Chapter 86: Always Face It with a Smile (Seeking First Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 86: It’s Time to Smile (Seeking First Subscription Monthly Ticket)

The next day.

Xiao Diao rose early, as she always did, and after dressing neatly, she set about her duties in the Spring Lotus Garden with quiet efficiency.

Fetching water, sweeping the floors, preparing the morning meal—all with meticulous care.

Because of the several occasions when she had risen later than Chen YiQi, she had long since resolved to always get up before him.

Indeed, these past few days had proven her resolve.

Each morning, Xiao Diao would tidy everything before attending to Chen YiQi, ensuring he was ready for breakfast, then guiding him to the Jishui Pharmacy.

Such simple acts, yet they filled her with a contentment that lasted the entire day.

To be honest, she was, in her own way, a servant with a mind as uncomplicated as they come.

When all was done, the sky had just begun to lighten.

Xiao Diao gazed at the freshly cleaned study, the living room, and the table set with youtiao and congee, alongside a few delicate pastries and side dishes.

A rosy, innocent smile tugged at her lips.

“It’s time to call the young master to rise and dress.”

No sooner had she spoken than footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Chen YiQi emerged, his long robe perfectly arranged.

He glanced at the breakfast spread, praised her with a smile, and settled himself at the table, popping a youtiao into his mouth.

Xiao Diao froze, her smile stiffening, her eyes dimming as if all light had been snuffed out.

Oh, the young master had risen so early today.

Unaware of her reaction, Chen YiQi finished his youtiao, washed down a bowl of congee, and said, “Xiao Diao, next time, ask the back kitchen to pickle more xuecai—it pairs perfectly with rice porridge.”

“Yes,” she murmured, her voice flat.

“What time did you wake up today?” she asked, her tone heavy.

Chen YiQi paused, then replied casually, “Probably before the third watch.”

Xiao Diao puffed her cheeks, secretly resolving that tomorrow she would rise at the second watch, no, the fifth watch—whatever it took.

It wasn’t that she was lazy; it was that the moment she finished serving him, the rest of the day felt too idle.

How could a diligent servant afford such leisure?

Chen YiQi, oblivious to her thoughts, finished his meal with a satisfied sigh, then rose to head toward the study.

He added, “After we’ve dressed, I’ll take him to Jiaxing Garden for breakfast.”

Xiao Diao nodded instinctively, then glanced at the remaining breakfast.

She hesitated. “Young master, there are still some—”

Chen YiQi turned, pointing at her with a smile. “You?”

He stepped into the study.

Xiao Diao’s eyes widened. *Me?*

But she was alone—how could she possibly finish two bowls of congee, four youtiao, and a serving of egg dishes?

She pushed aside the small schemes brewing in her mind.

In the study, Chen YiQi sat at his desk, grinding ink and writing.

Yet his thoughts wandered far from the characters before him.

He pondered the raid on the pharmacies by the “Knife Crazy” Liu Lang and the Phantom Sound Sect—who had ordered it?

He considered the Xiao family’s likely reactions to the missing medicines, and how the outside world might respond.

He also thought of the other pharmacies’ fates and how the Jishui Pharmacy should handle the aftermath.

These scattered thoughts coalesced into a rough outline, granting him a measure of confidence.

Yet some questions remained shrouded in fog.

*This incident may tie into the Imperial Market… the Xiao family will surely struggle for the next six months.*

*And with the need to rebuild the Imperial Market alongside the mountain clans, the court’s funds may not suffice, affecting the household’s expenditures.*

*Could it be the Hidden Guard?*

He quickly dismissed the notion. *Too hasty.*

If the Hidden Guard sought to topple the Xiao family, they wouldn’t have sent this “moth” to do their bidding.

After all, without years of planning, a son-in-law could never control the Xiao clan.

If he were the Hidden Guard’s leader, he would tread carefully, avoiding too much disruption.

The best approach was to “use the large to control the small.”

Otherwise, the Xiao family might grow suspicious.

*But who else could it be?*

His thoughts stalled.

Chen YiQi looked at the scrawny handwriting on the poorly drawn pine paper before him, his mind murmuring, *There must be more to come—for now, patience.*

He needed to wait, to observe, to verify his suspicions and uncover the truth.

There was still time.

With that, he methodically gathered his tools, arranging ink, paper, and brush with deliberate care.

The crumpled pine paper, its script illegible, was folded and tossed into the wastebasket.

No one should see verses like “Ten steps make a man dead” or “A thousand miles with no trace,” lest they misinterpret his intent.

Soon, Xiao Han rose, washed, and dressed.

Chen YiQi led him to Jiaxing Garden.

“Brother, you’re not going to the pharmacies today?”

These past few days, Chen YiQi had been away from the mansion, leaving Xiao Han longing to accompany him, yet seeing nothing of him.

“Rest,” Chen YiQi replied, his gaze fixed on the garden.

Xiao Han’s shoulders sagged.

His question, he knew, stemmed from a quiet curiosity.

The day before, he had only glimpsed the pharmacies from horseback, his excitement and intrigue still fresh, eager to visit again.

Within moments, the two arrived at Jiaxing Garden.

Xiao WanEr had likely risen early, standing at the entrance in a festive red overcoat, directing two servants with a warm smile.

“…Ensure the medicines are carefully cataloged upon arrival. Sort them by category and record them properly.”

“Don’t let Xiao Han fail in his studies—both of you should assist her, and don’t forget to include Xiao Diao when the time comes.”

Her melodious voice echoed through the courtyard.

Chen YiQi heard every word, unsure whether to laugh or sigh.

Setting aside Xiao Diao’s studies for the moment, it was clear Xiao WanEr had not yet learned of the pharmacies’ theft.

It seemed as though someone from beyond the city walls had only just arrived, and the news must be nearly upon them now.

There was Shen Huatang…

In the night’s vision, he had only seen Liu Rong and Huan Yin Zong massacre the guards, but he knew not whether Shen Huatang had also perished.

He could only hope she was safe.

Otherwise, with Xiao Wan’er looking so distressed, joy and sorrow alike might overwhelm her.

It seemed he had heard footsteps.

Xiao Wan’er turned her head, her pale face breaking into a smile—for Xiao Huguo:

“You came this early today. You haven’t eaten yet?”

Xiao Huguo nodded, giving a slight shrug: “Your brother-in-law finished his breakfast.”

Chen Yi understood it was Xiao Huo’s doing, and could not help but add, “I practiced some pillar techniques this morning.”

Xiao Wan’er’s smile widened, however briefly, before she instructed a servant to prepare the morning meal.

After the siblings departed, she finally asked, “You didn’t go to the pharmacy today?”

Last night, she had been pleased to see Chen Yi settling into life at the pharmacy. Now, seeing him idle today, she could not help but feel a touch of disappointment.

Chen Yi explained, “For now, let us rest. We’ll see tomorrow—perhaps then we’ll understand.”

Luckily, he did not know Xiao Wan’er’s thoughts, for otherwise she would have stopped him entirely.

After all, he knew how anxious that young lady had been about those herbs.

If he had not feared she might be overwhelmed by the news of the herbs being stolen, he would never have come here with Xiao Huguo.

Xiao Wan’er nodded, her expression softening: “You’re new to business, so it’s natural you can’t rush things.”

“Especially with the pharmacy—its varieties of herbs are countless, and the staff complex. Even Liu Zhangfang took two years just to sort it all out.”

“And those few doctors and apprentices—remember, don’t be too harsh with them. They’ve all been long-time members of our Xiao family…”

In a better mood—or perhaps having found the right words—Xiao Wan’er found herself speaking at length to Chen Yi, her thoughts wandering to how best to manage the pharmacy, what to watch for, how to treat different people.

Chen Yi struggled to find the right words to describe his feelings.

It was hard to put into words…

Yet Xiao Wan’er’s face still bore a smile, which somehow eased his heart, if only a little.

But it was clear she could not last much longer.

As the siblings began eating their breakfast, a light footfall sounded at the door.

Chen Yi startled, recognizing the voice.

Fortunate indeed it was that Shen Huatang was still alive.

Soon after, Shen Huatang’s voice came, “Your Highness…”

Xiao Wan’er looked toward the door, her smile faltering, her heart sinking.

There, entering with bloodstained robes, Shen Huatang bowed her head, guilt and hesitation mixing in her voice:

“The herbs… they were stolen.”

(End of chapter)