This was probably the warmest, liveliest meal Chen Yi had eaten with the Xiao Family since the Old Master's birthday celebration.
Whenever Xiao Jinghong returned in the past, she had eaten in either Chunhe Garden or Jiaxing Garden. Apart from Chen Yi, Xiao Wan'er, and a few others, there had seldom been anyone else present. Even Elder Master Xiao rarely got to share a meal with her.
And from the moment they sat down, no one mentioned any of the sordid affairs inside or outside Xiao Manor.
They simply chatted about everyday matters.
For instance, winter was approaching, and the various courtyards needed new clothes and supplies of dry firewood, lest the lack of a fire to warm themselves by make the winter unbearable.
Jiaxing Garden had always been the first to arrange these things in previous years. When someone mentioned it, Xiao Wan'er readily agreed to take care of it.
Then there were visits and exchanges with various families.
Whose birthday was coming, whose family had a wedding, which people had passed away from illness-these matters were mentioned over the meal, with several stewards responsible for recording them.
Someone also noticed that Lu Guan had not appeared in the manor for days. The Old Master brushed the question aside, saying he had sent him to check on the Wushan Mutual Market.
The conversation naturally turned to the Wushan Mutual Market.
After learning that its construction was complete and it had opened, Chen Yi had not paid it much further attention.
Only today did he hear that things there were going much better than expected.
Merchants came and went in an endless stream, transporting herbs the Mountain Tribe had dug up in Wumeng Mountain, pelts from martens they had hunted, and other goods to other prefectures and provinces.
Reportedly, these