You Promised to Be an Idle Son-in-Law, How Could You Become a Land Immortal?

Chapter 480: Chapter 290: September 14th, Auspicious for Travel

"Go tell Yao’er not to show his face either."

"Yes..."

...

「The next day.」

The day was overcast and rainy, the light dim.

At four in the morning.

Xiao Wuge was already up, washing and dressing with Xiaodie’s assistance.

He wore a short brocade tunic, its sash tied tightly at his waist.

His hair was pulled into a simple topknot, giving his refined features a sharp, capable air.

After so many days of Martial Arts training, Xiao Wuge had gradually grown accustomed to this lifestyle.

He would wake early to practice his Martial Arts, read in the afternoon, and spend his evenings fishing, playing chess, or in the study with his brother-in-law, Chen Yi.

Disciplined and fulfilling.

Though he sometimes envied the other children his age in the mansion as they played and laughed, he knew he couldn’t join them.

The time spent with his brother-in-law had taught him the importance of maintaining one’s integrity even when alone, and the truth in the saying that Heaven tests those it deems for great responsibility.

He had already long endured the "suffering of the heart and mind" that the proverb spoke of.

For instance, the deaths of Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing in battle, and the humiliation the Xiao Family suffered at the hands of the Jing State Liu Family.

He saw it with his own eyes and etched it into his heart.

It wasn’t a matter of hatred or resentment.

Instead, he saw these events as trials to temper him, hoping that one day he could become a man like his grandfather, Xiao Yuan, or his father, Xiao Fengchun.

To guard the borderlands and protect the common folk.

And so, Xiao Wuge willingly accepted his present life.

No matter how exhausting or difficult it became, he would grit his teeth and endure.

At a quarter past four, Xiaodie watched Xiao Wuge leave Spring Lotus Garden with Wang Lixing, who had come to fetch him. Then, she began her chores.

She swept and scrubbed, tidying Spring Lotus Garden until it was spotless, inside and out.

Once she was done,

she went to the study and lit a stick of Rich Plum incense.

A cool, serene plum blossom fragrance—blended from agarwood, sandalwood, and cloves—gradually filled the room.

Then, she flipped a page on the Astronomical Bureau’s imperial almanac hanging to the side:

The Fourteenth of the Ninth Month.

Auspicious for travel, marriage, and seeking medical treatment.

Inauspicious for trade, hanging plaques, and moving into a new home.

Three lines of vermilion script.

Xiaodie committed the words to memory, tore off the previous day’s page, and a smile blossomed on her little face.

’Auspicious for travel. Perfect.’

Besides her love for gossiping about matters big and small within the Marquis’s Mansion, the little maid also had a penchant for storybooks about gods, ghosts, and monsters.

Over time, she had started to pay special attention to the auspicious and inauspicious listings on the imperial almanac.

She would only leave the Marquis’s Mansion on days the almanac deemed "auspicious for travel."

This mostly applied to her own personal errands.

When it came to errands from Chen Yi, however, she would conveniently forget to check the almanac’s recommendations.

For example, that time long ago when Chen Yi sent her to the mounting shop to pick up some art, she’d run into Mr. Yue Ming. That day had been marked "inauspicious for travel."

And sure enough, Mr. Yue Ming had "made" her cry that day.

With everything in order,

Xiaodie glanced at the sky outside, then listened carefully for any sound from upstairs. There was nothing.

She wiped the sweat from her brow and trotted off toward the rear kitchen.

Just as she exited Spring Lotus Garden, she came face to face with Shen Huatang, who was approaching with Cui’er and Sister Juan’er. They carried a tray laden with plates of various sizes.

Pastries, congee, soup, and buns, all steaming hot.

Xiaodie grinned and gave a small curtsy. "Sister Huatang, Sister Cui’er, Sister Juan’er, good morning."

Shen Huatang grunted in acknowledgment. Knowing Xiaodie was headed to the rear kitchen, she reminded her,

"The Eldest Miss had the kitchen prepare chicken soup for Master Chen Yi. Remember to bring it along."

Xiaodie blinked a few times, smiled, and said she would remember. Then she scurried off toward the rear kitchen.

’Nourishing chicken soup is best served hot; she didn’t dare to dawdle.’

Once she was a good distance away,

Shen Huatang—holding an umbrella in one hand and the tray in the other—glanced at the flowers and greenery on the walls of Spring Lotus Garden before heading back to Jiaxing Garden.

Xie Tingyun was waiting at the entrance.

Taking advantage of Shen Huatang’s distraction, she snatched two buns from the tray and promptly stuffed one into her mouth.

"Junior Sister Huatang, I’m going to see Junior Brother Xue and Junior Sister Liu. I’m off now."

She was about to use her Body Technique to dash off, but Shen Huatang sidestepped to block her path.

Xie Tingyun halted, giving an awkward smile. "Something wrong, Junior Sister?"

Shen Huatang gave her a cool look. "Did you speak with the Eldest Miss?"

"Of course. I’m always one to follow the rules."

"When will you be back?"

"By noon... No, I’ll be back before three this afternoon."

Xie Tingyun rarely had a chance to leave the Marquis’s Mansion, so she wanted to spend a little more time with her junior brothers and sisters.

Shen Huatang, of course, understood the thoughts of her Eldest Senior Sister and continued, "Are Junior Brother Xue and the others doing well?"

"They’re fine. Everything’s normal."

"Then please relay a message for me, Senior Sister. Tell them I’ll be coming over tomorrow morning to test their Martial Arts."

Xie Tingyun froze for a moment. When she recovered, she managed a strained smile. "Alright, I’ll tell them."

’We’re doomed. We’re so doomed.’

’My dear junior brothers and sisters, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I’m terrified of your Senior Sister Shen, too.’

’You’ll have to fend for yourselves.’

After Xie Tingyun had gone,

Shen Huatang watched her go for a moment longer, then carried the breakfast into the main hall and arranged it neatly on the table.

Xiao Wan’er entered, walking with her usual grace.

She was dressed a little differently today. Though still wrapped in a heavy cloak, this one was clearly newer and brighter.

Beneath it, she wore a pale blue dress, and at her waist hung the Jade Pendant that signified her status in the Xiao Family.

The main difference was that she had clearly taken extra care with her appearance. Her hair was intricately styled, and a glittering ruby rested upon her brow.

It added an air of nobility to her already exquisite face.

Xiao Wan’er sat down at the table. As she gestured for Shen Huatang and the others to join her, she asked with a smile,

"Did you speak to Xiaodie?"

"I happened to run into her on my way back just now. I told her about the chicken soup."

Shen Huatang added reluctantly, "And I made sure to tell her that you were the one who ordered it."

Xiao Wan’er paused. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, making her look even more beautiful beneath the glimmer of the ruby on her brow.

"He’s been studying so hard these past few days. He ought to have something nourishing."

’Whatever you say, my lady.’

Shen Huatang lowered her head and ate in silence, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Perhaps realizing her explanation was unnecessary, Xiao Wan’er changed the subject.

"I’m going to Tingyu Pavilion later. Little Sister Qingwu invited me to discuss matters regarding the Medical Dao Academy. We’ll leave as soon as we finish eating."

"We’ll likely be back late, so bring the gifts we prepared earlier."

Shen Huatang acknowledged the order.

"On the way back, Huatang, don’t forget to remind me to purchase some fabric."

"The weather is turning cold. It’s time to have some thicker clothes made for Grandfather... for them."

"And also..."

Seeing her so unusually talkative, Shen Huatang knew that her earlier comment had flustered her. She could only say,

"Miss, why not ask Master Chen Yi if he’d like to go to Tingyu Pavilion?"

"I recall that Advisor Chen said he wanted to treat him to a meal."

At her words, Xiao Wan’er glanced toward Spring Lotus Garden. She hesitated a moment before shaking her head. "Not this time."

"With the Annual Examination less than half a month away, it’s better to let him stay in the mansion and study."

Having said that, her earlier fluster seemed to subside, and she said no more.

After the meal, she departed with her attendants.

Meanwhile, in Spring Lotus Garden, just a wall away,

Chen Yi had just sat down at his own dining table. He could, of course, hear the sound of carriage wheels in the distance.

He knew Xiao Wan’er was going to see Cui Qingwu today, so he didn’t give it much thought and simply started on his breakfast.

Standing nearby, Xiaodie glanced at him, her eyes fixed on the bowl of chicken soup.

"Young Master, the Eldest Miss had chicken soup prepared for you today."

"Oh? That’s nice."

"Drink it while it’s hot, Young Master."

Chen Yi glanced at her, a smile touching his lips when he saw her covetous expression. He poured some of the soup from his bowl into another and placed it in front of her.

"You have some too. For nourishment."

Xiaodie fidgeted. "Young Master, this is for you from the Eldest Miss. I... I can’t drink it."

"Can’t? Or don’t want to?"

"Both... B-both..."

"Fine, forget it. There’s barely enough for me as it is."

"No, no, no...!"

Watching Xiaodie hastily grab the bowl and gulp down the soup, Chen Yi chided her with a laugh:

"Next time, if you want to eat or drink something, just say so. It’s not like I’d stop you."

After she finished, Xiaodie wiped her mouth and grinned. "You’re too good to me, Young Master. But I can’t forget my place."

"If people from the other courtyards found out, they’d gossip."

"You little rascal... always so quick-witted..."

After they finished breakfast amidst their banter, Xiaodie asked while clearing the table, "Are you going out today, Young Master?"

"I don’t think so."

"In that case, could I go out for a bit?"

"The first day of winter is coming soon, and I wanted to get some clothes ready."

"My needlework isn’t very good, though. I’ll need to learn from the other sisters in the mansion. I can practice on my own clothes..."

After listening to her ramble, Chen Yi nodded with a smile. "Go on. Just remember to have some of the mansion’s Armored Warriors go with you."

"Yes, yes! Don’t you worry, Young Master..."

Not long after, Chen Yi was the only one left in Spring Lotus Garden.

Even the neighboring Jiaxing Garden was deserted.

Chen Yi tried to read for a while, but he couldn’t seem to focus. The words on the page felt bland and uninteresting.

He looked up at the sky.

On a whim, he stood, opened an Oil Paper Umbrella, and left Spring Lotus Garden.

’A walk might be nice,’ he thought. ’I might as well go see that business about someone selling herself to pay for her father’s burial...’