Chapter 367: Chapter 241: Autumn Letter to My Wife

But now that Chen Yunfan was being so forthright, he actually felt a little more suspicious.

Perhaps the Emperor on the Dragon Throne was playing an even bigger game on the chessboard that was Shu State.

Just then, Cui Qingwu stood up again to refill their cups, smiling as she spoke.

"This is supposed to be a private dinner, so let’s not talk about official business, shall we? What do you say, Sister Wan’er?"

Xiao Wan’er glanced at Chen Yi. Seeing the smile on his face, she nodded as well.

Cui Qingwu took in their interaction, and her smile brightened.

’There’s something going on with these two...’

By mid-afternoon, they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Chen Yi, Xiao Wan’er, and the others then rose to leave.

Cui Qingwu and Chen Yunfan followed them outside the restaurant to see them off.

Cui Qingwu took the umbrella from Chun Ying to hold it for Chen Yunfan and said, "Sister Wan’er, once business at the restaurant stabilizes in a couple of days, I’ll come visit you at the Xiao Mansion."

Xiao Wan’er nodded lightly and replied with a smile that she would be welcome anytime.

In contrast, the brothers Chen Yunfan and Chen Yi were not so formal, simply exchanging a few casual jokes.

But when Chen Yunfan saw Chen Yi acting so carefree, he couldn’t resist adding a few words of advice.

"Brother Yi, you’re famous now. Your Calligraphy Dao has reached Perfection, and you’re an Instructor at Guiyun Academy. It’s inevitable that you’ll attract the envy of others in the future."

"You should spend more time on your Martial Arts Cultivation, so you’re prepared if some reckless fool comes looking for trouble."

"You’re the one who needs to be careful, Brother. Your fame as the Imperial Top Scholar is unmatched, and you’re not even married yet. You might get kidnapped and forced into marriage one of these days."

Before Chen Yunfan could even speak, Cui Qingwu, who had overheard their conversation, immediately exclaimed, "Who would dare?!"

Chen Yunfan shot Chen Yi a glare, as if to say, ’Way to touch a sore subject.’ He then waved his hand dismissively. "Brother Yi is just joking. Don’t take him seriously."

He then turned to Xiao Wan’er. "Miss Wan’er, you’ll have to make sure my brother here spends more time on his Martial Arts Cultivation."

However, it was obvious his words had little to no effect.

Xiao Wan’er just smiled gently, her beautiful eyes resting on Chen Yi, and offered no response.

At this, Chen Yunfan sullenly shut his mouth. He muttered a few words under his breath and waved for Chen Yi to leave.

’Just you wait. Sooner or later, I’ll beat you into submission and make you admit how amazing your big brother is.’

Chen Yi, of course, had no idea what was on Chen Yunfan’s mind. They said their goodbyes, and he escorted Xiao Wan’er back to the Xiao Family.

Faintly, he could still hear Chen Yunfan and Cui Qingwu’s conversation.

Things like, "Don’t worry, Brother Yi was just joking," and "You know my skills better than anyone."

It seemed Chen Yi’s earlier teasing had worked, leaving Cui Qingwu a little worried.

Chatting and laughing, the members of the group went their separate ways, their figures vanishing into the curtain of rain.

But in a tailor’s shop not far away, a middle-aged man dressed in the linen clothes of a servant was watching them.

He watched for a moment, a faint smile appearing on his face.

’Simurgh Phoenix, Fledgling, the eldest young master of the Chen family...’

’They’ve all changed quite a bit since arriving in Shu State.’

After a moment of thought, he beckoned to the shopkeeper behind him. "Contact Simurgh Phoenix. Have her meet me here at midnight."

"Yes..."

...

The rare day out had greatly improved Xiao Wan’er’s mood.

Aside from settling on the site for the Medical Dao Academy in Tonglin Town, this was the first time she had enjoyed such a relaxed meal out with friends.

Unlike her previous appointment with Liu Zhaoxue at Yingchun Building, which she attended with Chen Yi, this time she felt completely at ease in the company of Cui Qingwu and Chen Yunfan.

Of course, Chen Yi’s presence had something to do with it as well.

All in all, Xiao Wan’er was in high spirits.

Even in the afternoon, as she bustled about Jiaxing Garden, a smile remained on her face.

"Juan’er, take this rough sketch to Master Lai. Ask him to take his people to Tonglin Town to have a look, and to provide detailed blueprints as soon as possible."

"Yes, Miss."

"Cui’er, go ask Wuge when he’ll be back. He’ll be dining in the garden tonight."

"And Huatang... hmm... I’ll have to trouble you to go to Spring Lotus Garden. Please let my brother-in-law know. Also, tell him to write a letter back to my second sister."

After everyone had dispersed, Xiao Wan’er went to the study, took out a brush and paper, and began to write her own reply to Xiao Jinghong.

[My Dearest Second Sister, all is well at home.

Grandfather is in good health, though his appetite and sleep have been affected recently by his worries over provisions for the Three Towns.

Fortunately, Grandfather has already thought of a solution...]

Xiao Wan’er’s brush paused. Images of Chen Yi’s recent situation and that poem of his surfaced in her mind, and she hesitated before continuing to write:

[You must have heard about the poem Qingzhou wrote on Mid-Autumn Night.

In my opinion, he was using the poem to express his feelings. He must have been thinking of you... ’May we live long and share the moon’s beauty, a thousand miles apart.’ See how beautiful those words are?]

Having written this, Xiao Wan’er let out a long sigh, but a look of relief appeared on her face.

"Second Sister, just this once, I’ll allow myself to be selfish..."

After putting the letter away, Xiao Wan’er got up and took Cui’er with her to Qingjing Residence.

She had to ask the Old Marquis for his opinion on the matter she and Chen Yi had discussed the previous night.

It wasn’t just about choosing a suitable dean for the Medical Dao Academy. She also truly hoped that a Divine Doctor from the Great Wei Dynasty would come to Shu State.

If so, perhaps the Old Marquis’s grave illness could truly be cured.

「Spring Lotus Garden.」

When Shen Huatang arrived, she found Chen Yi in his study, painting.

She glanced at his work only for a moment before relaying Xiao Wan’er’s instructions.

After listening, Chen Yi nodded. "I’ll write it and send it over later."

Shen Huatang hesitated slightly, swallowing the words that had risen to her lips. She bowed and turned to leave.

Things were different now.

Back then, Chen Yi had just married into the Xiao Family, and on top of that, he had fled on their wedding day. Her impression of him had been terrible.

Now, with Chen Yi’s fame soaring, the attitude of everyone in the Xiao Family, from top to bottom, had changed.

It wasn’t just Xiao Wan’er and Xiao Jinghong; even the Old Marquis showed him special favor.

To say nothing of Xiao Wuge, who was always by Chen Yi’s side.

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