"He and I are from the same hometown. His family had some reputation in our village because their ancestors had served as officials, but it declined in the last two generations. His generation was quite capable and passed the provincial examination with honors. So his family treated him like a treasure and funded his education. They sent him to the capital to take the imperial examination, hoping that he would bring honor to the family. It's just a pity..." The waiter shook his head and sighed, "I don't know why, but since he came to the capital, he has taken the exam eight or nine times, but he has failed every time. This year is his tenth attempt."
Xu Jiang was stunned. Hu Xu had failed the exam three times and almost collapsed. This man had failed eight or nine times, but he could still try again. It really made people wonder whether to admire him or sympathize with him.
The three of them escaped from the noisy restaurant and came to the shade of a laurel tree outside the door. The waiter was full of troubles, and now that he had someone to talk to, he poured out Feng Miao's history in a whirlwind of words.
"If you ask me, since you've failed the exam so many times, you're not cut out for it. You might as well go back home and get a job and live a down-to-earth life. What's the point of hanging out with those young masters in the capital all day? Now you're so blinded by the sight of wealth and luxury that you've even forgotten your own name. How can you even focus on studying for the exam? And how can you possibly pass? It's just a waste of money."
Xu Jiang asked, "Why did he ask you to borrow money? It seems he borrowed from you more than once."
"To flatter himself and please those dandy young men, he's practically knocked down the doors of every brothel and tavern in Pingkangfang." The waiter sighed three times. "His family and clan have been drained dry by him over the years, and there's no money left to support him. Sometimes he gets some tips for doing things for those princes, but once the money falls into his hands, it's like water flowing through his hands, coming and going quickly. When he spends it all, he borrows from everyone, but he never returns the money. He's really scared us fellow villagers of borrowing from him."
It seems that he had previously relied on Jiang Gu and earned a lot of rewards from those people. Now that Jiang Gu has escaped, he has messed up his business and has lost face in front of those people, which has made him even more miserable.
"I'm unlucky to be harassed by him today. It's so pitiful and hateful when I think about it. He's not afraid of falling to his death on such a high staircase." The waiter exhaled fiercely and sighed, "Forget it, forget it. I'll just consider it a waste of money to buy some peace and quiet. Next time he comes, I'll just hide."
Xu Jiang looked at him with sympathy. Jiang Gu had been harassed by Feng Miao for eight years, and it had taken nearly his life to break free. If Feng Miao was determined to harass this waiter, as he was today, and was willing to destroy himself, it would be difficult for this waiter to escape.
After the waiter finished complaining, he felt much better. Seeing that the two men showed no sign of impatience, he felt both heartwarming and ashamed. "Look, I just can't control my mouth. I've kept you two guests here for nothing. I really deserve a beating, I deserve a beating."
"No problem." Lou Yunchun warned, "If he comes to blackmail us again next time, report him to the government office. People like him will become more and more aggressive after getting something sweet. Don't tolerate him."
The waiter said gratefully, "Thank you for your advice, sir. I can save myself the trouble." Then he asked the horse attendant to bring the donkey and horse of the two men.
While waiting for the horse servant, the waiter looked at Lou Yunchun and finally couldn't help asking, "I see you are wearing the official uniform of the Dali Temple. I guess you are working there. I know many of the Dali Temple officials. You look unfamiliar to me. Have you just started working there?"
"I..." Lou Yunchun's words were interrupted by the sound of horse hooves.
A few people turned around to look, and saw a team of Dali Temple patrol guards running towards them aggressively.
"Oh, it's really unacceptable to keep saying this." The waiter said to Lou Yunchun, "These officials are regular customers of our restaurant."
Xu Jiang looked at the patrol team and recognized that the leaders were the two who helped her find Mulan Jing.
The patrolman arrived in front of the restaurant in a blink of an eye, and the waiter hurried forward to greet him.
The leader asked, "Waiter, are there any seats available?"
The waiter smiled amiably, "There just happened to be a seat available. Coincidentally, the person sitting here is also an official from your Dali Temple."
"Oh? Who's been eating alone without telling the brothers? We'll see how we deal with him if he's caught." The lead patrolman turned around and counted the men, saying in surprise, "I see no one's missing."
Under the tree, Lou Yunchun did not move, and Xu Jiang did not dare to go forward, so she just stood there and silently chanted the Buddha's name to the patrol guard in her heart.
The waiter pointed under the tree and said, "He's not gone yet. Look, this is him."
Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and after seeing the person clearly, they all rolled off their horses with "ouch, ouch".
The waiter was startled and helped one person, then another. Finally, when everyone was standing in a hurry, Lou Yunchun moved over.
The patrolman who had just said he was going to deal with someone pulled off his skirt tucked into his waist and said with a dry laugh, "Lou, Lord Lou, are you coming to drink too?"
"Hmm." Lou Yunchun glanced over, and the patrolmen immediately straightened their backs. They expected to be scolded, but they didn't expect to hear Lou Yunchun say to the waiter, "All their expenses tonight will be put on my account. Tomorrow, bring the bill to the Zhaoxingfang Mansion to settle the money."
"A building?" The waiter was puzzled. Their restaurant had never kept accounts for buildings, so he didn't know which building it was.
"Lou Yunchun."
Lou Yunchun? The waiter's eyes widened. That Lou Yunchun?
At this time, the horse attendant came out with the horses and donkeys. Lou Yunchun said to the patrol guards, "Go in, I have to go now."
How could the patrolmen dare to move if he didn't leave?
Lou Yunchun took the reins from the horse attendant, saw Xu Jiang riding on the donkey, and then he jumped on the horse himself.
Xu Jiang bowed to the leading patrol guard, then patted his donkey's butt and headed out to the street with a clatter of feet.
Lou Yunchun said to the patrolmen, "Brothers, you are all exhausted tonight. Eat and drink to your heart's content. I will take care of the bill."
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