Chapter 445: with translation of chapter title

The name Jade Lady Restaurant was created by Huo Sanniang and a few others who took apart the names of all family members, then drew lots to pick it, using the 'Yu' character from Xiao Yuji's name and the 'Niang' character from Huo Sanniang's name.

They themselves drew it, but in the end they were not satisfied with it.

However, Chen Wuji thought it was quite good.

Jade Lady, well, upon hearing that the tavern's shopkeeper is an extremely beautiful woman, and also carries a feeling of being untouched by worldly affairs.

In a tavern where worldly affairs are strongest, using a name untouched by worldly affairs is also quite beautiful.

Chen Wuji and Mr. Xu walked into the tavern, unexpectedly discovering that the missing Xiao Yuji, who had been gone for several days, was also in the shop, standing on the stairs leading to the second floor, directing a group of servants in arranging tables and chairs with vigorous gestures.

"Busy person, how do you have time to come to Yunan today? Got any food? Prepare a table for me and Mr. Xu." Chen Wuji asked with a teasing smile.

That one sentence made Xiao Yuji blush deeply.

In Da Yu's society, the customs are extremely open; women appearing in public and engaging in some careers are quite common.

That said, although common, mainstream society still prefers women to stay at home to care for their husbands and educate children, rather than rushing about outside like men.

Thus, society has developed two opposing views: some believe that women appearing in public to pursue careers is self-indulgent degradation, while another, smaller group believes this is the proper yin-yang way, that women of the inner chambers should not yield to men.

The scholar class generally holds the first view, harboring great prejudice against women who engage in overseas trade and business.

Because of these deep-rooted notions, Xiao Yuji instinctively thought Chen Wuji's words were a criticism that she neglected her family and was too dissolute.

Her face flushed red, she hurried down the stairs, grabbed Chen Wuji's sleeve, pulled him aside, and said in an almost pleading tone: "Husband, although we are not yet married, your demands on me are appropriate."

"It's just that the workshop at Xiao Jia Ji is currently at a critical juncture; once I finish handling these immediate matters and get the workshop on track, I won't need to run around so much, to the point of not returning home for days."

Chen Wuji blinked, "You misunderstood; I didn't mean to blame you."

"Before we met, you were already engaged in business; I could not, just because we have this relationship, confine you at home and prevent you from pursuing these trades. Where did you get the idea that I meant to blame you?"

"What you just said, husband..." Xiao Yuji said weakly.

Chen Wuji chuckled helplessly, "I was just joking; don't take it seriously."

It was just a casual joke, yet this girl actually took it seriously.

"Really?" Xiao Yuji lifted her head, earnestly examining Chen Wuji's expression.

She suspects this is sarcasm.

Chen Wuji laughed heartily, "Indeed it's true, you have quite the imagination. Is the cook here today? Have them prepare a table for me and Mr. Xu first, I want to taste how it is."

"Yes, I'll go tell them right away." Xiao Yuji was delighted.

The composed and tranquil See Mountain shopkeeper, whose bearing was rather grand, suddenly acted like a young girl, pattering off to the backyard.

The cook at See Mountain is still the original staff of Li Si Fencha.

These cooks who had learned some skills from Chen Wuji were originally a very valuable asset of the Li family, but unfortunately they were redeeming the Li family members trapped in the city at that time, and no mention was made of servants or attendants.

As for these people, Chen Wuji naturally could not give them.

"I recall the lord once said that the shopkeeper of Li Si Fencha wanted to forcibly take the lord's recipe at an extremely low price; he surely didn't expect that in just a few short months, such a change would occur." Xu Zengyi sighed, then gestured for Chen Wuji to sit.

These words also made Chen Wuji feel a bit sentimental for a moment: "I never imagined that in just a few short months I would rise from a small hunter to my current position; life's opportunities can sometimes be truly extraordinary."

"The lord's words are somewhat one-sided; in my view, the lord clearly embodies 'the dragon seen in the field, advantageous to see a great person.'" Xu Zengyi said with a chuckle.

Chen Wuji fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile: "In my view, this is clearly 'Kan as water, like treading on thin ice.' With so many lives resting on my two shoulders, any decision, no matter how I turn it over in my mind, always feels lacking."

"Actually, I've never cared much for the saying 'one general's success is built on ten thousand bones.' Before I attained this position, I was exactly the same as everyone else outside."

Xu Zengyi and Chen Wuji are old friends; how could he not understand Chen Wuji's state of mind all along?

All his caution stems from cherishing the lives of everyone under his command.

One who can befriend a tiger, dare to draw his blade and fight a pack of wolves, and grapple with a giant snake—could he be a timid, fearful person? Naturally, the answer is no.

Chen Wuji's subtle change came entirely after he took command of the troops.

"My lord, the gentleman strives ceaselessly, is vigilant even at evening, and encounters no blame—this is correct, and it is how the ancient sages taught us to conduct affairs." Xu Zengyi said, "But one must not overdo it."

"As the lord who commands the Three Armies and governs these five counties, you ought to be cautious, but you must not let worry over casualties cause you to hesitate on a decision, for that will only lead to more losses among the troops."

Chen Wuji nodded seriously, "What you say is right; I indeed should restrain this habit."

Some people, after taking command of troops, suddenly swell with arrogance, liking to rush ahead in everything.

But with him, the opposite is true.

Moreover, this degree grows worse over time.

In fact, Chen Wuji also realizes this is highly disadvantageous, but changing it cannot be done in a day or two, or with a single thought.

Huo Sanniang personally brought over the tea and said, "Please have some tea first; today's ingredients are limited, I've told the cook to make whatever he has for you. Mr. Xu is one of our own, so I won't stand on ceremony."

Xu Zengyi rose, clasped his hands in salute, and said, "As long as the lady doesn't treat me as an outsider, that's fine; as long as the lord is at ease, I'll eat whatever is served, without being picky."

Chen Wuji greeted Xu Zengyi to sit, then turned to Huo Sanniang and asked, "Have you eaten? Why not join us; after all, we're all our own people, there's no need for formality."

Huo Sanniang clicked her tongue lightly, patted Chen Wuji on the shoulder, and said, "You go ahead and eat, you still have official business to discuss; we won't get in the way, we'll eat in the backyard. Coincidentally, Yu Ji has just arrived today, so we can also have a private chat."

"That works."

After Huo Sanniang left, Xu Zengyi suddenly asked, "My lord, are you planning to let several ladies manage the tavern from now on?"

Chen Wuji nodded, "Yes, I had that idea; even before I took command of troops, I had decided to open a tavern, intending to find a way to make money and compete with Li Si Fencha for business, but later many things happened, and this plan was repeatedly put on hold."

"Now I don't really care either, but since several ladies have always kept this in mind, we'll go ahead and open it."