Chapter 219 The Wasted Son of an Ancient Family (17)
"Mr. Qing, a guest wishes to meet with you."
The bookstore owner, sporting a goatee, spoke respectfully and cautiously.
Changqing was dressed in a black robe and wore a veiled hat to cover his face.
Upon hearing this...
He tilted his head slightly.
"But someone you can't refuse?"
His voice was surprisingly hoarse, sounding both weathered and deep.
The bookstore owner's expression turned serious, and he pointed to the sky.
"good!"
Changqing nodded. "I will meet this distinguished guest in three days in the reception room on the top floor of your bookstore."
The bookstore owner breathed a sigh of relief.
The pressure is immense.
This Mr. Qing is elusive; although he has been cooperating with the bookstore for some years, I haven't been able to find out his identity at all.
Over the years, countless people have wanted to meet with him, but he has always refused them outright.
Even Prince Rui was unable to meet him.
She threw a huge tantrum.
They almost wrecked the bookstore.
But he couldn't do anything about it. He didn't even know who Mr. Qing was or what he looked like, so how could he arrange a meeting for him?
Thank goodness.
Mr. Qing is also a reasonable person.
If he refuses again this time, he might be fine, but the bookstore is probably really in trouble.
"Mr. Qing, I'll offer you a cup of tea instead of wine to thank you. You've saved our bookstore."
The shopkeeper raised his cup and drank it all in one gulp.
He hadn't been able to sleep for several days.
Ever since that day when the palace eunuch came, he felt like his head was on his neck. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would be a huge problem.
Changqing chuckled softly and raised his glass as well.
"After all, my new artwork will continue to be distributed through your channels."
He said it half-jokingly.
Several years have passed.
The picture book of Journey to the West is finally finished.
Changqing made countless amounts of money.
However, he handled it under other identities.
Every day, many people come to the bookstore to urge him to update his work. Some even wait outside the bookstore all night just to wait for him. However, no one actually manages to catch him. He always manages to avoid all eyes and ears and suddenly appear in the shopkeeper's reception room.
Amazing!
The shopkeeper was completely helpless.
He even suspected that this Mr. Qing might be a martial arts master like the one in the picture book, or perhaps he was a god or demon from Journey to the West with superhuman abilities.
When he learned that the person wanted to see Mr. Qing, he felt uneasy and worried that he would not do a good job. He never felt that Mr. Qing, as a subject, should take the initiative to see that person.
He had already subtly come to regard Mr. Qing and that other person as equals.
Therefore, Changqing's nod was a real relief for him. Thank goodness, he managed to avoid offending either side and still get things done.
...
Changqing returned to his courtyard.
He wasn't surprised at all; his name, Mr. Qing, was now well-known throughout the capital.
He even knew a year ago that someone was secretly investigating him.
hehe.
In modern society, with cameras everywhere, it might be more troublesome, but in ancient times, having a system meant he was a prophet. Who could investigate what he didn't want people to know?
Naturally, nothing was gained.
Moreover, he only meets and collaborates with the bookstore owner, so the only way to contact him is through the bookstore owner.
It was only natural to alarm that person.
Your Majesty!
Changqing lay back in the rattan chair, extending his long, slender fingers to lightly tap the table.
In the story, the emperor in the palace does not play a big role. He is in his prime and has a good way of governing the country. He has many princes, but he has already established a crown prince, the legitimate son of the empress. Therefore, there is no drama of fighting for the crown prince position.
It is worth mentioning that the emperor and empress had a very good relationship. They were childhood sweethearts. Because of this, they had a good impression of Song Yuli's character of missing his deceased wife and gave him some gifts.
They simply don't know the actual situation!
Of course, this was a minor matter for them, not worth investigating. They heard about it from someone, asked a couple of questions, felt a little sentimental, and then gave it a reward.
Um....
Changqing concluded that the current emperor is still a wise ruler.
Since that's the case—
That makes things easier; he doesn't intend to beat around the bush.
It would be good to pay a visit.
Three days later.
Evergreen arrived as promised.
The area outside the bookstore was surprisingly deserted, with only a few scattered people; the usual staking out area had been completely cleared out.
Changqing was also dressed in a black robe.
This time, he swaggered in.
The bookstore was also empty.
Only the shopkeeper waited anxiously.
"Mr. Qing, you've come at just the right time. That person just arrived as well."
Upon seeing Changqing, he quickly came to greet him.
Changqing nodded.
"That's excellent."
The shopkeeper couldn't help but admire him secretly. Mr. Qing was indeed extraordinary; he didn't seem nervous at all in this situation.
"Well, um, I won't go up with you. Please—"
Changqing strode forward without hesitation.
at this time.
In the newly renovated reception hall on the top floor, a well-dressed couple exuding an air of nobility were drinking tea and talking.
“Ayu, we haven’t waited for anyone in a long time. This Mr. Qing is really mysterious. He’s been under the capital for so many years and hasn’t shown any trace of himself. Even we have to go through the bookstore manager to get a glimpse of him.”
The middle-aged man suddenly spoke, his words sounding like a complaint, but his tone was quite relaxed.
The woman beside him smiled gently, “There are many talented people among the common people, Sanlang. You’ve become impatient now. I remember back then, we drank several pots of tea while waiting for Zhao Lian, and it was midnight before he finally arrived.”
The middle-aged man laughed upon hearing this.
"How can that be compared? Zhao Lian was my greatest advisor in my ascension to the throne, and he is now the Right Chancellor..."
He paused, then changed the subject, "However, Ayu, you're right. I was indeed a bit too hasty. Mr. Qing is a man of great talent, capable of creating such works. Even if he's not a capable ruler, it's always right to treat him with some courtesy."
The woman covered her mouth and chuckled, "That's more like it."
At this moment, the outer curtain was lifted, and Eunuch Su, dressed in casual clothes, appeared at the door.
"Master, Madam, Mr. Qing has arrived."
Changqing stepped forward, removed his veil, revealing a young face, and bowed.
"This humble citizen, Song Changqing, pays his respects to the Emperor and Empress."
The voice was clear and melodious, untouched by the vicissitudes of life.
Everyone present was stunned.
......
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
Changqing walked out of the reception room.
indoor.
The middle-aged man and the woman had somewhat mixed expressions.
A long silence followed.
The woman sighed softly, "I never imagined that Mr. Qing was actually the eldest son of the Marquis's family. I had only heard that the eldest son of the Marquis's family was ignorant and incompetent, but I never expected there to be such a reason behind it."
The middle-aged man had an angry look on his face.
"What a scoundrel Song Yu! So all his so-called longing for his deceased wife was just for show. It's one thing to take a concubine and have a child, but he even allowed his concubine to raise a useless legitimate son, all so that his illegitimate son could rise to power!"
Seeing that he was angry, the woman quickly grabbed his hand and said, "Sanlang, don't be angry. True feelings are rare in the world, so there's no need to get angry about it."
At this point, she suddenly chuckled and looked at Eunuch Su, who stood with his hands clasped to the side.
"Eunuch Su, do you know anything about Song Changqing?"
Eunuch Su bowed. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I don't know much about this. I've only heard that the eldest son of the Marquis's family was extremely dissolute in his youth, and his family couldn't control him at all. Later, he was sent to the clan school, but he never attended classes. Instead, he had his maid attend in his place, while he spent his days reading picture books in the schoolhouse. I never expected this..."
As the Grand Eunuch of the Palace, he naturally knew something about what was happening in the capital. Although his answers were mostly just repeating what others had said, he wasn't completely ignorant.
The woman smiled upon hearing this and looked at the middle-aged man.
“Sanlang, this child is not simple. At such a young age, he knows how to save his life by making a fool of himself. Moreover, reading picture books is easy, but drawing picture books is not an easy task.”
The middle-aged man nodded, "This young man has a very good character. Although his speech does not show any ability to govern a country, just based on these few paintings he has made, he can be considered a talented person."
The woman rolled her eyes.
"I think you're a little too eager to know the plot of his new picture book."
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