"I already sent soone to ask, and they said he hasn’t woken up yet! You wouldn’t believe it, Mr. Ye just took a few steps out of the exam hall and fainted. I sent for a doctor for Mr. Ye, and they said it’s nothing serious. As for the second son-in-law, he seems fine, just a bit fatigued."
Ming Yan briefly recounted yesterday’s events, then took the food out of the food box and set the table for Gu Chengyu.
Upon hearing this, Gu Chengyu thought that since a doctor had been called, it should be nothing serious. Ye Zhiqiu was originally frail and unwilling to exercise properly with him. If it weren’t for him often dragging him out for mountain climbing and outings, Ye Zhiqiu would definitely have fallen seriously ill from this exam.
During the examination period every year, the dical hall is the busiest. Many candidates hold on through the exams and co out seeking dical help. There are also those who can’t hold on and get carried out during the exam, so with high fevers who refuse to leave, returning only to fall seriously ill, which is common to see.
The exam papers for the first two sessions have long been under review. It shouldn’t be many days before the results are out. He has great confidence in this examination, not to ntion being the top scorer, but being in the top ten should be quite stable.
Since there’s nothing to do today, and Sun Xian and the others still need to rest, he plans to go to the restaurant and inspect, check the restaurant’s accounts.
Gu Chengyu arrived at the restaurant by carriage and found the business extrely booming. During this period, due to the exams, many candidates with their families were in the Capital waiting for the results. Regardless of candidates, rchants, or the families of local officials, they all liked to visit his restaurant.
The restaurant’s dishes were novel, launching new dishes every once in a while.
Gu Chengyu observed outside the restaurant for a mont; seeing the front hall too busy, he didn’t enter but went to the back courtyard of the restaurant instead.
"Young Master, are these the accounts for the restaurant for a month? Please have a look." Yu Tuanzi placed the account book in front of Gu Chengyu.
With Manager Niu busy in the front hall, Yu Tuanzi often cos to help at the restaurant. Gu Chengyu opened the account book and carefully examined it, finding nothing amiss. The restaurant’s accounts are usually checked by Gu Wanqian before being sent to his residence. Today, Gu Chengyu ca to check on a whim.
Coming out of the restaurant, Gu Chengyu planned to visit the Sun Family to see if Sun Xian had woken up. As it wasn’t far, he didn’t take the carriage.
"Chengyu! Over here, hurry over!" After walking south for a while, Gu Chengyu heard soone calling. Raising his head to the right, wasn’t that Zhu Pang?
"Chengyu! Co on up!" Gu Chengyu found Zhu Pang actually standing on the second floor of a brothel, leaning against the railing, beckoning him over.
Next to him was surprisingly Zheng Lun, which greatly surprised Gu Chengyu. Zheng Lun just finished his exam yesterday; how did he recover so quickly today? Although Zhu Peng naturally indulges in pleasure, Zheng Lun is nothing short of upright. How could he be at a brothel?
Gu Chengyu didn’t want to engage, thinking this guy really was disgraceful, going to a brothel in broad daylight and calling out loudly like that. His face was thicker than the city wall.
"Hey? Let tell you! This is Gu Chengyu from the Imperial College, who was the top scorer in the Provincial Examination two years ago. I told them I know a talented scholar, and they didn’t believe . Now they’ve seen it, right? Zheng Lun and that Gu Chengyu here are both my friends."
Zhu Pang turned back and shouted to those behind him. Beside him, Zheng Lun looked at Gu Chengyu with helplessness.
Gu Chengyu glanced at the brothel’s plaque, nad Tianxiang Pavilion. It was the largest brothel in the Capital; though not as lively during the day as at night, it was still very populated.
Gu Chengyu inquired with a look about what was going on. Zheng Lun pointed at Zhu Pang and then shook his head. At this mont, a commotion rose from the second floor.
"Who has more outstanding literary talent, Gu Ji Yuan or Min Feng from your Jiangnan?" Zhu Pang asked disdainfully.
Gu Chengyu imdiately recognized it as a literary competition, sothing he wasn’t interested in. He gestured to Zheng Lun, intending to walk away. This was a brothel; he didn’t want to be misunderstood as soone who indulges in debauchery.
The examination results haven’t been announced yet, and they’re competing here unnecessarily. Suppose soone fails or performs unsatisfactorily; isn’t such arrogance premature?
"Gu Jieyuan, why not co up for a drink? Everyone just ntioned holding a poetry eting. It’s a rare chance to have you here, usually unattainable, giving everyone the opportunity to appreciate your great works."
Min Feng leaned against the railing, looking down at Gu Chengyu. Huang Junheng also approached and urged Gu Chengyu.
"Chengyu! What are you afraid of? Co on up." Zhu Pang was sowhat dissatisfied, still inviting Gu Chengyu to the second floor.
Gu Chengyu then noticed that Zhu Pang seed to have drunk quite a lot.
In fact, the ancients considered themselves romantics, composing poetry at brothels was common. So poetry gatherings would invite brothel girls for entertainnt, seen as a refined interest, especially popular in the Capital.
Among them, a few top courtesans at the brothels with their various strengths were admired by scholars, proudly becoming leading figures.
Zheng Lun supported Zhu Pang and said to Min Feng, "Chengyu is still young, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for him to co up?"
Surprisingly, upon Min Feng’s words, those in the back burst into laughter. Suddenly, several people rushed to the railing, one laughing and saying to Gu Chengyu, "Gu Jieyuan isn’t still a virgin, is he? At fourteen, he’s not too young."
Gu Chengyu’s eye twitched. Coming to a brothel has completely abandoned a scholar’s dignity, reduced to such vulgarity? They could say anything.
Gu Chengyu hesitated; leaving now would leave imaginations running wild, possibly suggesting he was afraid. He glanced at Zhu Pang and Zheng Lun, showing a slightly sinking expression.
"Ah! This must be Young Master Gu? I am Madam Hua of Tianxiang Pavilion; the gentlen upstairs have invited Young Master Gu for a chat!" Shortly after, an elaborately dressed madam stood at the entrance, bowing to Gu Chengyu.
Inside Tianxiang Pavilion, a few girls were holding fans, covering their faces, whispering to each other.
Given such an invitation, leaving would be quite inappropriate.
"Is the Young Master really going?"
Ming Mo, seeing Gu Chengyu truly intending to enter the brothel, was sowhat dumbfounded. His master usually showed no interest in romance or frivolity, yet today he planned to visit a brothel?
Ming Mo glanced at the girls in the downstairs hall, blushing so much that even his ears turned red. The girls’ attire was unlike ordinary won, and he couldn’t bear to look.
Gu Chengyu nodded. Not entering would make them think he’s scared. He’s between a rock and a hard place.
Having decided to enter the brothel, Gu Chengyu could only smile at the madam, "I’ll trouble Madam to lead the way."
Min Feng raised an eyebrow, today was indeed a rare chance. He had always wanted another poetry duel with Gu Chengyu. Last ti at the Qunying Building, he lost to Gu Chengyu. Since then, he had devoted significant effort to poetry, intending for a future rematch.
Unexpectedly, Gu Chengyu didn’t participate in the poetry eting; it felt like hitting a soft target, leaving Min Feng rather dispirited.
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