Chapter Five: Chen Juren

  "Ha! You're joking, sir. When I first arrived at the Shen residence, of course, I wanted to get a better understanding of the place from the maidservants, so I just chatted with them for a bit."

  She was so angry with this fake son-in-law that she could have hit him a few times, but instead, she changed the subject and said: "It seems you're also idle, go accompany Yiyun to the pharmacy to grab some herbs."

  Buying herbs? Zhu Ziming's mind was filled with doubts, and he glanced at his wife, whose face was rosy. It shouldn't be that she was ill again; it seemed like it was that little maid who was sick once more.

  She had already learned from the maid at Shen's residence that Miss Lin Ziyun, because of the plague in her county, all her family members died of the plague, leaving only her to flee to her aunt's place. Although she didn't contract the plague, on the way to Shen's residence, she suffered from hunger and ended up with a weak body, whenever the weather changed drastically, she would fall ill, truly a pitiful child.

  "Good!" Zhu Ziming quickly agreed.

  If he's allowed to stay in the mansion all day, he'll end up harming those young maidservants. Mrs. Shen was resentful but could do nothing about it. At this moment, she had already made a secret plan...

  The market in Lingyun City is bustling with cars and horses, the crowd is endless, and the shops on both sides are crowded, it's really lively.

  Zhu Ziming walked beside Lin Zhixun, listlessly looking around in all directions, while Lin Zhixun held the medicine she had just grabbed from the pharmacy, her face slightly pale and her head lowered.

  Looking at Lin Zhīyún's somewhat melancholic appearance, Zhū Zǐmíng spoke up: "I say, Zhīyún, what are some fun places to go in Líng Cloud City?"

  Lin Ziyun's eyebrows furrowed slightly, seemingly displeased with his intimate form of address. She blushed and said, "Don't call me Ziyun."

  "What's your name?" Zhu Ziming was at a loss and said: "Either call you Yun'er or Xiao Yuyun."

  "Hmph... " Looking at his worried and troubled appearance, Lin Zhuyun couldn't help but laugh a few times, scolding him with a smile: "You'd better just call me Zhuyun."

  Although she didn't have a good impression of this fake brother-in-law, nor did she dislike him. Since he came to coax her into happiness, his heart shouldn't be bad. Lin Zhuyun couldn't help but reduce her vigilance towards him by a lot.

  Zhūzi Míng smiled and said: "Smile more, it's good for you. If you always pull a long face, you'll grow old prematurely."

  "You're just getting old," Lin Ziyun pouted and glared at her, then said: "Since you've just arrived in Lingyun City, why don't I take you to listen to Mr. Chen's storytelling?"

  Chen Juren? Zhu Ziming had only heard of him vaguely, but it was said that Chen Juren was already nearly sixty years old. He had taken the imperial examination in the capital for several decades, yet year after year he took the exam and year after year he failed to pass. In Lingyun City, or even the entire State of Yan, he was a famous figure.

  This stubborn old bookworm is a monster to the progressive-minded Zhu Ziming, who wonders how someone from his era could be so pedantic and read books to death. So Zhu Ziming actually wants to meet him once.

  Walking beside Lin Zhuyun, the two soon arrived in front of a towering pavilion. Looking up, they saw that the pavilion was two stories high, with two round pillars standing in front of the pavilion door, and on the high-hanging plaque were the three large characters "Feng Ya Lou".

  The wind and elegance... It seems that this is a place where literary talents like to come. The two of them entered the Wind and Elegance Building, and as soon as they stepped into the hall, it suddenly became bright and spacious inside. The magnificent hall had intricately carved railings and jade-inlaid walls, with lanterns shining brightly everywhere. Inside the hall were arranged dozens of high-quality sandalwood tables and chairs, and at this moment, there were already many people seated among them. In front of a pile of sandalwood tables stood an old man with a head full of white hair, who was talking non-stop, but it was unclear what he was saying. It seemed that this was the famous Chen Juren.

  Lin Zhuyun led Zhu Ziming to sit down at an empty table, and the shopkeeper came over to take their order, recommending a pot of high-quality Bi Luo Chun tea.

  As he sipped the fragrant Bi Luo Chun tea, Zhu Zi Ming finally made out what Chancellor Chen was saying. It turned out that he was talking about the biography of the founding emperor of Yan State. Anyone from Yan State would probably be delighted to hear it.

  Mr. Chen was narrating the story of Emperor Zu, sometimes moving to tears and sometimes stirring with passion, that storytelling skill is indeed top-notch, no wonder Fengya Building is willing to invite him to tell stories here, the appearance fee should be substantial, right?

  Even if Mr. Chen spoke well, Zhu Ziming was unwilling to listen, his eyes scanned the room, and the people sitting here were basically the sons of rich families or wealthy scholars, after all, the tea in this Wind and Elegant Building wasn't something anyone could afford, a small pot of Bi Luo Chun cost one or two silver coins, it's not worth it, might as well go rob someone.

  After a sip of tea, Mr. Chen finally finished speaking, holding the tea in his hand and taking a sip, pursing his lips, and bowing with his fists: "I am not talented, I hope everyone likes today's story, thank you all for your support..."

  It seemed that Mr. Chen was about to leave the stage directly, but he suddenly took out a book from the table behind him, with some red face saying: "This is a book written by my old man after spending several years of hard work, writing about the history of our great Yan country, which should be helpful for those who want to take the imperial examination. I have more than ten books here, if there are people who like this book, they can come and buy it now, only 50 coins."

  "......" Zhu Ziming was taken aback and broke out in a cold sweat. People of this era actually know how to advertise, it's really impressive.

  As soon as Mr. Chen finished speaking, several young students immediately went on stage to buy books. After all, Mr. Chen had been studying for the imperial examination for so many years and naturally had a lot of experience to share, so they might as well buy one to take a look.

  "Zhu Ziming, go and buy one for me," Lin Zhuyun suddenly shook his shoulder and said softly.

  Xiao Yatou has nothing better to do than read books, which doesn't surprise Zhu Ziming.

  Upon hearing this, Zhu Ziming became displeased. He hated it when beauties called him by his name like that: "What's your name? You should call me Brother Ming!"

  You call me Brother Ming, then shouldn't you be calling me Sister Yun? Trying to take advantage of me again, ugh... Lin Zhīyún spat out a mouthful, feeling that Zhu Zǐmíng's thick skin was infuriating, but thinking about his expression earlier, he didn't like listening to books at all, yet he accompanied her tirelessly. Her heart warmed up and she scolded: "Brother-in-law, you go help me buy it."

  Since they've established a familial relationship, Zhu Ziming couldn't not go. The little girl was being coquettish, and it truly had a lingering charm. With a serious tone, he said: "Alright, but... where's the silver for buying books?"

  "Bang!" Lin Zhīyún was both angry and amused, she kicked over, and I had called her brother-in-law in vain, he didn't give me a single penny, what a cheapskate!

  Zhu Zi Ming flashed a foot, and came to Chen Juren's side with a pained expression, taking out 50 coins from his waist bag and handing them over to Chen Juren. His own monthly allowance was only 10 taels of silver...

  This Mrs. Shen is also a stingy mistress!