Chapter 44: Couple's Night Talk
Xiao Wan'er thought of several reasons, but none of them would pass her second sister's test, so she had to ask Chen Yi for his opinion first.
After all, based on her understanding of Chen Yi, he was indeed talented, but he was a lazy and idle person.
Even if he isn't... he better be!
Regardless of Xiao Wan'er's distress, Xiao Jinghong, having received her reply, thought about finding time to talk to Chen Yi.
As she had said before, she was well aware of her grandfather's purpose in inviting Chen Yi to marry into the family, and therefore never considered refusing.
However, with too many matters concerning the Xiao family and the Dingyuan Army, she couldn't sort out her relationship with Chen Yi in a short time, and she didn't know how to get along with him.
After much thought...
Xiao Jinghong then decided to let the two of them get busy with their own things.
After all, she will be busy building a trade market with the thirteen tribes in the Shuzhou mountain area, and she probably won't be able to attend to other matters in the short term.
Asking Chen Yi to help his sister was also a way to give him something to do.
She didn't expect Chen Yi to put in much effort; she just wanted to get through the current difficulties smoothly.
Chen Yi was naturally unaware of these things.
After Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er and the others returned, he had lunch with the two sisters, Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng.
Xiao Die ate with Shen Huatang and Su Zhenyue at a small table in a separate room.
Only Pei Guanli was gnawing on a pig's trotter in the wooden building next door, pitifully wondering when she could appear openly in the Xiao family.
However, it's unlikely in the near future, since even Xiao Jinghong found it hard to explain how she poisoned people all the way from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard.
During the meal, Chen Yi and the others would exchange a few words from time to time, the conversation was calm and peaceful, and the atmosphere was harmonious.
Chen Yi didn't have any ill feelings towards Xiao Jinghong, nor could he say he liked or loved her.
As long as she doesn't force herself to do anything and lets him stay peacefully in the Marquis's mansion, it would be better if things remained calm and uneventful.
However, during lunch, Xiao Wan'er remained silent, keeping her head down and not even glancing at Chen Yi.
Xiao Jinghong found it strange, but she didn't know that her eldest sister's change was because of Chen Yi. She only thought it was because of the Xiao family's current predicament.
Chen Yi understood the reason and thought he would find an opportunity to explain it later.
"Eldest sister, second sister, you didn't see the magnificence of the third-ranked scholar! The whole street is full of talented men..."
Xiao Wuge then recounted everything that had happened during this period, just as before.
"No, you can't call him a talented person. My brother-in-law said that a talented person is one who is both talented and virtuous. Some people are neither talented nor virtuous."
After he finished speaking, Chen Yi picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth. "Wu Ge, talk less and eat more."
This little traitor spills everything; he's really not afraid of being exiled to the army.
Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Jinghong didn't think much of it, only that the two of them had a good relationship.
The young prince Zhang Heng, standing beside him, remained silent and behaved himself.
Chen Yi couldn't help but laugh, thinking to himself that the saying "one thing subdues another" was indeed true.
After lunch, everyone dispersed.
Xiao Wan'er hadn't returned to the manor for a long time, and she needed to sort out all the big and small matters at home and outside, such as the accounts of the first and second wives.
Xiao Jinghong, on the other hand, was busier.
The Chunhe Garden was bustling with activity all afternoon.
One moment it was people from the collateral branches of the Xiao family who came looking for them, and the next it was people from the city guards and the judicial authorities of Shuzhou Prefecture who came to visit.
Some women who looked like they came from wealthy families also came to the door, saying they wanted to ask Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er to arrange a banquet.
Chen Yi initially found it novel, as Chunhe Garden hadn't been this lively in a long time.
But those people were only polite to him on the surface; behind his back, they were all pointing fingers and gossiping, making it impossible for him to continue fishing.
So he simply went back to his study, read some medical books, and practiced calligraphy, which was quite comfortable for him.
...
Night falls.
After finishing his calligraphy practice, Chen Yi stretched and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his slightly sore eyes to rest.
The next moment, a screen of light appeared before my eyes:
[Chance +1.]
[Comment: To not seize an opportunity presented itself before the person even arrives, before the voice is heard, and before the scene is witnessed, is the mark of an inherently lazy person.]
Chen Yi glanced at it, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Although he hasn't left the house during this period and has only had a few opportunities, he has made significant progress in all the techniques.
He had mastered the running script to an expert level, and with the support of calligraphy skills and energy, he was able to achieve a restrained elegance.
He had cultivated the spear stance skill to the proficient level, and was just waiting for the right opportunity to improve his "Martial Body" to the great success level, so that he could break through to mastery of the stance skill.
At that time, his strength will also improve significantly, and it is estimated that he will be able to reach the power of the Four Symbols.
In addition, he has mastered fist techniques, palm techniques, and footwork to the proficient level, and the earliest technique he learned, Bengyue Fist, has reached the proficient and perfect stage.
"The only troublesome thing is medicine."
Chen Yi looked at the several medical books on his desk and felt a headache coming on.
Although he had profound medical knowledge to guide him, the content involved was far too complex, and it was not something that could be improved simply by reading books.
For example, the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation require him to be on duty.
There are also things like acupuncture and medicine, but relying solely on closed-door practice will not lead to as much improvement as calligraphy or martial arts.
After thinking for a moment, Chen Yi had no choice but to give up for the time being. He couldn't really ask him to go and work at a clinic.
Thinking about it, he got up and stretched his arms and legs, walked to the window, and suddenly paused.
Under the bright starry night of early summer, Xiao Jinghong sat in the pavilion by the pond, gazing intently at the leaping golden carp.
I thought about it.
Chen Yi then left the study and went into the pavilion. He sat down at the table and asked casually, "It's so late, aren't you asleep yet?"
Xiao Jinghong had already heard his footsteps and was somewhat prepared, but she was still taken aback by his casual words.
She turned her head to look at him, a strange glint in her eyes beneath the half-armor: "You've changed a lot."
Chen Yi picked up the cup on the table, poured two cups of tea, and handed one to the other, saying, "People change."
He didn't address her as "Madam," and she didn't address him as "Husband." That was fine; it was an open and honest arrangement.
Xiao Jinghong stared at him for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's true."
She relaxed and leaned against the stone table, looking at the pool.
After years of military experience, she has indeed changed a lot.
Seeing that she was lost in thought, Chen Yi didn't disturb her and continued to sip his tea.
Perhaps disturbed by his voice, Xiao Jinghong thought for a moment and asked, "Why did you run away from the wedding before?"
Chen Yi paused for a moment, "Probably because he was thinking about the mundane life ahead and was unwilling to accept it."
It wasn't that he wanted to run away from the wedding, but he had no choice; he was framed.
Thinking it over, Chen Yi tentatively said, "If I say that I don't actually want to escape... I'm still unwilling to give up."
Before he could even finish speaking, Xiao Jinghong's eyes had already given him the answer.
Upon careful consideration, it's clear that Xiao Jinghong couldn't possibly believe him.
After all, on the day of the wedding, in everyone's eyes, he was the Xiao family's son-in-law who had escaped the wedding amidst the chaos.
If he were dead, the Xiao family might conduct a thorough investigation, but he is still alive.
Xiao Jinghong withdrew her gaze and continued to ask, "Then why are you thinking about stability now?"
Chen Yi smiled and said, "Probably because I'm thinking about the more distant future."
"Just like the old master, who fought in battles across the country for decades, he is now enjoying his retirement in his mansion."
"So I thought, when I reach the old man's age, I should be the same as him."
"If that's the case, then if I start enjoying myself now, wouldn't I avoid taking many detours and living a life of toil and mediocrity?"
"..."
Xiao Jinghong was taken aback again, turning her head to look at him, as if trying to figure out if he was talking nonsense.
To be fair, such remarks do sound quite novel.
"With your talent and knowledge, don't you feel it's a pity? Aren't you resentful?"
Chen Yi honestly said, "Sometimes, but when I think about it carefully, that kind of life is not suitable for me."
Seeing Xiao Jinghong nod, he pointed to the half-armor and asked, "May I ask why you always wear this mask?"
Xiao Jinghong looked at him for a moment, then raised her hand to remove the mask from the side, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.
This time, it was Chen Yi's turn to be stunned.
Although he knew Xiao Jinghong was beautiful when he first met her, he never expected that she would look 90% like Xiao Wan'er.
However, the two sisters have completely different figures and temperaments.
Xiao Wan'er is like a pure lotus flower, so delicate that one wants to protect her.
Xiao Jinghong, on the other hand, had more heroic spirit and less gentleness, and there were two faint scars under her eyes on her beautiful face.
"On my first patrol outside the pass, I encountered a large barbarian army and was accidentally injured by the barbarians."
For some reason, Xiao Jinghong then added, "However, I didn't do it to cover up my ugliness, but rather because it's inconvenient in the army, and wearing a mask is better."
Chen Yi continued to look at her face, and after a long while, he smiled and nodded: "Your beauty has not diminished, but rather you have gained a touch of heroism, which is quite good."
"But I want to know, where is the person who hurt you now?"
"Of course he's dead."
"That's really... too good for him."
After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.
As for Chen Yi, he gained a better understanding of Xiao Jinghong and found her to be straightforward and unpretentious, which was quite nice.
As for Chen Yi in Xiao Jinghong's eyes, he was probably just... pleasing to the eye.
In short, at this moment, she was not at all reserved, but rather relaxed, as the worries about the Dingyuan Army's money and provisions also dissipated.
We chatted for half an hour.
Chen Yi glanced at the sky, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Madam, let's get to know each other again. I am Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou, from Jiangnan Prefecture."
Xiao Jinghong found it interesting, so she also stood up and smiled, saying, "Xiao Jinghong greets her husband."
That smile was just like the evening breeze caressing my face.
Chen Yi was momentarily stunned, then nodded, turned and walked towards the side room, waving lazily as he did so.
"Good night, madam."
He thought that perhaps many years later, he would still remember that smile.
Xiao Jinghong watched him walk into the wooden building, and heard him slowly enter the side room. Only then did she stare blankly at the half-mask in her hand.
Goodnight, my husband.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
