Chapter 9: Heavenly Drunken Abode

This was Ji Qingchen's first visit to Tianzui Residence, and she was quite curious about its decor and hospitality. Upon seeing the intricate layout of the private room on the second floor, she couldn't help but secretly admire the strategic talents of the Wei family from Shangzhou. She thought to herself that if the head of the Shangzhou Wei family were to enter the court and take on governance, he would likely not be inferior to Pei Wenju, the chancellor of Dayan, who had held a high position for twenty years. While she was pondering this, the waiter and maid who had just left returned, carrying a high tray to the jade table. After properly arranging the food and wine, the waiter bowed and left, while the maid filled the cups of Ji Qingchen and Guo Lun with wine before bowing and retreating.

Oh! Uncle, please speak." Ji Qingchen, noticing Ye Qingchen's serious expression, asked earnestly.

Two individuals entered Tianzui Residence, and directly in front of them was a spacious hall. The hall was already filled with people, all dressed in splendid attire, representing various merchants from the Li and Yan states. Although the hall was crowded, the voices of the patrons engaged in drinking and conversation were quite subdued, creating a relatively quiet atmosphere. As the two entered the hall, the guests merely cast a few casual glances before returning to their previous discussions.

Ye Qingchen felt that his advice to his nephew seemed to have little effect, which left him somewhat unwilling to accept the situation. However, he was also aware that his relationship with the Ninth Prince was not only that of uncle and nephew but also one of master and subordinate. This loyalty to the monarch made it so that, despite his dissatisfaction with Ji Qingchen's current tacit response, he did not continue to press his advice forcefully. Instead, he let out a slight sigh and continued, "There is one more matter that I hope Your Highness will handle with caution"

Upon exiting the pavilion, I strolled through the bustling streets of Ningzhou City, where I was immediately greeted by a flow of elegantly dressed individuals, luxurious and exquisite storefronts, the rumbling of high carriages, prized steeds adorned with fine saddles, beautiful women with bright eyes and white teeth, flags of various colors, accents from all corners of the world, and the rich, fragrant aroma of wine... This created a sense of overwhelming visual splendor.

Heroes shed no tears, yet they bear the white hair of the world, their sword's courage turned to ash

He glanced at Ye Qingchen and then inquired, "Uncle, what is the matter with you? You seem a bit unwell"

Yesterday's green hair, the grave's red bones, the moonlight arrives late and withers, the hanging song harmonizes without end

Thus, the two of them dined and drank for a while, and the number of diners on the second floor gradually increased

It was only when the two of them reached West Street that a restaurant named "Tian Zui Ju" immediately caught Ji Qingchen's attention. He noticed that the facade of this establishment, Tian Zui Ju, was not particularly grand, yet beneath the large, golden copper pillars in the entrance stood several robust men, tall and imposing, strong and powerful, resembling either gatekeeping guards or welcoming attendants, which left him quite curious and perplexed.

Uh—?'' Ye Qingchen clearly did not expect his nephew to say this, and was momentarily taken aback, then immediately asked, ``Are we just sending it back like this?''

Ji Qingchen raised her wine cup, took a large sip, and after savoring it carefully, she finished the wine in the cup in another gulp. She couldn't help but exclaim, "In the past, the renowned figure from the State of Yan, Li Ruzhen, listed over fifty famous domestic wines in 'Jinghua Yuan', placing 'Fenjiu from Fenzhou' at the top. Today, to be able to taste such fine brew is indeed a testament to its reputation. This Fenjiu has a flavor akin to sweet nectar; the mulberries of Hedong cannot compare to its sweetness, and the pear blossoms of Luxu cannot match its clarity. It truly is the finest among earthly wines"

The sound of the huqin is high and distant, while the maiden's singing is profound and soaring. This single piece of music causes the diners in the elegant room on the second floor to forget that they are drinking, instead becoming immersed in reflections on the fading of heroes and the nostalgia for white-haired farewells. Yet at this moment, a shout from downstairs shatters the tranquility of the second floor: "Miss Jiang Rou, today marks the forty-eighth time this young master has come to Tian Zui Ju to hear you sing. Look at how sincerely I treat you; surely this time you will not refuse my warm invitation again!"

At this moment, the young girl gently played the huqin amidst the anticipation of the crowd and began to sing aloud

"Please prepare a private room for us, and serve a few of your restaurant's signature dishes, along with a jar of aged Fenjiu." Guo Lun knew that the Ninth Prince had never been to Tianzui Residence and was unaware of the dishes and fine wines here, so he took the initiative to speak.

Ye Qingchen was very pleased with his nephew's actions, feeling delighted that his nephew could resist the temptation of beauty. After saying this to Ji Qingchen, he fell silent, seemingly lost in thought, and did not disturb him further, bowing slightly as he exited the study.

The so-called elegant room at Tianzui Residence is merely a spacious, bright, and luxurious hall. Within the hall, over a hundred long tables are arranged in a well-structured manner, which not only avoids a crowded appearance but also makes each table seem like a prime location. Unless one speaks passionately, the conversations at adjacent tables do not interfere with one another. In the center of the hall is a stage measuring ten feet on each side, specifically reserved for the performances of the singers.

Because the mother of King Ji Ping of Song was merely an ordinary palace maid without a distinguished background, her status in the harem was very low. This instilled in Ji Ping a sense of humility and caution from a young age. As he grew older, he worked diligently, adhered to rituals, and treated the virtuous with respect. Consequently, he earned the admiration of scholars from humble backgrounds and those in the scholarly community. Coupled with his benevolence, filial piety, and generosity, he gained significant prestige among the common people, who referred to him as the Virtuous King of Dayan.

After a moment, when the two had nearly finished half a jar of wine, a graceful and ethereal young girl appeared on the central stage. She held a huqin in her arms and was about to sing a song to entertain everyone. Ji Qingchen set down his wine cup and turned his gaze towards the girl in the center of the hall. The girl's profile was facing him, and the instant he saw her, his body swayed, and he felt a moment of daze, as if he had suddenly seen Shu'er. He could hardly believe his eyes, widening them to take a closer look, only to realize that the girl was not Shu'er; it was just that her profile and the aura between her brows bore a slight resemblance to Shu'er.

The qin wood rustles softly, as the strings cease, the autumn wind mournfully returns, do not ask from the beginning

Ji Qingchen and Guo Lun, guided by the shop assistant, ascended to the second floor. A charming maid floated over and led them to a jade table by the window. She gently assisted Ji Qingchen to sit comfortably on the thick, soft cushion, and only after performing a deep bow did she withdraw.

Ji Qingchen quietly listened to Ye Qingchen's advice, feeling somewhat amused. He realized that his uncle was indeed overly influenced by scholarly ideals. In a time of peace and prosperity, the heir to the throne would prioritize benevolence and virtue, but this is no longer such an era. Currently, the Great Yan faces formidable enemies surrounding it, and within the country, powerful factions are rampant. It is a time of internal strife and external threats, necessitating a strong and capable crown prince, rather than one who merely adheres to ancient teachings and understands benevolence and filial piety as a conservative ruler. Therefore, in Ji Qingchen's view, Ye Qingchen's perspective was no longer suitable for the current environment. He believed that his father, the emperor, was an exceptionally wise and formidable person, and how could he possibly make such a textbook error in selecting the crown prince? Otherwise, why would the emperor go to such lengths to devise a competition among the princes in the training grounds? Was it not to see if his sons possessed such potential and capability? However, after half a month of interaction, Ji Qingchen had come to understand his uncle's character. He knew that no matter what he said, as long as Ye Qingchen was convinced, he would stick to his beliefs. Thus, he chose not to argue further with Ye Qingchen, merely suppressing his smile and nodding silently.

Heroes often find no path, the world has a thousand years of wine, yet this one sorrow remains uncomprehended

Due to the night battle with the Northern Rong cavalry, only a few members of the Imperial Guard remained, and they were all severely injured, requiring several days of treatment. Ji Qingchen decided to rest in Ningzhou for a few more days. Therefore, the next day, after having breakfast, he felt a bit bored staying at the inn, so he called Guo Lun, and the two of them changed into casual clothes and left the inn.

"No!" Guo Lun replied

Having known each other for more than half a month, Guo Lun and Ji Qingchen had become quite familiar. Having grown accustomed to Ji Qingchen's extensive knowledge, Guo Lun said nothing in response to her evaluation of Fenjiu. He simply poured another glass for Ji Qingchen with respect. Ji Qingchen raised her glass and drank it all in one go, appearing quite generous.

Your Highness, your actions at the governor's residence just now were rather abrupt and quite inappropriate

Sorrow and joy are devoid of tears, it is the white hair of the world, the courage of the sword turns to ash

Is it the Wei family of Shangzhou? Listening to Guo Lun, it is said to be a century-old establishment, which immediately reminded Ji Qingchen of the Great Yan's imperial merchants, the Wei family of Shangzhou, known among the people of Great Yan as the red-topped merchants

"That is the Wang family of Shangzhou," Guo Lun replied

At this moment, a capable and efficient waiter saw the two individuals, quickly stepped forward with a beaming smile, and enthusiastically asked Ji Qingchen, "Would the two gentlemen prefer to dine in the main hall or in a private room on the second floor"

Ji Qingchen naturally sensed his dissatisfaction from Ye Qingchen's address, yet she remained indifferent to his reproach. With a faint smile, she asked, "What does my uncle mean?"

This... Ji Qingchen was also taken aback. He did not expect that his appreciation for the musician Mingyan's piano skills, due to his love for music, and the dance of the other party, which reminded him of Su'er during their farewell outside the capital, would lead Zhao Xianglin to misunderstand and think that he had fallen for the singer Mingyan. This misunderstanding prompted Zhao Xianglin to send the singer Mingyan to the inn where he was staying. He then recalled how at the banquet, Zhuge Jin had used his status to force Zhao Xianglin into making numerous compromises. He speculated that Zhao Xianglin's decision to send the singer Mingyan to the inn might be related to Zhuge Jin, and not merely a reflection of Zhao Xianglin's own intentions. Furthermore, considering Zhuge Jin's relationship with the Liu family of Ningzhou and the connection between Liu Donglou and Prince Ning, he firmly said to Ye Qingchen, "Uncle, tonight you should send someone to take her back!"

Your Highness, this is the branch of the century-old establishment, Tianzui Ju, opened by the Wei family in Ningzhou City. Being a century-old renowned tavern and inn, it enjoys a great reputation, resulting in a considerable flow of customers. To facilitate the diners, they have arranged for a servant at the entrance specifically for guidance.

At that moment, as the two were conversing, two burly men at the entrance of Tianzui Residence quickly approached. One of the men smiled and said, "Please come in, gentlemen"

Since it is a century-old establishment, the food must be delicious, and the wine should be genuine fine brew! Guo Lun, we won't return to the inn for lunch; let's eat here and stroll around afterwards!" With Guo Lun's explanation, Ji Qingchen was immediately filled with curiosity about Tian Zui Ju.

Just now, when His Highness left the governor's residence, Governor Zhao Xianglin sent the singer who danced with His Highness at the banquet to the inn. Ye Qingchen said, "The singer is currently waiting in the hall for Your Highness's summons. I wonder what Your Highness's intention is"

The "Second Brother" mentioned by Ji Qingchen refers to Song Wang Ji Ping

Your Highness has just returned to the country; it is imperative to maintain a clean reputation and swiftly establish a reputation for benevolence, filial piety, and generosity. It is not appropriate to behave like the wild scholars of today, disregarding propriety, indulging in wine and song, and using musical skills to please women of ill repute

"Yes, just send him back now. Simply return the person to the governor's office; there is no need for further words. Zhao Xianglin will understand my meaning himself!" Ji Qingchen said淡淡.

The waiter understood and said, "Please follow me." He led Ji Qingchen and Guo Lun to a private room on the second floor.

Ji Qingchen was in high spirits upon seeing these, looking around to the east and wandering to the west, resembling a mischievous little child

Your Majesty's evaluation of the Crown Prince primarily focuses on benevolence, filial piety, and moral character, followed by governance capabilities, and lastly, military command skills. I understand that His Highness has been taught by the national military deity, Li Qingyi, and is well-versed in military strategies. Furthermore, he has spent ten years thoroughly studying classical texts and various philosophical schools, possessing the talent for governance and having his own ideas on statecraft. However, since His Highness has decided to pursue this path, he must pay attention to his conduct and demeanor in daily life to avoid losing sight of the bigger picture due to minor missteps, which could lead to failure. Ye Qingchen began to advise, not denying the issues concerning Ji Qingchen, clearly indicating an acceptance of this viewpoint.

Unbeknownst to them, he and Guo Lun had actually wandered through the streets of Ningzhou City.

During the ten years he spent as a hostage in the State of Li, although the old emperor did not restrict his freedom in the capital, he was always accompanied by several guards from the State of Li wherever he went. This made him feel uncomfortable while shopping, and over time, he lost interest in it. This time, returning to Yanjing and strolling through Ningzhou City marked his first visit to the markets of the Great Yan after a decade. Moreover, as a prince, he had rarely ventured outside the palace for leisure before being sent to the State of Li. Now, Ningzhou City serves as the trade hub between the Great Yan and the State of Li, thriving with commerce, allowing him to experience the bustling atmosphere of the Great Yan's Ningzhou market for the first time, as well as the diverse lives of its citizens. How could he not feel excited?

Ji Qingchen realized that this was the property of the Wei family in Shangzhou. She paid no attention to the two young servants, but instead cast a glance at the plaque inscribed in cursive script above the entrance of Tianzui Residence, and then walked towards the door, with Guo Lun closely following her.

Due to his anger, he changed his address for Ji Qingchen from the intimate "Qingchen" used in private to the formal "Your Highness" used in public.

The two individuals, who have been engaged in the work of welcoming and receiving guests for many years, observed that although the two before them were dressed simply, they possessed an extraordinary demeanor. Particularly, upon noticing the subtle nobility and elegance exuded by Ji Qingchen, they speculated that the backgrounds of these two were not ordinary, which warranted such profound respect.

"So, are you saying that Uncle wants Qingchen to learn from Second Brother to become a virtuous king admired by the people and praised by the civil and military officials?" Ji Qingchen asked with a smile

Upon returning to the inn, Ji Qingchen drank a cup of sobering tea. Just as she returned to the study and was about to read for a while, she noticed her uncle, Ye Qingchen, hurriedly entering the study, his expression somewhat grim, as if he were harboring some displeasure