Chapter 022 There is a scumbag
Yuan Ming pursed his lips, and the belated sense of guilt instantly filled his chest.
He is Brother Jin, so what if Ji Qingyue likes Brother Jin? In the final analysis, he was actually the one who deceived him.
So, he apologized to Ji Qingyue very solemnly: "I'm sorry, it's my fault. You just like a story writer. There is nothing wrong with it. I am jealous and immature."
Ji Qingyue sniffed when she heard it, and hugged him.
They hugged each other for a while, and Ji Qingyue's stomach protested again, and they laughed at the same time. Because the conflict had just been resolved, a bowl of ordinary noodles tasted particularly sweet.
The response to Ten Days Easy Reading was particularly good, and Manager Zhao smiled for several days.
That day, Yuan Ming came to the bookstore to buy the four treasures of the study. He was directly invited to the back by the shopkeeper. On the table was a set of fine pens, ink, paper and inkstone.
Yuan Ming had also seen good things before, and that was why he widened his eyes in surprise. This set was worth at least twenty taels of silver. Shopkeeper Zhao was really generous.
"This is too expensive. I can't accept it."
Shopkeeper Zhao naturally refused, and Yuan Ming accepted it reluctantly.
"Mr. Yuan, this little thing is nothing." Shopkeeper Zhao showed a satisfied smile: "You know what I want. If Mr. Yuan really wants to thank me, give me the new manuscript as soon as possible, and I will definitely be happy."
I have to admit that it is easy and comfortable to communicate with such an open-minded person like Shopkeeper Zhao.
As the saying goes, it is easy to get something from a poor person. Yuan Ming originally planned to give him the manuscript in a few days, but now he kept it secret and took out a stack of manuscripts from the bookcase and handed them to Zhao the shopkeeper.
"Here are 10,000 words." Zhao
the shopkeeper flipped through the manuscripts casually as if he had found a treasure. He was immediately delighted and said to Yuan Ming, "I have a feeling that this book will sell better than peach blossom wine!"
Yuan Ming smiled lightly and did not comment.
Zhao the shopkeeper got the manuscript and could not wait to find someone to proofread the handwritten copy. Yuan Ming took the opportunity to leave.
He came to the lobby of the bookstore and glanced at the shelves. He did not find the books he needed to buy. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a familiar voice.
"Don't worry, father. I will make full preparations for this chrysanthemum banquet and will not let you down."
It was Zhao Yucheng's voice. The other person was Zhao Yucheng's father, Zhao Zan, a friend of the town government.
According to Yuan Ming's understanding, Zhao Zan was a man of deep scheming and decent character. He was not a good man for the country and the people, but he was definitely not a bad man who plundered the people's wealth.
During this period, Yuan Ming and Zhao Yucheng often studied together, and their relationship was much better than before.
In order to avoid being misunderstood as eavesdropping, Yuan Ming did not plan to come out of the bookshelf, but just wanted to wait until they left before leaving.
Who knew that they actually started chatting across from each other. Although it was not something that could not be heard, it made Yuan Ming feel very embarrassed. Especially when he heard Zhao Yucheng mention his name.
He didn't want to know other people's impression of him by eavesdropping, so before the situation became out of control, he took a step forward and walked out of the range blocked by the bookshelf.
Then he bowed to Zhao Yucheng and said, "Brother Zhao, what a coincidence, we meet here. I was just choosing books over there, and if I hadn't heard your name, I wouldn't have known you were here."
He decisively took the initiative and blocked Zhao Yucheng's mouth.
Seeing that it was him, Zhao Yucheng's face flashed with surprise, and there was also some embarrassment that was hard to ignore, probably because he was caught talking about others behind their backs.
Zhao Yucheng bowed in return and apologized, "Brother Yuan, my father and I didn't mean to mention your name just now. The Chrysanthemum Banquet in Shifang Town will be held next month, and I have an extra invitation in my hand. I wanted to ask Brother Yuan if you are free.
" Yuan Ming nodded, "So that's the case. It's my honor that Brother Zhao cares about me."
As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhao Zan beside him, bent down and performed a proper elder's salute: "Uncle Zhao, this is the first time we meet. I didn't know you were Brother Zhao's father. I'm sorry."
Zhao Zan nodded with a smile on his face: "Mr. Yuan, there's no need to be polite. I've often heard Yucheng mention you. When I see you today, I think you are indeed a handsome man."
"Uncle Zhao,
you're too kind." After a few polite words back and forth, Zhao Zan brought the topic back to the Chrysanthemum Banquet.
"The Chrysanthemum Banquet is held once a year on Yuxu Mountain, where the chrysanthemums are in the best bloom. Literati from around Shifang Town will attend. Reciting poems, discussing academic matters, and appreciating the autumn scenery together is a great opportunity to broaden your horizons and build connections. If my nephew Yuanxian is interested, you can go with Yucheng."
Yuan Ming had indeed heard of the name of the Chrysanthemum Banquet, but he had never had such an opportunity in his previous life. Now that the invitation has been delivered to his doorstep, he would be a fool not to accept it. Yuan Ming
nodded: "Thank you, Uncle Zhao and Brother Zhao, I will take advantage of you. I would rather obey than be respectful."
When Ji Qingyue heard the three words "Chrysanthemum Banquet" when he got home, he sat up immediately.
Yuan Ming asked curiously, "Why did Qingqing react so strongly? Has she heard about it too?"
Ji Qingyue grabbed his arm, her eyes sparkling, "My dear, can you take me with you? I'm worried that I can't find the way in."
Yuan Ming blinked.
It turned out that the team that Ji Qingyue was in to protect the female victims and the boys had finally taken action recently. The person they were going to help was a woman named Qin Qiaoer.
Qin Qiaoer was from Xiaguan Village, Shifang Town. Her family had a sauce shop, which was an old brand passed down by word of mouth and had a very good business. Qin Qiaoer had been spoiled from birth to now, with no worries about food and clothing. She had a slightly rude personality, but because she was as beautiful as a flower, no one could get angry with her even if she was willful.
Qin Qiaoer had just come of age when the matchmaker who came to propose marriage came to her doorstep. Some of these people were attracted by her beauty, some by the Qin family's wealth. In short, in Qin Qiao'er's view, they all came with a purpose, not because of love for her.
At this time, a man named Wang Qian appeared.
Speaking of this man, Ji Qingyue curled her lips and said, "Wang Qian is just a poor scholar. His family is penniless. He has been preparing for the exam for many years but failed to pass the exam. He just relied on his mouth to coax Qiao'er into falling in love with him. She even broke up with her parents for him."
Yuan Ming: "..." There was something implied.
Ji Qingyue scolded Wang Qian for a quarter of an hour, and found that Yuan Ming was silent all the time, so her voice suddenly dropped.
"Husband, are you unhappy when I say that to him?"
He reflected on himself and realized that every word he cursed at Wang Qian was reasonable, but who would want their husband to be a vulgar person who swears?
Yuan Ming took a deep breath, shook his head and said with a smile: "No, I think what you said makes sense."
He didn't want Ji Qingyue to know at all that he had already identified himself.
Seeing that Yuan Ming was indeed not angry, Ji Qingyue continued to talk.
Qin Qiaoer believed in Wang Qian's lifelong promise. After being strongly opposed by her parents, she eloped with Wang Qian and took a large sum of gold and silver before leaving.
Because of this money, Wang Qian lived a luxurious life. At first, he was very good to Qin Qiaoer, and they really had a very sweet time.
However, the good times did not last long. The money Qin Qiaoer took out was limited after all. After using it up, Wang Qian began to reveal his true nature. He was jealous of the other party's parents, so he did not dare to beat or scold her, but just ignored her everywhere and mocked her with words.
Qin Qiaoer is not only stupid, but also a love-minded person who puts love first.
Even though Wang Qian treats her worse than before, she still tolerates him and even thinks it is her own problem.
"If Wang Qian hadn't owed money to the brothel, Gui Nu would have come to her directly. Qin Qiaoer would still be dreaming that her husband would change his mind sooner or later." Ji Qingyue said angrily.
Wang Qian saw that the truth was revealed and he could no longer pretend to be a gentleman. He simply broke the jar and forced Qin Qiaoer to sleep with him many times, just to make her pregnant with his child as soon as possible, and then use this to extort money from the Qin family.
Ji Qingyue sighed and said, "I have a friend who is from the same hometown as Wang Qian. When she rescued Qiao'er, there was not a piece of good meat on her body. She was naked, dirty and thrown into the woodshed. She was the last breath left."
Yuan Ming's expression also became serious: "Wang Qian will also participate in this chrysanthemum banquet?"
Ji Qingyue said hatefully: "If it were up to him, how could he be qualified to participate? He heard that the mayor of Shifang Town wanted to recruit a son-in-law during the chrysanthemum banquet. Wang Qian was a man of few knowledge and looked like a decent man, but he set his sights on the mayor's daughter. He didn't even take a piss to look at himself."
Yuan Ming twitched his mouth. He was able to accept the fact that his husband made such a shocking statement calmly.
"So what are you going to do at the Chrysanthemum Banquet?"
"Of course, to expose his hypocritical face in public, let the town governor see his ugly face with his own eyes, and completely put an end to his pipe dream."
Yuan Ming did not comment on his plan and said, "I can take you in, but do you think this is appropriate?"
"Why is it inappropriate? I originally wanted to help those victimized women!" Ji Qingyue threw the ground loudly.
Yuan Ming thought for a while, "Have you asked Qin Qiaoer's opinion? Once this matter is made public, she will be the biggest victim besides Wang Qian."
Hearing this, Ji Qingyue really calmed down.
His back slumped slightly, and he said in distress: "What can I do? I don't want Qiao'er to be hurt again, but how can I watch Wang Qian continue to be so proud?"
Yuan Ming said: "There are so many talented people at the Chrysanthemum Banquet. With Wang Qian's knowledge, he should not be in the eyes of the town governor."
Speaking of this, Ji Qingyue became even angrier and knocked heavily on the table: "According to reliable information, Zhao Zan, a friend of the town government, is Wang Qian's relative. He will get the questions set by the town governor from him in advance."
Yuan Ming was stunned.
Zhao Zan?
He just met Zhao Zan today, and from the conversation between father and son, Zhao Zan didn't seem to know the questions in advance, otherwise he wouldn't let his son read more books to deal with them.
Moreover, Zhao Zan wanted his son to marry the daughter of a town lord, so how could he leak the information to Wang Qian, who was barely... his son's competitor?