Chapter 57 A Mind Full of Wisdom
"A serendipitous opportunity arises at the Marquis of Dingyuan's birthday banquet, stirring up a storm of events."
This was the first time in months that Chen Yi had seen daily intelligence of such a high rank.
Based on previous experience, he only needed to observe the scene and do nothing to obtain basic opportunities and rewards such as skills and knowledge.
If he were to take the initiative to talk to Chen Yunfan, as he did when he greeted Chen Yunfan at noon today, there would be an extra reward for getting involved.
Thinking about it, Chen Yi smiled wryly.
"We're so close, and there's no risk involved. Perhaps we can try to show off a bit."
"However, we need to be careful not to overdo it. After all, it's the old man's birthday, and being too flashy would be unseemly."
Having made his decision, Chen Yi got up and left the study, going outside to look at the bright moon and stars in the night sky.
Summer has arrived in Shuzhou, and the weather is rather muggy. Even late at night, the wind carries a humid and hot feeling.
Along with it comes the faint, sweet fragrance of purple bamboo unique to Chunhe Garden.
Chen Yi took a deep breath and stretched his limbs. He didn't feel hot at all; on the contrary, he felt much more refreshed and relaxed.
The benefits of mastering the Xuanwu Breath Concealing Technique were no less than those of the Great Spear Stance Technique.
Although it did not further strengthen his muscles, bones, skin, internal organs, or enhance his strength, the Xuanwu Breath Concealing Technique allowed his body to be in a wondrous state.
Firstly, his aura was naturally restrained, which caused all traces of his cultivation to disappear, leaving only the refined elegance cultivated through years of reading.
Secondly, even though Chen Yi wasn't practicing stance training, his internal energy was still increasing at a slight rate.
This was because when those hair-sized wisps of energy covered his body, they came into contact with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and were refined into the energy within his body.
As water accumulates, the Qi in the two Qi Seas (Dantian and Tanzhong acupoints) in the chest gradually increases.
"This has greatly accelerated my cultivation progress."
A smile appeared on Chen Yi's face.
To be honest, the feeling of making a little progress every day gave him a great sense of accomplishment.
Even though he hasn't had many opportunities to use his martial arts skills, having a skill is better than having nothing at all.
As the saying goes, when outsiders think you are weak, you'd better not actually be weak.
Otherwise, they will only bully and suppress you more recklessly.
That's how Chen Yi is now.
He can live a carefree and unrestrained life, but that doesn't mean he will choose to tolerate it when outsiders bully him.
If that's the case, he wouldn't have brought up Xiao Wuge when facing Chen Yunfan this afternoon, nor would he have been so confrontational.
Chen Yi turned his head and saw that the lights in the wooden building where Madam Xiao Jinghong was were already out, so he didn't linger outside and turned back to his room.
Tomorrow's birthday banquet for Marquis Xiao will be a day of great turmoil. He wants to see if Shu Prefecture has more outstanding people or more monsters and demons.
Inside the wooden building next door.
In the dim light, Xiao Jinghong watched Chen Yi return to his room through the half-open window, slightly lost in thought.
Since that night, she had been busy with the finances and provisions for the Dingyuan Army and had few opportunities to contact Chen Yi again.
But for some reason, she always felt that Chen Yi was quite different from ordinary scholars.
Aside from his carefree and composed demeanor, he also seems to possess a confidence that most people lack.
Or rather, confidence.
"Having a grand vision in one's heart...that's roughly it."
Xiao Jinghong thought to himself, then reached out and pulled down the wooden lever under the window, closing the window.
She gazed at one side of the room, pondered for a moment, and a smile quietly appeared on her beautiful face.
If Chen Yi had been there and seen it, perhaps the phrase "Jade steps and jade trees, as beautiful as you, so rare in the world" would have applied to his wife.
It's a pity that only the bright moon, the stars, and a gentle breeze can see such a touching smile.
"He and I, one a martial artist and the other a scholar, are quite compatible."
Thinking about it, a rare hint of shyness flashed in Xiao Jinghong's eyes.
She then took a light step and gracefully turned over to lie on the bed.
Even as the bedding covered her delicate body, a pair of bright eyes remained fixed on the fragrant curtains above.
Regardless of how others see it, regardless of her status, or regardless of her previous considerations, she and Chen Yi are now bound together.
The scene from that night involuntarily flashed through Xiao Jinghong's mind, and that gentle voice rang in his ears:
"Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou, is from Jiangnan Prefecture."
"Good night, madam."
Xiao Jinghong's lips curled up slightly, then she closed her eyes and silently responded in her heart:
Goodnight, my husband.
...
As mentioned before, the laws and regulations of the Great Wei Dynasty were very strict.
Especially etiquette and law.
There are also detailed rules for the birthday celebrations of border generals, which must conform to etiquette and ancestral rules, and avoid overstepping boundaries.
Therefore, to avoid trouble, Lord Xiao did not celebrate his birthday in a military town.
This eliminates the need for commemorating the spirit of the Dingyuan Army and for neighboring small states and mountain tribes to offer tributes.
In the old Marquis's own words, "I am seriously ill and not fit to travel far. Let's keep things simple."
It was just past midnight.
The sound of gongs and drums could already be heard inside the Xiao residence.
Second Master Xiao Wang personally carried the gong, walked around the backyard, then through the various residences in the middle courtyard, and finally arrived at the front yard.
There were already a hundred guards dressed in black armor standing solemnly in front of the courtyard gate.
Xiao Wang looked them over one by one, making sure there was nothing wrong with them, before handing the gong in his hand to the servant beside him.
"Today is the Marquis's birthday. Although it is being held in the mansion, you must still show the spirit of the Dingyuan Army."
As soon as he finished speaking, the hundred tall and burly soldiers paused abruptly and responded in unison.
The sounds were bright, and when they came together, they were like a thunderous explosion.
"Very good, go ahead and stand guard outside the door to welcome the guests."
"yes!"
Upon hearing the sounds from the outer courtyard, the Xiao family relatives in the middle and back courtyards, who had been leisurely getting up, immediately panicked.
Some were getting dressed, others were getting ready.
Chen Yi, on the other hand, calmly got dressed and washed up.
After cleaning and tidying up, he leisurely walked downstairs and looked out of the Spring Lotus Garden by the lantern light.
Because the calligraphy copybook written for Pei Guanli was lost, Xiaodie, Wang Lixing, and the others still haven't returned. The owner of the mounting shop must be having a tough time tonight.
Of course, most of the other people in the Xiao family were also tired.
"Luckily, I practiced martial arts, otherwise, if I had only slept for half an hour and then gotten up, I would probably still be in a daze right now."
Chen Yi pondered for a moment, then looked at the wooden building next to him, his gaze pausing.
The previously dimly lit room was now brightly lit, and in the dim light, a beautiful figure could be vaguely seen sitting by the window.
Through the half-open window, he could still see half of Xiao Jinghong's face that wasn't covered, just like when he was wearing that half-mask.
Her lips were round and smooth, and her teeth were white and full.
Faintly, Xiao Jinghong's voice came: "Zhenyue, go and wake Guanli."
"Also, help her put on that mountain ethnic costume, so she won't be flustered and make a mess of it."
Su Zhenyue seemed to chuckle, and said softly, "That girl really doesn't seem like an ordinary mountain tribesperson."
"She's used to being wild."
Xiao Jinghong spoke casually, but as he spoke and drew his eyebrows, his eyes caught sight of a figure outside the window.
She paused for a moment, then her voice returned to calm: "Go ahead and get busy. I'm going to the ancestral hall with my grandfather to pay respects to our ancestors later. We still have some time."
Xiao Jinghong rarely dressed up, and now that she was being stared at so intently, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward.
If it weren't for today's special occasion, she would definitely be out without makeup as usual.
Chen Yi sensed something was off, smiled, and turned his head away, no longer looking at it.
It seems that the lady is not always calm and composed; she occasionally reveals a bit of her feminine side.
Seemingly hearing Chen Yi's laughter, Xiao Jinghong awkwardly got up and removed the window support.
Squeak.
Chen Yi paused, then turned around to look.
Xiao Jinghong was taken aback, and a blush quietly appeared on her face.
"Hahaha……"
The laughter was naturally Chen Yi's, which made Xiao Jinghong, who heard the sound, frown slightly.
This was the first time she had encountered such a situation, and she didn't know what to do.
A vague thought remained in her mind:
"How can this situation be more difficult than handling military affairs or practicing martial arts?"
(End of this chapter)
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