Chapter 238 If the Second Uncle is the Eldest Uncle
Originally, Chen Yi and the others still had hope of returning to Shuzhou Prefecture.
When the torrential rain came down, it became difficult for them to even get back to their house in town.
Fortunately, Shen Huatang carried an umbrella with her, which could provide some shelter for Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er.
As a result, Xiao Wan'er inevitably ended up leaning against Chen Yi's chest.
Especially during heavy rain, the roads became muddy, and the ponies trudged along, their feet sinking deep into the mud.
This caused the two of them to sway precariously while sitting on it.
At first, Xiao Wan'er was somewhat reserved and would deliberately keep her distance from Chen Yi.
However, as the rain intensified and the wind picked up, her already frail body began to feel unwell.
Even though she was wearing a thick cloak with a mink vest underneath, she still exuded a chilling aura, like an ice cube.
Chen Yi naturally sensed it and understood after a moment's thought.
A body that is extremely cold cannot withstand wind and cold, let alone be exposed to rain and wind like this.
Hesitated for a moment.
Chen Yi glanced at Shen Huatang, who was dragging a ponies in front of him, then put one arm around Xiao Wan'er's waist and secretly pressed his finger on her Mingmen acupoint with the other hand—the middle of the second lumbar vertebra, level with her navel.
Xiao Wan'er felt the pressure on her waist, weakly turned her head to the side, her pale lips moving slightly:
"you……"
Because she was mindful of Shen Huatang and Kang Ming in front of her, she didn't say the word "other" at the end, but just stared at him with her bright eyes.
Chen Yi knew what she wanted to say, and said with a smile, "Your cloak is very thick, let me warm up too."
As he spoke, he used his fingers to demonstrate how to control his "finger" with his internal energy.
A faint stream of true energy slowly flowed over, warming Xiao Wan'er's body.
Xiao Wan'er's previously weak and cold body immediately felt better, as if a warm current was flowing over her entire body, dispelling the coldness within her.
She didn't know why, but she didn't think much of it, assuming it was just the effect of the medicine she had been taking recently.
"I……"
Before she could finish speaking, Chen Yi tightened his grip on her waist and asked with a smile, "Big sister, you wouldn't be so stingy, would you?"
Xiao Wan'er was embarrassed and anxious, but she couldn't say it outright, so she quietly bent her arm and wrapped her cloak around Chen Yi's rebellious hand.
To prevent Shen Huatang and Kang Ming from seeing it.
After doing all this, Xiao Wan'er breathed a slight sigh of relief.
But thinking of the bad guys behind her, a bit of color returned to her face as she scolded them playfully:
"You, you should practice martial arts more."
“Look at Huatang and Tingyun, they are unaffected by wind, rain, heat or cold.”
"And then there's Wu Ge. Lately, he's been going to the martial arts arena every day. I heard that my second uncle praised him several times."
After listening, Chen Yi couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to himself:
"My older sister has forgotten the pain once the wound has healed. She started lecturing me as soon as she felt a little warmer up."
However, knowing that Xiao Wan'er was easily embarrassed, he didn't argue and simply agreed.
"In times of emergency, one must act expediently; who would have thought that a sunny day would turn into a rainy one?"
"This is what autumn in Shuzhou is like..."
Shen Huatang, who was in front, turned around and glanced at the two when she heard their conversation. When she saw their posture, she frowned slightly.
After thinking for a moment, she turned around and quickened her pace.
The second son-in-law is really going too far, why is he getting so close?
Hmph, I'd better hurry back to the house, lest he cause any more trouble.
Clearly, Shen Huatang only noticed that Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er were too close together and did not notice the faint trace of true energy emanating from Chen Yi.
As they walked and stopped, the rain grew heavier and heavier.
The two people sitting on the ponies were completely unaware of this, chatting and laughing all the way.
Most of the time, it was Xiao Wan'er talking about the Medical Academy, such as her plans for the academy, building several study rooms, dormitories, and warehouses, etc.
"I hope that I can find suitable deans and instructors before the college is built."
Chen Yi thought for a moment and said, "A master of medicine doesn't usually come, but it's not impossible."
Xiao Wan'er turned her head and asked, "Do you have a solution?"
"Spend more money, but of course, you should also explain the benefits of the Medical Academy with reason and emotion."
"That being said, I hope that the first dean will not only be well-versed in medicine, but also have medical ethics and teaching ability."
Seeing Xiao Wan'er hesitate, Chen Yi smiled and shook his head: "It's not difficult."
"After you return, you should order your men to find all the medical masters in the Great Wei territory, and then send letters to each of them."
"Invite them all?"
"certainly."
"Elder sister, the medical academy you built is the first of its kind in our Great Wei Dynasty. How could such a great achievement, which will be remembered in history, not have some requirements?"
Although Chen Yi did not know which medical masters were in the Great Wei Dynasty, he understood human nature.
Even the most skilled doctors are still human. As humans, they have emotions and desires, and they can be burdened by fame and fortune.
The higher the bar is raised for medical academies, the more truly capable people they will attract.
Xiao Wan'er still didn't understand the key point. "Is this really okay?"
In her view, a master of medicine rarely leaves his seclusion, and such an invitation by letter might be disrespectful.
Chen Yi knew she wanted to emulate Liu Bei's three visits to Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage, so he immediately said:
"If you have any concerns, you might as well invite them over under the pretext of treating someone, without mentioning the academy's evaluation of them."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wan'er smiled and said, "Okay."
She paused, then asked again, "Who is the right person to treat?"
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, tightened his grip twice, and smiled, "You."
"I?"
"No, no, my father took me to see many famous doctors when I was a child, and my illness has already spread throughout the Great Wei."
"If they knew it was me, they probably wouldn't have come."
Chen Yi thought about it and realized that even the most skilled doctors were only at the minor level of mastery and could not possibly cure Xiao Wan'er.
He pondered for a moment.
He pondered for a moment and said, "Then it can only be the old man."
Xiao Wan'er was slightly taken aback, "Grandpa?"
Then she realized what she meant, and her smile widened as she said:
"After I return home, I will go and discuss this with my grandfather. I hope he will not refuse."
“Compared to my illness, my grandfather’s health is due to the injuries he sustained from years of fighting. Perhaps someone really can cure him.”
Chen Yi nodded. "The world is vast, and there are many talented and extraordinary people. I believe there are miraculous doctors among them."
He mentioned the old man because of this.
In fact, he had once used the art of observing qi to examine Old Master Xiao's health condition—and it was not optimistic.
Aside from those injuries and illnesses, the most important thing is that the old man is getting old and doesn't have much time left.
Even the most skilled and experienced doctors would likely be helpless in this situation.
Unless he takes action himself.
Even if he couldn't completely cure the old man, he could still prolong his life and alleviate his pain, making it easy for him to live for another ten or twenty years.
An hour later, when the sky had long since darkened, Chen Yi, Xiao Wan'er, and the others finally returned to their house in town.
Wash up, change clothes, and have dinner.
So they all stayed there.
However, because this house was much smaller than the Marquis's mansion, Chen Yi's room was right across from Xiao Wan'er's.
Shen Huatang, along with Juan'er and Cui'er, guarded the private room inside Xiao Wan'er's room.
Liu Si'er was simply assigned to live in the servants' quarters next to the stables.
Nothing to do.
Chen Yi lay down on the bed early.
Because he was worried that Shen Huatang would notice his movements, he didn't even practice the Four Symbols Technique.
Before he could even drift off to sleep, there was a knock on the door.
"Brother-in-law, are you asleep?"
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "Xiao Wan'er?"
He immediately sat up and responded, then went to open the door and saw Xiao Wan'er and Shen Huatang standing at the door.
Furthermore, they were all dressed neatly, unlike Chen Yi who was only wearing a light long gown.
Xiao Wan'er glanced at it, then lowered her head slightly and said, "I... I apologize for disturbing your rest."
Seeing that she was holding paper and pen, Chen Yi guessed that it must be related to the Medical Academy, so he stepped aside to let them in to talk.
"Still not sleeping so late, eldest sister is truly working tirelessly for the Medical Academy."
Xiao Wan'er was somewhat embarrassed that he had hit the nail on the head, but she was simple-minded by nature and did not leave.
Then she spread the paper out on the table and said, "I just sketched a rough draft. Take a look."
"So fast?"
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, picked up the paper, and glanced at it.
Xiao Wan'er's painting skills are quite good.
With just a few strokes, the general layout of the Medical Academy was sketched out.
Furthermore, the landscape, houses, and dwellings depicted in the painting are exactly the same as what one sees outside Monkey Mountain during the day.
After reading it, Chen Yi pondered for a moment, then picked up a brush and began to revise it on the paper.
Xiao Wan'er was taken aback, then turned and stood behind him, her bright eyes fixed on the paper.
Shen Huatang, standing to the side, paid no attention to the Medical Academy and focused only on Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er.
As she looked at it, she couldn't help but sigh.
She couldn't help but recall the conversation between Chen Yi and Xiao Wan'er that she had overheard during the day.
Those words about "incurable disease" made it hard for her not to feel sympathy for Xiao Wan'er.
"If the second son-in-law were not the second son-in-law, but the eldest son-in-law, he and the eldest daughter would be a good match."
"pity……"
Unfortunately, neither Chen Yi nor Xiao Wan'er cared at the moment, as they were focused solely on the Medical Academy.
Not long after.
After Chen Yi finished drawing with a few strokes, the simple sketch on the paper changed its appearance.
Although the entire medical academy is still built against the mountain, it is far superior to Xiao Wan'er's design in terms of both layout and configuration.
The study rooms used for medical research were connected to the waterways, making the layout of the academy more rational.
Furthermore, Chen Yi added some pavilions and towers, as well as plans for the subsequent expansion of the academy.
He looked at the sketch on the paper and explained to Xiao Wan'er:
"Initially, we don't need too many people; a hundred students are enough to get the academy running."
"Four study rooms, twenty dormitories, and a small courtyard for the instructors are enough."
Xiao Wan'er nodded subconsciously. She looked at the layout diagram on the paper, then at Chen Yi, and suddenly said:
"Brother-in-law, are you also a very good painter?"
Chen Yi was taken aback. "Big sister, shouldn't you be focusing on the academy's affairs right now?"
However, he did not deny it, and continued with a smile: "I have just started learning painting, and there is still much to be done."
This is not a self-deprecating remark.
His painting skills have indeed reached a certain level of proficiency, but after all, he has only studied for a short time, and his proficiency in ink painting and other techniques is not high; he is only slightly better than someone who has just begun to understand the basics.
But Xiao Wan'er didn't see it that way.
She said with admiration, "My brother-in-law is really amazing."
Although she had long known that Chen Yi was proficient in the four arts of qin (a stringed instrument), chess, calligraphy, and painting, she had only seen calligraphy, chess, and the inhumanly cruel qin.
Seeing Chen Yi's painting skills now fills her with inexplicable joy.
Chen Yi chuckled and said, "Let's check if there are any additions to these drawings first."
"No, I think it's great. You've thought of things more thoroughly than I have."
"How about we invite you to teach at the Medical Academy once it's completed?"
"Me? I don't know medicine, so what can I teach? I can't possibly teach them music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
"OK……"
It's not good at all.
If Chen Yi had truly wanted to get involved in the affairs of the Medical Academy, why would he have bothered to cultivate Ma Liangcai? He would have already volunteered himself under the identity of "Chen Yu".
Besides, he has other things to do.
Just like Guiyun Academy, Jishi Pharmacy and Baicaotang, and other more important things.
Let's chat for a while.
Xiao Wan'er remembered the painting she had mentioned earlier, so she invited Chen Yi to the side room where her parents used to live.
With a creak, the door opened.
Shen Huatang lit the oil lamp in the room.
When the firelight illuminated the room, Chen Yi immediately saw the painting hanging in the center of the room.
— Xiao Fengchun, dressed in a brocade robe; Fu Wanqing, in a pink dress; and two children smiling brightly.
Chen Yi looked them over for a moment and couldn't help but sigh in his heart: "No wonder Xiao Wan'er, Xiao Jinghong and Xiao Wuge are so good-looking."
Even though the painting was a traditional Chinese ink painting with less refined brushwork, he could still tell that Xiao Fengchun was handsome and Fu Wanqing was stunningly beautiful, truly deserving of her title as one of the Four Fairies of the Martial World.
Xiao Wan'er also saw the painting. The smile that had been on her face gradually faded, and her eyes were filled with sadness.
"Even after all these years, I can never forget it..."
She didn't finish her sentence about what she couldn't forget.
Chen Yi knew she was referring to Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing. After thinking for a moment, he bowed respectfully.
"Father-in-law and mother-in-law, son-in-law Chen Yi (Chen Qingzhou) pays his respects."
Xiao Wan'er was taken aback, turned her head to look at his actions, and the sadness on her face immediately disappeared. She covered her mouth and laughed:
"You really should pay your respects."
“You ran away from your wedding when you were getting married to your second sister, so you missed the ceremony with her.”
Chen Yi smiled and said, "I remember coming back to the torture chamber later?"
Xiao Wan'er rolled her eyes at him: "How can that be considered?"
She paused, then looked at the painting again, her voice slightly lower as she said:
"If your father and mother were still alive, they would never forgive you."
"If they were here, I might not have been able to come to the Xiao family."
Chen Yi knew very well that the reason he was able to marry into the Xiao family was because the Xiao family was in decline and lacked successors.
If Xiao Fengchun and Fu Wanqing hadn't died, neither Xiao Wan'er nor Xiao Jinghong would have been able to marry into the family.
Judging from the Xiao family's traditions, the sisters will probably choose a suitable husband.
At the very least, it has to be someone like Chen Yunfan.
It was never going to be Chen Yi, the illegitimate son of the Chen family in Jiangnan Prefecture.
I watched for a moment.
Xiao Wan'er then took the painting down, rolled it up and put it away, saying with a smile:
"Brother-in-law, when you have some free time, could you help me copy a new painting?"
"I was thinking of keeping one for my second sister and one for Wu Ge."
Chen Yi watched her movements and nodded, saying, "Let me familiarize myself with the painting style a bit more."
He knew that Xiao Wan'er couldn't forget her deceased parents, so it was impossible for her to refuse to paint them.
However, his painting skills are indeed not very good now, and the things he imitates lack spirit.
If we wait a few more days, he might be able to create a different effect.
After chatting for a few minutes, the three of them returned to their respective rooms.
Chen Yi glanced at the room opposite, a slight smile appearing on his calm face.
Goodnight, Xiao Wan'er.
Just then, at midnight, a golden light flashed—
[Daily Intelligence - Superior Mystic Rank: At 6:45 PM, the Hidden Guard, the Female Tiger, meets with a man from the Kingdom of Vaishsa at the Spring Rain Pavilion in the Brothel Alley. A small amount of good fortune may be obtained.]
Female tiger, Lou Yuxue?
Were they from Vashyapa... or were they with King Randhu?
(End of this chapter)
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