About an hour later, Chen Yi returned to the Xiao Family estate.
As he stepped out of the carriage, he noticed that the furrows on the brows of Wang Lixing and the others had smoothed out, unlike this morning and yesterday.
Chen Yi scanned the group, a guess forming in his mind. He simply smiled, offered a greeting, and headed straight for the Spring Lotus Garden.
Faintly, the conversation between Liu Si’er, Wang Lixing, and the others drifted to him from behind.
"The price of grain went up again today. One stone of fine grain is one point eight taels of silver."
"But the Marquis has decided not to buy grain. He’s going to borrow it."
"Borrow? Who is he going to borrow from?"
"Guangyue Prefecture."
"Duke Qian?"
"Who else could it be?"
"That’s actually a good method. Borrow grain to handle the emergency, and once the prices fall, we can just repay Duke Qian."
"But this won’t be settled until the Marquis sends a letter to Duke Qian. It’ll probably take a few more days..."
’Borrowing grain?’
Chen Yi chuckled inwardly. ’The Old Marquis is finally showing some cleverness.’
It was obvious someone in Shu State was digging a pit for the Xiao Family. No matter how the Marquis responded, there would be trouble.
He could either go head-to-head with the people behind the grain merchants or find a way to raise money.
But the Old Marquis’s roundabout approach of going to Duke Qian in Guangyue Prefecture was a different story.
The rise and fall of grain prices in Shu State would not affect the Xiao Family in the slightest, much less leave them vulnerable to being constrained and manipulated.
The most brilliant part was that the Old Marquis wasn’t buying, but borrowing.
He was still holding onto a large sum of silver.
This way, the Xiao Family could be on the offense or the defense, allowing them to hold out for much longer.
As for whether Duke Qian would lend them the grain...
Chen Yi pondered for a moment, a slight smile gracing his lips.
"Whether he lends it or not, it won’t be the worst outcome."
It was a way to see who your true friends were in a time of hardship—far better than being stabbed in the back during a real disaster later on.
It was just that...
’This kind of news would be more effective if it were kept secret.’
Back inside the Spring Lotus Garden.
Chen Yi looked left and right. Seeing no one around, he cocked his ear to listen.
From the Purple Bamboo Forest came the sound of Pei Guanli practicing her Martial Arts Techniques. "I have to protect Brother-in-law! Next time, I definitely, definitely will..."
Chen Yi was speechless. ’This girl has become obsessed.’
Ever since the incident on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pei Guanli had been practicing her Martial Arts more diligently than ever.
From time to time, Chen Yi would hear similar declarations and understood that the Tiger Girl was genuinely scared by what had happened.
His gaze then shifted toward Jiaxing Garden.
He could faintly hear Xiao Wan’er’s laughter drifting from that direction. "...remember to bring rope for measuring."
"As for paper, pens, and the like, bring a few extra sets."
"Also, it might rain tomorrow, so bring a couple of extra sets of clothes... Hmm... Xiaodie, remember to prepare a set for the Second Young Master-in-law as well."
"Additionally, Wuge won’t be going this time. We need someone to look after the estate. Xiaodie, Tingyun, I’ll have to trouble you two to stay behind."
"Yes, Eldest Miss..."
Hearing this, Chen Yi hung the Oil Paper Umbrella in his hand under the eaves to dry, thinking:
’Xiao Wan’er is certainly dedicated to the Medical Dao Academy. She’s made so many preparations just for choosing a site.’
’Compared to her, I’m quite idle.’
Chen Yi looked at the fresh, natural beauty of the Spring Lotus Garden after the rain had passed, a smile forming on his face.
"It’s not like I have nothing to do."
Of the four arts of Music, Chess, Calligraphy, and Painting, he was only missing one: the Painting Dao.
It was time to complete the set.
With that thought, Chen Yi went to his study, spread out a sheet of Yunsong Paper, mixed the ink evenly, and began to sketch and paint.
It had to be said, having his Calligraphy Dao at the Perfection Realm was also beneficial for learning the Painting Dao.
At the very least, his Pen Technique was already masterful. With just a few strokes and lines, the initial outline of a painting began to take shape.
But Pen Technique was only Pen Technique. The Painting Dao ultimately relied on Painting Skill, Painting Technique, the right pigments, and so on.