Unrequited Love, Adultery?

After much thought, Chen Yi decided that from then on, he would no longer casually show his running script or cursive script to others.

As long as his calligraphy copybooks did not spread, no one would be foolish enough to travel thousands of miles here based solely on a few empty words from Mr. Yue Ming.

With that in mind, Chen Yi chose his words carefully and said:

"Eldest Sister, in my view, this poem is for the Old Master's birthday. It ought to be properly preserved from now on."

Xiao Wan'er smiled and nodded. Catching sight of Xiao Jinghong in the second-floor side room not far away, she knew her sister was ready. She rose and said:

"Brother-in-law, keep Wu Ge and the others company. I'll put this calligraphy away in the study room for you first."

"Much obliged."

Chen Yi knew that she and Xiao Jinghong had only just returned to the residence and likely needed to visit the Old Master first, so he said no more.

After giving Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few more instructions, Xiao Wan'er carried the Brocade Box toward the Wooden Tower where Chen Yi lived.

As she walked, she continued thinking about how to bring Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong together in the future, to deepen the bond between them.

After all, they were husband and wife. Living separately forever was no long-term solution.

Xiao Wan'er knew her second sister's temperament. Ever since childhood, she had always had a mind of her own. Especially after leading troops into battle these past few years, her second sister had grown greatly, and her thoughts had become increasingly difficult to fathom.

But just as Wu Ge had said earlier, Man can conquer nature. So long as she persisted, she believed she could surely return her second sister and brother-in-law to a normal married life.

Thinking this,

Xiao Wan'er arrived at the study room and set the Brocade Box on the table. Her gaze, however, fell upon the spread-out sheet of Yunsong Paper.

She turned to glance at Chen Yi outside the window, then walked to the table and carefully examined the handwriting on the paper.

The more she looked, the more she liked it.

"No wonder Mr. Yue Ming was so relentless. Even I want one of brother-in-law's calligraphic masterpieces to take home and copy."

With a sigh in her heart, Xiao Wan'er could not help flipping through the stack of papers beside it, hoping to find one with more words so she could ask Chen Yi for it.

There were more than a dozen sheets in all, some in running script, others in Wei Qing Style. Every one possessed a far-reaching artistic conception, and the sight made her heart itch with delight.

Though these characters did not display any "artistic conception sheen," judged solely by the quality of the calligraphy, each was an excellent work.

A moment later.

Xiao Wan'er's eyes suddenly lit up. She picked up the sheet written in Wei Qing script and studied it closely, the smile on her face turning into confusion.

Written upon it was Qing Chun Ze - Graceful Spirit Ode, inscribed by Chen Qingzhou on a spring night in Year 21 of Anhe:

Snow Soul Cuts Clouds to Form Temples, Ice Silk Washes the Moon to Form Eyes.

Kui Gate Night Swells with Stars and Rivers, pouring backward over a thousand mountains in jade brightness.

Sword Qi first gathers the color of painted brows; crane shadows secretly cross the dawn sky of Shu.

Jade Steps, Jade Trees—just like you, rare in the human world.

Once startling even the Guye immortal into age; sighing at the Luo River's empty ode, Chishui's vain ballad.

Flower-like features newly touched by moist snow; brocade robes still carrying the Wei flute.

Beacon fires flicker, adorning golden hairpins; when northern geese return, emerald ornaments fall.

Though there is cinnabar and ink, they cannot paint the bones; alone for a thousand autumns, you illuminate the desolate Chu sky.

After reading it, Xiao Wan'er's beautiful eyes widened, and she hurriedly covered her lips with a hand.

She looked toward the pavilion outside the window, then down at the Yunsong Paper in her hand. For no reason at all, the sound of pounding heartbeats rang in her ears.

"Brother-in-law, he..."

"No. Impossible. No."

Even as she denied it, Xiao Wan'er's heart remained a tangled mess.

Anyone who saw this poem would think of her, after all. It was titled Graceful Spirit Ode, not Jinghong Ode.

She could not help recalling how Chen Yi had climbed over from Chunhe Garden to Jiaxing Garden that night, and how they had met. Her thoughts became even more chaotic.

If others found out—especially if her second sister Xiao Jinghong found out... would she not become a sinner?

After a long while, Xiao Wan'er covered her chest and tried hard to calm herself.

She looked again at the lines of verse, and a decision formed in her heart.

Then she carefully rolled up that sheet of Yunsong Paper and tucked it into the inner pocket of her cloak together with a calligraphy copybook bearing running script.

Next, Xiao Wan'er picked up a Wolf-hair Brush, dipped it in ink, spread out a blank sheet of Yunsong Paper, and wrote:

"Brother-in-law, I've taken two of your calligraphy copybooks. I hope you'll forgive me."

"Also, I hope brother-in-law will not let his thoughts run wild, lest needless trouble arise."

After writing this, a trace of helplessness flashed through Xiao Wan'er's eyes. She lightly bit her lip and sighed. The joy she had felt at obtaining Chen Yi's calligraphic masterpiece had long since vanished.

After one final look around, she left the Wooden Tower. She did not even stop to greet Chen Yi and the others, instead hurrying back to Jiaxing Garden.

Not long after.

Having changed into a flowing red gown, Xiao Jinghong emerged from the Wooden Tower. From afar, she saw Chen Yi holding a fishing rod and wrestling with the fish in the pond.

Beside him stood Xiao Wuge, smiling, and Zhang Heng, who was secretly glancing at her.

One adult and two children—the atmosphere between them was unexpectedly warm and harmonious.

After some thought, Xiao Jinghong walked over. Her eyes beneath the Half Armor fixed on Chen Yi as she said with mild surprise:

"Husband, I'll trouble you to look after Wu Ge and Heng'er. Eldest Sister and I are going to Qingjing Residence to see Grandfather."

Chen Yi turned to look at her. After giving her a brief once-over, he rose with a smile. "Madam, there's no need to be so polite."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong so calm, he relaxed slightly.

He did not know how much Tiger Girl had told her, but it seemed Xiao Jinghong did not know any of his secrets.

In truth, Xiao Jinghong had indeed failed to pry Pei Guanli's mouth open.

Yet from scattered hints, it was not difficult for her to infer that Chen Yi's recent cultivation on the Martial Path had achieved modest success.

Moreover, she had noticed Pei Guanli's admiration for Chen Yi and... fondness.

It was not affection between a man and a woman, but the fondness of someone who had found a like-minded playmate.

That only made Xiao Jinghong increasingly curious about Chen Yi.

She knew Pei Guanli's nature, and she also knew the outrageous things Pei Guanli had done among the Mountain Tribe.

Yet such an unruly, lawless person held her husband in admiration and affection. It was difficult for Xiao Jinghong not to find that astonishing.

Thinking of this, Xiao Jinghong nodded. "When Eldest Sister and I return, we'll dine together."

"All right."

Watching Xiao Jinghong head toward Jiaxing Garden in the distance, Chen Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed nothing had happened.

Who would have thought that Zhang Heng, the Young Heir Apparent beside him, was even more obvious than he was? His exhale nearly sounded like a sigh.

Hearing it, Xiao Wuge broke into a grin.

Zhang Heng glared at him. "What are you laughing at? Be careful, or I'll tell Second Cousin when we get back."

Though he tried hard to sound fierce, his aura was not even a tenth of what it used to be.

Chen Yi found it amusing and asked, "Are you really that afraid of your Second Cousin?"

"Who—who's afraid?"

Zhang Heng glared at him too, then continued fishing with an angry huff.

"Brother-in-law, Brother Heir Apparent isn't afraid. He's simply traumatized by the times Second Sister disciplined him before."

"Y-you shut up..."

Chen Yi smiled and did not continue teasing the Young Heir Apparent. His gaze turned toward the Wooden Tower where his wife was.

Very soon, he saw Pei Guanli sneakily poke her head out from the second floor, grinning broadly at him.

Chen Yi gave her a look. Did you tell her?

Pei Guanli answered with a smug expression. Of course. Don't you know how tight-lipped I am?

Reassured, Chen Yi gave her a thumbs-up.

Pei Guanli chuckled, then covered her stomach and pouted. Clearly, she was hungry.

Chen Yi immediately understood. After giving Xiao Wuge and Zhang Heng a few instructions, he turned and headed back to the Wooden Tower.

So long as Tiger Girl had not sold him out, there was no major problem.

Chen Yi went to the study room to get some pastries and fruit, but he noticed that someone had touched the desk.

He looked at the note on the table. After a moment's thought, he reached out and flipped through the calligraphy works beside it, his face showing sudden realization.

Xiao Wan'er had seen that Graceful Spirit Ode.

But why had she taken it after seeing it?

Chen Yi shook his head, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Sister Wan'er, Sister Wan'er, that poem is, at most, my own wishful thinking here—a case of unrequited love.

But with you, its nature changes. It becomes a poem of betrothal.

What was this?

Secretly exchanging affections? Adultery?

Within Jiaxing Garden.

After Xiao Wan'er changed clothes, Xiao Jinghong supported her as they headed toward Qingjing Residence.

They had only just left the courtyard when Xiao Jinghong looked suspiciously at Xiao Wan'er.

"Elder Sister, did something troubling happen to you?"

Lost in her thoughts, Xiao Wan'er's steps faltered, and her heart raced even faster.

She covered her chest, forcing a smile onto her face as she shook her head. "N-no. Maybe I'm just tired..."

Thinking of her health, Xiao Jinghong consoled her. "Why not rest first? I can visit Grandfather alone."

"N-no need. I'm fine."

Before Xiao Jinghong could say more, Xiao Wan'er waved a hand and gestured for Shen Huatang, Xiao Die, and the others to follow. She also instructed:

"Hua Tang, bring that cloak to the Old Master."

"All right."

Seeing Xiao Jinghong turn to give instructions to her attendant Su Zhenyue, Xiao Wan'er relaxed and silently sighed.

Second Sister, it was not that your elder sister did not want to tell you. It was simply... too difficult to speak of.