The birdsong has ceased, and the fish leap and splash in the water.
The raindrops fell from the flowers, grass, and trees, making a pattering sound from time to time.
It was as if it were providing accompaniment for the footsteps of Chen Yi, Xiao Jinghong, and Xiao Die.
Xiao Jinghong seemed to feel he should say something, so he put one hand behind his back and pointed to the pavilion with the other, saying:
"Husband, why don't we go sit over there?"
Chen Yi glanced at her sideways, smiled and nodded: "If Madam commands, I dare not refuse."
Xiao Jinghong paused, then quietly lowered his hands from behind his back and took a few quick steps with his head slightly lowered.
Looking at her expression, Chen Yi thought for a moment and realized that his words had been somewhat ambiguous.
But seeing Xiao Jinghong's reaction, a slight smile appeared on his face.
Madam, husband, their relationship was already established.
Even though Xiao Jinghong was the commander of the Dingyuan Army, she would still show some of her feminine side in front of him.
Good thing.
Chen Yi followed with a smile, waving to Xiao Die to prepare tea, snacks, and other items.
Xiao Die quietly walked away, glancing back every now and then as Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong sat down in the pavilion, her ears twitching.
It was obvious that Miss Curiosity and her fiancé were going to have something to say.
But even after she had walked away, the two of them didn't say a word.
There was a sense of "silence speaks louder than words" about it.
Chen Yi sat casually on the stone bench, his eyes fixed on Xiao Jinghong opposite him.
Xiao Jinghong, however, sat rather upright, her eyes sweeping over him, glancing at the pond, and then back at him.
A moment of silence.
Xiao Jinghong lowered her eyes slightly, "Thank you, my husband, for the painting you made for my father and mother."
Chen Yi chuckled to himself. After holding it in for so long, this was all she said?
"I'm glad you're happy, Madam."
"Yes, I like it."
Xiao Jinghong softly echoed, but the word "like" was spoken very clearly.
“Jinghong had been practicing martial arts with her master since childhood. More than ten years had passed since then. When she returned, her father and mother had already perished in the heart of the barbarian territory.”
"After such a long time, Jinghong couldn't even remember what they looked like anymore."
"Fortunately, my husband sent me that portrait a few days ago, which allowed Jinghong to find their voices and appearances again."
Chen Yi's smile faded, and he fell silent.
He had heard about this from Xiao Wan'er—Xiao Jinghong only returned to the Xiao family after news of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing's "death in battle" reached them.
Then she went to the battlefield and became the commander of the Dingyuan Army.
I imagine she was just as heartbroken as Xiao Wan'er during that time.
Chen Yi thought about it, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything comforting.
Chen Yi knew very well that the past five years, as well as the years she spent training with "Sword Saint" Li Wudang, had already tempered Xiao Jinghong's character and made her resilient.
Saying words of comfort felt somewhat inappropriate.
Xiao Jinghong wasn't seeking his comfort, and continued speaking on her own:
“Over the years, whenever Jinghong encounters a problem she can’t solve, she thinks of her father and wonders how he would handle it if he were here.”
"Over time, Jinghong got used to calling himself 'commander' both at home and in the Dingyuan Army."
She looked at Chen Yi, her beautiful face still exuding a heroic air, but a hint of apology also inadvertently showed through.
"My lord, please forgive me. Jinghong... was unable to do as I pleased."
Chen Yi stared blankly at her for a long time before finally shaking his head with a smile and saying:
"Madam, there is no need for an apology."
Do you still remember what I said to you when the old man celebrated his birthday?
Xiao Jinghong nodded, "My husband doesn't want to serve as an official or join the army. He just wants to stay in the Marquis's mansion and be a carefree husband."
"Yes, I don't have high ambitions. I just want to live a peaceful and quiet life. Fishing, drinking tea, and playing chess are enough for me."
Seeing that she didn't quite understand, Chen Yi simply spread his hands and said, "If you can give me such a heavenly life, you can continue to be your 'commander'."
Xiao Jinghong paused for a moment, then a smile bloomed on his face.
Like bright sunshine, or like ice and snow melting and everything coming back to life.
"My husband, are you really not bothered?"
Chen Yi smiled and said, "I don't mind."
"If love between two people is meant to last, why should they be together every day and night? That must be what I wrote in my poem back then."
Xiao Jinghong hummed in agreement, her gaze drifting to the wooden building behind him, a barely perceptible sweetness playing on her lips.
“When I came home last night, I saw the poems my husband had rewritten, the artistic conception of the calligraphy… I really like them.”
She liked all of them, including "Thoughts on a Summer Night," "Thoughts on a Summer Night II," and "Autumn Day Sent to My Wife."
Perhaps feeling that this was too blunt, Xiao Jinghong quickened his pace and said:
“I also like the other two poems my husband wrote, ‘Thoughts After the Rain’ and ‘Prelude to Water Melody: Mid-Autumn Festival’.”
"Do you have any poems? I'd like to take them with me and look at them from time to time."
Chen Yi naturally wouldn't refuse, so he nodded and instructed Xiao Die, who was carrying the tea, as follows:
"Go to the study and get the two poems I have hanging on the wall."
Xiaodie put down the tea and hurriedly returned to the wooden building, her curiosity about what they were talking about growing stronger.
However, after her interruption, Xiao Jinghong relaxed and took a sip of tea.
"My husband, what are your thoughts on the border situation in Shu Prefecture?"
Chen Yi also took a sip of tea, vaguely feeling that the question was somewhat familiar.
After a moment of reflection, he suddenly remembered the words his grandfather had said to Xiao Jinghong on his birthday: "Build high walls, delay declaring yourself king, and store up plenty of grain."
"The current situation in Shu Prefecture is somewhat chaotic."
Xiao Jinghong waited a moment, and seeing that he didn't continue, she couldn't help but ask, "That's all?"
"That's all."
Chen Yi put down his teacup and looked at her with a half-smile: "With things in such chaos, it's natural that Madam needs to quell everything."
"Otherwise, how could I live a peaceful and leisurely life?"
Xiao Jinghong was speechless. After looking at him for a moment, she said, "Jinghong will do her best."
Chen Yi picked up the kettle and filled her teacup with tea, saying, "Madam, there's no need to be in such a hurry."
"I read a sentence in a book these days that goes, 'Those who do many unrighteous deeds will surely perish.'"
"Those with ulterior motives will eventually suffer a great misfortune."
"Just like that 'jackal' who kidnapped my older sister yesterday, didn't he die in the wilderness?"
Xiao Jinghong hummed in agreement, his expression slightly cold. "King Landu has long harbored rebellious intentions. I am certain that he will not approach the borders of Great Wei before resolving the matter of Vaishsa Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yi suddenly understood; so that's how it is.
These words woke him up.
No wonder the White Tiger Guard General dared to contact King Lando; it turns out he had confirmed that his target was the Kingdom of Vashj.
So, all of Landu King's transactions with Liu Hong and the Jizhou merchants were for his rebellion?
After Chen Yi figured all this out, he marveled at the many talented people in the Great Wei Dynasty while secretly cursing the short-sightedness of the Jizhou merchants.
For the sake of that money, they completely disregarded this piece of news.
It's likely that they won't realize their mistake until Cui Qingwu sells the grain back to several grain shops, causing them heavy losses.
"Madam sees things very clearly."
Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, "The same goes for the barbarians. Internal strife has already broken out, and they dare not easily start another war."
"However, the appearance of Asutai, the son of the Left King, in Shu Prefecture was indeed unexpected for Jinghong."
"Was he really captured by those bandits and brought to Shu Prefecture, becoming a barbarian slave?"
"Yes, Grandpa told me..."
After chatting for a few minutes, Xiaodie came over carrying two paintings.
Xiao Jinghong unfolded it and took a look.
A thousand miles of Jiangling, a lone boat gliding by, and the image of a celestial palace emerging.
She couldn't help but show a hint of amazement, "My husband's poetry is truly... unparalleled in the world."
There are many people in the Great Wei Dynasty who can compose poetry, and many who are good at it, but there are not many who are proficient in calligraphy and can also write poetry.
The combination of the two is extremely rare.
"I'm glad you're happy, Madam..."
Seeing the two chatting and laughing, Xiaodie secretly memorized their words, intending to pick out a couple of sentences to write in "The Biography of the Second Son-in-Law of the Marquis of Wu's Mansion".
She even had the title ready.
Let's call it "The Son-in-Law Wins the Miss's Heart on the Sixteenth of September".
Fortunately, Chen Yi was unaware of her thoughts, otherwise he would have definitely hung her up and beaten her.
How could a harmonious relationship between husband and wife be related to "pleasing someone"?
It's clearly...it's clearly...the wife leads and the husband follows.
Unfortunately, such heartwarming moments are always fleeting.
Not long after, a soldier came to report: "Reporting to the Second Miss, the Marquis wants you to go with him to the Provincial Administration Office."
Xiao Jinghong waved her hand with her back to him: "I know."
After the soldiers left, she sighed inwardly and said, "My husband, please forgive me. My grandfather has summoned me, so I must go now."
Chen Yi smiled and nodded, "Please do as you please, Madam. There are many days ahead."
Though he said this, he was secretly laughing even more freely.
Old Master Xiao actually took Xiao Jinghong with him to the Provincial Administration Office, it seems he was determined to embarrass Liu Hong this time.
Thinking this, Chen Yi watched Xiao Jinghong leave.
After waiting a while longer.
He changed into casual clothes and told Xiaodie, "I'm going to Guiyun Academy and the pharmacy. I'll bring you some tea when I come back."
"Take care, young master..."
Chen Yi did walk very slowly, as he was somewhat worried about Xiao Jinghong's hearing, which was at the third rank of cultivation.
He went to the academy unhurriedly, lingered for half an hour, and then arrived at the Jishi Pharmacy, where he found Ma Liangcai and wrote a few words on the table:
"Go quickly and inform Wang Ji to recall Zhang Dabao and the others."
With the old man making such a big fuss, he doesn't have much time left!
(End of this chapter)
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