Poetry Gathering? Not Going

Chen Yi knew all too well why a person became an ox or a horse.

It was not because they were especially talented or capable, but because they did not know how to refuse.

Someone assigned you a task, and you accepted it. They dangled a little sweetness before you, and you became charged up like chicken blood. If you did not become an ox or a horse, 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 force him. She merely said evenly, "No need to answer me in a hurry. It won't be too late to decide after Grandfather's birthday banquet."

Chen Yi relaxed a little, but when he thought of that miserable sort of life, he still decided to struggle a bit.

"Madam, actually..."

"Other than showing off a little learning, writing, and fishing, I can't do anything else."

"Everything on Sister Wan'er's side is important. I'm worried I'd only make a mess of things if I went to help."

Xiao Jinghong gave him a calm glance. "With such self-awareness, Husband, I imagine you won't cause Sister any trouble."

"..."

Chen Yi obediently shut his mouth. Fine, he clearly could not exert any effort on his wife's side.

It seemed he could only think of something with Xiao Wan'er.

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

Chen Yi stayed silent, thinking he would find a suitable chance later to ease things over. Hopefully, his elder sister-in-law would let him promptly get lost for the sake of that earth-shaking masterpiece he had written.

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

Ever since she had seen that Graceful Spirit Ode, her mind had been filled with nothing but turmoil—and those lines.

Those words seemed carved into her mind, every stroke vivid before her eyes.

Whenever she thought of the line, "Jade Steps, Jade Trees, Like You, Rare in the Human World," a trace of heat rose to her face.

Though she admitted inwardly that the lyrics were good, the calligraphy was good, and it was beautiful enough to make her like it, the person who had written it was her brother-in-law.

It had made her toss and turn all night, unable to fall asleep for a long while.

At that moment, Xiao Jinghong noticed something strange about her expression and asked, "Sister, your face is so red. Are you feeling unwell?"

Xiao Wan'er came back to herself. Her pale face flushed even more, and she hurriedly coughed a few times as a pretense. "Perhaps I caught a chill in this rainy weather."

Xiao Jinghong did not suspect anything. "Should I call a physician to take a look?"

How could Xiao Wan'er dare? Without even raising her head, she waved her hand. "N-No need. I'll be fine after resting for a while."

"Then take better care of yourself. How about Husband and I visit the various residences later, while you stay in Jiaxing Garden and rest?"

"It would be more proper for me to come along. You had an argument with second grandpa and Aunt Qiuyun yesterday. I'm worried."

Xiao Jinghong frowned slightly. "Are you worried about second grandpa, or Aunt Qiuyun?"

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

As she spoke, her gaze unconsciously swept toward Chen Yi. In an instant, the whites of her eyes outnumbered her pupils by two parts.

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

After breakfast, Chen Yi followed the two sisters as they made the rounds of the various residences in the Xiao Family.

The weather had still not improved. Heavy rain poured down, draping the vast Xiao Family estate in a hazy veil of mist.

Amid the rushing patter of rain.

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

Only Chen Yi strolled along like some grand master, perfectly at ease as Xiao Die stood on tiptoe to hold an umbrella over him from behind.

Not only on the paths through corridors and passageways, but even after entering each residence, Chen Yi would step forward to bow, then stand silently to the side.

Fortunately, he still wore a smile. Otherwise, with that build, people might have mistaken him for one of the manor's personal guards.

Still, there was one good thing. With Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er beside him, the uncles, aunts, elder uncles, and other elders of each residence greeted him with smiling faces.

At the very least, no one rolled their eyes at him.

And Chen Yi's greatest gain was becoming familiar with every branch of Xiao Manor.

Aside from the Main Branch where Old Marquis Xiao Yuan resided, and the Second Branch belonging to Xiao Wang's line, all the others could only be considered collateral branches.

At first glance, the Xiao Family seemed flourishing, with a great many descendants.

But in reality, the only branches with capable people were the sparsely populated Main Branch and the Second Branch, which controlled the Disciplinary Hall.

Especially the several masters and misses of the Second Branch.

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

"Looking at it this way, the Xiao Family's main line only has Xiao Wuge, this single sprout, left."

Chen Yi recalled what Xiao Wuge had previously conveyed about Xiao Wan'er's words and faintly understood a little more.

No wonder Xiao Wan'er wanted Wuge to study under him. She hoped that after Xiao Wuge went to Jinling, he could remain safely at home.

She had truly gone to great pains.

After spending more than an hour, the group returned to Chunhe Garden after noon.

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, her eyes turning toward Chen Yi as though she wanted him to say something.

Chen Yi immediately understood. "Madam, let Sister Wan'er consider it first. Didn't you say we would decide after 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 to go either... Good news.

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

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

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

"..."

He had not expected that poem to be so powerful.

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

Probably?

This rain continued for three days straight.

Xiao Jinghong was also busy for three straight days, so busy that her feet barely touched the ground.

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

She personally asked about every matter, great and small.

Even Chen Yi felt tired just watching her. He simply shut himself in the study room and took advantage of Xiao Jinghong being too busy to spare him any attention to practice the Martial Path.

He was rather diligent, too.

After several days, he had trained his stake training, fist technique, palm technique, and footwork to proficient perfection. All he lacked was a fortune to choose one of them for a breakthrough.

After carefully calculating it.

The best choice was "Martial Path · Body." The reason was simple: achieving something in stake training would allow him to build a more solid foundation in the Ninth Rank Realm.

According to his calculations, once "Martial Path · Body" reached the Great Accomplishment Realm, he would not only be able to cultivate Great Spear Stance Cultivation to Mastery Level, but could also use it for further deduction. Perhaps he could train it to the Perfection Realm.

If he could possess the strength of a dragon while in the Ninth Rank Realm, then relying on brute force alone, he could contend against cultivators in the Eighth Rank Realm.

As Old Marquis's birthday drew nearer, Xiao Manor gradually became more lively.

First, the generals of the Dingyuan Army's three garrison towns came in person. Then came all the prominent figures throughout Shuzhou.

There were high officials currently holding important posts, as well as aristocratic clans and powerful families with legacies spanning a hundred years.

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

Of course, after arriving at the Xiao Family, these people would not only visit Old Master, but also come to Chunhe Garden to request an audience with Xiao Jinghong.

By extension, they also met Chen Yi, her husband. Most would praise his handsome appearance and outstanding talent, then recite a Birthday Ode.

Chen Yi regarded it all as mere ceremony. There were truly not many people worth remembering.

Until two days before Old Marquis's birthday banquet.

Xiao Die hurried over. "Son-in-law, Son-in-law, someone has come to visit."

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

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

"Oh?"

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

In the pavilion beside the pond, the four of them sat down and sized one another up.

Li Huaigu had changed greatly. Though he still retained some of the high-spirited vigor from when he patrolled the streets, he was noticeably more composed now.

After exchanging a few pleasantries.

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

His hand remained clasped around Yunxiang's.

Perhaps Yunxiang still remembered the bride-snatching incident from last time. She deliberately—or perhaps unconsciously—kept hiding behind Li Huaigu. Hearing this, she lowered her head and said timidly:

"W-What Li Lang said is also what Yunniang means."

Chen Yi did not take it to heart. Looking as though he had long forgotten the matter, he smiled and waved his hand.

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

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

Li Huaigu smiled and nodded, though his words remained full of gratitude.

At the end, he took out an invitation. "Yunxiang and I will marry next month. I hope Brother Qingzhou can attend."

"Alright."

Chen Yi accepted the invitation without declining.

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

"Poetry Gathering? Not going."

Without even thinking, Chen Yi refused outright.