"Is that so?"
Cui Qingwu withdrew her gaze, still half doubtful, and looked at Xiao Wan'er thoughtfully. "Qingzhou really has changed since coming to Shuzhou."
Xiao Wan'er's heart stirred. "How has he changed?"
She only knew about what Chen Yi had done after coming to Shuzhou; she knew little of his past.
She had heard a few rumors, mostly about his considerable literary talent.
Cui Qingwu thought for a moment. "He's steadier now, and even more outstanding."
"Qingzhou had exceptional literary talent as a boy, but his edge was too sharp. He often disregarded other people's feelings."
"Brother Yunfan and several others of their generation suffered quite a bit for it."
A smile crept onto Cui Qingwu's face as she recalled the past. She plucked an autumn chrysanthemum in full, brilliant bloom and waved it twice. "Sister Wan'er, you must have heard Qingzhou's 'Seeing Father Off on His Mission to the Buddhist Kingdom,' right? Back then, besides praising his literary talent, quite a few people in Jinling's literary circles mocked him behind his back."
"Mocked him?" Xiao Wan'er turned to her.
"Think about it. When the head of a distinguished Aristocratic Clan like the Chen Family traveled abroad, there were plenty of learned men eager to curry favor. But Qingzhou stole all their thunder. What kind words would they have for him?"
Imagining Chen Yi in his youthful recklessness, Xiao Wan'er could not help smiling, her smile pure and lovely, more beautiful than any flower.
Cui Qingwu naturally had no eye for such a sight. She softly recited, "A boy knows not the bitterness of parting, and laughing, points toward the road to the ends of the earth."
"Beyond the clouds in the western sky lies the Buddhist Kingdom. Father, go now; do not look back. Your voyaging sail sweeps