Ten days had passed in a flash since Li Huai’gu and Miss Yun Xiang were married.

The weather grew increasingly hot. At high noon, the sun was scorching enough to blister the skin of the Wharf laborers and the Pullers hauling boats.

The various Government Offices in Shu State, which had been worried about the Chishui River flooding, completely changed course. They switched from flood prevention to diverting water and repairing canals to prevent droughts from breaking out across the region.

Fortunately, the summer harvest was approaching. Outside the Prefecture City, vast stretches of fertile fields were gradually being prepared for reaping.

Even the three great military garrisons—Iron Wall, Cang Lang, and Profound Armor—notified their soldiers to begin the summer harvest early to alleviate the Dingyuan Army’s tight finances.

Within the Prefecture City, however, life was peaceful and quiet.

Kangning Street in the North City was still a favorite resting spot for scholars and beauties, though the topics of their conversations had already shifted several times.

Aside from the usual wide-ranging discussions about the state of the world and the Imperial Court, two other events were worth mentioning: the Third Place Scholar’s wedding and the time Mr. Yue Ming defended the Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law.

Some felt that the two scholars, Xin Nian and Gui Yun, had been wronged, muttering things like "one should be forgiving when possible."

Others believed Mr. Yue Ming had done the right thing, arguing that virtue must accompany talent. They found the punishment of copying the academy’s rules reasonable, though a thousand times was admittedly a bit much.

Ultimately, most would end with the same comment: "That live-in son-in-law of the Xiao Family is so domineering."

But that was just talk. The previous incident regarding the "Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law abducting a common girl" seemed to have never happened, as no one brought it up anymore.

In addition to all this, the poem that had shone so brilliantly at the banquet was also being spread around by gossips.

"Don’t let your golden-threaded robes be what you prize, I urge you, sir; cherish your youth before it flies. If a flower is fit for picking, you must pick it then and there; don’t wait till it’s gone, leaving but a barren branch to stare."

Combined with the story of Li Huai’gu staying true to his heart and marrying Miss Yun Xiang, it became a celebrated tale on Kangning Street, a topic of endless, delighted conversation.

Yet these scholars and beauties had apparently forgotten that the person who wrote this very poem was the same "Xiao Family’s live-in son-in-law" they so casually disparaged.

People’s prejudices were on full display.

But there are two sides to every story. Where some denigrated, others praised.

In the brothels and various Qin Buildings of the South City, people had already set the poem to music, and it was being sung far and wide.

And you know, it held a great deal of appeal for those dissolute scholars who feigned elegance, and they tipped generously every time.

In no time, all the major Qin Buildings had committed the name "Chen Yi, Chen Qingzhou" to memory.

Including his previous birthday poem, they had now made money off Chen Yi’s Poetry twice.

As a result, a few of the Qin Buildings that only sold art and not bodies sent word: as long as Mr. Chen graced them with his presence, even their most popular Cultured Courtesans would sweep their rooms to welcome him.

Someone even wrote a note and had it delivered to the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion.

The contents were brief, just a single line: "I urge you, sir, to pluck more."

Below it were the seals of the Spring Rain Building, Yihong Courtyard, and Yanyun Pavilion, along with the signatures of their respective star courtesans:

"Zhu Yin, Jiao Niang, Yuan’er..."

It wasn’t just three Cultured Courtesans, but a full ten of them.

This powerful temptation, however, came to an abrupt halt when it reached Xiao Wan’er.

After reading the note, she asked Shen Huatang curiously, "Aren’t they afraid of angering my Marquis’s Mansion?"

Shen Huatang thought for a moment. "Wealth moves the hearts of men, I suppose... probably?"

Xiao Wan’er nodded, then instructed Cui’er and Juan’er to bring the account books and other items and head to the Spring Lotus Garden together.

The reason, of course, couldn’t possibly be that note. It was simply that the weather was hot, and they could cool off by sitting for a while in the pavilion at Spring Lotus Garden.

But Xiao Wan’er...

She wasn’t afraid of the heat.

Shen Huatang knew this full well, but she had no choice but to follow her to the Spring Lotus Garden.

From a great distance, they saw Chen Yi sitting in the pavilion playing chess by himself, Xiao Wuge fishing, and Xiaodie staring into space with her chin in her hands.

At a glance, the scene truly could be described as "peaceful and quiet."

A faint, almost imperceptible trace of resentment surfaced on Xiao Wan’er’s delicate, pale face.

She had thought that once Chen Yi learned of the threat from Linglan Pavilion, he would pay more attention to the Jishi Medicine Hall.

Who knew that ever since the Third Place Scholar’s wedding, he hadn’t taken a single step out of the Spring Lotus Garden.

He spent his days playing chess and drinking tea with Duke Zhang and Mr. Sun the Elder, living a very comfortable life.

As Xiao Wan’er thought about this, the recent difficulties facing their Medicine Halls inevitably came to mind.

’First, our medicinal herbs were stolen, and the Government Offices still haven’t found any clues. The Punishment Hall speculates that after the culprits made off with the herbs, they floated down the Chishui River. Then, we were refused when trying to purchase more herbs... Well, not completely refused. We eventually managed to buy a thousand silver coins’ worth. Given the current business of our few Medicine Halls, we can hold out until next month. But the biggest problem is Linglan Pavilion.’

Someone in the mansion had suggested finding an excuse to shut them down, but Xiao Wan’er refused.

’They opened their doors and are operating fair and square. It’s an indisputable fact that their Physicians and prescriptions are better than the Xiao Family Medicine Hall’s. Ultimately, they are benefiting the people of Shu State, so it wouldn’t be right to use dirty tricks to stop them.’

But if she claimed she wasn’t worried, probably no one in the entire Marquis’s Mansion would believe her.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Chen Yi packed up the chessboard and pieces, watching curiously as Xiao Wan’er directed her people to get busy at the stone table.

Juan’er and Cui’er were clearly excellent at mathematics. One worked the abacus while the other recorded, and they moved with incredible speed.

They finished calculating three pages from two stacks of account books in the blink of an eye.

Xiaodie watched from the side, her big eyes filled with envy. She wanted to learn how to do the accounts, too.

But it was obvious she couldn’t possibly say anything at a time like this.

Especially with Xiao Wan’er asking a question or two from time to time.

Meanwhile, Shen Huatang held a report from who-knows-where and said, "Besides Linglan Pavilion, another establishment, Hundred Herbs Hall, has been gaining powerful momentum recently."

Xiao Wan’er asked, "Are they also from Jing State?"

Shen Huatang hesitated. "The Shopkeeper of that Hundred Herbs Hall is said to be... to be Wang Ji, formerly of our Jishi Medicine Hall."

"Oh?"

Xiao Wan’er froze for a second. Her gaze shifted to Chen Yi, who was sitting quietly to the side. Seeing him break into a smile, she nonchalantly looked away again.

"What else?"

"For now, we only know that they’ve partnered with several other Medicine Halls and are specializing in some low-priced medicinal herbs."

Shen Huatang paused. "I’ve also heard that they give a complimentary tea beverage to every customer."

Xiao Wan’er looked at her, puzzled. "A tea beverage?"

Shen Huatang nodded and read from the note in her hand, "Drink Wangji Tea, it’s cool and refreshing, perfect for the summer heat. Mmm... and there’s also a tea that relieves fatigue."

"Is it really that amazing?"

"Probably..."

Listening from the side, Chen Yi turned his head toward the pond, an unconscious smile playing on his lips.

’The recipes I gave Wang Ji earlier included not only "Wangji Tea," but also the fatigue-relieving "Divine Bull Tea" and the "Old Platinum Tea" for improving the health of the elderly. There’s a bit of my wicked sense of humor in these names. And, as expected, the ones who bought up that batch of medicinal herbs were none other than Wang Ji and Yan Sea from Hundred Herbs Hall. Although those few medicinal herb merchants had indeed hoarded a lot of stock, they couldn’t handle the sheer volume that Hundred Herbs Hall required. Nearly twenty thousand silver coins’ worth of herbs, all sorted by category, almost cleaned them out completely.’

Chen Yi knew all this but couldn’t say anything. He could only let Xiao Wan’er feel aggrieved for a little while longer.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, he took out his small teapot and began to drink with a SLURP SLURP, pondering the future of Hundred Herbs Hall and Linglan Pavilion.

’Hundred Herbs Hall opened quietly. The effects and reputation of the teas haven’t been revealed yet. They need to brew for a while longer, waiting for the right moment. As for Linglan Pavilion, it’s just suspicious for now. The person pulling the strings behind the scenes hasn’t shown their hand, and they haven’t left any trails. They must still be in the middle of setting up their plan. As for the stolen herbs, worth twenty thousand silver coins at current prices... I refuse to believe those people would be willing to just toss them in the river. All in all, this matter is far from over...’

Just then, Juan’er, having finished with the account books, said, "Miss, the Medicine Hall in the East City was the least affected. Doctor Fang’s contribution was immense."

Xiao Wan’er nodded slightly. "Cui’er, remember to take five silver coins from the storeroom and send it to him later."

"Yes."

"The one with the least income and the biggest impact..."

Juan’er glanced at Chen Yi’s back and said hesitantly, "Is the Jishi Medicine Hall, managed by the Second Son-in-Law. Yesterday’s income was only two silver coins..."

Xiao Wan’er turned her head to look at Chen Yi. Seeing that he seemed to be spacing out, still slurping his tea, she said in mock exasperation:

"Brother-in-law, you, the Shopkeeper, don’t seem to care about the Medicine Hall at all."

Chen Yi snapped back to reality. "Huh?"

Seeing the blank look on his face, a trace of embarrassed anger appeared on her own. She stood up and tossed the note she was holding at him.

"You can deal with the trouble you’ve caused yourself."

With that, she called for Cui’er and Juan’er to pack up the account books and prepare to return to Jiaxing Garden.

’Don’t be angry, don’t be angry,’ she thought. ’My brother-in-law is a scholar. It’s true he’s not cut out to be a merchant.’

Chen Yi caught the note, glanced at it, and couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

’These few Qin Buildings are quite famous in Shu State. To invite me over, ten Cultured Courtesans are willing to sweep their rooms for me. Tsk tsk. They really know how to do business.’ 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Hearing his laugh, Xiao Wan’er, her face peeking over the furry collar of her cloak, turned her head slightly. Her eyes swept past him as she said curtly, "We’re leaving."

She walked away, frowning, and thought to herself:

’When Second Sister gets back, just you watch... I’ll... I’ll definitely...!’