Free Web NovelChapter 282: Chapter 212: Why Would a Man Go to a Painted Boat and Not Call for a Lady?
Faced with Xiao Wan’er’s hopeful gaze, Chen Yi naturally couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
Besides, the poetry gathering at Guiyun Academy was already expecting the young ladies of Shu State’s Noble Families. One more in Xiao Wan’er wouldn’t make a difference.
"If you can come, Big Sis, Guiyun Academy is sure to shine all the brighter tomorrow night."
Xiao Wan’er’s face lit up, realizing she could attend the poetry gathering too.
But after the initial joy, a touch of hesitation crept in.
"But I... it’s my first time attending a poetry gathering like this... Do I need to prepare anything?"
Chen Yi knew she was feeling insecure and teased her with a smile, "All you need to do is show up in your finest attire, Big Sis."
"Even if you just sit there and do nothing, no one else could possibly outshine you."
Xiao Wan’er blushed. "You’re exaggerating."
"How am I?"
"Tomorrow will be your first time attending a poetry gathering. If Mr. Yue Ming and the others find out, they’ll be overjoyed. Why would they possibly give you a hard time?"
"Really?"
"Of course."
Half-convinced, Xiao Wan’er asked, "Then tell me, what usually happens at these poetry gatherings?"
Chen Yi chuckled, at a loss for words, then began to describe the general schedule for the Mid-Autumn poetry gathering.
Fortunately, Li Huai’gu, Mr. Yue Ming, and the others had given him a rough outline; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to provide much detail either.
"...It’s mostly paying homage to the moon, admiring the moon, and reciting or composing poetry and couplets."
"There will be many people there tomorrow, including quite a few ladies. If you have a good piece of writing, Big Sis, you can certainly present it for Mr. Yue Ming and the others to critique."
Xiao Wan’er subconsciously shrank back, her expression less that of a high-born young lady and more like the cute and pretty girl next door.
"I’m not skilled in poetry. I’d rather not make a fool of myself."
"It’s fine if you don’t write anything. My older brother is bringing Cui Qingwu tomorrow, and Brother Huai’gu’s wife will also be there. If you get bored, you can always keep them company."
"They don’t compose poetry either?"
"They probably won’t, hmm... At least, I know Brother Huai’gu’s wife doesn’t compose poetry."
"Cui Qingwu is from the Qinghe Cui Family, so she might know a thing or two."
"Miss Cui? She’s here in Shu State?"
"You didn’t know, Big Sis? She’s been in Shu State for some time now, though she’s been staying with my older brother."
"Come to think of it, the two of them are also engaged."
"Is that so..."
Thinking back, Chen Yi realized he had never actually told Xiao Wan’er about Cui Qingwu’s arrival in Shu State.
Part of the reason was Cui Qingwu’s identity as Simurgh Phoenix of the Hidden Guard, and part was that she had been very quiet since arriving in Shu State.
It was strange, though. To this day, Chen Yi didn’t quite understand why Cui Qingwu had joined the Hidden Guard, nor did he know her reasons for coming to Shu State alone.
It was as if she had come solely for Chen Yunfan.
’Is this a case of following her man wherever he goes?’
But he had once heard Chen Yunfan express his dissatisfaction with that engagement. freёwebnovel.com
"If you have any concerns, Big Sis, you can bring Wuge, Huatang, and the others along tomorrow night. It’ll just be for a bit of fun, anyway."
Xiao Wan’er’s expression relaxed upon hearing this. She nodded and said, "Alright."
"It will also be Wuge’s first time at a poetry gathering. I’ll have to keep an eye on him."
But as soon as she said it, she caught Chen Yi’s mischievous gaze. A faint blush crept onto her stunning face, and she trailed off, unable to continue.
Growing up, her poor health had rarely allowed her to attend any lively events outside the Xiao Mansion.
Poetry gatherings, Lantern Festival fairs, the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Spring Festival—she had missed them all, year after year.
If her health hadn’t improved, if she didn’t feel that bone-deep chill as much as before, she would have likely chosen to remain in Jiaxing Garden this time as well.
But as Xiao Wan’er’s thoughts drifted, she couldn’t help but recall Chen Yi’s teasing, and a sense of playful indignation welled up inside her.
’This man is such a tease.’
’He knows full well I have so little experience with the outside world, yet he still teases me like this.’
Chen Yi more or less guessed what was on Xiao Wan’er’s mind and decided not to tease her any further. He lifted the carriage curtain and glanced outside.
It was nearly dusk, and the sky had grown much dimmer.
The streets, however, were bustling with activity.
Pedestrians thronged the sides of the road, pouring into the various shops in groups.
Buying lanterns, new clothes, mooncakes... Most were making preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow night.
In contrast, the various government offices on duty in Shu State City weren’t nearly as relaxed.
Soldiers of the City Guard Army were stationed on every major street and alley.
Numerous Imprisonment Officers from the Imprisonment Department were also patrolling the area, on guard against any potential incidents.
The number of government officials deployed on South Street, where the various Government Offices were located, was several times higher than anywhere else.
After watching for a moment, just as Chen Yi was about to close the curtain, his eyes suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure—
It was none other than Liu Zhaoxue, the eldest legitimate daughter of the main branch of the Liu Family, dressed in red and with a beauty that rivaled even Xiao Wan’er’s and Xiao Jinghong’s.
She was currently standing on South Street, not far from the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion, sizing up a street-facing storefront.
The shop was festooned with lanterns and streamers, and the lanterns outside all bore the word "Xinglin."
Beneath the central eaves hung a plaque, veiled by a red cloth.
’Xinglin Hall?’
The two words surfaced in Chen Yi’s mind, and his gaze immediately fell upon Liu Zhaoxue.
’Liu Wen is dead, yet Liu Zhaoxue hasn’t returned to the Jing State Liu Family to mourn. How can she have the heart to stay in Shu State and run Xinglin Hall?’
Chen Yi found the situation rather strange.
’It seems Liu Zhaoxue is determined to make something of herself here in Shu State.’
Then again, upon further reflection, Chen Yi realized her choice was likely born of a certain helplessness.
He had previously heard that the Jing State Liu Family intended to marry her to Xiao Xuanshuo.
Perhaps it was this that had driven her to defy convention and remain in Shu State.
Beside him, Xiao Wan’er had also spotted Liu Zhaoxue, and the smile on her face gradually faded. She was clearly recalling some unpleasant past events.
Even though she knew Liu Wen was dead and had been connected to the burning of the Three Towns’ summer grain, she still remembered everything that had happened that day in Fengchun Building.
