After repeatedly trying and failing to decline,
Wang Ji finally agreed.
Yunqing Tower was not far away, and a simple meal presumably would not delay him too long. With the Qinghe Cui Family's reputation behind it as well, there was no harm in showing his face.
Yet after their earlier conversation, Wang Ji kept feeling that something was slightly unusual about the man's visit.
He pondered for a moment.
Wang Ji arranged for a carriage and instructed, "Take me to visit Xiao Manor. The rest of you, keep watch over Hundred Herbs Hall. Don't let any villains get their hands on it."
Before long,
Wang Ji had written two letters, one a visiting card and the other a brief note.
Lately, many strangers in Shuzhou had been spying on Hundred Herbs Hall. Naturally, he had to be cautious, lest someone with ulterior motives notice anything.
Wang Ji gathered the letters, boarded the carriage in Hundred Herbs Hall's rear courtyard, and set off for the Xiao Family.
By now, nearly half the travelers outside West Market had dispersed, leaving the roads somewhat wider. The carriage traveled down the road at a moderate pace.
Wang Ji kept both hands tucked into his sleeves, swaying slightly with the carriage, little expression on his face.
He was still considering the matter of the Qinghe Cui Family.
To say they would offer no help in expanding Hundred Herbs Hall would, of course, be something of a joke.
The Qinghe Cui Family possessed immense wealth and extensive connections. Throughout the Nine Provinces and Three Prefectures, almost everyone would show them some respect.
With their backing, establishing branches of Hundred Herbs Hall in those places might not be as easy as turning over a hand, but it would encounter virtually no obstacles.
In this respect, neither the