Chapter 44: Pillow Talk Between Husband and Wife

Chapter 44: Spousal Night Conversations

Xiao Wan'er considered several reasons, each one finding them wanting, and thus could not pass the hurdle of younger sister; she could only let her ask Chen Yi's opinion first.

After all, she knew Chen Yi well—talented and learned, yet a idle, slothful soul.

Even if not… he was best that way!

Not mentioning Xiao Wan'er's scattered thoughts, Xiao Jinghong received her reply and thought to herself of finding time to speak with Chen Yi.

As she had said earlier, she was quite clear about her grandfather's purpose in inviting Chen Yi to join the family; thus she had never even considered refusing.

But now, with so many affairs in the Xiao household and the army of Qingyuan weighing on her, she could not, in the short term, sort out her relationship with Chen Yi, let alone know how to conduct herself toward him.

After pondering it over,

Xiao Jinghong decided to let the two of them busy themselves separately.

After all, she would soon be occupied with establishing trade relations with the thirteen tribes of the Shuzhou mountains, and in the near future, she would have no time to attend to other matters.

And letting Chen Yi help her older sister would give him something to occupy himself with.

She did not ask for much effort from Chen Yi; she merely wished to weather the current difficulties smoothly.

As for all this, Chen Yi was, of course, unaware.

When Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, and others returned, he would dine with the sisters, Xiao Wu Ge, and Zhang Heng.

Little Diao accompanied Shen Hua Teng and Su Zhenyue for their meal in the separate chamber's small table.

Only Pei Mula sat alone in the adjoining wooden pavilion, gnawing on pig trotter, pitiable and wondering when she might appear openly in the Xiao family.

Though she estimated it unlikely in the near future, since even Xiao Jinghong found it hard to speak of her poisonous deeds from the outer courtyard to the inner.

During the meal, Chen Yi and others would occasionally speak a few words, plain and unassuming, and thus harmonious.

Chen Yi harbored no ill will toward Xiao Jinghong, nor did he feel any affection or love.

As long as she did not force him to act, letting him remain settled in Hou Fu, their lives would flow calmly thereafter.

Yet during the meal, Xiao Wan'er remained silent, speaking not a word, her gaze lowered, never once casting her eyes toward Chen Yi.

Xiao Jinghong, though strange, did not realize the cause of her younger sister’s change was Chen Yi; she merely assumed it stemmed from the hardships under the Xiao family.

Chen Yi, however, understood the reason and thought to explain it another time.

"Older sister, younger sister, you’ve not seen the charm of the Flowery Tent Lord, the whole street is full of talents…"

Xiao Wu Ge then, as before, recounted these recent days.

"No, it can’t be said to be talents, brother-in-law. A person with talent and virtue is a talent; some people lack both."

When he finished, Chen Yi picked up a chicken thigh and shoved it into his mouth, "Wu Ge, speak less and eat more."

This little traitor, always blurting things out—truly he wasn’t afraid of being sent off to the military camps.

Xiao Wan'er and Xiao Jinghong didn’t think much of it, merely feeling their relationship was quite good.

Nearby, young Zhang Heng remained silent, more straightforward.

Chen Yi found it quite amusing, thinking, "As the saying goes, one thing lowers another."

After the meal, everyone dispersed.

Xiao Wan'er had not returned to the mansion for quite some time, and all matters, big and small, within and outside the estate needed sorting out, such as the accounts of the big and small quarters.

Xiao Jinghong had more to attend to.

The afternoon passed, and Chun He Garden was far from quiet.

At times, it was relatives from the Xiao family’s side coming by; at others, officials from Qingyuan’s city garrison and legal enforcement departments visiting.

There were also some clearly affluent noblewomen arriving, saying they came to arrange banquets for Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wan'er.

Chen Yi, too, found it quite fresh, for Chun He Garden had not been this bustling in a long while.

But those people only treated him with surface courtesy, while behind them they pointed and whispered, leaving him no choice but to continue his fishing.

So he simply returned to the study, to read medical texts and practice calligraphy, finding it quite at leisure.

……

Evening fell.

Chen Yi finished his calligraphy, stretched lazily, and leaned back, massaging his slightly tired eyes to rest.

In the next moment, a light screen materialized before him:

[Opportunity +1.]

[Evaluation: One who has not yet arrived, whose voice has not been heard, whose scene has not yet unfolded—opportunities bestowed by fate yet unclaimed, a creature born of laziness and sloth.]

Chen Yi glanced over it, and a slight smile tugged at his mouth.

In these days, though he had not ventured far, his opportunities were few, yet progress in all “paths” was considerable.

His regular script calligraphy had reached mastery level, and through the influence of the Book Path and Qi Meridian, he could already achieve the refinement of inner beauty.

The Great Cannon Pole technique had been cultivated to a proficient level, awaiting sufficient opportunity to elevate his “Martial Path Body” to great completion, at which point the pole technique could break through to mastery.

At that time, his Qi would have made significant progress, likely reaching the strength of the Four Symbols.

Additionally, his boxing, palm, and footwork techniques had all reached proficiency level, the first he encountered, the Collapse Peak Fist, having achieved the proficient completion stage.

"The only trouble remains the Medical Path."

Chen Yi looked at the several medical texts on his desk, feeling quite troubled.

Though he had the esoteric guidance of the Medical Path, the content involved was too complex, and not something that could be improved merely by reading.

For instance, the four diagnoses of pulse, listening, questioning, and palpation required him to sit for consultations.

As for acupuncture, dispensing medicine, and such, going it alone would advance far slower than the Book Path or Martial Path.

After some thought, Chen Yi could only temporarily abandon it, for he could not truly go find a clinic to sit for consultations.

Thinking this, he stood, stretched his limbs, and walked to the window, and suddenly paused.

There, beneath the bright summer night sky, Xiao Jinghong sat in the pavilion by the pond, staring blankly at the leaping golden carp.

After considering it,

Chen Yi left the study and went to the pavilion, taking a seat at the table, asking casually, "It’s late, still not sleeping?"

Xiao Jinghong had already heard his footsteps and had prepared, but upon hearing his casual words, she still blinked in surprise.

She turned her head, her eyes glinting oddly beneath her helmet, "You… you’ve changed a lot."

Chen Yi picked up the cup, poured two cups of tea, and offered one, "People change."

He did not address her as wife, nor did she address him as husband—perfect, a straightforward fellow.

Xiao Jinghong stared at him for a moment, then nodded, "Indeed."

She relaxed too, leaning partially against the stone table, her gaze returning to the pond.

After these years of military training, she had indeed changed a great deal.

Seeing her lost in thought, Chen Yi said nothing, sipping his tea contentedly.

Perhaps disturbed by his voice, Xiao Jinghong thought for a moment and asked, "Why did you flee the wedding before?"

Chen Yitong paused, his voice softening. "Perhaps he thought of the tranquil life ahead and couldn't bear it."

It wasn't as if he'd sought to flee the wedding—only that he'd been framed, what could he do?

Lost in thought, Chen Yi tentatively said, "If I told you I never wanted to escape... I still wouldn't be content."

Before he could finish, Xiao Jinghong's gaze had already settled on him, answering before words could.

Upon reflection, how could she trust him?

After all, on their wedding day, to everyone he was the scion of the Xiao family who'd fled in the chaos.

If he perished, perhaps the Xiao clan might finally uncover the truth—but he was still alive.

Xiao Jinghong withdrew her eyes, pressing onward: "Then why, now, do you cling to stability?"

Chen Yi smiled. "Maybe because I envision a future far beyond this moment."

"Like the Patriarch, who marched north and south for decades, now spends his twilight in the mansion."

"So I figure, when I reach his age, I should be just like him."

"Thus, if I begin savoring life now, I spare myself countless winding paths, endless toil."

"…"

Xiao Jinghong blinked, turning her head as if to peer through him, wondering if he was spinning fancies.

Yet, to her ears, these words carried an unfamiliar ring.

"With your talents, your intellect—surely you feel wasted, unwilling to submit?"

Chen Yi spoke plainly, "Sometimes I do, but upon closer thought, that life isn't meant for me."

When Xiao Jinghong nodded, he gestured to the half-mask. "May I ask why you've worn this all these years?"

She studied him a moment, then lifted her hand to peel it away from the side of her face, revealing a beauty so striking it stole his breath.

This time, Chen Yi staggered.

Though he'd known Xiao Jinghong's looks were fine from their first meeting, he hadn't expected her to mirror Xiao Wan'er so closely—ninety percent alike.

Yet the sisters bore no semblance in form or bearing.

Xiao Wan'er was a pure lotus, delicate enough to crave protection.

Xiao Jinghong, however, carried a sharper vigor, her beauty marred by two faint scars beneath her left eye.

"The first time I led troops on patrol beyond the passes, we clashed with a barbarian horde. I was wounded by them."

She added, without knowing why, "Though I wore it to hide my scar, in battle, a mask proves more practical."

Chen Yi remained transfixed on her face, and only after a long pause did nod. "Your features grow more radiant, edged with a warrior's spirit—well done."

"But tell me, who wounded you? Where does that person dwell now?"

"They perished, naturally."

"Then... how fortunate for them."

When they smiled at one another, the tension eased.

To Chen Yi, Xiao Jinghong felt more comprehensible now—direct, unfeigned, not half bad.

Yet in Xiao Jinghong's eyes, Chen Yi was merely... someone whose presence pleased her.

In any case, she felt no awkwardness, her mind and body light, the burden of the army's funds and supplies momentarily lifted.

They lingered in idle talk for half an hour.

Chen Yi glanced at the darkening sky, rose, and bowed. "My lady, allow me to introduce myself again—I am Chen Yi, Chen Qiao, a gentleman of Jiangnan Prefecture."

Xiao Jinghong smiled, rising too. "Xiao Jinghong—pleased to meet your lord."

That smile, like the evening breeze caressing her face.

Chen Yi blinked, then nodded, turning toward the residence, his sleeve drifting lazily as he waved goodbye:

"Good night, my lady."

He thought, perhaps decades hence, he'd still recall that smile.

Xiao Jinghong watched him stride into the pavilion, heard his measured footsteps enter the chambers, and only then did she lift the half-mask from her hand, her thoughts adrift.

"Good night, my lord."

(The chapter ends.)