Chapter 510 - 302: Big Sister, How About Chen Yu?
Chapter 510: Chapter 302: Big Sister, How About Chen Yu?
Whether he would listen or not, Xiao Jinghong would inevitably have to interact with Chen Yi now that she had returned to the Marquis’s Mansion.
She couldn’t avoid it.
And she didn’t want to.
Early the next morning, after washing up and changing into casual clothes, Xiao Jinghong stepped outside the building.
In the courtyard, Xiaodie was sweeping fallen leaves with a broom. She had even set up a ladder to sweep the roof of the pavilion. Perhaps because the courtyard was so quiet and secluded, Xiaodie’s humming drifted through the cool, slightly damp breeze. The melody was cheerful, but the lyrics did not sound like the style of the Great Wei Dynasty.
"The cool wind brings tidings. The autumn moon knows no bounds. My lovesickness makes every day feel like a year. Although I am not a handsome gentleman standing tall as a jade tree in the wind..."
Straightforward and novel.
Xiao Jinghong subconsciously looked toward the wooden building on the other side, inexplicably feeling that this was her husband’s masterpiece. Recalling those few lyrics, a smile inevitably tugged at the corners of her mouth. "He is indeed a handsome gentleman."
In Xiao Jinghong’s heart, Chen Yi’s temperament was gentle and composed, not something that could be described by superficial words like "a handsome gentleman standing tall as a jade tree." Moreover, he was a scholar who was highly likely to break through to the Saint Realm in the Calligraphy Dao before the age of thirty, enough to stand at the pinnacle of the Great Wei Dynasty’s younger generation.
What did his appearance matter?
"Ah!"
While Xiao Jinghong was staring blankly at the wooden building where Chen Yi was, Xiaodie inadvertently caught sight of her figure as she climbed down the ladder and couldn’t help but say joyfully, "Second Miss, when did you get back?"
Xiao Jinghong snapped back to reality, her smile fading as she said in a flat tone, "Last night."
Xiaodie didn’t even bother putting away the ladder and hurried over. "Did you come back because of the First Miss? Last night, the First Miss was saved by that so-called ’Dragon Spear.’ It was a blessing in disguise.
"Second Miss, have you gone to see the First Miss yet?"
Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly. "I am already aware of the matter. I will go to Jiaxing Garden to visit her in a bit." She glanced at the sky and asked casually, "Did my husband go to bed late last night?"
Xiaodie nodded. "Yes. After the First Miss was rescued and brought back last night, she sent the Young Master over here. The First Miss was quite frightened and looked a bit pale. Fortunately, Master Chen comforted her a bit, and she went back to rest after Midnight."
"Midnight..."
Xiao Jinghong thought to herself that it was no wonder; Chen Yi’s breathing was still steady, so he was obviously sleeping soundly. She thought for a moment, then waved at Xiaodie and turned back into the wooden building. "Tell me about the interesting things that have happened in the mansion recently."
Suspecting nothing, Xiaodie followed her inside, feeling a little nervous.
Their questions and answers flowed harmoniously.
However, what interesting things could possibly happen in the Marquis’s Mansion? Or rather, what interesting things could Xiaodie possibly know? The person she interacted with the most was Chen Yi, so naturally, she talked mostly about matters related to him.
But this was exactly what Xiao Jinghong wanted to hear. Thus, Xiaodie recounted everything from the Old Marquis’s birthday banquet all the way to last night.
Although it spanned a considerable amount of time, Xiaodie managed to describe everything in meticulous detail, relying on her memory of writing *The Biography of the Marquis Wu’s Mansion’s Second Son-in-Law and His Little Maid*. She spoke of Guiyun Academy, the Medicine Hall, Poetry, calligraphy, Painting, Zither music, and more. She especially noted the origins of those few pieces of Poetry.
For instance, she shared how *Song of the Water Melody: Mid-Autumn: When Will the Bright Moon Appear?* won first place at Guiyun Academy’s Mid-Autumn Poetry Gathering. She also explained how Chen Yi revealed his Perfect Calligraphy Dao through the poem he wrote for Mr. Sun Fu, which read, "Worry not that no soul knows you on the road ahead; who in this world has not heard of your name?"
Xiao Jinghong was left wanting more after hearing the stories, finally getting a clear picture of Chen Yi’s recent circumstances. However, she didn’t show it and simply continued to ask about Xiao Wan’er, Elder Master Xiao, and the others.
"Are you saying that the Cui Family is also going to participate in the Medical Dao Academy that my eldest sister founded?" Xiao Jinghong asked.
"Mhm, the First Miss asked Master Chen for his thoughts. Master Chen said that Miss Cui could participate as long as she doesn’t interfere with the academy’s internal affairs."
"That makes sense..." Xiao Jinghong gave a slight nod, thinking to herself that it was no wonder her eldest sister’s letters had been so protective of her husband. It seemed that her husband had helped her eldest sister quite a lot recently.
The Medical Dao Academy... It was a good thing.
As for Elder Master Xiao’s situation, Xiao Jinghong already knew quite a bit, so she only asked a few simple questions. It was mostly about the recent rumors circulating in Shu State City and how Liu Hong had visited multiple times to offer advice.
After a bit more casual chatting, seeing that it was already half past 5:00 AM, Xiao Jinghong stood up and said, "Go check on my husband. If he’s awake, come with him to Jiaxing Garden."
Xiaodie agreed and followed her out of the wooden building. After watching her leave toward Jiaxing Garden, Xiaodie hurriedly went to find Chen Yi.
"Master Chen, Master Chen, the Second Miss is back! You need to wake up!"
"Xiaodie? Let me sleep a little longer... The Second Miss is back... Hm? Madam is back? I need to bathe and change my clothes!"
Hearing Chen Yi’s voice from the guest room, Xiao Jinghong smiled knowingly. With light steps, she crossed the corridor and disappeared toward Jiaxing Garden.
Chen Yi vaguely heard her footsteps fading away and let out a long sigh. Madam starting to ask about his experiences the moment she returned really put a lot of pressure on him.
It was no wonder Chen Yi felt so guilty. It was truly because the things he had done recently were fine as long as he pushed the blame onto Chen Yu and Liu Wu. If Xiao Jinghong found out that he was the one behind them, it would inevitably cause unexpected complications. When that time came, Elder Master Xiao would likely be highly guarded against him as well.
Fortunately, Xiaodie didn’t know much. Otherwise, that girl would have probably sold him out already.
Naturally unaware of his inner thoughts, Xiaodie hurriedly fetched water and ran over with a brand-new set of clothes.
"Master Chen, the Second Miss went to Jiaxing Garden. She said that once you wake up, you should go over there for breakfast."
Chen Yi hummed in acknowledgment. As he washed up, he asked Xiaodie, who was waiting outside the door, "When did Madam return?"
"The Second Miss said she returned last night. She also said that since you were already asleep, she went to rest as well."
"Because of my eldest sister’s matter?"
"Yes, the Marquis sent an urgent message calling her back..."
He had to put on a full act.