Chapter 163: Chapter 152: A Woman’s Heart is a Needle at the Bottom of the Sea

Early the next morning, lightning flashed and thunder roared.

The downpour had lasted for six hours, and far from letting up, it was only growing stronger.

BOOMING thunder echoed intermittently, cracking across the overcast sky and startling the people of Shu State from their sleep.

Xiao Wuge was one of them.

It wasn’t that he was afraid, but weather like this always brought back unpleasant memories.

He sat up and looked around. The candle in the dim room had long since gone out, and only the occasional flash of lightning offered a brief moment of illumination.

It was enough to remind him that he was in Jiaxing Garden, not Spring Lotus Garden.

He sat there for a moment, dazed.

Xiao Wuge climbed out of bed, struggled into a long robe, and headed outside.

The loose robe, without its sash tied, hung sloppily on his frame.

"Young Master, you’re awake?"

Cui’er, who was on duty outside the door, heard the noise. Turning to see him, she hurried over to straighten his clothes and tie his sash before using a warm, damp towel to help him wash his face.

Sensing that Xiao Wuge wanted to go out, Cui’er quickened her pace and asked with a smile,

"Is the Young Master going to find the Eldest Miss?"

Xiao Wuge looked at the raging storm outside the window and shook his head. "It’s not hot anymore. I’m going to Spring Lotus Garden to find my brother-in-law."

Cui’er smiled and nodded reassuringly. "Then let me finish getting you dressed, and I’ll take you to Spring Lotus Garden to find Master Chen."

"Master Chen is going to Guiyun Academy today, so he should be awake and having breakfast by now."

"Oh, I’ll go eat there too."

Once his clothes were in order, the two of them went downstairs.

Xiao Wan’er was sitting in the main hall, looking out the door. When she saw them, she said with a gentle smile,

"Wuge, you must be hungry. I’ve already told Juan’er to bring breakfast from the kitchen. It will be here in a moment."

Xiao Wuge shook his head again. "Big Sister, I’m going to Spring Lotus Garden to eat with Brother-in-law."

Xiao Wan’er’s smile faltered. "The rain is so heavy right now, it would be very inconvenient. It’s not too late to go after you finish breakfast."

"But if I’m too late, Brother-in-law will have already left the mansion for Guiyun Academy."

Seeing how earnest he was, Xiao Wan’er hesitated for a moment before standing up as well.

"In that case, I’ll take you there, so you don’t slip and fall on the wet paths."

Although Xiao Wuge felt it was a little inappropriate to be treated like a child, he was still happy to be returning to Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Wan’er had Cui’er fetch a raincoat and help Xiao Wuge put it on. Then, holding an oil-paper umbrella, she led him out of the wooden building toward Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Wan’er carefully avoided the puddles while sheltering Xiao Wuge, saying with a laugh,

"When the weather was hot, you ran over to Jiaxing Garden. Now that it’s cooled down a bit, you’re running right back to Spring Lotus Garden."

"You really treat your big sister like a fan, only useful in the summer."

Xiao Wuge knew she wasn’t actually angry, so he just chuckled sheepishly.

"Go on, laugh."

Xiao Wan’er poked him on the head, but she could only indulge him and continue on their way.

However, as they neared Spring Lotus Garden, Xiao Wan’er began to hesitate.

Over the past few days, aside from meeting yesterday because of a letter from Xiao Jinghong, she and Chen Yi had had no contact whatsoever.

Most of the time, she only heard about what Chen Yi was doing from Xiao Wuge.

Playing chess, practicing calligraphy, drinking tea, fishing.

Occasionally, he would go out for a stroll.

For instance, he’d gone to the West Market to watch a couple from out of town argue, or to North City to see two scholars compete in a couplet duel.

Another time, in the East Market, he saw a Barbarian Race laborer who had tried to escape get caught and whipped.

All in all, his life was far more leisurely than that of the Eldest Miss of the Marquis’s Mansion, as if he didn’t have a single care in the world.

When Xiao Wan’er heard these things, she couldn’t help the strange thoughts that arose in her mind.

Every time she recalled the events of that day, she wondered if she had overreacted, if she had read too much into things.

Other than his comment—"A fair maiden is a gentleman’s desire"—her brother-in-law hadn’t done anything else out of line.

Even his lingering glances at Miss Wan Rourou were because the Imprisonment Department had just caught Liu Jing’s murderer.

This point had been confirmed by the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office in the last two days.

The Old Master had even lifted the lockdown on the mansion because of it.

Thinking about all this, Xiao Wan’er couldn’t help but be reflective.

The more she thought about it, the more it seemed she really had overreacted.

And yet, when she had seen Chen Yi yesterday, the words of explanation on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back down.

Then, for some inexplicable reason, she had said a few things that sounded like a lecture.

Things about paying attention to propriety, a gentleman’s conduct, and so on.

Xiao Wan’er didn’t even know why she had said such things, and she couldn’t help but feel they were inappropriate in hindsight.

It had gotten to her so much that she hadn’t slept well last night.

When the thunder began to boom in the middle of the night, it became even harder for her to fall asleep.

Absorbed in these thoughts, Xiao Wan’er looked down at Xiao Wuge and asked, "Do I look unwell?"

Xiao Wuge looked up at her and saw a face that was slightly pale, her eyes downcast.

"Not at all. You look much better than you used to, Big Sister."

"Is that so?"

Xiao Wan’er breathed a sigh of relief, dispelling some of the clutter in her mind. A smile appeared on her face. "Let’s go."

By the time the two of them arrived at Spring Lotus Garden, Chen Yi was just coming downstairs for breakfast.

He was a little surprised to see them, but his expression betrayed nothing.

He welcomed them inside while telling Xiaodie to add two more place settings.

Seeing this, Xiao Wan’er swallowed the words she had been about to say—that she would return to Jiaxing Garden to eat—and sat down at the table with Xiao Wuge.

Looking around, she asked, "Is Sister Guanli not up yet?"

Chen Yi sat across from her, picking up a pastry from the table as he shook his head.

"I just had Xiaodie check. She said she’s had a breakthrough in her Martial Arts and is focused on her cultivation."

Xiao Wan’er hummed in acknowledgment. Noticing his eyes on her, she unconsciously lowered her head and focused on her congee.

She gave herself a silent pep talk.

’I should say something to smooth things over and just let this whole incident pass.’

But before she could figure out what to say, Chen Yi finished a pastry and asked with a smile,

"Big Sister, you mentioned before that you wanted to meet the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall. Do you still want to?"

His words broke her train of thought. She hesitated, then nodded.

"Yes, I do."

"After Wang Ji came over the day before yesterday and delivered such a large sum of silver coins, I feel I should thank him in person."

After she spoke, a flicker of doubt crossed Xiao Wan’er’s mind.

’It seems my brother-in-law hasn’t taken our previous disagreement to heart at all. His tone and attitude are exactly the same as before. It seems that "fair maiden" comment was truly just an offhand joke. So, I was just overthinking everything?’

At this thought, the corners of Xiao Wan’er’s mouth turned down in a pout.

A rare, seldom-seen expression of playful reproach—not quite resentment, but close—appeared on her face.

Just then, Chen Yi happened to look up and catch her expression, leaving him slightly baffled.

He looked down at his own clothes. ’Nothing wrong here.’

He was dressed in white robes, his hair was neatly combed—the very picture of a refined and easy-going scholar.

"Big Sister, is there something else you need?"

Caught by him, Xiao Wan’er composed herself, replied that it was nothing, and lowered her head to continue eating.

"..."

Chen Yi glanced at her, then at the oblivious Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary with them, he couldn’t help but wonder,

’Did I just see that wrong?’

Just then, Xiao Wan’er put down her bowl and chopsticks and said in a calm tone,

"Second Sister’s letter arrived yesterday. I plan on writing a reply to her today. Brother-in-law, once you return from the West Market, you can give me your letter as well. I’ll have someone deliver them together."

Chen Yi nodded. ’I must have imagined it,’ he thought. ’We just smoothed things over yesterday, and I haven’t said anything today that could possibly have displeased her.’

But the moment that thought crossed his mind, he heard Xiao Wan’er say,

"Wuge, after you finish eating, remember to change into more formal clothes."

"The etiquette tutor I hired for you is coming today. You mustn’t be impolite."

Xiao Wuge froze. Seeing her serious expression, which didn’t seem to be a joke, he could only nod. "I know, Sis."

As he said this, he shot Chen Yi a look of utter despair.

It was the exact same expression Pei Guanli had worn yesterday when she’d repeated the word "help" twenty times in a single breath.

Chen Yi shrugged, helpless.

Clearly, he had just done *something* to upset Xiao Wan’er, so there was no way he could help Xiao Wuge now.

’But... I didn’t say anything, did I?’

After wracking his brain, Chen Yi still couldn’t figure it out, so he simply chalked it up to Xiao Wan’er still holding a grudge about their earlier disagreement.

’A woman’s heart is a needle in the ocean. The ancestors were right all along.’

Not long after, they finished breakfast. When Xiaodie offered to call for a carriage, Chen Yi waved her off. He grabbed an oil-paper umbrella, intending to go to the front courtyard himself and see if any were available.

After bidding farewell to Xiao Wan’er and the others, he left Spring Lotus Garden.

Xiao Wan’er watched him walk into the distance. The tense look on her face softened, and she let out a faint, melancholic sigh.

’It seems I’ve done something inexplicable again. I had it all planned out before I came. I was going to smooth things over with my brother-in-law, but instead...’

Xiao Wuge studied her face. Seeing her brow slightly furrowed, he couldn’t help but ask,

"Big Sister, you don’t look so well. Are you feeling alright?"

Xiao Wan’er snapped out of her thoughts and turned to him. "I... I don’t look well?"

"A little. A bit worse than just now."

"Is that so? It’s probably just because I’m worried about your lessons and your etiquette. When the tutor arrives, I’ll have Cui’er stay with you."

"..."

’Stay with me?’

’More like keep an eye on me.’

At this thought, a worried frown that didn’t quite suit his young age creased Xiao Wuge’s face.

’Why did I have to open my big mouth and ask?’

Xiao Wan’er glanced at him, her mood seeming to lift slightly. After giving a few instructions, she headed straight for Jiaxing Garden.

’Next time.’

’Next time, I will smooth things over with him. I’ll put all of this behind us.’

...

Chen Yi reached the front courtyard and saw that the mansion’s Armored Warriors were all present.

Even Ge the Third, whom he hadn’t seen in days, was there.

It seemed Ge the Third was being teased by Liu Si’er and the others about a recent event.

"So, Third, how’s married life treating you?"

"Wonderful. Simply wonderful."

"You son of a bitch, I can’t believe you actually went through with it. You’re lucky the Marquis didn’t have your head."

"Heh heh..."

Ge the Third was about to retort when he saw Chen Yi and quickly called out a greeting,

"Master Chen, heading out?"

"Yes, to Guiyun Academy."