Chen Yi watched Pei Guanli treading water and replied, "I can’t."
After a pause, he looked down at Xiao Wuge and asked with a smile, "Has your sister found you a new tutor?"
"It wasn’t my sister. It was... it was my second uncle."
"Second Uncle?"
’Xiao Xuanshuo?’
Chen Yi glanced toward the world outside Spring Lotus Garden and asked thoughtfully, "What does he want you to learn?"
"The Martial Arts."
"Hmm? I remember Xiaodie mentioning that you need to undergo Foundation Establishment at age six before you can practice the Martial Arts."
Xiao Wuge’s face soured. "Second Uncle said I have to go to Jinling next March. I don’t have much time left in the mansion, so he wants to teach me some techniques before I leave."
"That way, my Martial Arts progression might be a little faster once I’ve achieved Foundation Establishment."
Chen Yi chuckled. "Second Uncle is right. You really should learn a few flashy moves beforehand."
"Huh? You think so too?"
"Of course."
"As the legitimate heir of the Xiao Family, you’re destined to inherit the Marquis Position. How could you possibly neglect the Martial Arts?"
"Even after you leave Shu State for Jinling, you can’t let your Martial Arts training slide. Cultivate diligently and try to catch up to your second sister."
Xiao Wuge tilted his head up to look at him. "My second sister is so incredible. There’s no way I could ever catch up to her."
Chen Yi casually patted his head and smiled. "Plans are made in heaven, but success is achieved by man."
"Who knows? Maybe your talent for the Martial Arts is even greater than your second sister’s."
"Besides, your second uncle is doing this for your own good. Never mind me, even your sister wouldn’t stand in his way."
Xiao Wuge grunted in assent, a smile spreading across his face. "I’ll do as you say."
’Plans are made in heaven, but success is achieved by man. I have to write that down, write that down.’
Not long after, Xiaodie returned with their meal. The group sat together, eating and chatting.
The conversation was mostly just Xiaodie and Pei Guanli chattering away.
Eight out of every ten sentences were about Chen Yi.
One moment, it was about how *Song of the Water Melody* had earned the praise of yet another great scholar or won the favor of some high official.
The next, it was about the exhibition hall at Guiyun Academy opening, and the endless stream of people flocking to see his *Post-rain Reflections*.
While praising his Perfect Realm Calligraphy Dao, people were even more eager to see the original calligraphy for *Song of the Water Melody: Mid-Autumn*.
When the topic came to this, Xiaodie couldn’t help but ask, "Young Master, what about that calligraphy piece you wrote?"
Chen Yi took a bite of mooncake. "It’s lost."
’That night’s battle with Yan Fusha had been brutal. The entire Painted Boat was torn to shreds. How could a piece of calligraphy possibly have survived?’
Xiaodie looked disappointed. "I heard everyone by the banks of Quchi that night said they witnessed an Immortal Realm."
Pei Guanli said breezily, "Brother-in-law can just write another one."
Chen Yi shot her a look and asked irritably, "You want to see that again?"
Pei Guanli immediately gave an awkward grin. "Nope, nope."
’She had no desire to relive that night’s experience.’
’If Chen Yi hadn’t rescued her in time, she’d probably be six feet under by now.’
"Speaking of which, I sent that letter home a long time ago. Why hasn’t Ah Ma written back yet?"
"Just be patient and wait."
Chen Yi replied. After finishing the porridge in his bowl, he added, "Maybe she’s not in a hurry."
Pei Guanli crouched by the table, her mouth stuffed with mooncake, and mumbled:
"Sh-she dotes on me the most. Sh-she has to be in a hurry."
After finally managing to swallow the mooncake, she continued, "Don’t worry, Brother-in-law. If Ah Ma doesn’t make a move, I’ll find a way to help you get reve—"
Before she could finish, Chen Yi flicked her on the head. "Get what? You’re to stay put in the mansion for the time being. Don’t go anywhere."
Pei Guanli clutched her head and crouched back down properly, muttering, "Fine, I won’t go out."
Seeing her get put in her place, Xiaodie and Xiao Wuge burst into carefree laughter.
But before their laughter could fade, a set of footsteps and the rumbling of wheels sounded from outside the garden.
A flicker of understanding passed through Chen Yi. He wiped the corners of his mouth.
Then he saw Wang Lixing wheeling Xiao Xuanshuo to the front of the wooden building.
Without so much as a glance at Chen Yi and the others, Xiao Xuanshuo addressed Xiao Wuge. "Come out here."
Xiao Wuge glanced at Chen Yi. Seeing him smile and nod, he put down his bowl and chopsticks, rose, and stepped out of the wooden building to bow.