Chapter 194: Chapter 178: If Someone’s Going to Be the Bad Guy, It’s Me, I...

After Cui’er brought Xiao Wan’er a new pair of chopsticks and she sat back down, Chen Yi continued their previous topic of conversation.

"With Elder Master Xiao’s nod, won’t Hundred Herbs Hall soon be able to flourish all over Shu State?"

Xiao Wan’er didn’t answer right away. She quietly let out a breath to compose herself before trying to organize her thoughts, her head still feeling a bit fuzzy.

"Grandfather is still a bit wary. He said we should wait."

"Wait?"

"Yes. He wants to confirm Boss Chen’s background. But I don’t think there will be any issues. I heard today that he’s been studying the Medical Dao with his master since he was a child, and he also said..."

Chen Yi clearly wasn’t listening to the rest of what she said.

Elder Master Xiao’s caution didn’t surprise him, but it would certainly cause some trouble.

Especially since when he had ordered Wang Ji to establish Hundred Herbs Hall, he hadn’t put much thought into it, treating it as just a casual move in a larger game.

As a result, there were holes in many of the details.

For instance, the background of "Chen Yu," the whereabouts of his master, and the connections to Ma Liangcai and Jishi Medicine Hall.

None of these things would hold up under close scrutiny.

’I need to find a way to fix this,’ Chen Yi thought. He had to get through the Xiao Family’s investigation somehow.

If his identity were exposed, he could forget about expanding Hundred Herbs Hall. It would only bring a host of unnecessary problems.

Perhaps sensing that he wasn’t really listening, Xiao Wan’er trailed off. Still hesitant to meet his gaze after what had happened earlier, she glanced in his direction.

"Brother-in-law, do you think there’s a problem with Hundred Herbs Hall?"

Chen Yi snapped out of his thoughts and met her gaze, smiling as he shook his head.

"My apologies, Sister-in-law. I was just lost in thought about something."

Xiao Wan’er turned her head, feigning a casual air as she picked up a piece of pastry and nibbled on it. "What was it?"

"If Elder Master Xiao is so concerned and needs to spend time and silver coins maintaining all these relationships, why not just have Hundred Herbs Hall offer a larger share of the profits?"

"Grandfather had a similar idea, but I turned it down."

"Oh?"

"After all, Boss Chen was the one who proposed the arrangement. And his Hundred Herbs Hall helped us before. It wouldn’t be right to put him in a difficult position now."

After hearing Xiao Wan’er’s explanation, Chen Yi understood. She didn’t want to be ungrateful and cast someone aside after they had been helpful.

A warmth spread through his chest, but he couldn’t help but sigh.

’She’s just like Elder Master Xiao.’

Xiao Wan’er was too kind-hearted. Whether with family or outsiders, in business or in her personal life, she always put others first.

It was an admirable quality, but...

without others looking out for her, she was bound to be taken advantage of.

They chatted for a little while longer before finishing dinner.

Seeing a lot of food still left on the table, Xiao Wan’er belatedly asked, "Brother-in-law, did you not have much of an appetite today?"

Chen Yi made up an excuse to brush off her question.

’It wasn’t that he didn’t want to eat more; he was simply stuffed.’

Besides, with Xie Tingyun and Shen Huatang present, he couldn’t very well use his Four Symbols Skill to aid his digestion.

He had already forced himself to eat as much as Xiao Wuge; that was a feat in itself.

After a short rest, Chen Yi took Xiaodie and Xiao Wuge back to Spring Lotus Garden. From a distance, he waved, gesturing for Xiao Wan’er not to stay out in the cold.

Xiao Wan’er smiled and waved back, watching until their figures disappeared into Spring Lotus Garden before she returned to her wooden house.

When she saw the chopsticks still in Cui’er’s hand, her mind drifted back to what had happened earlier, and she couldn’t help but touch her smooth, fair forehead.

Her hand was cool, but for some reason, her forehead felt warm to the touch.

’My brother-in-law... he really is... far more remarkable than Boss Chen.’

「Inside Spring Lotus Garden.」

Chen Yi, of course, had no idea that Xiao Wan’er was comparing him with himself.

After washing up and changing his clothes, he, Xiao Wuge, and Xiaodie each went back to their own rooms to rest.

It had been a long day, and only now could he finally, truly relax.

By now, the rain had eased slightly.

The thunder and lightning had stopped, and the wind had died down considerably.

Still, the sound of drizzling rain and the croaking of frogs in the pond filled Spring Lotus Garden, adding a little life to the quiet, rainy night.

Chen Yi stood by the window for a moment before sitting cross-legged on his bed to begin his Cultivation of the Four Symbols Skill.

’Judging by the time, Liu Lang probably hasn’t set out for Liu Wen’s location yet.’

’I hope everything goes smoothly for him.’

...

「Just past ten o’clock at night.」

The downpour over Shu State City had ceased.

Only a sparse drizzle remained, carried by a cool wind that chilled the faces of the few pedestrians out on the streets.

Liu Lang, however, didn’t feel the chill. He was focused only on concealing his movements as he hurried toward Kangning Street in North City.

He had left early, so he was still wearing a Raincoat and a bamboo hat. The straw rustled softly whenever he moved.

He had also just acquired a fine new Blade, and he couldn’t resist drawing it for a look every so often, the CLANG of steel mixing with the rustle of his Raincoat.

If the streets hadn’t been mostly empty, and if he hadn’t known to avoid the patrolling City Guard and Imprisonment Officers, he would have been stopped long ago.

Luckily, he made it without incident. After more than half an hour, he finally arrived outside the residence where Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue were staying, having come from Hundred Herbs Hall.

Liu Lang scanned the area, noting the guards at the entrance. He curled his lip in disdain, then circled around to the side and slipped into the compound.

Even if the Noble Families had money and men, when it came to Martial Arts, their guards and Nursing Homes were mostly just Lower Three Grades Martial Artists.

The few powerful ones were personal bodyguards to the young masters and ladies of the family; they would never be posted on simple guard duty outside.

As a result, Liu Lang managed to sneak deep into the residence without encountering a single Guard he considered worthy of a second glance.

However, even though this was just a temporary residence for Liu Wen and Liu Zhaoxue, the estate was still quite large. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

It had three courtyards on both the left and right sides, with a rear garden set apart by a covered walkway.