After turning it over in his mind, Chen Yi decided he would no longer readily show others his running script or cursive script.
As long as his calligraphy copybooks did not circulate, surely no one would be foolish enough to travel a thousand miles on nothing but a few unsupported words from Mr. Yue Ming.
With that in mind, Chen Yi weighed his words:
"Eldest Sister, the way I see it, this poem is meant as a birthday gift for the Old Master. It should be kept safe from now on."
Xiao Wan'er nodded with a smile. From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Xiao Jinghong in a second-floor side chamber nearby. Knowing that she was ready, she rose and said:
"Brother-in-law, keep Wu Ge and the others company. I'll put this calligraphy in your study first."
"Thank you, thank you."
Chen Yi knew that she and Xiao Jinghong had only just returned to the residence and presumably needed to visit the Old Master first, so he said nothing more.
After giving Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few instructions, Xiao Wan'er carried the brocade box toward the wooden tower where Chen Yi lived.
As she walked, she was still thinking about how to bring Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong together and deepen their feelings for each other.
They were husband and wife, after all. Living apart forever was no lasting solution.
Xiao Wan'er knew her second sister's temperament. She had always had a mind of her own, even as a child. Especially after leading troops into battle these past few years, her second sister had grown considerably, and her thoughts had become ever harder to guess.
But just as Wu Ge had said earlier, "Man can conquer nature." As long as she persisted, she believed she could surely bring her second sister and brother-in-law back to a normal married life.
With these thoughts in mind.
Xiao Wan'er entered the study and set the brocade box on the desk, only for her eyes to fall on the sheet of Yunsong paper spread out there.
She turned to glance at Chen Yi outside the window, then walked up to the desk and carefully examined the writing on the paper.
The more she looked, the more she liked it.
"No wonder Mr. Yue Ming was so relentless. Even I want a piece of Brother-in-law's calligraphy to take home and copy."
Sighing inwardly, Xiao Wan'er could not resist leafing through the stack of papers beside it, hoping to find a sheet with more writing and ask Chen Yi for it.
There were more than a dozen sheets of calligraphy, some in running script and some in Wei Qing style. Every one possessed a far-reaching artistic conception, stirring her delight like a hunter spotting prey.
Although none of these works manifested an "artistic conception," judging solely by their calligraphic accomplishment, they were all fine works.
Chen Yi: Anything unfit to show has already been tossed into the wastebasket by yours truly, the son-in-law.
A short while later.
Xiao Wan'er's eyes suddenly lit up. She picked up the sheet of Wei Qing script and studied it closely, her smile turning to puzzlement.
Written on it was "Qing Chun Ze - Graceful Spirit Ode," signed "Written by Chen Qingzhou on a spring night in Year 21 of Anhe":
A soul of snow cut clouds to form her temples; ice silk washed the moon to form her eyes.
At Kui Gate, the night-swollen river of stars poured backward, bathing a thousand mountains in jade-white brilliance.
Sword Qi first gathered in the dark hue of her brows; a crane's shadow slipped unseen across Shu's morning sky.
Jade steps, jade trees-such as you are rare in the human world.
Once startled that the Guye immortal had grown old, I lamented the Luo River's vain ode, Chishui's fruitless song.
Her flowerlike face newly moistened with snow; her brocade robe still bore the flute notes of Wei.
Beacon fires flared and faded, adorning her golden hair ornaments; when northern geese returned, her emerald hairpin fell.
Though pigments could not paint her bones, through a thousand autumns she alone shone over the vast and lonely Chu sky.
After reading it, Xiao Wan'er widened her beautiful eyes and hurriedly covered her lips with her hand.
She looked at the pavilion outside the window, then at the Yunsong paper in her hands. For no apparent reason, the pounding of her heartbeat rang in her ears.
"Brother-in-law, he..."
"No, he wouldn't. He mustn't. He hasn't."
Even as she denied it, Xiao Wan'er's thoughts remained a tangled skein.
Anyone who saw this poem would think of her. After all, its title was "Graceful Spirit Ode," not "Jinghong Ode."
She could not help remembering how Chen Yi had crossed Chunhe Garden to reach Jiaxing Garden that night and even met with her. Her heart grew more troubled still.
If others found out, especially her second sister Xiao Jinghong... wouldn't that make her a sinner?
Only after a long while did Xiao Wan'er press a hand to her chest and force herself to calm down.
She looked at the lines of verse again and made a decision.
Then she carefully rolled up the sheet of Yunsong paper and tucked it into her cloak's inner pocket, along with a calligraphy copybook written in running script.
Next, Xiao Wan'er picked up the wolf-hair brush, dipped it in ink, and spread out a blank sheet of Yunsong paper to write:
"Brother-in-law, I have taken two of your calligraphy copybooks. I hope you will forgive me."
"Also, I hope you will not entertain any wild thoughts, lest they cause needless trouble."
After writing, a trace of helplessness flashed through Xiao Wan'er's eyes. She lightly bit her lip and sighed inwardly, the joy of obtaining Chen Yi's calligraphy long gone.
She took one last look around before leaving the wooden tower. Without even stopping to say goodbye to Chen Yi and the others, she hurried back to Jiaxing Garden.
Not long afterward.
Having changed into a long red dress, Xiao Jinghong emerged from the wooden tower with her sashes fluttering. From afar, she saw Chen Yi gripping a fishing rod, locked in a struggle with a fish in the pond.
After some thought, she walked over. A hint of surprise showed in her eyes beneath her half armor as she said calmly:
"Husband, sorry for the trouble of having you look after Wu Ge and Heng'er here. Eldest Sister and I are going to Qingjing Residence to see Grandfather."
Chen Yi turned toward her. After briefly looking her over, he rose and smiled. "Wife, you needn't be so polite."
Seeing Xiao Jinghong so composed put him somewhat at ease.
Although he did not know how much Tiger Girl had told her, it seemed Xiao Jinghong did not know those secrets of his.
In fact, Xiao Jinghong had indeed failed to pry Pei Guanli's mouth open.
Still, from those scattered words, it was not difficult for her to deduce that Chen Yi had been cultivating the Martial Path lately and had made some small gains.
She had also discerned Pei Guanli's admiration for Chen Yi and... fondness.
It was not romantic love between a man and a woman, but the fondness of someone who had found a like-minded playmate.
This inevitably made Xiao Jinghong all the more curious about Chen Yi.
She knew Pei Guanli's temperament, as well as the outrageous things she had done in the Mountain Tribe.
Yet someone so utterly lawless respected, praised, and liked her husband. It was hard not to be surprised.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jinghong nodded. "When Eldest Sister and I return, let's eat together."
"All right."
Watching Xiao Jinghong head to Jiaxing Garden in the distance, Chen Yi relaxed inwardly.
It seemed nothing had happened.
Who would have thought that the Young Heir Apparent Zhang Heng beside him would be even more obvious? The sound of his relieved exhalation almost amounted to a sigh.
Hearing it, Xiao Wuge grinned.
Zhang Heng glared at him. "What are you laughing at? Watch out, or I'll tell my second female cousin later."
Although he tried very hard to look fierce, he had less than a tenth of his former imposing air.
Amused, Chen Yi asked, "Are you very afraid of your second female cousin?"
"Who-who's afraid?"
Zhang Heng glared at him too, then went back to fishing with an indignant huff.
"Brother-in-law, Brother Heir Apparent isn't afraid. He's simply haunted by how Second Sister used to discipline him."
"Y-you shut up..."
Chen Yi could not help laughing. He stopped teasing the Young Heir Apparent and looked toward the wooden tower where his wife stayed.
Soon, he spotted Pei Guanli poking her head furtively out of the second floor, grinning at him.
Chen Yi gave her a look. Did you tell her?
Pei Guanli returned a smug expression. Of course not. Don't you know how tightly I keep my lips sealed?
Reassured, Chen Yi gave her a thumbs-up.
Pei Guanli chuckled, but then clutched her stomach and pouted, clearly hungry.
Chen Yi understood. After giving Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few instructions, he turned back toward the wooden tower.
As long as Tiger Girl had not sold him out, there was no great problem.
Chen Yi fetched some pastries and fruit from the study, only to notice that someone had disturbed his desk.
He looked at the note on the desk, thought briefly, then reached out to leaf through the stack of calligraphy beside it. Understanding dawned on his face.
So Xiao Wan'er had seen that "Graceful Spirit Ode."
But why had she dared to take it after reading it?
Chen Yi shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Sister Wan'er, oh, Sister Wan'er. In my possession, that poem amounts at most to wishful thinking on my part-unrequited love.
In yours, its very nature changes. It becomes a love token.
What did this count as?
A secret exchange of affection, an illicit affair?
Inside Jiaxing Garden.
Once Xiao Wan'er had changed, Xiao Jinghong supported her as they walked toward Qingjing Residence.
They had only just left the courtyard when Xiao Jinghong gave Xiao Wan'er a suspicious look.
"Sister, has something been troubling you?"
Preoccupied with her thoughts, Xiao Wan'er faltered in her steps, her heart beating faster still.
She pressed a hand to her chest, forced a little smile, and shook her head. "N-no. Perhaps I'm tired..."
Thinking of her health, Xiao Jinghong reassured her. "Why don't you rest first? I'll go to Grandfather's alone."
"No, there's no need. I'm fine."
Before she could say anything more, Xiao Wan'er waved a hand, signaling for Shen Huatang, Xiao Die, and the others to follow, and instructed:
"Hua Tang, bring that cloak along for the Old Master."
"All right."
Seeing Xiao Jinghong turn to give instructions to Su Zhenyue, who attended her, Xiao Wan'er relaxed and secretly sighed.
Second Sister, it isn't that I don't want to tell you. It's simply... too difficult to put into words.
PS:
Brothers and sisters, the new-book period is hard to get through. Siyue is here to ask for monthly votes and continued reading. Please, please.
Before you continue