Chapter 219: Chapter 191: Your Brother-in-law is the Best

Chen Yi thought he had offered his suggestions as tactfully as possible, but seeing the smile slowly fade from Xiao Wan’er’s face, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.

As he finished, he motioned for Xiaodie to pour some tea, then cleared his throat and said:

"This proposal of yours actually has its merits. It’s just that the Xiao Family’s current Medicine Halls have a very demanding business model. Compared to Hundred Herbs Hall, we simply aren’t in a position to expand."

And it was true.

To expand a traditional Medicine Hall, you don’t just need competent Physicians and apprentices to run the storefronts; you also need a steady supply of various medicinal herbs.

It was nothing like the simple model of Hundred Herbs Hall, which focused primarily on medicinal teas and formulas for common ailments.

Training Physicians alone doesn’t happen overnight, to say nothing of spending a fortune on silver coins to stock herbs with no guarantee of when they’d be sold.

To put it bluntly, basing her proposal on the existing Xiao Family Medicine Hall was fundamentally flawed.

At least, the Xiao Family in its current state couldn’t support such a resource-intensive model.

After he finished, Xiao Wan’er thought for a moment and said, "You’re right, Brother-in-law. I was getting ahead of myself."

"That’s not entirely true..."

Before Chen Yi could reassure her, Xiao Wan’er pursed her lips. "You don’t have to comfort me. I truly didn’t think it through."

"Thinking about it now, the only truly competent Physicians in our five Medicine Halls are the ones sent over from Hundred Herbs Hall."

Xiao Wan’er paused, then asked, "So, based on what you just said, if I want to expand the Medicine Halls, I need a sufficient number of Physicians with superb Medical Skills?"

Seeing that she wasn’t ready to give up, Chen Yi had a good idea of what she was thinking.

’He figured that Xiao Wan’er’s desire to expand the Medicine Halls wasn’t about earning silver coins. Just as always, she hoped to help more people escape the suffering of illness and disease.’

With this in mind, Chen Yi’s expression turned serious. "If you’re truly set on this, Sister Wan’er, why not focus on the first step?"

A flicker of emotion crossed Xiao Wan’er’s face, and her eyes instantly lit up, reflecting his image in their bright depths.

"Please, speak plainly, Brother-in-law."

The truth was not far from what Chen Yi had guessed.

Having been frail and sickly since childhood, Xiao Wan’er understood all too well the suffering caused by illness. Thus, she hoped to do whatever she could to help those in pain from sickness and injury.

It was a wish born of the same spirit that longed to provide shelter for all the world’s suffering souls.

Chen Yi nodded and said thoughtfully, "Expanding the Medicine Halls would consume too much manpower and silver coins, and it would be difficult to see any progress in the short term."

"Why not simplify things? Instead of building more Medicine Halls, shift your goal to training more Physicians."

Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er began to understand. With a look that was both inquisitive and pleading, she said, "Could you say that a little slower?"

She then motioned for Shen Huatang to bring a brush and paper. "I want to write this down."

Chen Yi was in no hurry. He waited until everything was ready before continuing.

"It’s actually not so different from the academies we have now. However, those academies focus on teaching scholars, with the aim of helping them earn official ranks."

"What you would be doing, Sister Wan’er, is creating an academy dedicated to teaching Medical Skills and the Medical Dao."

"With the right methods, a rigorous curriculum, and Instructors who possess superb Medical Skills, students who are dedicated to the Medical Dao will be able to truly achieve something."

"In several years, as more and more apprentices grow into fully-fledged Physicians, even without expanding the Medicine Halls, you’ll be able to benefit far more people."

Xiao Wan’er’s eyes grew even brighter. "Yes, yes!"

"Brother-in-law, you’ve said exactly what was on my mind! As long as we can successfully establish an academy that teaches the Medical Dao, there will be more and more Physicians."

"That way, even if they don’t work at the Xiao Family Medicine Hall, they can spread throughout Shu State, and even across the Great Wei’s Nine State and Three Prefectures, to treat the sick and save lives."

As she spoke, she used delicate, elegant strokes to record Chen Yi’s words verbatim.

After she finished writing, Xiao Wan’er asked, "So, is there anything else I need to pay attention to?"

Chen Yi thought for a moment. "First, for the Medical Dao Academy to attract talented students, you’ll need a headmaster with superb Medical Skills—preferably a Medical Saint Hand."

"Second, the medical curriculum will need to be specially compiled. The existing teachings of the Medical Dao are too disorganized and complex, which makes it difficult for students to master the material in a limited amount of time."

"And finally..."

He had never done anything like this himself, but by combining his understanding of the Medical Dao with things he’d heard about how medical academies were run, he was able to offer Xiao Wan’er a fairly complete and novel framework.

Chen Yi spoke for a full hour before he finally stopped.

"This way, without spending too much on silver coins, you can benefit the people far and wide within five to ten years."

Xiao Wan’er put down her Wolf Hair Brush. Looking at the contents written on the few sheets of Yunsong Paper, her heart filled with joy.

In her excitement, she didn’t forget Chen Yi. "Thank you. I know what to do now."

Chen Yi couldn’t help but admire her stunningly beautiful smile. "I was just spitballing ideas. If this doesn’t work out in the future, you can’t blame me for running my mouth."

"Of course... I won’t."

Noticing his stare, a blush crept up to her eyes. Yet, she didn’t speak in a chiding tone, instead using the excuse of tidying the papers to turn her head away.

’He gave me such helpful advice,’ she thought. ’I suppose I can let him look for a moment.’

But when she finished tidying up, she saw his gaze was still on her. Feeling a little flustered, Xiao Wan’er hastily stood up.

"Huatang, Huatang! It’s getting late. Go see if Madam Tang, who is visiting today, has arrived yet."

Shen Huatang blinked in confusion. "Miss, Madam Tang didn’t send a visiting card today. Miss Wan is the one coming around noon."

Xiao Wan’er’s face grew even redder. "Right, I misremembered. It’s Sister Wan who is coming."

With that, she flusteredly bid Chen Yi farewell and hurried back to Jiaxing Garden with Shen Huatang and her other attendants.

Chen Yi smiled as he watched her retreating figure.

’But he knew that after today, Xiao Wan’er was going to be busier than ever.’

A Medical Dao Academy...

In the current Great Wei Dynasty, if not entirely unprecedented, it was at the very least forging a new path.

Therefore, to actually establish the Medical Dao Academy and bring it to fruition would be no easy task.

Selecting a site, building the academy, inviting renowned doctors, compiling medical texts, recruiting students, and managing its future operations—none of it could be handled carelessly.

If she wanted every detail handled with precision, Xiao Wan’er could not remain on the sidelines.

’This is for the best.’

’She has a long life ahead of her. Wasting her energy on collecting rent, managing silver coins, and distributing monthly allowances would be a bit too mundane.’

A smile touched Chen Yi’s lips as he pictured a future where Xiao Wan’er was bustling about, yet utterly content.

After a brief rest, he instructed Xiaodie to take Xiao Wuge to Jiaxing Garden, then headed to Guiyun Academy alone.

「When Xiao Wuge arrived at Jiaxing Garden.」

Xiao Wan’er was busy instructing Cui’er and the others to prepare for the day’s guests, all while looking over the sheet of Yunsong Paper that held Chen Yi’s advice.

"Sister, are you really going to create that academy to teach people the Medical Dao?"

"Of course."

"It might seem complicated, but as long as we do it and do it well, it will benefit our Xiao Family, too."

Xiao Wuge nodded, only half-understanding. But the thought that the idea came from Chen Yi was enough to convince him it was sound.

"Brother-in-law is amazing."

Xiao Wan’er agreed. "He does make a good point."

Xiao Wuge’s eyes darted about mischievously as he asked with a sly grin, "How does it compare to the proposal *you* wrote, Sister?"

Xiao Wan’er paused and turned to look at him, a smile gracing her pale but faintly flushed cheeks. "You want to know?"

"Then after you finish your etiquette lessons for the day and read two volumes of pre-dynastic history, I’ll tell you."

"Huh?"

"Make it three volumes."

Xiao Wuge didn’t dare ask any more questions and quickly had Xiaodie lead him to the study.

He was afraid that if he lingered any longer, his required reading would increase from three volumes to four.

As she watched him scurry off, Xiao Wan’er lifted her chin slightly. ’Hmph. Just because you know your brother-in-law is amazing doesn’t mean you can say I’m no good.’

But then she remembered how Chen Yi had picked apart the proposal she’d stayed up all night writing, and she couldn’t help but blush with a bit of embarrassment.

’He’s never done anything like this, so how does he know so much?’

Cui’er and Juan’er, standing nearby, had no idea what she was thinking, but seeing the blush on her face, they knew she was in a good mood.

"Ever since the Young Miss started drinking Divine Doctor Ma’s medicinal soup, her complexion has been getting better and better."

Hearing this, Xiao Wan’er collected her thoughts and said with a smile, "The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching. Remind me to prepare a small gift for Doctor Ma."

"And prepare one for the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall as well."

"Yes, Miss."

Xiao Wan’er recalled what Chen Yi had told her yesterday—that the owner, "Chen Yu," was not currently in Shu State—so after giving the order, she turned to her own affairs.

Since the owner of Hundred Herbs Hall was away, she would have to begin preparations on behalf of the Xiao Family Medicine Hall herself.

Things like funding, which personal connections to leverage, which county in Shu State to start with, and so on.

These were all tasks she felt were within her purview.

...

With the Mid-Autumn Festival less than ten days away.

The festive atmosphere could already be felt throughout Shu State Prefecture City.

The storefronts along the streets had been adorned with festive red lanterns, each one with a small string dangling beneath it, ready for lantern riddles.

In the windy, post-rain weather, they swayed like blossoming branches showing off their beauty.

Aside from these most obvious decorations.

The restaurants had rolled out seasonal mooncakes, rice cakes, and other pastries.

Some of the larger restaurants on Kangning Street had even posted notices announcing poetry gatherings to be held on the day of the festival.

Fengchun Building’s notice, for instance, listed which great scholars or literary figures might be in attendance, as well as the prize for the poet who took first place.

The prize wasn’t something as vulgar as silver coins, but rather items like masterpieces by renowned artists or the Four Treasures of the Study.

Chen Yi glanced at it as he passed by, noting the crowd of interested young scholars and ladies, but he paid no mind to the prizes.

Naturally, the Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion was also making its own preparations for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Similar to the Old Marquis’s birthday celebration, there would be ancestral worship, a family banquet, and tests and rewards for the younger generation from their elders.

It was just that none of this had anything to do with Chen Yi, the live-in son-in-law.

Unless the Old Marquis or Xiao Jinghong personally gave the word, he didn’t even have the right to sit at the banquet table.

Of course, he had no desire to appear on such an occasion anyway.

Not only was the eating and drinking restrictive, but he would also have to deal with the various scheming members of the Xiao family. It was draining, both mentally and physically.

It was far more peaceful and comfortable to stay in Spring Lotus Garden.

But that aside, Chen Yi quite enjoyed the lively atmosphere as the festival approached.

The streets bustled with passersby.

Whether they were street vendors, strolling scholars and beauties, visiting merchants, Jianghu People, or even those from Exotic Races like the people of Poshisu Country, everyone on Kangning Street wore a smile as bright as a flower.

Of course, some smiles were beautiful in spirit, some in appearance, and some were literally as beautiful as flowers.

Chen Yi walked and watched, a smile on his face, but deep down, he knew the truth.

It would be difficult for the Xiao Family to have a truly festive Mid-Autumn Festival this year.

Even if everything went smoothly, after the incident with the Evil Demons from Bright Moon Building like Black Tooth, and the intervention of the Dingyuan Army’s Hidden Guards, the Old Marquis, Xiao Jinghong, and the other masters of the Xiao Family were likely in no mood to celebrate.

And if one also factored in Xiao Dongchen...

Chen Yi grimaced. ’It’s hard to say about the others,’ he thought with a wry smile, ’but the members of the Second Branch will definitely not be in a good mood.’

Even if his own schemes failed.

Lady Tiger and the Hawk would not let that Gray Wolf go.