Chapter Nineteen: The Opening of the Hidden Fragrance Teahouse, Stirring a Wave of Outrage

Outside Cuiyun Garden, the scholars quickly dispersed. Some spread the three poems titled "Endless Longing," while others sought information about Jiang Han.

However, when they discovered that Jiang Han was the good-for-nothing wastrel of Yunyang County, many were stunned. Could it be a case of two people sharing the same name?

At that moment, those talented scholars also learned something else: this utterly useless man had recently opened a perfume and ointment shop, which had stirred much discontent.

It would have been one thing to simply open such a shop, but this wastrel shamelessly exploited the names of the two great Confucian scholars, Zhong Li You and Gu Qingqiu, to seek attention!

For a while, many felt a disconnect regarding Jiang Han’s image.

A laughingstock of Yunyang County using the names of eminent scholars for showmanship was not unusual, but the three "Endless Longing" poems circulating from Cuiyun Garden were said to be his work!

Yin Rong, upon learning that Jiang Han was using the two scholars’ names for cheap publicity in his advertisements, couldn’t help but laugh. To sell ointments by such base means!

From Yin Rong’s perspective, Jiang Han was only humiliating himself. Who sold ointments in this manner? Even if the great scholars didn’t take offense, Zhong Li and Gu held extremely high status in the literary circles of Dayu. Many scholars revered them as sacred. Such behavior would surely provoke the literary community to condemn Jiang Han relentlessly.

After returning home that day, Yin Rong investigated Jiang Han and quickly uncovered everything about the Jiang family. While the Jiangs were a scholarly household, the branch of Jiang Zhensheng was disappointing. Jiang Zhensheng himself was merely the head of the Dark Fragrance Academy.

Jiang Han was an utterly useless fool, long expelled from the academy by his father, and known throughout Yunyang County as an idiot.

“In the end, he’s a useless fool. He may know how to seek attention, but ointments aren’t sold like this. Now that he’s angered the scholars of Yunyang, that shop won’t last three days, let alone two months!”

Yin Rong shook his head, unconcerned, but then recalled the three poems from Cuiyun Garden attributed to Jiang Han. A subtle unease stirred within him, prompting him to consult Gu Xirou.

Gu Xirou was also amazed by the three poems from Cuiyun Garden but immediately denied their authorship. “These three poems are absolutely not Jiang Han’s work! I would stake my life on it!”

Yin Rong frowned. “But the renowned poet Li Qiushui personally acknowledged Jiang Han as the author.”

Gu Xirou was resolute. “That must be a case of identical names! I have known Jiang Han for a long time. He can’t even distinguish tonal patterns or rhyme properly. There’s no way he could have composed such poetry!”

Gu Xirou simply did not believe Jiang Han capable of such talent. They knew each other well enough to understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses. How could Jiang Han possess such literary skill?

Yin Rong thought, if Jiang Han truly had such talent, Gu Xirou would hardly have regretted the broken engagement. Therefore, those three poems were either penned by someone else or by another Jiang Han with the same name.

For a time, many turned their attention to Jiang Han’s shop, with some even visiting it to take a look.

Jiang Han was naturally aware of the external attention. Those advertisements would inevitably attract criticism, something he had anticipated.

Of course, he believed that once the shop opened, all the negative voices would vanish.

At that moment, he was settling wages for ten young scholars who had worked all day, many of whom looked utterly despondent.

Zhou Ming sighed hopelessly, “I’m done tomorrow! Shouting like a fool on the street—I can’t keep doing this.”

Jiang Han was regretful. “That’s a shame. I was hoping you’d come again tomorrow. I was even going to raise your pay to two hundred wen, but if you don’t want to, so be it.”

Zhou Ming’s eyes lit up. He exchanged glances with the others, all seeing the hesitation in each other’s eyes.

After some struggle, the ten scholars finally succumbed to reality.

“Since we’ve already lost face, losing a little more won’t matter.”

“Two hundred wen a day—where else can we earn that? My father only makes two taels of silver a month. I might as well cover my face and keep at it!”

“If you won’t do it, I will.”

Seeing the renewed vigor in the youths, Jiang Han smiled. What a clear-eyed yet foolish group of students—just a few hundred wen could hire them to work for him.

After several days of promotion, the effect was evident.

Every day, crowds gathered in front of the shop, whispering and pointing fingers.

On the day Dark Fragrance opened, the alley was packed. A group of scholars had gathered early, ready to denounce Jiang Han’s shameless self-promotion.

“Jiang Han really knows how to seek attention. Today, we must smash his signboard!”

“Indeed. How dare he use the name of the great Confucian scholar Zhong Li? He must have a death wish.”

“I heard those three poems, ‘Endless Longing,’ were written by Jiang Han. Could it be that he earned Zhong Li’s praise because of them...?”

“Impossible! I was once a classmate of Jiang Han’s; I know exactly what level he’s at. If he could write such poems, I’d stick a thousand needles in my behind!”

“What is this Dark Fragrance? Some kind of ointment?”

In the backyard, Jiang Qingyan entered the courtyard anxiously. “Second Brother, something’s wrong outside. Many scholars have gathered, and it looks like they want to smash your shop!”

Knowing the perfume shop was about to open, Jiang Qingyan had come to help, only to find the angry scholars gathered outside. She was shocked and had to sneak in through the back door.

Jiang Han was still eating breakfast and looked up at Jiang Qingyan. “You arrived just in time. When we open, I’ll need your help.”

“You still want to open? Those scholars want to smash your shop... Who was stupid enough to hang those banners? Many people are cursing you,” Jiang Qingyan said anxiously.

Jiang Han finished the last spoonful of congee, wiped his mouth, exhaled, and said, “Those banners and signs were made on my orders.”

Jiang Qingyan’s mouth fell open.

Jiang Han smiled. “Don’t panic; your second brother has everything under control. Hmm, more customers will be coming soon. It’ll be busy. Go get the abacus and help me with the accounts.”

Seeing her brother was still unaware of how serious the situation was, Jiang Qingyan could only hope the scholars wouldn’t cause trouble and sighed deeply. “Second Brother, how much do you plan to charge for this fragrance?”

“Five taels of silver for a porcelain bottle! See those glass bottles? Those go for ten taels.”

Jiang Qingyan looked up in shock, staring at her brother blankly. After a long moment, she said, “Second Brother, with prices like that... I’m afraid no one will buy them.”