Chapter 446: with translation of chapter title

Xu Zengyi asked a question out of nowhere, then abruptly stopped and didn't go on, sounding like he was just asking casually.

But Chen Wuji knew he was never someone who liked to talk nonsense.

Even if he stayed silent, letting the atmosphere repeatedly become awkward, he wouldn't ask pointless idle questions.

"Just say what's on your mind!" Chen Wuji said.

He didn't think there was any problem with letting Huo Sanniang and Shen Youwei manage the tavern.

Xu Zengyi smiled slightly, "Just a casual question, my lord, no need to worry."

"You're keeping me in suspense, saying there's nothing you can't say!" Chen Wuji grew more certain, sure he had another meaning.

Xu Zengyi sat upright, pondered briefly, and said, "Your lordship's status is different today than before."

"What does running a tavern have to do with my status... oh, I see what you mean." Chen Wuji then realized.

Now that he's an official, it's not just him who needs to mind his status; his wives must too, and showing themselves again to engage in lowly work would be inappropriate.

This is an unwritten rule in the officialdom of Da Yu.

If the county magistrate's wife still shows herself in public, engages in lowly trade, and profits from the people, those censors need only a single memorial to strip the magistrate of his official robes.

Contending with the people for profit is secondary; more importantly, such behavior is disgraceful to the scholar-official class.

"I understand. Once the tavern is properly open for business, I'll have them work behind the scenes." Chen Wuji said.

Xu Zengyi's advice should still be heeded; it's just a matter of changing the approach.

Actually, this kind of business model is the proper way for Da Yu officials to engage in trade.

Set up some kind of livelihood, then hire a professional manager to handle daily affairs.

Their own people only need to occasionally check the accounts, then use their influence to expand the business scale and channels.

Even someone as high-ranking as Lu Ping'an, a true regional governor, also runs a merchant house, and even eyes the small trade Chen Wuji previously had, seeking to seize it by force.

Chen Wuji being receptive to advice let Xu Zengyi breathe a sigh of relief; he personally took the teapot and poured Chen Wuji a cup of tea.

The dishes were soon all served.

They were still the three cleavers Chen Wuji had left behind.

But the taste was quite good.

Now that the tavern is our own, we can't just have these few dishes; Chen Wuji thought he should find time to teach the cooks a few more recipes, striving to create a signature dish that would make the tavern more prosperous.

After the simple two-person banquet ended, Xu Zengyi returned to his lodgings to prepare for his mission to Guangyuan Prefecture the next day.

Chen Wuji stayed at the tavern and did not go back to the county office.

Although he now seriously suspects his poor memory is related to the incessant battles in the bedroom.

But now that Xiao the head manager has returned, no matter what he says, he should give her a strong, powerful welcome banquet that leaves her moist-eyed.

Otherwise, this still-unfamiliar affection might fade.

Having entered the Chen family gate, Chen Wuji, even if he tires himself, must still balance this bowl of water, speaking of fairness and justice.

As dusk approached, Qin Zhanhong, having heard the news, also rushed over.

The courtyard behind the Jade Lady Restaurant is extremely large, divided into several small courtyards.

The kitchen occupies one courtyard alone; there are two elegant quiet courtyards for receiving distinguished guests, and another courtyard where the waitstaff and servants live.

And after passing through the hall and lanes, the final three courtyards were where the Li family used to live.

The overall layout is luxurious, exquisite and elegant, with pavilions, terraces, towers, halls, bamboo groves and fish ponds all present; looking out, everything glitters with silver light.

Only the Li family's brilliance has faded; now these courtyards are full of traces of the Chen family.

Xiao Yuji has returned today, but it's not just to have a look.

She brought a large amount of things, nearly replacing everything in the courtyards and the tavern from top to bottom.

In the gentle evening breeze, the rustling bamboo grove's small courtyard, Huo Sanniang sat by the fish pool, supporting her reclined body with both hands, gazing at the brilliant Star River overhead, and feeling moved, she said to Shen Youwei, who mirrored her pose: "Before, I never dared imagine I would someday live in such a place to watch the stars."

"Back then, my greatest wish was for Wuji to recover soon so I could relax. Later, he regained his clarity, became capable, and each day going into the mountains he could bring back plenty of game; I thought that was the best, happiest life."

Shen Youwei teased, "Sister, do you prefer these days now, or the past?"

"In the past!" Huo Sanniang said with absolute certainty.

"Why? Isn't this kind of life good now?" Shen Youwei expressed she couldn't understand.

Huo Sanniang's eyes softened as they twinkled, she fixed her gaze on the night sky and murmured: "Because back then I didn't need to worry daily about Wuji's life; I actually never wanted him to have high office or great power, just a peaceful, stable life."

"Sister, I think you're mistaken; the mountains are also dangerous, probably more so than your husband's current situation." Shen Youwei said.

"My husband may sometimes have to go to the battlefield, but he always has his personal guard around him. Moreover, his guard is likely the strongest in Nan Jun; the Chen family picked the strongest clansmen, and the Old Veterans under the Sheep Commandant are all battle-hardened soldiers, even wearing full armor."

"A guard of this scale could probably only be assembled by Lu Ping'an."

Huo Sanniang perhaps doesn't understand the significance of this.

But having grown up hearing and seeing these things, she can at least grasp the basics.

Huo Sanniang fell silent for a moment, then softly said: "Though the words are not wrong, contending with people is ultimately more dangerous than contending with beasts."

Qin Zhanhong walked over with his hands behind his back, saying, "San Niang, open your mouth, I'll give you something tasty."

"What is it?" Huo Sanniang asked curiously.

Qin Zhanhong gave a wicked smile and said, "Close your eyes, open your mouth, and guess."

"What a mysterious act." Huo Sanniang laughed, tilted her head back, opened her vermilion lips, and closed her eyes.

Qin Zhanhong smirked, pulled a wooden carving from behind his back, and pressed it to Huo Sanniang's lips.

"What is this? Why does it smell like wood?" Huo Sanniang asked strangely.

"Don't open your eyes, try a taste." Qin Zhanhong said, holding back a wicked laugh.

Shen Youwei, watching from the side, was dumbfounded: "No, who made this? This... this kind of thing, can it even be eaten?"

"How refined is it? You'll try it later too." Qin Zhanhong laughed.

Shen Youwei immediately shook her head: "No, no, I won't eat this; I'm afraid I don't have the fortune to enjoy it."

"What's there to be afraid of? Give it a try, but don't force me to act!" Qin Zhanhong threatened.

Shen Youwei:...

She had a tear-streaked face, looking at the thing in Qin Zhanhong's hand, and asked, "This, whose model did you follow?"

"It's definitely based on my husband's—after all, who else could we look to? I just enlarged it a bit." Qin Zhanhong said.

Shen Youwei was shocked, "This, my husband seeing it might not be pleased, right?"