Chapter 48 A Time of Peace and Prosperity

In the darkness of night, on the small shore of Guangzhou, Pan's Tavern stood by the water, its wine flags fluttering in the river breeze beneath its dougong eaves. Faint, melodious music drifted from within the tavern.

Inside the tavern, the lights were bright and the people were numerous and varied. There were Portuguese with curly beards, Arabs in black robes and long scarves, and dark-skinned merchants from Southeast Asia. The people and foreigners mingled together, a mixed bag of people, and a cacophony of accents from all over the country.

On a red carpet in the hall, dancers swayed their slender waists to the rhythm of the pipa's rapid strings. Their eyes were alluring as they twirled. Cheers and shouts of praise rose and fell. Waiters carried trays and wine, moving among the dancers. It was a scene of peace and prosperity.

In the private room on the second floor, the tightly closed carved windows completely shut out the noise and commotion from the lobby on the first floor.

Sweet and intoxicating spices wafted from the burner, while the sound of the guzheng flowed like a gentle stream. Several stunningly beautiful dancers, their hair disheveled, moved gracefully, their waists swaying like willow branches, their eyes sparkling with unspoken words.

During the banquet, wealthy merchants toasted each other, and the clinking of glasses never stopped.

Zhou Jichen, the eldest son of the Zhou family, raised his glass and laughed, "We are very grateful for Brother Zimin's help this time. Otherwise, my Zhou family would not have known about this batch of goods. We would have missed this opportunity, and we would have had to wait another six months for the round trip." He tilted his head back and finished the glass.

Meng Qingci smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Jichen, you are too kind. You are my guide in Macau. Without you, I would not be where I am today." After saying that, he also drank the deep red wine in the glass cup in one gulp.

Zhou Jichen, the eldest son of the Zhou family, said proudly to a young man who looked to be in his early twenties next to him, "Zi Min is the most humble, but he is right about one thing: I, Zhou Jichen, have the best eye for talent. When I first met Zi Min, I knew that he was no ordinary person."

Chen Junyan gave an "Oh," and looked at Meng Qingci with great interest. He saw that Meng Qingci was only twenty years old, with a handsome face that still had a touch of youthfulness, red lips and white teeth, and his hair was tied up with a lotus flower jade crown, showing an elegant and otherworldly appearance. He wore a long, round-necked robe with dark blue-green patterns, which made him look like a jade tree in a fairy forest, with a graceful and elegant demeanor, and every move he made was free and unrestrained.

Zhou Jichen, with the pride of a younger brother growing up, patted Meng Qingci on the shoulder, his words carrying a hint of boasting: "Ordinary interpreters, the worst can only bargain with foreign merchants, the better ones know a little about the goods, and even the most eloquent ones only know one foreign language—as the saying goes, 'Don't bite off more than you can chew.' If you want to have a deep conversation with foreigners, you'll always be at a loss for words."

At this point, Zhou Jichen spoke with admiration, his voice rising slightly, "Only Zimin not only understands several foreign languages, but he is also proficient in them. He even becomes sworn brothers with foreign merchants and is very popular with them. Now, if any scarce goods arrive at the port, the first one to know about it will definitely be Jin Yunnian!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Junyan straightened his expression and carefully examined Meng Qingci again. His gaze was intense as he said with a smile, "I have long heard of the 'Golden Interpreter' who has connections everywhere in Xiaohaigang, but I did not expect that you, young brother, would have such abilities at such a young age. I am truly impressed."

Seeing Chen Junyan give him a meaningful look, Zhou Jichen smiled knowingly and introduced him to Meng Qingci: "Zimin, this is the famous Seventh Master of the Chen family in Zhejiang Prefecture. Since you are traveling in this small harbor, how can you not know him? The Chen family is related to the Prefect of Zhejiang by marriage, and all maritime trade to Zhejiang Prefecture requires the Chen family's approval."

Chen Junyan waved his hand modestly: "Brother Jichen, please be careful with your words. Prefect Yao is an upright official, and the Chen family has only benefited from his trust and favors. It has nothing to do with my niece. Brother Jichen, please do not involve women."

Zhou Jichen quickly raised his glass to apologize: "It was my fault for speaking out of turn. I should be punished!" He then drank three cups in a row.

Seeing that Zhou Jichen had indeed finished his drink, and that Chen Junyan had not stopped him, Meng Qingci understood that Chen Junyan was the more respected of the two. She then recalled seeing the prefect's wife at the Zhejiang prefect's residence two years ago; she seemed to be surnamed Chen. Suddenly, she understood the situation quite well.

She calmed her slightly rapid heartbeat, stood up and personally poured Chen Junyan a full cup, saying respectfully, "Seventh Master Chen, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. It is truly an honor to meet you today. I hope you will continue to guide and support me in the future. If there is anything I can do to help you, I will do my utmost."

Because Meng Qingci helped him acquire that batch of Western clocks, Zhou Jichen was eager to expand her network of connections. He chuckled and said, "Someone as clever as you, why do you keep calling me 'Jin' all the time? Everyone at this banquet is a brother, why don't you quickly address him as Seventh Brother?"

Meng Qingci readily picked up his wine cup, lightly clinked it against Chen Junyan's cup on the table, and said with a smile, "It is an honor for me to call you Seventh Brother. I would like to offer you a toast."

As they drew closer, Chen Junyan leaned back casually in his chair, resting one hand on the edge of the table, and squinted slightly as he scrutinized the person before him. Meng Qingci was poised and composed, polite and courteous, lacking any of the uncouth air of a typical interpreter, and far too young for his age. An uninformed person might mistake him for a carefully raised noble young master from a prominent family; his refined and aristocratic air made him seem like a scholar preparing for the imperial examinations in the capital next year.

Chen Junyan politely raised his glass and drank it all, acknowledging him as his "younger brother." He smiled and said gently, "I don't have a younger brother yet, so having one like you is my blessing."

Chen Junyan now understood Zhou Jichen a bit. Putting aside Jin Yunnian's fluency in foreign languages ​​and his resourcefulness, just looking at his clean-cut and handsome appearance, his gentle smile, and his obedient manners, he seemed like a lovable younger brother. Anyone who saw him would probably find it hard to harden their heart and refuse him.

Meng Qingci quickly poured him another cup, her respectful tone tinged with warmth: "It is my good fortune that Seventh Brother is willing to acknowledge me. This cup is another toast to Seventh Brother."

Just as Meng Qingci was about to raise her cup, she suddenly felt a fragrant breeze pass by, and the wine cup in her hand was snatched away. Then, a soft, boneless hand pushed against her chest. Caught off guard, Meng Qingci couldn't help but take two steps back.

It was Hongxiao, the most beautiful courtesan in Guangzhou. She snatched the wine cup from Meng Qingci's hand, twisted her slender waist, and leaned lightly against Master Chen. With a flicker of her eyes, she gently scolded Meng Qingci, "What brother and sister talk? You're clearly just using this as an excuse to get me drunk. I'll drink this cup for you, Master Chen." Her bright red lips parted slightly, and she downed the cup of wine in one gulp.

Meng Qingci quickly composed himself, bowed, and apologized, saying, "It was my fault for being impetuous and rude. I am fortunate that Sister Hongxiao gave me some pointers."

Zhou Jichen smiled and shook his head, not exposing the matter, but some people who weren't afraid of making things worse shouted loudly: "Hongxiao, you're spoiling this kid too much! Do you really think we don't know? It's one thing for you to consider him a confidant, but now you're even taking the drinks for him. Aren't you afraid that your infatuation will be misplaced? This guy is notorious for being afraid of his wife. Who in the entire Guangzhou Prefecture doesn't know that!"

“That’s right, Hongxiao. Pick any one of them at the table, and they’re all better than this greenhorn.”

"Hongxiao, if you are willing to reform, I will go to your mother tonight and pay her ten thousand taels of gold!"

"Come on, can't you see? If it weren't for Zimin's influence, how would Miss Hongxiao have graced us with her presence today? We're no match for her."

Zhou Jichen glanced at the group with a hint of warning, knowing they wanted to talk about Jin Yunnian becoming a son-in-law of the Cen family. He then smoothed things over, saying, "You lot, don't be sour grapes. It's just that the eldest daughter of the Cen family didn't fancy you. It's normal for a young lady to be attracted to Zimin. Besides, he and Miss Cen are a perfect match, and they're very much in love. Stop trying to sow discord between the young couple."

Jin Yunnian looked slightly embarrassed and quickly cupped his hands to beg for forgiveness: "Gentlemen, please don't make fun of me. Sister Hongxiao's kindness is something I, Zimin, am truly unworthy of." She touched her nose, smiled shyly, and said seriously: "My wife has been very devoted to me. I, Zimin, once swore that she would be the only one for me in this life and would never betray her."

Hongxiao wasn't annoyed that her thoughts had been exposed. She still leaned softly against Master Chen's side and said with a smile, "You guys are so clever, always so quick to speak. It's just a cup of wine for him. Our Master Chen is the most gentlemanly. As the saying goes, 'See through it but don't say it.' Hongxiao toasts Master Chen." With that, she lightly raised her slender fingers and gracefully brought the wine cup to Chen Junyan's lips.

Chen Junyan, not expecting Jin Yunnian to be a seasoned player in love despite her young age, was engrossed in listening when Hongxiao offered him a cup of wine. He felt that although Hongxiao had some girlish cunning, she was also straightforward and honest. He decided not to argue, and with a smile, he accepted the beauty's favor, drinking the wine from Hongxiao's hand, but his gaze gave Jin Yunnian a meaningful look.

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Author's Note: I'm really feeling down, so I'll stop here for today. [Melted]