Chapter 302: Big Sister, How About Chen Yu? (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 302: The Elder Sister, Chen Yu How (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

Whether she listens or not, Xiao Hong returned to the manor, inevitably needing to make contact with Chen Yi.

Avoiding it was impossible.

She too had no desire to avoid it.

At dawn, after washing up and donning her usual attire, Xiao Hong made her way outside the building.

In the courtyard, Xiao Duo was holding a broom, sweeping leaves, even needing to set up a ladder to clean the pavilion roof.

Perhaps because the courtyard was too quiet.

In the cool, slightly damp breeze, Xiao Duo’s singing drifted through the air.

The melody was lively.

Yet the lyrics differ from the style of the Wei Dynasty.

“Cool, the wind carries news, autumn, the moon spans all horizons, my tender thoughts burn like days passing by, though I am not jade, the trees stand in the breeze…”

Direct, novel.

Xiao Hong instinctively glanced toward the other wooden building, feeling inexplicably that this was her husband’s masterpiece.

She recalled those lines, and a smile tugged at her lips: “Not bad, truly elegant.”

In Xiao Hong’s heart, Chen Yi’s temperament was gentle and composed, beyond the superficial praise of “jade standing in the breeze.”

Besides, he was likely to transcend the realms of books and medicine before thirty, capable of standing at the pinnacle of the Wei Dynasty’s rising generation.

What about his appearance, then? What difference did it make?

“Ah!”

Xiao Hong, lost in thought as she gazed at the wooden building where Chen Yi dwelled, was startled when Xiao Duo descended the ladder and accidentally caught sight of her.

“My second elder sister, you—you’ve returned? When did you come back?”

Xiao Hong snapped back to reality, her smile fading into a composed expression: “Last night.”

Xiao Duo, too flustered to put the ladder away, hurried over: “You returned to see the matter concerning the mistress?”

“Last night, the mistress was rescued by that ‘dragon spear’—a stroke of luck in misfortune.”

“My second elder sister, have you met the mistress?”

Xiao Hong nodded slightly: “I’m already aware of this matter. I’ll visit Yaqing Yard later.”

She glanced at the sky, casually asking: “Has my father-in-law stayed up late?”

Xiao Duo nodded: “Yes, after the mistress was rescued, they brought the young master here.”

“The mistress was shaken, her complexion pale. Fortunately, my father-in-law comforted her, and after midnight, she returned to rest.”

“Midnight…”

Xiao Hong sighed internally—how could that be? Chen Yi’s breath remained calm, clearly having slept soundly.

She thought for a moment, then waved to Xiao Duo, returning into the wooden building: “Tell me about the recent happenings at the manor.”

Xiao Duo followed without hesitation, slightly formal.

The conversation flowed smoothly, exchanging stories.

But there were no real events at the Zhou Manor.

Or rather, Xiao Duo knew nothing of such matters.

She was most acquainted with Chen Yi, so naturally, her tales centered around him.

Yet Xiao Hong wanted to hear exactly that.

Thus, Xiao Duo, relying on her memory of penning the “Biography of Zhou Manor’s Second Uncle and the Maid Xiao,” recounted from the time of Old Duke Zhou’s birthday banquet to last night.

Though it spanned days, Xiao Duo managed to narrate in meticulous detail—academies, pharmacies, poetry, calligraphy, paintings, and guqin music, among other things.

Especially the origins of those poems.

For instance, the poem “Song of the River Patrol Boat—Mid-Autumn—When Will the Bright Moon Shine?” claimed the top spot at the Cloud Academy’s Mid-Autumn Poetry Contest.

And the poem Chen Yi wrote to Sun Fu-xian: “Do not worry that no one understands your path—who in the world does not recognize you?”—displayed his complete mastery of literature and martial arts.

Xiao Hong listened, her interest far from satisfied, and finally grasped Chen Yi’s recent circumstances.

Yet she concealed her expression, continuing to inquire about Xiao Wan-er and Elder Zhou.

“You say, the elder sister founded the Medical Academy—will the Cui family also participate?”

“Yes, the mistress asked my thoughts.”

“My father-in-law said, if the Cui lady doesn’t involve herself in the Academy’s affairs, she may participate.”

“That’s reasonable…”

Xiao Hong slightly bowed her head, thinking internally: No wonder the elder sister wrote so often, always tending to her husband.

It seemed these days, her husband had been aiding the elder sister greatly.

A Medical Academy… what a blessing.

As for Elder Zhou’s affairs, Xiao Hong understood them well, so she merely asked a few casual questions.

Primarily about the rumors circulating in Shuzhou City, and Liu Hong’s repeated visits to persuade him.

They chatted idly.

Xiao Hong glanced at the clock, seeing it nearing dawn: “You go check on my father-in-law—if he’s awake, bring him to Yaqing Yard.”

Xiao Duo agreed, followed her out of the wooden building, watched her disappear into Yaqing Yard, then hurried to find Chen Yi.

“Master, master, the second elder sister has returned—wake up, wake up!”

“Xiao Duo? Let me sleep a bit longer… the second elder sister has returned… huh? The mistress has returned?”

“Wash up, change clothes!”

Hearing Chen Yi’s voice from the chamber, Xiao Hong smiled to herself, her steps light as she crossed the corridor, vanishing into Yaqing Yard.

Chen Yi, hearing the sound, exhaled slowly.

The mistress had returned, immediately questioning him about these days’ events, which indeed placed considerable pressure on him.

No wonder Chen Yi felt uneasy.

For the things he’d done these days, blaming Chen Yu and Liu Wu was easier.

If Xiao Hong knew it was him, there would surely be complications.

At that point, Elder Zhou would likely be even more cautious.

Fortunately, Xiao Duo knew little.

Otherwise, that maid would have already sold him out.

Xiao Duo, unaware of his inner thoughts, quickly fetched water and brought a fresh set of clothes.

“Master, the second elder sister went to Yaqing Yard, saying when you wake up, she’ll have breakfast there.”

Chen Yi murmured in acknowledgement, continuing his morning wash while asking Xiaodie outside the door:

"When did Madam return?"

"The Second Miss said it was last night, adding that you were already asleep by then, so she retired to rest as well."

"Because of the Eldest Miss's matter?"

"Yes, the Old Master summoned her back post-haste via an urgent missive..."

If one plays a part, one must perform the full routine.

Chen Yi naturally had to ask a few ordinary questions.

Finishing his ablutions, he changed into a pristine, black brocade robe, fastened his jade belt tight, and hung a sachet upon it.

He cast a glance into the bronze mirror.

Though he could not truly be called a paragon of peerless grace, his features were still considered above average.

Coupled with a composed and unhurried demeanor, the word "handsome" was not an exaggeration when applied to him.

Chen Yi smoothed the stray hairs at his temples, a gentle smile gracing his face, "Wife, we have not met in a long time, as your husband— *cough, cough*..."

He had nearly forgotten.

With Xiao Jinghong’s upper-three-rank cultivation, her hearing could likely envelop the entire Marquis of Dingyuan’s estate.

Outside the door, Xiaodie caught the sound and asked, "Young Master, are you ready?"

"I am."

Chen Yi pushed open the door and stepped out, guiding her toward the Jiaxing Courtyard while simultaneously checking the day's intelligence.

When his eyes fell upon the contents, his footsteps faltered.

【Daily Intelligence · Mysterious Grade, High Tier: At the quarter-past-noon hour, at the Provincial Administration Commission Office, Xiao Yuan, the Marquis of Dingyuan, will call upon Liu Hong, the Left Administrative Commissioner of Shuzhou, to demand accountability; a minor fortuitous opportunity can be obtained.】

Demand accountability?

Chen Yi pondered briefly, a realization dawning upon him.

Xiao Jinghong had not accompanied the Old Master to see Liu Hong, which indicated that the Xiao family was not yet prepared to completely take Liu Hong down.

The Old Master’s personal visit this time was likely intended to stabilize the grain prices within the Shuzhou prefectural capital.

"It seems the Old Master still understands the weight of priorities; handling the Jizhou Trading Firm right now is the supreme option."

Originally, Chen Yi had planned to seek another opportunity to remind the Old Master to appease the common folk of Shuzhou.

He had not expected the Old Master to remain entirely unaffected by yesterday’s abduction of Xiao Wan'er, heading straight for the Provincial Administration Commission Office instead. In this manner, Chen Yi would have to quicken his own pace as well.

At the very least, he first needed to ascertain whether Lin Zhenghong and the others would resell the grain to Cui Qingwu.

He also needed to quickly notify Zhang Dabiao to cast out those merchants who had been incapacitated by the Immortal’s Drunk.

And as for Liu Lang...

With these thoughts swirling, Chen Yi quickened his stride, arriving hurriedly at the Jiaxing Courtyard.

Before he could even step into the living room of the wooden pavilion, Xiao Jinghong’s voice drifted out from within:

"Eldest Sister, what do you think of this person, 'Chen Yu'?"

Chen Yi’s heart skipped a beat, his raised foot nearly missing its step.

Why was his wife asking about this?

Could she, could she... surely not?

As if the Old Master were not enough, now even Xiao Jinghong was stepping forward to persuade Xiao Wan'er to marry "Chen Yu"?

This would not do, absolutely not.

Chen Yi dared not hesitate, nor did he wait for Xiao Wan'er to reply; stepping past the screen, his eyes swept over the occupants inside as he bowed with a smile:

"Forgive me, I slept rather late last night and overslept a little this morning."

As he spoke, his gaze brushed past Xiao Wan'er and settled upon Xiao Jinghong, greeting her with a smile:

"Wife, when did you return?"

Xiao Wan'er let out a sigh of relief, and before Xiao Jinghong could speak, she raised her hand to gesture for Chen Yi to sit, "Second Sister returned last night."

"Husband, I came back last night."

Xiao Jinghong was not wearing her half-armor mask at this moment; her face was bare of cosmetics, her beauty not a whit inferior to Xiao Wan'er’s.

Her narrow, long eyes curved slightly upward at the corners, paired with a fine nose, full lips, and skin as white and translucent as jade.

—Exquisite, yet carrying a hint of martial spiritedness.

Chen Yi offered an understanding nod, seating himself beside her, and asked with practiced familiarity:

"Having returned this time, how many days will you stay, Wife?"

Forget all this talk of Chen Yu; he dared not steer the conversation back toward that fictitious persona again.

Xiao Jinghong paused, a slight look of apology appearing on her face: "Forgive me, Husband, Jinghong returned this time solely for Eldest Sister."

"However, now that I see Eldest Sister is safe and unharmed, I must return to the Wushan Mutual Trade Market as soon as possible; it will take a few more days before construction there is complete."

"In such a hurry?"

Chen Yi frowned inwardly, vaguely sensing something amiss.

He well knew that the Old Master had recalled Xiao Jinghong not merely to rescue Xiao Wan'er, but also for the far more crucial matter of Liu Hong.

Even if the Old Master could handle it alone, Xiao Jinghong should not be leaving the prefectural capital so early.

At the very least, she ought to investigate a little.

Or... a golden cicada shedding its skin, a deceptive departure?

Highly probable.

With this thought in mind, Chen Yi smiled and said, "Wife, your affairs are pressing; it is only right that you handle them first."

As he spoke, catching sight of the slightly tense expression on Xiao Wan'er’s face out of the corner of his eye, he continued:

"Let us speak while we eat, my stomach is rather famished."

Xiao Jinghong had no objections, feeling instead that his casual, unconstrained manner was exactly as it should be.

Hearing this, Xiao Wan'er breathed a sigh of relief, inviting everyone to partake in the morning meal.

"Second Sister, I did not know you were returning, so I did not instruct the kitchen to prepare the cold-tossed mutton you favor."

"No matter, this is quite sufficient."

Chen Yi also relaxed, stuffing a bun from the table into his mouth while conversing about recent events.

After guiding Xiao Jinghong to comfort Xiao Wan'er, he steered the topic toward the Shuzhou grain prices and the matters of the Guiyun Academy.

"In another ten days, the annual examinations will begin; if my results are poor, I hope Wife will not mock me."

"Jinghong would not dare."

Xiao Jinghong did not say she *would* not, but rather that she *would not dare*, her tone entirely devoid of treating Chen Yi as a mere matrilocal son-in-law of the Xiao family.

It was as if she were the bride to be taken by him, bright and resplendent.

"Moreover, as long as the groom passes the imperial examination, there will be no problem."

Xiao Wanz'er nodded in agreement, adding her voice to the conversation: "Younger sister speaks truly; my brother-in-law has been diligent lately."

"He has studied all the classics and historical texts, and even had people gather past examination questions for him to study intently."

"Is that so?"

Xiao Jinghong's eyes flashed with a faint smile as she turned to look at Chen Yi, "As long as the groom works so diligently, there will be no issue with the imperial examination."

Chen Yi met her gaze, smiled, and nodded, "By your blessing."

They locked eyes and began eating the dumplings with quiet understanding.

Xiao Wanz'er observed their expressions, and a complex swirl of emotions rose within her chest—bitter, shy, anxious, tense, all tangled together, causing her to lower her head in silence.

She ate her breakfast one mouthful at a time, her thoughts drifting far away, until she no longer heard the sounds around her.

The two of them were so in sync, so deeply connected in spirit, and she, as the eldest sister, should not—could not—be so base as to act similarly.

Yet the bitterness in her heart left her unable to make a decisive choice.

Xiao Wanz'er had considered severing her ties with Chen Yi more than once before.

Like when she first received that poem, "The Divine Spirit's Ode."

Like when Chen Yi held her hand…

Again and again, she weighed the possibility, but always reached the same conclusion.

Deep within her heart, a clear image had already formed.

Adding to this was what had happened yesterday—when she had been so close to death, it was Chen Yi who gave her hope.

Not just hope, but someone who had reached out and pulled her back into the world, vibrant with color once more.

She did not wish, nor could she bear, to make such a decisive choice.

Silence stretched for a moment.

Xiao Jinghong set down her chopsticks, without noticing Xiao Wanz'er's unusual demeanor, and spoke as instructed by the old patriarch:

"Elder sister, grandfather sent me to ask you—do you have any thoughts about 'Chen Yu' from Bai Caotang?"

Xiao Wanz'er blinked in confusion, looking up. "Chen Yu?"

She glanced at Chen Yi, and before she could stop herself, her head was about to nod, but upon realizing her mistake, her face flushed with unease.

"N-no, no thoughts on that."

Chen Yi nearly choked on his bite, and before Xiao Jinghong could press further, he set down his chopsticks and said,

"Madam, grandfather intends to marry you to 'Chen Yu'?"

Xiao Jinghong paused, looking at Xiao Wanz'er, whose face was half-hidden in the folds of her large-sleeved robe, and nodded:

"Grandfather does indeed have this idea."

"'Chen Yu' is young and capable, with outstanding talent—both in martial and medical arts. Truly rare."

"If the elder sister is willing, I shall go see him myself later."

Xiao Wanz'er quickly shook her head, "Younger sister, there's no need to trouble yourself over this. I have no thoughts about that Chen Yu, and— and I certainly will not marry him…"

As she spoke, a bitter edge tugged at her lips, hidden beneath her collar.

It was as if she wasn't speaking of "Chen Yu," but of Chen Yi.

Chen Yi looked at her, then at the composed Xiao Jinghong, his hands resting calmly on his knees, pressing down on his toes as he forced himself not to bend his knees, and asked with quiet resolve:

"Madam, does 'Chen Yu' have exceptional talent in martial arts?"

"Yes, grandfather told me."

For caution's sake, Xiao Jinghong did not reveal that Chen Yu was none other than Liu Wu, the 'Dragon and Tiger' of the group, and after a brief explanation asked:

"My lord, have you and 'Chen Yu' been in private contact?"

Chen Yi controlled his breathing, smiled, and said, "To speak of private contact… I suppose we've known each other well."

"I've met him several times, and I know his achievements in medicine are remarkable. Only—"

"Only what?"

"Only that 'Chen Yu' aspires to the martial world; he may find it difficult to stay in Shu Zhou."

Xiao Jinghong furrowed her brow slightly, "So you mean, he won't remain in Shu Zhou after leaving?"

Chen Yi nodded, "He came to Shu Zhou to repay the old patriarch's kindness. Afterward, he'll follow his master's orders to travel the realm, treating the sick and aiding the people."

"That's what he told me, so I imagine he won't stay in Shu Zhou long."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinghong's brow relaxed, as if in thought, "Such a person is indeed unsuitable."

Because of the matters with Wuyan and Dingguan, Xiao Jinghong naturally understood the bittersweet nature of their infrequent meetings and partings.

If that 'Chen Yu' were to behave the same way as Chen Yi, wouldn't the elder sister be left to live alone in an empty room?

After all, Xiao Wanz'er's body was not suited for long journeys.

Xiao Wanz'er let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, "Younger sister, you're too concerned over me. My matters are many; I shouldn't trouble you."

Chen Yi smiled and nodded, giving her a reassuring glance, "You're right… In my opinion, we should wait until you've met him first."

Meet?

You think I'd let 'Chen Yu' meet me, and you dare use my surname?!

(Chapter Complete)