Chapter 109: Itâs Little Bad Xi part 1
The lantern market in Chang’an lasted throughout the entire eighth month, with various types of vendors in the streets. Colored lanterns were hung above, and business was conducted below.
Xie Qianli had come to the lantern market several days in advance.
Although he hadn’t toured it before, it was a habit of his to check the terrain no matter where he went.
He described it to Ying Xi.
“Walking forward from this street, the first things we’ll pass are the book stalls.”
“Performers and those selling small toys are a bit further away.”
“The alleys where the lantern market intersects with the main street all sell food.”
He thought about it and added precisely, “Only the food stalls are scattered; they are in all areas.”
Ying Xi: “A detailed report.”
“…”
Bewilderment crept into his heart again.
Xie Qianli didn’t know if he had done something wrong and was momentarily stunned.
The image of the palace corridor surfaced before his eyes, where Su Xueyi had talked eloquently, drawing Ying Xi to lean forward in response.
Should he be more humorous?
Xie Qianli racked his brains. “If a temporary watchtower were built and stood at the midpoint of the main street, one could observe the entire lantern market and control this long street.”
“…”
Not only did he fail to liven up the conversation, he killed it completely. Ying Xi fell into total silence.
Silence was agonizing.
Xie Qianli instinctively felt that the Emperor, who had come out for a walk, didn’t want to hear this.
If there were a place to rent a mouth, he would have to rent two to take turns coaxing Xiao Xi. However, it was impossible.
Xiao Xi judged, “Silly Ju-er. Is your vacation too long?”
Xie Qianli’s invisible tail drooped.
He felt that Ying Xi thought he was boring and too idle, which was why he was always thinking about military affairs.
He tried to act cute, “It is Xiao Xi’s grace.”
Ying Xi stared at him, yet said ambiguously in a low voice, “I think it’s too long.”
His voice was light and shallow.
In the book stall area.
Thick books flew toward the long street in arcs.
Xie Qianli reached out to block them. Ying Xi stopped, and the books landed on the street.
The crowd was dense, and many ordinary citizens were startled. They cursed, “Don’t you have eyes? Where are you throwing those?”
Before the angry voices died down, a scholar in a green robe was pushed out of the crowd and landed on his backside.
Losing face in front of others, the scholar’s cheeks flushed red as he said tremblingly, “This is a place that sells books, a sacred place of purity. How can you insult a gentleman like this?”
“My books, my masterpieces…”
A book landed right at Ying Xi’s feet. He picked one up.
ăNew Annotations and Discernment of the Classic of Historyă
He flipped through it by the lamplight. He couldn’t read it carefully, but the scholar’s handwriting was neat, and the research seemed quite detailed. it was an academic work.
The Classic of History had been notoriously difficult to read since ancient times.
Ying Xi knit his brow slightly.
The surrounding people were kind-hearted and helped pick up the books.
Someone advised, “Old Zhang, you’re being unreasonable. You run a book stall; by hitting the person who writes the books, aren’t you hitting your own provider?”
Someone else pulled the scholar up.
Zhang the Fifth stood with hands on hips. “The lantern market only lasts a few days. I paid for this stall just to make a living. I can’t understand a single word of the trash this poor scholar writes. He pesters me to sell it on commissionâwhy should I bother being so kind?”
The stall owner probably usually had a good reputation.
Once he explained, the onlookers dispersed.
Some people picked up the scholar’s recommended work, flipped through it, shook their heads in lack of interest, and continued their stroll.
The scholar held his stack of books, looking disheveled in the autumn night.
Ying Xi pulled Xie Qianli’s arm. “Have him come over.”
Xie Qianliâs heart skipped a beat, like several deer were crashing into him. “…Yes.” He helped the scholar carry the books and led him to Ying Xi.
The scholar looked hopeful. “Does the gentleman want to buy my books?”
Ying Xi asked him, “The court has the Orchid Pavilion, the Palace Library, and the Secret Repositoryâall of which are departments responsible for collecting books. Our dynasty does not restrict the donation of books from the people. Your books aren’t suitable for sale at a lantern market, but you can recommend them to these places.”
Seeing Ying Xiâs respect, the scholar bowed respectfully. “The gentleman doesn’t know; those are all places of filth and corruption.”
“My family had officials in previous generations. Though they were honest and poor, they left behind some book collections.”
“I collated and organized them to produce this work, thinking it should be useful to the world. I wanted to offer it in exchange for some household expenses.”
The scholar paused and shook his head. “I have been to the departments the gentleman mentioned, especially the Orchid Pavilion and the Secret Repository, but no one paid me any heed.”
Ying Xiâs tone turned cold. “They oppressed you?”
“They couldn’t understand it.”
Ying Xiâs gaze narrowed slightly.
“How could the departments that keep books have learned scholars? They are just prime spots to settle the sons of noble families.”
“What do you mean?”
The scholar’s tone was resentful. “No real power, no need to attend court, yet they get a salary. Aren’t they all just spoiled children of wealthy families?”
Ying Xi thought of He Xuan.
That Supervisor of the Secret Repository who almost leaked all the court’s intelligence.
Ying Xi lowered his brow. “I heard the Emperor is going to hold a Grace Exam. You can try participating in the imperial examinations. If you are assigned to the Orchid Pavilion, you can realize your ambitions.”
The poor scholar’s eyes lit up.
He had already felt that Ying Xi was extraordinary from his speech and bearing. He bowed and said, “If I can compete in the examination hall, that would be for the best. Thank you for the reminder, gentleman.”
Ying Xi nodded. Seeing the other man covered in patches, he wanted to offer some subtle financial aid, but only then realized he had sent Yu Lianjing away and hadn’t brought any money.
Xie Qianli: “I’ll buy two copies.”
The scholar was surprised. This brother was handsome and powerful, looking not like a scholar, but like a murderous Yama.
Ying Xi calmly smoothed things over, “Sell them. He understands them.”
The transaction was completed, and two books were in hand.
After the scholar left and they turned around, Zhang the Fifth was all smiles. “What, young masters, his books are boring. Come look at mine; they’re all the latest popular novels in Chang’an. I have every type, guaranteed to suit your tastes and satisfy you.”
Ying Xi liked reading novels, so he went over to browse. Xie Qianli followed.
The stall owner introduced:
“Are you two looking for detective stories? This Legend of the Copper Coin is exceptionally brilliant.”
If he wanted to read detective stories, he might as well go to the Ministry of Justice to read case files.
Ying Xi shook his head. “Anything else?”
The stall owner immediately changed direction. “Romance of the Southern Campaign in a Prosperous Eraâa newly released novel about fighting a war. It follows the current situation closely. I think this brother would be interested?”
Xie Qianli shook his head.
Ying Xiâs lips curled slightly as he stepped closer and whispered a comment, “Maybe the general’s prototype is you.”
The aura beside him stirred. Xie Qianli was flustered by the attention and said in a low voice, “No, the protagonist is you.”
“Of course,” Ying Xi said with a hint of pride.
“If those don’t catch your eye, I recommend these supernatural tales: The Loyal Tiger of White Cloud Mountain Descends, The Spirit Horse Saves Its Master, Records of Travel to the Eastern Kingdoms… Do any of these interest you?”
Ying Xi slightly closed his eyes. The books of Great Qin were too conservative.
If he were to put a book like The Idiot Beauty Runs Away with a Child, and the Young Overbearing CEO Chases Hard in front of the stall owner now, the owner might question his own narrow horizons.
“Are there any others?”
The stall owner guaranteed, “Young master, I have the most complete collection of novels in the entire lantern market.”
Ying Xi: “Not ‘special’ enough.”
The stall owner raised his thick eyebrows and suddenly understood. He was being hinted to bring out the most stimulating novels; the young master was talking in circles with him.
Looking mysterious, the stall owner fumbled under the stall for a book. “Here.”
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