Chapter 22: Making New Friends, Scheming Against the Broker...

On the seventh day of the second lunar month, Zhang Ting, as usual, came to Ke Ying Lou to inspect the place. Seeing that there was nothing important, he went to Chang Geng Bookstore.

This is a wonderful place she recently discovered. Although it is called a bookstore, it does not sell books to the public. It is a place where students gather to discuss poetry and philosophy, and even famous scholars come here from time to time to teach famous works.

There's not even a threshold to enter or leave this place.

Many students from impoverished families or those who did not meet the admission requirements of the Imperial College would often stay here to "sit in" on classes.

Zhang Ting also made a new friend here, named Luo Zijun.

When the man saw Zhang Ting arrive, he was overjoyed and came forward to greet her, "Sister Zhang, come quickly! Dr. Zheng is giving a lecture today."

Zhang Ting quickened his pace and walked inside with her. Dr. Zheng was a scholar of great learning and was extremely skilled in poetry and calligraphy. She was very famous in the bookstore, and even many students from the Imperial Academy would come to listen to her lectures.

Luo Zijun led Zhang Ting to a spot near the front of the stage. It was still early, so the two picked up the policy essays they had written the day before and discussed them with each other.

Luo Zijun is still young, having just turned sixteen last month, but she is exceptionally intelligent and talented, especially in policy essays. She accurately pointed out that Zhang Ting's initial argument was somewhat vague and the structure was rather weak.

Zhang Ting is completely untrained and doesn't quite grasp the key points, so let her explain in more detail.

After listening, Zhang Ting took the essay to examine it. The essay was truly wonderful. He opened his lips slightly, as if he was about to praise her, when suddenly a gasp came from behind him. The two looked up and found that Dr. Zheng had arrived. They quickly packed their things and sat down.

Dr. Zheng is forty years old, slender, and has an ordinary face, but he possesses a unique, gentle and refined air.

She was indeed very good at poetry and literature, erudite and witty, but at the end, she seemed to want to say something but then stopped, looking dejected.

In the end, all that came was a vague and incomplete sentence: "Life is like a dream, and autumn chill has come and gone."

The students were puzzled.

Fortunately, both Zhang Ting and Luo Zijun benefited greatly from the class and left satisfied.

Zhang Ting also invited Luo Zijun to her home for a meal to deepen their friendship.

Luo Zijun shyly declined Zhang Ting's invitation, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Sister Zhang, but I already ate at home before coming." But her stomach protested with a rumbling sound.

Looking at her, who barely reached his chest and had a youthful face, Zhang Ting couldn't help but feel affection for her. "Sister Luo, my family only eats simple meals. You should come with me."

Refusing again would be humiliating, so Luo Zijun had no choice but to nod, "Then I'll trouble you, sister."

"Not at all." How could I trouble her? She still has some poems and articles she has just written that she needs her newly adopted sister to give her some pointers.

Following Zhang Ting into the carriage, Luo Zijun was quite reserved. "Sister Zhang, do you live in the east of the city?"

Zhang Ting smiled. The eastern part of the city was where middle and lower-ranking officials and wealthy merchants lived, and she was still far from being able to do so. "I am not yet able to reach the eastern part of the city. If Ziju becomes successful and moves to the eastern part of the city in the future, you will have to help your sister out."

She was always good at praising people, and Luo Zijun had heard it countless times in the past few days, but she still couldn't resist her sweet words. At this moment, her face flushed, and she stammered, "Sister, sister, don't belittle yourself. With your strength and skills, you will definitely pass the provincial examination."

Luo Zijun wasn't trying to comfort Zhang Ting. In her eyes, although Zhang Ting's abilities were not as good as hers, she had a wealth of knowledge, a solid foundation, and was very perceptive. Passing the provincial examination wouldn't be a problem for her.

The carriage passed through the bustling city, but the noise was much quieter than usual. Zhang Ting lifted the curtain and glanced outside. The crowd was bustling, and the merchants and pedestrians looked normal, but a few people kept glancing around unintentionally. Their demeanor was complicated and strange, and she keenly sensed that something was wrong.

Not just in the bustling city center, but at every intersection along the way.

Zhang Ting seemed to be deep in thought.

Luo Zijun didn't notice anything unusual and asked in confusion, "Did you forget something, sister?"

Zhang Ting smiled and said, "I'm just thinking about how to structure the next strategy essay."

When it comes to policy discussions, Luo Zijun has a lot of experience. She is not a secretive person and is very generous to her friends. She immediately broke down the key points and explained them to Zhang Ting one by one.

Even when faced with a table full of delicious food, Luo Zijun was starving, but she managed to resist the temptation and chat with Zhang Ting without changing her expression, demonstrating amazing willpower.

Finally, Zhang Ting, feeling dizzy from hunger and weak in the limbs, smiled and said, "Sister, you've worked hard today. Let's eat first, otherwise the food will get cold and cause an upset stomach. We can have a long talk tonight."

After the meal, Luo Zijun went to wash up. Zhang Ting called Zheng Er over and asked her to tell everyone not to go out unless it was important, and to also tell Manager Wang to keep a low profile at Keyinglou.

Ever since Zheng Er witnessed the arrest of a branch of the main family, he had been on edge. Now, hearing Zhang Ting's words, his eyes widened. "Master, is it related to...?"

Zhang Ting gestured to stop her from continuing.

Zheng Er shuddered upon seeing this, realizing what she meant, and immediately shut up and went to carry out his duties.

There was no wind or snow tonight, the air became heavy, and the surroundings were eerily quiet, as if the entire city of Kyoto was holding its breath in anticipation of the impending downpour.

The next day, the sky was overcast and a strong wind was blowing.

Zhang Ting, whose eyes were surrounded by dark circles, stood at the door seeing Luo Zijun off. She frowned and said, "Little sister, the weather is gloomy. It might rain before you get home. Why don't you stay here a little longer?"

Luo Zijun felt too embarrassed to bother her friend any longer. She scratched her head and said, "Zijun thanks you for your kindness, sister, but I have some matters to attend to at home and cannot stay any longer. I will host a banquet for you when my home is ready!"

Luo Zijun lived in the south of the city, which wasn't far. Seeing that she was determined to leave, Zhang Ting even asked the driver to give her a ride.

When the other party still refused, Zhang Ting pretended to be sad, saying, "If you refuse again, you will hurt my feelings."

This startled Luo Zijun, who waved her hands repeatedly, "Sister, don't be sad. It's all Zijun's fault. Zijun will listen to you, sister!"

Zhang Ting then smiled again and gave her the pastries that the Kitchen God had made that morning to take home and eat.

Luo Zijun blushed with embarrassment, feeling that she had been shameless for taking advantage of Zhang Ting, but she was very pleased with Zhang Ting's care and affection.

Watching her leave, Zhang Ting's smile faded, and he instructed Li Ruilian to close the door.

With another person lying next to her, she could only keep her eyes open until dawn.

But she will definitely have more contact with Luo Zijun in the future. When friends come, they need a place to stay. Zhang Ting asked Xi Ge to decorate the east wing as a guest room.

After lunch, Zhang Ting lay down on the bed for a nap. She hadn't slept enough the night before, and no one in the house dared to wake her, so she slept straight until the next morning.

Zhang Ting got up, her head still heavy with sleep. After a while, she thought about having to tell someone to wake her up later.

When she emerged from her robes, she saw Manager Wang rushing over in a panic, stammering, "Your Highness... Your Highness has rebelled... The Junior Chamberlain has also been arrested..."

Zhang Ting led her to the study and asked her to sit down and calm down before talking.

Manager Wang took a deep breath to calm herself down and told Zhang Ting that no customers had come to the restaurant today. She thought that Pinxiangzhai was causing trouble again, so she sent people out to inquire. She learned that the Crown Princess had gathered troops last night with the intention of rebellion, but the Minister of War saw through her plan and gathered the Imperial Guards to take her down.

The Crown Princess's father's family, the Lin family, and her in-laws, the Zong family, were all involved in the rebellion, and the entire clan was imprisoned.

After saying that, she asked Zhang Ting tremblingly, "Master, we've made connections with the Junior Chamberlain... What are we going to do now?"

Zhang Ting's head felt sore and swollen, and she even felt nauseous. She quickly picked up a cup of tea and drank it to suppress her nausea.

Once she felt better, she replied to Manager Wang: "Ke Ying Lou has long since severed ties with the Shao Zhan Shi's residence."

"Didn't you go there yourself that day?"

Manager Wang was taken aback, then hesitated and said, "But... outsiders only know that the Junior Chamberlain loves the pickles at Keyinglou. What if they misunderstand us as being part of the Crown Prince's faction?"

Zhang Ting rubbed her sore forehead. "It's not just the Junior Chamberlain who loves our pickles, Lord Xu and Lord Li love them too. Does that mean we're all on their side?"

"Just keep the restaurant open as usual, don't get hung up on this."

"Even if the Court of Judicial Review investigates, they won't find anything."

Manager Wang was then calmed down, his expression returned to normal, and after reporting a few more words to Zhang Ting about the situation at Keyinglou, he left.

For the next two weeks, Zhang Ting kept her doors closed to visitors.

As I came out, I lazily yawned and headed to Keyinglou as usual. I overheard passersby talking in horror: the Lin family and Zong family, a total of 4,300 people, were killed by ten executioners over nine days. The execution ground was soaked in blood and still hasn't been cleaned up...

Sigh, this matter is finally over. Hopefully, the restaurant's business won't be affected for too long.

They arrived at the restaurant at a leisurely pace, only to find that business was indeed extremely poor. Zhang Ting also noticed that one of the waiters was missing, so he called Manager Lin over to ask him about it.

Manager Lin looked around in fear before whispering, "That guy went to pick up goods a few days ago and passed by the execution ground. He was so frightened that he developed a high fever that night and has been having nightmares every night. He has seen a doctor and been prescribed medicine, but he is still not better."

Now that they know, Zhang Ting will definitely have to go and offer her routine concern.

The waiter huddled in the corner, his eyes wide open, his face ashen. He trembled violently when he saw people approaching, crying, "Don't kill me! Don't kill me..."

They're clearly scared out of their wits.

But Zhang Ting couldn't understand why she was so afraid when it wasn't like they were going to kill her.

He shook his head and told Steward Lin to call another doctor to take a good look at him.

Fortunately, things haven't been busy these past few days, so losing one worker isn't a big deal.

...

The broker was in a real bind. She had recently been assigned a woman with an exceptionally beautiful appearance, which should have been a good thing, as she could have sold her for a good price. However, this woman was of noble birth and even had royal blood.

Good heavens, isn't this a hot potato?

She didn't understand the intricate relationships within the imperial court, but she did understand the saying, "When gods fight, mortals suffer."

Just then, she saw Huo Ya Gong from the south of the city arrive. Her eyes lit up, and she came up with a brilliant idea.

"Oh my, who did we think it was? So fat and stout, it turns out to be Huo Yazi from the south of the city."

Huo Yagong, with his delicate fingers raised, glared at her angrily, "Old hag Liu, watch your mouth!"

Liu Guanya wanted to provoke him. She glanced at him contemptuously and said, "What's the rush? You're fat and ugly, and you don't have many good goods!"

Huo Yagong hated it most when someone called him ugly. He was so angry that he wanted to tear her mouth apart, but because this was a brokerage firm in the north of the city, where important people came and went, he had to endure it. He glared at Liu Guanya hatefully and left in a huff.

The more Huo Ya Highway thought about it, the angrier he became. He sent someone to inquire and found out that Liu Guanya had a beautiful woman in his hands. No wonder he was so arrogant.

He chuckled, thinking to himself, "You old hag, aren't you being arrogant? Just wait and see how I deal with you!"

A note from the author:

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