Chapter 616 The Xiao Family Past
Why do you suddenly want to know about the Xiao family?
Feng Gan stared at Wan Qiqi, trying to discern something from her face.
After a long while, he still couldn't figure out the reason, so he could only sit down, drink tea, and wait for the other party's reply.
"Xiao Han is Chun Changzai's employer, and it will be difficult to avoid contact with Chun Changzai in the future. It is necessary to understand him in advance, so as to know yourself and your enemy and you will never be defeated."
Wan Qiqi spoke so earnestly, it seemed like it was really true.
She wasn't lying; from now on, Xinglong Restaurant would inevitably have to compete with Chun Changzai.
"You think you can fight with Chun Chang?" Feng Gan blurted out, but after being glared at by Wan Qiqi, he suddenly realized that he was boosting the morale of others and diminishing his own, so he immediately changed his words.
"Chun Chang is able to maintain his position in Yunhe County, perhaps because of the Xiao family. He also has some abilities of his own, but... the Xiao family is indeed formidable!"
Feng Gan rarely admitted which family was more capable, but the Xiao family was the first.
"The Xiao family's abilities all lie with Old Master Xiao. No matter how capable the Xiao family's children are, they can't surpass Old Master Xiao."
Feng Gan didn't get to the point for a while, which earned him a disdainful look from Wan Qiqi.
"Old Master Xiao was the late emperor's childhood companion. After the late emperor ascended the throne, he served the late emperor and rose rapidly in rank. However, his achievements were not due to the late emperor, but because when Daxing was at war with a neighboring country, Old Master Xiao went alone to infiltrate the enemy country for the sake of Daxing, which enabled Daxing to take down the enemy country in one fell swoop and capture the enemy monarch alive."
Wan Qiqi was taken aback upon hearing this.
Thinking back to what Old Master Xiao looked like, it's hard to imagine that he was so formidable.
Feng Gan seemed to see what Wan Qiqi was thinking and continued, "Old Master Xiao doesn't know martial arts, but he defeated the enemy country with his words, and thus was promoted and ennobled. The Xiao family is also thriving in the capital."
"Then why is the Xiao family in Yunhe County now?" Wan Qiqi asked, but she quickly realized that the Xiao family's rise and fall was due to the fact that the current emperor was not the previous one.
"The late emperor valued the Xiao family highly, but the new emperor..." Feng Gan paused, staring at the study door for a long time to make sure no one was there before continuing, "The new emperor was wary, and since none of the Xiao family members were outstanding, they all caused trouble for Old Master Xiao. Therefore, before the new emperor took action against the Xiao family, Old Master Xiao resigned and voluntarily came to Yunhe, the ancestral home of the Xiao family..."
After hearing about Old Master Xiao's story, Wan Qiqi was filled with many emotions.
Indeed, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; excessive power will also arouse the jealousy of the royal family.
No matter how great Old Master Xiao's achievements were, they could not withstand the emperor's suspicion.
Wan Qiqi admired Old Master Xiao's courage; after the Xiao family prospered, he was willing to withdraw to ensure the Xiao family line would continue.
But she also felt sorry for Old Master Xiao, who had made great achievements, yet ended up spending his old age in this small Yunhe County.
Old Master Xiao had once enjoyed great success, and even the rarest jewels could not tempt him. What he truly desired was a harmonious family, a life of togetherness and mutual support, and a prosperous future.
Wan Qiqi suddenly understood why Old Master Xiao felt gratified when he saw Pingping and An'an.
"However, I've heard that Old Master Xiao dislikes businessmen, yet his eldest son is constantly entangled with them, often angering Old Master Xiao. This birthday banquet... who knows what might happen!"
Feng Gan felt that Old Master Xiao was being old-fashioned in this respect. Although the Xiao family was wealthy and powerful, they should still consider the future generations. Who would complain about having too much money?
"Who can say for sure?" Wan Qiqi shrugged.
She had already witnessed Old Master Xiao's attitude towards merchants and knew the kind of worries Xiao Han would encounter while searching for treasures and delicacies.
However, Xiao Han probably wouldn't give up like that. If there's something that Old Master Xiao likes, then it won't be a complete waste.
Wan Qiqi felt that Xiao Han was better than the others in terms of filial piety.
We're just family, but we're not of one mind.
After letting Feng Gan finish recounting the Xiao family's affairs, Wan Qiqi sent him off to greet the guests, while she herself sought out Zhu Chengye and began a new round of conversation in the study.
"Qiqi, what do you want with me?" Zhu Chengye picked up the tea in front of him, took a sip, and looked up at Wan Qiqi.
"Nothing much, I've just heard people talking about the Xiao family's birthday banquet. What are your thoughts?"
The fact that the birthday banquet became such a public spectacle is all thanks to the Xiao family's children. Old Master Xiao probably didn't want it to be like this; he just wanted to spend it quietly with his family.
Wan Qiqi had the idea of attending the birthday banquet, not for fame or fortune, but simply to give Old Master Xiao a fulfilling birthday.
"Young Master Xiao has been searching everywhere and has even allowed various restaurants to contribute dishes. This is quite a spectacle, making it hard for anyone not to know about it. I just wonder what Old Master Xiao thinks."
Zhu Chengye was slightly dissatisfied with the Xiao family's behavior, but he also wanted to get involved and fight for his own restaurant.
The restaurant is about to launch new dishes. If it can first gain the praise of the Xiao family at the banquet at the Xiao residence, the new dishes will surely attract many dignitaries and nobles after they go on sale.
With the Xiao family's approval, Xinglong Restaurant was quite successful in Yunhe County.
However, these matters still need to be discussed with Wan Qiqi, the owner of the restaurant.
"Old Master Xiao will probably not be pleased. However, Xiao Da's intentions are commendable, and it will also benefit the restaurant."
Even so, Wan Qiqi felt that even if she sought out Xiao Han and tried to gain an opportunity with Xinglong Restaurant, he probably wouldn't even give her a second glance.
Taking the initiative is futile; the other party is unlikely to come to you willingly.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chengye looked at Wan Qiqi with a hint of expectation, but ultimately did not receive the answer he wanted. He lowered his eyes, looking slightly disappointed.
But think about it, Xinglong Restaurant has only just established itself in Yunhe County. Being too aggressive would be detrimental to the restaurant's development.
"Let's reconsider this matter later. First, let's discuss the situation." Zhu Chengye's tone suddenly changed. "Why don't you consider bringing Pingping and An'an to Yunhe County?"
“If we bring Pingping here, An’an will be alone in town. It’s better to let them keep each other company,” Wan Qiqi replied with a smile. Then, hearing the voices of the waiters in the backyard, she asked, “How is Yao Jinniang getting along with the restaurant?”
“She has a gentle nature and gets along well with everyone. Her cooking skills are also excellent. However… she has an even larger appetite than men…” Zhu Chengye rubbed his forehead, his expression complicated.
“She has the skills, so it’s okay for her to eat more. The restaurant won’t miss her.” Wan Qiqi was a little worried about Yao Jinniang’s figure, but she had no reason to care. As long as the other party didn’t do anything to harm the restaurant, everything was fine.
As their conversation was drawing to a close, there was a knock on the door.
"Sister Qi, Sister Qi..." Erpang called out, his tone sounding anxious, as if he had encountered some trouble.
Wan Qiqi opened the door and saw that Erpang's forehead was covered in sweat. "Sister Qi, the third young master of the Xiao family is here. He's drinking with Young Master Feng. I overheard them betting on something. He even said that if he loses, Young Master Feng will have to be his servant!"
Erpang lowered his voice and kept turning around.
Wan Qiqi was filled with doubt.
Although Feng Gan likes to cause trouble, he would never provoke Xiao Huai. Could it be that Xiao Huai has approached Feng Gan?
The two had no prior conflict, except for that time when he drank with Tang Qiwen. Could it be that Xiao Huai came to cause trouble because of that?
"I'll go take a look."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Chengye was about to go out when Wan Qiqi stopped him, saying, "I'll go!"
"Are you sure?" Zhu Chengye knew that Wan Qiqi disliked dealing with the Xiao family, so why would she take the initiative to help this time?
Xiao Huai's arrival is uncertain, and it's best to go himself.
"I'm sure, it's most suitable for me to go. It'll be a good opportunity to see what Xiao Huai is planning."
Wan Qiqi had a guess in her mind, but she wasn't sure. She needed to investigate to confirm it.
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