Although the storybooks initially sold poorly, sales soared after she started telling them at Mingxianglou, and Song Wanyin became famous as a result.
Following that, she released her new work, "Detective Records," with a suspenseful plot and an exceptionally intelligent female protagonist. It became an instant hit upon release, and readers eagerly awaited the next volume.
In the past, the storybook was published first, and then the storytelling was held in the teahouse. However, if someone who bought the storybook wanted to know the plot, they only needed to flip through the storybook and might not necessarily come to the teahouse.
But if someone listening to storytelling in a teahouse misses a part of the story or is unable to attend due to other commitments, they'll be extremely anxious and will have to go to a bookstore to buy a copy.
So Meng Zhao discussed with Song Wanyin that the second volume of "Detective Records" would take the opposite approach, starting with a lecture in a teahouse and then putting it on the bookshelf after the lecture.
With the previous work's success, there were many people looking forward to this storybook. Every time it was performed, the theater was packed. Even the owner, Meng Zhao, sometimes couldn't find a seat, which is why she rushed over in a hurry and asked Qin Niangzi to save a seat for her.
The Mingxianglou restaurant was bustling with noise. Waiters carrying tea trays weaved through the crowd, and shouts of "Excuse me, excuse me!" could be heard from time to time. The private rooms on the second floor were already full, and even the corridor was crowded with people.
The lobby was even more lively, with all the seats taken early on. No one was polite; whether they knew each other or not, they could share a table. Some who arrived late and couldn't find a seat simply stood in an empty space, since the teahouse didn't ask people to leave.
The only rule is that you can't bring your own food. But just listening is really boring, so most people will spend money to buy some snacks. At the very least, they'll spend a few coins to buy a plate of melon seeds to crack open.
"Madam Zhao, what brings you here to listen to storytelling today?" a woman asked with a smile to someone she knew.
"How could I possibly have any free time? I have a ton of work waiting for me at the shop. I put all my work aside to listen to this new book."
Before Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the teahouse was already packed with people. Even the waiters had to be extremely careful when delivering things, for fear of bumping into customers. Those who arrived late would have to leave with regret and wait for the next time.
At the stroke of midnight, a gavel suddenly rang out, and everyone's eyes turned to the platform in the middle of the teahouse.
On the stage stood a woman in her early twenties. Although she was plain-looking, her voice was clear and penetrating, carrying a strong sense of story and instantly drawing everyone into the plot.
"There was once a flower thief in the capital who preyed on beautiful women. The authorities chased him for a year but couldn't catch a trace of him. This flower thief was skilled in martial arts and also had a unique ability to use bewitching perfumes. Countless young ladies fell victim to his evil deeds." The storyteller's voice rose and fell, making the audience hold their breath.
The teahouse was full of women, and when they heard about the lecherous thief's wicked deeds, they were naturally filled with righteous indignation and even forgot to drink their tea.
"Recently, a woman in red can be seen strolling around the streets and alleys of the capital. A gold-inlaid and jade-inlaid sword hangs at her waist. As she walks down the street, she attracts the attention of passersby. This girl is none other than the number one female constable of the Six Doors - Jade Rakshasa!"
As soon as the name Yu Luosha was mentioned, applause and cheers erupted in the teahouse. As the protagonist of "Detective Records", Yu Luosha had already amassed a considerable number of fans.
"Yu Luosha's purpose in coming here is to use herself as bait to lure the flower thief into a trap. However, she is currently troubled, not for any other reason than because the murder case she solved at the post station last time has made her famous. Many people in the martial arts world have seen her face and are worried that the flower thief will not dare to come if he sees her."
The audience below was starting to get anxious, and some couldn't help but whisper among themselves, "That flower thief knows it's Jade Rakshasa, why would he come? Isn't that just suicide?"
"Exactly, it seems that being too famous isn't a good thing."
"Bang!" The gavel struck, and the storyteller continued, "While she was hesitating, someone suggested to her that Meng's Treasure Pavilion had recently launched a new 'renewal gift box,' which was rumored to be able to transform one's appearance after use. Upon learning this, Yu Luosha hurriedly bought a set, and with the skillful hands of the shop assistant, Yu Luosha after the makeover was indeed a completely different person."
"That day, Yu Luosha dressed up in new clothes, pretending to be drunk, and walked alone on the streets of the capital. A dark figure approached from behind, gently patted Yu Luosha's shoulder, and when she turned around, sprinkled a sleeping incense. But Yu Luosha was prepared, held her breath, and pretended to faint. The thief carried her away, and she didn't know where he went..."
"The next day, a notice was posted in the capital announcing that the case of the flower thief had been solved. The thief had drugged the women not for his own use, but to send them to the residence of a high-ranking official. The reason the case had remained unsolved was because of pressure from above. Now that Jade Rakshasa had revealed this secret, her fame had soared..."
After the case was finished, thunderous applause and cheers erupted throughout the teahouse. Someone even shouted, "One more!"
Meng Zhao, sitting below, naturally heard everyone's discussion about the case. In addition, many people noticed the renovated gift box used by Yu Luosha.
"Does such a thing really exist in this world?" a young woman asked in a low voice, her eyes full of curiosity.
"I don't believe it. Even with makeup, you can still recognize it. If such a thing really existed, everyone would be scrambling to buy it." The person next to him shook his head, clearly not believing it.
"Hey, isn't Meng's Treasure Pavilion right next door? Believe it or not, just go and take a look."
As a result, many people left Mingxianglou and went to Zhenbaoge.
Meng Zhao saw this and was secretly delighted. He had only given Song Wanyin a refreshment gift set and already received an opportunity for product placement. He hoped that more good things like this would come in the future.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
