Chapter 612 - 343: This Thing Most Evokes Yearning

"Hehe, no..."

Amidst the banter, Chen Yi arrived outside the pavilion and teased Pei Guanli, "If you don’t work harder, Wuge’s Cultivation might really surpass yours."

Pei Guanli’s smile remained unchanged. "Aren’t you here to help me, Chen Yi? That won’t happen. Absolutely not."

Chen Yi thought, "Heaven knows," but he didn’t provoke the Tiger Girl any further and simply instructed Xiaodie to prepare dinner.

Xiaodie agreed with a smile and hurried to the kitchen.

Xiao Wuge, as usual, sidled up to Chen Yi and dragged him off to play chess. Chen Yi naturally did not refuse. The chessboard was set up, and they took turns placing their pieces.

Pei Guanli sat on the pavilion’s railing nearby. Resting her hands on the balustrade, she swung her tender white feet back and forth while offering Xiao Wuge terrible advice.

"Play there, play there... Oh dear, Xiao Wuge, you made the wrong move. You should have listened to me..."

Xiao Wuge completely ignored her. While placing his pieces according to a chess manual, he didn’t forget to look back and say, "Sister Pei, stop giving me random advice."

Ever since the one time he took her advice and played a few moves, he never again believed a word about Pei Guanli knowing how to play chess. He had no choice. The consequence of those few moves was that Chen Yi effortlessly cornered him and slaughtered five of his pieces in mere moments.

Pei Guanli wasn’t annoyed, though. She continued to point and instruct as she pleased.

Xiao Wuge simply focused on the game, occasionally making idle chatter with Chen Yi.

"Chen Yi, Grandpa Zhang came to the mansion. Did you know?"

Chen Yi casually placed a piece and nodded absently. "I heard."

"When I went to Qingjing Residence to pay my respects earlier, Grandpa Zhang and Grandpa were drinking. There were six empty jugs beside them.

"Is alcohol tasty, Chen Yi?"

"Not at all..."

Mentioning this reminded Chen Yi of running into Lone Immortal Ye that afternoon, and a helpless expression crossed his face. Although Lone Immortal Ye had used his hidden identity to "blackmail" him, there was another reason he had agreed to the man’s request.

Firstly, Immortal Bai was Xiao Jinghong’s Senior Martial Uncle. By complying with Lone Immortal Ye, once he confessed the truth to Xiao Jinghong in the future, it would be easier for her to demand some benefits from her Senior Martial Uncle. Secondly, he also received a promise from Lone Immortal Ye. Neither husband nor wife would lose out; it was killing two birds with one stone.

However, Lone Immortal Ye’s way of doing things was truly eccentric. Not only did he ask for a favor without offering a pleasant expression, but he also invited Chen Yi to drink without paying the bill. Both his character and his drinking etiquette left much to be desired.

Before long, the chess game ended.

Xiaodie had the meal prepared, and Chen Yi’s group gathered around the table. Just as they were about to eat, Xiao Wan’er arrived with her attendants.

"Chen Yi, you are heading to the Annual Examination tomorrow, which will take a day and a half. I had someone prepare some snacks for you to keep and eat at the examination venue."

Chen Yi smiled, nodded, and stood up to invite her to sit.

Xiao Wan’er gestured for Shen Huatang and the others to set down the snacks while greeting Pei Guanli, then sat nearby to sip some tea. She had already eaten dinner at Jiaxing Garden and specifically waited for Chen Yi’s return, timing her arrival perfectly. She came for no other reason than to offer Chen Yi a few words of encouragement before the Annual Examination.

Of course, she knew in her heart that with Chen Yi’s abilities, such words were largely unnecessary. Thus, after exchanging a few pleasantries, Xiao Wan’er brought up another matter.

"This afternoon, Little Sister Qingwu sent a letter saying several Physicians from the Cui Family have arrived in Shu State. She asked when I would like to examine them." Her beautiful eyes reflected Chen Yi’s figure as she said with a hint of embarrassment, "I don’t know what to test them on."

Chen Yi was naturally well-prepared. He instructed Xiaodie to fetch the charter he had written from the study and said, "You don’t need to show up personally, Wan’er. I will have Ma Liangcai conduct the examination on your behalf later."

"That’s... good too. However, it would be inappropriate if I didn’t make an appearance. We can just let Doctor Ma take the lead when the time comes."

"Then I will go with you..."

Meeting his gaze, Xiao Wan’er nodded gently. Her heart naturally felt much more relaxed, and a lot warmer too. Although she had poured a lot of effort into the Medical Dao Academy, she knew her own limits. She could handle establishing the academy, implementing the charter, and recruiting students, but when it came to matters specifically involving the Medical Dao, she felt out of her depth.

Fortunately, Chen Yi’s assistance brought her much An Xin.

Chen Yi naturally knew that Xiao Wan’er was not skilled in the Medical Dao, so he had never intended to stay completely out of it. At the very least, he needed to ensure the Medical Dao Academy got on the right track.

After finishing dinner amidst chat and laughter, Xiao Wuge and Pei Guanli went to wash up one after the other. Chen Yi then escorted Xiao Wan’er back to Jiaxing Garden.

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse. The night sky resembled a dark mirror, smooth and dustless. As a cool breeze blew past, Xiao Wan’er gently pulled her cloak tighter. Her eyes were slightly downcast, and she didn’t quite dare turn her head to look at Chen Yi.

Shen Huatang, Juan’er, Cui’er, and the others were still following behind them. Chen Yi, however, acted as normal.

Before long, they arrived at the entrance of Jiaxing Garden. Xiao Wan’er stopped walking. Only then did she look up to meet Chen Yi’s gaze, reminding him gently, "You need to reach the examination venue before Noon tomorrow. Don’t be late."

Chen Yi nodded with a smile. "Rest assured. With you and Madam reminding me so many times, I wouldn’t dare take it lightly."

Xiao Wan’er murmured in agreement. Her eyes lowered again as she said softly, "If Jinghong were in Prefecture City, I wouldn’t need to say so much."

Chen Yi roughly guessed her mood and chuckled involuntarily. "Madam would probably say a few words, but I’m afraid she wouldn’t instruct the kitchen to prepare snacks for me."

Given Xiao Jinghong’s personality, it was already enough that she cared about his Annual Examination. She likely wouldn’t bother with such trivial details.

Xiao Wan’er clearly knew this. Her expression improved a bit, and she chided playfully, "Jinghong is burdened with military affairs; naturally, she can’t attend to every little detail.

"I... I stay in the mansion all the time, so it’s only right that I prepare some food for you," her voice was so low it was almost inaudible.

Chen Yi smiled. From the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Shen Huatang’s unfriendly expression. Knowing she might have noticed something, he bowed slightly and said, "It’s getting late. You should rest early, Wan’er."

Xiao Wan’er snapped back to reality. Knowing she had lost her composure just now, she forced herself to remain calm and nodded. "I have to go to Tingyu Pavilion early tomorrow morning, so it will be inconvenient to see you off to the examination venue. You... you must be careful and don’t miss the hour."

Pausing for a moment, she remembered something and added, "Jinghong has been gone for several days now. I want to write a letter to her tomorrow to tell her about matters at home."

Chen Yi agreed understandingly. "I’ll write one tonight and have Xiaodie bring it to you early tomorrow morning."

"Okay..."

Chen Yi watched Xiao Wan’er walk away before turning to head back to the wooden building. He didn’t go to the side room; instead, he went straight to the study.

The candlelight flickered to life. He poured water to grind the ink and spread out a piece of Yunsong Paper. Sitting at the desk, he picked up a Wolf Hair Brush and pondered over what to write to Xiao Jinghong.

About five days had passed since the day Liu Hong died, which meant Xiao Jinghong had been gone for five days. Right now, she probably wasn’t at the Wu Mountain Mutual Market, but rather in a certain military town, inspecting the Dingyuan Army’s New Army. For one, it was to guard against the Holy Emperor blaming Elder Master Xiao over the Liu Hong incident. For another, it was to prepare for Chen Xuanji traveling south to Shu State to inspect the Three Towns.

Thinking of this, Chen Yi knew exactly what to write.

"To Jinghong, seeing this handwriting is like seeing me in person.

"They say, ’A single day apart feels like three autumns.’ These fifteen autumns of mine have truly been somewhat...

"The Annual Examination is nothing much. I will naturally do my best. You need not worry, Madam; military affairs are more important.

"In closing, I’ll express my feelings with ’Night Thoughts in Autumn.’

"Red beans grow in the Southern Country, sprouting branches when spring arrives. I hope you gather them often, as they are the truest symbols of longing."

After finishing, Chen Yi blew on the ink to dry it. He decided to have Xiaodie prepare a few red beans tomorrow to send along with the letter. This could be considered reaching Perfection in expressing his feelings.

Chen Yi put away the Yunsong Paper, found an envelope, and sealed it with wax before standing up and stretching lazily. Looking at the full moon outside the window, his mood was quite pleasant.

He thought, "The Marquis’s Mansion will be peaceful for a while, so I can relax a bit more.

"I wonder how things are going on Madam’s end..."

At the Profound Armor Military Town.

Even though it was already late at night, the area remained brightly lit. Clad in Soft Armor, Xiao Jinghong stood at the forefront of the army, gazing at the neat formations below. Beside her stood Ma Kui in his Heavy Armor.

His expression was incredibly stern. Holding his helmet’s visor in one hand and his Horse-Cutting Blade in the other, he shouted sharply, "After three years of honing yourselves, it’s time to test your mettle!

"Move out!"

The horn blew, and amidst its deep blare, tens of thousands of Profound Armor Army soldiers filed outward.

Ma Kui watched them ride out, then approached Xiao Jinghong, his expression softening slightly. "General, will you be following along, or...?"

Xiao Jinghong kept her eyes on the galloping Profound Armor Army in the distance and replied, "It’s enough that you watch over them. I’m going to take a look at the Iron Wall and Cang Lang towns." She turned her head to look at Ma Kui. "Remember, if you discover the Barbarian Race’s grand army, retreat immediately."

"Yes..."

After Ma Kui received his orders and departed, Xiao Jinghong was about to return to her tent when a slightly aged voice echoed in her ears.

"Martial Niece, if you have some free time, why not come over and exchange a few words with your Senior Martial Uncle..."