Chapter 45 Madam, You've Gone Too Far
The next day, before dawn.
The stars and the bright moon were obscured by dark clouds, and rain drifted down, making a splashing sound echo throughout the Spring Lotus Garden.
Xiao Jinghong got up early.
After washing herself, she sat down in front of the dressing table, looked around at the rouge and other cosmetics, and then picked up the silver half-armor and put it on.
Su Zhenyue, dressed as a servant and wearing the same half-armor, stood respectfully to the side, holding a set of clothes in her hands.
Xiao Jinghong carefully looked at himself in the bronze mirror, then stood up and asked, "What are the plans for today?"
Su Zhenyue shook off her clothes and helped her get dressed. "You need to go to the martial arts training ground first. Yesterday you made an appointment with Second Master to test their martial arts progress."
"After breakfast, you and the young lady will visit the various residences. I have prepared gifts for you."
"At noon, the Prefect will be visiting. The Old Master will send someone to inform him in advance. Also, General Changqing will be visiting in the afternoon..."
Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly: "Let's cancel it. I'll summon the three generals tomorrow to discuss the matter together."
Su Zhenyue nodded: "I will inform General Changqing later."
The two left the room and, upon reaching the stairs, Xiao Jinghong glanced at the room opposite:
"Prepare more meat for her in the morning."
"good."
Su Zhenyue knew she was referring to Pei Guanli. After responding, she couldn't help but recall the girl's "threat" at Xuanjia Army Town, and chuckled softly:
“The mountain tribes sent her out to deliver a message, aren’t they afraid she’ll get lost?”
Xiao Jinghong said calmly, "That old woman naturally believed that Pei Guanli had the ability to travel the world on her own, which is why she felt comfortable letting her leave the mountain."
"Don't let her impetuous nature and low cultivation level fool you; she has quite a few strange and unusual gadgets on her."
"Miss, are you talking about witchcraft?"
As Xiao Jinghong walked out of the wooden building, he hummed, "Although Gu worms and poisons are unorthodox methods, if used properly, they can still dominate the lower three ranks. In addition, her martial arts should be about to break through to the eighth rank."
Su Zhenyue looked at her in surprise, "If I remember correctly, she's been stuck at the peak of the ninth rank for many years, hasn't she?"
"She must have been working harder lately."
As he spoke, Xiao Jinghong looked at the third floor of another wooden building. Seeing that there was no light there, he stepped into the rain.
Without waiting for a reminder, Su Zhenyue opened the oil-paper umbrella that she had prepared beforehand, held it over her head, and followed closely behind.
She noticed Xiao Jinghong's gaze and hesitated before asking, "Miss, when we go to the various residences later, should we bring the young master along?"
"No……"
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jinghong remembered their time together in the pavilion the previous night and changed his words:
"No rush, I'll ask him when I get back from the training ground."
"Forehead……"
"Um?"
"No, it's nothing, I was just being nosy."
Su Zhenyue lowered her head, but her eyes behind the mask were wide open, filled with astonishment.
As Xiao Jinghong's close attendant, Su Zhenyue believed she knew her extremely well.
From a young age, Xiao Jinghong was very opinionated. Whether it was martial arts training, reading and writing, or practicing military strategy, she never needed the elders in the mansion to interfere.
After she joined the Dingyuan Army, even with the assistance of generals like Li Changqing and various military advisors, she made all the decisions, no matter how important.
At this moment, Xiao Jinghong wanted to ask Chen Yi's opinion on a small matter.
this……
Su Zhenyue was full of questions, not understanding why her young mistress cared so much about her son-in-law.
...
While the rain pattered on the banana leaves in Chunhe Garden, Chen Yi managed to get a rare, peaceful sleep.
Firstly, because of the rain, and secondly, because Wang Lixing knew that the young lady had returned, he could not come and go as he pleased.
Therefore, it wasn't until 1:15 AM that Xiaodie, carrying a basin of hot water and with a towel draped over her shoulder, quietly pushed open the door.
With a creaking sound, Xiaodie peeked out and looked at Chen Yi, who was still fast asleep, a hint of reluctance appearing on her pretty face.
Since his son-in-law started practicing martial arts, he hasn't slept until this hour in a long time.
However, remembering that Shen Huatang had just informed her that the young lady had prepared breakfast, she had no choice but to go forward and wake up the young master.
"What time is it?"
Chen Yi paused, opened his eyes, stood up, and asked.
Xiaodie placed the basin beside the bed, wet a towel, wrung it out, and gently wiped his face as she replied:
"Son-in-law, it's already past 5 a.m. (5 a.m.)."
"Just now, the eldest young lady asked Sister Huatang to invite you and the second young lady over for breakfast."
"However, the Second Miss went to the martial arts arena early this morning and hasn't returned yet. Would you like to wait or go there first?"
After wiping his face, Chen Yi got out of bed, changed his clothes, and said, "Let's wait for Madam."
Xiaodie tidied him up, smiling as she said, "Young master, last night you and the second young lady sat in the pavilion and chatted for a long time."
"You weren't asleep either?"
"Yes, but I didn't hear what you said clearly. However, Xiaodie can tell that you and the Second Miss are a good match."
Chen Yi couldn't help but tap her on the forehead: "What do you know about being a good match?"
Xiaodie rubbed her eyebrows and grinned, saying, "Just like the third-ranked scholar and Yunniang, you and the second young lady are the same."
"That's not the case."
Chen Yi thought to himself that Li Huaigu and Yunniang were childhood sweethearts, while he and Xiao Jinghong had only met twice at most, so how could they have any romantic feelings for each other?
If an outsider could truly see the affection, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it "hypocritical."
Before she could continue, Chen Yi asked, "Why are you using honorifics again? Are you afraid the young ladies will punish you when they return to the manor?"
Xiaodie stuck out her tongue. "We have to follow the rules of the manor."
A short while later, the two came out of the wooden building and stood under the eaves, listening to the rain and chatting.
Xiao Die did most of the talking, while Chen Yi listened, occasionally letting out a few flat "uh-huh" or "oh" in response.
"Son-in-law, aren't you surprised?"
"That's Mr. Yue Ming from Guiyun Academy. If the eldest and second young ladies hadn't arrived in time to speak up, he would have tried to snatch your calligraphy copybook."
Chen Yi replied dismissively, "Surprised, surprised."
What's so surprising about an old man obsessed with calligraphy?
However, Xiaodie believed it to be true and continued to talk about what happened yesterday with a smile. It was about how the two young ladies encountered General Li Changqing of Tiebi Town, the Second Master, and the Duchess when they returned from visiting the old master.
This time, Chen Yi became more interested. "Is that Li Changqing very familiar with the old master and his wife?"
Xiaodie nodded, "Yes, we know each other well. General Li was the old master's student. Before he was the garrison commander of the Iron Wall Army, he often came and went from the Marquis's residence."
Chen Yi understood and continued, "What happened after Madam confronted the Second Master and that Duchess?"
He knew that each of the three military towns in Shuzhou had a garrison commander, all of whom were under the command of Marquis Dingyuan and could be considered the old Marquis's right-hand men.
Now that Xiao Jinghong is temporarily taking over as the commander-in-chief of the Dingyuan Army from the old Marquis, it is only natural that he is familiar with them.
"That's it, sir. You didn't see their faces...it was terrifying."
"That only shows that they are narrow-minded."
Putting everything else aside, the fact that Xiao Qiuyun suggested he take up a post at the Shu Prefecture Provincial Administration Office was enough to displease him.
So, the lady is right—it's best for a second wife's daughter, who married out of the family, to meddle less in the affairs of the Xiao family.
Not long after Xiao Jinghong and Su Zhenyue returned, Chen Yi greeted them and exchanged a few pleasantries before heading to Jiaxing Garden together.
Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong walked side by side ahead, chatting casually.
Thinking of today's arrangements, Xiao Jinghong asked, "Husband, my sister and I are going to deliver some gifts to various residences later. Would you like to come along?"
Chen Yi thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay."
"Would you be willing to help your older sister?"
"Okay... um?"
Xiao Jinghong turned to look at him, "Now that my eldest sister is managing the pharmacy, fields, and several shops inside and outside the mansion, if you agree, you can go and help her out."
Chen Yi: "..."
Madam, you've gone too far.
You've only just gotten to know him a little, and you're already planning to make your husband work like a beast of burden?
(End of this chapter)
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