Chapter 128 City Streets 28

Chapter 128: The City and Markets of the Prefecture 28

Liu Guyu's eatery had been open for several days. Although the opening promotions had concluded, a steady stream of customers continued to frequent the establishment. Many young ladies and gentlemen, weary from strolling along Spring Street, would step in to rest, enjoy a bowl of sweet dessert soup, and savor some snacks.

At noon, Cui Lanfang and Ping'an arrived with food. The meal was simple: chili-fried pork, stir-fried bok choy, and pumpkin soup. While the variety was limited, the portions were generous, ensuring everyone had plenty to eat.

She and Ping'an traveled by boat. Cui Lanfang carried a large basket of food in one hand and held Ping'an's hand as they disembarked. Tao Yu, busy in the kitchen, heard the commotion and quickly emerged to relieve Cui Lanfang of the heavy basket.

"Madam, you've arrived! Oh, let me take that—it's so heavy! Ping'an, why didn't you help Madam carry it?"

As he spoke, he reached out to assist. Cui Lanfang allowed him to take the basket and then interceded for the child: "He did help, he did! This child is very diligent and quick with his tasks. We took turns carrying it; he was holding it before we boarded the boat."

This was the first time someone had addressed her as "Madam," and Cui Lanfang found it unfamiliar and a bit awkward. Still, what adult doesn't appreciate such praise?

Tao Yu was even more delighted, chuckling as he carried the food inside and called out, "Employer, Employer, it's time to eat!"

After his announcement, he quietly approached Ping'an, took the lad's hand, and whispered, "Did you take your medicine today?"

Ping'an nodded obediently and replied softly, "Yes, I did. I've eaten too. The Employer's whole family is very kind. Madam didn't make me do any heavy work—just some vegetable chopping and tending the fire. Madam even praised my knife skills!"

"Little Dad, you should go eat now. I'll go help attend to the customers!"

Tao Yu felt both happy and comforted, grateful that his family had encountered such good people.

However, since the Employer hadn't eaten yet, he felt it would be impolite to eat first. He turned and called out to Liu Guyu, "Employer, come and eat! I'll go outside and call Mr. Qin in to eat too."

There were still many customers outside waiting to be served, so meals had to be taken in shifts.

Liu Guyu wiped off his sweat, first placing two bowls of honey osmanthus steamed milk custard on a wooden tray, then instructed Tao Yu, "For table three—take these over first."

He then hurriedly turned to Cui Lanfang and called, "Mom, help me prepare two bowls of ice jelly, with extra peach pieces, please."

Ice jelly was the first snack sold at their food stall, and it had since been upgraded with fresh fruits. Having observed its preparation countless times, Cui Lanfang had long since mastered it. She nodded quickly and said, "I'll do it, I'll do it. You go ahead and eat."

She and Ping'an had already eaten at home before coming over, precisely so they could help out and free up others to take turns eating.

Liu Guyu nodded, then stepped out of the kitchen to call Qin Rongshi in to eat together. After the two of them finished, it was Zhang Yun and Tao Yu’s turn as husband and husband.

Just after finishing their meal, seeing that the dining area was still bustling with customers, Cui Lanfang and Ping'an didn't return home immediately but stayed to help out for a while.

It was at this moment that a few people entered through the door. The leader wore a moon-white scholar's robe, had a respectable appearance, and fanned himself with a paper fan inscribed with the phrase, "Follow the straight path, soar thousands of miles."

"Is this the new shop you mentioned?"

"It looks pretty ordinary! Let's just go to Xichun Restaurant instead! I'll treat everyone to something better!"

His appearance seemed proper, but his words ruined the impression, and his arrogant demeanor made people frown.

The speaker was a student of Xiangshan Academy named Ceng Wei—the same student who had bullied Yang Su at the academy that day.

As soon as he finished speaking, one of his followers quickly explained, "Brother Ceng, I've heard that this eatery's food is really quite good! They have a lot of variety, and some things you can't even find elsewhere in the prefecture!"

Ceng Wei curled his lip, looking disdainfully at the eatery before him. "Some insignificant little food stall, ordinary decor, bamboo tables and chairs inside… Tsk, what good could possibly come from a place like this? Besides, what novelty haven't I seen? My sister just sent me a set of the four treasures of the study last month—premium goods from the capital!"

Ceng Wei's sister had been carried in a sedan chair into the Assistant Prefect's residence a few years prior and had always been quite favored. Last year, she gave birth to a son, further strengthening her standing with the Assistant Prefect.

As her younger brother, Ceng Wei naturally benefited greatly, receiving many fine things. Even his admission to Xiangshan Academy was arranged through the Assistant Prefect's connections.

Ceng Wei glanced contemptuously at the eatery and was about to lead his group away when he suddenly spotted a familiar figure inside.

It was Qin Rongshi, coming out with a tray to deliver food.

Ceng Wei, who had been about to leave, stopped in his tracks and sneered, "Well, well, look who it is?"

As he spoke, he stepped inside, raising his voice slightly.

"Well, if it isn't our County First Qin? What are you doing here carrying trays?"

Qin Rongshi heard the voice and looked up, spotting Ceng Wei at the front of the group, followed by two other scholars—also students from Xiangshan Academy.

Qin Rongshi glanced at him, then indifferently averted his gaze, showing no emotional reaction.

This only made the smug Ceng Wei change his expression. He glared fiercely at Qin Rongshi, but the next moment, he suddenly laughed and led his two companions inside to find a seat.

He then called out to Qin Rongshi, "I want to order food! Aren't you going to come take my order?"

Qin Rongshi gave him a cool, sidelong glance and began walking over.

Zhang Yun sensed the tension and quickly set aside his abacus, stepping forward with a smile. "What would you like to order, guests? You can tell me, and I'll note it down for you."

Ceng Wei glared, his eyebrows shooting up, and waved him away angrily. "Get lost! Did I call you? I want him to take my order!"

He barked harshly and even shoved Zhang Yun.

Fortunately, Qin Rongshi was quick to react and reached out to steady him, otherwise Zhang Yun might have fallen to the ground.

After helping him regain his balance, Qin Rongshi turned to Ceng Wei and said coldly, "I won't serve you here. Get out."

Ceng Wei was taken aback, then let out an angry laugh.

"You won't serve me? You're just a waiter! What? Are the academy's school fees too expensive? Do you have to work during your day off to earn money? And now you're throwing me out?! Since when do you have the authority? Where's your Employer? Get your Employer out here!"

The commotion in the dining area drew the attention of several nearby tables, and guests began whispering among themselves.

The noise was too loud for Liu Guyu in the kitchen to miss.

He walked out holding a large ladle, his expression displeased as he looked toward the troublemakers.

Zhang Yun quickly reported, "Employer! These people seem to know our young master—probably from the same academy. I suspect they're here specifically to cause trouble."

He then embellished the story of what had just happened, further darkening Liu Guyu's already grim expression.

Liu Guyu placed his hands on his hips and declared, "Hey, he absolutely has the authority! We won't serve you here, so get out now!"

Ceng Wei hadn't expected things to turn out this way. He had initially thought Qin Rongshi was just working here, but now it seemed the eatery might belong to his family.

It hadn't occurred to Ceng Wei to think logically—what kind of place hires someone for just one day?

Even so, Ceng Wei felt his pride wounded and snapped furiously, "You're throwing customers out? Everyone, see how this shop treats its guests! Turning away business and throwing customers out!"

"Qin Rongshi, what's so great about you? Since ancient times, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—merchants are the lowest of all! So what if you're the County First? Aren't you still engaging in this lowly trade? Today has been an eye-opener—to think this year's County First comes from a merchant family. I guess anyone can study and strive for scholarly honors now?"

Liu Guyu was generally good-tempered and rarely angered, but these words ignited his fury.

Liu Guyu: "Who are you calling a scoundrel?"

Ceng Wei: "I'm calling you a scoundrel!"

As soon as he said it, Ceng Wei froze for a moment, only then realizing he'd been tricked. He stood up angrily and made a move to rush him.

Qin Rongshi immediately placed himself in front of Liu Guyu, clamping down on Ceng Wei's outstretched arm with one hand.

"Whoa!"

Liu Guyu exclaimed in surprise, ducking behind Qin Rongshi while peeking out with half his face to continue shouting:

"Oh my, no wonder there's so much jealousy in the air! So you're jealous that our Erlang earned the title of County First in the exam? If you like the title so much, why didn't you earn it yourself? Or is it that you simply couldn't?"

"What's wrong with being a merchant? We all make a living by our own skills, self-reliant, and no one is inherently inferior!"

"You look down on merchants? But without grain shops, where would millions of farming families store their harvests—would they just let it all rot in storage? Without bookstores and stationery shops, where would you buy the paper and books for your studies? Poor scholars rely on copying books to make ends meet—where would they find work without merchants?"

"His Majesty established trade routes and tea-horse markets to facilitate commerce. If trade were truly so lowly, why would His Majesty pave the way for such 'lowly' people? The sages said, 'In education, there are no class distinctions'—all seekers of knowledge should be treated equally. You've studied the classics—haven't you read that?"

...

Liu Guyu spoke at length, every word firm and resonant, leaving Ceng Wei speechless. In the end, Ceng Wei could only flush red and shout hoarsely:

"What are you saying! What kind of attitude is this!"

"Everyone, look! This is how they do business! How dare you still eat here! Aren't you afraid they'll kick you out next time!"

There were quite a few onlookers, all craning their necks to watch. But among the customers were many merchants and businesspeople who were displeased with Ceng Wei's words and felt Boss Liu was in the right.

Someone shouted: "Boss Liu, just kick him out already! Don't ruin everyone's appetite!"

Others, seeing a County First in person for the first time, stared curiously at Qin Rongshi, finding nothing wrong with the situation. Instead, they competed to have the County First personally serve them.

This was the County First! The only one in all of Jiangzhou!

Qin Rongshi still held Ceng Wei's arm firmly. He was half a head taller than Ceng Wei, and with one hand he kept Ceng Wei from breaking free. Now he dragged him straight toward the door.

"Hey! Hey! How dare you!"

"This is outrageous! What's so great about being County First! Qin Rongshi, do you know who I am? Do you know who my brother-in-law is?"

"Stop! Let me go!"

Qin Rongshi ignored him, pulling him out the door and flinging him outside.

Ceng Wei stumbled several steps before barely steadying himself, only to step on a downward stone step, slip, and tumble down, rolling several times before stopping.

Lying on the ground, he looked up to see Qin Rongshi standing on the steps, staring down at him expressionlessly with a cold, piercing gaze like a sharp sword cutting straight through him.

Ceng Wei wanted to curse again, but under that gaze, he faltered.

Just then, his two lackeys hurried out to help him up.

Having someone to vent his anger on, he shoved one as soon as he stood up and kicked the other, shouting: "Both of you are worthless! Where were you earlier? Why didn't you do anything?"

One of them scratched his head and said quietly: "Well... Qin Rongshi is the County First, and he's held in high esteem by Dean Zhou! How could we dare offend him?"

The other nodded in agreement: "Yeah, yeah."

Ceng Wei was furious, but seeing many passersby staring, he felt too embarrassed to stay longer and stormed off.

Inside the eatery.

Liu Guyu smiled at the customers: "Sorry for the scene, everyone! Today, everyone here gets a free plate of scallion crisps!"

"Great!"

"Boss Liu is generous!"

In a corner, an old man in faded gray robes stroked his beard and laughed, saying to Liu Guyu: "Boss Liu, you handled that well. We can't serve customers like that—he deserved to be kicked out!"

The old man was around sixty, dressed in faded gray robes, his eyebrows frosted with age, temples graying, and though lean, he stood straight and sturdy without any frailty.

Liu Guyu remembered this customer—he had come on opening day and returned every day since, ordering different items each time, as if trying everything on the menu.

Liu Guyu nodded with a smile and turned to the kitchen to prepare.

True to his word, he gave every table a plate of scallion crisps. Called "scallion crisps," they were actually thin scallion crackers—crispy and richly fragrant. They looked plain but were irresistibly tasty.

The customers quickly forgot the unpleasant incident. Ceng Wei, perhaps too embarrassed, never returned to cause trouble, and business continued day by day.

In the blink of an eye, the Double Ninth Festival was approaching.

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Author's note: Haven't corrected typos yet, will fix them tomorrow after getting up [please].