Free Web NovelChapter 277: Chapter 210: There’s a Wonton Shop by the Clouds
"If there were a way to let the members of the second branch stay, I’m sure the old patriarch wouldn’t disregard past feelings."
With Xiao Dongchen dead, it was inevitable that the second branch would be implicated.
To say nothing of how people like Xiao Wang controlled the Punishment Hall and coveted what the main branch had. freewёbnoνel.com
Even if the second branch were united with the main branch, certain precautions would still be necessary.
In such a situation, no family head could afford to be soft-hearted.
Let alone Duke Dingyuan, who was facing both internal and external threats to the Xiao Family.
Xiao Wan’er heard this, nodded, and said softly, "I know Grandfather and Second Sister wouldn’t act without reason."
"That’s why I didn’t go to Four Directions Hall this morning to see them off."
She understood all this, of course, but relationships cool once people are gone, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.
Chen Yi understood and chuckled. "It’s better that you didn’t. You would have avoided being seen as someone there to gloat."
"How could that be?"
"Second Grand-uncle and Sister-in-law... they were, they were fine."
Seeing she was unwilling to think ill of them, Chen Yi didn’t press the matter. After a bit more small talk, he asked about the Medical Dao Academy.
Xiao Wan’er immediately suppressed her melancholy, her eyes brightening and shining with life.
"Grandfather has already agreed! He even said he’d give me a sum of silver."
"I’ve done the calculations. We don’t need too much at the start."
"As long as we situate the academy within the mansion’s fiefdom, we can build it for about five thousand silver."
"That’s a good idea."
"Right? And then there’s..."
Xiao Wan’er had indeed put a lot of thought into the Medical Dao Academy.
Placing the academy on the Xiao Family’s fiefdom would not only save the cost of purchasing a land deed but also allow them to get help from the people there to build it.
Compared to finding a location and workers in the Prefecture City, the expense would be less than half.
Then there was the method of integrating teaching and testing, which was mostly based on how Physicians in the Medicine Hall trained their apprentices.
It all made perfect sense.
After listening, Chen Yi couldn’t help but praise her. "I’m already looking forward to the day that Medical Dao Academy is completed."
Xiao Wan’er’s pretty face flushed slightly. She lowered her head and said, "Most of the ideas in the plan came from you."
"I’m just the one who talks. You’re different. You’re the founder of the first Medical Dao Academy in Shu State, and maybe even the entire Great Wei Dynasty."
"Perhaps you’ll even be the dean of that Medical Dao Academy."
"Ah, stop it..."
"I... I can spend some silver, that’s fine, but I can’t be the dean."
"Why not, Dean Xiao Wan’er?"
As soon as he spoke, Chen Yi laughed and ran off, leaving behind a blushing Xiao Wan’er, who glared reproachfully at his retreating back, embarrassed by the word "Dean."
"Brother-in-law is just being mischievous."
’How... how could I possibly be the dean of the Medical Dao Academy?’
Shen Huatang, who was standing nearby, saw all this and couldn’t help but show a troubled expression.
"My lady, actually..."
"What is it?"
"Actually, the Second Young Master-in-law is right. You as dean... would be suitable."
"Huatang, how can you be just like him?"
"..."
Shen Huatang had done her best.
She had practically bitten her tongue emphasizing the word "Second," but Xiao Wan’er remained oblivious.
It was hard to say whether the word "Dean" or the name "Chen Yi" was occupying her thoughts at that moment.
Meanwhile, Chen Yi had no such complicated thoughts. In a good mood, he arrived at the front courtyard.
He scanned the area and noticed that besides some Armored Warriors at the gate, there were also several men in black clothes. He couldn’t help but give them a second look.
’Men from the Punishment Hall?’
Chen Yi knew that the Punishment Hall was currently being managed temporarily by Xiao Xuanshuo.
He just hadn’t expected Xiao Xuanshuo to bring men from the Punishment Hall to guard the residence alongside the Armored Guards.
’Is he planning to use the Punishment Hall as a hidden security detail?’
Chen Yi made a mental note of it, so he wouldn’t be caught by the Punishment Hall if he tried to sneak out in the future.
Then, he greeted a few Armored Warriors he was somewhat familiar with and walked straight out of the Marquis’s Mansion.
He followed Chuansi Street eastward, turned north onto South Street, and soon arrived on Kangning Street.
It was now the Hour of the Rabbit (5–7 a.m.), and the street was bustling with numerous pedestrians.
It was as if everyone had suddenly found themselves with free time.
Chen Yi squeezed through the crowd, heading toward Guiyun Academy while scanning the shops on both sides of the street, searching for that wonton shop.
He walked for a long time but couldn’t find it.
Just as he was getting puzzled, he saw a sign not far from the entrance of Guiyun Academy—"There’s a Wonton Shop by the Clouds."
Chen Yi studied the shop under the sign, then glanced at its deserted entrance, a smile creeping onto his face.
’There’s a Wonton Shop by the Clouds... Interesting.’
He wondered which talented Hidden Guard had come up with a name so out of step with the business practices of the time.
’Are they aiming to lose money on this venture?’
Chen Yi had no way of knowing, so he carried the few bags of holiday gifts he had and walked into the shop.
He was just about to call for an attendant to bring him some wontons when he saw a familiar figure sitting in a corner.
It was none other than his student, Ma Guan.
After a moment’s thought, he walked over, sat down across from him, and asked with a smile, "Heming, are the wontons any good?"
Ma Guan was taken aback. Forgetting his food, he quickly stood up and bowed. "This student greets Mr. Qingzhou."
Chen Yi waved his hand, motioning for him to sit. "This isn’t the academy. No need for such formalities."
Ma Guan sat down sheepishly. Recalling the question, he hesitated before answering.
"Overpriced and not very good."
"Oh?"
"It’s, it’s like a total rip-off..."
Seeing Ma Guan’s face flush red, Chen Yi was amused. He didn’t ask any more questions and called out to the shop attendant, "A bowl of wontons, please. I’d like to see how they taste."
Whether it was a rip-off or not, he didn’t know.
But he was certain that the people in this shop had very distinctive appearances.
The two attendants looked burly and thick-waisted, yet they were, without a doubt, women.
Behind the counter was a plainly dressed woman with sallow skin, who had been staring at him ever since he walked in.
At first glance, Chen Yi really didn’t recognize the woman.
But upon closer inspection, his smile couldn’t help but broaden.
—The renowned White Tiger Guard Silver Banner Officer, Lady Tiger Lou Yuxue, wasn’t hiding out in Yanhua Lane, but had come to Kangning Street to open a wonton shop.
’But if she’s going to open a shop, why dress up so ugly?’
’Tsk, what is this supposed to be?’
’A clumsy imitation of Xi Shi?’
Lou Yuxue, of course, had no idea what Chen Yi was thinking. After studying him for a moment, she recognized him.
—Chen Yi, the live-in son-in-law of the Xiao Family, known within the Hidden Guard by the codename "Fledgling," Chen Qingzhou.
’What’s he doing here?’
’To eat wontons?’
’I haven’t heard that he can’t get a decent meal in the Xiao Family.’
Lou Yuxue pondered this for a moment. Seizing the opportunity while one of the sturdy female attendants went to the back kitchen, she walked out from behind the counter to Chen Yi’s side and greeted them warmly.
"Gentlemen, our shop has just opened. The wontons are free, on the house."
Hearing this, before Chen Yi could say anything, Ma Guan shoveled the rest of his wontons into his mouth with two quick movements of his chopsticks, forced them down his throat, and held up his bowl, stammering:
"Proprietress, the wontons are delicious! Really good! Another bowl, please."
Chen Yi: "..."
’What was he just saying?’
