Chapter 340: Truly an Unmatched Talent (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 340: Not Unworthy of a Prodigy (Please Vote for the Monthly Ticket)

Master Xiao, though he did not believe in Liu Hong’s ghostly tales, could not but feel that matters concerning the Xiao family’s inner affairs required his investigation. Lest he should make a wrong judgment in the future.

As he pondered thus, Master Xiao’s ears twitched slightly, and a familiar voice drifted in from the front gate.

“Hurry and report to the front. Tell Master Xiao the scum to prepare good wine and delicacies. The road ahead has truly left me craving these delights.”

“Prince Qian? Quick, quick—let him in first. I’ll report to Master Xiao at once.”

“Let him in? The front gate is closed, Master Xiao doesn’t even greet him himself. How can he enter with such dignity?”

“This visit is to resolve matters for Master Xiao. Why not have him greet me himself?”

“Yes, yes…”

The guard stationed at the gate, not daring to slacken his duty, rushed forward in a hurry.

Master Xiao, hearing the shameless words of Prince Qian, smiled broadly, dispelling the lingering unease from the Holy Emperor’s recent censure.

Before the guard could arrive, he limped out of the Pure Abode, commanding the surrounding palace guards to prepare wine and delicacies, securing the finest treasures and delicacies.

Landau, seeing him in the distance, halted and saluted, whispering softly as he approached:

“Master Xiao, Prince Qian has arrived, accompanied by two others…”

Master Xiao nodded, leaning on his staff, and strode toward the mansion with a steady gait. He saw Zhang Xuan standing with his hands clasped behind his back, facing away.

“Old fool, what do you see by staring at the sky?”

“What, did you see something?”

Master Xiao chuckled, “Did you see a storm or rain coming tomorrow?”

Upon hearing the teasing, Zhang Xuan turned around. “A downpour, it’ll drench you, you old swine.”

“A hundred miles away, I personally brought troops to deliver grain and silver to you, and this is how you treat your benefactor?”

Master Xiao examined him, noting his slightly pale complexion, feeling a mix of warmth and resentment:

“Five years ago, in that great battle, Wang Shuhaogege nearly crushed you with his heavy mace. Who shielded you? And twenty years prior, who led three thousand mystical-armored soldiers to your rescue?”

Zhang Xuan waved his hand dismissively, shaking his head. “Enough, enough—why bring up old matters?”

He pointed to the Hou Courtyard gate. “Is this your way of welcoming guests?”

Master Xiao, seeing his evasion, waved Landau to open the middle gate.

“Come, let’s drink.”

“This is fitting.”

Zhang Xuan, head held high, stepped over Master Xiao, yet not forgetting to command the two men behind him:

“You two wait outside the city. I’ll send someone to inform you where the grain is to be delivered.”

“Yes, Prince Qian.”

Two middle-aged men in blue robes, with long knives at their belts, bowed and left, mounting their horses.

Master Xiao glanced at them, then said to Zhang Xuan, “Those two aren’t bad.”

Zhang Xuan, still holding his head high, boasted, “My son sent these experts—surely they’re not inferior. Do you think everyone here is as cautious as you, guarding against strangers as if they were bandits?”

Master Xiao ignored his jest, thoughtfully asking, “The last time you came, you weren’t so careful… did something happen?”

Zhang Xuan paused, retracting his jaw, his face darkening. “Recently, those people have grown increasingly bold.”

“Who? The bandits from the eastern sea?”

“Who else would dare to raid the Guang and Zhuo Courts?”

“If there were traitors within the mansion informing them, I’d have led a purge long ago!”

Master Xiao furrowed his brow slightly. “Traitors aiding enemies?”

Zhang Xuan snorted. “Some unscrupulous folk, those who forget their duty for gain. Nothing more than scum who never rise to prominence.”

“If they truly never rose to prominence, why bring two experts?”

“You… my son is filial, fearing I might not return safely.”

Seeing Zhang Xuan’s stubborn reply, Master Xiao shook his head. “Internal traitors are more dangerous than external bandits. It’s wise to be cautious.”

Zhang Xuan waved it off. “Let’s not dwell on such matters.”

He turned the subject. “They say you killed Liu Gongmo and were censured by the Holy Emperor?”

“Tell me, did Liu Gongmo truly commit those crimes?”

Master Xiao nodded slightly. “Not only that—he had deeply colluded with the Barbarians and the corrupt Moheguo on both sides.”

Pausing, Master Xiao’s expression grew distant. “When Feng Chun was discovered by the Barbarians, it was he who secretly informed them.”

“He?!”

Zhang Xuan immediately roared, “You dog! Fortunately, Feng Chun once saved his life—how could he repay kindness with betrayal?”

“This scum, this villain, this white-eyed wolf… Master Xiao, you truly shouldn’t have killed him so easily. Such people deserve to be torn apart by knives!”

“You killed him too soon, and you were punished by the Holy Emperor for it. You’ve been too kind to that dog!”

Master Xiao sighed, shaking his head without replying.

If it weren’t for Liu Hong’s desperate insistence on mentioning Fu Wunqing, he would not have killed Liu Hong.

But now, thinking back, killing him was perhaps the right choice.

If Liu Hong had lived and gone to the Imperial Capital, revealing Fu Wunqing’s presence with the Barbarians, the consequences would have been even more unbearable.

Master Xiao could not fathom what Xiao Jinghong would say upon learning of this.

Zhang Xuan, unaware of these matters, continued to berate him, then led him away, declaring they would not return drunk tonight.

Master Xiao had no objection.

Once seated, Zhang Xuan glanced at him, his anger stilled, and pointed at him:

“Something’s wrong, Master Xiao—you, your body… it’s healed, isn’t it?”

Master Xiao, having someone bring wine and food, smiled and nodded. “It’s better now.”

“Only better? I fear it’s merely old wounds healing. I’ve heard you’ve been hiding something.”

Seeing his silence, Zhang Xuan’s face darkened. “Come on, spill it—who’s the one hiding such a bold secret?”

“It’s…”

Master Xiao thought of Chen Yu and Liu Wu, his mind drifting to Chen Yi’s face, his words trailing off, only shaking his head.

“A wise man, one who shows the head of a dragon but not its tail.”

Zhang Xuan sensed his reluctance to speak further, muttered a few indifferent words, then poured wine for both of them. “Since that’s the case, today I’ll show you something remarkable.”

Master Xiao restored his smile, saying nothing more, lifting his bowl and drinking it all in one gulp.

The wine had gone around three times.

The two men then began to speak of their respective encounters during this period.

Zhang Xuan knew roughly of the Xiao family’s situation in Shuzhou, particularly the burning of the summer grain in the three towns, the soaring grain prices, the refugees, and the plague.

Yet he remained unclear about the finer details.

Upon hearing the old master’s account, he could not help but curse Liu Hong a few more times, repeatedly declaring that the man had been killed far too early.

The old master smiled and let it pass, but suddenly thought of something and asked, "How is the second branch doing now since arriving at Guangyue Prefecture?"

Because of Xiao Dongchen’s affairs, the second branch of the Xiao family

Doctor Ma and Old Li were so busy they never touched the ground with their feet, for the supply of medicinal herbs had fallen short of late.

Chen Yi thought back to the matter he had sent Wang Ji to resolve with the mountain tribe, and nodded in agreement: "For the time being, we shall endure. In a few days' time, the herbs should arrive."

The tea house fell silent, and the earlier merchants who had been seeking a way out—those from the Xiao, Wan, and Bao families—now came knocking at their doors. It was clear that in a few days' time, the three tea houses would no longer be short of supplies.

Yet Chen Yi did not intend to continue cooperating with those merchants in Shuzhou.

In the days to come, as Bao Medicinal Hall expanded its reach into Shuzhou and the other nine prefectures and cities, the demand for herbs would grow immense. He could not entrust the supply to those merchants who went with the flow.

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Pei Wenlu, who sat there sipping herbal tea with a contented smile.

"Later, write a letter to your younger brother. Tell him that in a few days' time, someone intends to purchase some herbs from the mountain tribe. Ask him to take care of the matter."

Pei Wenlu chuckled upon hearing this. "Don't worry, brother, my younger brother will definitely see to it. If he fails, I won't let him off the hook."

"When you write the letter, mention just how many herbs are needed."

"How many?"

Pei Wenlu set down her cup and thought for a moment. "I think I'd better ask Ama and the others. The people in the tribe all listen to Ama, and whatever amount your brother requires, that's how much we'll provide."

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, about to refuse, when Pei Wenlu continued, "Rest assured, it's all in my hands. If Ama knew it was your brother's medicinal hall, she would certainly agree."

"Then you must take care of it."

"Heh heh..."

Chen Yi then inquired further with Liu Quan, his attention now focused on those physicians.

In truth, they were the disciples following Master Ma Liang.

Though Liu Ruo had only recently entered the realm of medicine, she had already begun to assist Master Ma Liang in diagnosing patients. Her techniques—checking pulses, asking questions, examining the body—had grown increasingly refined, and the prescriptions she penned were remarkably accurate.

"She's a genius beyond compare. Her progress is truly remarkable."

"It seems she should be taught martial arts as well."

(Chapter Complete)