Chapter 159: A Speck of Winter Plum

Chapter 159: A Touch of Winter Plum

Chen Yi certainly understood that Wang Ji was not being cordial.

After visiting the prestigious Cloud Cloud Academy the day before, the chatter among scholars in Shu Zhou had already reached his ears.

Had he not been feigning illness to stay home, avoiding visitors, the gardens of Chun He would have been swarming with people.

Even so, many members of the noble families who could speak with the Xiao family still made their way, one after another, to the tranquil estate and the prosperous garden.

Chen Yi was well aware of this.

Not because his cultivation had improved or his ears were particularly sharp.

But because of Xiao Duo, this "busybody" of a girl.

She seemed to have a knack for gathering information.

In the few times she left Chun He Garden each day, she always returned with several pieces of news.

Which family's master had held previous official positions was now seeking the old duke.

Which family's wife and daughter had visited the prosperous garden as guests, and so forth.

And in the past two days, Xiao Wan'er had been speaking with him.

When she came in the morning, she brought a bowl of ginger tea, urging him to drink it while it was hot.

In the evening, she would arrange dinner for him in Chun He Garden.

Then, over the meal, she would recount who she had met during the day, what they had said, and how their relations with the Xiao family had fared.

Most of the time, Chen Yi would listen with one ear in and one ear out, making no promises.

Of course, Xiao Wan'er wouldn't make any promises either, nor would she pressure Chen Yi to agree to those people's demands for back doors.

In a subtle way, she had helped him ward off many troubles.

However, not everyone in the Hou family was as practical as the old duke and Xiao Wan'er.

For instance, Xiao Dongchen, the second wife, had once asked Xiao Wan'er to inquire on his behalf.

And there were others from Xiao Shen's side in the third room who had come calling.

Chen Yi had refused all of them.

Now, with a hundred students from Xueqiao annotating the practice text, it took an hour—enough to make him head ache.

He didn't want any more students, becoming a mere beast of burden at the Cloud Cloud Academy.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Wang Ji wrote two characters on the stone table with tea, then remarked on his lips: "The scorching summer is about to arrive, so tea sales might be affected."

Chen Yi glanced at the two characters on the table—"Request Instruction"—and smiled without hurrying to answer, pouring Wang Ji a cup of tea.

"Wang Boss, you take three steps back and see three steps forward—well said."

Wang Ji felt awkward, lifting his tea bowl to deflect: "The 'Light Boat' gentleman has overpraised me."

"I trust you're aware of the recent affairs at the Jishì Medicinal Hall. With the rain lately, the docks and markets on both sides have been quiet, and tea sales have dropped by a full catty compared to before."

"Though there are still many who come by reputation, tea has its times when it can't be drunk."

Chen Yi sipped his tea, understanding his meaning, and smiled, shaking his head: "In business, gaining is gaining, and even if you gain less, it's still gain. Such minor fluctuations are normal."

"Instead of wasting effort on this, it's better to think of ways to generate more income."

Currently, the five teas were sufficient; there was no need to introduce new ones.

Earlier, he had thought Wang Ji understood the next step was to expand the Bǎocǎo Hall to other prefectures and counties. Now, seeing Wang Ji's vision as not far-reaching enough.

As long as they could open a few more Bǎocǎo Halls, the tea from Wang Jì would be free for the taking, and he was confident he could lie back and count his silver.

Wang Ji listened, then pondered for a moment, finally grasping the root of the matter, his face softening with gratitude, bowing: "Many thanks for the 'Light Boat' gentleman's guidance."

"My pleasure, Wang Boss."

"I'm just speaking from the books, but the Jishì Medicinal Hall will still need to rely on your Bǎocǎo Halls."

"The 'Light Boat' gentleman speaks wisely..."

After a few more idle words, Wang Ji withdrew a letter from his sleeve and placed it on the table.

"This is a letter of thanks from Liu Yun, delivered to you. His injury has healed."

"Oh?"

Chen Yi slightly raised an eyebrow, guessing that matters in Liu Ruo's camp had progressed, and merely took the letter.

Wang Ji noticed, rose, and prepared to leave.

Just as Chen Yi was about to head back to his study to check on Liu Ruo's situation, Xiao Wan'er arrived with a party, each carrying several ledgers.

Chen Yi saw them from afar and reluctantly set aside the letter.

While sending Xiao Duo to move the tea set to the railing outside, he called out:

"Come, sister."

Xiao Wan'er nodded, signaling the others to set down the ledgers and examine him thoroughly, then smiled: "Your complexion has improved, I see—you must be well."

Chen Yi nodded, thinking how he wouldn't have feigned illness if not to avoid unnecessary socializing.

"Has anyone come to the mansion today?"

Xiao Wan'er shook her head lightly: "I've already instructed Painted Rose to turn people away for the time being."

She paused, then pointed to the ledgers on the table: "Wang Ji just told me, in two days' time, the Bǎocǎo Hall's manager will arrive in Shu Zhou. I want to calculate the profits and buy him some suitable gifts."

"The 'sister' should decide, I don't understand these matters."

"You don't understand, or are you trying to be idle?"

Chen Yi hesitated slightly, seeing the scowl on her face, and said plainly: "I truly don't understand."

"I'll take you at your word."

After calculating the various expenses for next month, Xiao Wan'er found that the warehouse still had over ten thousand silver dollars remaining, and she couldn't help but feel elated.

"Brother-in-law, what do you think would be a good gift to send him?"

Him?

Me?

Chen Yi felt a slight movement in his heart upon seeing her truly preparing a gift for herself:

"I heard Wang Ji say that the Bǎocǎo Hall's manager is fond of fishing. How about sending him a set of fishing gear?"

Xiao Wan'er paused, then said, "That doesn't seem right?"

"After we've made so much silver from the Bǎocǎo Hall, sending a set of fishing gear—is that right?"

"Sister, you probably don't often go fishing, so there's a lot to learn about these fishing tools."

"Even though ordinary fishing gear in the East Market is worth only fifty coins, in the West Market it's only one or two taels of silver."

Chen Yi said seriously, "But for those who truly enjoy fishing, the minimum value of their fishing gear is at least 18,000 taels of silver."

Xiao Wannu's beautiful eyes widened in surprise, "Just a fishing rod? Worth ten thousand taels?"

"Of course."

"The rod's shaft is carved from a rare type of ice bamboo found only in the East Sea, smooth and white like jade, with extraordinary resilience—one such rod alone is worth three thousand taels of silver, and yet it remains unsold."

"The fishing line is woven from the sinew of deep-sea whales, said to be unbreakable even by martial artists of the highest grade."

"The hook is forged from frozen iron; any ordinary fish that bites the bait will be instantly frozen solid."

When he reached that point, Chen Yi couldn't help but rub his hands together with a smile, "You see, how could it not be worth ten thousand taels?"

He hadn't meant to say it, but once he did, a flush crept to his cheeks.

This set of fishing gear was something he'd heard Qian Guanyu and Sun Fu mention earlier, known by the poetic name "One Point of Plum Blossom." For when the hook is cast into the river, the ice bamboo and frozen iron cause a delicate ice flower to bloom on the water's surface.

Clearly, Xiao Wannu had never heard of this name before.

Even if she had, she could never afford to buy such a rod for the proprietor of Bai Caogeng.

"Well, I'll give it to you when you've earned enough."

Chen Yi nodded with a hint of regret, "That would be fine."

Seeing his expression, Xiao Wannu couldn't help but tease, "I think my husband-to-be also wants one."

"Of course, that's the treasure of any true angler."

When Xiao Wannu saw the yearning in his eyes, she thought for a moment and asked, "Where might one find such an ice bamboo fishing rod?"

"It's called One Point of Plum Blossom, not a mere ice bamboo rod. As for where to buy it, I'm not certain."

Xiao Wannu nodded, saying nothing further, and quietly committed these details to memory.

These days, the palace wasn't flush with silver.

If the storehouses ever grew full, she wouldn't mind sending Chen Yi a "One Point of Plum Blossom."

Though Chen Yi was eager, he also felt uneasy spending so much on a fishing rod, so he shifted the subject.

Better to avoid impulsive spending with the silver he carried.

As afternoon approached, Xiao Wannu rose to prepare her departure.

"After three days, remember to accompany me when I visit the proprietor of Bai Caogeng, see if you can meet him. I hear he's also named Chen, perhaps you have some connection."

"I should be back in time for dinner, so I'll just speak with him then."

"No matter, just say a few words when you return."

"..."

As Xiao Wannu gave her orders and stood to leave, Chen Yi exhaled a quiet sigh.

He had no magical arts like splitting his spirit, so he couldn't be in two places at once.

Perhaps he'd have to find an excuse to stay outside the palace after all.

After eating, Chen Yi returned to his chambers and opened Liu Lang's letter.

The message was brief, only three lines:

[I've agreed to meet the Black One, though the time is yet undecided.]

[I've heard others also wish to join, and the Black One is delighted, saying our chances of success are now quite high.]

[The Black One has arranged to meet me with that person tonight, so what should we discuss?]

Chen Yi frowned as he read.

"Others, high chances?"

His first thought was of Yin Wei.

Yet earlier, Yin Wei had said he'd send a message to a certain noble in Kyoto. Two days' correspondence shouldn't be enough, should it?

Unless Yin Wei had contacted the Black One in advance.

After some thought, Chen Yi formed two theories.

One: the "tigress" within Yin Wei. From the events of last night, she had connections with the Black One and might have acted ahead of the Kyoto Palace's news.

Two: the person who paid for recruits, or some genius with extraordinary skill.

If the first, Yin Wei's influence was vast, though few martial artists remained, his own strength as "Knife Madman" would suffice.

If the second... he'd need to think of a plan.

"Hmph, I knew things wouldn't go smoothly, but at least we have time."

It seemed he'd need to visit Bai Caogeng tomorrow.

"Wonder if the old patriarch has received any news."

Chen Yi muttered to himself, glancing toward the serene residence outside, and gave a slight shake of his head.

Knowing was good; not knowing was also acceptable.

This time, he intended to take action, resolve some matters.

...

At dinner time, Xiao Wannu had someone bring over the physician and his daughter.

Chen Yi, too, heard the commotion from the garden and ordered Little Butterfly to fetch the meal.

It seemed his teachings had also brought some benefit to the Xiao family, he realized.

Take the Sangs for instance.

Though Tang Zi Xin never appeared, his wife had been visiting the Xiao household frequently these days.

Though she came seeking her son's education, both the family and its retainers welcomed her presence gladly.

Chen Yi understood these things, yet took no credit.

After all, matters had their merits and demerits.

In the eyes of the old patriarch and others, it was a good thing.

But to others with ill intent, it was undeniably a bad one.

He had to be careful for the time being, after all.

Wait until Xiao Dieth prepares dinner.

Only then did Xiao Wugou and Pei Wenglu arrive in the living room.

"Brother, guess what my cultivation level is now?"

"Middle eighth rank."

"Hmm, so I'm pretty impressive, huh?"

She had been diligently practicing for several days, though it was unclear whether it was due to her clash with Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang or some other reason.

If not for the fact that Xiao Dieth had sent over a spread of dishes, he would have thought that Hu Taha was ill.

Fortunately, hearing that her cultivation had made a breakthrough was good news.

And what about brother?

When Pei Wenglu spoke freely, Chen Yitu grumbled, "Middle third rank."

"Huh?"

Chen Yitu smacked her, "What? I'm a ninth-rank martial artist, why am I asking about your cultivation level?"

Seeing this, Xiao Wugou and Xiao Dieth laughed listlessly.

But Hu Taha wasn't annoyed, thinking she knew her brother's secret.

How can one blame those who don't know? How can one accuse them of wrongdoing?

After some casual chatter and a brief rest.

Chen Yitu noticed the time was late, so he returned to the chamber, sat cross-legged on the bed, and began practicing the Four Symbols Technique.

In a way, what he told Hu Taha wasn't entirely a lie.

For he had just broken through to the middle third rank tonight!

(The chapter ends here.)