Chapter 208: Chapter 187: You Are a Genius (Part 2)

’No, quite the opposite.’

’This deal is too good.’

’You’re a business genius, Fairy Tingyun.’

Thinking this, Chen Yi smiled and nodded. "I’ll ask for you shortly. I imagine... Boss Chen and Shopkeeper Wang won’t refuse."

Xie Tingyun’s expression relaxed. She smiled and cupped her fists. "Thank you, Second Son-in-law. In that case, I won’t disturb you any longer."

Watching her walk away with a light spring in her step, Chen Yi felt a private amusement, but also an unavoidable twinge of guilt.

’Ahem, it’s not like I wanted this to happen.’

’But the senior disciple of the Celestial Sect just had to deliver herself right to my doorstep...’

After saying a few words to Xiao Wan’er, Chen Yi took Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie back to the Spring Lotus Garden first.

After a short rest, he opened an oil-paper umbrella and headed to the West Market’s Hundred Herbs Hall alone.

The rain wasn’t heavy, but it wasn’t light either.

The sound of falling rain filled the Xiao Mansion, naturally mixed with the whispers of servants and Personal Guard Armored Warriors.

It was all mostly trivial matters: someone from the Second Branch had argued with someone from some courtyard, or some master or madam from the Third Branch had bickered last night, and so on.

Some of the servants who saw him pass by steered the conversation toward him, saying things like, "The Second Son-in-law is really something now," or "Most of the recent visitors to the mansion have been for the Second Son-in-law."

Regardless of their tone or wording, at least Chen Yi’s reputation in the mansion was much better than before.

He made his way to the front courtyard.

He scanned the area and saw Liu Si’er and Ge the Third were both present, so he couldn’t help but go over to chat and joke with them for a bit.

"Greetings, Second Son-in-law."

Chen Yi sized them up and asked with a smile, "Brother Si, have your injuries healed?"

Liu Si’er replied, "Thanks to the First Miss, after taking the medicine prescribed by the Medicine Hall’s Physician, I was mostly recovered in less than ten days."

"I recall the person who injured you hasn’t been caught yet?"

"...I’ll head to the Imprisonment Department later to ask again."

Ge the Third, who was standing beside them, chimed in with a snort, "That scoundrel is far too bold. Once he’s caught, we have to throw him into the Punishment Hall for a proper ’serving’." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Chen Yi smiled. "It’s been so long without any news. I reckon the Imprisonment Department hasn’t found any clues either."

"But since he injured one of our mansion’s own, he’ll be caught eventually."

He showed no awareness of being the "culprit" himself, speaking of his own actions without the slightest hesitation.

Liu Si’er nodded. "The Second Son-in-law is right. He won’t get away."

After a pause, he asked, "Are you leaving the mansion, Second Son-in-law? Do you need me to prepare a carriage?"

Chen Yi waved his hand. "I’m just heading to the Hundred Herbs Hall... mm. I’ve been cooped up in the mansion for a few days, so it’s a good chance to get out and stretch my legs."

Hearing this, Ge the Third asked in a low voice, "I heard the Marquis has decided to deepen the cooperation between the Medicine Hall and the Hundred Herbs Hall?"

Chen Yi glanced at him and said impassively, "The First Miss has always been in charge of the Medicine Hall’s business. I’m not too clear on the details."

’If I remember correctly, not many people know about this.’

’Previously, both Xiao Wan’er and the Old Master had warned not to let this news spread. So how did Ge the Third find out?’

Ge the Third seemed to realize he had let something slip. He gave a sheepish laugh and said no more.

Chen Yi, for his part, didn’t press the matter, merely making a mental note of it.

’If news is getting out, it means there are still Hidden Guards planted around Xiao Wan’er, the Old Master, or the Hundred Herbs Hall.’

’It was enough to make him wary.’

After a bit more small talk, Chen Yi took his leave and headed straight for the West Market.

Watching him walk away, Liu Si’er asked in a low voice, "Third, how did you know the mansion was going to deepen its cooperation with the Hundred Herbs Hall?"

Ge the Third couldn’t possibly reveal his source, so he answered vaguely, "I just heard some people talking."

"Is that so?"

"But it makes sense. The Medicine Hall has earned a lot of silver coins selling those tea drinks through the Hundred Herbs Hall. It’s only natural the Marquis would want to work with them more."

"I guess so..."

Chen Yi paid no mind to the "small talk" between Ge the Third and Liu Si’er.

’Two Hidden Guards hiding among the Xiao Family’s Personal Guard haven’t exposed their identities to each other. They couldn’t reveal any truly secret information anyway.’

’What he was concerned about was when Ge the Third, the "Hawk," would make a move on the Three Towns’ summer grain.’

’Or rather, when Lady Tiger Lou Yuxue and Gray Wolf Xiao Dongchen would order him to act.’

’But on second thought, Chen Yi wasn’t too worried.’

’He had already made contact with Black Tooth using his "Liu Wu" identity.’

’Before they made their move, that band of Evil Demons would surely notify him.’

’As long as it’s not tonight, the rest of the time... it shouldn’t be a problem.’

...

Chen Yi spent the entire morning at the Hundred Herbs Hall.

He was mainly there to discuss future expansion plans with Wang Ji.

After some deliberation, they decided to have Yan Sea take a team to tour the various counties of Shu State to understand the local situation and take notes.

For one, Yan Sea’s name wasn’t well-known, unlike Wang Ji, who attracted attention as the Shopkeeper of the Hundred Herbs Hall.

For another, with Wang Ji remaining in the Prefecture City, he could provide cover for Chen Yi, preventing the Xiao Family from being unable to find "Chen Yu" and affecting future business for the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Once the official business was concluded, Chen Yi gave another small order.

"Buy the few storefronts and residences surrounding the tailor shop in the West Market. Tell everyone they’re warehouses for the Hundred Herbs Hall."

Wang Ji didn’t ask any questions and nodded in agreement.

Chen Yi had no plans to make a move on the tailor shop for the time being.

’Based on his observations, that tailor shop should be a stronghold for the Hidden Guard in Shu State Prefecture City.’

’Something like a "liaison station."’

’This wasn’t hard to deduce from the fact that Lady Tiger Lou Yuxue and Hawk Ge the Third had met there earlier.’

’Combined with the intelligence for tonight, keeping that tailor shop around would be useful in the future.’

After arranging everything, Chen Yi had lunch at a nearby restaurant and then went to his house on Chuansi Street.

After Zhang Dabao disguised him, he instructed Zhang Dabao to summon Liu Lang.

While waiting, he didn’t stay idle. He practiced several sets of Techniques right there in the house.

His Martial Arts Fist, Step, and spear techniques had all reached the Great Success Realm, but he had only cultivated his Mountain Shattering Fist and Hundred Flowers Palm to Mastery Level Perfection.