Chapter 445 - 275: Martial Arts Body, Perfection
Chapter 445: Chapter 275: Martial Arts Body, Perfection
Xiao Jinghong’s letter didn’t mention the recent major events in Shu State.
Either the news was delayed and she hadn’t yet heard about Lv Jiunan’s death and King Landu of Poshisu Country’s impending arrival.
Or she was intentionally omitting them to avoid worrying the family back home.
As Chen Yi speculated, a gentle smile touched his face.
Even without her saying so, he knew what her days were like at the Wu Mountain Mutual Market.
Allocating lumber and stone, finishing construction on various buildings, assigning manpower, contacting nearby merchants who wanted to trade at the mutual market, and so on.
And on top of all that, there were the military affairs of the Three Towns.
Xiao Jinghong was anything but idle.
’She’s working so hard. I really should apply myself more.’
Just as the thought crossed his mind, Chen Yi heard Xiao Wan’er speak.
"Brother-in-law, you’ve been out every day lately. I haven’t had a chance to ask how you’re preparing for your studies."
Chen Yi blinked. "What studies?"
"The Annual Examination, of course."
Xiao Wan’er set the letter down, her crystal-clear eyes reflecting his figure.
"The Annual Examination is at the end of the month. That’s only half a month away."
"Oh, right, the Annual Examination. I’ve been preparing."
’By "preparing," I’m really just getting ready to use my sharp eyes and ears,’ Chen Yi thought to himself.
He had been so preoccupied with manipulating grain prices lately that he truly hadn’t touched a single book.
Not suspecting a thing, Xiao Wan’er breathed a sigh of relief.
"That’s good."
"I was just thinking I’d mention in my reply to our sister that you were studying hard at home, just to put her mind at ease."
Chen Yi chuckled. ’I suppose I should get on that,’ he thought.
Even people like Mr. Yue Ming were vexed by the new Annual Examination rules that Liu Hong and Ma Shuhan had concocted.
He would indeed have to tread carefully.
"I’ll write a reply to Jinghong later and bring it over first thing in the morning."
"And your painting."
"Mm..."
After a few more pleasantries, dinner was served.
The group ate and chatted, the atmosphere turning quite cheerful.
Xiao Wuge mentioned he was going to the Martial Arts Arena tomorrow, and also brought up that his second uncle, Xiao Xuanshuo, hadn’t really rested at all that day.
"I heard from the staff that Grandfather and Third Master were up very late last night."
"Apparently, it was because of that King Landu, who’s planning to lead an invasion of Great Wei’s eastern frontier."
Xiao Wuge continued, clenching his fists in frustration, "And then today, word comes that the Barbarian Left King is heading north."
"Grandfather had barely fallen asleep when some villain came and disturbed him."
Xiao Wan’er tapped him lightly on the arm, chiding, "He’s not a villain. That was Lord Liu Hong from the Governor’s Office."
Xiao Wuge pouted and muttered, "He’s still not a good person."
"Everyone in the manor is talking about it. He came to persuade Grandfather to delay his petition to the Imperial Court for troops."
"What are we going to do if there are enemies to the west and the south?"
After a moment’s hesitation, Xiao Wan’er looked to Chen Yi, her gaze speaking volumes.
She clearly wanted him to say a few words.
Chen Yi nodded, understanding her unspoken request. He put down his bowl and chopsticks and said with a smile, "We’ll meet soldiers with generals and floods with dams."
"Wuge, the most important thing for you right now is to hone your skills. The Old Master will take care of any border incursions."
Xiao Wuge grunted in acknowledgment, then shoveled down a few bites of rice before continuing.
"When I grow up, I’m going to lead an army and wipe out all those barbarian tribes! And I won’t spare Poshisu Country, either!"
Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er exchanged a smile at his words.
"Your sister and I will be waiting for the day you ride down the Barbarian Race."
"I will!"
He might have been young, but Xiao Wuge had seen and understood a great deal over the years.
Especially after spending so much time under Chen Yi’s influence, Xiao Wuge had become far more mature than others his age.
He understood, therefore, that many people in the Xiao Family were waiting for him to come of age.
Chen Yi gave Xiao Wuge a thumbs-up. "You will."
Xiao Wan’er smiled and nodded, though the corners of her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
It was as if she could see the figures of their father and mother in him.
And yet, more than anything, she just wanted him to be safe.
After a moment of silence, Xiao Wan’er rose and went to the study. She returned with a painting and handed it to Xiao Wuge.
"Your brother-in-law painted this," she said. "Take it and hang it in your room."
She had originally intended to keep it for herself.
But after hearing Wuge’s impassioned words, she felt the painting belonged with him more.
Xiao Wuge eagerly unrolled it for a look and saw several figures emerging from the canvas.
Xiao Fengchun, Fu Wanqing, Xiao Wan’er, Xiao Jinghong, Chen Yi... and himself.
"This is...?"
Xiao Wan’er gave a slight nod. "Father... Mother..."
Xiao Wuge froze, his eyes staring blankly at the figures that seemed to materialize from the painting.
There was the tall and sturdy Xiao Fengchun, and the gentle but heroic Fu Wanqing.
"Father... Mother..."
Xiao Wuge murmured their names, tears welling in his eyes. "Father... Mother... Your son... your son... I can finally see you..."
He had only just been born when Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing had "died on the battlefield."
He’d never even had the chance to meet them.
Now, thanks to Chen Yi’s Painting Dao, the sight of those two vivid, lifelike figures overwhelmed him with a tide of emotion.
Clutching the painting, he began to cry his heart out.
Xiao Wan’er wept silently beside him.
Xiaodie, Cui’er, Juan’er, and the other servants were the same, dabbing at the corners of their eyes from time to time.
Even Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang tilted their heads back, unable to bear watching the scene.
Only Chen Yi watched them, a faint, constant smile on his face.
He wished he could feel what they were feeling.
But he already knew that Fu Wanqing wasn’t actually dead. The most he felt was a pang of sadness out of concern for Xiao Wuge.
But beyond that, his mind was mostly occupied by the endless string of troubles he faced.
After all, he had to face what needed to be faced, and solve what needed to be solved.