Chen Zhancai sat down at the table.
The shopkeeper beamed, bowing and scraping as he poured Chen Zhancai a glass of wine, showering him with compliments.
"If you ever achieve great success in the imperial examinations, young master, don't forget me, this poor innkeeper, and our little inn!"
Chen Zhancai nodded with a smile, then picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.
"Innkeeper, you're being too polite. I said on my first day here that it's fate that we met. After all this time, we're good buddies. Even if I don't pass any exams, I'll send you a sum of money as soon as I get home. I'll tear down your inn and rebuild the most luxurious and magnificent inn in Ningjing."
"Oh my, how much money will that cost!"
"Look at you, how many times have I told you not to mention the word 'money' in front of me? I think it's so tacky."
After downing a cup of cat urine, Chen Zhancai started boasting again.
"It wasn't easy for us two brothers to become acquainted. I've seen and remembered everything you've done these past few days."
As the saying goes, money is like dirt, but face is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I, Chen Zhancai, am loyal, righteous, and wealthy. How could I mistreat my good buddy?
If word gets out, I'll never be able to show my face in public again.
So don't stand on ceremony with me, I'm determined to help you get ahead and make you live the life of a rich person.
The shopkeeper was so swayed by these words that he almost fainted. His heart was pounding with excitement, and he really wanted to kneel down and kowtow to Chen Zhancai several times.
When a person is lucky, they can stumble upon gold ingots while walking and find pearls even while picking their teeth.
He nodded, trying to appear composed, but he couldn't suppress his inner joy. "Thank you, Young Master Chen. Then I won't stand on ceremony with you."
Chen Zhancai smiled and waved his hand, "That's right, hurry up and drink."
The two chatted back and forth, drinking several rounds and eating several dishes. Chen Zhancai's face was flushed, and his tongue was starting to tie itself in knots, but that still couldn't stop him from bragging.
"Shopkeeper, you don't know, the essay I wrote for the imperial examination this time is absolutely earth-shattering and awe-inspiring. If the chief examiner reads it, I'm afraid he'll be embarrassed."
The shopkeeper, also quite drunk, kept nodding and smiling obsequiously, "Young Master Chen's literary talent is exceptional; the examiner will surely be full of praise. How could he have embarrassed himself like this?"
"You wouldn't know this, would you? It's because he was so scared after reading my article that he peed his pants."
"Yes, yes, Young Master Chen is right. It's so shocking that it's impossible for him not to pee."
The shopkeeper, all smiles, showered Chen Zhancai with flattery, making him feel incredibly pleased with himself...
After another round of toasts and drinks, Chen Zhancai once again crawled under the table.
When he woke up, the sun was already high in the sky.
Hoping to meet a soulmate as soon as possible, he ate a little something and then started wandering around the streets again.
But after wandering around for several days, they still found nothing.
He didn't want to bother anymore, so he asked the waiter about Ningjing's most famous brothels and wanted to experience some foreign culture.
That day, following the waiter's directions, he headed straight for Yanliu Lane.
As we approached the entrance of an alley, a fragrant aroma wafted towards us.
He subconsciously looked around and saw a tall osmanthus tree growing in the courtyard not far away.
Chen Zhancai couldn't help but come closer to take a look.
While he was still in a daze, several pieces of fruit peel fell from upstairs and hit him right on the head.
He looked up and saw a woman in a pale yellow dress, her eyes full of affection, smiling at him from the wooden building.
The woman had delicate eyebrows and a fair complexion, a slender and curvaceous figure, and large, bright eyes that were captivating and alluring.
His heart fluttered, and he stared intently.
While he was still in a daze, he heard a sharp shout, "Where did this madman come from, daring to offend my young lady like this? I think you're tired of living."
Chen Zhancai suddenly came to his senses and saw a young maidservant storming out of the courtyard.
He realized he had been impolite and quickly bowed to apologize, "I'm sorry, ma'am, I was just looking at the osmanthus tree, I had no intention of offending your young lady."
"Can't you speak properly? Who's your sister?" The little maid put her hands on her hips and struck a fierce pose. "Let me tell you, my young lady is a noblewoman, not someone like you can even dream of."
"Yes, yes, I wouldn't dare." Chen Zhancai had gotten used to pretending to be a rich young master these days, and subconsciously replied.
The maid snorted coldly, "I knew you wouldn't dare. Get out of here and stop getting in my way!"
Chen Zhancai blushed with embarrassment and was about to explain when the woman in the yellow dress from before walked out. "Xiaozhu, don't be rude!"
As she spoke, she smiled sweetly at Chen Zhancai, "Young master, please don't be offended. I was just trying to protect my master and may have been very rude."
"Miss, you're too kind! I don't deserve it!" Chen Zhancai's heart almost jumped out of his chest. Oh my god, this woman is so stunning! A beautiful face, a slender waist, she's a rare beauty!
Seeing his infatuated gaze, the woman covered her face and smiled, softly calling out, "Young master, since you like the fragrance of osmanthus, please come inside and enjoy it more carefully."
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhancai's eyes lit up, but fearing he might have misheard, he quickly asked, "What did you just say, Miss?"
Before the woman could speak, the maid beside her said with a dark face, "Are you alright? You're so eager to please, and now you're acting like you're taking advantage of me. If you don't want to, then leave now."
"No, no, no, this young master is willing, absolutely willing."
Chen Zhancai suddenly realized that this was exactly what he had been searching for—a perfect romantic encounter!
How could one possibly push away a beautiful woman who has been offered to one's arms?
With that thought in mind, he stepped inside.
The two arrived at a stone table and sat down.
The maid Xiaozhu dared not neglect her duties and hurriedly served tea and water.
Chen Zhancai was no longer interested in the osmanthus blossoms; his eyes were constantly scanning the woman's body, his heart itching with desire, like a hungry wolf pouncing on its prey.
But he dared not be presumptuous, so he put on a gentlemanly demeanor and made small talk, "My name is Chen Zhancai, a mere scholar. May I ask for your name, Miss?"
The woman smiled shyly, "My surname is Gui, and my given name is Hua."
Osmanthus, like a flower, Chen Zhancai thought to himself, it seems he is destined to be surrounded by romance, wherever he goes he is connected with flowers!
He was in a great mood, a smile playing on his lips, and couldn't help but praise, "There are osmanthus trees in the courtyard, and the wooden building is filled with the fragrance of osmanthus. Wonderful, Miss's name is truly wonderful."
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