Chapter 40: If Life Were Just Like the First Meeting

Chapter 40: Life Is Just Like the First Meeting

Xiao Wanz'er did not continue elaborating on the calligraphy sheet but instead carefully rolled it up and tucked it back into the box.

Yue Ming-sir observed their movements with a discerning eye, hands clasped behind his back, letting out a soft hum.

"Miss Xiao, tell me then—has this sheet of calligraphy truly been penned by Chen Yi?"

Before Xiao Wanz'er could answer, the little butterfly beside her could contain herself no longer. "Madam, it was indeed written by Master Gua. The little butterfly was right there beside him, and the little butterfly even saw strands of glowing light..."

At that moment, Xiao Jinghong raised her hand to halt her. "Enough, little butterfly, there's no need to elaborate."

After the trembling girl had withdrawn her words with a sheepish nod, Xiao Wanz'er bowed her head slightly. "As for the origin of this calligraphy sheet, the Xiao family will provide Mr. Yue with an answer in due time."

Yue Ming-sir glanced at her, gave a calm nod. "I await your reply."

When he finished speaking, he turned and walked away with long strides.

Following him, the several nearby students, after paying their respects to the Xiao sisters, fell into step behind them.

Wang Li-xing glanced at the two young ladies' expressions, then at the whimpering little butterfly, hesitated before bowing. "Madam, Miss Xiao, this character was indeed written by Master Gua."

Xiao Jinghong looked at him, her eyes beneath her veil glinting like dewdrops—she had not expected him to speak at this moment.

After a moment's thought, she said, "This matter I already understand. We shall discuss it upon returning to the manor."

She then ordered Xiao Che to follow, and helped Xiao Wanz'er back into the carriage.

The little butterfly hurried after them, keeping pace, and sat outside the carriage, bending her head so low she dared not lift her eyes.

She did not know which of her words had been improper, and felt a flutter of anxiety in her heart.

At that moment, Xiao Wanz'er placed the calligraphy sheet aside and asked, "Little butterfly, did you truly see Master Gua write this character?"

"Yes, Madam. The little butterfly dares not lie."

The two Xiao sisters exchanged glances—Xiao Wanz'er's expression a blend of affection and mild reproach, as if saying her younger sister had found herself quite the catch.

Yet Xiao Jinghong still harbored doubts.

To be precise, she found it hard to believe her eldest sister's claim that "the characters reflect their maker." How else could she explain her husband's acts of forcibly abducting women and wandering about pottery shops?

Thinking this, Xiao Jinghong asked, "Little butterfly, recount in detail everything Master Gua has said and done these past days."

"Yes, Miss Xiao..."

The little butterfly brushed her sleeve across her face, then lowered her head again, speaking in halting fragments.

From Chen Yi being confined to writing the family rites, to composing the poem *Ode to Shou Zhou: Entering the Xiao Household*, then being released from confinement to stroll through the flower-lit streets to the south, and even the elaborate scheme to help Li Huaiyu and Yun Xiangguifei fake a "forced abduction"—she narrated it all with meticulous care.

Only one thing remained unspoken: a poem titled *The Spirit of the Wench*, which she dared not even mention, fearing Miss Xiao would scold her husband.

When she finished, an uneasy silence settled in the carriage.

Xiao Wanz'er replayed in her mind all the things Chen Yi had done, recalling that night when he scaled the wall to enter the Garden of Qixing. She could not help but smile.

His porcelain-like face, framed by white down, seemed brighter than ever, as pure and unspoiled as a lotus in full bloom.

"Younger sister, the deeds of your husband cannot be measured by ordinary standards."

"Perhaps so," Xiao Jinghong admitted, setting aside her lingering resentment.

Compared to those pedantic scholars and the common folk who chattered about him, the little butterfly's words carried more weight.

Knowing Xiao Wanz'er was colder in disposition, she said nothing further, instead unfolding the calligraphy sheet once more.

As her slender fingers brushed the paper, the five-foot-long scroll of cypress wood revealed each character glowing with a faint, pearlescent light.

But soon, the glow faded, leaving only the characters to shimmer with a subtle, ethereal radiance.

Xiao Wanz'er stared, her eyes locking onto the sheet.

Like a pair of grotesque strokes, the characters seemed imbued with some uncanny power, holding her gaze captive.

Not only her—Xiao Jinghong was equally transfixed.

Yet where Xiao Wanz'er saw mere script, Xiao Jinghong perceived a cascade of fleeting, poetic moods.

In a daze, she felt as though a figure in flowing robes appeared before her, wandering through the fields and hills.

The figure was tall and graceful, his hair tied in a topknot, his handsome face bearing a gentle smile, gazing calmly at the scenery around him.

"Her husband's characters are indeed unconventional. No—his script has long stood apart, unique in its own right."

After a long pause, Xiao Wanz'er marveled, "No wonder Yue Ming-sir spoke so boldly just now. The significance of this sheet may well be..."

May well be enough to draw countless calligraphers from the entire Zhou Dynasty to vie for it.

Just as Yue Ming-sir had disregarded his status and appearance to grapple with a household servant girl.

Xiao Jinghong came back to herself, nodding. "Indeed."

Xiao Wanz'er shot her a look half-teasing, half-teary. "Younger sister, are you disappointed?"

"Only because you think so highly of him."

Xiao Jinghong turned her gaze to the window outside, her mind still lingering on the figure she had glimpsed in the calligraphy. A strange curiosity stirred within her.

In truth, before their marriage, she had secretly visited the Fengchun Tower to catch a glimpse of Chen Yi. At that time, she found him no different from other scholars—bookish, with a heavy scholarly aura, yet also bearing a trace of resentment and malice.

None of this matched what she had heard from others about her "husband."

Thus, Xiao Jinghong was eager to discover what had transpired in these days since leaving the marquess's mansion. Could it be that someone had swapped his identity?

Not long after, Shen Huatang arrived in a carriage, followed by another of the same model, along with Wang Li-xing and others.

Ge Lang-san, seeing the carriages approach through the courtyard, muttered to himself, "Looking at their bearing, I feel Master Gua's chances are ruined this time."

*Slap.* Wang Li-xing smacked him hard. "Unforgivable! Dare to speak such words?"

Ge Lang-san was about to respond, but his expression changed instantly. He quickly bowed his head. "Brother Wang, forgive me—these days Miss Xiao has been away from the manor, I had forgotten."

He had indeed forgotten.

Xiao Wanz'er, unburdened by martial arts, was somewhat less vulnerable.

But Xiao Jinghong, a fourth-tier cultivator, possessed martial arts far beyond the mortal realm. Her voice could not be heard by others, her presence unseen, her steps light as clouds leading to the sky.

Such power, even if unacknowledged, could still perceive the whispers behind them.

Liu Si-er glanced at the two, then whispered, "In any case, since Miss Xiao has returned, everyone in the manor will behave themselves."

That bird of a little thing needs to keep quiet the most!

...

As the Xiao sisters returned to the manor, news of their arrival spread throughout every courtyard of the marquess's estate.

The Qingling Courtyard.

Old Marquis, upon receiving word from his servants, was seated with Qian Guan Gong playing chess, and upon hearing the news, his face showed a hint of relief.

Xiao Hong returned to the mansion. In a while, I shall no longer stay with the two of you for long.

Zhang Xuan sneered slightly: "Old brute, you're so shameless. You're truly lucky to have brought forth Xiao Hong, the remarkable talent of the Xiao family."

Sun Fu nodded: "Well, words are words. Indeed, it's true."

Elder Zhou wasn't surprised at all. After a while, his face showed a hint of melancholy.

"If it weren't for their parents dying on the battlefield, would the Xiao family have needed to produce Xiao Hong as a leader?"

"Come now, let's not spoil the joyous days with such talk."

"Xiao Hong, you'd better hold out for another ten years. When Xiao Gun returns from Nanjing, the Xiao family will still be the Xiao family."

"Hope so."

Meanwhile, outside the Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Hong and Xiao Wan'er arrived at the garden's entrance, with Shen Huatang and a girl wearing a silver half-armor by their sides, each carrying a suitcase.

Behind them were Xiao Die and Wang Li.

Xiao Die glanced at the garden, caught snippets of laughter from within, and whispered, "Miss, shall I go notify the master?"

Xiao Hong waved her off, signaling them to stop and be quiet.

She and Xiao Wan'er then entered the garden, and the sounds inside became clear.

"Historically, the most... brother, you've caught fish for nearly a month and haven't gotten a single one."

Young Prince Zhang Heng's tone still held disdain, though it had improved since earlier.

"Prince, you don't understand. Brother said it's 'Master Jiang's fishing, those who are willing will bite.' It's not that Brother can't catch fish, but that he doesn't want to."

Hearing Xiao Gun's tender, childish voice, Xiao Wan'er coughed lightly and blinked at Xiao Hong.

They then turned their attention to the figure crouched by the pond, digging with a small shovel.

"Children can be taught, Xiao Gun. Your knowledge would make the Prince envious."

"Really?"

"Impossible! The Prince also has knowledge!"

"Then, Your Highness? Chen Yi, what do you think? Could it be that someone lied and was exposed by an elder, then beaten with a stick?"

They all laughed, and Zhang Heng began to whine and protest.

"That's a good thing, your mother brought you to the Spring Lotus Garden, after all, you'll..."

As Chen Yi spoke, he held up a large worm he'd unearthed from the soil, "Look, this one's quite big!"

Just as he was about to show off to the two children, he noticed Xiao Hong and Xiao Wan'er in the distance, wearing half masks and smiling. He froze.

When Xiao Gun saw them, he cheered and ran over, warmly calling, "Sister, sister, you've finally returned!"

Zhang Heng, feeling like he'd met his doom, bowed respectfully: "Cousin, cousin."

Chen Yi silently observed them, then smiled gently and gestured: "Madam, eldest sister."

Xiao Hong saw his gentle smile, and her features gradually matched the image she'd seen in the calligraphy earlier.

The once-vague figure now solidified in her mind—a man holding a wriggling worm, yet still gentle and easygoing.

At that moment, Chen Yi was also staring at Xiao Hong.

Though the half-mask obscured her beauty, he could clearly see her extraordinary features, especially her eyes, which resembled Xiao Wan'er's.

But what truly caught his attention was her demeanor—proud and independent, cold as an exile from the immortal realm.

They gazed at each other for a while.

Xiao Hong regained her composure, slightly averting her head with a touch of discomfort: "Master, I've just returned to the manor. I'll change my clothes first."

Xiao Wan'er noticed her gaze and smiled faintly, causing her to quicken her steps as she turned away.

Chen Yi's mind had already clearly etched her figure and appearance, and he smiled to himself.

"Life is just like first impressions, isn't it?"

"Madam, you are indeed as beautiful as Xiao Hong..."

(The chapter ends here.)