There is a teahouse.
The teahouse is called Youjian Teahouse.
Since His Highness the Crown Prince punished the prefect's son for abducting a woman at the teahouse, the teahouse has been quite deserted for a while.
It wasn't until the prefect's entire family was punished that the teahouse's business gradually recovered and improved. In a short period of time, it became the most bustling and famous teahouse in the capital, without exception.
After all, this teahouse is capable of attracting His Highness the Crown Prince to stop and linger!
Inside the teahouse, there was also the grandfather and grandson storyteller who had been repeatedly praised by His Highness the Crown Prince.
Even His Highness the Crown Prince enjoyed their stories and songs, so the common people of the capital naturally flocked to them. Whether rich or poor, everyone wanted to go to the teahouse to drink tea and listen to stories, which was a great topic of conversation after meals.
As the saying goes, those who survive a great calamity are sure to have good fortune in the future.
After weathering a storm and receiving help from benefactors, the grandfather and grandson not only saw their storytelling business flourish, but their spirits also soared to new heights.
The old man's storytelling voice grew stronger and more powerful, full of energy, while the little girl's singing voice became more and more melodious and lingering.
The little girl no longer had to hide behind the table to sing secretly; instead, she could sit openly and confidently next to her grandfather and show off her singing to all the tea drinkers in the teahouse.
Since the prefect's son was beheaded, the atmosphere in the capital has improved considerably, and there have been no more cases of lustful men forcibly abducting women in broad daylight.
After the old gentleman finished reciting a passage, he slammed the gavel, which drew cheers from the entire audience.
Some tea drinkers egged the old gentleman on, asking him to recount the scene of His Highness the Crown Prince's act of chivalry and severe punishment of the纨绔子弟 (a spoiled, dissolute young man).
"I would like to recount His Highness the Crown Prince's righteous deeds, but I have told this story countless times. I'm afraid some of the distinguished guests here might find it boring after hearing it so many times, which would spoil the business for the host," the old gentleman explained with difficulty.
"How could such a delightful event be boring? Old man, I came all the way from the west of the city to hear you tell this story. Hurry up and tell me!" a tea drinker urged loudly.
"Exactly! Tell me already! I've heard it several times already, but hearing it again still makes me feel very relieved!"
"I was fortunate enough to be in the teahouse that day and witnessed the whole process. Although His Highness the Crown Prince is young, he has a very strong presence and is in control of the whole situation. The atmosphere at the scene was even more exciting than the old gentleman described!"
Everyone urged them on, and no one showed any sign of displeasure.
The old gentleman was very pleased. After gathering his emotions for a moment, he slammed the gavel, took a deep breath, and once again recounted the events of that day in detail.
Ye Jingchen, now sporting a different face, mingled among the tea drinkers, listening with great interest.
Chenxi also changed to an ordinary face and stayed by Ye Jingchen's side.
Ye Jingchen wanted Chenxi to use his original face, but his face was too cute, as if it had a magical power, and everyone who saw it couldn't help but stop and stare.
In order to avoid attracting attention, Ye Jingchen had to give him a normal face.
The old man was an experienced storyteller, and embellishing a story was his forte. What Ye Jingchen thought was ordinary became magnificent and thrilling in his mouth.
The same thing happened in the teahouse that day.
His image was infinitely elevated in the old man's words, as if he were a superhero who had saved them from darkness.
Even someone as thick-skinned as Ye Jingchen found it hard to bear the old man's endless praise.
Just as he was feeling uneasy and wondering whether he should leave, a young man dressed in black walked towards their table.
The man's purpose was clear, and Chenxi put down her teacup, fixing her gaze on him.
As for Ye Jingchen, his hand was intentionally or unintentionally caressing the white jade lotus hanging at his waist.
When the man was three steps away from their table, he stopped, bowed to Ye Jingchen, and said, "Young Master, our young master invites you."
In the noisy and bustling teahouse, the distance of three steps was neither too far nor too close, but the man's voice reached Ye Jingchen's ears with exceptional clarity, as if the man were speaking directly into his ear.
After the man finished speaking, he reached out his hand towards Ye Jingchen, and a very familiar waist token flashed in front of Ye Jingchen's eyes.
The waist tag that belongs exclusively to Xie's army.
He is from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, so his young master must be Xie Chang'an.
Ye Jingchen was a little curious about how Xie Chang'an knew he was in this teahouse. It couldn't have been just a coincidence, could it?
He stood up, placed the tea money on the table, and Chenxi followed suit, standing beside him.
Led by the young man, they went upstairs and into a private room, where Xie Chang'an was waiting.
"Young Master Xie, are you perhaps able to predict the future? Otherwise, how would you know I was in this teahouse?" Ye Jingchen sat down opposite Xie Chang'an and asked with some curiosity.
"It was just a coincidence." Xie Chang'an gestured for Ye Jingchen to look at the carved window.
From their angle, they could see exactly where he had been sitting.
"What are you doing here in a teahouse all of a sudden? Doesn't the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion offer you tea?" Ye Jingchen felt that Xie Chang'an's motives for appearing here were very suspicious.
"Come listen to the storyteller," Xie Chang'an said.
"Is that all?" Why was he so skeptical?
“This grandfather and grandson are quite famous in the capital recently. I have some very interesting stories here and would like to find some storytellers to tell them,” Xie Chang’an explained.
Upon hearing this, Ye Jingchen knew what he was planning to do.
"What story? Love and hate among aristocratic families? Or is it one of forceful acquisition?" he asked with a smile.
Xie Chang'an smiled too.
One can understand the refined meaning by listening to the music.
Ye Jingchen is the smartest person he has ever met.
Fortunately, they are not enemies now.
As for the future—
Let's talk about the future later!
"It shouldn't be any less impressive than the story of His Highness the Crown Prince rescuing a damsel in distress and severely punishing a spoiled brat," Xie Chang'an quipped in high spirits.
What kind of hero saves the damsel in distress?
Who is the hero? Who is the beauty?!
Don't use idioms you don't know how to use! He clearly saw injustice and stepped in to help!
Ye Jingchen inwardly grumbled.
The old man's voice was very penetrating; even sitting in a private room on the second floor, one could hear it clearly.
He felt ashamed even hearing those words of praise by himself, let alone with Xie Chang'an sitting next to him. Ye Jingchen felt his shame doubled!
After listening for only a few words, he reached out and closed the carved window, shutting out the sound.
“This grandfather and grandson are indeed a good choice, but they are somewhat involved with me. If your stories are spread through them, it’s hard to guarantee that the aristocratic families won’t notice me, which would be very disadvantageous for me!” Ye Jingchen said to Xie Chang’an with a bitter face after gathering his emotions for a moment.
"There are so many storytellers in the capital, it doesn't matter who you choose. Why don't you find someone else, Young Master Xie?"
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