“Trading is good, trading is good.”

Song Zhi spoke these words from the bottom of his heart. He had been a scholar for half his lifetime, hadn’t seen much money, hadn’t obtained any official position, and was poor as a church mouse! On the contrary, those who engaged in trade earned bowls and basins full of profit, wearing gold and silver. Although Yiwu, like Da Lin, emphasized agriculture over commerce, earning money was the true kingly way. As the saying went, money makes the world go round. Once one had money, one could even control those with power.

Back then, his neighbor Er Goudan had indoctrinated him with exactly this thinking!

He thought that if his “Ghost Bride Buries Her Husband” still didn’t succeed, he would really go into business with Er Goudan.

Then he too would become a wealthy man!

But heaven clearly still wanted him to continue as a scholar!

Seeing him hanging his head and muttering, though he appeared timid and submissive, Jingrong noticed that his speech and conduct carried a few traces of a gentleman’s air. If this were in the capital, befriending this person wouldn’t be impossible.

Jingrong asked him: “May I know what the young master does for a living?”

Song Zhi replied shamefacedly: “A scholar is useless at everything.”

“Talent can be drawn from literature, and the Way can be drawn from literature. How could that be useless?”

“The brave warrior doesn’t know—I have my own difficulties.”

Oh?

Jingrong knew scholars’ difficulties—nothing more than not having the complete Four Treasures of the Study, or perhaps verses not flowing smoothly causing sleepless nights, or alternatively, poverty!

Clearly, Song Zhi belonged to the poor category.

So Jingrong didn’t ask further. Song Zhi seemed to remember something and cupped his hands, saying: “By the way, my surname is Song, with the single given name Zhi. My ancestors for generations have all been people of Yiwu. My grandfather once held a minor official position, but after just a few years was demoted. From then on he fell ill and died in melancholy. As for my father, he too was originally a scholar, making a living by writing and painting. But my father, like my grandfather, both died of illness. The family fortune declined. By the time it reached my generation, we became extremely poor. Now I’m already twenty-five years old and good for nothing.”

He had practically laid bare his entire family background.

Jingrong and Ji Yunshu exchanged glances, each reading the same meaning from the other’s eyes—this person is interesting!

Jingrong’s expression showed friendly warmth as he asked: “Yiwu also practices the imperial examination system. Has Young Master Song never thought of taking the examinations?”

“The official world is complicated. Better not to get involved.”

“The official world has its own ways of operating, but it’s not as complicated as you think. If one has talent, there will naturally be someone who recognizes it.”

“Though that may be so, but… alas!” Song Zhi sighed.

Jingrong: “It seems Young Master Song truly does have difficulties.”

“To be honest with you brave warriors, there’s an obstacle in my heart. If this obstacle isn’t overcome, the knot won’t be untied.”

These words carried deep meaning.

Since it was a personal matter, Jingrong didn’t ask further.

At this moment, the waiter brought up several vegetable dishes.

“Please enjoy, sirs.”

Stir-fried seasonal vegetables, stir-fried lotus root, stir-fried potatoes…

All vegetable dishes!

Seeing this, Song Zhi quickly said: “Why didn’t you order any meat dishes? You brave warriors must have traveled here from afar and surely worked hard along the way. How can you eat only vegetable dishes? This won’t do.”

He planned to order a few more meat dishes but was stopped by Ji Yunshu’s voice: “Young Master Song, there’s really no need to trouble yourself. We’re fine just eating whatever.”

Song Zhi paused for a moment and looked at Ji Yunshu carefully.

Actually, from the moment he sat down, he had already intentionally noticed Ji Yunshu. This was the first time he had seen such a refined Da Lin man in Yiwu—dignified features, clear eyes, and between his expressions even carrying a few traces of wisdom. Very comfortable to look at.

Even Song Zhi felt somewhat “moved”!

He said: “How can this be acceptable? Must order, absolutely must order.”

Song Zhi insisted on ordering several more meat dishes!

He estimated his five taels of silver would be enough.

Throughout the entire meal, Song Zhi barely ate a few bites himself.

Ji Yunshu hinted for Bai Yin to go settle the bill, but Song Zhi immediately stood up: “I said I would treat everyone to this meal.”

He stubbornly went and paid the money!

Four taels of silver!

One tael remained.

He cupped his hands toward Jingrong and the others: “If the brave warrior hadn’t intervened today, the silver on me would also be gone. If fate permits, I hope we can meet again.”

Jingrong politely returned the gesture: “May we meet again if fate allows.”

Song Zhi then left!

Bai Yin, who had been silent all along, finally spoke: “That person is truly interesting.”

Jingrong picked up the chopsticks beside him and tapped them several times on the empty bowl, his lips curving in a smile: “This person is indeed interesting, but also an honest man.”

“Honest he may be, but too honest. We haven’t even revealed our identities, yet he’s already laid out his family background and circumstances crystal clear.” Ji Yunshu said.

At these words, Jingrong became alert.

Indeed strange!

Where in this world exists such a person?

He immediately instructed the guards he’d brought: “You all must be vigilant and not let any suspicious people get close.”

“Yes!”

Bai Yin rubbed his stomach and said: “I still haven’t eaten my fill!”

So they ordered another table full of dishes and continued eating.

After the meal, it was already dark.

Ji Yunshu and Jingrong returned to their room.

Ji Yunshu said: “This Yiwu truly is a place of clear mountains and beautiful waters, and very lively too.”

“If you like it, we can stay a few more days.” Jingrong poured himself water to drink, then smiled at her and said, “You want to go watch ‘Ghost Bride Buries Her Husband,’ don’t you?”

“No one understands me better than you.”

“Having weathered storms with you for so long, how could I not guess your thoughts?”

How smug!

Ji Yunshu tilted her head slightly, murmuring softly: “Watching my husband shed his bones under the tree, turning to smoke, I can only plant yellow earth for you before the grave—these two lines of opera lyrics are truly beautiful.”

Jingrong: “Indeed beautiful! Tomorrow night I’ll take you to watch it.”

Ji Yunshu stood up and walked to the window, pushing open the tightly closed window before her, gazing at the street below with its flow of people coming and going.

She took a deep breath.

“Settling down here wouldn’t be bad either.”

Jingrong heard her words, stood up and walked behind her, embraced her, and kissed her on the cheek.

“As long as you’re willing, we can stop at any time!”

Yes, as long as she was willing.

…

Song Zhi returned to his small dilapidated house very late.

Because he had treated Jingrong and the others to a meal, he only had one tael of silver left on him. He thought he’d buy that firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea tomorrow.

As for winter clothes, he’d probably have to wait until he earned money from writing the next script. For now, he’d just endure these next few days.

The cold wind whistled, blowing his broken old door with an eerie creaking!

He had just sat down after returning home—

“Knock knock knock…”

Someone was knocking on the door!

At this late hour, who could it be?

He hesitated for a moment but still went to open the door.

As soon as the door opened, he saw a handsome-looking man standing at the entrance.

“You?”

The visitor smiled and said: “What? Master Song doesn’t recognize me anymore?”

“Hmm? When has Song ever met you?”

“I’m Wang Jun!” The visitor directly walked past him into the house.

As if it were his own home!

Song Zhi was still confused. He closed the door, turned around and asked him: “Wang Jun? Do I know you?”

Wang Jun sat down at his broken old table, placing a bundle he’d brought onto the table. While doing so, he said: “I’m the one who plays the sheng role in ‘Ghost Bride Buries Her Husband’!”