Chapter 48: Kong Chongyuan, the Direct Descendant of Saint Kong

Early the next morning, Zhao Youyou busied herself about.

Hanging the shop sign was a major event, and no one could afford to be absent.

With Zhao Youyou's assistance, Ye Xiu changed into a plain white robe and donned a scholarly headband.

An exquisite young man instantly came into view.

He had sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, a high and straight nose bridge, and a natural aura of heroism emanating from between his brows.

His stride was steady and firm as he walked, much like a dragon pacing or a tiger stepping, exuding an unmatched and supreme arrogance.

Zhao Youyou looked him up and down, completely dazed.

Splendid, simply splendid!

Ye Wuji’s eyes turned slightly red. "A gentleman so joyous, may blessings and fortune accompany you, may blessings and fortune support you, may blessings and fortune fulfill you... My son has grown up..."

Hearing these words, Zhao Youyou snapped out of her daze and handed him a paper fan.

Yet, holding this item, Ye Xiu always felt as though he were putting on airs just waiting to be struck by lightning, so in the end, he went out empty-handed.

In front of the restaurant, the scene was bustling and extraordinarily lively.

Qi Santai, the old bailiff, Butcher Zhao, and all the neighbors from the street had arrived.

It looked much like a grand opening celebration.

Inside the kitchen, three head chefs, six assistant chefs, and six waiters stood neatly in a single row, awaiting the arrival of the master proprietor.

Ye Xiu took out red envelopes and distributed festive money to the chefs.

Zhao Yide hung the strings of firecrackers up high and handed an incense stick to Ye Xiu.

"Uncle Qi, do the honors," Ye Xiu declined modestly. "From now on, this place is Uncle Qi's domain."

Qi Santai did not refuse either; he took the incense and lit the firecrackers.

The sound of the firecrackers shook the heavens, smoke curled into the air, and red paper covered the ground.

Amidst the clamor, the plaque and couplets had already been hung in their proper places.

They were draped in large red silk cloths, obscuring the characters written upon them.

Only on the official opening day would these red covers be lifted.

Stepping inside the shop, the interior was spacious and bright.

The floors were covered with oil-polished rosewood boards.

Instead of hanging paintings of calligraphy and landscapes, the walls were painted a pristine white, leaving as much open space as possible.

This was intentionally reserved for visiting literati and scholars to leave inscriptions and poems.

Directly in front of the ground floor hall stood a exquisitely crafted stage.

Within the hall, there were a total of eight dining tables.

Behind the counter stood a rosewood wine rack displaying various types of wine bottles.

The second and third floors housed private dining rooms, nine in total.

To cater to the scholarly atmosphere of the Great Qian Dynasty, Ye Xiren had specially chosen nine poetic titles to name the private rooms.

They were: Immortal at the Magpie Bridge, West River Moon, Waves Wash Away the Sand, Butterflies Entangled in Flowers, Bodhisattva Barbarian, Water Dragon Chant, Thoughts on the Southern Garden, Rain on the Wutong Tree, and Memories of the South.

With everything ready, Ye Xiu glanced around at the gathered crowd. "Respected neighbors, it is our shop's great fortune that you could come. Today, please eat and drink to your heart's content."

The neighbors joyfully took their seats, and the place was soon filled to capacity.

Firing up the stoves and testing the dishes also served as a dress rehearsal in preparation for the grand opening.

It was a chance to observe the coordination between the head chefs, assistant chefs, and waiters.

The waiters walked out of the kitchen carrying trays, serving the cold appetizers first.

In the back kitchen, the stove fires blazed fiercely as the head chefs pulled out all the stops, utilizing everything they had learned throughout their lives for frying, stir-frying, braising, and deep-frying.

Every dish had been improved and refined by Ye Xiu.

Combined with fresh ingredients and the enhancement of umami seasoning powder, the dishes naturally possessed an extraordinary, savory flavor.

The neighbors ate with endless praise.

On the third floor.

Inside the Waves Wash Away the Sand private room, six people sat around a table.

Xu Yougong, the Prefect of Jinling, sat in the seat of honor.

Flanking him on both sides were Ye Xiren, Wang Yuanhui, Xie Dashen, and Ye Wuji.

Next to Ye Wuji sat a Confucian scholar of about fifty years of age.

This man’s spine was as straight as a pine, and his eyes were as calm and deep as a tranquil lake.

He wore a azure long robe bound by a dark jade belt with cloud patterns, exuding the faint fragrance of ink and a scholarly aura, displaying the utmost elegance.

Ye Wuji muttered inwardly: This man is likely Kong Chongyuan, the premier Confucian scholar of our Great Qian Dynasty.

Glancing sideways at Xie Dashen, Ye Wuji also restrained his expression of disdain.

On occasions like this, he would forever remain a student to everyone present.

"Chongyuan, you are acquainted with these gentlemen, so I won't introduce them one by one."

Ye Xiren pointed at Ye Wuji. "This is the student of myself and Yuanhui, as well as the future son-in-law of the Duke of Weiguo and Grand Academician Xie, Ye Wuji."

With that, Ye Xiren added a supplementary remark, "That person up in the capital... is his father."

Ye Wuji hastily stood up and paid his respects to Kong Chongyuan with the courtesy due between a teacher and a student. "This student pays his respects to Master Kong."

Kong Chongyuan looked him up and down, a flash of complex emotion passing through his eyes. He knew that Ye Xiren and Ye Tianxiang were political rivals.

Now, the son of a political rival had become a student, which was rather interesting.

Kong Chongyuan had read the examination papers from the Jinling Academy's monthly test just yesterday, and Ye Xiren’s answers had been very much to his liking.

He had originally intended to meet Ye Wuji privately, but he hadn't expected to encounter him today.

"Since you are a student of Xiren and Yuanhui, I cannot poach disciples from under their noses," Kong Chongyuan returned the courtesy, saying, "Let us still address me as Sir."

"If it were anyone else, I would naturally address you as Sir, but you are different."

Ye Wuji straightened his lapels and spoke in clear, resonant tones, "Literati across the realm all pay homage to Sage Kong and study Confucianism. We all partake of the teachings of your Kong family, so it is only natural to address you as Master and treat you as such."

"In that case..." Kong Chongyuan’s face lit up with joy as he looked at Ye Xiren and Wang Yuanhui. "Then I shall accept this formal discipleship?"

Ye Xiren and Wang Yuanhui both nodded. "Naturally."

Ye Wuji suddenly understood Ye Xiren's underlying intention.

From this moment on, he and Kong Chongyuan shared the bond of a half-teacher-student relationship.

If the opportunity arose, he could instantly become a disciple of the Sage.

Ye Xiren was leaving Jinling before the end of the month, and what worried him most was Ye Wuji.

This was finding him a powerful backer—a major backer for his future academic pursuits.

Furthermore, the legal system of the Great Qian contained a "restriction" system, somewhat similar to modern political background checks.

Aside from merchants and the like who were barred from taking examinations, it was also stipulated that the children of criminals could not participate in the imperial examinations.

If an official committed a serious crime, their disciples and former subordinates were barred from holding office, and relatives within five generations could not take the examinations.

However, with the Kong family providing protection, everything would be entirely different.

Ye Wuji’s path through the imperial examinations would proceed smoothly and without obstruction.

How high an official he could become would depend entirely on Ye Wuji’s own capabilities.

Even if that person in the capital were to truly kick the bucket, Ye Wuji would not have to worry about lacking a livelihood in the future.

Realizing the profound intention, Ye Wuji rose to act as a server, pouring wine into everyone's cups one by one.

Seeing this scene, Xie Dashen felt his aged face burn with heat, blushing crimson.

He wished he could curse himself a few times, and even slap himself across the face: How could I have been so blind-eyed as to go and call off the marriage with the Ye family?

Yet, what use was regret?

All he could do was find an opportunity to have his daughter come to Jinling as soon as possible.

With this thought, Xie Dashen completely cast aside his pride: Whether you, Ye Wuji, want her or not, I am sending her to you anyway; whether she becomes your primary wife or a concubine, your Ye family can decide as you please.

Xu Yougong glanced at Xie Dashen and sighed inwardly: Old Xie, you prided yourself on being a man of unblemished integrity your entire life, yet in your twilight years, your judgment failed you and your horse stumbled.

His relationship with Ye Tianxiang was already extraordinary.

Being able to sit in the seat of Prefect of Jinling was entirely due to Ye Tianxiang’s coordination and maneuvering.

Having spent many years navigating official circles, he naturally saw through the intentions of Ye Xiren and Wang Yuanhui.

"Master Kong, today Master Ye is hosting this gathering primarily to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey," Xu Yougong said slowly, smiling as he looked at Kong Chongyuan. "You are all masters of Confucian learning, and you all hold this junior in great affection. Why not give this young man an opportunity and let him deliver the opening remarks?"