A scholar entered a shop specializing in writing materials, and he said to the shopkeeper behind the counter, “Shopkeeper, I would like to buy a writing brush.”
“How many would you like, young master?” asked the shopkeeper.
“Just one will do.”
“Okay,” the shopkeeper took out a fountain pen from the drawer and handed it to him, “That will be 6 copper coins.”
The scholar looked at him puzzled, “I wanted to buy a brush. What is this you’ve given me?”
The shopkeeper smiled, “Oh, young master, don’t you know? This is a new pen invented in our great Han. It writes small characters, doesn’t require frequent ink dipping, a single ink refill lasts for several days, and it’s also convenient to carry. It’s the most practical tool for scholars. Young Master, take a look.”
The shopkeeper brought a piece of paper and wrote a few crooked characters with the fountain pen. The paper already had many written words, indicating that the shopkeeper had introduced the new pen to many customers before this scholar.
The scholar exclaimed in amazement, “Is it really so?”
The shopkeeper confidently said, “Indeed. This type of pen is only available in our great Han kingdom! Moreover, it is sold to others for 12 copper coins, but for scholars, it’s only 6 copper coins. His Majesty the Emperor is truly benevolent towards scholars.” The shopkeeper was unaware of the pen’s true connection to the Emperor but considered all the benefits bestowed upon the people as the Emperor’s grace.
……
“Once again, it’s the First Company. Lately, I’ve been hearing ‘First Company’ so frequently that my ears are becoming calloused.” In a private room at Liuxian Pavilion, a middle-aged man with a short black beard gently stroked his beard, his face expressionless as he glanced at the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone placed on the small square table in the corner. The brush had been replaced by a new-style fountain pen.
Sitting across from him was another middle-aged man with refined in appearance. He took a sip of wine with understanding and said, “Brother Zhao, did you ask me to meet you for this matter?”
Zhao Dingshan poured him a drink, “Brother Wang, as you know, my Zhao family specializes in brushes. Our pine resin brushes from the Zhao family have shops in the east, south, west, and north of the Great Han kingdom. But now that this new pen has emerged, where does that leave us, the Zhao family, in the future? Brother Wang, your Wang family alone has three paper mills in the capital city. I can’t believe this new pen won’t affect your paper mills.”
Wang Zhongru paused for a moment, not denying it but analyzing, “We didn’t hear any rumors before the fountain pen appeared on the market. But once it was introduced, the sales volume skyrocketed. Brother Zhao, the First Company seems to have quite a background.”
Zhao Dingshan smiled faintly.
Wang Zhongru curiously asked, “Does Brother Zhao already have a plan in mind?”
“That’s right,” Zhao Dingshan said, “I plan to invite the owner of the First Company to dine at Liuxian Pavilion. Brother Wang, if you’re interested, you can join us.”
Wang Zhongru teased, “As far as I know, the owner of the First Company is a young man of only seventeen or eighteen years old. Brother Zhao, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed for taking the initiative?”
“There are no permanent enemies in the business world. Besides, the First Company is just starting out and needs connections.” Zhao Dingshan affirmed, “I believe the other party won’t refuse.”
Wang Zhongru poured him a glass of wine, raised his cup, and smiled, “Then I’ll bask in your glory, Brother Zhao.”
“Agreed.”
In the adjacent room, Xiao Jinran turned his head, listening attentively. “It’s a pity that I and Young Master Qin are on the same side. Otherwise, having him as an opponent would have been exciting.”
Manager Yuan smiled and said, “Isn’t it more exciting to have such a person as a friend and create a powerful business alliance together?”
Xiao Jinran laughed heartily, “Well said! I will leave the capital city tomorrow and begin the preparations for opening Liuxian Pavilion in other places. I leave this place to you. If there are any unsolvable problems, go to Liuxian Pavilion in the West City and find Xu Yiming.”
“Don’t worry, boss,” Manager Yuan said.
Yan Ge came out of the First Company and sought shelter from the sun under a tree. He had arranged to meet Huangfu Yuchen at the brothel today and they were supposed to meet at the company’s entrance.
The gatekeeper quickly approached, accompanied by a young servant-like boy. “Young master, this young man has brought an invitation card for you and insists on delivering it in person.”
Yan Ge asked, “What invitation?”
The servant politely replied, “Young Master, I am from Zhao’s Brush Workshop. Our boss, Master Zhao, invites you to a gathering at Liuxian Pavilion tonight.”
Yan Ge apologized, “So it was an invitation from Master Zhao. I am grateful for his kind invitation, but I haven’t had any free time in the past few days.”
“You plan to go like this?” A tall stranger approached from the opposite direction, his voice and figure familiar.
“Brother?” Yan Ge stared curiously at Huangfu Yuchen’s unfamiliar face, getting closer and almost reaching out to touch it. Could this be the legendary human skin mask?
Huangfu Yuchen tapped a fan on Yan Ge’s head and said impatiently, “Don’t I have to worry that others will know I’m going to such a place?” He wondered why he had agreed to accompany Yan Ge to the brothel in the first place. Even if it was to guard against Yan Ge’s potential infidelity, he could have simply sent his subordinates to keep an eye on him.
Yan Ge suppressed his laughter and reassured him, “What does it matter if people find out? A clear conscience fears no slander.”
Huangfu Yuchen stopped in his tracks. “I’ve changed my mind. I won’t go.”
“Wait,” Yan Ge grabbed his wrist, “Brother, today you accompany me to ‘that place,’ and tomorrow I’ll accompany you to the Hundred Flowers Festival. This year’s festival will be different from previous ones, guaranteed to be unforgettable.”
Huangfu Yuchen looked at him skeptically, certain that he was scheming something. Otherwise, there would be no need to invite him along. Anyway, he had cleared his schedule for the entire day, he wanted to see what this guy was up to.
“Oh,” he smirked playfully, lifting Yan Ge’s chin with one hand and embracing his waist with the other. “In any case, I’ll be going with my ‘wife.’ What does it matter if familiar faces see us?” He stared intently at Yan Ge, not missing any change in his expression. Deng Mande had claimed that Yan Ge had feelings for him, and now he was curious to find out if it was true.
Yan Ge was the type to rise to challenges. If Huangfu Yuchen teased him, he would find an opportunity to tease back. Without hesitation, he embraced Huangfu Yuchen, tilted his head back, and smiled into his eyes, showing no weakness.
Gao Feng, Gao Yun, the gatekeeper, Zhang Yuan, and Liu Rong quickly averted their gaze.
Huangfu Yuchen’s heart softened, his gaze unknowingly becoming gentle. After holding the young man for a while, he patted his back and finally let go, saying, “Shall we go now?”
Having won the silent battle of gazes, Yan Ge was in a good mood, his spirits soaring. “This way,” he said.
The destination wasn’t too far, so they decided to walk. They didn’t want too many people noticing their visit to the brothel, as it might give the impression that they were there to cause trouble. The guards remained hidden in the shadows, while Gao Feng and Gao Yun disguised themselves simply. Only Zhang Yuan and Liu Rong were visible in the open.
Each of them held a moderately sized wooden box in their arms, and Huangfu Yuchen glanced at it briefly.
When they arrived outside the Red Sleeve Pavilion, the grandest brothel in the capital, Yan Ge noticed the hesitation in Huangfu Yuchen’s steps and he reached out, grabbing his wrist.
Just as he was about to pull Huangfu Yuchen inside, a gloomy voice came from behind, “Ge’er, where are you going?”
Father?
Yan Ge was startled, instinctively looking towards Huangfu Yuchen.
Huangfu Yuchen’s folding fan partially covered his face, hiding his expression. However, his exposed eyes were filled with playful and mocking smile.
Yan Ge immediately understood that Huangfu Yuchen had noticed Yan Xiaojing long ago.
Dressed in casual attire, Yan Xiaojing was accompanied by two servants. He had just gone out for a casual stroll and hadn’t expected to coincidentally encounter Yan Ge on his way to the brothel! Moreover, he was intimately holding another man.
Yan Xiaojing’s face turned as black as coal.
“Why are you here? Who is this person? Do you even know your own status?” Yan Xiaojing angrily questioned.
Father, I am truly innocent!
Yan Ge couldn’t express his grievances, so he dryly explained, “I came here for a legitimate reason.”
“A legitimate reason? To a place like this?” Yan Xiaojing placed his hands behind his back and scrutinized him.
Yan Ge couldn’t expose Huangfu Yuchen’s identity nor reveal his own plans. He held onto Huangfu Yuchen’s hand and quickly entered through the door. “If you don’t believe me, come inside and see for yourself!”
Yan Xiaojing roared in anger, “You little brat—”
Huangfu Yuchen burst into laughter. “Hahaha…”
‘So disloyal.’ Yan Ge, who had temporarily escaped a calamity, glanced at him and prepared to enter. Just as he took a step forward, a strong fragrance enveloped them, and several enchanting and coquettish women pounced on them, speaking flirtatiously:
“Young master, you are truly handsome. I am fortunate to meet you.”
“Young master, allow this little girl to serve you.”
…
One of them went even further, spouting nonsense, “Young master, why haven’t you come to see Qin’er for so long?”
Yan Ge was taken aback and quickly retreated.
However, these girls were accustomed to various reactions from men who visited the brothel, so they weren’t afraid at all. They continued to playfully surround him, reaching out to pull him or touch his body.
Yan Ge swiftly dodged, but the scent of powder irritated him, causing him to sneeze twice in succession.
Huangfu Yuchen clicked his tongue and swiftly pulled him closer with his left hand, raising his right arm as a gesture of defense, while giving them a cold sideways glance.
The girls were stunned by his gaze, frozen in place and afraid to move.
“Are we even now?” Huangfu Yuchen whispered into Yan Ge’s ear, his voice carrying a hint of laughter.
Yan Ge looked at him for a moment before reluctantly saying, “We’re even.”
Neither of them realized how ambiguous their positions were at the moment, with Yan Ge nestled in Huangfu Yuchen’s embrace.
The girls understood the situation all too well, their eyes revealing their comprehension.
