Chapter 65: Not Buying the Right, Only Buying the Expensive

At dusk, the last ray of twilight faded. The bustling city of Dengzhou quieted down. The guards at the city gate watched as the sky darkened, not showing any impatience but instead standing on tiptoe to look into the distance. As the sound of hooves approached, the squad leader said to two soldiers, "They're here, they're here. After we close the city gate, I'll treat you to a good meal tonight."

Half an hour earlier, a clerk from the United Merchant Association had come to inform them that the divine doctor would be entering the city and requested that the gate be kept open a little longer. The squad leader, a minor officer, usually had few opportunities to make extra money. When the clerk slipped him a silver ingot, his eyes narrowed into slits. It was said that the divine doctor was generous to his subordinates, and this small favor had earned him five taels of silver. The rumors were indeed true!

For the squad leader, this was just a favor that wouldn't attract attention. Even if it did, a simple excuse would suffice. For such a small matter, a reward of five taels of silver—how could he not be happy?

A carriage approached from a distance, and the guards could see two beams of light from far away. This scene was truly magical for the guards at the city gate. They watched in amazement as the peculiar carriage drew near. As it passed through the gate, a package was thrown from the carriage, hitting a guard in the face, along with the words, "The master invites you to dinner."

The guard, who had been holding a spear, quickly dropped it and caught the package with his shirt. Smelling the aroma, he began to drool. The buns were a bit cold, but the two guards and the squad leader still gathered to eat them. It had been so long since they had tasted meat that they couldn't remember the last time. With one bite, their mouths were full of oil, and the guard quickly used the oiled paper to catch it. There were six meat buns in total, two for each person, and there was no dispute.

The squad leader, who was eating the fastest, choked and turned red from holding his breath. He quickly drank a bowl of cold water, and tears streamed down his face.

"It's lamb filling, truly delicious. The last time I had lamb was during the New Year."

One of the guards carefully collected the oiled paper, grinning, "I'll take this home. Tomorrow, I'll soak it in hot water and pour it into a pot. The brothers can share the oil."

The carriage broke the tranquility of the street. The shops and houses on both sides had already closed their doors and shutters as soon as it got dark. Before the curfew, the carriage arrived at Chunxiang Tower. At the entrance, a group of wealthy people from the city were waiting, all partners of the United Merchant Association.

The sound of hooves was heard before the carriage arrived. Before it even approached, two beams of strong light made everyone squint. Everyone's eyes were fixed, wondering what was happening. The carriage finally stopped at the entrance. When they saw the carriage clearly, the dozen or so people present drew a sharp breath. The shape of the carriage was too unique. The driver, who was in front, pulled something, and the carriage stopped steadily. Two strong men on either side of the carriage jumped down and stood silently.

The carriage door opened, and the first to step down was Mr. Liu, the manager of the United Merchant Association. Despite his usual arrogance, he was unusually agile, walking around the front of the carriage to this side and opening the door with great respect, "Master Divine Doctor, we've arrived!"

The one who stepped down from the carriage was naturally the divine doctor, dressed in "strange and exotic" clothing. In the entire city of Dengzhou, no one dressed as uniquely as he did. If other wealthy people dressed like this, they would be criticized for being out of place. But Chen Xie was an exception; no one thought he was out of place. These wealthy people all relied on the divine doctor's pills to regain their vigor.

"Sorry, everyone, I had some urgent business before coming, which delayed me." Holding a folding fan, he got out of the carriage unhurriedly, bowing to everyone. His words were polite, but he didn't seem embarrassed at all.

At this moment, no one cared about that. Tian Ruo, who had less money, was already circling the carriage, making continuous "tsk" sounds. After a while, he tried to open the door to get in but was stopped by the two strong men. Tian Ruo realized it was someone else's carriage and quickly called out, "Divine Doctor, I just want to take a look."

Chen Xie chuckled and waved his hand, "Take your time. I'll go up for a cup of tea. It's too hot today." He opened his fan, which had a painting of a lady, and fanned himself, looking incredibly elegant. Others wore cumbersome silk, but the material of Chen Xie's clothes was indescribable, looking natural and fitting.

Yingniang waited inside the door and greeted Chen Xie with a bow, "Master Divine Doctor, it's been a while since you last came."

Since the last exhibition, the girls at Chunxiang Tower had started leading the fashion trends in Dengzhou. The clothes that well-bred ladies dared not wear were worn by these girls without restraint. Tight waists, lifted hips, and low necklines were unique in the entertainment industry of Dengzhou and became a trend. While virtuous women wouldn't dress like this, many small details could be learned, such as standing collars with new and unique tortoiseshell (plastic) buttons. For example, the position of the waist belt remained the same, but the pendants could be imitated.

"Busy, either treating patients or going out to sea to buy goods. Otherwise, these wealthy gentlemen would tear me apart," Chen Xie said with a self-deprecating smile. Yingniang couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, "Please come in, the three Jade girls are upstairs. Which one would you like to accompany you?"

Chen Xie had booked the entire Chunxiang Tower for the day, so he asked. Unexpectedly, he looked at Yingniang and said without hesitation, "I think you would be a good companion. How about you stay with me?" As he spoke, Chen Xie didn't make any advances like other guests, keeping his eyes straight and walking slowly, fanning himself a bit faster. If someone didn't know better, they might think he was hot, but only he knew that pretending to be pure was exhausting. With just a glance, he had seen half a white bun inside her neckline. Compared to Yuhan and Yuzhu, Yingniang was much more endowed. Chen Xie's taste was relatively common, and he preferred women with curves.

Yingniang was stunned for a moment. By the time Chen Xie had walked past, she finally followed. For some reason, just one look from him, and seeing his handsome face, made her body feel weak, and a warm, moist sensation spread between her legs.

Stepping upstairs and entering the private room, Chen Xie said to Yingniang, who followed, "Can we have a private word?"

Yingniang's heart raced at this, quickly sending the maidservant out and closing the door, her heart pounding. She thought, if he pounces from behind, should I submit? Or should I obediently submit? This was the first time Yingniang had felt such a mix of excitement and anticipation since she started this line of work. Before, she always found men dirty and uncomfortable to touch.

Unfortunately, the scene she had hoped for didn't happen. Chen Xie sat still and smiled, "That carriage, please buy it for three thousand taels of silver. The United Merchant Association will return the money later."

Uh, Yingniang was very smart and immediately understood Chen Xie's meaning. She nodded, "That's fine, but is the carriage really worth three thousand taels of silver?" Chen Xie smiled and tapped his fan on his leg, "There's a saying: 'Not buying the right, only buying the expensive. There is no most expensive, only more expensive.'"

While Yingniang was pondering his words, hurried footsteps approached the door, and then Qian Buduo shouted, "Divine Doctor, Divine Doctor." Chen Xie gestured for Yingniang to open the door, but he remained seated. As soon as the door opened, Qian Buduo rushed to Chen Xie and said, "Divine Doctor, I'll buy that carriage. Give me a price."

Chen Xie smiled and shook his head, not answering. Qian Buduo became anxious and pleaded, "Divine Doctor, I know your skills. This carriage is nothing to you. Please, let me show off for a few days."

Chen Xie chuckled and pointed at Yingniang, "You're too late." At this moment, Yingniang suddenly understood Chen Xie's earlier words. She smiled and walked to Chen Xie's side, sitting down and leaning against his shoulder, cooing, "Divine Doctor, you can't go back on your word. We just agreed, three thousand taels of silver, and the carriage is mine."

Hearing the price of three thousand taels, Qian Buduo felt a pang of pain. He gritted his teeth, ready to make an offer, when a loud voice came from the door, "Divine Doctor, I'll offer three thousand five hundred taels." The speaker was Wang Chulong, a cousin of Wang Tingxi, the governor of Dengzhou. Although Mao Wenlong, the commander of Dongjiang Town, held a higher rank, he had no choice but to be polite to Wang Tingxi, as the grain and salaries for Dongjiang Town all passed through Dengzhou. Therefore, Wang Chulong's business in Dongjiang Town was smooth.

Wang Tingxi, like most Ming officials, was very greedy. Chunxiang Tower was backed by Wang Tingxi, but he didn't skimp on the money. Wang Chulong, relying on Wang Tingxi, had also secured a prefectural agency for the United Merchant Association.

Seeing Wang Chulong's arrogant attitude, Chen Xie was secretly displeased but still had to give him some face. He said coolly, "This matter is no longer up to me. The carriage has already been bought by Yingniang. If you want to cancel, you need Yingniang's consent." As he spoke, the legendary Chen Xie, who was said to be averse to physical contact, actually put his arm around Yingniang's shoulder and leered at her neckline.

Wang Chulong stopped fussing and instead gave Chen Xie a thumbs up, "Divine Doctor, I'm impressed. Yingniang hasn't been touched by anyone in years."

Qian Buduo also reacted and gave a thumbs up, "In that case, I won't compete for the carriage. But, Divine Doctor, you must save one for me. I'll offer four thousand taels, and I'll take one."

"Don't be so hasty. I'll offer four thousand five hundred taels, and I'll take one first," Wang Chulong also spoke up. He had been a bit arrogant earlier, but he was indeed a generous and open-minded person, which was why his business was successful.

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