Chapter 119: It Makes Sense

Chapter 119: It Makes Sense

Facing the descending ruler, Meng Fei nimbly dodged.

"Grandson didn't lie, did you go to Qingsong Bookstore to buy 'The Painted Skin'?"

"I've already read it, why would I buy 'The Painted Skin' again? Do you think I have too much money to spend?" Meng Jijiu's beard bristled with anger.

Meng Fei remembered that on the day a corpse appeared at the Imperial Academy's gate, his grandfather had confiscated his copy of 'The Painted Skin.'

It turned out the old man had secretly finished reading it.

"Then why did you go to Qingsong Bookstore?"

Meng Jijiu understood his grandson's nature; if he didn't explain clearly, who knew what trouble this boy would cause him: "To visit Mr. Songling."

Meng Fei's phoenix eyes widened in confusion: "You went to visit a writer?"

In the capital, the trend of reading storybooks was strong, and good writers were indeed popular. However, for most officials and nobles, this admiration was similar to their appreciation of great musicians or opera masters, rather than the veneration of great scholars and celebrities.

In the eyes of the world, Meng Fei was a rebellious youth, though he lacked such notions, his innate intelligence allowed him to understand the difference.

"Mr. Songling is a man of great talent," Meng Jijiu said without further explanation, but his expression was serious.

Meng Fei's curiosity was piqued: "Did you see Mr. Songling?"

Seeing his grandfather raise the ruler again, the young man understood: He didn't see him.

"Hey, hey, Grandfather, take a break, don't tire yourself. I have a friend who is the elder brother of the owner of Qingsong Bookstore; he might have seen him. I'll go ask—"

Taking advantage of Meng Jijiu's distraction, Meng Fei ran off like a streak of smoke.

Duan Yunlang was about to leave when he heard Meng Fei's words and shook his head: "I haven't seen him."

"Aren't you curious?"

Duan Yunlang thought seriously and shook his head again: "Not really."

For him, as long as the storybooks were good enough, his biggest worry was not having enough pocket money to buy them.

As for the writers, they couldn't be read like books, so there wasn't much to be curious about.

"But if you're curious, I can ask my cousin," Duan Yunlang offered helpfully.

"Thanks."

"It's nothing, I was planning to visit her anyway."

Since the corpse with a terrifying appearance appeared at the gate of the Imperial Academy, they were not allowed to leave the academy. Initially, it was to confirm the identity of the deceased, later it was for safety reasons, and only today were the restrictions lifted.

Duan Yunlang had been worried about his cousin being affected these past few days.

Meng Fei's expression was somewhat unusual: "You can go later, your cousin might not have time now."

"Not have time?"

"Yes, quite a few people came to buy books today."

He had just mentioned it casually, but who knew some people who never read storybooks would join in the fun.

What was this called? Leading by example.

At this moment, outside Qingsong Bookstore, a notice stating that 'The Painted Skin' was out of stock was posted, and the long queue finally dispersed.

Kong Rui then walked in.

"What book does the esteemed guest wish to buy?" Liu Zhou greeted him.

With such a large notice posted, it shouldn't be for 'The Painted Skin.'

"I want to buy a hundred copies of 'The Painted Skin.'"

"How many?" The young apprentice's voice rose.

Outside, He Qingxiao paused in his steps, his usually calm face showing surprise.

He recognized the young man in the bookstore hall, the son of Princess Royale Zhaoyang, Marquis Jing'an Kong Rui.

So this is how they buy books?

A familiar voice came from inside: "Young Master Kong."

He Qingxiao silently turned and left.

Xin You walked out of the reception room and greeted Kong Rui.

Kong Rui returned the greeting with a bow: "Miss Kou, I just heard about these troubles, I feel truly ashamed for not being able to help."

"Master Kong, you are too kind. It's just a minor issue, it hasn't affected our bookstore much."

Kong Rui thought of the long queue earlier and knew Miss Kou was right.

"Miss Kou, will 'The Painted Skin' be reprinted?"

At these words, Manager Hu's eyes lit up.

The owner said no reprinting, seeing all those lost coins, he was heartbroken!

Could this handsome and extraordinary young master persuade the owner to change her mind?

"We are already preparing for a new book; we won't be reprinting *Picturing the Skin* for now."

Xin You wasn't about to let money sit idle, but the previous sales of *Picturing the Skin* had far exceeded the purchasing power of this circle. Many who didn't read storybooks followed the trend and bought it.

Now that the storm had just subsided, everything should be done in moderation.

Upon hearing this, Kong Rui was not disappointed and smiled, "Then when the new book is released, please reserve one hundred copies for me, Miss Kou."

"Alright." Xin You did not politely decline.

Kong Rui secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He was completely unskilled at exchanging pleasantries, and Miss Kou's straightforwardness suited him well.

After Kong Rui left, Liu Zhou came over, "Boss, who is this Master Kong? He’s really wealthy."

One hundred copies, how much would that cost!

"He is the son of Princess Royale Zhaoyang."

Liu Zhou drew in a sharp breath, "Sigh, no wonder. These noble descendants are all very rich."

Speaking of which, the young apprentice suddenly thought of Lord He.

Lord He seemed to be a noble too?

But Hu the shopkeeper's focus was entirely different: "Mr. Songling has written a new book?"

Seeing the old shopkeeper's excited expression, Xin You smiled, "Mr. Songling writes stories for a living, of course he will write a new book."

"Good, good, a new book is great." Hu the shopkeeper rubbed his hands together excitedly, "Boss, what is Mr. Songling's new book about?"

"You'll see when you get the manuscript."

Hu the shopkeeper wisely didn't press further.

Xin You returned to the eastern courtyard, instructed Xiaolian to guard the door, and picked up her pen.

Originally, the next story was still going to be one of Mr. Songling's, but the information she got from Lord He that day changed her mind.

Since the stories she wrote could be seen by that father, she might as well write *Journey to the West*.

Considering *Journey to the West* was not written by Mr. Songling, but the new book would use his name, Xin You decided to remove a character and named the new book *The Western Journey*.

Time flies when one is focused, and before she knew it, the sky was filled with the glow of the setting sun.

Xiaolian stood at the door and said softly, "Miss, Stone has come to deliver a message, saying that Second Young Master has arrived."

Xin You put down her pen, told Xiaolian to secure the manuscript, and went to the front of the bookstore to clean her hands and change her clothes.

There were few customers at the bookstore at this time, and Duan Yunlang was leaning against the counter, drinking tea, feeling right at home.

Xin You walked in, "Cousin."

Duan Yunlang glanced at Hu the shopkeeper and pointed to the door of the reception room, "Cousin, let's talk inside."

The two entered one after the other, and Duan Yunlang asked directly, "Cousin, what kind of person is Mr. Songling?"

"Why do you ask, Cousin?"

"Just suddenly curious. Since Mr. Songling can write such a captivating story like *Picturing the Skin*, many people must be curious about him."

"That's true, but Mr. Songling doesn't like drawing attention to himself and doesn't want people to know his identity."

"I see—"

Seeing Duan Yunlang's slight disappointment, Xin You comforted him with a smile, "If the egg is delicious, why bother to see what color the hen is? Don't you think so, Cousin?"

Duan Yunlang was struck by her words.

That makes so much sense!