Chapter Fifty-One: Praise for the Eldest Son

“Is that the famous Qing Courtesan Dong Rushi of the Qinhuai River?”

“Isn’t it obvious? She’s here in person—there’s no doubt about it.”

“To think someone from legend actually appeared today!”

“I heard that wealthy merchants would pay a hundred taels of gold just for a meeting with her.”

“So, how much did the patron pay to have her grace our tavern with her presence?”

The cooks preparing ingredients peeked out from the kitchen, eager to catch a glimpse of her.

One look, and she captivates hearts.

Another look, and she mesmerizes the city.

None had ever seen such a perfect union of talent and beauty; they were all dumbfounded.

“Not a single coin was spent, believe it or not,” Zhao Yide entered through the back door. “Today we’re not accepting walk-ins; all guests are distinguished. Now’s the time to test yourselves.”

Hearing this, several gathered around Zhao Yide. “Brother Zhao, is this for real? What kind of background does the patron have to earn Miss Dong’s favor?”

“I was the one who invited her. Do you think I’d lie?” Zhao Yide pursed his lips. “I don’t know what Young Master said to Master Yan Gong, but Miss Dong agreed immediately.”

“No wonder the patron is extraordinary—truly one of a kind.”

The cooks dispersed, took their places, steadied their nerves, and began preparing the ingredients.

On the second floor, the Shui Long Yin room.

This elegant chamber was prepared by Ye Xiu for Ye Wuji.

Before the tavern’s opening, Ye Wuji had already invited several former classmates who had never turned their backs on the Ye family.

When the Ye family prospered, they bore no envy; when it fell, they showed no contempt or scorn.

As poor scholars, they couldn’t offer financial help.

But whenever Ye Wuji requested it, no matter how precious their books, they would lend them without hesitation.

As for fair-weather friends who gawked and took pleasure in misfortune, Ye Wuji chose to ignore them entirely.

“Son, right now I’m the only guest at this table, and you’ve already ordered no walk-ins?” Ye Wuji expressed some concern. “If Master Yan Gong bails on us, won’t all this effort be for nothing?”

“Father, Miss Dong is here. Do you think Master Yan Gong won’t come?” Ye Xiu replied confidently. “Even if Master Yan Gong doesn’t show, I have my own strategies.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to,” Ye Wuji said reluctantly. “You have that fragrant powder no one else has, hoping to let people eat for free for three days…”

“Father,” Ye Xiu smiled at him, “don’t forget I have partnerships with Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao. Besides, there’s Shen Wanshan, the richest man in Jinling. If he doesn’t want his daughter to marry into a family eating scraps, he’ll stay out of sight forever.”

At that moment, the time to unveil the signboard had arrived.

The father and son descended the stairs, and Zhao Yide took a deep breath, his voice booming: “Bianyi Fang is now open for business!”

“Great!”

The staff echoed in unison, their spirits soaring.

Outside the tavern, firecrackers were set up, ready for the grand reveal.

Three red cords connected the couplets and the plaque.

Ye Wuji held the cord attached to the plaque, while Ye Xiu and Qi Santai each held one side of the couplets.

Zhao Yide lit the firecrackers; the three pulled hard on the cords.

The gilded characters “Bianyi Fang” emerged, shining proudly.

“Bianyi Fang? That’s a good name!”

Among the onlookers, someone loudly recited the couplets:

“Drawing from the Eastern Sea to fill the goblet, clouds of the Three Chu float within the sea; brewing from the Yangtze to craft fine wine, heroes from all quarters gather atop this tower.”

“Wow, no other tavern in Jinling dares speak such bold words.”

“To make such shameless boasts, I must taste their fare today. If it disappoints, I’ll tear down their plaque myself.”

The crowd rubbed their hands eagerly, itching to sample the delicacies.

If even one dish failed, the couplets and plaque would be promptly removed.

As they spoke, six luxurious carriages arrived, stopping before the tavern.

First to step down was the flushed-faced Master Shen.

Close behind were Shopkeeper Liu and Shopkeeper Xiao.

As Jinling’s wealthiest man and vice chairman of the Jiangnan Chamber of Commerce, Shen Wanshan’s influence was immense.

For his daughter’s lifelong happiness and for Ye Wuji’s wager, Shen had invited the chamber president and well-known merchants from Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Yangzhou.

Though Shopkeepers Liu and Xiao had powerful backers, they had never worked directly with Shen.

Yet, thanks to Ye Xiu, both found themselves on Shen’s invitation list.

This showed Shen Wanshan had thrown caution to the wind—no matter how his daughter’s marriage turned out, this event must be supported.

He had done all he could; how many good sons-in-law could be retained depended on their own merits.

Unlike his stance toward Xie Dashen, after Shen humbled himself, Ye Wuji and his son warmed to him noticeably.

Seeing their father and son more cordial than usual, without much hostility, Shen felt greatly relieved.

“Allow me to introduce, this is Jinling’s foremost scholar, Ye Wuji.”

“Our families are related by marriage; the tavern’s patron is my son-in-law, Ye You’an.”

“Dear relative, son-in-law, this is Wang Lao, president of the Jinling Chamber, and this is the largest silk merchant in Suzhou…”

Shen Wanshan introduced everyone one by one, and Ye Wuji and his son personally escorted them to the largest private room upstairs.

After exchanging pleasantries, the staff stayed to serve while father and son went downstairs to greet more guests.

Soon after, a dozen more carriages arrived, all stopping around the tavern simultaneously.

A bald man stepped down from one carriage.

Smiling, he looked back at the assembled scholars and merchants. “Gentlemen, this is the place. Please, come inside.”

This spectacle immediately stunned the staff.

Qi Santai, who had run a tavern before and seen bustling business, had never witnessed such a gathering of wealthy patrons and literati in a single day.

Seeing Master Yan Gong arrive, Ye Xiu finally relaxed completely: this Flower Monk was reliable and trustworthy!

“Master, wasn’t there supposed to be a poetry gathering? Why come to a tavern instead?”

“Yes, and a newly opened one at that?”

The accompanying scholars looked at Master Yan Gong with puzzled and incredulous eyes.

They were men of status, position, and influence, unlikely to frequent ordinary taverns.

Had Master Yan Gong not held some sway, they would have turned away long ago.

“Since when have I ever disappointed you?” Master Yan Gong pointed to Ye Wuji standing at the tavern entrance. “Gentlemen, do you recognize this man?”

“Holy cow!”

“Is that really Ye Wuji, Jinling’s top scholar?”

“Master, you’ve truly surprised us.”

“You don’t know; we sent several invitations to the academy, but Mr. Wuji rejected them all, citing exams.”

“Master, why didn’t you say so earlier? We could have prepared better.”

With the backing of Shen Wanshan, Linggu Temple, and the Jinling Academy, Ye Wuji’s title as the foremost scholar was solidified.

One after another, the guests alighted from their carriages, eagerly bowing to Ye Wuji.

He returned each salute in kind.

Since his family’s downfall, this was the first time Ye Wuji felt such recognition and prestige.

He glanced proudly at Ye Xiu: yes, at this moment, his eldest son deserved every bit of praise.