Chapter 46: Poetry Gathering? Not Going
Chen Yi knew very well why someone would become a beast of burden.
It's not because they are particularly talented or capable, but because they don't know how to say no.
If someone assigns you a task, you accept it. If they give you a little incentive, you're like you've been injected with adrenaline. If you don't do it, who will?
Therefore, when Xiao Jinghong asked him if he was willing to help Xiao Wan'er, Chen Yi's first reaction was to refuse.
Xiao Jinghong could tell that he was unwilling, so she did not force him. She simply said calmly, "Don't rush to reply. It's not too late to decide after Grandfather's birthday banquet."
Chen Yi relaxed slightly, but thinking of those miserable days, he still decided to struggle a little.
"Madam, actually..."
"Besides showing off a little knowledge and doing some writing and fishing, I don't know anything else."
"Sister Wan'er has some important matters on her side, and I'm worried that I might do more harm than good if I go over there."
Xiao Jinghong glanced at him calmly, "With such insight from my husband, I suppose he won't cause trouble for my sister."
"..."
Chen Yi obediently shut up. Well, it seems he can't get any help from the lady here.
It seems he can only try to find a solution through Xiao Wan'er.
However, while eating breakfast, Xiao Wan'er still didn't look at him, her eyes fixed on the table, talking to Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wuge as she ate.
Chen Yi remained silent, thinking that he would find a suitable opportunity to smooth things over later, hoping that his sister-in-law would take pity on him for his masterpiece and let him get out of here as soon as possible.
In fact, Xiao Wan'er was indeed uncomfortable at this moment.
Ever since she saw the poem "Ode to the Graceful Goddess," her mind has been filled with not only turmoil but also those words and phrases.
Those words were as if they were engraved in her mind, each stroke as clear as if they were right in front of her.
Whenever she thought of the line "Jade steps and jade trees, as beautiful as you, so rare in the world," a blush would rise on her face.
Although she acknowledged in her heart that the lyrics were beautiful, the calligraphy was elegant, and she liked it very much, the person who wrote the lyrics was her brother-in-law.
It kept her tossing and turning all night, unable to fall asleep.
At this moment, Xiao Jinghong noticed the unusual look on her face and asked, "Sister, your face is so red, are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Wan'er came to her senses, her pale face becoming even redder, and she quickly coughed a few times as if to say, "Perhaps it's because of the rainy day that I caught a cold."
Xiao Jinghong had no doubts. "Should we call a doctor to come and take a look?"
Xiao Wan'er dared not, and waved her hand without even raising her head, "No, no need, I just need to rest for a bit."
"Then you should be more careful. My husband and I will go to visit the other rooms later. You can stay in Jiaxing Garden and rest."
"It would be better if I went with you. You had an argument with Second Grandfather and Aunt Qiuyun yesterday, and I'm worried about you."
Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly. "Are you worried about Second Grandfather, or Aunt Qiuyun?"
Xiao Wan'er looked up and playfully slapped her, "I was just worried that you'd offend people because you're so outspoken."
As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously glanced at Chen Yi, and the whites of her eyes instantly became more than 20% larger than her pupils.
Chen Yi examined the osmanthus cake on the plate closely, pondering whether it would be easier to eat if cut horizontally or vertically.
After breakfast, Chen Yi followed the two sisters to wander around the various residences of the Xiao family.
The weather had not improved; the heavy rain shrouded the vast Xiao family mansion in a hazy mist.
Amidst the pattering of rain.
Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er shared an umbrella, while Shen Huatang and Su Zhenyue each held their own umbrella because they were carrying gifts.
Only Chen Yi remained calm and collected, with Xiao Die tiptoeing to hold an umbrella for him, walking behind him like a grandpa.
Not only on the passageways, but also when entering the various residences, Chen Yi would step forward to pay his respects and then stand silently to the side.
Fortunately, he still had a smile on his face, otherwise his physique would have made people think he was a personal guard of the mansion.
However, there was one good thing: with Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er by his side, the uncles, aunts, elders, and other elders from various households all greeted him with smiles.
At least there were no eye rolls.
Chen Yi's biggest gain was getting to know all the branches of the Xiao family.
Apart from the main branch of the Marquis Xiao Yuan and the second branch of Xiao Wang, the rest can only be considered as collateral branches.
At first glance, one might think the Xiao family was large and prosperous.
In reality, the only people who could be of use were the sparsely populated eldest son's family and the second son's family, who was in charge of the punishment hall.
Especially the men and women of the second wife's family.
For example, Xiao Dongchen, who served in the Shu Prefecture Administration Commission; Xiao Qiuyun, who married the Duke of Gan; and Xiao Ziqi, who rarely returned home from his duties at the Military Supervisory Office.
"Looking at it this way, Xiao Wuge is the only remaining heir of the main branch of the Xiao family."
Chen Yi recalled Xiao Wuge's words to Xiao Wan'er and vaguely understood what was going on.
No wonder Xiao Wan'er wanted Wu Ge to study under her; she hoped that Xiao Wu Ge could stay at home peacefully after arriving in Jinling.
That shows their good intentions.
It took them more than an hour, until after noon, before they returned to Chunhe Garden.
During this time, Xiao Jinghong brought up the matter of asking Chen Yi to help Xiao Wan'er again.
"Second sister, I agree, but my brother-in-law..." Xiao Wan'er hesitated as she spoke, glancing at Chen Yi as if she wanted him to speak.
Chen Yi understood immediately. "Madam, let Wan'er think about it first. Didn't you say you wanted to wait until after the old master's birthday to make a decision?"
It seems that the lady is determined not to let him stay at home peacefully.
However, Xiao Wan'er didn't seem to want him to go...good thing.
Xiao Jinghong looked at the two of them and nodded, saying, "Then it's settled."
After saying that, she led Su Zhenyue to the quiet residence, saying that Liu Si, the prefect of Shuzhou, had come to visit the old master.
After she left, a hint of shame and indignation flashed across Xiao Wan'er's delicate face. She glared at Chen Yi and had Shen Huatang help her to the storeroom.
"..."
I never imagined that poem would be so powerful.
Chen Yi sighed helplessly and returned to Chunhe Garden with Xiao Wuge to see if they could catch a golden carp.
should?
...
The rain lasted for three days.
Xiao Jinghong was also busy for three days, so busy that he barely had time to put his feet on the ground.
She was busy from before dawn until after dinner, either receiving various officials from Shuzhou Prefecture or handling military affairs of the Dingyuan Army.
He inquired about every single detail, no matter how small.
Chen Yi was tired just watching, so he simply locked himself in the study and practiced martial arts while Xiao Jinghong was preoccupied.
He did try his best.
After spending several days practicing stance training, fist techniques, palm techniques, and footwork to a high level of proficiency, he only lacks the opportunity to choose one of them for a breakthrough.
After some deliberation and consideration.
The best choice is "Martial Arts Body", for a simple reason: mastering stance training will allow him to lay a more solid foundation for the ninth rank.
According to calculations, when "Martial Arts Body" reaches the Great Completion stage, he can not only cultivate the Great Spear Stance Technique to the Proficiency level, but also use it to further deduce and perhaps even reach the Perfection stage.
If he could possess dragon power at the ninth rank, he could fight against an eighth-rank cultivator with brute force alone.
As the old Marquis's birthday approaches, the Xiao residence gradually becomes more lively.
First, the generals of the three military towns of Dingyuan Army came in person, followed by the most prominent figures in Shu Prefecture.
There are high-ranking officials who hold important positions today, as well as aristocratic families that have been passed down for centuries.
Whether the person came or not, the gift list had already arrived at the mansion.
Of course, after these people came to the Xiao family, in addition to visiting the old master, they would also come to Chunhe Garden to see Xiao Jinghong.
They also met her husband, Chen Yi, and praised him for his handsome appearance and outstanding talent, and recited a birthday poem.
Chen Yi treated this as just a formality, and there were very few people he actually remembered.
It wasn't until two days before the old Marquis's birthday banquet.
Xiaodie rushed over, "Young master, young master, someone has come to visit."
Chen Yi asked lazily, "Which family's elder is it this time?"
"No, no, it's the third-ranked scholar and Miss Yunxiang who have arrived."
"oh?"
Chen Yi was slightly surprised, so he asked Xiao Die to call them in.
The four people sat down in the pavilion by the pond and looked each other over.
Li Huaigu's change is considerable. Although he still retains some of the spiritedness he had when he patrolled the streets, he has become much more composed.
After exchanging a few pleasantries...
Li Huaigu said solemnly, "Brother Qingzhou, thank you for your chivalrous help last time. If it weren't for you, I might have regretted it for the rest of my life."
He held Yunxiang's hand the whole time.
Yunxiang, perhaps still remembering the previous incident of the bride being kidnapped, had been intentionally or unintentionally hiding behind Li Huaigu. Upon hearing this, she lowered her head and timidly said:
"What Li Lang said is also what Yun Niang meant."
Chen Yi didn't seem to care, waving his hand with a smile as if he had long forgotten about it.
"You two are in love, but that has nothing to do with me."
"Even without me, if your fate is not yet over, you will naturally be able to be together."
Li Huaigu smiled and nodded, still expressing his gratitude.
Finally, he took out an invitation: "Yunxiang and I will be getting married next month, and I hope Brother Qingzhou can attend."
"good."
Chen Yi accepted the invitation without refusing.
To everyone's surprise, Li Huaigu took out another invitation, saying, "This is from my teacher, for the poetry gathering at Guiyun Academy."
"A poetry gathering? I'm not going."
Chen Yi refused without even thinking.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
