Free Web NovelChapter 281: Chapter 211: It Was Nothing, You’re Welcome
Mr. Yue Ming smiled. "Of course."
"It’s scheduled for a quarter past nine in the morning, the day after tomorrow. That’s plenty of time. It shouldn’t keep you until noon."
They exchanged a few pleasantries.
Chen Yi rose and took his leave.
As he walked out of the academy, he instinctively glanced over at "There’s a Wonton Shop by the Clouds."
When he saw the sign Ma Guan had written—"The World’s Best Wonton Shop"—already hanging by the entrance, along with a constant stream of customers, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
’Lady Tiger, Lou Yuxue.’
’You should just focus on running your wonton shop.’
’Heh... You’re welcome.’
A smile touched Chen Yi’s lips at the thought, and he headed straight back to the Xiao Family estate.
Right now, Hawk had fled, Gray Wolf had committed suicide, and Simurgh Phoenix was always by Chen Yunfan’s side.
Therefore, if he wanted to understand the future movements of the Hidden Guard, starting with Lady Tiger was his best option.
’It’s a good thing I spared Lou Yuxue’s life. It wouldn’t be good if the Hidden Guard truly vanished into the shadows.’ freёwebnoѵel.com
But what Chen Yi didn’t know was that after he had walked some distance, a carriage emerged from the banks of Quchi Lake nearby.
It was drawn by a common, short-legged horse, and the carriage itself was plain and unadorned.
Just then, a corner of the curtain lifted, revealing a pair of shocked and suspicious eyes staring at Chen Yi’s retreating figure.
’He... he’s not dead?!’
’I took action myself and personally confirmed the Xiao Family’s son-in-law had drowned in Quchi Lake. How can he still be alive?’
Hearing this, the young man driving the carriage glanced over curiously.
"Master, could it be that Xiao Jinghong rescued him in time?"
"I heard that on that day, Xiao Jinghong personally brought Chen Yi back to the Xiao Family Punishment Hall. With her level of cultivation, it wouldn’t have been impossible for her to save him."
"That’s possible, but..."
"Hah. The brat got lucky!"
...
Back at the Xiao Family estate, Chen Yi’s prediction had unfortunately come true.
He would indeed have to deliver festival gifts to the various families in Xiao Jinghong’s stead that afternoon.
The reason was simple: Xiao Jinghong had confirmed that she would not be able to return home before the Mid-Autumn Festival.
After carefully reading the letter, a complicated smile appeared on Chen Yi’s face.
Although he hadn’t spent much time with Xiao Jinghong, he recognized her handwriting well enough to know she hadn’t written this letter herself.
’It seems my wife feels a little guilty. She didn’t even write the reply herself.’
Xiao Wan’er had clearly noticed as well. "Second Sister must have been held up by other matters, so she had Zhenyue write it for her."
Chen Yi hummed in agreement, folding the letter. "The summer grain in the Three Towns was burned not long ago," he said with a smile. "It’s only right for her to be on guard."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I’ll go deliver the festival gifts to the various families shortly. We can’t neglect our courtesies, after all."
Xiao Wan’er hesitated. "Why don’t I go with you, Brother-in-law?"
Chen Yi considered it for a moment and didn’t refuse. He nodded. "Thank you, Eldest Sister."
"It’s no trouble. I was heading out anyway, and it’s just a short walk."
"Then let’s go. The sooner we leave, the sooner we’ll be back."
Xiao Jinghong’s decision not to return to Shu State didn’t surprise Chen Yi.
Beyond the security of the Three Towns’ grain supply, which he had already mentioned, the Wu Mountain Mutual Market being built with the Mountain Race was also a top priority that could not be neglected.
Furthermore, with the Old Master’s scheme, having Xiao Jinghong command the Three Towns’ military from afar would also better protect the Xiao Family.
But as Chen Yi pieced this all together, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
He had originally thought that by dealing with Xiao Dongchen and forcing the second branch of the Xiao Family into exile, things would become easier for the Old Master and Xiao Jinghong.
Now, it seemed they still had a long way to go.
「Throughout the afternoon.」
Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er hurried around Shu State City, delivering gifts.
Most of the gifts were for key officials in Shu State’s various Government Offices, as well as for some of the Noble Families with centuries-old lineages.
The gifts were modest; it was the thought that counted.
To his wry amusement, however, though they had set out with half a cart of festival gifts, they returned with the cart just as full as before.
The members of those families and the officials from the Government Offices had been anything but reserved with their reciprocal gifts.
If Chen Yi and Xiao Wan’er hadn’t turned down many of them, the carriage would have been piled even higher with assorted items.
As evening approached, they finally finished delivering the gifts and started for home.
「On the way back.」
Seeing that Chen Yi had grown somewhat quiet, Xiao Wan’er asked hesitantly, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. What are your plans, Brother-in-law?"
Chen Yi glanced at her, then turned his gaze out the window. "If there’s nothing pressing at the estate, I plan to take Xiaodie to the poetry gathering at the academy tomorrow."
"The poetry gathering... C-can I come along too?"
