Chapter 181: Let's Have a Child

Huo Sanniang stood to the side, her eyes holding a warm, moist gleam.

Seeing Chen Wuji return alive, her spirit also revived.

Actually, she also wanted to express herself as freely as Shen Youwei, but something deep inside seemed to pull at her, making her unable to step forward or open her arms.

But at this moment her heart felt lighter and warmer than ever.

Having survived the ordeal, she suddenly understood many things.

Cherishing these two words, their weight grew ever heavier in her heart.

She suddenly recalled what Chen Wuji had said that morning.

Life is but a mere thirty thousand days; in this chaotic world, no one can guarantee a peaceful old age.

We must truly cherish the present!

In the face of life and death, why can't his mischievous little ideas be satisfied?

"Wuji, what happened last night?" Huo Sanniang asked gently.

Chen Wuji revealed a relaxed smile, "Actually, nothing much. The magistrate took a liking to my cooking skills and wants to discuss cooperation. But this person, having been an official for long, always tries to use authority to pressure others; making such a fuss is just to make me yield, nothing serious."

Huo Sanniang frowned; this answer made her somewhat doubtful.

"Wuji, tell us the truth? No matter how big the matter, we can bear it. Whatever you want to do, whatever happens, we'll stand by you!"

Shen Youwei nodded heavily, "Right, you're our husband; why hide these bad things from us? Once you speak, we'll feel at ease."

Xue Hongdou followed behind Huo Sanniang, also wanting to voice her stance, but after moving her lips a bit, she remained silent.

She had been sent to this household as a servant.

It seemed there was no room for her to speak.

Chen Wuji said lightly, "It's really like that; I didn't deceive you."

"But why would the magistrate take an interest in your cooking skills? It seems… not that big a deal? I don't mean to belittle, but I feel some cooking skills aren't worth the magistrate making such a fuss." Huo Sanniang said.

Chen Bushi, who had been standing aside as an invisible person, laughed, "You've got it wrong; Wuji's skill is worth a lot of money, actually very valuable."

"Don't underestimate the art of food; we folks just want to be full, but for the wealthy and powerful, they seek fine, exquisite flavors, and for a delicious bite they don't mind spending lavishly."

"Those century-old establishments in big cities have businesses more comfortable and stable than any other trade. Wuji's skills, if taken to the prefectural city to open a tavern, would leave many taverns without business within a few months."

Chen Wuji nodded, "If I had money and connections, could suppress the local ruffians, they could use my recipes in hand to make these taverns spread like wildfire in a short time; the wealth drawn in, I dare not even imagine."

"A single Four-Part Tea House is already bustling; daily income of a hundred taels may be slightly exaggerated, but it's close. If such taverns were opened in many major cities nationwide, how much silver could be earned?"

Huo Sanniang and the others all showed looks of surprise.

They really hadn't considered this; ultimately, their limited experience restricted their thinking.

"It turns out the skills my husband knows are so valuable; it makes me want to open a tavern." Shen Youwei murmured softly, "By then I wouldn't do anything else, just sit and collect silver; just thinking about it feels wonderful."

"A tavern, I really do want to open one." Chen Wuji said with a light smile.

Before, I didn't want this because the enemies in the city were simply too huge.

Once he opened a tavern, it might be torn down in just a couple of days, leaving nothing.

He spent a great deal of family wealth and exhausted his efforts to set up a tavern, yet to destroy it they'd only need a light remark.

Whether it's the county officials upholding justice in the city or the ruffians, it's all up to them to decide.

Opening a tavern under such circumstances, Chen Wuji wasn't after profit; he was seeking trouble for himself and giving others an opening to humiliate him.

Nowadays, there's really nothing to worry about.

No matter how the court handles things, Zhang Mingyuan and the magistrate certainly can't trip him up anymore.

"Really?" Shen Youwei's eyes lit up suddenly.

Chen Wuji nodded affectionately, "Indeed, but being a tavern mistress isn't easy either; don't really think just sitting and collecting money will do. Once the recent turmoil in the city passes, I'll scout a location; then you can decide whether to go yourselves or hire a manager."

"I want to go myself, sister; let's go run the tavern together!" Shen Youwei grabbed Huo Sanniang's arm, hanging on her like an accessory.

Huo Sanniang smiled helplessly, "Let's talk about it when this matter settles; first we'll look into it."

Often, Huo Sanniang felt she and Shen Youwei weren't sisters but rather that she had raised a daughter.

"I'm going out for a bit; don't wait for me for lunch." Chen Wuji greeted, took some of the smoked meat that had just been aired the previous few days with Chen Bushi, and went to the homes of the several injured clansmen.

This time Chen Bushi didn't lie to him; the injured clansmen's conditions were indeed not serious, all of them having only minor arrow wounds.

The most severely injured person had an arrow lodged in his belly, just a short distance from the heart, but fortunately he was plump, so the injury wasn't too grave.

And he was the only one who truly took an arrow to the body.

Chen Wuji also understood last night's situation: when the Chen clan attacked, the provincial troops managed only two volleys of arrows, after which Chen Xingyuan arrived and, single-handedly, drove off the night-raiding "mountain bandits."

Although the provincial troops guarding the city numbered around two hundred at the time, dispersing them to defend the walls and gates naturally reduced their killing power.

Especially under the cover of darkness.

In the darkness, poor sight made long-range archery hardly different from a blind man feeling an elephant.

After wandering around several clansmen's homes and then stopping by Chen Bushi's house for a drink, Chen Wuji returned home bathed in the bright afternoon sunshine.

The sunshine was good; the worries that had long lingered in his heart were largely resolved, his mood improved greatly, and he felt a sense of clarity and brightness.

Having such a good opportunity is rare; Chen Wuji decided to spend the afternoon strolling in the mountains, interacting intimately with the beloved mountain wildlife, to add a fresh flavor to his internal organs' temple.

But just as he returned home, he was pulled into the room by Huo Sanniang, whose expression was grave.

"Wuji, let's have a child!"

Chen Wuji:???