Chapter 47
Since the Book and Tea House launched the advertisements, a wave of discussion about them has swept through the city. During casual conversation, if one were to learn that someone had not seen the advertisements from the Book and Tea House, it would become a subject of ridicule. However, the advertisements at the teahouse were not shown daily; they were performed only once every three days, and the timing was irregular. Many people frequently missed the performance times and could only wait idly within the teahouse.
After seeing the advertisements, the desire to purchase pencils naturally followed. After all, who could resist a beacon on the path to the imperial examinations and a gift full of affection? Even though there was a daily purchase limit, the pencils still sold out, and their price was driven up by the public, at one point reaching seven or eight taels per pencil.
Fang Yu was very satisfied with the current results. Seeing the pencils selling hotter and hotter, and frequently out of stock, he prepared three to show filial respect to Master Zhang. He had heard that Master Zhang's youngest son also liked pencils very much but could never manage to buy one. Presenting the pencils would relieve Master Zhang's worries and also put the advertisement's message into practice.
Additionally, he gave one to Qiu Yanqi, a student from a poor family who couldn't afford a pencil and could only watch his classmates use theirs.
Afterwards, Fang Yu didn't pay too much attention to pencil sales for a while. Only after some time had passed, during his leisure moments, would he pick up his brush and write a couple of new advertisements for the pencils. Having been bombarded by advertisements in his former era, crafting two awkward yet exaggerated advertisements was effortless for him.
Once the advertisements were written, he had his servant take the script to Qionghua Tower to inform Xiao Yu. They would discuss how many actors were needed, and then bring people from the tower over later for rehearsals.
Actually, Fang Yu could have left the script with Xiao Yu and had the rehearsals take place directly at Qionghua Tower. However, he was well aware of the prevailing atmosphere there—where everything ultimately revolved around money and influence. Concerned that someone might get an early look at the script and leak the advertisements, he decided it was safer to have Xiao Yu and the actors make the trip to his own residence for rehearsals instead.
"Has Fang Xiucai written a new script?"
Xiao Yu was overjoyed when he received the script. He immediately invited Xuezhu to a private room, brewed a pot of fine tea, served some fruits for Xuezhu to eat, and couldn't help but flip through the script first.
Xuezhu glanced around the private room. Today, as soon as he arrived and asked for Xiao Yu, someone immediately politely guided him. This was a world of difference from the first time he and his master came and saw Xiao Yu being ordered around.
He lowered his gaze to look at Xiao Yu: "Are things better for you in the tower now?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu raised his head, beaming with joy: "Since I performed in the play at the Book and Tea House, some guests have recognized me. Since the performances aren't daily there, guests have started coming to Qionghua Tower to find me. Now I have my own scheduled performances here. The manager treats me politely and agrees to whatever requests I have."
Seeing Xiao Yu's happy expression, Xuezhu said, "Then congratulations. Now that you have your own scheduled performances, do you have time to rehearse the script?"
"Yes, yes. Even if it conflicts with my schedule here, I will definitely prioritize rehearsing Fang Xiucai's script first. If it weren't for Fang Xiucai's recognition, I'd still be sweeping the floors in the back courtyard."
"Then I am relieved."
Xuezhu took a sip of tea and stood up: "Make sure to keep the script safe. Bring people to the residence for rehearsal tomorrow."
"Brother Xuezhu, won't you stay a bit longer? It's still early. I'll have the small kitchen prepare some snacks. The small wontons at Qionghua Tower are delicious."
"The mother of the Master's fulang is having her birthday soon. The Master ordered longevity gifts in the city, and I still need to pick them up and return to report," Xuezhu said with a smile. "Next time."
Xiao Yu carefully put away the script and escorted Xuezhu to the door: "Then tomorrow, when I come for rehearsal, I'll bring you a bowl."
Xuezhu couldn't help but laugh: "By the time you bring it over, it will be soggy."
"No, it won't. I can run very fast carrying things. Look, Qionghua Tower is five or six stories high. Before, when I delivered food to all the rooms, the noodles I delivered never got soggy. When they arrived, they looked just like they were freshly ladled into the bowl." Xiao Yu said: "From Qionghua Tower to the Fang residence isn't far. Just go through two small alleys."
Hearing the confidence in Xiao Yu's words, Xuezhu also gleaned a lot of hardship from them. Xiao Yu looked only about fourteen or fifteen, even younger than himself by two years, yet he was already making a living in this mixed and complex place like Qionghua Tower. It couldn't be easy. Thinking about when he first arrived at the Fang residence, his days weren't good either. Fortunately, that kind of life didn't last long. Nowadays, life in the residence was harmonious and joyful, a rare harmony.
Precisely because of this, he felt a sense of camaraderie with Xiao Yu: "Alright, no need for such trouble. Outside the Fang residence, there's a small alley with a little shop set up. They have noodles and wontons. Before, the Master and his fulang both said the taste was good. Come early tomorrow for rehearsal, and I'll take you there to eat wontons."
"Really?"
Seeing Xiao Yu's eyes open wide, Xuezhu smiled: "Yes."
Just as Xiao Yu was about to thank Xuezhu, an uninvited guest appeared ahead.
"Has Fang Xiucai sent over another script? Things are so lively in the city right now. Fang Xiucai is truly a scholar; his talent is truly admirable."
"Brother Pinxiang, Brother Xuezhu still has important matters to attend to. If you have something to say to him, perhaps another day?"
"Now that our Xiao Yu has fame, he speaks with such authority." Pinxiang gave Xiao Yu a sidelong glance: "It seems he's completely forgotten his formerly humble and submissive demeanor."
Xuezhu, seeing the two about to argue, spoke up: "Young Master Pinxiang, I truly have matters to attend to and must take my leave now."
Pinxiang quickly followed: "Young master, don't be in such a hurry. I have a couple of things to say that are rather hard to bring up. I finally gathered the courage to come, only to find you are busy."
"Young Master Pinxiang, please speak frankly."
"Some time ago, when Fang Xiucai came to select some performers, I was truly unwell due to having too many performances scheduled at that time, which is why I couldn't go to Scholar Fang's venue. I wonder if Scholar Fang was upset with me because of this."
Pinxiang spoke pitifully and movingly, the kind that would soften any man's heart. However, Xuezhu had seen through this man’s true nature. Back then, Pinxiang had looked down on the Master for not offering a high enough performance fee. But now, seeing how the previously unknown Xiao Yu had gained such popularity after performing the Master’s play—and knowing the great profits it could bring—Pinxiang was suddenly willing to humble himself.
"Young Master, what are you saying? Our Master is the most magnanimous person. He has never bothered with people and matters not worth his attention. Young Master Pinxiang, please don't trouble yourself over this anymore."
"With the young master's word, I am relieved." Pinxiang added: "But after all, I was discourteous first. I have prepared a small gift and hope to pay a personal visit to Fang Xiucai to offer my apologies. This would also ease the guilt in my heart."
Xuezhu understood perfectly well what these performers were thinking. If it were just about wanting to meet the Master to get a chance to perform in the script, that would be one thing. But to bring the flirtatious and seductive ways of the tower before the Master to seek pity—the Master's fulanh would probably tear Qionghua Tower down.
"The Master appreciates your sentiment. However, I advise Young Master Pinxiang not to visit. A while ago, when our Master's fulang found out the Master had wished to invite a renowned performer but was unsuccessful, he became quite angry. Fortunately, the Master managed to persuade him, and he didn't stay angry. Our Master's fulang absolutely cannot stand to see the Master wronged. If Master Pinxiang visits now, wouldn't you be stepping directly into the path of his displeasure?"
Xiao Yu was initially worried that Xuezhu might be coaxed by Pinxiang's words into agreeing to let him visit. He didn't expect Xuezhu to be so resolute. Suppressing a smile, he said to Pinxiang: "Brother Pinxiang, Fang Xiucai and Young Master Qiao have a deep bond. I see it every day while rehearsing there. You'd better listen to Brother Xuezhu's advice and not go." Even if you go, that fox-spirit act of yours won't have anywhere to work.
Pinxiang's face paled. He naturally couldn't afford to offend the young master of the Qiao family: "In that case, thank you for the reminder, Young Master."
Xuezhu waved his hand: " Young Master Pinxiang, you're welcome. You are a famous performer, always busy with many things. The Master understands. In the future, it will likely be Xiao Yu performing, as he's someone we're used to. Young Master Pinxiang, please don't trouble yourself over this matter anymore. Farewell."
Xiao Yu walked briskly, escorting Xuezhu to the entrance. He watched him walk far away before turning back into the garden.
Pinxiang sneered coldly: "Putting on the airs of an upstart. No flower stays red for a hundred days—we'll see how long his pride lasts."
[花无百日红 (huā wú bǎi rì hóng): lit. No flower stays red for a hundred days; fig. Good times don't last forever / Fame and fortune are fleeting.]
"Regardless of how many days he stays red, as long as he has patrons and brings money into the garden, I am perfectly satisfied." Manager Peng, who had appeared unnoticed, added: "Pinxiang, it's just as well you're here. I was just looking for you to speak with. What has been going on with you lately? Master Qiao's visits to our place to listen to opera have become increasingly rare. I've even heard he frequently goes to the neighboring Changchun Tower instead. Even when he does come here, he no longer requests your performances. Tell me, have you somehow offended Master Qiao?"
Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. He didn't expect Pinxiang to be lectured by the manager one day. He wanted to watch the scene for a while, but he was more eager to read the new script. After bowing to the manager, he ran off.
Pinxiang wouldn't have swallowed his pride to seek out Xuezhu if he hadn't been hitting walls everywhere lately. Unexpectedly, he was rejected again. From Xuezhu's words today, he understood the implication: he had offended Young Master Qiao. That Master Qiao no longer patronized his performances made sense. He was very troubled. Who would have thought that casually turning down a performance back then would lead to so much trouble?
Now, there was no place for regret, and no way to make amends.
Fang Yu's recent income was promising, and his hands were quite loose. He had prepared gifts for his mother-in-law's birthday well in advance. First, he contacted a registered cloth merchant in the city and ordered two bolts of the latest spring silk satin from the capital. Then, using some connections at a jewelry store, he managed to order a set of liuli teacups.
[Liuli (琉璃): an ancient type of colored, translucent glass or glazed ceramic, traditionally used in Chinese art and architecture for decorative items, tiles, and ornaments, and it holds cultural and aesthetic significance.]
Nowadays, liuli was precious and valuable. Even households of scholar-official status found it hard to purchase. Without some official rank or scholarly honor, one couldn't buy such things. Fortunately, the owner of the jewelry store was a fan of the Book and Tea House advertisements. Fang Yu hinted at the release time of the new advertisements in exchange for a personal favor.
After retrieving the gifts, Fang Yu went to the government office to register them. Only after this registration could these items be used openly when sent to his fulang's family home. Otherwise, if reported, a merchant household using silk and liuli could face legal trouble.
Precisely because the procedures were cumbersome and the work meticulous, it better reflected the thoughtfulness put into the gifts. His fulang's family had treated him generously, and Fang Yu felt grateful in his heart. Doing this to please his fulang's family was certainly worthwhile.
On the ninth day of the third lunar month, early in the morning, Fang Yu set off for Hufengjing with the gifts and Qiao Hezhi. Today, a grand banquet was to be held.
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