Poetry Gathering? Not Going

Chen Yi knew exactly why someone became a beast of burden.

It wasn't because they were exceptionally talented or capable, but because they didn't know how to refuse.

Someone gives you a task, you take it. They dangle a little sweetness in front of you, and you jump at it like you've been shot full of adrenaline. If you don't end up a beast of burden, who will?

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

Xiao Jinghong could tell he was unwilling and didn't press him. She only said calmly, "No need to answer me right away. Wait until after Grandfather's birthday banquet to decide."

Chen Yi relaxed a little, but thinking about that miserable life, he still wanted to struggle.

"Madam, actually—"

"The thing is, aside from showing off a bit of learning, writing calligraphy, and fishing, I'm useless at everything else."

"Sister Wan'er's matters are all important. I'm worried I'll just get in the way."

Xiao Jinghong gave him a calm look. "With such insight, Husband surely won't cause Sister any trouble."

"..."

Chen Yi wisely shut his mouth. Well, it seemed there was no use trying with his wife.

He'd have to find a way with Xiao Wan'er instead.

But during breakfast, Xiao Wan'er still wouldn't look at him. Her eyes were fixed on the table as she ate, chatting with Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wuge.

Chen Yi kept silent, thinking he'd find a suitable opportunity later to smooth things over, hoping his sister-in-law would let him slip away quietly, given that masterpiece he'd written.

In truth, Xiao Wan'er was indeed uncomfortable right now.

Ever since she'd seen that Graceful Spirit Ode, her mind had been nothing but turmoil, along with those lines.

Those words were carved into her brain, every stroke clear as day before her eyes.

Every time she thought of that line, "Jade Steps, Jade Trees, like you, rare in the human world," heat would rise to her face.

Though she admitted in her heart that the words were good, the calligraphy fine, beautiful and to her liking, the one who wrote them was her brother-in-law.

It had kept her tossing and turning last night, unable to fall asleep.

Just then, Xiao Jinghong noticed the strange look on her face and asked, "Sister, your face is so red. Are you feeling unwell?"

Xiao Wan'er snapped back to reality, her pale face flushing even more. She quickly faked a few coughs. "Maybe it's the rainy weather. I caught a chill."

Xiao Jinghong didn't suspect anything. "Should I call a physician to take a look?"

How could Xiao Wan'er agree to that? She waved her hand without lifting her head. "No, no need. I'll be fine after some rest."

"Then take better care of yourself. How about later I go with Husband to visit the various branches, and you stay at Jiaxing Garden to rest."

"It's better if I come along. Yesterday you had a dispute with Second Grandfather and Aunt Qiuyun. I'm worried."

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

Xiao Wan'er looked up and gave her a playful slap. "I'm worried you'll offend people with your blunt tongue."

As she spoke, her eyes unconsciously swept over Chen Yi, and the whites of her eyes suddenly overtook the irises by a good twenty percent.

Chen Yi caught it clearly and buried his head in studying the osmanthus cake on his plate, wondering whether to cut it horizontally or vertically for easier eating.

After breakfast, Chen Yi followed the two sisters on their rounds of the Xiao family estates.

The weather still hadn't improved. Heavy rain fell, shrouding the vast Xiao manor in a layer of hazy mist.

Amid the pattering 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 strolled leisurely, with Xiao Die standing on tiptoe to hold an umbrella over him, following behind like some lord.

Not only on the walkways and corridors, but even when they entered each estate, Chen Yi would step forward to bow, then stand silently to the side.

At least he kept a smile on his face, or else his posture might have made people mistake him for a manor guard.

But one good thing was that with Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er by his side, the uncles, aunts, elder uncles, and other senior relatives from each branch all greeted him with smiles.

At least no one gave him dirty looks.

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

Aside from the main branch where Old Marquis Xiao Yuan resided and the Second Branch under Xiao Wang, the rest were only collateral lines.

At first glance, it seemed the Xiao family had many members.

But in reality, the only useful people were the sparse main branch and the Second Branch, which managed the Disciplinary Hall.

Especially the few masters and misses of the Second Branch.

For instance, Xiao Dongchen, who served in the Shu Provincial Administration; Xiao Qiuyun, who married the Duke of Gan; and Xiao Ziqi, who worked in the Supervision Court and rarely returned home.

"Looking at it this way, the Xiao main line is down to just Xiao Wuge as the sole heir."

Chen Yi thought back to what Xiao Wuge had relayed from Xiao Wan'er, and a vague understanding dawned on him.

No wonder Xiao Wan'er wanted Wuge to study under him. She hoped that once Xiao Wuge reached Jinling, he'd stay safely at home.

It was truly a thoughtful effort.

It took over an hour, and it wasn't until after noon that the few of them returned to Chunhe Garden.

During that time, Xiao Jinghong once again brought up the matter of Chen Yi going to help Xiao Wan'er.

"Second Sister, I agree, but Brother-in-law..." Xiao Wan'er hesitated, her eyes shifting toward Chen Yi as if she wanted him to speak.

Chen Yi understood her intent. "My lady, let Wan'er think it over first. Didn't you say we'd wait until after Old Master's birthday to decide?"

It seemed his wife was dead set on not letting him stay home in peace.

But Xiao Wan'er didn't seem to want him to go either... which was a good thing.

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

With that, she took Su Zhenyue and headed for Qingjing Residence, saying that Liu Si, the prefect of Shu Prefecture City, had come to visit Old Master.

After she left, a flash of shame and anger crossed Xiao Wan'er's delicate face. She shot Chen Yi a glare and had Shen Huatang help her toward the storeroom.

"..."

He hadn't expected that poem to have such an impact.

Chen Yi sighed helplessly and went back to Chunhe Garden with Xiao Wuge, wondering if he could catch a Golden-haired Carp.

Maybe?

That rain lasted three straight days.

Xiao Jinghong was busy for all three days—the kind of busy where her feet barely touched the ground.

From before dawn until after dinner, she was either receiving various officials from Shu Prefecture City or handling Dingyuan Army military affairs.

She personally attended to every detail, big or small.

Watching from the sidelines, Chen Yi found it exhausting. He simply locked himself in the Study Room and, taking advantage of Xiao Jinghong's distraction, practiced martial arts.

He could be called diligent.

After several days, he had trained the Stance Cultivation, Fist Technique, Palm Technique, and Footwork all to Proficiency Perfection. Only a stroke of Fortune was needed to break through with one of them.

He weighed his options.

The best choice was "Martial Dao Body." The reason was simple: his progress in Stance Cultivation would let him lay a more solid foundation in the Ninth Rank Realm.

According to his calculations, when "Martial Dao Body" rose to the Great Accomplishment Realm, he could not only train the Great Spear Stance Cultivation to Mastery Level but also use it to push further, perhaps even reaching the Perfection Realm.

If he could gain a set of Dragon Strength in the Ninth Rank Realm, he could rely on brute force alone to contend with Eighth Rank Realm cultivators.

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

First came the generals from Dingyuan Army's three military towns, followed by the bigwigs of Shu Prefecture.

There were high-ranking officials in important posts, as well as aristocratic families with centuries of heritage.

Whether they came in person or not, their gift lists all arrived at the manor.

Of course, after these people visited Old Master, they also came to Chunhe Garden to pay respects to Xiao Jinghong.

Along the way, they would also meet Chen Yi, her husband. Most praised his handsome appearance and scholarly talent, reciting a passage from the Birthday Ode.

Chen Yi treated it all as mere formality. Few people left any impression on him.

It wasn't until two days before Old Marquis's birthday banquet that Xiao Die came running in a panic. "Son-in-law, Son-in-law, someone's here to visit."

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

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

"Oh?"

Chen Yi was mildly surprised and told Xiao Die to invite them in.

In the Pavilion by the pond, the four of them sat down, sizing each other up.

Li Huaigu had changed considerably. Though he still carried some of the high spirits from his street-patrolling days, he now appeared much more composed.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Huaigu said seriously, "Brother Qingzhou, thank you for your righteous help last time. If not for you, I might have regretted it for the rest of my life."

His hand never let go of Yunxiang.

Yunxiang, perhaps still remembering the Bride-Snatching incident, kept hiding behind Li Huaigu. At his words, she lowered her head and said timidly, "What Li Lang says is also Yunniang's wish."

Chen Yi, however, was unconcerned, as if he had long forgotten the matter. He waved his hand with a smile.

"You two are in love. That has nothing to do with me."

"Even without me, if your fated bond wasn't broken, you'd have ended up together anyway."

Li Huaigu smiled and nodded, still pouring out thanks.

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

"Good."

Chen Yi accepted the invitation without declining.

To his surprise, Li Huaigu then produced another invitation. "This one was entrusted to me by our teacher—the Poetry Gathering at Guiyun Academy."

"A Poetry Gathering? Not going."

Chen Yi refused outright without a second thought.