Chapter 39: The Handwriting Reflects the Person

Chapter 39: The Character Reflects the Person

The gentle clopping of hooves echoed as the carriage, its black base embroidered with red patterns resembling the snout of a dragon, drawn by four magnificent horses, slowly passed through the northern gate of Shu Zhou Prefecture, gliding southward along Kangning Street.

Xiao Yinghong, listening to the bustling sounds around her, slightly drew aside the embroidered curtain on the carriage window, peering through the gap at the scene outside.

It had been ten days since Li Huaiyu, the Explorer Lord, had last patrolled the streets, yet the taverns along Kangning Street and the scholars within the academies still spoke of him endlessly.

Some described the events in flowery language: "That day, the scenery was exquisite—we were too slow in mounting our horses!" Their words drew laughter from the gathered crowd.

Others claimed Li Huaiyu had effortlessly succeeded in his endeavors, securing the position of Deputy Governor in Shu Zhou, and afterward won the favor of a beautiful woman.

Such a man—wealth, honor, and love all in one. How enviable!

Yet when it came to Li Huaiyu, these scholars would naturally mention Chen Yi, scoffing, "A useless son-in-law from Wu Hou Mansion, how shameless!" Or muttering, "A disgrace to our culture!" In their scattered criticisms, only two remarks stood out.

One scholar sneered, "That birthday poem he wrote—none of us could match it." Another, a sycophant, would occasionally recite lines from it.

The second remark was more palatable: "The half-verse Xiao family’s son-in-law wrote for the Explorer Lord holds merit, though its brevity leaves one yearning for the whole."

Though the words that followed were again scathing toward Chen Yi, no one denied his poetic skill.

"Flowers that bloom are worth plucking; do not wait for none to wither."

Xiao Yinghong listened for a moment, then realized this verse must be Chen Yi’s own hand, written in the moment he forcibly took the Explorer Lord’s wife.

In the scholars’ words: "A shameless scoundrel, daring to depict such a refined scene while committing such a vile act—how I wish I could write so eloquently!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yinghong drew the curtain closed and sat silently on the soft bed, padded with downy cushions.

She could not help but admit—within just three months, her husband had managed to provoke such scorn from scholars and common folk alike in Shu Zhou. Truly, a remarkable talent.

Xiao Wanyan noticed her cousin’s unusual expression. "You’re sister, are you tired?"

Xiao Yinghong gently shook her head, her sharp eyes softening. "Elder sister, you mentioned in your letter that Chen Yi had changed his ways?"

When she brought up Chen Yi, Xiao Wanyan snapped, "How could I forget? You went to inspect three towns without a word, and only now thought to ask him!"

"Elder sister—"

"Ah, ah, it’s alright, sister, you did nothing wrong. It’s all my fault."

Xiao Wanyan joked and then recounted Chen Yi’s behavior since she had left the mansion.

"After you departed, my brother-in-law has stayed in his room, copying the household rules all day, occasionally reading books, never complaining."

"Actually, he’s quite decent, especially in his writing…"

Xiao Wanyan thought of Chen Yi’s calligraphy and couldn’t help but recall the poem Little Ye wrote for her.

Seeing her pause, Xiao Yinghong looked into her eyes. "His writing?"

Xiao Wanyan snapped back to herself, took her hand, and smiled. "Sister, the character reflects the person. My brother-in-law’s writing is free and effortless, showing his genuine and carefree nature."

Genuine and carefree?

Xiao Yinghong’s mind drifted back to the scornful remarks she had just heard. Her husband’s reputation seemed to swing between praise and condemnation. His skill in writing and poetry was undeniable, but whether he was truly sincere and free or merely shameless and base remained debatable.

Fortunately, she was back in Shu Zhou now, and a quick inquiry upon her return would clarify things.

"Sister, let’s go to Grandfather first."

"Alright…"

At that moment, the carriage slowed slightly, interrupting their conversation.

Xiao Wanyan steadied herself and asked, "Song Teng?"

Outside, Shen Songteng dismounted and called back, "Your Highnesses, there’s news."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yinghong pulled aside the curtain and looked out.

She saw a building with a red door, guarded by several armored men dressed in Xiao family livery, and an elderly man in simple robes being pulled by a Xiao maid. Wang Liheng and Xiao Ye?

Xiao Yinghong recognized the people from the mansion. Then, her eyes lingered on the old man, her gaze softening slightly.

Xiao Wanyan couldn’t see outside, but she pressed, "What’s happened, sister?"

"Elder sister, it seems Mr. Yue from the Guixing Academy and the mansion’s guards and maids have had a dispute."

The crowd was loud, but Xiao Yinghong caught only fragments—"calligraphy," she thought. "Sister, let me go check it out."

Xiao Wanyan shook her head. "Mr. Yue dislikes soldiers. Let me come with you."

Knowing she couldn’t reason with her, Xiao Yinghong said no more and helped Xiao Wanyan down as they approached the red door.

Inside, Mr. Yue was sighing. "My lady, miss, I adore this calligraphy very much. Do you mind parting with it?"

Xiao Ye clutched the scroll. "Old master, this is a birthday gift from my lord. How could I give it to you?"

If not for Wang Liheng’s earlier warning that this old man was Mr. Yue, the most renowned scholar in Shu Zhou, she had been doubting whether the lost scroll from her lord was actually in the hands of this elderly gentleman.

Yet he had clearly stated he could not part with it, and yet he still reached for the freshly framed scroll, which enraged her.

"My lord? The lord of Xiao family? Tell me, where did he acquire this calligraphy? I’d gladly pay a high price for it."

"What purchase? This was written by my lord himself. Old master, if you wish to buy it, go find him at the mansion."

Mr. Yue paused. "You say this was written by Chen Yi, Chen Qinzhou?"

Xiao Ye stared at him warily. "Of course it was written by my lord. Could it be yours? Didn’t the boss just give you one earlier?"

Mr. Yue looked skeptical, not yet believing. "Miss, I only wish to obtain this calligraphy or its provenance. If you refuse, I’ll take no offense."

"I—I—"

Before Xiao Ye could continue, Xiao Wanyan spoke from outside the crowd. "Mr. Yue, please listen to me."

At this, the Xiao guards and Xiao Ye noticed the approaching Xiao sisters and bowed respectfully.

"Your servants have seen your highnesses."

"Xiao Ye has seen your highnesses."

The passersby and the onlookers, who had been watching the scene, all gaped in surprise, realizing the two women before them were the esteemed daughters of Wu Hou Mansion.

Most immediately knelt, though a few scholars of standing remained upright.

Xiao Wanyan surveyed the scene and nodded gently. "Rise."

As the crowd stood, she helped Xiao Yinghong to her feet and approached the old man, bowing respectfully.

"Mr. Yue, Xiao Ye’s words are true. This calligraphy was indeed written by my brother-in-law, Chen Yi, Chen Qinzhou."

Though she had not seen Xiao Ye’s scroll, based on her prior knowledge of Chen Yi’s writing, it was quite possible Mr. Yue might be impressed.

Mr. Yue glanced at them, ignoring Xiao Yinghong, and asked, "Miss Xiao, do you know the meaning behind the words in the scroll?"

Xiao Wanyan hesitated, then thought for a moment and extended her hand toward Xiao Ye.

Xiao Duo gently placed the congratulatory scroll into her hands, gave a quick glance at Xiao Jinghong, who could say no more, and retreated once again.

Xiao Wan'er opened the box and withdrew the calligraphy scroll, slowly unrolling it under Xiao Jinghong's careful guidance.

Just as the first faint strokes of the characters began to emerge, a glow materialized, shimmering like the smooth, luminous luster of warm jade.

Xiao Wan'er's hand suddenly froze, her eyes widening as she dared not proceed further.

She quickly glanced toward Xiao Jinghong beside her, noticing his slight nod, and in that moment, she felt both startled and delighted.

It was with surprise that she realized the characters on the scroll truly embodied the "spirit of the written word and the Way."

Delighted beyond measure, she naturally concluded that this scroll might indeed bear the seal of her brother-in-law, Chen Yi.

(End of chapter)