Making Money

"Sister, where is the Princess Consort from? I heard Master Nie say that he once followed the Princess Consort's elder brother."

Since he was free anyway, Meng Yuan poured wine for Nie Qingqing and inquired about the background of his master.

"You don't even know about your master's affairs?" Nie Qingqing smiled and drank.

"I truly don't know, please enlighten me, Sister." Meng Yuan sincerely pleaded.

Although Meng Yuan's current success is inseparable from his own efforts, the Princess Consort has also genuinely shown him kindness.

Not to mention the kindness of Xun Mei, who is under the Princess Consort, for her guidance, and Master Nie for his teaching of Daoism.

Meng Yuan had plans to establish his own household after he became fully capable. Of course, this didn't mean he wanted to make an enemy of the Princess Consort, but rather to repay her kindness.

Furthermore, Meng Yuan knew that the Princess Consort was extremely knowledgeable and treated her subordinates with kindness, far surpassing ordinary noble ladies in deep courtyards.

Although Meng Yuan had never met the Princess Consort, he admired her from the bottom of his heart.

Nie Qingqing, however, was unwilling to say more, only saying, "If you have time in the future, you should ask my father. He worked for the Princess Consort's late elder brother and once called himself a running dog of the Ying Family."

The Princess Consort's surname is Ying, and Master Nie followed the Princess Consort's elder brother. Given Master Nie's temperament of laughing and scolding, he even called himself a running dog of the Ying Family, which shows that the Princess Consort's elder brother was extremely extraordinary.

"Let's drink." Nie Qingqing was very charming and enthusiastically urged him to drink, then began to inquire about Meng Yuan's background.

Meng Yuan was an honest person, so he didn't hide anything and talked about his experiences fleeing and his skills as a gelder.

Nie Qingqing didn't find it vulgar. Instead, she listened while urging him to drink, as if using Meng Yuan's experiences as a drinking companion.

The two were chatting happily when they suddenly heard the Heir, Dugu Kang, burst into laughter, completely disregarding the gazes of others.

The second floor was filled with refined guests and literati, and for a moment, everyone looked over.

Meng Yuan also looked over and saw that several of the Heir's hangers-on were flattering him and asking Dugu Kang to compose a poem.

Dugu Kang first humbly said a few words, then took the stage without hesitation, stood up, tapped his palm with his folding fan, and slowly paced, seemingly deep in thought about his words. He truly had a bit of a poet's demeanor.

Seeing this, many refined guests on the second floor also frequently looked over, clearly with some anticipation.

But Dugu Kang shook his head and pondered for a long time, yet he couldn't come up with anything. The four scholarly hangers-on were not in a hurry and waited with smiles.

Meng Yuan was also curious, but he saw that Liu He had already noticed him, with a look of disbelief on his face, followed by a hint of disdain and contempt.

After a while, Dugu Kang paced back and forth, looked down at the river below, looked up at the white clouds in the sky, and then happily clapped his hands, saying, "I've got it!"

He put one hand behind his back and held the folding fan in front with the other, walked around everyone, and said proudly, "Gentlemen, please listen."

The four scholarly hangers-on quickly put on a serious listening expression. The other guests on the second floor of the Drunken Moon Pavilion, seeing that he had already composed a poem, also leaned in to listen.

Meng Yuan and Nie Qingqing also wanted to see what kind of poem this Heir, who had received a "Pure Quality" evaluation, could compose.

"What is that thing floating in the sky, a piece to the east and a strip to the west. Could it be that immortals are weaving cloth, falling to the ground as willow catkins." Dugu Kang finished reciting with three sighs, and the entire second floor of the Drunken Moon Pavilion fell silent.

Then some people sneered, some shook their heads, some vigorously dug their ears, and some directly threw down their chopsticks and left.

Meng Yuan was also convinced. To be able to make a doggerel poem so messy showed his talent.

Nie Qingqing smiled and shook her head, saying, "Although he has no poetic talent, being born into a princely family is also a blessing."

Many refined guests on the second floor were contemptuous, but Dugu Kang had brought scholarly hangers-on who were already praising him.

"Wonderful! The rhythm and rhyme are perfect, and the meaning is profound! The young master's talent is unparalleled in this generation!"

"This poem is catchy, simple and pure, fitting the scene and the emotion! If there were truly immortals, their clothes would surely be white clouds and their skirts would be willow catkins! Wonderful, wonderful!"

Seeing the scholarly hangers-on offering wine and praising him, Dugu Kang became even more smug.

Meng Yuan found it boring and was about to leave when he saw Liu He approach Dugu Kang, whisper a few words, and keep glancing over here.

Then Dugu Kang also looked over here a couple of times, said a few words to Liu He with a smile, and saw Liu He walk over with a smug look.

"Gelder, why are you here? The Drunken Moon Pavilion is a place for literati and refined scholars. Is it a place where someone like you can come?" Liu He walked up to Meng Yuan with a smile, not without pride.

Nie Qingqing didn't say anything, just folded her hands and looked at Meng Yuan.

Meng Yuan only felt bored and didn't know what Liu He was so proud of. Did he think he was powerful again? But he was just the Heir's attendant, and he even came specifically to provoke him. He was truly pathetic and ignorant.

Currently, both Meng Yuan and Liu He were still slaves, but Meng Yuan was taking one step at a time, his fists getting harder and harder. Although he was still living by borrowing money, he was getting better and better.

Liu He, on the other hand, had changed masters but was sinking deeper and deeper on the path of a slave.

Their paths were different, and saying one more word to him would be a waste of time for Meng Yuan.

Seeing that Meng Yuan didn't speak, Liu He thought Meng Yuan was afraid of him, smiled smugly, and then looked at Nie Qingqing, saying, "Miss Nie, the Heir would like to invite Miss Nie over for a drink."

Nie Qingqing's face showed no displeasure at all, clearly having seen this kind of situation many times. She smiled and said, "Please tell His Highness the Heir that with my humble appearance, I cannot hold my liquor and would not dare to disturb the Heir's poetic mood. Today, the Heir has left a poem here, and my Drunken Moon Pavilion is honored. All expenses for the banquet will be waived. Later, I will send someone to deliver two jars of Dream Lake Spring to the Royal Residence."

Liu He couldn't find any fault with these words. He looked back and saw that Dugu Kang was carefully examining a piece of calligraphy, with the four hangers-on holding it up, clearly wanting Dugu Kang to buy it at a high price.

For a moment, Liu He felt ignored by the Heir and looked down upon by Nie Qingqing. He immediately darkened his face and said to Nie Qingqing, "I have already told the Heir. Please give me some face, Miss Nie, and just go over to toast him."

Nie Qingqing sat still, sized up Liu He, and said with a smile, "Please, Brother Liu, for the sake of my father, give me some face and don't make things difficult for a woman like me. I will treat Brother Liu to a drink another day."

"Why should I give you face?" Liu He didn't hear any displeasure in Nie Qingqing's words at all. He only felt that Nie Qingqing bringing up Master Nie was a sign of weakness, so he said, "Back then, I knelt before your father in front of so many people, begging him to take me in. Not only did he not take me in, but he also mocked me and didn't give me any face. Why should I give you face now?"

Meng Yuan shook his head in disappointment. This Liu He truly didn't know how to read the situation. Nie Qingqing had already politely refused and even waived the bill and sent wine. Such a gesture of goodwill had already given him enough face. As an attendant, he should have just obediently listened, but he insisted on acting like a dog relying on its master's power.

How could someone who could open a restaurant in this area be easily manipulated?

How much ability could the Heir of an idle prince have? If something really happened, would the "Pure Quality" Heir stand up for a slave like you?

Moreover, Nie Qingqing's father had a past connection with the Princess Consort's elder brother and was close friends with Centurion Zhang Guinian. He came from the Demon Suppression Division, and his Blossoming Spring Thunder technique was extraordinary.

Meng Yuan, having transmigrated and experienced various things, held immense respect for fists and swords.

But this Liu He had clearly never faced any setbacks, had never left the Royal Residence, and lacked understanding of the power of fists. He only knew how to curry favor, believing that status and power were everything.

However, he hadn't realized that fists were the most direct truth. So-called status and power were all built upon fists and swords.

Meng Yuan respected violence and also knew its preciousness.

Therefore, he stood up, reached out, and placed his hand on Liu He's head, grabbing his hair.

"What are you doing?" Liu He had the experience of being brutally beaten by Meng Yuan. He hadn't expected Meng Yuan to dare to act in front of the Young Master. At this moment, he cried out in panic and struggled desperately to break free.

But at this moment, compared to the first time he was beaten, Liu He only felt that Meng Yuan's strength was greater. That hand gripped the hair at the back of his head so tightly that he couldn't break free. When he tried to grab Meng Yuan's wrist with both hands, he found it even harder to budge.

"Young Master, save..." Before Liu He could even shout, he felt a huge force surge from the hand on the back of his head. His entire body was bent over, and then his head slammed heavily onto the table, shattering the plates.

Liu He felt blood in his mouth and nose, and his vision went black. But before he could react, that hand suddenly grabbed his head again and then slammed it fiercely onto the table once more.

After three consecutive slams, Liu He's face was covered in blood, his head seemed to have burst open, and he became listless, but that hand still hadn't left his head.

Liu He lay sprawled on the table, blood and pastries covering the entire surface. Then he saw Meng Yuan lean in.

"Who is she?" Meng Yuan held Liu He's head down, pressing his bloody face against the table, directly facing Nie Qingqing.

Nie Qingqing remained seated, not making a sound.

"It's... Nie Qingqing... Master Nie's daughter..." Liu He's nose was crooked and bleeding outwards as he struggled to answer.

"If I ever hear you speak to Master Nie, or Master Nie's daughter, like that again, I will absolutely cripple you."

Meng Yuan lifted Liu He's head again, then pressed it down onto the table with force. "Did you remember?"

"Remem... remembered..." Liu He didn't dare not answer, blood and snot gushing all over his face.

The commotion here was too great, and there was no verbal conflict before the fight started directly. Everyone on the second floor was stunned, and even people on the first floor came to watch. Several servants also quickly gathered around Nie Qingqing, waiting for her command.

The Young Master Dugu Kang sat in his original spot, looking bewildered, showing his simple nature. His martial warrior guard did not step forward to help, only stood behind Dugu Kang, his hand on the sword at his waist.

Meng Yuan surveyed the people on the second floor, cupped his fists in all directions, and said, "Disturbing everyone's enjoyment is truly improper. I am willing to offer a pot of Dream Lake Spring to each table as an apology. I ask for your gentlemen's forgiveness."

Seeing Meng Yuan speak like this, some people ignored him, some smiled and nodded, and a few young scholars smiled and cupped their fists in return.

Meng Yuan then cupped his fists towards the Young Master Dugu Kang, and immediately placed his hand on his waist sword, saying, "Young Master, do not worry. I am a guard under the Princess Consort."

Although Dugu Kang was simple, he wasn't a fool. After hearing this, he felt much more at ease and frowned, asking, "But you can't hit my dog!"

"..." Meng Yuan felt it wasn't worth it for Liu He and calmly said, "This person is Steward Liu's son, a servant of the Princess Consort. He was spouting nonsense here and being disrespectful with his words, damaging the Princess Consort's good name. My action of punishing him is not disrespect towards the Young Master."

"Is what he said true or false?" Dugu Kang actually went to ask an old retainer beside him.

The old retainer saw that Meng Yuan kept his hand on his waist sword, and his words were reasonable, while Nie Qingqing also showed no sign of panic. The refined guests on the second floor were all looking over, so he discussed in a low voice with a middle-aged guard.

After discussing for a few sentences, the old retainer leaned into Dugu Kang's ear and said a few words. Then Dugu Kang said in a bewildered tone, "I haven't even bullied anyone yet, and they won't let me participate in the poetry gathering because of this?"

"That's right, we don't need to cause trouble outside. Those stinky Confucians' mouths are the best at spreading rumors," the old retainer comforted him.

"Don't call them stinky Confucians!" Dugu Kang clearly considered himself a refined scholar. "Then I'll listen to you. We'll deal with him when we get back!"

Dugu Kang grunted twice, didn't ask for Meng Yuan's name, only muttered about crude martial warriors, and immediately went downstairs. Several attendants stepped forward to support Liu He and followed along.

The old retainer stayed behind, also sizing up Meng Yuan. He smiled and nodded, saying, "Young people have a lot of fire, but you've offended the Young Master, I'm afraid it won't be easy. When you get back, find me, and I'll help you smooth things over with the Young Master, and the big matter will become a small one."

After speaking, the old retainer stepped downstairs.

Meng Yuan didn't understand what the old retainer meant. Why did he suddenly show goodwill? Or was he hiding a knife in his smile?

"Sister, what does he mean?" Meng Yuan asked Nie Qingqing curiously.

Nie Qingqing chuckled and shook her head, saying, "My father said you are sometimes clever and sometimes foolish. It seems it's true. That person is asking you for money. These retainers and hangers-on surrounding the Young Master, isn't it just for that bit of money? Liu He has nothing to do with them, so they won't help him out. They just want to take the opportunity to get more money. The Young Master is simple and likes to pretend to be refined. Although you hurt his pride, he can't think that much. In the end, it's the people below him who come up with ideas."

Yes, wasn't coming out to flatter the Young Master just for a few coins? It really wasn't worth it to make enemies with an impulsive young martial warrior, and the young man was also the Princess Consort's person. Getting some money to gloss over the matter was good for everyone.

Meng Yuan understood the key point and couldn't help but laugh.

"You should go back first. This matter needs to be communicated with Xun Mei anyway. I have already sent someone to find my father. Don't worry, my father has some face in front of the Princess Consort," Nie Qingqing's voice was gentle, with a smile on her face, as she carefully examined Meng Yuan.

"I've caused trouble for Sister. Then I'll go back first." Meng Yuan nodded and stepped towards the stairs.

But just as he reached the railing, Nie Qingqing's voice came from behind, "Young Master Meng, you promised to send a pot of wine to each table, but you haven't left the money yet."

She smiled sweetly.

"Please allow me to put it on credit this time, Sister." Meng Yuan directly acknowledged the cost of the wine and smiled, "When I borrow the money, I will definitely come to settle the account."

"Living by borrowing money is not a long-term solution." Nie Qingqing clasped her hands and smiled charmingly, "Didn't you just ask if you could earn money with my father? Now I'll tell you, earning money is just a small path. I'll accept on behalf of my father."