Chapter 152: A Woman's Heart Is a Needle at the Bottom of the Sea

Chapter 152: The Heart of Women, Underwater Needle

The next morning, thunder and lightning cracked across the sky.

The rain poured for three hours, not abating but growing heavier, its deluge stretching into the fourth.

Rumbling thunder rolled through the clouds, shaking the dreams of the people of Shu Zhou awake.

Xiao Wu Ge was among them.

He was not afraid, only that such weather always stirred uneasy memories within him.

He rose and glanced around. The dim chamber had long since extinguished its candles, but when lightning flashed, it lit the room for a fleeting moment.

It revealed he was no longer in the Spring Lotus Garden but in the Jia Xing Courtyard.

He sat still for a moment.

Xiao Wu Ge stood, shrugged on a loose robe, and stepped outside.

The wide robe hung loosely on him, its sash untied, sleeves drooping.

"Master Xiao, you’ve woken?"

Cui Er, the guard outside, turned at the sound of his voice. He hurried over to smooth his sleeves and tie the sash, then dabbed his face with a warm cloth.

Noticing his intention to leave, Cui Er smiled and asked, "Master Xiao, would you like to visit Miss Xiao?"

Xiao Wu Ge looked out at the storm-lashed sky and shook his head. "Not hungry. I must go to the Spring Lotus Garden to see my elder brother."

Cui Er nodded, relieved. "Then I’ll prepare your clothes and take you there to see Elder Xiao."

"Master Xiao should be down for breakfast by now—he’s going to Guiyun Academy today."

"Ah, I’ll go too."

When they reached the courtyard, Xiao Man Wan sat by the door, watching the rain. She smiled warmly. "Xiao Wu Ge, you’re hungry, aren’t you? I’ve ordered breakfast to be brought up. It’ll be ready shortly."

Xiao Wu Ge waved his hand. "Elder Sister, I’d rather eat with elder brother at the Spring Lotus Garden."

Xiao Man Wan’s smile faltered. "In this weather, it’s too inconvenient. Wait until after breakfast, then we can go without delay."

"But if we wait, elder brother will have already left for Guiyun Academy."

Seeing his earnestness, Xiao Man Wan hesitated, then stood. "In that case, I’ll escort you. Don’t want you to slip on the roads in the rain."

Though Xiao Wu Ge felt a touch annoyed at being treated like a child, his joy at returning to the Spring Lotus Garden outweighed the slight.

Then Xiao Man Wan had Cui Er fetch a raincoat and oil umbrella, and they set off for the garden.

She carefully stepped around puddles, shielding him with her body as she walked. "When the weather is warm, you come to Jia Xing. Now it’s turning cool—you’re back to the Spring Lotus Garden."

"You really treat elder sister like an summer fan."

Xiao Wu Ge, sensing no ill will, let out a soft laugh.

"Laugh," she said, patting his head, though she could not stop him.

As they neared the garden, Xiao Man Wan felt a twinge of doubt.

These days, aside from yesterday’s meeting with Chen Yi—prompted by Xiao Xiao Hong’s letter—she and Xiao Wu Ge had not exchanged a single word.

Most of the time, she learned of Chen Yi’s activities through Xiao Wu Ge: playing Go, writing calligraphy, sipping tea, fishing.

Occasionally, they strolled outside—seeing a couple from the western market arguing, or watching officials in the northern market display couplets in a contest of calligraphy.

Or in the eastern market, witnessing escaped barbarian laborers being dragged back for whipping.

Her life, compared to the leisurely existence of the Xiao family’s younger brother and sister, seemed far less burdened, as if free of cares.

When she heard of these things, Xiao Man Wan felt a strange stirring in her heart.

Each time she recalled that day, she wondered if her reaction had been too hasty, if she had overthought it.

After all, aside from the line "Lady of delicate charm, a gentleman favors such a match," her brother-in-law had done nothing amiss.

He had merely glanced at the pretty Miss Wan Rong Rong a few times, and that was because the Butcher Division had apprehended the killer of Liu Jing.

This had been confirmed by the Magistrate’s Office in recent days.

The old mistress had lifted the martial law in the estate because of it.

Thinking of these things, Xiao Man Wan could not help but reflect.

In the end, she felt she might have overreacted.

Yet.

When she met Chen Yi yesterday, some words she wished to explain had nearly slipped from her lips, only to be swallowed again.

Then she had impulsively spoken in a preachy tone—about being mindful of rites and proprieties, about the virtues of a gentleman.

She didn’t know why she said such things, and afterward felt awkward.

She hadn’t slept well the night before.

When the thunder boomed late into the night, she found herself unable to rest.

Thinking of these matters, Xiao Man Wan looked up at Xiao Wu Ge and asked, "Am I unwell-looking?"

Xiao Wu Ge glanced at her, seeing a slightly pale face with downturned brows.

"No, elder sister, you look better than before."

"Is that so?"

She let out a breath, dispelling the tangled thoughts in her mind, and smiled. "Let’s go."

When they reached the garden, Chen Yi had just descended for breakfast.

Seeing them, he was a bit surprised but maintained a composed smile. He welcomed them in and ordered the youngest sister to fetch two more bowls and chopsticks.

Xiao Man Wan almost spoke of returning to Jia Xing for the meal, but swallowed the words, taking her seat at the table beside Xiao Wu Ge.

After checking the room, she asked, "Has Miss Ling Yu not risen yet?"

Chen Yi, seated opposite her, picked up a dish and ate.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I just sent Xiao E to ask—he’s been making progress in martial arts, practicing diligently."

Xiao Wanz'er hummed a soft note as she glanced at his gaze fixed upon her, then lowered her head to sip the congee. She patted herself on the back, steeling her resolve.

This time, she must smooth things over, put the past behind them.

But before she could form words, Chen Yi finished a piece of pastry and smiled, asking,

“The elder sister said she wished to meet the owner of Bai Caotang—shall she see him again?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wanz'er hesitated, then nodded.

“Yes, I must meet him.”

“The day before yesterday, Director Wang came to deliver such a large sum of silver—surely I ought to thank him in person.”

When she finished speaking, Xiao Wanz'er felt a pang of doubt.

It seemed her husband had not held the previous matter against her, still speaking to her as he always had.

Chen Yi, of course, saw nothing amiss. He merely smiled and said,

“Then when I return from Guayun Academy later, I’ll stop by the Western Market to confirm a date with Master Wang, and perhaps buy some things while I’m at it.”

Xiao Wanz'er hummed in agreement, accepting his offer.

She glanced at Chen Yi, who ate with quiet composure, and scrutinized him carefully, her judgment settling like stone.

Her husband truly had not been affected by what had passed, had not so much as given it a second thought.

That remark about “a refined lady” had been nothing more than idle banter.

So all this time, had she been overthinking?

As she pondered this, a faint smile tugged at Xiao Wanz'er’s lips.

A rare, sulky expression—half resentful, half playful—softened her features.

At that moment, Chen Yi lifted his gaze and noticed her expression. He furrowed his brow, then glanced down at himself.

Nothing amiss. His white robe was neat, his hair neatly tied, his bearing undeniably scholarly.

“Elder sister, is there something else you wish me to do?”

When Xiao Wanz'er saw he had caught her, she quickly composed herself and replied, “Nothing at all.”

She bowed her head back to her bowl.

Chen Yi studied her for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Huang and Xiao Die, who sat oblivious to the exchange.

Something didn’t sit right.

Just then, Xiao Wanz'er set down her chopsticks, her voice steady as she spoke:

“My second elder sister sent a letter yesterday. I intend to write a reply today—after your return from the Western Market, could you hand it to me? I’ll have someone deliver it.”

Chen Yi nodded. Inside, he thought, *Must have been mistaken.*

The two of them had only discussed the previous matter yesterday. Today, he had said nothing—so surely he had not angered Xiao Wanz'er.

But before his thought could settle, Xiao Wanz'er spoke again:

“Xiao Huang, after you finish eating, be sure to change into proper attire.”

“The professor I arranged for you to study calligraphy and seal carving is coming today—don’t forget to observe the proper etiquette.”

Xiao Huang paused, his eyes widening slightly at her serious tone. He nodded. “Understood, elder sister.”

Then he cast a glance at Chen Yi, his expression one of silent anguish—tears unspoken, just as it had been when they’d written those twenty characters for Pei Yonglu earlier.

Chen Yi shrugged helplessly.

It was clear something had indeed offended Xiao Wanz'er. How could he possibly help Xiao Huang in this?

But what had he said?

Thinking it over, Chen Yi could not fathom the cause. He blamed it all on Xiao Wanz'er’s lingering memory of the past.

A woman’s heart—like a needle from the sea.

No injustice done to me, either.

Not long after, the group finished their morning meal. Chen Yi declined to send Xiao Die to fetch the carriage, instead taking his oil-paper umbrella and heading to the courtyard to check if a carriage awaited.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Wanz'er and the others, he departed through the lotus pond garden.

Xiao Wanz'er watched him disappear down the path, her tense expression slowly relaxing into a soft sigh.

She’d done something strange, hadn’t she?

She’d planned to smooth things over with her husband beforehand, yet…

Xiao Huang glanced at her face, noticing the slight crease in her brow.

“Elder sister, your face looks unwell—are you not feeling well?”

Xiao Wanz'er blinked, turning to him. “Me? Is my face really that bad?”

“A little. A bit paler than before.”

“Oh, perhaps it’s from worrying about your studies and etiquette. When Master comes, I’ll have Cuier stay with you.”

“……”

Stay with me?

More likely to be watching me like a hawk.

Xiao Huang thought this, his brow furrowing with an expression too mature for his years.

Why ask at all?

Xiao Wanz'er met his gaze, her mood lightening slightly. She gave a few quiet instructions, then walked purposefully toward Jiaxing Yard.

Next time.

Next time, she’d smooth things over with her husband, set the past right once and for all.

…

Chen Yi entered the courtyard and found the household officials present.

He also spotted the long-absent Ge Lao San.

But it seemed their earlier quarrel had drawn attention—Ge Lao San was being teased by Liu Si’er and others.

“Old Three, how do you find married life?”

“Marvelous, marvelous beyond words.”

“You dog, you lucky dog—if the Duke hadn’t spared you, you’d be dead.”

“Heh…”

Ge Lao San was about to retort when he spotted Chen Yi approaching. He quickly bowed.

“Master!”

The end is near. Let me know if you need any adjustments.Xiao Wanz'er hummed a soft note as she glanced at his gaze fixed upon her, then lowered her head to sip the congee. She patted herself on the back, steeling her resolve.

This time, she must smooth things over, put the past behind them.

But before she could form words, Chen Yi finished a piece of pastry and smiled, asking,

“The elder sister said she wished to meet the owner of Bai Caotang—shall she see him again?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wanz'er hesitated, then nodded.

“Yes, I must meet him.”

“The day before yesterday, Director Wang came to deliver such a large sum of silver—surely I ought to thank him in person.”

When she finished speaking, Xiao Wanz'er felt a pang of doubt.

It seemed her husband had not held the previous matter against her, still speaking to her as he always had.

Chen Yi, of course, saw nothing amiss. He merely smiled and said,

“Then when I return from Guayun Academy later, I’ll stop by the Western Market to confirm a date with Master Wang, and perhaps buy some things while I’m at it.”

Xiao Wanz'er hummed in agreement, accepting his offer.

She glanced at Chen Yi, who ate with quiet composure, and scrutinized him carefully, her judgment settling like stone.

Her husband truly had not been affected by what had passed, had not so much as given it a second thought.

That remark about “a refined lady” had been nothing more than idle banter.

So all this time, had she been overthinking?

As she pondered this, a faint smile tugged at Xiao Wanz'er’s lips.

A rare, sulky expression—half resentful, half playful—softened her features.

At that moment, Chen Yi lifted his gaze and noticed her expression. He furrowed his brow, then glanced down at himself.

Nothing amiss. His white robe was neat, his hair neatly tied, his bearing undeniably scholarly.

“Elder sister, is there something else you wish me to do?”

When Xiao Wanz'er saw he had caught her, she quickly composed herself and replied, “Nothing at all.”

She bowed her head back to her bowl.

Chen Yi studied her for a moment, then glanced at Xiao Huang and Xiao Die, who sat oblivious to the exchange.

Something didn’t sit right.

Just then, Xiao Wanz'er set down her chopsticks, her voice steady as she spoke:

“My second elder sister sent a letter yesterday. I intend to write a reply today—after your return from the Western Market, could you hand it to me? I’ll have someone deliver it.”

Chen Yi nodded. Inside, he thought, *Must have been mistaken.*

The two of them had only discussed the previous matter yesterday. Today, he had said nothing—so surely he had not angered Xiao Wanz'er.

But before his thought could settle, Xiao Wanz'er spoke again:

“Xiao Huang, after you finish eating, be sure to change into proper attire.”

“The professor I arranged for you to study calligraphy and seal carving is coming today—don’t forget to observe the proper etiquette.”

Xiao Huang paused, his eyes widening slightly at her serious tone. He nodded. “Understood, elder sister.”

Then he cast a glance at Chen Yi, his expression one of silent anguish—tears unspoken, just as it had been when they’d written those twenty characters for Pei Yonglu earlier.

Chen Yi shrugged helplessly.

It was clear something had indeed offended Xiao Wanz'er. How could he possibly help Xiao Huang in this?

But what had he said?

Thinking it over, Chen Yi could not fathom the cause. He blamed it all on Xiao Wanz'er’s lingering memory of the past.

A woman’s heart—like a needle from the sea.

No injustice done to me, either.

Not long after, the group finished their morning meal. Chen Yi declined to send Xiao Die to fetch the carriage, instead taking his oil-paper umbrella and heading to the courtyard to check if a carriage awaited.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Wanz'er and the others, he departed through the lotus pond garden.

Xiao Wanz'er watched him disappear down the path, her tense expression slowly relaxing into a soft sigh.

She’d done something strange, hadn’t she?

She’d planned to smooth things over with her husband beforehand, yet…

Xiao Huang glanced at her face, noticing the slight crease in her brow.

“Elder sister, your face looks unwell—are you not feeling well?”

Xiao Wanz'er blinked, turning to him. “Me? Is my face really that bad?”

“A little. A bit paler than before.”

“Oh, perhaps it’s from worrying about your studies and etiquette. When Master comes, I’ll have Cuier stay with you.”

“……”

Stay with me?

More likely to be watching me like a hawk.

Xiao Huang thought this, his brow furrowing with an expression too mature for his years.

Why ask at all?

Xiao Wanz'er met his gaze, her mood lightening slightly. She gave a few quiet instructions, then walked purposefully toward Jiaxing Yard.

Next time.

Next time, she’d smooth things over with her husband, set the past right once and for all.

…

Chen Yi entered the courtyard and found the household officials present.

He also spotted the long-absent Ge Lao San.

But it seemed their earlier quarrel had drawn attention—Ge Lao San was being teased by Liu Si’er and others.

“Old Three, how do you find married life?”

“Marvelous, marvelous beyond words.”

“You dog, you lucky dog—if the Duke hadn’t spared you, you’d be dead.”

“Heh…”

Ge Lao San was about to retort when he spotted Chen Yi approaching. He quickly bowed.

“Master!”

"Uncle, are we going out?"

"Yes, to Guiyun College."

(End of chapter)