Chapter 46

Chu Huan's brows furrowed slightly. Upon hearing this, he gradually understood that the two people arguing next door were clearly not good people. He naturally knew about Baling Hall, having just dealt with them. As for that Second Young Master Fan Yishang, he didn't seem to be a good person either, likely a wasteful and extravagant young man.

Suddenly, there was a loud "bang" as the door next door slammed shut, followed by Fan Yishang's angry curses: "A bunch of ruffians, daring to act wild in front of this young master...!" However, his voice lacked confidence.

Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Master Li's spirits were immediately lifted, and he lowered his voice to Chu Huan, saying, "It must be Master Han!" He shakily got up, and Chu Huan, being very quick-witted, went to open the door. Outside stood a waiter, and next to the waiter was an old man in his fifties, wearing a light blue cotton robe and a fur hat, clearly a person of high status.

Master Li smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Master Han, you've worked hard. I've prepared a simple wine, thank you for coming!"

The old man, indeed, was the chief master of Hesheng Spring, Han Yuan. Han Yuan looked kind and benevolent, with a smile on his face. He entered and bowed, saying, "Master Li, you're too kind. This is just a small matter, no need to be so formal. I'm ashamed to accept your invitation!" He then glanced at Chu Huan, noting his sharp and energetic appearance, and asked with a smile, "Is this Master Li's nephew?"

"Exactly!" Master Li quickly replied, "Erlang, why don't you greet Master Han!"

Chu Huan bowed and said, "Junior Chu Huan, greeting Master Han!"

Han Yuan waved his hand, saying, "No need for such formalities, just call me Uncle Han!"

Master Li then pulled Han Yuan over to sit down, called the waiter to bring some dishes, and let Han Yuan choose. Han Yuan declined, so Master Li personally ordered a few dishes. Han Yuan, being a straightforward person, stopped Master Li after he ordered three or four dishes, clearly worried about Master Li spending too much.

The waiter left, and Chu Huan was about to close the door when he noticed a young man in fine clothing passing by. The young man was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, wearing a purple warm robe and a blue sash, clearly from a wealthy family. He looked gloomy and, as he passed by the door, he glanced into the room. First, he saw Chu Huan and showed a look of disdain, coldly snorting. Just as he was about to pass the door, his eyes caught sight of Han Yuan.

Upon seeing Han Yuan, the young man suddenly stopped, a strange smile appearing on his face. He took two steps back and was about to enter the room, but Chu Huan stood at the door and said calmly, "Get out!"

The young man was taken aback, clearly not expecting a rustic young man to speak to him like that. His face turned dark, and he pushed Chu Huan's chest, saying coldly, "Who do you think you are, daring to speak to this young master like that...!" As he pushed, Chu Huan easily dodged. The young man, failing to push him, became very angry. At that moment, Han Yuan had already stood up to greet him, smiling and bowing, "Isn't this Second Young Master? It's been a few days since I last saw you!"

Chu Huan now recognized the young man's voice; it was clearly Fan Yishang, who had just argued with the green-faced old fourth next door. It seemed that he and Han Yuan were somewhat familiar.

Fan Yishang glanced at Chu Huan and said with a sneer, "Han Yuan, is this your man? He has quite the nerve to block me from entering!" He called Han Yuan by his name, showing his arrogance.

Han Yuan, however, was very humble, smiling and saying, "Second Young Master, why don't you join us for a while?"

Fan Yishang scanned the room, looking at Master Li and then at Chu Huan, seeming to understand something. A strange smile appeared on his lips, and he boldly walked forward, sitting down at the table without any courtesy, saying, "Since you put it that way, I'll give you some face and sit here for a while!"

Han Yuan was taken aback; he had only been being polite, thinking that if Fan Yishang was sensible, he would leave. But he didn't expect this person to have such thick skin and actually sit down.

Han Yuan looked at Master Li awkwardly, but Master Li smiled and said, "Since he's a friend of Master Han, it's a matter of fate. Why not sit and have a few drinks?"

Han Yuan awkwardly smiled and sat down at the table. Master Li then instructed Chu Huan, "Erlang, go get some more bowls and chopsticks!"

Chu Huan remained unusually calm, went out, and quickly brought back the bowls, chopsticks, and teacup, placing them in front of Fan Yishang. Fan Yishang coughed and glanced at the teapot on the table, hinting at something. Han Yuan understood and got up to pour tea, but Chu Huan quickly stepped forward and personally poured a cup of tea for Fan Yishang.

Seeing Chu Huan pour tea for him, Fan Yishang felt very pleased. The atmosphere in the room was very tense, and with Fan Yishang present, many things couldn't be discussed freely.

The room was silent for a moment before Han Yuan awkwardly asked, "Second Young Master, how have you been lately?"

Fan Yishang picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then put it down, saying, "Not as leisurely as you... By the way, Han Yuan, isn't it time to open the wine cellar in the workshop?"

Han Yuan's face changed slightly, a strange look passing through his eyes, but he forced a smile, "Second Young Master, you know that opening the wine cellar isn't something we can decide. We need to follow the instructions of the owner!"

"Subordinates?" Fan Yishang laughed, "You're the chief master of the wine workshop, with great skills. How can you call yourself a subordinate?"

"Absolutely not, absolutely not!" Han Yuan quickly said, "I just work for the owner. I've been at Hesheng Spring for almost thirty years. The owner treats me well, but we must remember our place when working for him!"

At that moment, the door was gently pushed open, and the waiter entered with a purple wooden tray, saying, "Gentlemen, the wine and dishes are here!" He placed four dishes and a pot of wine on the table and was about to leave.

Fan Yishang glanced at the dishes and immediately called out, "Wait a moment!"

The waiter bowed and asked, "Second Young Master, what else do you need?" Clearly, Fan Yishang was a regular customer, and the waiter knew him well.

Fan Yishang pointed at the dishes on the table and said arrogantly, "What is this? Is this fit for human consumption? Today, this young master is drinking with Master Han, and you bring these dishes. Are you deliberately mocking me?" He glanced at Master Li and sneered, "I had some appetite, but seeing these pig feed, I have no appetite at all. What a disappointment, what a disappointment!"

Upon hearing this, Master Li and Han Yuan's faces changed.

Fan Yishang was a seasoned drinker and, upon seeing the situation, immediately understood the reason. He deduced that someone was asking Han Yuan for a favor, so they were having a meal here.

He knew very well that the seemingly refined old man in the robe and the rustic young man were together, and the cost of this meal would most likely be paid by these two.

He had already drunk a lot in the next room and had a heated argument with the green-faced old fourth, feeling very depressed and angry. Now, he had a chance to relax and take advantage of the situation.

Moreover, Chu Huan had blocked him from entering, which made him very uncomfortable, so he wanted to use this opportunity to teach this country bumpkin a lesson.

Although Master Li had no good feelings towards Fan Yishang, he couldn't lose face for Han Yuan's sake. As a scholar, he valued his reputation greatly. After a moment, he forced a smile and said, "I apologize for the inconvenience, Young Master Fan." He then said, "Young Master Fan, if you want to eat something else, just order it!"

As he said this, his hand involuntarily touched the money bag at his waist, which contained the silver he had saved, not much.

Fan Yishang laughed and said to the waiter, "Take these dishes away. If we can't have a good meal in this private room, it would be very embarrassing!"

The waiter, familiar with Fan Yishang, knew that he was a generous young man. The better they ate, the more money the restaurant would make. He smiled and said, "Second Young Master, what would you like to eat?"

"Let's not rush the main dishes!" Fan Yishang stroked his chin and said, "Let's start with four dried fruits, four fresh fruits, two pickled dishes, and four candied fruits."

He said it casually, but Master Li and Han Yuan's faces changed slightly. Chu Huan, sitting on the side, remained calm, sipping his tea without a word.

The waiter smiled and said, "Second Young Master, what fruits and candied fruits would you like?"

"Follow the usual rules. The four dried fruits are lychee, longan, steamed dates, and ginkgo. For the fresh fruits, bring whatever is fresh... The pickled dishes should be cherry and ginger plum. The four candied fruits should be rose tangerine, fragrant grape, sugar-coated peach strips, and peeled candied lily," Fan Yishang listed them off, showing his expertise as a gourmet.

The waiter smiled and said, "Second Young Master is a connoisseur. We have these fruits and pickled dishes in stock, and they will be brought to you shortly. What main dishes would you like? Please let me know so I can have them prepared!"

Fan Yishang glanced at Master Li, whose face was pale and trembling, and said smugly, "Not too many, just twelve main dishes, following the usual rules. Oh, and the smoked duck tongues must be fresh. If they're not, don't blame me for getting angry!"

The waiter quickly said, "Second Young Master, rest assured, we will use freshly killed ducks to get the duck tongues..." He then asked, "Second Young Master, what desserts would you like?"

Before Fan Yishang could answer, Han Yuan said, "That's enough, that's enough. Too much is a waste." He was thinking that he had casually invited Fan Yishang to stay, not expecting this trouble.

He also knew that the dishes Fan Yishang had ordered would cost at least forty to fifty taels of silver, especially the twelve main dishes, which were the signature dishes of Yipinxiang, each meticulously prepared and expensive. Just the smoked duck tongues required killing twenty to thirty live ducks, making the cost extremely high.

Han Yuan knew Master Li's financial situation and was aware that even if Master Li searched his entire body, he wouldn't have more than ten taels of silver. He decided that if it came to it, he would have to pay for the meal himself.

-----------------------------------------------------------

ps: My toothache continues, but I managed to finish this chapter. This is the update from last night, which I have now completed.

I plan to go to the hospital to get my gums disinfected. I will try to finish the noon update early this morning. Please support me.

Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy the story.

{Piaotian Literature www.piaotia.com Thank you for your support. Your support is our greatest motivation.}

Flip to the next page for ads.

Flip to the next page to end ads.