Chapter 42

Chapter 42

There were four storytelling sessions at the teahouse today. The combined tips from Shen Yuan's two sessions amounted to nearly fifteen hundred taels.

Wang Sanhu and Fang Zaoshang performed one chapter of the story, attracting both regular and new customers.

Their tips didn't compare to Shen Yuan's, but because they told the story well, Wang Sanhu's session earned thirty taels in tips, while Fang Zaoshang's earned twenty-five taels.

Wang Sanhu was in a daze the entire day.

He never imagined that someone like him could earn over fifteen taels in a single day.

At his previous rate of earning, fifteen taels of silver would have required him to have work every day, without spending a single cent on food or anything else, for two and a half years straight.

In Qingyun County, there were only three surnames among blacksmiths: Wang, Zhao, and Qian.

It wasn't just blacksmiths; skilled trades in general were limited to specific family names. For hundreds of years, the only exception had been the carpenter Xu Dashan.

Others who wanted to learn a trade could only do so by marrying into the family as a live-in son-in-law, with their children taking the mother's surname. The skills remained within the founding family and were never passed outside or leaked.

There was no concept of apprenticeships; everything was passed down through blood relations, generation after generation.

It was only now, having personally experienced the tips from storytelling, that Wang Sanhu truly understood what an incredible path Shen Yuan had given him.

It was a path of complete transformation, defying fate—a road to the heavens that would utterly change the destiny of his descendants.

Fang Zaoshang was envious of Wang Sanhu, but he was also very satisfied and happy.

No servant could earn so much money in one go.

When they were out and about, they also needed to socialize and maintain connections, which required spending money in various places. Having more money in hand made it easier to get things done.

Ji Pingan arrived during Fang Zaoshang's storytelling session.

Shen Yuan told him about Song Zijuan going with them that night. Ji Pingan was a little worried. "Is that okay? What if he uses this to threaten you directly?"

Shen Yuan shook his head. "No. If it were something else, he might resort to threats. But what they want is what's in my head—essentially me as a person. If I'm not willingly helping them, they'd probably worry all day about whether I might seek revenge. It wouldn't be worth the trouble for them."

Ji Pingan thought about it and realized it made sense. Otherwise, with the Xie family's power and status, they could easily get anyone they wanted.

But whether it would be willingly or not was another matter.

No wonder Song Zijuan had been so sly and underhanded before, trying to play the savior to gain gratitude and loyalty.

Ji Pingan ruffled Shen Yuan's hair. "Young minds are sharp. As for the tip from Fifth Granduncle, have you figured out the reason behind it? Any thoughts?"

Shen Yuan said, "No particular thoughts. I'll just accept it as an ordinary tip."

After pondering for a moment, Ji Pingan laid it out plainly for Shen Yuan. "I'm not trying to persuade you of anything, but the Xie family is the leader among the noble families; their power even surpasses that of the imperial authority. Now that Fifth Granduncle intends to recruit you, this is a great opportunity to rise to the top in one step."

Everyone in Wu Country, from the elderly to young children, knew the status of the Xie family. Shen Yuan understood what Ji Pingan meant, but he had his own reasons. "I won't go."

Ji Pingan thought of what his father had told him last night, urging him to do everything possible to keep Shen Yuan at the teahouse.

He wasn't afraid of Shen Yuan leaving; he was afraid Shen Yuan might actually stay because of him.

"Xiao Yuan, any decision you make must be based on your own true heart. Never give up your initial choice because of me or anyone else."

Ji Pingan continued, "I became your big brother because I wanted a brotherly bond and wished for you to get better and better—not to use that bond to trap you within the small confines of the Ji family's teahouse."

Feeling the care and concern, Shen Yuan smiled and put an arm around his shoulder. "Brother, you're so good to me, hahahaha. I just feel the Xie family is too big. I have no power or influence, and I only know how to tell stories. I'm completely clueless about strategies and schemes. Going there wouldn't be freeing; I'd be on edge every day, unable to sleep well."

Knowing the reason, Ji Pingan felt relieved. Shen Yuan's worries were not unfounded. It seemed that indeed, accumulating his own power and strength was the best choice.

Otherwise, he'd be at the mercy of others wherever he went.

"Alright, whatever you do, I'll support you." Ji Pingan reminded him, "If you need anything, just tell me directly. Don't shoulder everything alone."

Shen Yuan nodded with a smile. "Got it, brother."

After their chat, Shen Yuan wrote some more of the story.

At quitting time, Shen Yuan gave Wang Sanhu the extra meat soup Auntie Chun had made to take back for Shen Dong and the others.

"Brother Sanhu, go back and tell Dongdong and the others that there's a matter to discuss at the teahouse today, so I'll be back late. Tell them not to worry, not to save any food for me, to eat it all, and to go to sleep without waiting for me."

Wang Sanhu carried a small bundle in each hand—one was his own, the other larger one was Shen Yuan's. He grinned and nodded. "Alright!"

Shen Yuan planned to handle the horse and sheep himself after finishing his business, hitching them to a cart to pull the sheep back.

There happened to be an old, broken cart at the teahouse, stored in the shed for miscellaneous items.

Ji Xingwang knew they had business to attend to and said to Shen Yuan, "I'll make sure it's hitched up for you before you get back."

Shen Yuan thanked Ji Xingwang and left the teahouse with Ji Pingan, who had been waiting idly.

As soon as they stepped out, they ran into the Xie family's carriage.

Song Zijuan slowly descended from the carriage, his tone familiar. "A-Yuan, I'm not late, am I?"

Shen Yuan had no particular reaction to Song Zijuan's sudden change in address, but Ji Pingan raised an eyebrow. This was how people from Youyang addressed those they were close to.

"Advisor Song, when did you become so familiar with my younger brother?"

Song Zijuan's brow moved slightly, a smile on his lips. "A-Yuan and I hit it off right from the start. Is A-Yuan's older brother also going today to help A-Yuan with his business?"

Upon hearing "A-Yuan's older brother," Ji Pingan's stiff expression relaxed considerably, and his hostility toward Song Zijuan lessened.

"Xiao Yuan told me you were coming. For this trip, we need to conceal our movements. It would be best if Advisor Song walked with us."

Song Zijuan agreed and told the coachman to wait there.

The five minor officials had been gathered by Ji Pingan, under the pretext of a banquet, at a small restaurant.

The Ji family held a high status in Qingyun County. The backgrounds of these five men couldn't compare to the Ji family's, so they had no choice but to accept Ji Pingan's invitation.

Ji Pingan went to the restaurant first to meet the five men. Shen Yuan took Song Zijuan to the agreed-upon alley to lie in wait.

On the way there, Song Zijuan thought that no matter what Shen Yuan asked him to do today, he would do it.

He even hoped that what Shen Yuan wanted him to do would be more outrageous and difficult. That way, Shen Yuan would owe him a bigger favor.

Accustomed to scheming and keeping everything under his control, he had speculated on many things Shen Yuan might want him to do.

He never expected it would be dragging him into a fight.

Song Zijuan looked at the sack Shen Yuan had shoved into his hands, the cloth for covering his face, and the sturdy wooden stick.

He was still in disbelief.

Indeed, one should never judge a book by its cover.

Inside the restaurant, the five petty officials dared not start eating before Ji Pingan arrived.

The most commonly seen wines on the market are turbid wine and rice wine. Turbid wine is stronger than rice wine, has sediment and a greenish hue, and needs to be filtered before drinking for a better taste.

There is also a clear wine available only among the upper-class nobility. It is clearer than turbid wine, has a stronger aroma, and is more potent.

Given their family backgrounds, the five officials often drank rice wine. Although turbid wine was only slightly more expensive, it was harder to come by due to supply issues, so they could only buy it occasionally.

Therefore, when they saw those two jars of turbid wine, they truly couldn't resist the smell. They immediately shouted for the waiter to bring a wine-filtering tool, filtered the wine, and ordered some mutton as a snack to go with it.

By the time Ji Pingan arrived, all five were already drunk.

He first feigned an apology, then said he hadn't brought his money pouch and couldn't pay the bill.

In their drunken stupor, the five took out their own money pouches. Ji Pingan took out enough for the meal and gave it to the waiter.

The remaining change was roughly enough for the two jars of turbid wine. He just kept it for himself, not about to give these guys free wine.

After pocketing the silver, Ji Pingan asked the drunken five, "Guys, can you still walk? The streets here are narrow, and carriages can't get through. We have to walk down the alley to get to the carriage."

The five forced themselves to nod and staggered after Ji Pingan into the quiet alley.

Night had fallen. As the five swayed along, they felt a chill run down their spines.

Before they could react, they each had sacks thrown over their heads, plunging them into blackness.

"Who's there! How dare you lay hands on an official!"

"Help! Someone help!"

While shouting and struggling to remove the sacks, the men inside felt sharp pains all over their bodies.

Instantly, they howled incessantly, their cries like pigs being slaughtered.

Wooden sticks cracked against them, hurting so much it made them howl and wail.

"Stealing from an official! Do you have a death wish!"

"Stop now or I'll kill you!"

"If you've got the guts, don't let me catch you! Otherwise, I'll make you beg for death!"

After their threats proved useless, they had to change their tune and began to beg for mercy. "Stop beating us! Stop! If you stop now, I'll pretend this never happened!"

"Please, sirs, stop! Any more and you'll kill us!"

"What did we do to you? If you want money, take it! Just stop hitting, have mercy, have mercy!"

"Ow! Please, hero, let me go, stop hitting!"

Shen Yuan didn't stop.

The more afraid they were, the harder he hit. Nannan was just a child; he must have been terrified when they beat him!

Back then, had they shown any pity for Nannan? Had they held back at all?

The wine had numbed the officials' nerves and weakened their ability to resist. Shen Yuan and the other two stayed silent, just focusing on the beating.

After a while, Shen Yuan separated the one missing a finger on his right hand.

Although this man had beaten Nannan, he had some conscience in the end, preventing the other four from touching Beibei. Later, he also stopped the others, keeping them from truly trying to kill Nannan and the other children.

Shen Yuan used a skillful technique to knock him unconscious. He remembered everything clearly: those who owed less got beaten less. The remaining four continued to be beaten.

The three of them exercised for quite a while until the officials were in so much pain they couldn't even make a sound. Song Zijun, who seemed the most scholarly and least capable of fighting, unexpectedly turned out to be the strongest.

Shen Yuan and Ji Pingan were both tired, but he was still hitting with vigor, even with a gleam in his eyes, showing no sign of fatigue.

"That's enough, that's enough. Don't really beat them to death," Shen Yuan had to stop Song Zijun, who was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Hearing this, Song Zijun finally stopped. As if nothing had happened, he elegantly straightened his clothes and hair, smiling at Shen Yuan and Ji Pingan. "My apologies for the unsightly display."

With five men lying unconscious in the alley, the three left the scene.

Song Zijun said to Ji Pingan, "Seventh Young Master Ji, please don't mind. I have matters to discuss with A-Yuan. I must ask you to leave first."

Ji Pingan's mouth twitched. He really wanted to ask Song Zijun how he managed to be so polite yet so impolite at the same time.

It was easy to guess what he wanted to discuss. It concerned the Xie family, so Ji Pingan couldn't force himself to stay. Hearing something he shouldn't wouldn't benefit any of them.

After urging Shen Yuan to return to the teahouse early, he quickly left.

After Ji Pingan left, Song Zijun and Shen Yuan continued walking toward the teahouse.

Song Zijun spoke first. "A-Yuan, you look delicate and well-behaved, but when it comes to scheming against people, you don't even blink."

The moment he realized he was being dragged into a fight, Song Zijun had guessed all of Shen Yuan's intentions.

This was using him as a blade, making him a scapegoat.

Shen Yuan folded the cloth towel neatly and tucked it into his waist. "Brother Song, when you schemed against me before, didn't you also not even blink?"

"Didn't I already say, those things were done out of necessity? Why are you still holding a grudge?" Song Zijun said somewhat dissatisfied. "Also, I call you A-Yuan, but you call me Advisor Song. The distinction in closeness is clear, and it truly saddens me."

Shen Yuan glanced at Song Zijun, seeing his dejected expression, and changed his address. "Brother Song."

"At least we fought together," Song Zijun said helplessly. "If something goes wrong, I'll have to take the punishment for you in earnest. A-Yuan, with such a bond, don't I deserve a more intimate form of address?"

Shen Yuan refused. "You don't treat people sincerely. I don't want to have a deeper relationship with you right now."

"However, I can agree to one not-too-excessive request from you."

Song Zijun hadn't expected Shen Yuan, who seemed easygoing, to be quite stubborn. Unable to out-stubborn him, Song Zijun could only sigh lightly and make his request. "In that case, Brother Song's request is for you to become my colleague, to work together for Young Master Lin."

Shen Yuan refused even faster this time. "Your request is too excessive. I won't agree."

Song Zijun was both annoyed and amused by Shen Yuan's blunt refusal. He pretended to be hurt. "A-Yuan, you should learn to refuse others more tactfully. Being too honest and direct makes Brother Song very sad."

Considering Song Zijun was taking the blame for them, Shen Yuan nodded and repeated his refusal more tactfully. "Your request is a bit too excessive. I don't want to agree."

Song Zijun: ...

"Hahahahahaha." Song Zijun was amused by Shen Yuan's reaction and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "A-Yuan, you are truly interesting. If you were to become my colleague, there would surely be much more laughter among the advisors in the Xie residence."