“Green Willow Manor, you say?” Zhuang Buzhou nodded thoughtfully, then took out a silver ingot, tossed it into Li Erhou’s hand, and said, “You worked hard on this matter. This is your payment. However, Captain Zhuang does not want the news of my inquiry about the trade fair to spread from your mouth. Otherwise, if I hear any rumors, do not blame Captain Zhuang for being impolite.” As his voice fell, he looked deeply at Li Erhou, his gaze seemingly calm but containing an inexplicable warning.
“How dare I? I wouldn’t dare to say more to outsiders. Don’t worry, Li Erhou’s mouth is very tight. I will absolutely not say anything I shouldn’t.”
Upon hearing this, Li Erhou’s eyes lit up as he looked at the silver, and he immediately patted his chest to assure him.
“I trust you wouldn’t dare.”
Zhuang Buzhou said indifferently.
“Hehe, Captain, rest assured, absolutely no third person will know.”
Li Erhou guaranteed again, then without saying more, he picked up the wine pot, poured three more cups of wine, drank them, and turned to leave.
“Three days, I can wait.”
Zhuang Buzhou watched Li Erhou leave, a flicker of emotion in his eyes—excitement, anticipation, and apprehension. The trade fair was the only place he could find directly connected to Cultivators. If he couldn't find a way to Awaken his Spiritual Root at the trade fair, his future hopes would be even more slim.
He sipped his wine and enjoyed the delicacies.
After thoroughly finishing the table of food and wine, Zhuang Buzhou also left the restaurant. After standing up, no matter where he walked, people would greet him.
One person would say, “Hello, Captain Zhuang,” and another, “Hello, Zhuang Dage.”
Truly, the lives of the common people in Qingyun City were not bad. Not to say they were very wealthy, but at least they could survive; finding food was not very difficult. Beggars also existed, but they could always get a bite to eat and weren't starving to death.
If it weren't for the impending lifespan limit, he would definitely enjoy this ancient life, find two wives—not necessarily three wives and four concubines, but at least a few intimate warming-bed maids and confidante servants.
It was just that time was running out.
Qingyun City was divided into four major areas: the East District was for government officials and dignitaries; the South District was a gathering place for restaurants, rice shops, and other stores, bustling with people. Most businesses and trades were conducted here, with brothels and gambling dens aplenty. It was also close to the Qingyue River, where a large number of pleasure boats and painted boats were docked year-round. Every night, it was brightly lit, a dream for countless men.
It was a true den of iniquity.
Zhuang Buzhou couldn't manage such matters; these were things that were bound to exist, and forcefully suppressing them might not truly make things perfect. Even he would occasionally go once or twice. After all, he was also a normal man, full of vigor, with normal physiological needs, which was not strange at all.
The West District was like a slum area, mostly inhabited by impoverished common people, while the North District was an ordinary residential area, where people with some assets, who possessed skills and could survive in the city, lived. It was also very lively, and the flow of people was always extremely high.
Zhuang Buzhou’s residence was in the North District.
Over the years, with his salary and some routine offerings, he had accumulated a decent fortune. He had acquired a three-courtyard residence in the North District, with courtyards inside and ample space. Since he lived alone, he hadn't purchased too large a residence. A three-courtyard house was entirely sufficient.
He bought a pot of wine and walked towards his residence.
Before long, he arrived in front of a residence.
A plaque hung above the gate, with two large characters written on it—Zhuang Manor.
He smiled and was about to push the door open and walk in.
“Oh, Captain Zhuang, you’ve finally returned! My sister-in-law has been waiting for you for quite a while. But good things are worth waiting for, and magpies welcome good fortune.” Just then, a clear laugh entered his ears.
Turning his head to the left, he clearly saw a middle-aged woman walk out of an adjacent residence. She was plump and exuded the charm of a beautiful woman, truly captivating. Around thirty years old, she was in the prime of a woman’s allure. Her smile gave people a sense of intimacy.
Zhuang Buzhou was familiar with this person: Zhao Xiaohong, the most famous matchmaker in Qingyun City, whom everyone called Hong Gu. She had been in the matchmaker business for over ten years, and in those ten years, she had facilitated hundreds, even thousands, of marriages. Not to mention her eloquent tongue, her matchmaking was truly meticulous; she never concealed the circumstances of the bride or groom, presenting them exactly as they were. When matchmaking, she emphasized matching social status, and her discerning eyes were extraordinary.
For instance, there was an anecdote in Qingyun City. A wealthy Young Miss and a down-and-out poor scholar met by chance and fell in love at first sight. It was a case of mutual affection and willingness, but their social statuses were mismatched, making it almost impossible for them to be together. How could the girl's family possibly agree to their daughter marrying a poor boy and enduring hardship?
The scholar eventually chose to ask a matchmaker to propose marriage. He found Hong Gu, who sat in the poor scholar's home for a while. After carefully observing the scholar, she smiled and said, “You wait at home; Hong Gu guarantees your good fortune will come true.”
Hong Gu went to the girl's family to propose marriage. At first, they naturally refused in every possible way, absolutely unwilling to agree. But Hong Gu asserted that the poor scholar was no ordinary person and would surely pass the imperial examination next year with high honors. There was no need to agree to the marriage immediately; they could first make an agreement: as long as the scholar passed the examination, the two would marry.
Later, the scholar indeed fulfilled her prophecy, passing the imperial examination with flying colors, like a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate. Their marriage naturally followed, becoming a beautiful union.
After this incident, Hong Gu's reputation soared in the vicinity, and countless people sought her out for matchmaking.
The marriages she arranged all turned out quite well.
She could be called a master in the matchmaking world.
Zhuang Buzhou naturally knew and recognized such a famous person. As neighbors, they met quite often, and he had a very good impression of her.
“So it’s Hong Gu. What, is Hong Gu specifically waiting for me?”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile, looking at Hong Gu, already having a guess in his heart.
“Indeed! Captain Zhuang, you are a Dragon and Phoenix among men in our Qingyun City, a truly handsome talent. When people outside mention you, who doesn’t give a thumbs-up? There are countless young ladies from prominent families and Young Misses who are thinking of Captain Zhuang. This time, I stopped you because someone entrusted me to propose marriage to you. For such a good thing, Hong Gu naturally wants to help make it happen. Of course, whether it happens or not still depends on Captain Zhuang’s wishes.”
Hong Gu covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
“Alright, Hong Gu, why don’t we go inside? I’ll pour you a cup of qingyun tea, and we can chat while we drink.”
Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile.
“That would be best! My sister has been craving that qingyun tea tree planted in your courtyard for a long time. In all of Qingyun City, only you have one; it’s unique. Even the county magistrate praises it highly. It is said that frequent drinking of qingyun tea opens the Qingyun Dao.”
Hong Gu said with a smile.
This qingyun tea was indeed unique in the vicinity. Zhuang Buzhou had found it during a previous official trip outside, in the wilderness. It was clearly a good tea tree, so he expended some effort to carefully dig up the tea tree along with its soil, bring it back to the city, and plant it in his residence. The following year, he harvested the tea leaves and personally processed them into tea. When brewed, this tea would produce a layer of green mist. After drinking it, one could feel a sense of calm, with fatigue swept away, and even a clear mind. Whether Cultivating martial arts or delving into scholarship, it felt as if one had divine assistance.
Everyone who tasted it yearned for more.
Unfortunately, the amount of qingyun tea leaves that could be harvested each year was not much, and even less when processed into tea. He gave a little to the county magistrate and kept a little for himself, neither in large quantities. Normally, Zhuang Buzhou guarded it like a treasure and would not easily bring it out. Yet, its reputation had already spread. In the city, countless wealthy merchants and powerful officials desired a portion but could not get their wish.
Zhuang Buzhou was no unknown figure; he had a great reputation in Qingyun City. Aside from the county magistrate, he was one of the few high-ranking and influential individuals.
No one dared to easily offend him.
Most importantly, Zhuang Buzhou possessed such martial prowess.
No one dared to covet the qingyun tea tree.
Of course, this was also because while qingyun tea was extraordinary, it wasn't truly miraculous. It could only be said that it was superior to ordinary tea leaves, with a slight touch of the extraordinary. It had not yet reached the level of Spiritual tea; it was considered a half-step Spiritual tea.
Returning to the courtyard, there was a pear tree in the yard. Under the pear tree, there was a stone table and stone stools, along with a tea set and a charcoal stove, ready for brewing tea at any time.
After sitting down under the tree, he lit the stove and placed a pot of well water on it.
“Hong Gu, which family is it that asked you to come and propose marriage?”
Zhuang Buzhou asked while arranging the tea set, curious in his heart.
“Naturally, it’s not an ordinary family. It’s the county magistrate who asked me to come and propose marriage.”
Hong Gu said with a smile.
“The county magistrate?”
Zhuang Buzhou’s face showed a slight stunned, and then he said, “Zhuang is quite familiar with the county magistrate. As far as Zhuang knows, the county magistrate only has one son and one daughter. His youngest daughter is only eight years old. To propose marriage to me, does this mean Zhuang has to find a child bride? That would not be appropriate.”
“Of course not! It’s the county magistrate’s niece, in the prime of her youth. Her surname is Li, and her given name is Yueru. Due to the passing of her parents, she has come to seek refuge with her uncle, the county magistrate. She is gentle, virtuous, and benevolent, truly a rare and excellent match. The county magistrate also knows that Captain Zhuang is not yet married, and you two are a perfect match of talent and beauty. That’s why he entrusted me to propose marriage. If you agree, you will be family with the county magistrate from now on.”
Once Hong Gu started speaking, she spoke endlessly, with various praises for the woman, making one yearn for her. She also looked to the future, using words to show that marrying into the county magistrate's family would undoubtedly bring many benefits. From then on, at least officially, he would no longer be alone and without support.
Zhuang Buzhou merely listened with a gentle smile, while picking up the already boiled well water and pouring it into the teapot.
The first brew of tea was discarded, not to be consumed.
When brewing for the second time, a layer of green mist swirled above the teapot, appearing quite extraordinary.