Chapter Sixteen: Drinking Together in the Mountains

Jiang Han looked up at his surroundings; outside the Flower Pavilion, the mountain flowers were in full bloom, and he felt slightly intoxicated. Zhongli You watched him expectantly, thinking to himself, “This young man is remarkably talented. Could he possibly surprise me?”

“This poem is titled ‘Drinking Together in the Mountains’!” Jiang Han lifted his robe with a flourish, exuding inspiration as he began to recite:

“Three share a drink beneath the blooming mountain flowers.”

Upon hearing the first line, Yuan Bin raised an eyebrow slightly. Inside the Flower Pavilion were only Jiang Han, Zhongli You, and their teacher Gu Qingqiu enjoying wine, while outside, the mountain flowers indeed blossomed. The line described the scene well, but it felt rather ordinary.

“One cup, then another, and yet another.”

Huh? Yuan Bin was momentarily stunned, thinking, “What kind of poetry is this? It hardly qualifies even as doggerel.”

Jiang Han gazed beyond the pavilion, his drunken enthusiasm blurring his voice as he declared loudly:

“I am drunk and wish to sleep; you, dear friend, may leave. Come tomorrow morning, if you wish, bring your qin!”

As the last two lines fell, Zhongli You’s eyes widened, his expression changing dramatically.

Gu Qingqiu’s eyes brightened.

Yuan Bin, too, was left dumbfounded.

The first two lines at most were mediocre, even somewhat trivial—any scholar could have penned such verses. But the latter couplet, with its carefree spirit and unrestrained revelry, was utterly brilliant!

“Excellent poem! What a splendid line: ‘I am drunk and wish to sleep; you, dear friend, may leave. Come tomorrow morning, if you wish, bring your qin!’ Today, I shall drink myself thoroughly drunk!” Zhongli You exclaimed joyfully.

Gu Qingqiu looked at Jiang Han with a peculiar expression, his gaze flickering, as if pondering something deep.

Yuan Bin’s earlier doubts all vanished like smoke. Jiang Han was truly a poetic genius! Such verses were beyond his own ability.

Buoyed by the poem’s charm, Zhongli You soon became heavily intoxicated.

Jiang Han, too, was drunk.

Though the wine was not very strong, Jiang Han’s scant prior experience with alcohol meant he had no tolerance—just a few bowls had undone him.

Gu Qingqiu, however, remained clear-headed.

...

From afar, Gu Xirou frowned as she watched the direction of the Flower Pavilion. “How could Jiang Han be walking side by side with the great scholar Zhongli You?... Wait! I understand now!”

“Understand what?” Wang Siyi asked.

Gu Xirou answered, “After all, Jiang Zhensheng is the head of the Anxiang Academy. Perhaps he visited Zhongli You and arranged for him to tutor Jiang Han... In recent years, Jiang Zhensheng did hire some renowned teachers to instruct Jiang Han.”

The explanation was somewhat tenuous, but the three concluded there was no other plausible reason.

Yin Rong exhaled in relief, feeling much lighter.

Gu Xirou added, “But I think it’s all for naught... Young Master Yin Rong, do you know Jiang Han plans to run a perfume business?”

“Oh? Is that so?”

“Yes! He has purchased vast quantities of fresh flowers, many porcelain bottles, and even commissioned a plaque. If not for the perfume business, what else could it be?”

A faint smile appeared on Gu Xirou’s face. “In my opinion, he won’t succeed in making perfume. He’ll probably have to source it from Mianxiang Workshop.”

Yin Rong lightly shook the folding fan in his hand and chuckled, “You are amusing, brother. I’ll look into it when I return. If he truly buys from Mianxiang Workshop, it wouldn’t hurt me to sell him some at a low price—as long as he can sell it.”

“Young Master Yin Rong, you are so generous!” Gu Xirou’s eyes sparkled. A man both talented and magnanimous—where could one find another?

She then shook her head. “But how could he possibly succeed? I dare say his perfume shop will close within two months.”

“Ha! Is that so? When his shop opens, I’ll go and see for myself.” Yin Rong smiled, his earlier doubts swept away.

Jiang Han walking alongside Zhongli You must be because of his father... Yes! That must be it!

In a teahouse, Gu Qingqiu and Yuan Bin sat across from each other, sipping tea.

Gu Qingqiu said slowly, “After yesterday’s encounter with Jiang Han, did you notice? His poetry flows naturally, without excessive ornamentation. It is precisely this that makes it authentic, bold, and uninhibited—qualities you lack. Your verses are overly adorned, losing their natural essence, and becoming mere superficial prettiness.”

Hearing this, Yuan Bin immediately looked ashamed. “At first, I underestimated him. I didn’t expect him to compose such free and natural lines.”

Gu Qingqiu continued, “Jiang Han’s reputation in Yunyang County isn’t great. I initially suspected someone else wrote his poems. But now, it seems he has been quietly honing himself for over ten years. Partly because of his steadfast will, partly due to his carefree nature, unconcerned with fame. This man will surely make a name for himself in the literary world someday.”

Yuan Bin said, “Teacher, you are right. I must learn from him... Didn’t he plan to open a perfume shop? I’ll visit it when it opens.”

“Mm,” Gu Qingqiu nodded, recalling how he had declined Zhongli You’s suggestion that day, feeling a sudden pang of regret.

Such a promising disciple...

Looking at Yuan Bin, Gu Qingqiu cautioned, “Don’t tell anyone that I refused to take Jiang Han as a student.”

Yuan Bin was momentarily stunned but quickly realized what this meant. Could the teacher be regretting it?

“Rest assured, teacher. Do you not know my mouth? I always keep secrets. This matter will not be spoken of.”

Yuan Bin patted his chest in assurance.

“Good.” Gu Qingqiu’s expression relaxed. He was certainly not regretting. There were many who could write good poetry. How could he regret not accepting Jiang Han over a few poems? Keeping quiet was only to prevent gossip.

...

Jiang Han spent the night at Wangchao Garden and only awoke well past mid-morning. After washing, he learned that Zhongli You was still asleep, so he bid farewell and returned to his separate residence.

He had done all that needed doing, prepared everything necessary; now all that remained was to open the shop.

Before the grand opening, however, he had to advertise. Previously, without Zhongli You’s endorsement, he dared not do so, fearing it would backfire.

But with a couplet personally penned by Zhongli You, the advertising would be fierce and effective!

Back at his desk, Jiang Han picked up the brush and, after some thought, penned the advertisement:

“The first perfume shop in Great Yu, soon to open! Scholars and gentlemen who use Anxiang Dew can immerse themselves in fragrant mists, wandering through misty mountains and gentle rains, savoring the cold plum blossoms of snowy nights! Graceful ladies who wear Anxiang Dew are surrounded by fragrant clouds, exhaling orchid-like scents, their movements as graceful as swallows dancing! Great scholar Zhongli You praises it highly, recommending it wholeheartedly. Master Gu, upon hearing of it, remained silent for a long while, his mind wandering the heavens and earth!”

Jiang Han revised the lines carefully twice before setting down the brush, satisfied.

Had he not met these two great scholars, he would never have dared write such words. Now, there was no need to worry about angering either of them.

“Next, I must order some banners and hire a few men to call out along the streets!” he thought.

Tucking the advertisement into his breast, he fetched some silver from his room and stepped out, heading toward the market district.