Ye Man went out with an umbrella; in a word: cold!
In the cold autumn wind and rain, those who go out are brave souls.
Rounding out of the Inn, the ground was covered in water; it was pitch black, with only occasional lights on the street.
There were quite a few pedestrians, busy with unknown errands. Some held umbrellas, some wore straw raincoats, and some rode in horse carriages or donkey carts.
Those who can afford a carriage are different from the start; in this weather, having a ride means the wind and rain are not much of an issue.
Ye Man did not rent a vehicle, relying on her own two legs to rush along.
The Inn was not far from the city gate; from the city gate, it was about three *li* to Songshan Village.
Ningzhou's famous Songshan Academy is located on the mountain.
Songshan Village is at the foot of the mountain, and influenced by the Academy, it has developed a unique atmosphere.
On a rainy day like this, the village was quite lively.
It wasn't early, and the road was too dark to see clearly, but many people were heading toward the largest establishment in the village, the Fangzheng Hotel.
Academy students are usually not allowed to come out casually, but being able to come out is not a casual thing.
Moreover, with the Autumn Imperial Examination approaching, some people from the Academy had already left, and the rest were affected. At times like this, coming to the hotel to drink and discuss matters was the correct way to proceed.
The Academy's Vice Lecturers, Teaching Assistants, and others, after finishing their teaching for the day, could also come out for a hot meal in this cold weather.
Although the Academy has a cafeteria, how could it compare to roaming outside?
Inside the Academy, one still had to mind certain rules and regulations; although the area below the mountain was mostly occupied by Academy people or those connected to them, it was ultimately more carefree.
The Fangzheng Hotel, upright and honest, was indeed square in structure.
There were four two-story buildings on all four sides, each ten *zhang* wide; the center was open, topped with a hip roof.
At this moment, the floors above and below, inside and outside the building, were brightly lit, and the noise of people was deafening.
Pushing the atmosphere to a climax!
Confucian Scholars, their voices are not weak at all; when arguing before the Emperor, blood splatters three feet!
When these people indulge themselves, keeping a stable of beautiful concubines is considered a fine tale.
Some concubines are clever and witty, accomplished in many arts, beyond what ordinary people can imagine.
Therefore, this atmosphere is different from that of the common people.
What they said was often incomprehensible to ordinary folk.
On the second floor, in an elegant seat, the atmosphere was different from outside.
A young Confucian Scholar sat by the window; although he looked wealthy, he seemed unable to handle trouble, as if he were about to be forced out through the window.
The one pressuring him was a Young Lady; Miss Qian at this moment was aggressive, lacking that Qinglian demeanor.
The Maidservant stood to the side, looking down on the Servant Boy Xiao Xian.
No matter how they looked at him, he was beneath notice; they regarded him with condescension. Even Ji Ning was looked down upon—how could he compare to Tan Jiwen?
Take Ji Ning's face, for instance, it's flat; if the Cai Family didn't have some silver, no one would even look at that face on the street.
Furthermore, although Ji Ning was seated, he was definitely not as tall as Tan Jiwen!
He also lacked Tan Jiwen's aura, that true nobility that doesn't come merely from a good family background.
What's so great about family background? Hmph!
Qian Yutong changed her clothes; she wouldn't even wear a shade of bluish-green in front of Cai Jining—he wasn't worthy! Red, though vulgar, was what suited him.
Cai Wenting sat there, unable to get a word in; the situation was completely controlled by Qian Yutong.
His face was already unpleasant, and it wouldn't look any better.
Qian Yutong wanted to slam the table; after all, the hotel was noisy, and no one would pay attention here.
But she had manners and didn't want to lower her status, so she mocked Cai Wenting: "You can't even handle this small matter? What use are you?"
The Maidservant stomped her foot to the side: "Young Master Cai clearly doesn't hold our Young Lady in his eyes. Could he possibly fancy some vixen?"
Qian Yutong suddenly snapped at the Maidservant: "Shut up!" Then she angrily ordered Cai Wenting: "Two days at most, I want to see the person!"
The Servant Boy weakly interjected: "Miss Qian, do you know how much silver it costs to redeem someone from Zhichun Pavilion?"
Qian Yutong lunged over and slapped him: "How would I know?"
The Servant Boy covered his face, which stung fiercely, as if his skin had been scratched by Miss Qian's long fingernails.
The Maidservant delivered another slap: "You dare talk back to the Young Lady?" She dared to accuse Cai Jining: "Is your household really short of this little silver?"
Didn't the Cai Family only have silver left?
If it weren't for the silver, would they have forced the Young Lady to marry this good-for-nothing?
Qian Yutong threw two words at Cai Wenting: "Two days."
Then she turned and left. Staying with this waste of space for another moment felt like losing years off her life.
Marrying him was tantamount to courting death; Qian Yutong absolutely could not be so meek.
In one's lifetime, one must fight for some dignity. Even a girl from Qin Lou dared to escape; how could she not?
She wanted to send the person back to Zhichun Pavilion, but it would be difficult to explain to Tan Jiwen.
If sent back to Zhichun Pavilion, he might still worry or try another scheme. Redeeming her would mean Cai Wenting redeemed her, so let him keep her for now.
Even if Cai Wenting took a liking to that girl, she wouldn't care; what is there to care about regarding a good-for-nothing?
Qian Yutong left cleanly and decisively.
It took Cai Wenting a while to snap back to his senses. He looked at Xiao Xian: "How is your face?"
Xiao Xian shoved his face close to him to show him.
The light in the room was quite bright, and the blood was quite alarming.
Although this little bit of blood wouldn't kill someone, must every incident lead to death?
Xiao Xian was still young. He knelt before his Master and cried: "Miss Qian is too much, Master."
Cai Wenting's expression shifted, then he said gloomily: "What do you know?"
Xiao Xian had followed his Master for seven or eight years and dared to say anything: "Someone who runs away from Zhichun Pavilion, won't they demand a heavy price? Our estate isn't exactly overflowing with silver; the Qian Family are upstarts who rely on our estate."
Cai Wenting angrily downed his wine.
Xiao Xian didn't pour him more wine and argued with him: "Logically, the Master's silver will eventually belong to the Madam, right? Miss Qian never considered herself part of the family; she doesn't intend to live well with you. She acts high and mighty, but what is the Qian Family like? High and mighty my foot!"
Cai Wenting kicked him: "Are you doing this because of that slap?"
Xiao Xian clung to his leg, unafraid: "Does the Master not know what kind of servant I am? The only thing I worry about is the Master."
Cai Wenting roared: "Get lost."
Xiao Xian scrambled up and saw someone entering through the window.
This window faced the center.
If the weather were good, there would be a platform in the center, and holding a Literary Gathering there would be extremely lively.
When it was raining, the outside was just as cold; through the curtain of rain, one could see the lights on the other side.
Old Ancestor Yeman entered, slapped Cai Wenting on the head: "Truly green!"
Xiao Xian, who had been on guard, was stunned by the word 'green'.
Looking again, this person was thin and small, wearing a pine-flower green silk robe; having been slightly rained on, he looked even greener.
Ye Man's trouser legs were uncomfortably wet down to her feet. She called to the Servant Boy: "Go get a dry cloth, or bring a brazier for me to warm up."
With this imposing manner, Xiao Xian opened the door and called for the Waiter to come.
Ye Man ignored him and continued patting Cai Wenting's head: "You're bad at studying, but you can't be sloppy when it comes to being a person. She, a woman, isn't afraid of losing face, yet you sit here torturing yourself. Do you think anyone will speak well of you? Everyone is laughing behind your back!"
Although Cai Wenting was seated, he felt he was taller than this uninvited guest.
But his spirit was completely crushed, to the point of exploding!
Ye Man saw he still had a bit of spirit left and added fuel to the fire: "It doesn't matter if they mock you; since you aren't afraid of losing face, but letting your parents lose face is unfilial!"