Chapter 253: Chapter 204: Anti-Xiao Alliance

Whatever he thought, Chen Yi couldn’t let it show on his face, especially not in front of Xiao Jinghong.

Chen Yi feigned recollection. "For a few days before she left, that girl was in secluded cultivation. There was nothing out of the ordinary."

"Before that, though, she, Tingyun, and Huatang were wandering around inside and outside the Prefecture City, and they bought a lot of things for the clan."

He paused, a slight smile gracing his lips as he continued,

"She can be a bit eccentric and willful, but her heart’s in the right place. She’s a good person, really. She even took a whole cart of things back with her before she left."

Chen Yi didn’t know how much Pei Guanli had let slip, so he had to do some damage control.

If he couldn’t dispel Xiao Jinghong’s suspicions, he at least hoped she’d go a little easier on Pei Guanli during questioning.

Xiao Jinghong listened, nodding thoughtfully. She didn’t press the matter, saying instead,

"I just came back to grab a few things, then I have to leave. There are still some matters I need to attend to."

Chen Yi tilted his head to look into her eyes. "You already said that, my lady."

Xiao Jinghong met his gaze, a hint of awkwardness on her face.

Fortunately, her mask hid her expression, so she wasn’t worried about Chen Yi noticing.

"I have a few things I’d like to ask you to handle for me."

Chen Yi smiled. "Please, speak freely. I may be an Instructor at Guiyun Academy and the Shopkeeper at Jishi Medicine Hall, but I still have some time to spare."

On the surface, his words sounded reasonable enough.

But between the lines, the message was clear.

He was already busy, so she shouldn’t ask for anything too troublesome.

Of course, Xiao Jinghong caught his meaning, and a faint smile touched her lips.

’My husband really hasn’t changed a bit.’

’So incredibly talented, yet still so lazy and carefree.’

No wonder the Old Master had specifically instructed her this morning to treat Chen Yi well, to give him more responsibilities when the time was right. He had even told her, "Your husband has now reached Calligraphy Dao Perfection."

Even for someone as experienced and worldly as Xiao Jinghong, this news was rather surprising.

After all, the realms of the scholar’s Four Arts—Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting—were comparable to those of Martial Arts, and their cultivation was no less difficult.

Chen Yi raising his Calligraphy Dao to the Perfection Realm was actually on par with her Sword Dao Perfection.

The only difference was that Chen Yi used his brush to express his will. If he wanted to harm someone, he would have to attack their mind and spirit.

By channeling emotions like sorrow, joy, anger, or fear through his Calligraphy Dao, he could inflict harm without a trace.

She, on the other hand, could kill with her sword, which was far more direct and decisive.

Of course, Xiao Jinghong knew it was unlikely that Chen Yi, unlike her, would ever think of using the Calligraphy Dao for slaughter.

He would most likely use it for composing odes, singing praises, or expressing his innermost feelings.

’A warrior’s stereotype of a scholar, most likely.’

"Don’t worry. I only want you to rewrite these few poems for me, then have them mounted and hung in our room."

As she spoke, Xiao Jinghong took out the letters she had previously received from within her robes.

There was "Thoughts of a Summer Night," "Two Thoughts on a Summer Night," "Thoughts of Summer," and the first one he ever wrote for her, "Magpie Bridge Immortal."

"..."

Chen Yi glanced at the letters in her hand, then his gaze shifted to her face. He asked hesitantly,

"You’ve been carrying these with you this whole time, my lady?"

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Xiao Jinghong’s eyes. Unsure how to answer, she simply shoved all the letters into his hands.

"Also, over the next few days, I need you to help me prepare some gifts. For the Old Master, Second Uncle, and Third Grand-uncle in the family, as well as people outside—the two Commanders from the Commandant’s Office, the Prefectural Magistrate’s Office, the Governor’s Office, and so on."

"Prepare them in advance, so we don’t seem discourteous if my return is rushed."

Seeing her rush through her words, Chen Yi couldn’t help but smile. He nodded and said,

"The eldest sister should have a specific list of names. I’ll go ask her in a bit."

But after saying that, he added teasingly, "My lady, my memory isn’t half-bad, you know. I still remember all the poems. Why don’t you hold on to these letters?"

Xiao Jinghong froze. Then, she snatched the letters back, stuffed them into her sleeve, and turned toward the inner wooden building, her face quietly flushing with embarrassed anger.

’How could I be so stupid? I can’t believe I forgot about that.’

’I could have just asked him to rewrite them from memory.’

’But no, now he knows I’ve been carrying these letters with me this whole time...’

So mortifying.

Watching her hurry back into the wooden building, Chen Yi had a good idea of what she was thinking and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

’So, she does get shy after all.’

With that thought, Chen Yi glanced at the sky. Estimating that the downpour wouldn’t let up anytime soon, he headed straight for his study.

The incident with the burning of the Three Towns’ summer grain was over for now. What came next depended on how the Old Master and Xiao Jinghong decided to handle it.

They should be able to use this as an opportunity to secure some advantages for the Xiao Family. At the very least, it would serve as a warning to their enemies and alleviate some of the pressure they were facing, both internal and external.

Chen Yi had a rough idea of how things would play out, but he didn’t plan on getting involved.

At least, he wouldn’t be making any moves himself anytime soon.

When he arrived at the study, Chen Yi looked around. The twenty-one calligraphy sheets he had written earlier were all fully mounted. He opened them one by one for a quick inspection, and after confirming there were no issues, he placed them back in their box.

The calligraphy sheets were ready. He just had to wait for the exhibition hall at Guiyun Academy to be cleared out so they could be hung.

’Looks like I’ll have a few more days of peace and quiet.’

At this moment, Xiao Wuge, who had received the news, came running back with Xiaodie.

Chen Yi could hear him calling for his brother-in-law from a long way off. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Chen Yi put away the box and walked out to greet them.

Seeing him, Xiao Wuge immediately smiled and asked, "Brother-in-law, when did you get back?"

"Just a little while ago."

"So, have you heard what’s been happening at the manor?"

Chen Yi saw the three words "ask me about it" practically written on his face and couldn’t help but laugh. "No, I haven’t. What happened?"

"Something huge, Brother-in-law! Let me tell you..."