Chapter 120: An Appointment

Chapter 120: About...

After Xiao Jinghong departed, the Xiao Manor settled into a tranquil repose.

The servants and guards within the manor spoke not a word about the matter of Bai Caotang, as though some unseen decree had been issued.

Yet Chen Yi understood that beneath the surface calm lurked a web of unsettling occurrences.

One such matter was that all the palace guards remained stationed outside.

Liu Si’er had been wounded, and the investigation into the several apothecaries’ chambers fell to Wang Lingxing, who was also reinforced with additional guards.

Moreover, several guards were dispatched to the Prison Bureau to assist in tracking down the figures seen lingering outside Bai Caotang that fateful night—Jia Lao, the sorcerer of the Huan Yin Sect, the fleeing quartet, and the cloaked assailant who had struck Liu Si’er, among others.

With such arrangements in place, excluding those still accompanying Xiao Jinghong, the number of armed guards within the manor had noticeably diminished.

The Xiao family’s newfound quietude was not entirely unexpected.

Another point of note lay in the Xiao family’s prison chambers.

The several fugitives captured previously, after two nights of interrogation, had confessed under pressure, revealing the hand behind them: the director of Ling Lan Xuan.

Within half a day, the establishment—still in its infancy, having opened less than a month—was sealed by the Prison Bureau, its doors marked with official red tape.

As Liu Quan, the accountant of Ji Shi Apothecary, recounted.

In the eastern market, Ling Lan Xuan had drawn numerous officials, who detained Qian Kuang and others, dragging them to the magistrate’s office.

They declared that that afternoon, Qian Kuang had broken down, confessing to a conspiracy with several other Ling Lan Xuan directors to manipulate the Xiao family’s apothecary operations.

Further, they claimed the malevolent forces of the Huan Yin Sect had been orchestrated under their scheme.

First, they had looted the Xiao family’s medicinal supplies, then slaughtered Bai Caotang in a bid to seize the tea recipes.

These confessions prompted the magistrate to order the recovery of the Xiao family’s stolen herbs, which were returned to them.

Subsequently, Qian Kuang and his accomplices were condemned to death by decapitation.

By the next dawn, more than a dozen severed heads had littered the streets outside the markets in both the east and west.

Upon finishing his tale, Liu Quan chuckled, and Chen Yi joined in.

He was well aware that the man behind Ling Lan Xuan—someone from Liu’s family in Jingzhou—remained unharmed.

Qian Kuang and the rest were merely scapegoats, sacrificed by Liu’s clan.

“Not a single detail escaped Chen Yunfan’s expectations. Once Liu’s family was exposed, they abandoned their posts to protect the emperor, scapegoating Ling Lan Xuan.”

What had become of Liu Jing, the sixth son of Liu’s clan in Jingzhou, he wondered.

It seemed certain that the Liu family in Shu and the Liu family in Jingzhou would owe the old patriarch an explanation.

Chen Yi mused on this, and thus gave little further thought to Ling Lan Xuan or Liu’s clan.

At any rate, the Xiao family’s apothecary remained unharmed.

Not only had they recovered their lost medicinal herbs, but Bai Caotang had also lent its support, ensuring a swift replenishment of silver and resources.

This could be discerned from Xiao Wan’er’s demeanor during her recent visits.

The word to describe it was simple: a smile as bright as a blooming flower.

Chen Yi smiled, his own mood lightening accordingly. At least he need not endure Xiao Wan’er pawning his jewelry at a pawn shop for silver.

Thus, three days passed, and his days returned to their former leisurely pace.

Chess, calligraphy, tea, fishing.

Yet only Chen Yi knew that his time for cultivation had increased markedly.

Though constrained by the presence of Granny Xiao and Shen Huaotang within the manor, he could not venture into the bamboo groves to practice his boxing, spear techniques, and footwork, he could instead focus on refining the Four Symbols Technique.

His progress was encouraging, nearing the threshold of breakthrough.

This, too, could be confirmed by Pei Wanglei.

However, this tiger cub’s attention had long since drifted from cultivation.

Since learning that Chen Yi had wounded Liu Si’er, she had grown restless, lamenting the missed opportunities for amusement.

Day after day, she pestered Chen Yi to show her more thrilling exploits.

His response was always the same: “There will be naturally.”

He had not forgotten, either, the far more pressing and thorny matter at hand.

Pei Wanglei erupted in excitement, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “What is it? What is it?”

Chen Yi pondered, then said, “Not yet. But from tomorrow, you must spend your days wandering the streets of Shuzhou City.”

Pei Wanglei’s expression turned puzzled. “Brother, I don’t need to loiter about the city.”

“You do,” he insisted.

Not only she, but also Geo Lao San would be required to do the same.

Chen Yi had not yet devised a solution for Xiao Dongren, so he could only first assign Geo Lao San—a covert silver-flag officer—some task to occupy his time.

Let him remain busied from dawn till dusk, delaying his schemes to seize the far army’s granaries.

Pei Wanglei was riddled with questions, but accepting his promise of something more thrilling, she agreed.

“Brother, don’t disappoint me.” “Or I’ll stop playing with you.”

Chen Yi fell silent, a faint smile touching his lips, offering no further explanation.

He understood the principle of “the more the merrier.”

Especially with Pei Wanglei, so careless and impulsive, it would be better for her to know less.

The next morning, Pei Wanglei followed his orders, feigning a request to visit Shuzhou City.

Chen Yi naturally assented.

But he himself stayed behind, accompanied only by Xiao Xiao.

Unforeseen, Xiao Wan’er, upon hearing the news, summoned Shen Huaotang and Granny Xiao, asking them to accompany Xiao Jingzhong.

Since Xiao Jingzhong had lingered at the manor for some time, it was only fitting he see the bustling city.

To that end, she had even instructed Shen Huaotang to bring ample silver.

Chen Yi glanced at the four women before him and wiped sweat from his brow.

Only Xiao Xiao and Pei Wanglei, he thought, might find time for his own pursuits.

Yet with Granny Xiao and Shen Huaotang present, he could expect no moment of peace.

Once they had all departed, Chen Yi sat idly in the Garden of Prosperity, chatting with Xiao Wan’er about the apothecary’s affairs.

“Liu Quan came by yesterday. Everything at Ji Shi Apothecary is fine, and the daily takings have increased significantly.”

Xiao Wan’er, noting his recent presence, smiled: “At least you still keep an eye on the apothecary’s affairs.”

Chen Yi spoke calmly, his face unruffled and heart untroubled: "With Liu Quan here and the renowned physicians from the Bai Caotang standing guard, it makes no difference if I stay away from the pharmacy."

"If everyone thinks that way, Xiao family's pharmacy might as well be closing its doors soon."

It was mere jest, not to be taken seriously.

Yet Xiao Wan'er recalled the rumors she had heard, her clear eyes turning toward him: "They say the proprietor of the pharmacy in Shu Zhou City now takes ten days off each month."

"Brother-in-law, is that true?"

Chen Yi's face was thick-skinned and hearty; without hesitation, he smiled: "It shows that under the leadership of our elder sister, Xiao family's pharmacy thrives with everyone's united effort."

"The thriving business of the pharmacy is proof enough."

Praising him from every angle, yet never overdoing it.

Xiao Wan'er, upon hearing this, felt a measure of satisfaction.

However, the rituals and proprieties she had learned since childhood did not easily accept Chen Yi's twisted logic.

Of course, she bore no ill will toward Chen Yi; after all, it was merely a jest, and they let it pass.

Yet thinking back to the pharmacy's hardships, Xiao Wan'er could not help but feel a sense of relief: "Thanks to Wang Ji and the support from Bai Caotang, otherwise the court's monthly allowance would have fallen short."

"Just look ahead and clear the clouds; it's simple enough."

"If you say so... do you know that when Wang Ji came seeking help before, he also brought a sum of money?"

Chen Yi feigned a shake of his head: "I hadn't heard you mention that."

Xiao Wan'er understood fully, lowering her head slightly, she inquired: "If Bai Caotang has been so helpful to us, should we compensate Wang Ji with some money, or provide other assistance?"

Chen Yi, seeing her earnestness, pondered: "Your elder sister's decision is best. Whether we give him compensation or not makes no difference."

Still, his elder sister was kind-hearted; after all, a genuine businessman wouldn't dwell on such trivialities.

Xiao Wan'er thought it over: "Better to give some money. Now the court's daily income is substantial; taking more than one's share would be unjust."

Chen Yi was about to agree, when Xiao Wan'er said: "They say Bai Caotang also has a mysterious patriarch."

"Wang Ji mentioned it twice before, saying that patriarch is strict in his ways. He wonders if the money we gave Wang Ji might cause his displeasure."

Chen Yi spoke vaguely: "Probably, it shouldn't."

Seeing his evasion, Xiao Wan'er scolded him: "I want you to go to Bai Caotang and arrange a meeting with that patriarch for me."

"Why, it's not necessary..."

"Why not? Bai Caotang has done us such a great favor; we ought to present a gift as thanks."

"Well..."

"Do as I say, Chen the shopkeeper!"

Facing Xiao Wan'er's delicate and beautiful face, Chen Yi found it hard to refuse.

"Very well, I'll go find Wang Ji."

He agreed.

However, he needed to figure out how to conceal his identity first.

(Chapter Complete)