Chapter Fourteen Unexpected Appearance

  Thanks for the straw man book friend's second reward!

  Xu Zhu knew the identity of that arrogant young man, and he believed those people also knew his true identity as a member of the Dong family. Therefore, they wouldn't dare to act recklessly, so Xu Zhu didn't have any apprehensions and remained calm and composed. However, when he saw the person who stood up to speak in support of Chen Yi, he couldn't help but reveal a look of surprise. He hadn't expected this person to appear here today, and his demeanor immediately became more courteous.

  When he saw the person who stood out to fight for justice, Wu Xiong was stunned for a moment and seemed not to have expected it to be this person. He felt a bit awkward, nodded his hands and wanted to say something, but was glared at by that person, swallowed back what he wanted to say, with an embarrassed expression, the arrogance of just now completely disappeared.

  Xu Zhū let out a sigh of relief, his expression restored to its original state. At this time, the white-clothed person who had come out to support Chen Yì had already turned around and walked back into their private room, lowering the curtain. The Wú-surnamed young master and his companion also returned to their own private room, but they were quietly complaining about something, occasionally glancing over at Chen Yì's side.

  Chen Yi noticed the malicious glances of these people, but he didn't pay much attention to it. He had already made up his mind that soon he would take Ning Qing and leave this place, not wanting to have too much involvement with these people and avoid getting into trouble.

  The host, Mr. Xu, raised his hand to signal the murmuring crowd to quiet down. After a brief moment of silence, he spoke out loud: "Today we received many excellent poems, and I must say that all of you young gentlemen have impressive literary talents. Especially this poem, 'Youth's Journey', it's truly breathtaking, and I couldn't help but want to applaud. This poem has been chosen as the best work of today, and it's a unanimous decision. However, I'm afraid I don't know your name, sir. May I ask for your esteemed surname and where you reside?" Mr. Xu had already walked up to Chen Yi and stood at a respectful distance, bowing slightly to inquire.

  Chen Yi stood up, bowed to the crowd in the hall, and then saluted Xu Zhuo, saying: "I am Chen Yi from Jiangnan, Yuezhou, with the courtesy name Ziying. I am a nobody who has just arrived in Chang'an, and Mr. Xu and gentlemen have probably never heard of my name! The poem I just recited was just something that came to mind casually, and it's laughable. I'm not talented, please instruct me, Mr. Xu and gentlemen!"

  The atmosphere in the wine shop made Chen Yi a little puzzled, as if he felt that today's wine house was not for seeking pleasure, but a gathering place for literati. The people present were not all foodies, but rather literati with ink in their bellies. Was this the atmosphere of a Tang Dynasty Chang'an wine house? He glanced at Ning Qing sitting next to him and thought about asking her later, but then he immediately dispelled the idea, thinking that the little girl would definitely be unaware of these things.

  "It's actually Mr. Chen, I've long admired you!" Xu Zhu smiled and bowed politely, then asked Chen Yi: "I don't know where you are staying in Chang'an? Although I'm a merchant, I also enjoy poetry and literature, and often discuss them with friends. I'd like to invite you over for a visit on a chosen day to learn from you!"

  "I don't dare to accept your kind intentions, I am currently resting at an inn and have no fixed abode, maybe tomorrow I will change to another residence, so I cannot give you a specific place, please forgive me!" Xu Zhu's "enthusiasm" was still a bit unexpected for Chen Yi, although he wanted to make friends with this wine shop owner who should have good connections in Chang'an, but because he followed Sun Simiao's master and apprentice to Chang'an, Sun Simiao's master and apprentice were still mysterious, he didn't dare reveal too much to strangers, even his own inn was not convenient to say!

  "Since that's the case, I won't ask anymore! Hehe!" Seeing that Chen Yi didn't explicitly mention his residence, Xu Zhu didn't find it unusual and didn't press for further questioning. Instead, he smiled and gestured to a Huji named Su Mi behind him to present the wine in her hand, saying: "I have a prior statement, today's best poem will be awarded this fine wine, and it will be given to whoever wins... This wine is for Gongzi and your companions to enjoy! Your consumption within the wine tower will also be completely waived...... Moreover, I believe that within a few days, Chen Gongzi's 'Youthful Journey' will definitely spread throughout the Chang'an streets!"

  "Thank you, Mr. Xu!" Chen Yi bowed to thank him, glanced back at Ning Qing who was watching him and occasionally glancing at the wine glass in her hand, and declined: "I am not worthy of enjoying the favor of a beauty, I dare not be accompanied by this young lady, how about this, please let the young lady perform another segment of Hu Xuan dance for us, so that we newcomers can appreciate the wonderfulness of Hu Xuan dance! Thank you!"

  Just as his eyes were fixed on the spinning Hu Ji, Ning Qing's expression beside him was not quite natural. It's understandable, after all, having a very beautiful woman by your side, but your eyes are on another beauty, any woman would be unhappy about that. If there is another woman who gets involved and stays close to serve and accompany you for drinks, it will get even more intense. I estimate Ning Qing's little universe will erupt, although not to the point of turning her face on the spot, but playing a bit of temper, cold eyes looking sideways, making a bit of a scene, that's the most normal thing to do.

  If it were really like that, everything would be boring!

  Having Ning Qing, this little girl, to drink with is already a very happy thing, why bother letting an unrelated wine house singer join in and spoil the fun? If you want to let this Su Mi, the barbarian woman, accompany, wait until next time when I am alone or with male companions.

  Xu Zhu seemed to have understood Chen Yi's psychology, and smiled, "Chen Gongzi makes such a request, I believe it will be welcomed by all the gentlemen present! Of course, I agree to your request, let Su Mi perform another segment of Hu Xuan dance for Chen Gongzi..." He whispered two sentences to Su Mi beside him.

  Chen Yi's rejection left Su Mi's expression somewhat dim, which was almost an insult to her personal charm. In the past, any guest who came to the wine house would be honored to have her and her sisters' company, and even hoped for more. But today she encountered such a person! However, she quickly adjusted her mood, bowed to Chen Yi, then bowed to the other guests in the room, and slowly retreated to make preparations.

  Before long, the urgent music started, and Su Mi came out from a side door, barefoot, wearing a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her alluring figure, which was so captivating that even the phrase "voluptuous" couldn't do it justice.

  Another barefooted maid brought over the wine in a tray, replaced Chen Yi and Ning Qing's wine cups, and filled them with wine. A strong aroma of wine immediately spread to Chen Yi's nose. The wine cup was still made of that rare transparent glass or crystal, the grape wine night light cup, the purple-red color looked very tempting in the transparent cup, plus the aroma hitting the nose, Chen Yi and Ning Qing also eagerly picked up their wine cups and took a small sip.

  At this time, the music in the field had become urgent, and Su Mi's movements, which were originally slow dancing, also began to change. The speed of rotation accelerated, and the ornaments on her body and the hem of her clothes fluttered with her dancing posture, looking very good.

  The scene was silent, with everyone's eyes fixed on Su Mi as she danced!

  Because Chen Yi refused Hu Ji's invitation to drink, Ning Qing felt a little proud. Moreover, Chen Yi had just received an honor in front of everyone, so she was very happy and watched the scene with great interest, even forgetting to taste a few more sips of high-quality grape wine!

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  "Qing'er, how was the Hu Ji's huixian dance today?" Walking out of the wine building, Chen Yi watched a performance that seemed to be specially performed for him, and couldn't help but ask Ning Qing who followed beside him.

  Just then, the Hu woman named Su Mi performed extremely energetically, bringing out many high-difficulty and astonishing moves that even some gymnasts of later generations might not be able to perform. The applause from the audience was wave after wave, with some people even shouting until they were hoarse. Chen Yi felt that this Hu woman's performance was a show of force against him, thinking that he had refused her offer of companionship on the spot and somewhat damaged her reputation.

  "It's okay, I guess! Yeah, the jump was pretty good! Anyway..." As Ning Qing hesitated and nodded slightly, she couldn't help but feel a bit unnatural when Su Mi, the courtesan, gazed at Chen Yi with a flirtatious expression as they left the tavern. She regretted coming to this tavern with Chen Yi today, but couldn't quite put her finger on why; it just felt off in her heart, and she was trying hard not to show her displeasure.

  Chen Yi was still very excited and didn't notice the slight unease on the little girl's face. "I've never seen such a fast spinning dance, it's really an eye-opener!" Later generations had never seen this type of dance before, plus Su Mi's Hu Ji dance was indeed extremely impressive, so Chen Yi was naturally amazed, and after leaving the wine building, he still looked like he hadn't had enough.

  "I've never seen it before, this is the first time I've seen such a wonderful dance!" Ning Qing finally suppressed some of his unhappiness and showed a surprised expression. "Also, that grape wine really tastes great, no wonder it's so expensive!"

  "Yes, I've never tasted such a good wine before. I really don't know where Mr. Xu got it from!" The five-guan worth of grape wine was indeed extraordinary in taste, and the difference between this one and the previous grape wine Chen Yi drank was like heaven and earth. After drinking this grape wine, he felt that the previous grape wine had no flavor at all, and he didn't even bother to taste it again!

  In his later years, he never had a taste of such good wine again!

  "Me too!" Ning Qing nodded in agreement!

  "We'll have the chance to come back here and watch the Hu dance, drink this grape wine!" Chen Yi turned his head to look at the flying wine flag of the Drunken Immortal Building, smiled and said to Ning Qing, "Maybe that Mr. Xu will give us a free bill! Hehe..."

  When Chen Yi was leaving, Xu Zhu, who saw him off at the wine tower, promised that in the future when he came to Zui Xian Lou to consume, he would be exempt from paying. Anytime he came, it would be the same, just hoping that he could write a few good poems when he came to the wine tower. However, Chen Yi did not promise, knowing that during the Tang Dynasty, the value of a masterpiece was used to exchange for a meal, which was too humiliating and lowered his identity!

  "Let's come here less often, it's too expensive, a cup of wine is five yuan..."

  "It's nothing, at worst I'll treat you to a meal!" Chen Yi said with a smile, but he couldn't continue speaking and immediately stopped in his tracks, reaching out to grab Ning Qing's hand and stepping forward to shield her. This was because he had seen several people with ill intentions appear, including the Wusurname young master who had been so arrogant at the wine house, along with his friends and followers.