Chapter 80: Is He Out of His Mind?

Chapter 80: Has He Gone Mad?

Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou.

The mere utterance of this name sent a shiver through the minds of the several physicians, apprentices, and bookkeeper within the Ji Shi Apothecary, as though thunder had split the air.

Not to mention that he had succeeded Wang Ji as the new manager of Ji Shi Pharmacy, his marriage into the Xiao family as the husband of Mistress Xiao Jinghong rendered them unable to underestimate him.

Moreover, in recent days, the name of Chen Yi had begun to circulate throughout the city of Shu Zhou.

Though opinions varied—some praising, others condemning—he was, without a doubt, known as one who did not observe the rules.

Thus, the group of physicians, apprentices, and bookkeeper, cornered by the relentless pressure of Ge Lao San, found themselves forced to offer a smile.

They bowed respectfully, calling out, "Shopkeeper!"

Chen Yi remained calm, placing the signed and sealed document from the previous pharmacy owner upon the table beside him.

"The matter of the neighboring pharmacy, I need not speak of; you must already know the situation yourselves."

"Therefore, I do not wish to hear your idle talk—simply write down all that you know, all the transactions you have made, and provide your seal."

Chen Yi paused, his gaze sweeping over the stunned faces of the few before him. His voice was cool and steady. "To dare steal silver from the Duke of Yuan's mansion, you have grown soft in the head!"

His words were not without weight.

Yet according to the record from the previous pharmacy owner, over the span of five years, he alone had siphoned off more than a thousand taels of silver.

Wang Ji of Ji Shi Pharmacy, too, had not escaped the same fate—though perhaps a few hundred taels, the total sum was still substantial.

The remaining physicians and bookkeeper naturally shared in the proceeds, though their portions were smaller.

Upon hearing his words, the entire hall fell silent as a tomb.

Some of the older physicians and bookkeeper, seasoned by years, managed to keep their composure.

But the younger apprentices, already trembling with fear, their faces pale, legs shaking as they fell to their knees in desperate pleading:

"Shopkeeper, your keen eye! We have come to this place solely to learn the arts of our profession. We have not taken a single coin, and each month we still pay tuition to the pharmacy!"

"Your keen eye, indeed."

Chen Yi cast a dismissive glance at them. "Write down what you know. If there is any discrepancy between your account and theirs, you shall return to where you came from."

"Many, many thanks to the shopkeeper!"

The apprentices, unable to even consider the feelings of the physicians and bookkeeper, had already been reduced to trembling, terrified wrecks.

A person from outside the city might not know, but these people—born and raised in Shu Zhou—would surely understand the weight of the words "Duke of Yuan."

Should the Xiao family discover their actions, heads would roll. And worse, they might bring their families along, consigning them all to the harsh southern lands in punishment.

The apprentices were but insects beneath his notice; his target lay elsewhere.

At this moment, his gaze shifted to the impassive physicians and bookkeeper. "You do not intend to cooperate? Or do you think you face no consequences?"

They exchanged glances. The bookkeeper, dressed in fine silk and brocade, stepped forward.

"Shopkeeper, we acknowledge the truth of your accusations, but this silver is but a share of the pharmacy's earnings, and has not violated the rules set forth by Mistress."

Chen Yi smiled and shook his head. "I have never before encountered one who would so eloquently defend their theft of the family's silver."

The bookkeeper bowed again. "We do not seek your praise, shopkeeper. We merely followed the procedures laid down by the previous manager."

"Not to mention our diligence, we have acted with integrity. We have not taken a single coin beyond what was ours to begin with."

Chen Yi smiled, unable to hide his admiration. "You are clever in your evasions."

"You are the bookkeeper," he continued. "Tell me, is the monthly sum due to the Xiao family fixed?"

"Yes."

"Then the excess, where does it go?"

The bookkeeper hesitated, then nodded. "As the shopkeeper says."

Chen Yi's smile returned, sharp and cold. "In that case, you must go to the magistrate's office."

"If the magistrate finds your actions just, and in accordance with the laws of Great Wei, I will not only refrain from punishing you, but will reward you generously."

"Furthermore, I shall post notices throughout Shu Zhou and all surrounding cities, proclaiming how you have upheld your duties, how faithfully you have served the Xiao family."

"..."

The bookkeeper's face paled, bowing lower, his voice a whisper. "Shopkeeper, we beg your forgiveness. We shall write it all down."

Chen Yi fixed him with a sharp glance, then turned to the physicians. "And you?"

"Your Excellency, we shall write the truth as it is."

At that moment, the silence returned to the pharmacy. The group bent over their brushes, inscribing their years of actions upon the paper.

Chen Yi sat back, observing quietly. His thoughts turned to the bookkeeper's psyche.

Though it seemed mere sophistry, this one act revealed much about the Xiao family—or rather, how Xiao Wan'er had treated them.

To speak kindly: she made it easy for them to serve without suspicion. To speak harshly: the rules were lax, rewards and punishments uneven, too soft-hearted and indulgent.

In ordinary times, Chen Yi might have praised Xiao Wan'er's beauty and virtue.

But now, in this time of internal strife and external threats, every misstep could cost them everything.

The elderly Ge Lao San, though unable to see so far ahead, knew well that his master had gained prestige.

Even one pharmacy owner alone had dared to steal a thousand taels from the Duke's household—truly a bear's heart beneath a leopard's skin.

Fortunately, his master had discovered it; otherwise, the Xiao family's losses would have been far greater.

Not long after, as the physicians, apprentices, and bookkeeper labored over recording their embezzlement, Liu Si Er arrived with Wang Ji in tow.

By the literal meaning of the words, Liu Si Er had bound Wang Ji with rope, tying him so tightly that even his mouth was sewn shut.

"Master, by no means dishonoring your name, here is Wang Ji."

Chen Yi glanced at Liu Si Er, waved him away, and sent him to guard the door, all the while glancing toward the neighboring pharmacy owner to see if he had fled.

Liu Si Er hesitated a moment, then obeyed, leaving the hall.

Though he did not grasp the purpose of the young mistress's scheme, the outcome of today's events suggested that, should he report this matter to Xiao Wan'er and Grandfather, he might earn some reward.

If he exerted himself further, perhaps he could attain a position in court or join the Yuan Duke's army.

Whether he would ultimately succeed, Chen Yi could not yet fathom.

After Liu Si Er departed, Chen Yi signaled Ge Lao San to loosen Wang Ji's bindings, and sent him to guard the entrance as well.

Wang Ji rubbed his wrist, raw and swollen from the tight ropes, and looked around.

His eyes fell upon the bookkeeper's glance toward him, and he suddenly realized today's events would be difficult to resolve.

After a long pause, Wang Ji rose and bowed. "Shopkeeper, have you informed Mistress and Grandfather of today's deeds?"

Chen Yi arched an eyebrow, scrutinizing him from head to foot, then smiled and nodded. "Yes. You are more perceptive than the others."

Wang Ji couldn't fathom whether his words were praise or scorn.

Chen Yi didn't bother guessing his thoughts, merely waved him to sit and said, "I've never asked the Lady Xiao's opinion."

"Though the shopkeeper surely knows the consequences of his actions—ten thousand taels of silver isn't a trifle."

"Will the Patriarch and the Second Elder take an interest in this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Ji slumped beside him, his face pale.

This was precisely the reason he'd hesitated to speak of Xiao Wanhua's involvement.

As an old man of the pharmacy, he'd long understood Xiao Wanhua's temperament; knowing she'd grown fond of silver, he presumed she'd simply let him be.

Yet if the other Elders in the mansion spoke up, his fate would surely end in death.

Chen Yi noticed the sweat beading on his brow, realizing he'd finally reached a decision.

"Come then, all of you have written your accounts—this shopkeeper seeks to erase himself, making it all the harder."

Chen Yi handed him paper and brush, smiling, "You've earned so much silver—have you considered what chaos might arise if your deeds were exposed, and what trouble it might bring the Lady?"

Wang Ji's face grew even paler.

He alone understood the repercussions if this matter spread—any significant failure under a woman's stewardship would draw the Patriarch's ire, and the Third and Fourth Elders would surely grow displeased.

Thinking this through, Wang Ji drew a deep breath, his voice heavy with resolve: "No need to trouble yourself, this matter is my doing alone, having nothing to do with the Lady."

Chen Yi chuckled softly, "A straightforward fellow."

Then his tone shifted: "Yet also a fool."

"When you've secretly pocketed so much silver, you never thought to cultivate a patron among the Elders here?"

Wang Ji paused, unclear of the implication, but after some thought, he answered:

"I did these things because my forefathers served with merit but received no reward—I sought some silver to ease their burdens, so I might help them if trouble arose."

"To your knowledge, I never intended to harm the Lady, nor sought the Elders' protection."

Merit without reward?

Chen Yi suddenly thought of his own uncle—once a man of merit, denied reward, now reduced to serving the Xiao family.

It seemed that incident years past had left deep scars in these old soldiers.

After a moment's reflection, Chen Yi waved his hand: "First, finish writing your statements."

"No matter the reason for your actions, you've done them—you must face the consequences."

Wang Ji nodded silently, taking the brush and pen to record his deeds: how he'd opened that herb shop, colluded with Mr. Yan the vendor, and profited from it all.

Not long after, all had written their accounts and signed their seals.

Chen Yi reviewed each one, his face breaking into a satisfied smile: "No discrepancies in their testimonies—you're all honest, after all."

The forced "honesty" was indeed honest.

Hard to come by.

Wang Ji and the others exchanged glances, then fell silent, waiting for his verdict.

Chen Yi understood their thoughts, folded the letters into his sleeve, and clapped his hands:

"Don't look so glum—I have two conditions. If you agree, this matter will be settled."

Wang Ji saw his smile and, though puzzled, quickly asked what the conditions were.

If there were leniency, he could spare his family from suffering.

"The first condition is to return all the profits you've secretly gained."

"We're willing," they replied.

Though their hearts ached, money was a mere trifle compared to life.

Chen Yi continued: "The second condition—I want you to remain at the Bureau of Mercy, maintaining its affairs as before."

Wang Ji hesitated, cautiously asking, "By 'as before,' do you mean..."

Chen Yi nodded, smiling, "Exactly what you understand."

"Y-you..."

The others stood stunned—had he gone mad?

(Chapter Complete)