Qingming Festival
After everyone had been busy for a few days, they finally finished planting seedlings. Shen Yanbei was relieved, then he took both Gu Changfeng and Shen Laifu to find someone in the county to renovate the restaurant, preparing for the opening of the restaurant.
The previous owner was really stingy. After the ownership changed hands, all the tables, chairs, stools, also pots and pans in the kitchen, including the things in the backyard were moved away. Only left an empty building!
Shen Yanbei was a little dumbfounded, but he didn't care that much. He originally planned to redecorate and didn't have any intention to use the shabby configuration. Even the kitchen setting had to be redesigned.
Since Shen Laifu had been in the county for so many years, he was familiar with many things. So he immediately found skilled plasterers and carpenters.
The restaurant had two floors: the lobby on the first floor and the private rooms on the second floor. Shen Yanbei didn't want to change the layout of the restaurant, only needed to spend more time on decoration.
It might take too much time and money to create furniture with carved patterns and leaves. So Shen Yanbei asked the carpenters to make customized tables and chairs simple and elegant. The majority of the decoration cost was on hardware, the rest was mainly spent on buying kitchen utensils and tableware. Besides, Shen Yanbei also bought some half-person tall green plants and potted flowers. Different from other restaurants, several tables were set up at random in the lobby for guests to eat. These designs were referred to the restaurants with various modern decoration styles that made full use of space. Plants and wooden boards divided the lobby into three spaces. There was a row of seats against the wall on the left and right like a corridor, which were separated by wooden boards in the middle. Between the seat were separated by wooden boards to use it as decks which were decorated with plants and flowers.
Shen Yanbei in the private room on the second floor did not plan to give elegant names like those lofty restaurants he ever visited before. Passed the name like spring, summer, autumn, winter plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, he preferred to choose: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy for the name.
These sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty with the same taste similar with up and down, joy, anger, sorrow, and shame, meant that we could pass through it together; wealth and longevity, meant that we prayed for God's blessing together.
The overall decoration style of the restaurant had been set. Now all he had to do was to hire the waiters, the shopkeeper, and the kitchen helper. Shen Laifu directly recommended the guys whom he had worked with before to Shen Yanbei. After Shen Yanbei did some investigation, he decided on the fixed workers. After they signed the contract, they were trained before doing their job.
...
So busy decorating the restaurant, Shen Yanbei did not pay attention to the crops in the fields for a while. Now all the small seedlings of corn, soybeans, etc, had grown up to half a foot tall, and the seedlings had grown into small green leaf and had rooted.
It meant that he could let the ducks live in the fields in half a month. Because it might need a lot of ducks in the eight-acre paddy field, Shen Yanbei asked someone to find out who had ducks nearby to buy a batch of ducklings.
In the middle of the busy time, the Qingming festival came.
Qingming festival had been a very important festival since ancient times. Everyone was very cautious preparing everything that needed to do sweeping tombs and offering incense to ancestors.
In modern times, Shen Yanbei always went to the cemetery to pay homage to his mother regardless of the Qingming Festival or the anniversary of his mother's death. Now since that time and space had been changed and he took over someone else's child's body, Shen Yanbei was even more attentive to the Qingming Festival. There was a lot of rain during the Qingming Festival. The weather was still fine in the first two days, but on the day of sweeping tombs, a drizzle suddenly dropped from the sky.
Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng walked side by side holding an umbrella, fortunately, that the rain was not that heavy. Shen Yanbei was holding a bamboo basket with incense, candles, paper money, and etc, inside. Gu Changfeng was carrying a hoe, with a box was hung on the hoe. There were food and wine for doing a ceremony to respect the dead inside the box.
The parents of the original owner were buried at the foot of Huaqiu Mountain. Around this place was full of burial areas. At first glance, they were all graves of different sizes and simple or had been neatly repaired.
The white paper was flying, and the white flags were surging. It even looked more strange and bleak in the rainy weather.
The ancients really paid attention to be buried in the same place. The tomb where Father and Mother Shen were buried together was a small grave with a tombstone on the side. The tombstone was written with cinnabar: Shen Father's name Shen Changqing and Shen Mother's name Shen Wang-shi, Shuya. The soil pack* was washed away by rain all year round and even was covered with green weeds.
*tǔbāo: refers to the tomb.
The two put down the food basket and proceeded to clean up the weeds.
"Let me do it." Gu Changfeng hurriedly held Shen Yanbei's hand when he Yanbei was about to pull the weeds.
Shen Yanbei smiled and said, "It's okay, it faster if two people do it."
Thinking that this was the tomb of Shen Yanbei's parents and his parents-in-law, Gu Changfeng's face flushed slightly. He didn't speak more, but he was weeding much faster.
The weeds around the tomb were also cleaned, revealing dark brown soil. Gu Changfeng leveled the ground, piled up the rest of the soil, turned the small soil pack into a big one. Following what Shen Yanbei said, he hoed a large piece of turf and pressed yellow paper on the soil bag.
Shen Yanbei took out three bowls of white rice, a chicken, and a plate of fruits from the food box and placed them in front of the grave. Then he took out three wine glasses and placed them, filled them one by one.
On the other side, Gu Changfeng took out the joss stick paper, etc. from the basket, and lit the joss stick with the fire.
Putting the red candle on the head of the grave respectfully, Shen Yanbei bowed down in front of the incense. Gu Changfeng also knelt beside him without hesitation.
"Father and Mother, I came to see you." Uncle Shen and Aunt Shen, hello, I am Shen Yanbei. Although it wasn't my intention, now I indeed do occupy your son's body. I am deeply sorry about it. Since it's for the sake of Shen's Family, please forgive me for continuing to live with your son's body and identity.
"This is my fu lang Gu Changfeng." This is my wife Gu Changfeng, and the daughter-in-law of your Shen's Family.
"I have taken the land back and also planted crops. Although I am not rich now, my life is going well. So please don't worry." Because the wood is already made into a boat*, I shamelessly use your family's resources. I may not have many abilities, but I will make my wife live a good life, and will not discredit your Shen's Family's name.
*something that happened in the past and cannot be changed.
After talking for a while, Shen Yanbei put the incense stick on. Then sternly knocked his head three times.
"Father, mother, I will take good care of my husband. Please rest assured."
A man's low and severe voice came from his ears. As soon as Shen Yanbei looked up, he saw the dark hair of Gu Changfeng. His depressing mood immediately improved.
An igniting fire tongue rolled over the money paper, the wind helped the fire burning bigger. The paper money and ingots that piled in front of the grave burned. The fiery flames warmed Shen Yanbei's cold palm. When the money paper burned to ashes, Shen Yanbei spilled the wine. This tomb sweep ceremony was finished.
"Okay, wife, pack your things and go back." Shen Yanbei smiled slightly at Gu Changfeng who had been staring at him.
Gu Changfeng nodded gently.
The two walked side by side as they did when they came. The drizzle was flying, and it was a bit cold on the face. But the warm temperature from the palm spread to Shen Yanbei's heart.
"Husband, don't be sad. I will always be with you in the future."
The man beside him clasped his hand tightly, comforting him awkwardly but sincere. Shen Yanbei wanted to say that he was not sad but regretful. He finally had found someone that would stay together for the rest of his life, but he couldn't bring him to his mother's grave to introduce him.
But it didn't matter. As long as he had a good life, his mom in heaven must be very happy!
The gloomy mood was swept away, Shen Yanbei clasped back his wife's warm palms, said with a smile, "It is said that the ugly bride isn't afraid to meet her parents-in-law. Since you have met your in-laws now, you are a part of my Shen's Family! "
The other party was not embarrassed while he said that but looked directly at him with those quiet black eyes, and solemnly said, "En".
The heart suddenly became too soft.
Shen Yanbei directly reached out to grab his shirt and pulled the person over, and kissed his lip fiercely.
"You're not allowed to say such nice words in the future!"
Gu Changfeng's ears were red, his eyes looked so confused.
What did he say?
Li Juren
It had been several years since Shen Laifu became a chef. He had seen many restaurants and inns, but he had never seen a restaurant with such a peculiar layout.
The design wasn't focused on a splendid and imposing layout. The seats in the lobby were in order, surrounded by green leaves and red flowers. We could easily feel comfortable just looking at it, not to mention that the seats in private rooms were so elegantly decorated.
The seating arrangement was wonderful, and other details were handled with great care. The teapots, cups, and saucers on the table are all printed with a striking "Fu", which was even more impressive. Wearing a uniform blue shirt with a "Fu" embroidered on his chest, the waiters from the shop looked so energetic...
Shen Laifu didn't know where a scholar got so many fantastic ideas. At this moment, the admiration in his heart was like the rolling water of the East River. It couldn't be described simply with words.
"Shen...Shen Yan, I'm wondering that should our meal prices be raised a little bit?" Shen Laifu looked at the new menu prices, his eyes almost fell off.
"Our food is so delicious, and this restaurant is so unique. At first glance, we can know it's not for ordinary people to come to eat. Besides that, the price of this dish is also..."
The best restaurant in this county was Changsheng restaurant. But no matter whether the layout or the taste, Shen Laifu believed that their Tongfu Restaurant was the same level as Changsheng Restaurant! A portion of good food in Changsheng Restaurant cost at least one or two silver. But Shen Laifu just counted that their restaurant's meal only cost five or six hundred cents, how could this work!
Shen Yanbei explained to him, "Because our restaurant looks good, ordinary people will hesitate to come in. So for the opening, the price of the food in the first two days of opening has been deliberately lowered. This is to attract customers, also to increase reputation and publicity for our Tongfu restaurant."
He was not worried that the low prices of meals in the first two days would lead to a loss. There were not too few rich people and not too many poor people in this county. In the past two years, the weather had been smooth, so ordinary people had surplus food. Due to his restaurant was full of freshness, ordinary people might be willing to spend money just to watch the excitement and tasted the food. After two days, the reputation of his restaurant would spread over. After three days, those who really could afford it naturally would come to be their regular customer in the future.
Shen Laifu suddenly realized that the look in Shen Yanbei's eyes changed. He originally was worried that as a scholar, Shen Yanbei was not good at managing, but now he seemed to be very clever. Even he counted the common people's greed and their habit that liked to join in the fun. It was true when it said that didn't judge a man by his looks!
Everything was prepared well, Shen Yanbei started to pick a lucky day for the opening.
It was early in the morning when there was a newly opened restaurant on Changchun Street. At the most lively street in the county, people could hear the sound of festive firecrackers. The red silk on the plaque with the four shining big characters of "Tongfu Restaurant" was spanned in front of the passersby. Many people had noticed this new place when it was being renovated, and now they inquired about this restaurant as soon as they opened it.
"Shopkeeper Liu? Why is the owner so willing to spend much money on redecorating the restaurant? Could it be that the sun came out from the west?"
Everyone in the county knew the stingy reputation of the previous owner. They thought the restaurant might have changed ownership. But the previous shopkeeper was still there, so they couldn't help but feel strange.
Shopkeeper Liu stroked his beard and smiled. "The owner has changed. Today is the day of our Fu Restaurant's great celebration. The new owner said that to celebrate the opening of the restaurant, guests who come to the restaurant for eating in these two days can enjoy a discount price." At this point, the shopkeeper Liu paused, pretending to act unpredictably. "If guests are interested, you can go in and take a look."
"Hey, are there such good things inside?" The visitor was even more curious.
"Shopkeeper Li, by looking at your mysterious face, is there something hidden in this restaurant?" Another person joked.
"It's impossible to say that the universe is hidden, but our Tongfu Restaurant is not an ordinary restaurant. It will definitely satisfy you."
"Yes, for you, I will give you a taste today!"
Shopkeeper Liu smiled and spread his hands. "Please come in!"
As soon as the visitor walked in, he was immediately shocked by the different style of decoration in the restaurant.
"This... how does it look like a garden?"
The visitor looked at everything around with interest. An energetic waiter stepped forward and greeted, "Good morning, Guest. where do you want to sit?"
There were a total of 18 tables in the lobby. As the first customer, you could choose your seat!
"Your restaurant is so beautiful..." The visitor looked around and finally chose a seat by the window.
"Guest, what do you want to eat?" Waiter asked respectfully.
Came to sit in a small space and looked around, it was amazingly novel.
"What kind of menus do you have? I haven't eaten breakfast yet!"
There was a wall in the lobby with many small wooden signs on which the names of various dishes were written. When the waiter was asked about the menus, he recommended some.
The dishes were about to be served soon. Staring at the steaming porridge in front of him, it had a good smell and the texture was soft. Really looked like an exquisite breakfast. The visitor was stunned, didn't know how to start.
Guests then came in one after another. Everyone was fascinated by everything in front of them like the first guest before...
In the private room on the second floor, Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng were having breakfast. Today the restaurant was opened, as the owner, he couldn't be absent.
"Here taste this." Shen Yanbei used chopsticks to put a soup dumpling in Gu Changfeng's bowl and then showed him how to eat it. "First bite a hole in the skin, drink the soup before eating the buns. Be careful to not burn your mouth."
Tongfu Restaurant was a modern restaurant. Its main operation was for the morning tea and food market. Not to mention the food market, the morning tea alone was enough to attract people.
While preparing to open the restaurant, Shen Yanbei investigated the situation of eating habits of the people here. There were only a few things to eat in the morning: such as porridge, wonton, buns, pancakes..., the choices were very limited. Because saccharin was expensive, so the price of pastries made with sugar was expensive. Ordinary people were not willing to eat them, so they bought some sugar cakes for the children at home to relieve their hunger only during the new year festival. That was why he didn't find a pastry shop on the street that day. But the snacks sold in their restaurants were all made by improving the simple and inexpensive dim sum styles he chose from the modern dim sum variety: such as shrimp dumplings, noodles, siu mai, shortbread, mullet cakes, rice dumplings, and many more. Just looking at it made the index finger move (to choose the menu)!
Gu Changfeng tried to eat one and commented very pertinently, "The soup is very fresh and the buns are thin but thick. So delicious!"
Shen Yanbei smiled, pushed the porcelain bowl with the word 'blessing' on the blue background. "The porridge is gonna be cold, try it?"
In the white thick porridge exuding an alluring aroma, there was a bright red shrimp half hidden and half exposed, and there were some green onions in the porridge, which looked delicious whether in color and fragrance.
Gu Changfeng put a spoonful of porridge into his mouth, swallowed it slowly.
"How?"
Gu Changfeng nodded. "It's very fragrant, fresh, and warm."
"You can eat all of these. If you like, I'll make them for you at home." Shen Yanbei squinted. White pepper could dispel cold, invigorated the stomach, and improved freshness. Adding some white pepper to the porridge could make the porridge more aromatic.
A piece of steamed pork ribs was clamped into a bowl, Gu Changfeng's calm black eyes looked directly at him. "I'm not that hungry, you eat too." Shen Yanbei had stared at him to watch him eating, without moving his chopsticks.
Shen Yanbei graciously picked up the ribs given by his wife. "Let's walk together after this?" After the restaurant opened, they could finally have a good break. By taking advantage of the bright spring, let's walking around with his wife!
"Good."
The downstairs gradually became lively. Some guests wanted to book a private room, so the shopkeeper led the guests upstairs.
There was a small noise at the door, it seemed that someone was talking. As soon as Shen Yanbei opened the door, he happened to see a plain but arrogant man in brocade clothes talking.
"This restaurant is indeed different. It seems that the owner of this restaurant has not been less proficient in strange skills."
The young man in the green robe beside him smiled flatteringly. "Mingde xiōng* is right, otherwise, how can they attract guests?"
*elder brother.
Another young man in sapphire silk clothes also echoed, "Businessmen are chasing profit. Even if they have more thoughts, it can't be denied that it's all for yellow and white things*. Geez, so vulgar." The mole on the lower right corner of the mouth shaking while speaking, looking eye-catching and funny.
*Gold and silver. The ancients were ashamed to talk about money directly, often expressed by pronouns.
Shen Yanbei. "..."
Was it wrong to use some means to attract customers to make money?
The man seemed to be very satisfied with the compliments of the two, his faces were full of joy. But he didn't expect to see Shen Yanbei when he turned his head, his eyes' looks changed.
Shen Yanbei. "..."
Did he look that scary?
"Isn't this Shen Xiucai from Shenjia Village?" The man fixed his tone and raised his eyebrows, looking at Shen Yanbei's gaze intriguingly.
Did the original owner know this person? Shen Yanbei recalled the memory of the original owner and got the identity of the other party- Li Yi, a Master Xiucai of Lijia Village.
The relationship between Lijia Village and Shenjia Village was not very good. Because the original owner did not have much contact with others, so Shen Yanbei slightly nodded to greet.
The man lowered his eyes, obviously unhappy.
The young man in a green robe scolded. "You are really rude. You don't know how to salute when you meet the Master Juren, yet you regard yourself as a scholar. Indeed read the book to the dog! You do not have a sense of shame and do not understand the respect!"
Shen Yanbei was taken aback. It turned out that the Master Juren from the Lijia Village that Village Chief told him before was this man, Li Yi?
Sure enough, it was a case of scoundrel realizing his ambition*.
*xiǎo rén dé zhì: villain: refers to a person with low morals or improper behavior. Refers to people with low personality gaining power.
Since the restaurant opened on the first day, Shen Yanbei did not want to break the good atmosphere, so he apologized. "I have secluded myself from society for a long time, I don't know that it's Juren dàjià*. I am really ashamed."
*Honorifics title to others.
Li Yi snorted, looked at Shen Yanbei arrogantly. "I heard that you were very ill a while ago? It seems that the rumor is true that your brain was burnt*." He waved his hand pretentiously. "What else I can say, ignorance can be forgiven anyway**."
*chōng hūn tóu nǎo: being dizzy because of success, can not think calmly and act recklessly.
**bù zhī zhě bù zuì: no blame attaches to the unconscious doer of wrong.
The young man in the green robe immediately said, "As expected to a Master Juren like you who were broad-minded. If it's me I won't be able to stay calm with this someone who likes to flatter around!"
Unwilling to be left behind, the blue silk youth denounced Shen Yanbei. "You have to be grateful that Master Juren doesn't care about your current attitude. If you are still so rude next time, you should stop regarding yourself as a scholar. It's better for you just going home to do farm!"
Shen Yanbei just smiled, while Gu Changfeng quietly clenched his hand.
Seeing that there was no embarrassment on the face of Shen Yanbei, Li Yi asked coldly, "Don't your house have nothing in the pot*? Why did you come to this place?"
*be short of food.
Shen Yan did not change his face's color when he spoke nonsense, "I heard before that the restaurant will give the discount price for two days. So I specially came with Fu Lang to taste it."
The blue silk youth sneered and looked at him contemptuously. "Are you trying to make yourself look fat by slapping your own face*? Then have you eaten well? Since you are the Master Juren's acquaintance, I'll treat you!"
*jiēbukāiguōle: try to satisfy your vanity when you cannot really afford to do so.
Seeing Gu Changfeng's face sank, Shen Yanbei quickly said, "Thank you for the invitation. We have already eaten well. We won't disturb Master Juren's good mood. We'd better get going first."
Li Yi raised his eyelids. He looked straight at Gu Changfeng, who was standing beside Shen Yanbei.
"...This is the Shuānger that you bought for Chongxi? It's true that to know a man by repute is not as good as meeting him face to face*."
*wén míng bù rú jiàn miàn: it's better to understand by just listening to fame than meet personally.
Shen Yanbei's eyes were slightly cold, he unconsciously clenched his hands under the sleeves.
"It's a good match for you." Li Yi chuckled lightly, with a deep meaning.
As soon as these words came out, the two people beside him stared at Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng recklessly.
"What Juren means is Shen Xiucai, because of your body's condition, just let your husband guard you. But you still have to be careful when the lights are turned off! Hahaha..."
"Yes, Shen Xiucai, you are so small. So you have to be careful not to be crushed!"
The blue veins on Gu Changfeng's arm had been exposed. Shen Yanbei squeezed his hand tightly and smiled embarrassedly. "I made you laugh. I like him the way he is."
The smile of the young man in the green robe froze, he looked at Shen Yanbei like seeing a fool and the blue silk young man ridiculed.
"Your preferences are quite special." Li Yi smiled but not smiled at the same time.
"Whatever you say." Taking his wife's hand openly, Shen Yanbei smiled and said, "My Fu Lang and I are going to walk around the county. Goodbye."
Seeing Shen Yanbei turning around to leave, Li Yi suddenly asked, "I wonder if Shen Xiucai saw Miss Wanru in the past two days? She gave me a purse that day, saying that she liked the poems I made. I haven't thanked her in person."
"Lady Wanru? Lady Lin?" Shen Yanbei looked blank. "She came to me that day and asked if she could pay the farm-rent later, but I refused her. So I haven't seen her in the past few days." In the end, he comforted Li Yi with gentle words. "If I see her, I will convey your gratitude to her. Don't worry."
In an instant, Li Yi's facial expression was hard to describe.
Shen Yanbei smiled, joined his hands together in salute, and left.
Seeing Li Yi's dark face, the young man in the green robe spit. "Cih, What the hell?"
"Such poor ghost can only pick up such ugly monster!" The blue silk youth smiled on his face. "Let's ignore this poor, come and taste delicious meals in this restaurant!"
"Yes, yes! We will visit the magistrate later. So we shouldn't be upset because of this kind of toxic scholar..."
Li Yi's face was still slightly dark. At that time, Shen Yan obtained fame as a scholar at a young age and was well-known for many miles in eight villages. His family was quite wealthy, and his appearance was handsome. He suddenly became the yearning object of many young and beautiful women and Shuāngers. On the contrary, it was a pity for him to study hard for ten years but being forgotten as the first Xiucai in ten miles in eight villages.
Later, Shen Yan's parents died unexpectedly and the Shen's Family was slowly collapsed, causing Shen Yan to gradually fell into despair. While he studied hard, regardless of cold or heat. Finally, he passed the Juren exam when he participated in Qiuwei for the third time!
Thinking of this, Li Yi was back to his sense and became arrogant.
Shen Yan now was just a broken-down Xiucai, but he would soon become a magistrate of state or county. If that day came, doesn't it only needed one sentence to teach Shen Yan a lesson*?
*The original says: rounding and pressing to roll you into a ball or squash, which means to beat you violently.
It's not too late for a gentleman to take revenge for ten years
The words of the two fell in their ears, but Shen Yanbei, who was walking ahead, did not slow down at all.
Out of the Tongfu restaurant, Gu Changfeng turned his head to look at him. "Husband, you aren't angry?" If it wasn't for concern about being unfavorable to people, he would beat the two men severely.
Shen Yanbei shook his head. "It's said that you won't lose a piece of meat twice. Harmony brings wealth. No need to bite back because of a bite by a dog."
The restaurant opened to welcome visitors from all directions. He didn't want to make trouble by driving the guests away. The loss will outweigh the gain. Also, he had learned from the village chief that the villagers of Lijia Village underestimated their village with their nose up, treating other villagers extremely unfriendly. There was a lot of friction between Shenjia Village and Lijia Village, even caused trouble by putting human life aside. Li Juren had close contacts with the county magistrate. If there was a dispute between the two villages, it was clear he would be on the Lijia Village's side.
He didn't know exactly what happened, the village chief sighed straight when he talked about it. Now he had no power and no right to handle it. So he couldn't deepen the conflict between the two villages because of his anger for a while.
Even though he didn't care about dogs now, it didn't mean that he wouldn't fight dogs in the future. But beating the dog still had to look at the owner, so he must find a way to solve the dog owner's issue first.
Li Yi, Master Juren...
Ah.
With a fuss in his mind, Shen Yanbei pulled Gu Changfeng and said, "Don't be angry. Only the guy drinking water knows it's cold or hot. All good sides that you have, only me that know it. There is no need to tell them."
"I'm not angry that they look down on me." He was angry that these people insulted Shen Yanbei.
"I know." Shen Yanbei touched Changfeng's face, warmly said, "It's not too late for a gentleman to get revenge after ten years, I will get back what they owed from me! We have been busy for so long. now let's go relax, do something happy, and just think about other things!"
Fearing that he still had this in his mind, Shen Yanbei wanted to divert his attention. "I had been short of money, so I didn't dare to buy a book. Now that the restaurant is opened, there will be more income. How about we go to buy books?"
"Alright." Gu Changfeng nodded. It was not too late for a gentleman to avenge for ten years, but he just couldn't simply swallow it. But tidying up those two would cause trouble for Shen Yanbei...
There was a small bookstore in the county that sold books, pens, ink, paper, inkstone, and other stationery. Although he had the memory of the original owner, Shen Yanbei was not as proficient in writing as the original owner just because he controlled this body. So he wanted to buy some paper and practiced calligraphy at home. But after asking, he realized that the paper here was actually more expensive than meat!
A catty of pork belly only cost 16 cents, but a pile of coarse paper cost 30 cents. A white and smooth book required 50 cents. Not to mention some stationery such as inkstones, ink blocks, and writing brushes, you should spend more than 100 cents.
Pen, ink, paper, and inkstone spent a lot of money. If you wanted to go to school, you must pay the school fee. No wonder there were not many scholars in the nearby villages. The annual income of ordinary people's households was only four or five taels, which was really unaffordable to support someone to be a scholar.
Suddenly remembering that the original owner's pen and ink could still be used, the shy Shen Yanbei only picked a few stacks of paper and two books.
Books were more expensive than paper. A book actually cost one or two silvers, and it was still the kind that was popular on the market. The original owner hadn't read the book for a long time, so Shen Yanbei could only pay for it with a broken heart.
"Young Master, is there so much fun in this poor country? But why there is no good meal?" The young boy dressed as a servant lamented with a distressed expression.
The scented sandalwood folding fan "slapped" on his head, an angry voice sounded. "Eat, eat! You think your young master is not fat enough and don't have enough meat?"
That young servant said with a smile, "Young Master, where did you get fat? Not at all..."
"Shut up!" The voice was quite aggrieved, he scolded. "When I don't know! You two are coaxing me!"
"I've decided! I won't eat breakfast!"
As soon as Shen Yanbei walked out of the bookstore, he saw a boy with a tender and round face and a round body staring angrily at the young servant.
The round-faced boy in gorgeous clothes looked very happy, even the way he was glaring looked so cute.
The two people yelled in the street, attracted a lot of curious glances. The round-faced boy snorted, turned around with his chubby face, and suddenly hit Shen Yanbei?
Shen Yanbei stepped back when he was hit, Gu Changfeng quickly supported him.
The round-faced boy said "Ouch" and raised his head. His big round eyes suddenly widened, looking at Shen Yanbei and the others dumbfoundedly.
Seeing him like this, the young servant's expression stiffened. He quickly stepped forward and shouted "Young Master" in a low voice, his tone extremely helpless.
Gu Changfeng frowned. Shen Yanbei smiled at him after standing steady.
The round-faced boy came back to his senses, his pale and tender face blushed. "I'm... I'm sorry!"
"It's okay, walk carefully." Shen Yanbei said politely, holding Gu Changfeng's hand and continuing to walk.
"Please wait a minute!" the round-faced boy shouted, walking fastly to the two of them. "Well, because I've wronged you, let me treat you breakfast?"
The smile on Shen Yanbei's face faded. "No need to do that and you didn't mean to do it. We also had had breakfast. Goodbye!"
"No, wait!" The round-faced boy opened his hand to stop them. "How about a cup of tea?"
He just realized that it was rude to be entangled in this way, the boy flushed. "Sorry, I...I just want to ask..." As he said, his eyes fell on Gu Changfeng who was beside Shen Yanbei...
"This... Dage*, how did you develop such a good figure?"
*Big Brother
The round-faced boy's eyes were fiery. He looked straight at Gu Changfeng's chest, which looked very strong.
When the young servant heard this, his face changed. He hurriedly dragged the young man to apologize to Gu Changfeng. "I'm really sorry. My young master is hungry and dizzy, that's why he's talking nonsense. Please don't take it seriously!"
"You're the one who talking nonsense!" The round-faced boy broke away from the young servant's hand. He stared at Gu Changfeng with glowing eyes.
Shen Yanbei. "..." What the hell with the obsessive gaze of this young boy's eyes?
Gu Changfeng was stunned for a moment. When he looked at the young boy carefully, he found a bright red mole under his bangs.
This round-faced boy was actually a Shuānger! And this young servant was also a Shuānger!
"Sorry for being rude, but..." The round-faced boy looked serious and jealous. "I really want to have a body like you. Can you tell me how you did it?"
Shen Yanbei's gaze couldn't help but fall on his slightly bulging belly, the round-faced boy hurriedly took a deep breath and raised his chest and abdomen.
"Young Master..." the young servant pulled his clothes, with eyes full of anxiety. "Stop talking! Let's take a leave! Your current appearance is fine, you don't need to be like that!"
"Like I'll believe in your evil!" The round-faced young master slapped his hand away. He walked closer to Gu Changfeng, staring at him with bright eyes. "Hello, Dage. My name is Su Qingze."
Gu Changfeng was not accustomed to being stared at with such eyes, but this young man was not malicious. So he nodded. "Hello."
Su Qingze was overjoyed. "Dage, what do you usually eat?"
Gu Changcheng frowned. Because Shen Yanbei wanted to determine the restaurant's dishes, he made a lot of delicious food for Changcheng during this period. So he ate a lot of those who were flying in the sky and running on the ground. So he answered, "I've eaten a lot, including chicken, duck, fish, vegetables, and mixed grains."
"Then what do you usually do?"
Gu Changfeng thought for a while. "Chopping wood, picking water, washing, burning the fire, feeding chickens and ducks..."
"It means that if I ain't picky about eating and work harder, I can be as strong as you?" The round-faced boy's eyes were bright and full of hope.
What kind of brain circuit that he had? Shen Yanbei shook his head and laughed. "This young man, if you want to be like my Fu Lang, you have to find a way to lose weight."
Su Qingze was startled. When looked down at his bulging belly, he shrank his shoulders like a depressed ball, looked very pitiful.
Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng looked at each other, both saw a smile in each other's eyes.
"We have something to do so we'll leave first. Goodbye." Shen Yan joined his hands together in salute.
Watching the two leave, the young servant hurriedly said, "Young Master! Don't listen to their nonsense! You look so beautiful!"
"What looks good! What I'm the best!" Su Qingze said viciously with red eyes, "It's all your fault! You lie to me and persuade me to eat this, saying that I have less flesh!"
"Yes, yes, it's all this little's mistakes!" The young servant smiled all over his face. "If you are out of anger, let's go find a place to have breakfast first?"
"I will not eat!"
"Oh, my young master! If you are hungry, the lady and guye* will definitely not spare me. Let's go to fill your stomach..."
*a form of address for a man used by the senior members of his wife's family.
The voice behind them drifted away, Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng didn't care. The two walked around the county together.
The county town might not be big, but the district for wealthy and poor people was quite clearly divided. There were many wealthy families in the east of the city, there was no shortage of small buildings with carved beams and painted rafters*. While the west of the city was the residence of ordinary people, all of which were classic and low-rise bungalows. The county government area was in the middle, occupying a lot of lands. In the front was the public halls where the yamen worked, and in the back was the house where the county magistrate lived. It was very convenient to get off work, Shen Yanbei thought.
*diāoliánghuàdòng: a richly ornamented building; the interior of a large and elegant building [an edifice].
After visiting the county government, Shen Yanbei knew that the county magistrate seat had changed. The previous county magistrate Liu had already been transferred, and the new magistrate named Li. He would bring his family and took up an official post when the spring started this year.
Thinking of the Li Juren he met in the restaurant, Shen Yanbei made a bad speculate.
Lijia Village, Li Juren, County Magistrate Li...
"Mr. Official, what does this imperial announcement say?"
"Yes, Mr. Official, we don't know how to read..."
Two yamens with knives, one stood on the left and the other by the notice wall, surrounded by people.
"Be Quiet!" The servant in the yamen waved his hand. He cleared his throat when everyone calmed down, said loudly, "This imperial announcement is about the opening of Enke*. If your family or relatives have a scholar, hurry up to inform him! The current emperor orders to recruit talents, so the Enke especially will be opened next year. Those who pass the exam will be in the same position as Zhengke**..."
*In the Qing Dynasty, apart from the ordinary examinations, during court celebrations, special opening examinations were also called "Enke".
**In the imperial examination system of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the township examination and the general examination were held once every three years.
Shen Yanbei suddenly raised his head. His gaze passed over the dark black head of the people in front, landed on the yellow paper covered with a red stamp. His eyes became complicated for an instant.
Conflict
"Look, Young Master, this restaurant looks great!"
Seeing that his young master was still depressed, and even didn't have the motivation to eat, the young servant became anxious. After seeing that the restaurant in front was quite lively, he quickly pushed the young man to come in. The shopkeeper at the door greeted them with a smile and cheerfully asked the waiter to lead them to the private room on the second floor.
When they first entered the restaurant, the two were immediately attracted by the restaurant's peculiar decoration. Su Qingze, who was behind the waiter on the stairs, curiously looked at the seat surrounded by flowers and plants. He then saw a few small steamers* on the table, there was a small dish with a few crystal clear desserts inside.
*zhēnglóng: an appliance for steaming food made of bamboo sticks and wood chips.
He asked in curiosity, "What is that?"
The waiter smiled and answered, "That's shrimp dumplings. Next to it are steamed pork ribs, red bean shortbread, and egg pancakes."
Su Qingze nodded, stared at the few foods downstairs. He said directly to the waiter, "Give me a plate of this soup dumpling, shortbread, and spare ribs. The porridge, too."
Ming'an was overjoyed, he urged the waiter. "Go, go! Don't make my young master hungry!"
"Alright!" The waiter pushed the door of the private room named "Sour" and invited two people to sit inside.
"Unexpectedly, there is such a unique restaurant in this small county town. It seems that the dim sum here is also very delicious. You can taste it later, Young Master!"
Ming'an poured the tea for Su Qingze. When his young master was a child he was in poor health. So his family members always tried every means to coax him to eat more, but it seemed that they accidentally coaxed him too much, causing his body to have excess flesh. Nevertheless, his young master was born well. Even though he gained weight, he would still look good. Same as cute as Fuwa*.
*One of the mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is based on the Tibetan antelope symbolizing health and friendship.
This young boy loved to be pretty. After finding that his figure had changed drastically, the young master, who couldn't wear his previous clothes anymore, was so depressed that he didn't want to eat for three days, which frightened the family. Later, the young master passed out of hunger, caught a cold, and turned to get seriously ill. After recovering from the illness, the young master dared not stop eating, but every time he was full, he would blame himself on his chubby belly.
Most of Shuāngers in this world liked to have a tall and slim body, and a slender waist. But the young master had been like this since he was a child. He even thought that having such a thin and slim body was too easy to get sick. That was why he admired so much those strong and healthy Shuāngers! Whenever he saw such a Shuānger, he would run to them to ask how he could develop such a "nice figure". But the persons he asked before told that they had grown into this appearance. Besides that, they originally felt inferior in their heart because of this look. So when they were asked by his young master, they thought that his young master was trying to humiliate them. So they would always run away in embarrassment.
The person they just met now was the strongest of all his young master had encountered. Also, the only one who did not turn his face and answered his young master's questions seriously...
This Shuānger looked as strong as a man, even taller and stronger than a man in general. But they didn't expect that he had been married! Besides that, his husband looked like an elegant and cultured man. Not only that, this couple was still walking together in public. It seemed that their relationship was really good, which really subverted their perception!
Su Qingze said "um" and looked at his teacup. There was a small blessing word printed on the white porcelain cup, which was written in a simple and elegant style.
"Xiaojie and guye had settled down. How long will you stay here, Young Master? If you don't go back, Lao Furen will urge you!" Ming An said cautiously.
Su Qingze stared at him unhappily. "Let's talk about it later. I've only been here for a few days!"
"Haha..." Ming'an laughed dryly. "Laorenjia* is getting confused when she is old. Don't take what she says to your heart."
*grand old man [woman].
"I didn't take it to heart, but I kept it in my head!" Su Qingze snorted.
At first, he thought that grandmother sent him delicious food from time to time because she favored him. But that day when he got up early to greet his grandmother, he accidentally heard his grandmother and An Mama* talked at the door.
*wet nurse.
"He has been fattened into a ball, yet still eating much! If you raise a pig, you can still slaughter it to eat it, but what about him? I don't know when it will be slaughtered."
"Although some meat sellers have placed a deposit, in case someone thinks that he has too much fat and decide to return the goods..."
"If he can't get married then, where can I put my old face!
"Poor my Mi'er. She looks better than him but doesn't have such good fortune. Every day I'm getting angry with this pig..."
The more Su Qingze thought about it, the uglier his face became. Just because he was a Shuānger, he was always disliked by his grandmother since he was young. He didn't know when it started, his grandmother suddenly didn't show her indifferent attitude towards him anymore. Although she didn't often talk to him, she still would order someone to send some delicious and fun stuff from time to time.
He was flattered. It made him changed his view of his grandmother and became more filial to her grandmother. But he never expected that he was actually a fattened pig in her grandmother's heart!
Being really trampled to the ground, how could he stand it! He rushed out to question grandmother. As a result, the old lady fainted due to the high stimulation when she saw him as if she had seen a ghost!
After the old lady woke up, she wept bitterly and apologized to him. But could he still believe her? He ran to ask his father and mother- What did it mean 'although some meat sellers had placed a deposit, they would return the goods if he was too fat?' His father and mother hesitated, refused to say it. After repeated questioning, they finally told him that when he was just born, he had been given infant matrimony*!
*wá waqīn: refers to a marriage made by the parents when the man and woman are very young.
The old lady actually gave a false display of affection to him on purpose because was forced by the opponent's power. But why no one had ever talked to him about his infant matrimony! In a fit of anger, he came to this county with his sister and brother-in-law...
"Young Master, don't be angry. You can go back whenever you want, do as you please. After all, Xiaojie and Guye are here. So Furen won't feel worried much."
"Stop talking about it, I don't want to listen." Su Qingze siped his tea glumly. Actually, he didn't want to act like this all the time. But if he really didn't eat, his family would worry. Also, it was not that he could lose weight without eating. If no one guided him, he would break his body instead...
"Yes, yes!" Ming'an nodded hurriedly and looked at the door. "Why is this waiter still not coming yet. I'll go and see!"
The waiter now was carrying a tray upstairs. At this time, the door that was written "sweet" next door was opened. The blue silk youth walked out and saw the waiter. He immediately shouted, "Hey, waiter!"
The waiter hurried forward and asked, "What can I do for you, Dear Guest?"
The young man glanced at the dim sum on the tray. "I want these and send me two more steamed ribs." He said that he wanted to take it away!
The waiter hurriedly stopped him. "I'm sorry, Sir. This is what other customers ordered! I'll give you the new one!"
Ming'an just went out and found that his young master's food was gonna be taken over by others. He immediately walked over to criticize. "Why are you so rude? We ordered this!"
The blue silk young man glanced at him and said in an arrogant manner, "Where does this little servant come from? Speak politely to me! This is what our Master Juren wants to eat!"
Ming'an was not afraid, he sneered. "What about Master Juren? Does Master Juren usually snatch other people's things?"
"Hey, little ferocious Shuānger. You are fierce and unreasonable!" The blue silk youth raised his eyebrows and sneered. "Is this yours? Have you paid it?" He took out a silver coin from his arms and threw it to the waiter. He sneered. "Now this is mine!" After finishing speaking, he was about to take away the food.
"My young master ordered this!" Ming'an stopped him.
The young man in a green robe came out and shouted, "Which family are you from? This is what our Master Juren wants to eat. You don't understand human language?"
"You are the one who doesn't understand human words. This is what my young master ordered!" Ming'an gritted his teeth and did not want to back off.
The young man said with a black face and sternly, "You actually disrespect Master Juren! I think you are looking for death!"
Hearing the conflict, Su Qingze also came out. Then he saw his little servant was surrounded by two men, with a tense atmosphere among them. He frowned. "Ming'an, what's wrong?"
"Young Master, they want to take our snacks!"
"This is your young master?" The blue silk youth looked at Su Qingze up and down, his eyes contemptuous. "What have you eaten so you are fattened to be a pig?"
Su Qingze's face flushed red. Ming'an stood in front of him and cursed, "You the one are a pig. Your whole family is a pig!"
"You have to persuade your young master properly to stop eating after having this such appearance. Otherwise, no one wants to marry him or want to spend their money for this such body..."
The young man in the green robe acted like 'i'm doing it for you'. It disgusted Ming'an. He couldn't help but yelled, "You bully bastard! Do you know who my young master is? Our young master..."
Su Qingze frowned and whispered. "Don't tell them!"
"Young Master!" Ming'an shut his mouth unwillingly.
"Who your young master is?" The blue silk youth insulted. "Aren't you the son of Fan Lao Er who sells pork on the street? Hahahaha..."
"Why don't you tell me who you are?" The young man in a green robe laughed.
Su Qingze, without any expression, just stared at the two people who laughed arrogantly and walked back to the private room.
Ming'an lowered his head and stood beside him. "Young Master, sorry..."
"Why do you apologize when you didn't do anything wrong." Su Qingze was very angry, but his reason was still there. "There are so many such people in the world. We are just not lucky when we encounter one of them."
The other party's words might be quite insulting, but it was not wrong. At least, his figure was indeed like this!
After a moment, the shopkeeper Liu came in with the tray and said apologetically to Su Qingzem "What happened just now is really embarrassing, and had disturbed the two people's interest in eating. These meals are an apology for you."
There was the food Su Qingze just ordered, and there were two plates of other delicate dim sums.
Su Qingze's face was a little slow. "Then thanks for your kindness."
"Please enjoy your meal," Shopkeeper Liu said politely before leaving.
Facing a full table of delicious food, Su Qingze's anger faded.
Seeing his young master back to act as usual and couldn't stop eating, the stone in Ming'an's heart fell to the ground.
After Shen Yanbei and Gu Changfeng returned to the restaurant, the shopkeeper Liu reported the incident.
Shen Yanbei said, "Uncle Liu, you handled this very well."
The shopkeeper Liu couldn't help swallowing bitterness. "The younger son of the Wang's Family, Wang Cheng, and Li Yuan's eldest son, Li Sheng, were usually domineering and arrogant. Later, after they climbed up to Li Juren, the two acted more and more uncontrollably. When the former owner was still here, the two come to eat without paying, even the stingy people like the former owner doesn't have the way to against them..."
Wang Cheng was that young man in a green robe. He failed in the civil service examination after many trials and errors and had relation by marriage to Lijia Village. While the blue silk youth was Li Sheng, a native of Lijia Village. Since Li Yizhong was a Juren, the two of them toward Li Yi, acted like they took the head of the general's horse as a guide*.
*lackey who follows someone's order.
In this small county, there were not many scholars. Zhang Juren who bore this title first had passed away. Now Li Yi was the only one Juren. That was why these three people could be so arrogant.
"The wages of sin is death*." Shen Yanbei frowned.
*Duō xíng bù yì bì zì bì: he who is unjust is doomed to destruction.
Shopkeeper Liu sighed. "I just hope that this new magistrate is not like the former magistrate Zhang..."
Collusion between officials and businessmen to accept bribes was everywhere.
"Does the new county magistrate have a relation to Lijia Village?"
Shopkeeper Liu shook his head. "I haven't heard of it. No one the ancestor of Lijia Village has ever been an official. Or the husband of the married daughter and Shuang'er has any powerful in-laws..."
When Shen Yanbei heard it, he felt relieved. But under Gu Changfeng's calm expression, his heart turned to be hot and cold.
Visit the county magistrate
Someone suddenly knocked hard the vermilion gate of the official residence at the back of the county office. For a moment the door was opened with a gap, a pair of vigilant eyes appeared in the gap.
These eyes looked at the incoming person and asked, "Who are you and what's the matter?"
Wang Cheng handed out a silver greeting card. "Li Juren from Lijia Village is here to visit. Please go and inform your sir."
The owner of the eyes was taken aback, immediately opened the door to take the card, and said "please wait a moment". After that closed the door and notified the butler.
Li Yi, dressed in brocade clothes, was standing with his hands behind his back. He looked at the majestic stone lion, calmly and relaxed.
He didn't know the background of this new county magistrate. Best if they could get along. But if they couldn't, it didn't mean he was afraid. According to the laws of this dynasty, a Juren could get an official position by supplementary appointment. In general, the prefects' magistrates were the seventh-rank official. But if he engaged in a purposeful action such as intercession or bribery, it was not impossible to have a fifth-rank official as the magistrate of a prefecture. The post of county magistrate of Dongjiang County was only the seventh-rank, except for the official position, the other party was not much better than himself...
With a bang sound, the door of the vermilion gate opened wide. A middle-aged man with a mustache walked out with a smile on his face, and said, "We have an honored guest, please come in!"
Knowing that this was the housekeeper, Li Yi just nodded slightly and stepped forward.
"Daren has long wanted to invite Li Juren and the other gentlemen to have a cup of tea. But Daren just took up an official post, so many trivial matters have to be handled. That's why he can't greet anyone for a while..." The housekeeper smiled while walking without changing his face.
The mansion was a courtyard with three entrances. The second entrance was the study room and the flower hall*, used for discussion and entertaining guests. The third entrance was the main house and the wing rooms, where the family members of the county magistrate stayed. Because the former county magistrate Zhang was dissatisfied that the official residence was too shabby, he ordered someone specially to repair it. He built pavilions and rockeries, planted flowers, plants, and trees. Because of that the official residence became shone.
*The living rooms outside the hall in some residences are mostly covered in courtyards or gardens.
The small garden in the courtyard was full of colorful flowers, with bees and butterflies flying. There were maids with a slender waist in an aqua blue skirt came closer toward them carrying a flower basket. When seeing the housekeeper leading three strange men, they stopped and bowed their head slightly. After the four of them passed, they raised their heads and walked towards the moon gate.
Li Sheng stared at the beautiful backs infatuatedly, feeling that his soul was hooked away. He suddenly was stabbed with an elbow, Li Sheng hurriedly turned around and met Wang Cheng who was smiling ambiguously.
Li Yi walked in front of the two of them. His eyes wavered when he looked at the wonderful spring scenery in front of him. Although it was not his first time here, in his latest visit in the winter, the mansion had not been repaired. The garden was bare, there were no green trees and red flowers, no small bridges and river, and also no girls with such graceful figure even when they were walking...…
This official was different than others!
"These three guests first drink the tea, I'll tell Daren." The butler led the three into the flower hall, and soon after that, a tidy maid served tea.
Li Yi opened the tea lid and moved his hand gently to stir it. The tea soup was clear in color and the scent was overflowing. Just by smelling the fragrance, you would know that this was good quality tea. Looking around, the doors and windows had leaf carved, tables, chairs, and benches were all exquisite. Behind the main lobby of the lobby was a splash-ink painting of landscapes, which had great vitality and momentum. Taking a closer look at the signature, this was actually painted by a contemporary master.
The more Li Yi looked at it, the more passionate he became.
Seeing Li Sheng was drinking tea like a fish, Wang Cheng who was sitting beside him winked his eyebrows and said, "Just now, the girl's waist swayed like a willow. Did it also make Li Gongzi's heart sway?"
Li Sheng squinted at him and smiled blatantly. "Not just my heart shaking, I also can't wait to hug her waist and sway with her!"
"I didn't expect this new county magistrate's house to have such a beautiful yatou*, that more colorful than spring flowers..."
*Namely "maid".
The yatou whom Li Sheng liked was named Lan Ling. She was standing in the side room connected to the main house, putting the freshly picked flowers into the vase. "Just now, there is something that really disgusting to me! I don't know where the bastard came from. Those squinted eyes keep sticking to me. I really want to go forward to poke him blind!"
A yatou called Hongrui asking in curiosity, "Who dares to look at you like that? Those guests who just come to the mansion?
"Yes, the housekeeper led people to the flower hall. The three of them were dressed well and looked like local noble gentlemen*." Lan Ling snorted, "His look like has been hollowed out by wine. You can know he isn't a good person at a glance!"
*xiāng shēn: refers to people with status and prestige in the country.
"Lan Ling Jiějiě..." A young servant boy walked into the room carrying a food box. It was Su Qingze's close servant, Ming'an. Seeing Lan Ling's angry face, Ming'an smiled and asked, "Jiějiě, what's the matter? Who offended you?"
Hong Rui smiled and said, "Someone's eyes took advantage of Your Lan Ling Jiějiě. She's very angry and wants to gouge out those eyes!"
Lan Ling hit her in embarrassment and asked Ming'an, "Why did you come back so quick? Is there something fun outside?"
"I didn't go around that much. I just went to a newly opened restaurant for breakfast. The food in that restaurant was pretty good, but I felt so angry." Ming'an put down the food box. "Where are the Xiaojie and Young Master Lin'er? This is the dim sum from that restaurant, Young Master asked me to bring some back for them to taste."
The two did not care about the snacks, but asked with concern, "What happened?"
"I met two bullying dogs!" Ming'an said the matter immediately. "The two are arrogant and domineering, especially the man with a mole under his mouth. I want to punch him!"
Lan Ling was surprised. "A man with a mole under his mouth? What does he look like?"
Ming An described it, Lan Ling's apricot eyes opened wide. "Isn't this the person I met just now? Is the other person you mentioned be a young man wearing a green brocade robe and has a mouth sticks out and chin like a monkey's*?"
*jiān zuǐ hóu sāi: ugly.
This time it was Ming'an's turn to be surprised. "How do you know?"
"These two people are in the mansion! The housekeeper took people to the Flower Hall, probably to see the Daren!"
"I have to tell Daren!" After Ming An dropped a word, he rushed out.
The county magistrate Li Zhiyuan was sitting in the study, there were two letters on the table. One had been read. The other was an unopened letter, written "Qingze, private and confidential", for Su Qingze.
Li Zhiyuan couldn't help but mutter, "What the hell does this mean?" He sighed and handed the letter to the housekeeper who was waiting. "Give it to Qingze."
The housekeeper took it, looked down, and said, "Li Yi Li Juren of Lijia Village, Li Sheng, son of Li Yuanwai of Lijia Village, and his friend Wang Cheng are waiting in the flower hall, do Daren want to see them?"
What kind of messy people was coming to see him? Thinking of the dossier he had read before, Li Zhiyuan frowned and said, "Let them wait."
The housekeeper nodded. As soon as he left the study door, he saw Ming'an panting. Ming'an hurriedly asked, "Is Daren inside? I have something to report to Daren!"
Seeing Ming'an looked anxious, the housekeeper took the young boy inside to see Li Zhiyuan without asking. After listening, Li Zhiyuan glanced at the opened letter on the table, his eyes cold. "A mere little Juren dares to be so rampant! Housekeeper, you go tell him, This official has no time to see him."
Ming'an was happy. These bastards who bullied others, this time they could taste the taste of being bullied!
When Ming'an left, Li Zhiyuan said to Shiye* who was also in the study, "The weather has been good these two days, why don't you go to a nearby village for a walk?"
*a private assistant attending to legal, fiscal, or secretarial duties in a local yamen; private adviser.
He just arrived and didn't understand many things. Although there are registration files, he mistrusted this rich Magistrate Zhang that could build this unique design mansion.
"That's a good idea, Daren." Shiye with goat's whisker cupped his hands on his chest.
Meanwhile, Li Yi and the two were sitting in the flower hall drinking tea. After drinking one after another cup, Wang Cheng became a little impatient.
"What happens? It's been half an hour, why the County Taiye* hasn't come yet?"
*In the old days, it was the honorary title for the prefects, magistrates, and other officials.
Li Yi frowned. What's the wrong with this magistrate?
"Li Juren, we are really sorry!" The housekeeper walked in quickly, with apologetic eyes. "Daren is discussing matters in the study, so he really can't get out to greet. Daren says that he'll entertain Li Juren and the gentlemen when he has free time..."
Li Yi's face suddenly sank. Wang Cheng's and Li Sheng's expression also couldn't be described. But the other party was an official. Since they hadn't held any government official post, what else could they do?
Housekeeper politely sent the three people out of the gate. When he turned around, the smile on his face faded. "They are really a vain scholar, don't understand any etiquette!"
Li Yi walked with a sullen face. Li Sheng smiled beside him and said, "It's still early, how about we go to Changchun Tower to listen to some songs?"
The one who proposed to meet the county magistrate was him. Who thought that the county magistrate would not see them? Right now Li Yi's heart was full of anger, so he had to put it out.
The ladies in Changchun Tower was the most gentle and understanding. Li Yi was gloomy and needed someone to dispel it, so he agreed.
The three of them played in the Changchun Tower for a day, until Xu Shi, Li Sheng's young servant, came to look for. These three talents were drunk now.
"Mingde xiōng, let's come back another day..." Li Sheng squinted his eyes and burped. He ordered his servant to send Li Yi home.
Li Yi said "Yes" with a red face. With his half-closed eyes, he was helped by the Li's Family's young servant to get into the carriage.
"Open the window to see the autumn moonlight. Put out the candle and untie the skirt..."
Li Sheng's eyes were blurred. He hummed a little tune with a giggle. Wang Cheng beside him was also very drunk, walking staggering. Their home was on the same street, so they left together.
The street was quiet, sometimes you could hear cat's meows. Suddenly a black figure jumped off the high fence. Before Li Sheng was aware, he was put in a sack! Meanwhile, Wang Cheng sat on the ground and watched Li Sheng struggling. He became half awake from the wine. A biting chill came to his heart, Wang Cheng looked around, but no one could be found!
"Who is pretending to be a ghost there?" Wang Cheng swallowed and shouted out boldly.
But the night was faint, no one answered him at all.
Wang Cheng was panicked, leaning on the wall to try to stand up. Suddenly a hand patted his shoulder gently...
"!" His eyes opened wide. The hairs on his whole body were standing up. His eyes moved slowly, seeing there was a dark figure standing behind him in the corner of his eye!
"!" The heartbeat almost stopped! Wang Cheng's mouth was open like a fish lacking water. He wanted to call for help, but his voice got stuck in his throat.
"Save...Save me..."
Before the black shadow could do anything, Wang Cheng rolled his eyes and fainted first.
Looking at Wang Cheng who was lying on the ground and Li Sheng who was knocked out, the shadow didn't want to waste more time then jumped up to the wall.