A poetry gathering? Not going

Chen Yi knew all too well why people became beasts of burden.

It was not because they had so much talent or ability, but because they did not know how to say no.

Someone gave you a task, and you took it; they tossed you a little sweetness, and you acted as though you had been pumped full of stimulants. If you did not become a beast of burden, who would?

So when Xiao Jinghong asked whether he was willing to help Xiao Wan'er, Chen Yi's first reaction was to refuse.

Xiao Jinghong naturally saw his reluctance and did not insist. She merely said evenly, "There is no hurry to answer me. You can decide after Grandfather's birthday banquet."

Chen Yi relaxed a little, but when he thought of those miserable days, he still intended to put up a struggle.

"My lady, the thing is..."

"Apart from showing off a little learning, doing some calligraphy, and fishing, I really don't know how to do anything else."

"Sister Wan'er handles important matters. I'm worried I'd only make things worse if I went to help."

Xiao Jinghong gave him a calm look. "With such sound judgment, husband, I imagine you won't cause my sister any trouble."

"..."

Chen Yi obediently shut his mouth. Fine, it seemed he would get nowhere with his wife.

It looked as though he could only find a way through Xiao Wan'er.

But during breakfast, Xiao Wan'er still would not look at him. Her eyes stayed on the table as she ate and talked with Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wuge.

Chen Yi remained silent, thinking he would find a suitable opportunity later to ease things over. Hopefully, for the sake of that world-shaking masterpiece of his, his elder sister-in-law would let him get lost without delay.

In truth, Xiao Wan'er was indeed uncomfortable at that moment.

Ever since she had read that "Graceful Spirit Ode," her mind had been filled with agitation-and those verses.

The words seemed carved into her mind, every stroke as clear as though it were right before her eyes.

Whenever she thought of the line, "Jade steps, jade trees-those like you are rare in the human world," a little heat rose in her cheeks.

Though she admitted to herself that the verse was good and the calligraphy excellent, beautiful and very much to her liking, the man who had written it was her brother-in-law!

It had left her tossing and turning last night, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Just then, Xiao Jinghong noticed something unusual about her face and asked, "Sister, why is your face so red? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xiao Wan'er came back to herself, her pale face flushing even more. She hurriedly feigned a few coughs. "Perhaps I caught a chill in this rainy weather."

Xiao Jinghong suspected nothing. "Should we have a physician come take a look?"

How could Xiao Wan'er dare agree? Without even raising her head, she waved a hand. "N-no need. I'll be fine after some rest."

"Then take care of yourself. Why don't my husband and I visit the other branches later, while you stay in Jiaxing Garden and rest?"

"It would still be better if I came along. You argued with Second Grandfather and Aunt Qiuyun yesterday. I'm worried."

Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly. "Are you worried about Second Grandfather, or Aunt Qiuyun?"

Xiao Wan'er raised her head and gave her a reproachful pat. "I'm worried that blunt tongue of yours will offend someone."

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously swept over Chen Yi, the whites of her eyes instantly exceeding her pupils by twenty percent.

Chen Yi caught it clearly and lowered his head to study the osmanthus cake on his plate, wondering whether cutting it horizontally or vertically would make it easier to eat.

After breakfast, Chen Yi accompanied the two sisters on their visits around the Xiao Family's residences.

The weather still had not improved. Heavy rain fell, shrouding the vast Xiao Family estate in a hazy mist.

Amid the pattering rush of rain.

Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er shared an umbrella, while Shen Huatang and Su Zhenyue each held their own because they were carrying gifts.

Only Chen Yi remained utterly at ease, walking behind them like a lord while Xiao Die stood on tiptoe to hold an umbrella over him.

Not only along the covered passageways, but even after entering each residence, Chen Yi merely stepped forward to offer his respects, then stood silently to one side.

Fortunately, he still wore a smile, or his build might have made people mistake him for one of the manor's guards.

One thing was quite nice, though: with Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er beside him, the uncles, aunts, and other elders of each residence greeted him with smiles as well.

At least there were no disdainful looks.

And Chen Yi's greatest gain was getting to know every branch of Xiao Manor.

Apart from the Main Branch, to which the Old Marquis Xiao Yuan belonged, and Xiao Wang's Second Branch, all the others could only be counted as collateral branches.

At first glance, one might have thought the Xiao Family had a flourishing population.

In reality, the only people of use belonged to the sparsely populated Main Branch and the Second Branch, which controlled the Disciplinary Hall.

Especially the gentlemen and ladies of the Second Branch.

For instance, Xiao Dongchen, who held a post in the Shu Provincial Administration; Xiao Qiuyun, who had married the Duke of Qianguo; and Xiao Ziqi, who served in the Supervision Court and rarely returned.

"Looking at it this way, Xiao Wuge is the only seedling left in the Xiao Family's main line."

Thinking of the words from Xiao Wan'er that Xiao Wuge had relayed earlier, Chen Yi began to understand a little.

No wonder Xiao Wan'er wanted Wuge to learn from him. She hoped Xiao Wuge would stay peacefully at home after going to Jinling.

She had certainly put painstaking thought into it.

The visits took over two hours, and it was past noon when they returned to Chunhe Garden.

During that time, Xiao Jinghong again brought up having Chen Yi help Xiao Wan'er.

"Second Sister, I agree, but Brother-in-law..." Xiao Wan'er spoke hesitantly, looking toward Chen Yi as though she wanted him to speak.

Chen Yi understood immediately. "My lady, let Sister Wan'er think it over first. Didn't you say we'd decide after the Old Master's birthday?"

It seemed his wife was determined not to let him stay peacefully at home.

But Xiao Wan'er did not seem to want him there either... a good thing.

Xiao Jinghong looked between them and nodded. "Then it's settled."

With that, she took Su Zhenyue and prepared to head to Qingjing Residence, saying that the Shuzhou Prefect, Liu Si, had come to visit the Old Master.

After she left, a trace of embarrassed indignation flashed across Xiao Wan'er's delicate face. She glared at Chen Yi and had Shen Huatang help her to the storeroom.

"..."

He had never expected that poem to be so powerful.

Chen Yi sighed helplessly, then returned to Chunhe Garden with Xiao Wuge to see whether they could catch a Golden-haired Carp.

Perhaps?

The rain continued for three days straight.

Xiao Jinghong was busy for all three days, so busy her feet scarcely touched the ground.

From before dawn until after dinner, she was either receiving officials of all kinds from Shu Prefecture City or handling the Dingyuan Army's military affairs.

She personally asked after every detail, no matter how small.

Just watching from the sidelines tired Chen Yi out, so he simply shut himself in the study and practiced the Martial Path while Xiao Jinghong had no attention to spare for him.

He was putting in his share of effort, too.

Over those few days, he had brought his Stake Training, Fist Technique, Palm Technique, and Footwork to complete mastery at the practiced level. All he lacked was an opportunity to choose one for a breakthrough.

He weighed it all up.

The best choice was "Martial Dao · Body." The reason was simple: progress in Stake Training would allow him to lay a firmer foundation in the Ninth Rank Realm.

By his calculations, once "Martial Dao · Body" reached the Great Accomplishment Realm, he could not only cultivate Great Spear Stance Cultivation to the Proficient Level, but also use it to deduce further developments, perhaps even reaching the Perfection Realm.

If he could possess Dragon Strength while still in the Ninth Rank Realm, he would be able to contend with an Eighth Rank Realm cultivator through brute strength alone.

As the Old Marquis's birthday approached, Xiao Manor gradually grew livelier.

First, the generals of the Dingyuan Army's three garrison towns came in person, followed by the prominent figures of Shuzhou.

There were high officials currently holding important posts, as well as aristocratic clans with a century of heritage.

Whether or not they came themselves, their gift lists all reached the manor.

Of course, after coming to the Xiao Family, these visitors would not only call on the Old Master but also come to Chunhe Garden to seek an audience with Xiao Jinghong.

They would meet her husband, Chen Yi, as well, most offering a few compliments on his handsome looks and outstanding learning, then reciting a passage of the Birthday Ode.

Chen Yi treated it all as a formality. Very few of them truly left an impression on him.

That continued until two days before the Old Marquis's birthday banquet.

Xiao Die came running in a hurry. "Son-in-law, Son-in-law, you have visitors!"

Chen Yi asked lazily, "Which family's elder is it this time?"

"N-no, it's the Third Place Scholar and Miss Yunxiang."

"Oh?"

Somewhat surprised, Chen Yi had Xiao Die invite them in.

The four of them sat down in the pavilion beside the pond, looking one another over.

Li Huaigu had changed considerably. Though he retained some of the high spirits he had shown during his parade through the streets, he was noticeably more composed.

After a few pleasantries.

Li Huaigu said solemnly, "Brother Qingzhou, thank you for stepping in so righteously last time. If not for you, I might truly have regretted it for the rest of my life."

He held Yunxiang's hand the whole time.

Perhaps Yunxiang still remembered the bride-snatching incident from their last encounter, for she kept hiding behind Li Huaigu, whether deliberately or otherwise. At his words, she lowered her head and said timidly:

"W-what Li Lang said is how Yunniang feels as well."

Chen Yi did not mind. Looking as though he had long forgotten the matter, he smiled and waved a hand.

"You two love each other. That has nothing to do with me."

"Even without me, if the bond between you had not run its course, you would naturally have ended up together."

Li Huaigu nodded with a smile, though his words of gratitude continued.

Finally, he took out an invitation. "Yunxiang and I are getting married next month. I hope you can attend, Brother Qingzhou."

"Of course."

Chen Yi accepted the invitation without declining.

But then Li Huaigu took out another invitation. "My teacher asked me to give you this. It's for a poetry gathering at Guiyun Academy."

"A poetry gathering? Not going."

Chen Yi refused without even thinking.