Chapter 444 - 274: Why Is He Hiding
Chapter 444: Chapter 274: Why Is He Hiding
It was enough time for him to tie up some loose ends.
With this in mind, Chen Yi asked, "Did you give Boss Jia’s silver to Guard Liu?"
Wang Ji nodded. "I delivered it as soon as I got it this morning. I also led them to the other storehouse."
"It’s just that..."
He hesitated. "It seems things aren’t going so well for Guard Liu. He went to several manors outside the city but couldn’t procure any grain."
Chen Yi frowned slightly, but his expression quickly smoothed over. "It seems these Noble families of Shu State are quite selfish."
There were only two reasons not to sell grain at a time like this.
One, their families were too large, and they didn’t have enough surplus grain.
Two, they thought the selling price was too low and wanted to wait for it to rise further.
Obviously, the latter was more likely.
"Let them be."
"Next, I need you to do one more thing for me..."
After listening, Wang Ji stared at him in stunned silence for a long moment, his expression a mixture of shock and confusion.
"My lord, you... if this gets discovered, then..."
Chen Yi waved his hand dismissively. "Just put on a show."
"Of course, this matter must be handled as secretly as possible."
Wang Ji nodded hesitantly, suppressing the panic in his heart and accepting the task.
"Rest assured, my lord. I will handle it for you."
"Mm, if you’re not sure, contact Zhang Dabao. He’ll tell you what to do."
"Yes..."
Having given his instructions, Chen Yi didn’t linger. He got up and headed back to the Xiao Family residence.
Wang Ji saw him out of Hundred Herbs Hall. After a moment of contemplation, he gritted his teeth, summoned two guards, and left with them.
Everything he had now was thanks to Chen Yi.
He couldn’t possibly disobey an order.
Besides, after all this time, he was well aware of how formidable Chen Yi could be and wouldn’t dare do anything unnecessary.
’I just hope my lord doesn’t go too far.’
’If this really gets discovered, then... then we’re doomed...’
Chen Yi, of course, knew why Wang Ji was hesitant.
But to achieve his goals, he had to use both open strategies and secret schemes.
Only by using a two-pronged approach could he make this whole act more convincing.
’By my calculations, it should be about time for Zhang Dabao to set off.’
’Heh, I hope they can withstand it...’
...
「Before nightfall.」
Chen Yi leisurely returned to Spring Lotus Garden.
Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie were in the courtyard.
One was practicing his Pile Skill, while the other was clapping and cheering him on.
"Young Master, you’re improving so fast! Your stance for this Pile Skill is amazing."
"Second Uncle said so too, hehe..."
As they were laughing, the two saw Chen Yi approaching and went to greet him.
"Brother-in-law, you’re finally back! Come and see how my Pile Skill stance is!"
"Young Master-in-law, the Eldest Miss just sent someone to say that you’ll be having dinner over there tonight."
Chen Yi grunted in acknowledgment, then patted Xiao Wuge on the shoulder and said with a smile, "This Pile Skill of yours isn’t something just anyone can learn."
The Pile Skill, called the *Little Yellow Court*, was clearly a secret art of the Xiao Family.
Even if he could spot some flaws in it, he wouldn’t be so brazen as to point them out.
However, seeing Xiao Wuge’s slight disappointment, Chen Yi added with a smile:
"Since Second Uncle praised you, it means you’ve been doing well recently."
"I think so too."
"What do you mean, ’you think so too’? It’s just a compliment. Don’t get arrogant."
"Don’t worry, Brother-in-law..."
Before long, Chen Yi had washed up and changed into some comfortable clothes, then led Xiao Wuge and Xiaodie to Jiaxing Garden.
The moment he saw Xiao Wan’er, she walked over with a letter in her hand and said with a smile:
"Second Sister has sent a letter."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow slightly, taking the letter as he asked, "What does it say?"
"Second Sister said that things at the Mutual Market are wrapping up, and she’ll be returning to Shu State soon."
"Returning?"
Chen Yi opened the letter and began to read.
[For my husband’s eyes only.]
[Jinghong has been busy with the Wu Mountain Mutual Market lately and has not written back often. I hope my husband can forgive me.]
[Fortunately, with the help of the Mountain Race, the Mutual Market is not far from completion. In about ten days to half a month, Jinghong will set out to inspect the Three Towns...]
Reading up to this point, Chen Yi glanced sideways at Xiao Wan’er.
"Returning soon?"
"Probably. She might come back when she passes through the Prefecture City during her inspection of the Three Towns..."